Great Victory

As Gu Hengzhi nimbly dodged the throwing knives Tang San flung at him, a crossbow bolt faster than the knives suddenly shot toward him like lightning, hidden behind them and aimed straight at his vital points.

"Hahaha! The Zhuge Repeating Crossbow is peerless in power. Though this is only a half-finished product and there's just this one shot, with your pathetic level twelve soul power, Gu Hengzhi, let's see how you dodge it." A sly, triumphant smile spread across Tang San's face.

Gu Hengzhi's heart tightened. He instantly sensed the bolt fired from the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow. With no time to think, he swiftly retreated, summoned his Stone Statue Martial Soul before him, and shouted, "Earth Deity, help me!"

Following Gu Hengzhi's cry, within milliseconds, the Earth Deity awakened from the God-Sealing Record and possessed the Stone Statue Martial Soul—the Earth Deity Statue—like a streak of light. "Young friend, do not panic. This old man shall lend you a hand!"

Dazzling yellow light radiated from the Stone Statue Martial Soul, forming an impenetrable shield that tightly protected both the statue and Gu Hengzhi. The crossbow bolt streaked in like a meteor and struck the glowing barrier in the blink of an eye. Yet instead of piercing through as Tang San had imagined, it seemed to sink into a swamp and fell weakly to the ground.

"How... how is that possible?" Tang San's face filled with stunned disbelief. "That's the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow! It takes at least a level-forty Soul Ancestor to catch it! How could this..."

"Heh! Tang San, you really do have an endless stream of dirty tricks. Let's see how I beat you to death!" Gu Hengzhi clenched his fists, cold light flashing in his eyes as he spoke icily.

"Young friend, mind your limits. Do not truly take this man's life. He bears the fortune of this world; if he perishes before becoming a god, this world will collapse from the loss of its fortune." The Earth Deity warned him earnestly.

"I know what I'm doing!" Gu Hengzhi took a deep breath and adjusted his breathing. "First Soul Skill—God-Summoning—Form Shift!"

As the soul skill activated, dust drifted across the training field like mist, and the figures of Gu Hengzhi and Tang San flickered in and out of view within the haze.

Gu Hengzhi's Stone Statue Martial Soul began to crack with sharp snaps, as though an ancient seal had been released. The stone statue gradually disintegrated into specks of light that glittered like stars. The light gathered, and a magnificent battle robe draped itself over Gu Hengzhi like a phantom, shimmering with mysterious radiance as though it contained endless power.

Gu Hengzhi's eyes flashed with icy light. He forcefully pushed off the ground, charging at Tang San like lightning. His fist carried the force of thunder, tearing through the air as it smashed fiercely toward Tang San.

Tang San was startled and hurriedly used Mysterious Jade Hand, trying to block the blow. However, Gu Hengzhi's fist was overwhelmingly powerful. Tang San's hasty defense was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot and was instantly shattered. His body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, staggering back more than ten steps.

Before Tang San could regain his footing, Gu Hengzhi's attacks followed like a raging storm. His fists and kicks came down in a furious barrage, every strike carrying fierce momentum and leaving Tang San unable to cope. Under the relentless assault, Tang San's body swayed like a withered leaf in the wind, on the verge of collapse.

Suddenly, Gu Hengzhi leaped into the air like a soaring bird. With a powerful kick, he shot upward like a rocket and arrived directly above Tang San in an instant.

"Tang San, remember this: trash will always be trash. No matter how many schemes and tricks you use, you'll never defeat me! And don't forget that ten-thousand-word apology letter!" Gu Hengzhi's voice boomed like thunder, echoing through the air.

He raised his right hand high as vast amounts of soul power and earth element energy surged toward him like a roaring flood. The power condensed in his hand before ultimately gathering at his middle finger.

"Earth's Protective Body—Great! Desolate! Heaven! Imprisoning! Finger!"

Behind and above Gu Hengzhi, the phantom of an enormous hand slowly emerged. It was like the hand of a giant from ancient times, bearing endless oppressive might as it pressed down upon Tang San.

The referee wanted to intervene, but it was already too late. Gu Hengzhi's finger had already struck out, its unparalleled force descending upon Tang San like Mount Tai crushing an egg. Yet at that critical moment, a trace of cunning flashed through Gu Hengzhi's eyes. He skillfully controlled where the attack landed, avoiding Tang San's vital areas.

Tang San's eyes widened as he watched that middle finger strike toward him like a venomous snake. He wanted to dodge, but discovered that he had completely lost control of his body.

When the smoke and dust cleared, the field was silent. Tang San lying unconscious on the ground, the bewildered referee, and the victor's retreating back formed a strange scene.

"Third Brother! Third Brother!"

"Little San! Little San!"

Two anxious cries shattered the silence. Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu shot through the crowd like arrows and rushed toward the unconscious Tang San. Their faces were filled with worry and fear, as though their entire world had collapsed in that moment.

"You! You..." Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in fury. Watching his precious disciple get brutally beaten by Gu Hengzhi, his chest heaved violently as though it were about to burst. Unable to catch his breath, he aggravated the old wound left by the Mandala Snake's bite, and a mouthful of crimson blood sprayed from his throat like a fountain.

Although giving Tang San a brutal beating had indeed made Gu Hengzhi feel incomparably satisfied, he was not doing much better himself. Throwing knives had cut him in many places, leaving him drenched in blood like a blooming scarlet flower. His face was pale as paper, bead-sized drops of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his eyes revealed exhaustion and weakness. His soul power had also been completely depleted by his final attack.

Turning around, Gu Hengzhi forced himself to stay alert and looked toward the referee. Though his voice was somewhat hoarse, it carried an undeniable authority as he said calmly, "Teacher, can you announce the result of this soul battle now?"

"Oh, this... the winner of this soul battle is student Gu Hengzhi!" The referee hurriedly announced the result, his voice seeming faint amid the noisy cheers.

All at once, the spectators seemed to ignite, erupting into deafening cheers. "The victor! Gu Hengzhi!" "The victor! Gu Hengzhi!" ... The cries surged like raging waves, each louder than the last.

The roommates from Seven House were equally thrilled. They crowded forward like a tide, lifted Gu Hengzhi up, and tossed him into the air. Gu Hengzhi soared overhead with a proud smile on his face, as though he ruled the entire world. At that moment, he became the center of everyone's attention, his glory shining like brilliant stars and illuminating the entire soul battle arena.