Tang Ya's Wild Talk: Let's All Three Be Together!

"Cough, cough...!"

Xu Sanshi struggled to his feet, covered in dust, his arm still trembling slightly. He stared at Su Chen with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if he were looking at some kind of monster.

He had never imagined that a first-year student could send him flying without even using a Soul Skill!

And Jiang Nannan was watching, too!

He'd just made a complete fool of himself!

Xu Sanshi trembled with rage. Uncontrolled black Soul Power surged from his body, gathering behind him into the hazy outline of a Tortoise Shell Phantom. He glared at Su Chen and ground the words out through clenched teeth:

"Pretty boy, do you dare face me in the Duel Arena?"

"Oh, getting mad, are we?"

Su Chen sighed and shook his head. The look on his face said, "Honestly, what am I going to do with you?" It was enough to make anyone see red.

He leisurely straightened his collar before looking up at Xu Sanshi. "Sure. Let's fight. I've always believed in winning people over with virtue—of course, if reason doesn't get through to them, I don't mind using my fists to help it 'sink in.'"

He paused and gave Xu Sanshi a once-over, his eyes full of undisguised disdain, as if he were looking at something filthy. "But... what's in it for me? My time is worth more than your face, after all. I can't just let you drag me into a fight for nothing, can I?"

"You!!"

Xu Sanshi nearly choked. He slapped the Storage Soul Tool at his waist, and a heavy money pouch hit the ground with a dull thud.

"There are a hundred Gold Soul Coins in here!" Xu Sanshi snarled. "If you lose, get as far away from Nannan as you can and never go near her again! Do you dare to wager?"

Su Chen glanced at the pouch, his disdain deepening until it was tinged with pity.

He nudged Xu Sanshi's money pouch with his toe and sighed. "Tsk, a hundred Gold Soul Coins?"

"Bro, is that all you brought with you? Is the Xuanming Sect a little short on cash lately? Want me to lend you some? Don't worry, I won't charge interest." Su Chen sounded so sincere that it made people want to hit him.

"Hahahaha—"

The people around them burst into laughter. Wang Dong was doubled over, Tang Ya clutched her stomach, and even Jiang Nannan couldn't suppress the curve of her lips.

Xu Sanshi's face went from red to green, from green to purple, and finally turned black as the bottom of a pot. His chest heaved violently, but he was too furious to get a word out.

Seeing that the time was right, Su Chen turned serious. "All right, I'm done teasing you. I'll fight you, but you have to agree to one condition. If you lose, you won't bother Jiang Nannan anymore, from this day forward. And in return, I won't deliberately pursue her. It'll be entirely up to Senior Sister Jiang."

He looked at Jiang Nannan, his golden eyes clear and open. "Of course, if Senior Sister ever misses me, I'll be waiting."

Jiang Nannan blushed and nodded without thinking.

Seeing this only made Xu Sanshi burn with jealousy. So many people were watching, and Jiang Nannan was right there. If he backed down now, what would happen to his pride?

Besides, he didn't believe he could lose.

A first-year student—how strong could he be? At most, a Soul Grandmaster. Xu Sanshi was a Soul Elder, and the defensive power of his Xuanming Tortoise Martial Soul was unrivaled in the Outer Court. Even Bei Bei's Thunder Dragon Claw could barely break through his Tortoise Shell Shield.

Where did this kid get his confidence?

"Fine!" Xu Sanshi gritted his teeth. "Let's wager!"

"Hmph! Come on!"

He snorted angrily, then strode toward the Soul Fighting Zone, his back radiating grim resolve.

Su Chen nodded to Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan, and Wang Dong, then followed.

Wang Dong hurried after them, looking excited and eager for a show. She'd just had her fill of other people's romance and was feeling rather disgruntled. Now she finally had a chance to watch a good spectacle—and a one-sided beatdown, at that. After all, Su Chen could defeat a Soul Emperor. Surely he could handle Xu Sanshi?

"Come on, come on! Yuhao, let's go too!" Tang Ya tugged on Huo Yuhao's arm, her eyes shining. "I'll pay your entry fee! We can't miss a show like this!"

"Okay..." Huo Yuhao nodded, but his gaze stayed fixed on Su Chen's back, his expression complicated.

He could sense that this senior named Su Chen was far stronger than he could have imagined. That moment when he sent Xu Sanshi flying had been so fast that Huo Yuhao hadn't even seen it clearly.

If only he had that kind of strength...

Huo Yuhao clenched his fist, then let it relax, a trace of gloom crossing his eyes.

The Soul Fighting Zone stood in the northwest corner of Shrek Academy's Spirit Department, near Shrek City. It opened after classes each day and remained open until midnight, making it a popular haunt for students who liked a good fight.

