Six Years Later, Tang San vs. Xiao Lin

Sure enough, after he had taken barely a dozen steps, noisy footsteps and shouts came from behind him.

"Xiao Lin! Xiao Lin, don't go! Play another tune!"

"Xiao Lin, I made these pastries. Try some!"

"Xiao Lin, do you have a girlfriend? What do you think of me?"

Xiao Lin did not slow down. Instead, he quickened his pace. With his head lowered, he passed through the alleyways and took several twists and turns before finally shaking off his pursuers and arriving at the back gate of Nuoding Academy.

The moment he pushed open the back gate and entered, he had barely breathed a sigh of relief when a clear voice came from beside him.

"Well, if it isn't the famous man returning."

Xiao Lin turned and saw a young girl leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, smiling at him.

She was twelve or thirteen years old, and her slender figure had begun to stretch into graceful proportions.

Her long scorpion braid hung in front of her chest. Her large, sparkling eyes carried a hint of cunning and liveliness.

Six years had passed, and the little girl who had loved to dance had grown into a graceful young lady.

It was Xiao Wu.

"Cut it out." Xiao Lin replied irritably. "You know I don't want this either."

"Hehe, who told you to play so beautifully?" Xiao Wu bounced over, her eyes gleaming.

"You have no idea. Women all over Notting City are practically going crazy over you. I heard Widow Zhang, who sells tofu in the east of town, stopped setting up her stall just to hear you play. She runs up the hillside every day."

"...That's an exaggeration."

"Not at all!" Xiao Wu counted on her fingers. "And Miss Wang from the silk shop in the south of town supposedly fought with her father three times over you. She insists on breaking off her engagement to pursue you. Then there's Sister Liu from the blacksmith shop in the north, who said she wants to forge you a pure gold flute..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Xiao Lin hurriedly cut her off. "What did you come looking for me for? Surely it wasn't just to tell me all this?"

"Oh, right, I nearly forgot the important part!" Xiao Wu slapped her forehead, her expression turning serious. "Xiao Lin, you're graduating soon. Have you decided where you're going?"

Xiao Lin froze slightly but did not answer.

"I recommend Shrek Academy!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up.

"I heard from Master Yu Xiaogang that it was founded by one of his good friends. It specializes in accepting talented Soul Masters! Every student there is impressive, and its teaching is far better than Nuoding Academy's! I think it would be perfect for you!"

Xiao Lin was a little flustered.

So this was the day she had learned about Shrek Academy.

Time had passed so quickly. In the blink of an eye, six years had gone by. Didn't that mean Tang San was about to go there? Then his plan could finally be put into action.

"What do you think? Want to go together?" Xiao Wu looked at him expectantly. "I've already decided. After graduation, I'm applying to Shrek Academy! Come with me!"

Just as Xiao Lin was about to answer, a discordant voice suddenly cut in.

"Xiao Wu, you don't need to ask him. He can't go."

The two turned around to see a blue-haired youth walking over from the direction of the school building.

He was slightly shorter than Xiao Lin, but sturdier, with broad shoulders and thick arms that clearly came from years of blacksmithing.

His features were regular, but an indelible gloom lingered between his brows. His blue eyes, especially when looking at Xiao Lin, always carried a trace of hostility.

Tang San.

Six years later, Tang San had also grown from that little runt into a youth.

His Soul Power had risen quickly, and he had already reached rank twenty-nine. Yet his dislike for Xiao Lin had not changed in all six years.

"Tang San, what do you mean by that?" Xiao Wu frowned.

Tang San walked closer, glanced at Xiao Lin, and curled his lips into a disdainful smile. "I mean Shrek Academy isn't suitable for him."

"Why isn't it suitable?" Xiao Wu demanded indignantly.

"Because Shrek Academy only accepts true geniuses." Tang San spoke each word deliberately, his gaze fixed on Xiao Lin. "Someone who only knows how to play the flute would just waste a spot there."

Xiao Wu's expression darkened at once. "Tang San, watch your mouth!"

"I'm stating facts." Tang San refused to yield. "Everyone has seen it over the past six years. Every morning, he runs up the hillside to play his flute, drawing a crowd of women and turning the place into a mess. Has he trained properly? Has he seriously worked to improve his strength? No! All he does is hold that broken flute and put on an act!"

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, and his voice rose. "The teachers said Shrek Academy doesn't take mediocrities! My teacher said the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute martial soul can only serve as support. He's trash who can't even fulfill a support role properly. Going there would only make him a laughingstock!"

"Shut up!" Xiao Wu's face reddened with anger. "Xiao Lin isn't trash! He's far stronger than you!"

"Stronger than me?" Tang San sneered. "Then let him prove it! In these six years, he's never dared to fight me. Every time he sees me, he goes around me. If that isn't a guilty conscience, what is?"

"That's because Xiao Lin can't be bothered to argue with you!"

"Is that so? I think he just doesn't have the guts."

"Xiao Wu, stop." Xiao Lin finally spoke, his voice calm without the slightest ripple.

Xiao Wu turned toward him anxiously. "Xiao Lin, don't listen to his nonsense..."

"I'm not talking nonsense!" Tang San interrupted her, staring intensely at Xiao Lin. "Xiao Lin, if you really have what it takes, fight me! Let me see what you've cultivated over these six years! If you win, I'll never say another bad word about you! If you lose—stay away from Xiao Wu and stop pestering her!"

As soon as he said this, the surrounding murmurs grew louder.

Everyone looked toward Xiao Lin, waiting for his answer.

Xiao Lin fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a soft sigh.

He raised his head and looked at Tang San. For the first time, his emerald eyes revealed a serious expression.

"Tang San, these past six years, I haven't competed with you or argued with you, not because I was afraid of you."

His voice was not loud, yet it reached every person present clearly.

"I simply thought there was no need."

"But it seems you've misunderstood something."

"You think I've been avoiding you because I'm afraid of you."

"You think I'm trash, so I don't dare fight you."

Xiao Lin's fingers lightly brushed over the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute at his waist, and the corner of his lips slowly curved upward.

It was a smile Tang San had never seen before.

Cold, sharp, and carrying a proud disdain for the world.

"Since you want to see my strength..."

He raised his hand and held the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute horizontally before him.

"Then come."

This was exactly what Tang San had been waiting for.

A flash of excitement passed through his eyes. Without another word, he kicked off the ground, shooting toward Xiao Lin like a cannonball.

At the same time, two yellow soul rings rose around his body, gleaming beneath the sunlight.

Two hundred-year soul rings!

"First Soul Skill—Blue Silver Entanglement!"

Tang San swept out his right hand, and countless strands of Blue Silver Grass burst wildly from his palm. Like spiritual serpents, they swept toward Xiao Lin.

A faint purple sheen flickered across the Blue Silver Grass, clearly indicating poison. Once entangled, one would be poisoned and paralyzed, losing the ability to resist.

The surrounding spectators cried out in alarm.

Tang San had used his full strength from the very start. He clearly intended to end the fight quickly and defeat Xiao Lin in one move.

Yet faced with the Blue Silver Grass rushing straight at him, Xiao Lin did not move an inch.

He merely raised the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute to his lips and gently began to play.

The next instant, the flute's melody surged forth.

It was no longer the melodious, winding tune of the morning, but an impassioned composition filled with murderous intent! Every note was like a drawn blade, carrying biting chill and the grim aura of clashing weapons and charging cavalry!

"First Soul Skill—Guangling Melody!"