Tang San Challenges Li Qinglian, Tang San's Ultimate Strength

"So, he's the Holy Son of Spirit Hall."

"I was wondering why the young master carried himself so exceptionally. Now it all made sense."

"Xiao Wu must have been rescued by the Titled Douluo beside the Holy Son."

Zhao Wuji gave a respectful salute, then offered a reminder.

He wanted Tang San and the others to understand that Li Qinglian might have powerful experts at his side, lest these youngsters who knew no better offend the Holy Son.

Those who dared not cause trouble were mediocrities.

But that depended on whom they provoked.

If it was someone from Canghui Academy, then naturally they could provoke them. If not for female students like Zhu Zhuqing being in the group, they could even have taken a little advantage of those pretty girls from Canghui Academy.

But provoke the Holy Son of Spirit Hall? No one in their right mind would do that.

Although the people of Shrek Academy had always shown Spirit Hall little respect, they were really only disrespectful toward the Soul Elders and Soul Kings from Spirit Hall who carried out missions. If they truly encountered a Soul Douluo or even a Titled Douluo, how would they dare act so presumptuously?

Titled Douluo!

Upon hearing those four words, everyone's expressions turned grave!

Those words represented the pinnacle experts of the entire continent!

The strongest person at Shrek Academy was merely a Soul Saint.

Yet Titled Douluo were not particularly rare within Spirit Hall.

"Vice Dean, you are too polite. Since I have safely returned Xiao Wu to you, I cannot leave empty-handed."

"I see that none of you seem satisfied with the outcome of distributing this spirit beast."

"How about this Human-Faced Demon Spider belongs to me?"

Li Qinglian looked toward the Human-Faced Demon Spider.

He did not care much about such a small spirit beast.

But he still valued the External Spirit Bone greatly.

In the human world, External Spirit Bones were recognized as treasures second only to Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Bones.

But in Li Qinglian's view—

External Spirit Bones were more important than Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Bones.

As the transformed form of the Death Divine Tree, he had no interest whatsoever in absorbing spirit bones.

Even the bones of a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast were unworthy of his absorption.

Unless they were the most supreme dragon bones or beast bones with other extraordinary effects, they meant nothing to Li Qinglian.

But External Spirit Bones could evolve. After being absorbed, they could also be influenced by the body's internal power and fuse into something truly one's own.

Even in the Star Dou Great Forest, there were fewer than ten spirit beasts that had developed External Spirit Bones within their bodies.

"If these eight lances of the Eight Spider Lances fused with me, wouldn't they resemble the branches of the Death Divine Tree?"

"Your Highness wants this spirit beast? I, Zhao Wuji, have no objections."

Zhao Wuji was overjoyed upon hearing this.

He knew that what had just happened had already displeased the Unrivaled Dragon and Snake.

He had only managed to suppress the two of them by relying on the backgrounds of these students.

If they truly turned hostile, he would be no match for them at all.

But since Li Qinglian wanted it, this hot potato had been taken off his hands.

"Since the Holy Son is interested in this thing, this spirit beast shall belong to the Holy Son."

Meng Shu, the Dragon Duke, said with a smile, showing Li Qinglian goodwill.

"Since you rescued Xiao Wu, this spirit beast shall serve as Tang's token of thanks."

Tang San looked deeply at Li Qinglian.

For some reason, he felt that this person would become his greatest enemy in the future!

No!

The entire Spirit Hall would become his enemy!

He did not know why, but he had a vague feeling.

His father's sudden departure might be related to Spirit Hall.

Their relationship with Spirit Hall was definitely not friendly. They might even be mortal enemies.

"I have long heard that the Holy Son of Spirit Hall is an unparalleled genius of this age. Tang San may be untalented, but I wish to exchange pointers with the Holy Son."

Tang San spoke seriously.

Tang San knew that his talent should be considered exceptional.

After meeting geniuses such as Dai Mubai, he became even more certain of it.

But he was curious about how he compared to a top genius like the Holy Son of Spirit Hall.

"Little San, do not be rude."

Zhao Wuji's expression changed slightly.

"Vice Dean, I merely wish to exchange pointers and verify my own strength. I do not mean to provoke him."

Tang San turned his head and explained to Zhao Wuji.

"You want to exchange pointers with me?" Li Qinglian was bending over to cut off the Human-Faced Demon Spider's eight legs. Hearing this, he straightened and let his gaze settle on Tang San.

That young face bore the characteristic calmness and restraint of a Tang Sect disciple, yet an unyielding sharpness hid between his brows.

"I ask the Holy Son to grant my request." Tang San saluted again. His attitude was respectful, but his back remained perfectly straight.

Li Qinglian watched the sharp edge concealed beneath his respectful demeanor and suddenly smiled.

He patted dust that did not exist from his hands, stored the eight spider legs in the Dragon Abyss Ring, and a faint glimmer passed across the silver-white ring beneath the sunlight.

"Sure."

"I also want to see just how capable Shrek's genius really is."

Li Qinglian was genuinely curious.

At this stage, just how far could Tang San's ultimate combat strength reach?

Although the original story had described Tang San during this period—

In truth, none of Tang San's peers, whether Dai Mubai or teams like the Fierce God Team that he encountered, had pushed him to his limits.

At this stage, no one had truly been able to force Tang San into a desperate situation.

The two each retreated several steps and took their positions at opposite ends of the clearing.

The wind in the forest suddenly became distinct, stirring the fallen leaves on the ground into spirals as they swept between the two.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the branches and leaves, casting interwoven patches of light and shadow over them.

Everyone unconsciously held their breath.

"Do you think Third Brother can win?"

Ning Rongrong's lively eyes moved back and forth between Li Qinglian and Tang San, her tone carrying a trace of uncertainty.

Tang San was the most monstrous person she had ever seen. Relying on those strange iron contraptions, he had even managed to injure Zhao Wuji. On the day of the academy examination, Tang San had truly injured Zhao Wuji, a Soul Saint, with those things!

As for Li Qinglian, he was the most monstrous person she had ever heard of.

Zhu Zhuqing, standing beside her, did not answer immediately.

Her cool catlike eyes were fixed on Li Qinglian.

"Li Qinglian, the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, defeated a Soul Venerable six years ago. He was only six at the time."

"What? A six-year-old defeated a Soul Venerable?"

"Are you serious?"

Ma Hongjun and Oscar's expressions changed.

"The information released by Spirit Hall cannot be false."

"Moreover, that match took place before everyone on Pope Mountain. His opponent was Yan of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation—he was a level thirty-one Soul Venerable at the time."

Seeing Ma Hongjun and Oscar's stunned expressions, Dai Mubai slowly spoke.

His eyes carried a trace of gravity.

Tang San truly was monstrous, but Li Qinglian was practically a mythical figure.

And he knew very well—

Li Qinglian possessed Innate Soul Power at level twenty!

After awakening his martial soul and obtaining soul rings, he could directly become a Great Soul Master!

This was also the foundation that had allowed Li Qinglian to defeat Yan!

Six years had passed. Li Qinglian might already have cultivated to the level of Soul Venerable!

And with his combat strength, he should be able to threaten even Soul Kings!

"Damn. I almost took the initiative to challenge Li Qinglian just now. Good thing the words never left my mouth. Wouldn't that have been asking for death?" Ma Hongjun's face turned deathly pale in fright. He did not possess strength as monstrous as Tang San's. Besides, offending the Holy Son of Spirit Hall would make life difficult for him in the future.