Persistence, Guang Biao's Retreat

"What is it?"

Tang San's words piqued Tang Wulin's interest, and he spoke up.

"Faith and perseverance." Tang San smiled faintly.

"In a battle, only the one who persists until the very end is the ultimate winner. Everything that happens before then—victories and defeats—doesn't matter."

Tang San understood this deeply.

Heavenly Water, Blazing Fire, Divine Wind, Spirit Hall—back then, which battle had not been a challenge for the Shrek team?

Even the later continental war and the battle of the twin gods had been just as difficult.

But in the end, weren't they the victors?

After listening to Tang San's guidance and recalling his own experiences over the years, Tang Wulin fell into thoughtful contemplation.

"Old Tang, you're right!"

After saying that, when Tang Wulin looked back at the battle in the arena, he no longer felt nearly as devastated.

Seeing Tang Wulin regain his confidence, Tang San nodded in satisfaction, then quietly used his divine sense.

He began trying to contact Tang Hao, who was within the origin space.

"Father, do you know what's going on with Xu Yue?"

A moment passed, but there was no response.

"Hm?" Tang San frowned slightly. "What's going on?"

"Father? Mother?"

"Where are they?!"

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Xu Yue unleashed four more consecutive strikes of the Thousand Rock Spear Art, each carrying spear intent and fully displaying the heaviness of his rock spear intent.

With each thrust, he advanced one step—four steps in a row!

Meanwhile, Guang Biao, under the sharp edge of the Vortex Vanquisher, retreated one step with every thrust until he had been driven all the way to the edge of the arena.

His expression was solemn as he stared at Xu Yue.

"That's impossible! Even if a mere Soul Elder is exceptionally strong, how could he possibly not retreat a single step under a Soul Emperor's attacks?"

Guang Biao's gaze suddenly sharpened. After the Jade Shield around Xu Yue's body flickered a few times, it shattered with a bang.

At the same time, that subtle sensation of being linked as one with the earth instantly vanished.

"So that's it! It was the effect of a soul skill!"

In an instant, Guang Biao came to a realization. "What a good opportunity!"

Without hesitation, the fourth and fifth soul rings circling Guang Biao lit up at once, and an incomparably tyrannical dragon's might erupted.

"Ironclad Dragon Fury!" "Earthshaking Dragon Claw!"

In an instant, a massive iron-gray dragon claw condensed beside Guang Biao and came howling down toward Xu Yue.

However, this attack did not smash toward Xu Yue himself. Instead, it struck the ground in front of him.

Rumble!

As the dragon claw descended, the ground trembled and cracked apart.

With the Rock Sovereign Body dispelled, Xu Yue himself was also sent several meters back by the aftershock of the strike.

After steadying himself, Xu Yue narrowed his eyes and looked at Guang Biao.

Just then, several angry shouts suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Guang Biao, you've got some nerve!"

"Ah Yue!! Are you alright?!"

A male voice and a female voice rang out one after the other.

The newcomers were Xu Xiaoyan's older brother, Xu Xiaoyu, and Mu Xi.

Guang Biao's momentum faltered when he saw the two approaching.

Two yellow and one purple—both possessed the optimal soul ring configuration. His already tightly furrowed brow creased even further.

"Who are you?"

Xu Xiaoyu's expression was cold and stern. "The Xu Family. Xu Xiaoyu."

Mu Xi, standing beside Xu Yue, glared at him furiously, her voice filled with rage. "The Blacksmith Association, Mu Xi!!"

"The Xu Family of Eastsea City—the Chief Financial Officer?!"

"The Blacksmith Association, surname Mu—Mu Chen, the eight-star Saint Craftsman!"

As those two pieces of information came together, Guang Biao's expression changed drastically.

The Xu Family head and Mu Chen, president of the Blacksmith Association—whether in status, strength, or standing, both surpassed him.

Even with the mecha battalion at his back, he could not afford to offend them lightly.

"Guang Biao, is this how the mecha battalion protects Eastsea City? Are you the Federation's army, or your own private army?"

"It seems it's time to report this to His Excellency the Governor."

Even though Xu Xiaoyu felt sorry for his sister and disliked Xu Yue's methods, Xu Yue was still the brother-in-law he had accepted in his heart. How could he let others bully him?