After all, most Soul Masters enjoyed the thrill of battle. There were no restrictions on fighting here, and no need to worry about anyone getting hurt by an overly heavy blow. A teacher was always on hand to act as referee, keep the fight within bounds, and intervene in time.

Of course, not all teachers were as unreliable as a certain "Holy Spirit Cult Supreme Elder." Whenever that person led an expedition, they always came back having lost a few geniuses. What a record.

Both sides had to pay at least ten Gold Soul Coins to hold a Soul Fighting match. Spectators had to pay one Silver Soul Coin to enter the arena—but to a Soul Master, that was hardly anything.

On top of that, winning matches in the Soul Fighting Zone earned students academic credits and bonus points on their year-end exams. So there was never a shortage of spectators or students eager to make a name for themselves.

By the time Xu Sanshi and Su Chen entered the Soul Fighting Zone one after the other, the news had already spread like wildfire.

"Have you heard? Xu Sanshi's going to duel a new student!"

"What freshman has a death wish? Challenging the 'Outer Court's strongest defense'?"

"I think his name's Su Chen... Wait, that sounds familiar..."

"I remember! He's the one who injured Teacher Zhou Yi this morning!"

"What?! Seriously?!"

The stands filled up in no time. Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei were known together as the Twin Stars of the Outer Court, so Xu Sanshi already had quite a reputation. Few people knew Su Chen had defeated a Soul Emperor, but "genius freshman challenges senior student" was a spectacle all on its own.

And when Su Chen stepped onto the Soul Fighting Platform, the stands erupted in gasps.

"Wow! He's so handsome! Golden hair, golden eyes—his whole vibe is incredible!"

One female student covered her face in excitement, her eyes sparkling. Her companions nodded in agreement.

"I hereby declare that he's my new dream guy, starting today!"

"Wake up! He's only twelve!"

"So what? I'll wait until he grows up!"

"Girl, your calculations are so loud I can hear them from my dorm!"

In the front row, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Tang Ya, and Jiang Nannan sat together. Xiao Xiao had also hurried over after hearing the news. She sat beside Wang Dong and curiously studied Su Chen on the platform.

Hearing the female students behind them gossip, the four of them reacted in different ways.

Jiang Nannan gently tugged on Tang Ya's sleeve and whispered, "Tang Ya, do you think Su Chen can really beat Xu Sanshi? Everyone in the Outer Court agrees that Xu Sanshi has the best defense..."

Tang Ya giggled and patted Jiang Nannan's shoulder. "Nannan, don't underestimate my eye for people. My Su Chen isn't just handsome—his strength is extraordinary, too. Xu Sanshi's nothing. Even Bei Bei..."

She paused, her gaze flickering. "Never mind. Let's not talk about Bei Bei."

Jiang Nannan picked up on it right away. "You and Bei Bei really..."

"I haven't made up my mind yet." Tang Ya waved it off and changed the subject. "But you seem pretty worried about Su Chen. What's this, have you fallen for him?"

She leaned close to Jiang Nannan's ear and lowered her voice, a teasing smile in her tone. "If you really like him, I'll be generous. The three of us can live together."

"Besides, that boy doesn't look like an easy one to handle. I'm afraid I can't manage him by myself. After all, when three walk together, there's always a teacher among them!"

"Tang Ya!"

Jiang Nannan's cheeks turned bright red, like ripe apples. She pushed Tang Ya away in embarrassment, but her heart still raced out of her control.

Su Chen was handsome and strong, and he had a sense of responsibility. They'd only just met, yet he was willing to stand up for her and take on Xu Sanshi...

Jiang Nannan was a young woman, after all. How could she not be moved?

Nearby, Wang Dong had heard every word of their conversation. Her lips were already pursed into a pout.

The three of them living together?!

Senior Sister Tang Ya, what kind of wild suggestion is that?!

And Senior Sister Jiang Nannan, why are you blushing? You've only just met him!

Su Chen, you shameless flirt! When we get back, I'll definitely—I'll definitely...

She thought it over and realized she didn't have much she could use to threaten Su Chen.

She couldn't beat him—the "father-and-son match" from a few days ago was still fresh in her memory.

And she couldn't out-talk him. That guy had a poisonous tongue, and she always lost whenever they traded barbs.

She racked her brain. Was she supposed to cry? That would be so embarrassing!

Wang Dong folded her arms in a huff and decided she wouldn't speak to Su Chen for the rest of the night—no, for three whole days!

Sitting beside her, Xiao Xiao glanced at Wang Dong, then at Su Chen on the platform, and blinked thoughtfully.

On the Soul Fighting Platform.

