"If I can't break it, I'll send you and your Martial Soul off the stage together."
Tang San caught the cracked wooden plaque. His thumb brushed across the fracture, and a few splinters fell among the blades of Blue Silver Grass.
Huyan Li looked down at him, his chest almost touching Tang San's forehead.
"You beat a few pieces of trash with a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, and now you think you're somebody?"
Dai Mubai edged half a step forward and pressed his shoulder against Huyan Li.
"You'd better still be able to talk when you step into the ring tomorrow."
The six teammates behind Huyan Li advanced together, their broad bodies blocking the entire corridor.
With each step, another floor tile cracked.
Flender raised a hand between the two teams.
"Private fights are forbidden here. Whoever strikes first is disqualified. If the Elephant Armored Sect wants to stand up for the imperial second team, there'll be plenty of chances in the ring."
"Stand up for that bunch of trash?"
Huyan Li released the plaque and patted Dai Mubai's shoulder.
"As if they're worth it."
Golden light surged from the White Tiger on Dai Mubai's shoulder, knocking the hand away.
Huyan Li did not retaliate. He merely glanced at Tang San's feet.
"Save your Blue Silver Grass for tomorrow. I'll crush it stem by stem in front of everyone."
Tang San handed the plaque back to the staff member.
"I'll be waiting."
The seven from Elephant Armored Academy turned and left. The crowd immediately parted for them.
Ma Hongjun spat at their backs.
"They look scary enough. Wonder how many hits they can take."
"All seven have the same Martial Soul. Their coordination won't be poor."
Tang San watched Huyan Li's retreating back, already working through possible formations in