A Clash with Tang San

"Jiang Lin, it would be one thing if you refused to take Teacher as your master, but I will never allow you to insult him!"

"What, do you want to make a move against me?"

A trace of disdain appeared in Jiang Lin's eyes. He did not take Tang San before him seriously at all.

"Hmph, Jiang Lin, don't think you're invincible just because you awakened a high-grade martial soul. Today, I'll show you what it means that there are always people stronger than you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a faint violet gleam appeared in Tang San's eyes. It was the Purple Demon Eyes.

Not only that, he assumed the stance of the Crane Controlling Dragon Catching Technique, clearly intending to teach Jiang Lin a proper lesson.

"Heh, fine. Since you want to make a move, I'll play with you."

Jiang Lin loosely clenched his right hand, and the King's Power Sword appeared in his palm.

"Come on. Let me see what gives you the confidence to attack me."

The sword tip pointed directly at Tang San. With his left hand tucked behind his back, Jiang Lin actually intended to fight with one hand!

"You're courting death, acting so arrogantly."

Tang San's gaze turned cold. His hands instantly became white like icy jade, and he immediately used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, turning into several afterimages as he charged at Jiang Lin.

When he was less than two meters away from Jiang Lin, Tang San used his Mysterious Jade Hand to viciously strike at Jiang Lin's temple. His very first move was a killing blow!

"Heh, such a petty trick. Let's see whether your Mysterious Jade Hand is harder or my King's Power Sword is harder!"

Jiang Lin neither dodged nor evaded, swinging the King's Power Sword in his hand sharply forward—

"Not good!"

Tang San's brows instantly furrowed deeply. He sensed the ultimate sharpness on the King's Power Sword, but he was already too close to Jiang Lin to avoid it.

With no other choice, Tang San could only forcibly change direction, redirecting the hand aimed at Jiang Lin's temple toward the body of the King's Power Sword.

The next instant, Tang San felt an intensely tearing pain in his hands wrapped in icy jade. Before he could react, Jiang Lin kicked him flying!

"Cough, cough—"

Tang San struggled to rise from the ground. His hands were now covered in bloody wounds, with faint glimpses of white bone showing through.

The reason for this was that the King's Power Sword was covered in countless tiny strands of sword energy. Though Jiang Lin's low cultivation limited their power, dealing with Tang San, who had only just begun mastering the Mysterious Jade Hand, was effortless.

"So this is a high-grade martial soul? It's actually this terrifying."

Tang San's expression was incomparably grave, his face filled with wariness.

"Is this what you were relying on? You're not much after all. If this is all the strength you have, then you've truly disappointed me."

Jiang Lin lightly shook the King's Power Sword, flinging every trace of blood from its blade.

"Hmph, Jiang Lin, don't celebrate too soon!"

Tang San's face darkened. He used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track again to approach Jiang Lin, but this time, he did not rush to attack. Instead, he began circling Jiang Lin.

As his speed increased, Tang San's figure soon turned into an afterimage.

Jiang Lin narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the King's Power Sword slightly. He sensed a hint of deadly danger.

"Hidden weapons? Sleeve arrows or Bone-Piercing Needles?"

Jiang Lin did not have to wait long. Just one minute later, three iron needles gleaming coldly shot toward him from all directions.

His eyes, the center of his back, and beneath his crotch—every target was chosen from an exceptionally sinister angle.

"Heh, as expected of someone from the Tang Sect."

Jiang Lin's expression grew slightly grave. The King's Power Sword immediately danced before him in an impenetrable blur, but even so, one Bone-Piercing Needle was deflected by the sword and grazed his right arm.

Jiang Lin frowned slightly, knowing he could not let Tang San wear him down like this any longer. He raised his sword and focused his mind. The instant Tang San fired another Bone-Piercing Needle, he found the right angle and slashed fiercely ahead!

"Not good!"

A flash of terror appeared in Tang San's eyes. He immediately retreated sharply, but even then, the tip of the King's Power Sword grazed him, leaving a five-centimeter bloody gash across his cheek!

"Phew—"

Having retreated more than ten meters away, Tang San let out a light breath, his eyes filled with the fear of having narrowly escaped death.

Naturally, Jiang Lin would not let such a good opportunity slip away. He pressed his advantage, leaping forward with the King's Power Sword. Before Tang San could react, the sword tip was already pressed against his throat!

"Tang San, before making a move, you should first recognize your own strength. Otherwise, you might not even know how you die in the future."

"Heh, kill me or torture me as you please!"

Tang San's voice was icy, yet he showed not the slightest despair in the face of death. His eyes were filled with the determination to make a desperate final stand.

"Looks like you still have another trump card?"

A playful glint appeared in Jiang Lin's eyes.

"Hmph, you can try."

Tang San loosely clenched his right hand as all the soul power in his body gathered there. A phantom of a hammer slowly condensed.

"The Clear Sky Hammer? So this is your final reliance."

Jiang Lin glanced at Tang San's right hand, utterly unsurprised.

It was merely the Clear Sky Hammer. It had not even been bestowed a soul ring yet, so it was no match for the King's Power Sword.

"Little San, Jiang Lin, what are you doing?!"

Just as Jiang Lin intended to continue attacking, an angry shout rang out. Yu Xiaogang walked over from the distance.

"Cough, cough—"

"Greetings, Teacher. Jiang Lin and I were just... just sparring."

Tang San fell silent for a moment before ultimately choosing not to reveal the truth. Perhaps it was because, having lost to Jiang Lin, someone his own age, he truly had no face to seek Yu Xiaogang's support.

Jiang Lin did not care about this at all. With three Shadow Ninjas hidden nearby, he had no fear of Yu Xiaogang.

However, since Tang San was willing to back down on his own, Jiang Lin had no need to take things too far. After this, Tang San probably would not come looking for trouble with him for quite some time.

"Since it was a spar, you should have known when to stop. You two have gone a little too far!"

After glancing at the injuries on Tang San's face and hands, Yu Xiaogang frowned. When he looked at Jiang Lin again, his eyes were filled with dissatisfaction and disgust.

Jiang Lin met his gaze without the slightest fear, as if challenging him to do something about it.

"Hmph, Little San, let's go."

Seeing Jiang Lin act so unruly, Yu Xiaogang felt somewhat fortunate that he had not taken him as a disciple. Otherwise, who knew how much trouble he might cause in the future?

"Yes, Teacher."

After the two left, there was no reason for Jiang Lin to stay either. He went to the cafeteria, packed a boxed meal, and headed toward his dormitory.

Although the work-study student slot from Holy Soul Village had gone to Tang San, Jiang Lin had arrived together with Tang San. For ease of management, Jiang Lin, who had paid to enroll, was also assigned to Dormitory Seven.

"By this time, Xiao Wu should be arriving soon, right?"

Jiang Lin muttered to himself, recalling the plot of the original work.

About ten minutes later, Jiang Lin pushed open the dormitory door. Just as he was about to enter, the figure of a youth came flying straight at him.