A supreme-grade innate spiritual treasure from the Primordial World.
Even though Jiang Xuan had currently developed less than one percent of the Eight Trigrams Furnace Martial Soul, using it against Little Scumbag at his current stage was completely an overwhelming show of force.
Just like now.
The basic weight alone of the Eight Trigrams Furnace Martial Soul after it grew larger was enough to easily suppress Tang San, leaving him completely unable to struggle or resist. And if Jiang Xuan had not heard wrong just now, several of Tang San's bones seemed to have broken as well.
"Xiao San!"
Yu Xiaogang cried out in pain when he came to his senses, then hurried forward and struggled to lift the Eight Trigrams Furnace pressing down on Tang San.
But with Yu Xiaogang's mere twenty-ninth-level Soul Power, the most he could do was raise the Eight Trigrams Furnace by half a finger's width—and he could only hold it for five seconds.
Seeing Tang San's breathing gradually grow weaker, Yu Xiaogang truly panicked.
He regarded Tang San as the hope that would allow him to prove his own learning in the future!
After enduring for decades in Notting City, he had finally waited for such a genius disciple. If Tang San died like this, his lifelong hopes would be completely shattered.
"Damn it! Let Xiao San go! You've already won, so why are you still pressing down on him? Are you trying to kill him?"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's roar, Jiang Xuan remained unmoved.
"What are you barking about? The two of you were the ones who jumped out and provoked me first. Your disciple was also the one who suggested a fair one-on-one battle. What, now that you can't afford to lose, you're trying to condemn me from the moral high ground?"
Jiang Xuan's attitude infuriated Yu Xiaogang.
But with his strength, even if he flew into a rage, all he could do was be angry.
"This matter was my fault. Xiao San only acted impulsively just now because he wanted to stand up for me. If you're still angry, then take it out on me. Let Xiao San go, and I'll submit to whatever punishment you choose."
Since force was useless, Yu Xiaogang could only try the gentle approach.
Seeing his attitude change so quickly, Jiang Xuan had not expected it at all.
After all, in the original story, this "Grandmaster" had once declared harshly before Bibi Dong:
"If anything happens to Tang San, I will destroy Spirit Hall at any cost!"
When Jiang Xuan had seen those words back then, curiosity had arisen in his heart. He truly could not imagine what had given Yu Xiaogang, whose Soul Power was only at level twenty-nine, the confidence to make such a declaration.
He had thought he would get to witness this "Grandmaster's" trump card today, but the man had surrendered immediately. What a bore...
At the same time, hearing his master throw away his dignity to save him, Tang San, pinned beneath the Eight Trigrams Furnace, felt his heart ache terribly.
He wanted to speak and persuade Yu Xiaogang, but because the ribs in his chest were broken, he spat out a large amount of blood foam the moment he opened his mouth.
Seeing Tang San in this state, he was probably truly close to death.
If he had not been wary of that old madman Tang Hao, Jiang Xuan would have already finished him off.
The reason Tang Hao had yet to appear, Jiang Xuan guessed, was that either he was not here or he believed Tang San's life was not in genuine danger yet and that everything remained under control.
But no matter which was the case, Jiang Xuan could not act rashly.
After all, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who was responsible for protecting him, was indeed powerful. But if he truly fought Tang Hao to the death, Chen Xin would certainly not be his match if Tang Hao chose to detonate his rings. When that happened, Jiang Xuan would be in danger.
"Letting him go is possible. I have no interest in doing anything to an old good-for-nothing like you either. But from beginning to end, I still haven't heard your disciple admit defeat. Doesn't that mean he still wants to continue fighting me?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang hurriedly instructed Tang San:
"Xiao San! Admit defeat quickly. Stop forcing yourself! You can regain lost face later, but if you lose your life, you'll lose everything!"
An intense sense of humiliation instantly spread through Tang San's entire body.
But he felt that his master was right.
In a situation where life and death hung in the balance, preserving his life was more important than anything else.
Therefore, he shut his eyes in humiliation and spoke those three words:
"I admit defeat."
"What did you say? Louder. I didn't hear you!"
"I said... I admit defeat! Please let me go. I know I was wrong!"
Tang San had already died once and had finally obtained a second life. To stay alive, abandoning his reputation and casting aside his dignity was nothing to him.
"Heh. You'd better truly know that!"
As he spoke, Jiang Xuan's thoughts stirred, and he withdrew the Eight Trigrams Furnace Martial Soul.
With the heavy object vanishing from atop him, Tang San finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang hurried forward to examine his precious disciple's condition, then carried Tang San, whose body was temporarily unable to move, onto his back.
"Thank you for showing mercy."
After stiffly saying this, Yu Xiaogang turned and left.
He needed to bring Tang San back to Notting City for treatment as quickly as possible. If he was too late, Tang San's body would probably be crippled.
Staring at their backs, Jiang Xuan waited until the master and disciple had vanished from his sight before turning to Chen Xin, who had remained silent the entire time.
"Sword Grandpa, what did you think of my performance just now?"
Chen Xin did not answer directly. Instead, he asked in return:
"Since you have already made enemies with them, why not simply eliminate the threat completely? Are you not afraid this matter will bring you trouble in the future?"
"Does Sword Grandpa think I should eliminate the threat completely? If so, then take me after them now. It should still be in time."
Hearing this, Chen Xin's gaze instantly turned sharp, but Jiang Xuan's heart remained completely calm.
After a brief standoff, Chen Xin smiled helplessly.
"Hey! You're still young, but your mind is as sly as a fox... Forget it, I'm not teasing you anymore. You handled this matter fairly well. Although that master and disciple were the ones who provoked you first, at its core, they did it out of concern for you. Giving them a profound lesson without taking their lives suits me perfectly."
As he finished speaking, Chen Xin's brows suddenly knitted together. He then spun around and looked sharply toward a tree.
"Sword Grandpa?"
"Nothing. I suddenly felt as if someone was over there just now. But after sensing the area carefully, I found nothing. It seems your Sword Grandpa is getting old..."
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan smiled and casually continued the conversation on the surface, but his heart tightened.
Because he knew that Chen Xin's senses definitely had not been wrong just now.
That old madman Tang Hao had truly been hiding in the shadows and following Tang San the entire time!
Fortunately, he had not developed any intention of killing Tang San just now. Otherwise, he probably would not have survived today's calamity.
But now was not the time to dwell on this.
The goal of coming to Star Dou Forest had yet to be completed.
Wait, speaking of the goal of this trip...
"Sword Grandpa, where did Rongrong run off to? Is she still within your mental detection range?"
"Of course..." Chen Xin replied instinctively, but before he could finish, his expression suddenly changed.
"Damn it! The girl has run into trouble!"
Before you continue