One set of Battle Armor per person?
The Shrek Seven Devils looked at one another, all wondering whether Tang San had that kind of ability.
Ye Tianyun had made researching it look easy, but he was a heaven-gifted prodigy, while Tang San had to rely on secretly copying his work.
They weren't even in the same league.
[Now that Ye Tianyun had developed Battle Armor, his first clash with the protagonist was about to take place.]
Tang San immediately perked up. A clash with the protagonist—wasn't that the same as a clash with him?
He was about to face Ye Tianyun.
"Too bad the other Tang San is useless and can't beat Ye Tianyun. If it were me, I'd have Ye Tianyun pinned beneath my feet."
Tang San sighed himself, cursing only the other version of him for being useless.
Seeing Tang San looking dejected, Xiao Wu encouraged him from beside him:
"Third Brother, maybe you'll win the first match. He's only at level twenty, after all, even if he has Battle Armor..."
Xiao Wu trailed off.
With Battle Armor and the pistol Lotus Justice, Ye Tianyun seemed to have the advantage. What could Tang San possibly use to fight him?
Tang San had thought of that too, but he quickly regained his confidence and said with a haughty air:
"It's fine. That's only another version of me, not the real me. I'm guaranteed to win anyway."
[Next, we'll show the clash between Ye Tianyun and Tang San. This was their first confrontation, but it certainly wouldn't be their last.]
The scene shifted. The enormous screen in the sky changed to the Parallel Timeline, and the protagonist became Ye Tianyun.
Ye Tianyun was walking down the street when he stopped at a market stall, staring at a purplish-black metal chunk on the cloth covering the vendor's table.
At a glance, he recognized it as an extremely rare metal. It was both tough and sturdy, an excellent material for crafting Battle Armor.
"Boss, how much for this metal chunk?"
"Ten gold coins in total."
"I'll take it."
There was no haggling or price gouging. The transaction went smoothly: Ye Tianyun paid, and the boss handed over the goods.
But just as the payment and goods had changed hands and Ye Tianyun was about to leave, someone called out to him from behind.
"Wait. Sell that piece of metal to me."
Ye Tianyun turned around and saw Tang San behind him. He was a little surprised.
Was he fated to keep running into the protagonist? He'd bumped into Tang San again and again.
Tang San was just as surprised. Then he glanced at the metal chunk in Ye Tianyun's hand and immediately guessed that Ye Tianyun wanted to make a Hidden Weapon. He sneered inwardly.
Without blueprints, he didn't think Ye Tianyun could succeed. He was bound to fail more often than not.
"Sell me that chunk of metal. I'll give you five gold coins."
Tang San spoke in an arrogant tone, as if ordering Ye Tianyun around. He looked down on him from the bottom of his heart.
His arrogance irritated countless people watching the Live Broadcast Room. What gave him the right to act so high and mighty? Just because he had Innate Full Soul Power?
Even Ye Tianyun laughed. He tightened his grip on the metal chunk but didn't hand it over.
"Sorry, I bought this for ten gold coins. You think you can buy it off me for five?"
Pfft...
Quite a few people around them laughed.
They were just as annoyed with Tang San. His clothes were so old that he looked like a commoner at a glance. Where did he get off acting so arrogant?
Tang San felt humiliated. Their laughter filled him with a deep sense of inferiority, and murderous intent swelled in his heart.
Ye Tianyun, along with every one of these people, deserved to die.
But the metal chunk was the real issue. He could tell it was excellent material for making high-grade Hidden Weapons.
Tang San pulled out a bag of gold coins and shook it, making them jingle.
"I'll give you twenty gold coins. That's twice what you paid, so you won't lose out."
"No deal."
Ye Tianyun refused without hesitation. He wasn't going to sell it to Tang San.
Never mind how arrogant Tang San was; Ye Tianyun had a use for the metal chunk himself. Why would he sell it?
Tang San's expression darkened. How dare Ye Tianyun refuse him? It was an insult to his confidence.
But when he thought of Ye Tianyun's background, his haughty air returned. In front of everyone, he challenged Ye Tianyun:
"If that's the case, then let's settle this like Spirit Masters. We'll have a duel, and the winner gets the metal chunk."
He believed that with his Innate Full Soul Power, he could easily crush Ye Tianyun, who had only 0.1 levels of innate Soul Power.
The metal chunk would be his in no time.
"Fine. I accept."
Ye Tianyun readily agreed. He wasn't the person he used to be; he'd grown stronger and needed an opponent to test himself against.
Tang San was perfect. He could use him to get some practice and test the power of his Battle Armor.
"There's a Soul Fighting Arena nearby. People duel there all the time. Let's go."
The two made their way to the Soul Fighting Arena, one ahead of the other.
The place was devoted to settling disputes through duels. The fighters paid their own expenses, and the arena also sold tickets to make a profit.
After paying, Tang San entered the fighting area and looked down at Ye Tianyun with haughty contempt.
"I'll give you one more chance. Hand over the metal chunk, and I'll still give you ten gold coins."
"Forget it. Make your move."
Ye Tianyun remained calm. He merely touched his chest, feeling the cool metal of his Battle Armor and steadying himself.
With Battle Armor, he wouldn't lose.
"Arrogant fool. I'll show you that against absolute strength, your pride will only get you hurt."
Tang San opened his palm. Emerald Blue Silver Grass slowly sprouted from it, and then two yellow Spirit Rings rose from beneath his feet.
The audience around them was instantly stunned.
"What the hell? Isn't that Blue Silver Grass? Can Blue Silver Grass become a Spirit Master's Martial Soul?"
"Not only is he a Spirit Master, he has two Hundred-Year Soul Rings. He's a Soul Grandmaster at such a young age—what a genius!"
Hearing the amazed praise around him, Tang San felt a touch of pride well up inside.
Then he nodded at Ye Tianyun and said disdainfully:
"Your turn. Release your Martial Soul."
Ye Tianyun spread his hands, and a banner suddenly appeared in them. A faint purple aura radiated around it, purple shading into black, giving it an air of nobility.
This was Ye Tianyun's soul banner—no, the Human Emperor Banner, the symbol of the righteous path.
Two Hundred-Year Soul Rings appeared beneath his feet as well.
Tang San's eyes widened. He raised a trembling hand and stammered:
"Impossible! You had 0.1 levels of innate Soul Power. How could you have two Spirit Rings? They have to be fake."
How could anyone improve so quickly?
"Oh, they gave me the wrong report back then. I actually had seven levels of innate Soul Power."
Ye Tianyun explained offhandedly. He didn't dare reveal the truth: rising twenty levels from 0.1 would attract covetous eyes if word got out.
A man wasn't guilty for possessing a jade ring, but he was guilty for owning it.
He still didn't have enough strength to protect himself.
Hearing Ye Tianyun's casual explanation, Tang San actually believed him.
That explanation was much more plausible than gaining twenty levels of Soul Power in five years.
"Then make your move. Let me see what you can do."
Tang San's eyes and tone remained confident.
He had Innate Full Soul Power and the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. How could he possibly lose to Ye Tianyun?
The advantage in this fight was mine.
"You make the first move."
Ye Tianyun stood where he was, letting Tang San attack first. He remained as steady as a mountain.
The audience in the Live Broadcast Room held their breath, watching the confrontation between the two protagonists.
Before you continue