The referee was a stern-faced, middle-aged male teacher. He briefly restated the rules of the Soul Fighting Zone: the fight was to be stopped once a clear winner emerged; neither side could deliberately maim or kill; a contestant lost upon surrendering or losing the ability to fight; and the referee could step in to stop the match at any time.

"The match—begins!"

As soon as the referee announced the start, he quickly retreated, leaving the platform to the two fighters.

Xu Sanshi moved almost as soon as the words left the referee's mouth.

"First Soul Skill! Xuanming Shock!"

He let out a low growl. His First Soul Ring lit up beneath his feet, and a dark wave of force spread outward from him. It was a control skill that could knock back and stun an opponent, giving him the initiative.

But Su Chen was faster.

He didn't even release his Martial Soul. He simply curled his right hand, and a long sword wreathed in golden flames appeared out of thin air—the Angel Holy Sword!

With the holy sword in hand, Su Chen casually swung it.

"Whoosh—"

A streak of golden sword light flashed past. Xu Sanshi's Xuanming Shock wave was sliced apart as easily as paper and vanished into nothing.

Xu Sanshi's expression changed. His First Soul Skill might not have been his strongest, but it shouldn't have been this easy to break!

"Not bad..." He gritted his teeth as his Second Soul Ring lit up right after the first. "Second Soul Skill! Xuanming Shield Formation!"

One black Tortoise Shell Shield after another appeared around him, forming a tight defensive formation. It was Xu Sanshi's signature defensive skill, one that had once withstood the furious attacks of countless Power Attack System Soul Masters.

Su Chen only smiled faintly.

He turned his wrist, and the Angel Holy Sword traced an elegant golden arc through the air. He didn't use a single Soul Skill. The holy power contained in the blade alone gathered into a solid sword aura that shot forward!

The sword aura slammed into the Xuanming Shield Formation.

"Crack..."

The sound made everyone's teeth ache.

The formation, hailed as the "Outer Court's strongest defense," had developed a fine web of cracks under the sword aura's impact!

Xu Sanshi's pupils contracted. He could no longer afford to hold back. The purple light of his Third Soul Ring blazed brightly!

"Third Soul Skill! Xuanming Power!"

He roared. Heavy black armor appeared over his body, making him look like a black tortoise statue. This was his strongest defensive state. Once activated, it greatly increased his defense, enough to withstand attacks from a Soul Ancestor!

And yet—

Su Chen's sword aura carved several faint white marks into the black armor, like a hot knife through butter!

It hadn't completely broken through, but a thin layer had clearly been shaved off the edge of the armor. Xu Sanshi groaned. He felt a wave of scorching power rush through him, making his blood and Qi churn. He stumbled back several steps before barely managing to steady himself.

The entire audience held its breath.

It was the first time they had ever seen anyone lightly injure Xu Sanshi while his strongest defense was active, using nothing but the ordinary attack of a sword—without a Soul Skill!

On the Soul Fighting Platform, Su Chen looked calmly at Xu Sanshi, not a ripple in his golden eyes. A faint smile touched his lips, and his voice carried clearly across the entire Soul Fighting Zone:

"You should be glad I haven't released my Martial Soul or used any of my Soul Skills."

He paused, his tone edged with amusement. "Otherwise, you'd already be dead."

"But—" Su Chen's gaze suddenly sharpened. "I've had my fun. It's time to end this match!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he moved.

The next instant, Su Chen's figure left a faint golden afterimage in its place. He appeared before Xu Sanshi like a ghost, moving so fast that even the referee could not follow him completely!

Xu Sanshi didn't even have time to react before a long, powerful hand closed around his throat.

A faint golden light covered the hand. It looked gentle, but held terrifying power. The Xuanming Armor around Xu Sanshi shattered inch by inch beneath its grip, vanishing in flecks of black light.

"You..." Xu Sanshi's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

Su Chen gave him no chance to speak. He raised his arm and lifted the burly Xu Sanshi clean off the ground with one hand!

Then—

"BANG!!!"

A deafening crash shook the Soul Fighting Platform, sending rubble flying.

Su Chen slammed Xu Sanshi onto the ground with one hand. Xu Sanshi's massive body was embedded in the platform, his limbs spread out in a starfish shape. His protective Soul Power shattered completely, and the Tortoise Shell Shield flew out of his hand with a clang, crashing down at the edge of the platform.

Dust drifted slowly to the ground.

The whole arena fell silent.

Everyone was completely stunned by the sight. Their mouths hung open, but not a single word came out.

The match had lasted only a few short seconds. A Soul Elder, the Outer Court's strongest defender, had been crushed one-handed by a first-year student without the slightest chance to fight back!

And Su Chen hadn't released his Martial Soul or lit up a single Soul Ring!

"You lost!"