Life-and-Death Race

It looked like he was reprimanding Tang San, but he was actually helping him out of a bind.

By defining the "use of Hidden Weapons" as a "momentary impulse," then emphasizing the "rules of the arena," he was trying to clear Tang San of the charge of "premeditated murder."

Tang San lowered his head. "Teacher, I was wrong."

Yu Xiaogang turned to Zhou Qiubai, his expression stern. "This little brother, Xiao San is young and hot-blooded. He acted on impulse. Please forgive him. I apologize to you on his behalf."

Zhou Qiubai glanced at the master and disciple but said nothing.

He could tell that Yu Xiaogang's apology lacked all sincerity. It was more for show than anything else.

The resentment and greed in Tang San's eyes also could not escape his notice.

But he could not be bothered to argue with them.

The martial world was long, and he had seen plenty of people like this.

If the enmity forged today led them to come after him in the future, he would cut them down with a single stroke.

More importantly, Tang Hao was probably nearby. If he made a move, Tang Hao would likely step in to stop him.

Right now, he was still no match for a Titled Douluo.

"Referee." Zhou Qiubai turned toward the referee. "Can you announce the result now?"

Only then did the referee come back to his senses and loudly declare, "In this match, contestant Tang San violated the rules by using Hidden Weapons. He is judged the loser. Zhou Qiubai wins!"

The audience immediately erupted.

Some cursed Tang San for being despicable, while others marveled at Zhou Qiubai's swordsmanship...

Still, they had truly had their eyes opened today.

After all, Tang San's identity was not exactly a secret. At that age, there was only one place that could have taught him.

There was only one high-level Soul Master Academy near Suotuo City, and it was a trash academy.

Zhou Qiubai sheathed his sword and turned to leave the platform.

Zhao Yan came up to him, his face full of excitement. "Brother Zhou, that was incredible!"

"Just luck." Zhou Qiubai replied blandly.

"That wasn't luck!" Zhao Yan said in a low voice.

Zhou Qiubai patted him on the shoulder. "I'm leaving. Thank you for looking after me these past days."

"You're really leaving?" Zhao Yan was reluctant to see him go. "With your strength, you could definitely make a name for yourself in Suotuo City..."

"A person of the martial world should not be trapped in one city or one place." Zhou Qiubai shook his head. "We'll meet again if fate allows it."

He said no more and turned to leave the Soul Fighting Arena.

As he stepped out of the gates, the sunset was at its finest.

This battle marked the end of his trip to Suotuo City.

Next, he would head toward a broader world.

Outside the Great Soul Arena, Tang San stared at the direction Zhou Qiubai had disappeared in, his gaze complicated.

"Xiao San, stop looking." Yu Xiaogang walked over, his tone unpleasant. "You were impulsive this time. Using Hidden Weapons in the arena will damage your reputation if word gets out."

What mattered most was Yu Xiaogang's own reputation. If Tang San achieved greatness in the future, what would others think of him when they saw him?

That Yu Xiaogang had taught a disciple who only knew how to launch sneak attacks?

"I know." Tang San lowered his head, his voice dull. "But that footwork and sword technique of his..."

"They truly are exquisite." A trace of longing flashed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes as well. "If we can get our hands on them, they would greatly improve your strength. But we cannot rush this. We need to plan carefully."

Tang San nodded.

Of course he understood that he could not rush.

Today, he had already alerted the enemy. The other party would surely be on guard.

But as long as those martial arts remained in the other party's possession, he still had a chance.

"Teacher, do you think those are inherited Soul Skills?" Tang San frowned. "Which family on the continent is famous for sword techniques and footwork?"

Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I've never heard of one. I only know that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sword Douluo is the foremost figure in Sword Dao on the continent, but his is the Seven Kill Sword, completely different from that soft-sword style. As for footwork... I've heard of no family that specializes in it."

"Could it be a reclusive family?" Tang San guessed.

"That's possible." Yu Xiaogang nodded. "The continent is vast, and there are quite a few reclusive families. Some have ancient inheritances, so it would not be strange for them to possess unique arts."

As the two spoke, Flender and the other students also gathered around them.

"Third Brother, are you okay?" Xiao Wu asked worriedly.

Tang San shook his head. "I'm fine. Just a minor injury."

Dai Mubai looked at him with a complicated expression. "That Zhou Qiubai... he really is strong. Losing to him isn't unjustified."

His words carried a hint of bitterness.

He had thought he was the strongest in Shrek, but he had first lost to Zhou Qiubai, and now Tang San had caught up to him as well. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Oscar patted him on the shoulder. "Boss Dai, don't lose heart. We're still young. There will be plenty of opportunities."

Ma Hongjun chimed in as well. "Exactly! Once we all become Titled Douluo, we'll settle the score with him."

Ning Rongrong stood at the edge of the crowd with her head lowered, saying nothing.

She had watched the entire match. Zhou Qiubai's calm composure, his incomparably exquisite swordsmanship and footwork, once again made her feel that gap.

It was not a gap in strength, but a gap in realm.

That person was unlike any Soul Master she had ever known.

He did not pursue Soul Power Level, flaunt his Soul Ring configuration, or even rely on Soul Skills. With nothing but a sword and a set of footwork, he could suppress geniuses of his generation until they had no way to fight back.

She had never seen such a path before.

"Alright, everyone, go back and rest." Flender waved a hand. "We're heading to the Star Dou Forest tomorrow. Stop wasting time here."

Everyone gradually dispersed.

Tang San walked at the very back. He looked once more in the direction Zhou Qiubai had left, his fists silently clenching.

Floating Cloud Nine Palace Steps, Qiuming Eighteen Styles...

He had to get them!

Outside the Soul Fighting Arena, within the shadows of a street corner, Tang Hao leaned casually against a wall and took a large swig of wine.

From the probing attacks at the beginning to their all-out clash later, from Tang San's Hidden Weapons sneak attack to Zhou Qiubai's flowing counterattack, he had grasped every detail perfectly.

"Self-Created Soul Skills?"

Tang Hao quietly repeated those two names, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

As a Titled Douluo, his insight was naturally far beyond Yu Xiaogang's.

He could keenly sense that the footwork and sword technique had long formed a complete system. They were definitely not as simple as ordinary Self-Created Soul Skills.

Just like his Clear Sky Nine Absolutes and Chen Xin's Wind Chasing Sword Technique, they were both the ultimate understanding of one's Martial Soul.

"A teenager barely over ten years old has already mastered Self-Created Soul Skills of this level..." Tang Hao's thoughts raced, surging like a tide.

If Xiao San could learn them...

No, if the Clear Sky Sect could master them, the sect's strength would certainly rise dramatically.

However, that Zhou Qiubai was clearly not someone easy to control.

Back on the platform, when Tang San launched his sneak attack, Tang Hao had already been prepared to intervene.

He knew very well that if Zhou Qiubai had truly wanted to kill, that one sword strike would have been enough to end Tang San's life.

But Zhou Qiubai had not dealt a killing blow. He had merely defused the attack skillfully, stopping at the right point.

Unfortunately, Tang Hao did not know that if Zhou Qiubai had not feared his presence, he would have acted long ago.