"A misunderstanding!" Guang Biao withdrew his martial soul, forcing a stiff smile onto his face. "There must be something wrong with what happened today."

Having said that, he turned and shouted harshly at the crowd behind him.

"What are you standing around for? Get over here!"

Soon, two people were dragged out of the crowd.

They were Guang Long's two lackeys.

Trembling, the two recounted yesterday's events.

After hearing them out, Guang Biao immediately slapped them both, his face filled with rage, then bowed to Xu Yue.

"My apologies! I was misled about what happened today. Young Master Xu taught them well!"

Of course, he knew that Guang Long had done plenty of such things under his protection.

But today, he could not carry this burden.

"You think an apology settles this?" Seeing that Xu Yue was unharmed, Mu Xi finally relaxed slightly, but she was still furious.

"Of course not!" Guang Biao hurriedly waved his hands. "Since today's events have caused Young Master Xu trouble, compensation will naturally be offered. What do you think...?"

Xu Xiaoyu and Mu Xi both turned their gazes toward Xu Yue, waiting for his decision.

Xu Yue gave Guang Biao a deep look, withdrew his martial soul, and replied calmly, "I'll accept the compensation."

Hearing this, Guang Biao let out a long breath of relief.

"The compensation will be delivered shortly. I truly apologize for the trouble caused to Young Master Xu today. I'll take my leave."

After saying that, Guang Biao turned and left.

Someone in the crowd looked at Guang Biao and asked quietly.

"Are we really just letting this go? Why not..."

Guang Biao shot him a cold glance. "Shut up!"

At that moment, his heart felt incomparably heavy.

Firing five linked shots had sent a sharp pain through his sea of spirit.

That anomaly made him think of something only true geniuses could comprehend.

Intent!

He could not afford to provoke Xu Yue's background, and he could afford to provoke Xu Yue's future even less. Give the other party another two years, and he, a Soul Emperor, might no longer be a match for him.

In fact, even now...

In a corner beyond everyone's sight, Guang Biao raised his trembling right hand and wiped the corner of his mouth. A flash of bright red vanished in an instant.

At the academy gate.

Although the gathered crowd gradually dispersed, the discussions about Xu Yue did not diminish. Instead, they only grew more fervent.

"That junior is so handsome. Is he in Class One, Grade One? I wonder if I can get his contact number?"

"Give it up. Didn't you see Senior Mu Xi and that younger girl who's always by her side?"

"Tch, so what?"

The crowd gradually drifted away.

Anger still lingered on Mu Xi's pretty face. "Ah Yue, are we really letting this go? When I get home, I'll talk to Dad. I'll make sure Guang Biao pays dearly for this."

The icy look on Xu Yue's face gradually softened, and his smile returned.

"How could we let this go? But there's no need to involve Uncle Mu." As he spoke, he looked at Xu Xiaoyu.

"Brother Xiaoyu, do you know who the mecha battalion's deputy commanders are? I'm sure they'll be very interested."

"You mean...?" Xu Xiaoyu froze for a moment, then suddenly understood. "I get it. This will be easy."

After Xu Yue, Mu Xi, and the others left, some people still remained outside the academy gates. They were Wu Zhangkong and the others.

Having watched the entire battle, Wu Zhangkong was no longer merely surprised.

He was shocked—utterly shaken.

Judging by technique alone, was Xu Yue's spearwork impressive?

It was, but not to the point where Wu Zhangkong could not understand it.

Among the students he had seen in Shrek's inner court, many could reach Xu Yue's level, or even surpass it.

But that had to be considered alongside age. How old were those who could enter Shrek's inner court?

How old was Xu Yue at this point?

But unlike Guang Biao, he had never come into contact with Xu Yue's spear, so he naturally had no idea that Xu Yue had comprehended spear intent.

Otherwise, he probably would not have been able to maintain his current aloof expression.

"Teacher Wu! Are you all right?"

Tang Wulin's voice jolted Wu Zhangkong out of his daze.

He looked at the students beside him, then thought of the promotion match in a few days. Gritting his teeth, he said coldly, "Move! All of you, go train!"