"Clang, clang, clang."
In the original world, within the bustling blacksmith shop, six-year-old Tang San gripped a hammer almost taller than himself and hammered away at the forge with all his strength.
"Boss, this kid's really something."
"Yeah, he's so young, yet he already has this kind of strength. As expected of a student at a Soul Master Academy. Having Soul Power really is great."
"Clang, clang."
Tang San, fully focused on hammering, paid no attention to the voices behind him.
After arriving at Nuoding Academy, he seized every moment of his time. Aside from cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill and Purple Demon Eyes, he had spent the past three months training his body in the blacksmith shop and earning Gold Soul Coins.
Tang San of this world had joined this duel after receiving the system's warning, yet his experiences had not changed in any way.
He had taken Yu Xiaogang as his master, become the head of Dorm Seven, fought Xiao Wu over the same bed, obtained his First Spirit Ring from a four-hundred-year Mandala Snake, gained Blue Silver Entanglement, and clashed with the self-funded students...
But if there was anything different at all...
The constantly ticking countdown in his mind made Tang San increasingly tense and pressured. Under such circumstances, he had truly worked even harder in his cultivation.
Tang San's Soul Power had risen one level higher than in the original timeline, reaching Rank 14. Because he had focused too heavily on cultivation and forging, he had neglected his relationships with those around him, and even grown much more distant from Xiao Wu.
However, Tang San believed all of it was worthwhile if it made him stronger.
"Good, it's finally done."
Picking up the cooled Silent Rust Arrow, Tang San finally showed a trace of joy.
He had received notice that morning that he would be dueling another version of himself today—someone he had never met, yet was destined to become his enemy. For that reason, Tang San had made extra preparations.
Although the system had initially said that his opponent was fundamentally different from him and might merely be an ordinary person...
To be safe, Tang San had still specially enhanced the Silent Rust Sword, greatly increasing its damage. The only drawback was that it had lost its silent property, producing a slight sound when fired.
With this, Tang San was confident that he feared no opponent!
Holding the Silent Rust Arrow, Tang San returned to a secluded corner behind the academy. With his eyes lightly closed, he carefully reviewed every detail of the past three months.
From awakening his martial soul, to taking Yu Xiaogang as his master and learning Soul Master techniques, to absorbing the Mandala Snake's Spirit Ring at the edge of his limit, and then doing everything possible to improve his hidden weapon equipment.
Whether as a Soul Master or as a disciple of the Tang Sect, he had already pushed everything he could do to the limit.
With that, he feared no one.
"I will win this battle!"
In another world, Lin Yue hurried back to Nuoding City Academy.
"Why did Brother Lin suddenly come back today?"
Xiao Wu skipped along beside Lin Yue with a bright smile on her face, though that cheerful expression carried a different sort of anticipation.
"Alright, alright, I know this little greedy rabbit couldn't wait any longer. Here, take these. They're all for you."
Lin Yue had returned to the academy to look for Ah Yin in the back mountain, only to find Xiao Wu as soon as he arrived. He could not help but smile as he took out several "carrots" from his storage belt.
"Hehe, thank you, Brother Lin!!"
Receiving the various precious carrot-shaped pastries, Xiao Wu's eyes immediately narrowed into happy crescents. She directly gave Lin Yue a big hug.
Watching the intimate contact between the two, Tang Yin's expression remained unchanged, though a faint strange glimmer flashed through the depths of her eyes.
The next moment, her cheeks flushed slightly.
Although Tang Yin had decided that she would belong only to Brother Lin in the future, deep down, she still could not help wanting her father to be proud of her. At the same time, she hoped even more to restore the Tang Sect's glory.
But she could not accomplish that alone. In that case...
Should she have a Tang Sect with Brother Lin?
Having already completely decided to become Lin Yue's woman, Tang Yin understood her responsibilities as the principal wife very clearly.
She had to help Brother Lin carry on his bloodline. To create a Tang Sect, perhaps she could not do it alone.
Xiao Wu possessed Innate Full Soul Power. Although her martial soul was only a Soft Bone Rabbit, her talent actually far surpassed that of her peers. She was also quite pretty, lively and cheerful, without any ulterior motives. She was very suitable to become Brother Lin's concubine.
In a corner Lin Yue did not notice, Tang Yin was already smiling as she fixed a predator's gaze upon the girl, plotting an earth-shattering plan to revive the Tang Sect.
"Ah Yin, these are for you. Your favorite mapo tofu, and osmanthus cakes from Heaven Dou Imperial City."
After dealing with the energetic Xiao Wu, Lin Yue came to Tang Yin's side and took out the food he had bought from the merchant guild.
At that moment, Tang Yin was gently stroking the dark mechanisms in her hand. She was clearly maintaining a Godly Zhuge Crossbow.
With Lin Yue providing a constant supply of Gold Soul Coins, Tang Yin had almost never lacked food or resources.
This delicate, pink-cheeked girl had even forged common hidden weapons such as Silent Sleeve Arrows and Godly Zhuge Crossbows.
On the path of cultivation, her Soul Power had already reached Rank 17. She had long since used two mental enhancement potions, and her Purple Demon Eyes had progressed astonishingly.
Lin Yue had raised her until she was fair and delicate, while also giving her more time for cultivation and comprehension, allowing her talent to be fully brought to bear.
"With this, there shouldn't be any problems."
Sitting beside Tang Yin, Lin Yue watched as she silently rested her head against his shoulder. Breathing in her faint fragrance, he also lightly closed his eyes, his mind relaxing.
Feeling the familiar scent of the person beside her, Tang Yin revealed a gentle expression. But the next instant, a leisurely voice suddenly sounded in her mind.
[ Ding, the three-month period has ended. The duel officially begins. ]
In an instant, Tang Yin felt as though her consciousness had entered a special realm.
Lin Yue, who had likewise been dragged into this mysterious space by the system, widened his eyes, his face showing a trace of incredulous astonishment.
An illusory space, a distorted barrier, and beyond that barrier, a vast expanse of gray gloom.
Wait! Wasn't this Iron Man's Realm of Death?
At the center of the arena created by the system, a huge coliseum suddenly appeared!
The central dueling area was perfectly circular, spanning several hundred square meters. It was nearly the size of two football fields and offered more than enough room to fight.
Yet Lin Yue's consciousness was not within the arena. Instead, he had been placed outside it. Although he could clearly see everything inside, he himself was wrapped in some shadowy mass.
Tang Yin, inside the arena, frowned as she looked around, but she did not spot him. Clearly, those within the arena could not see anything outside it.
"This arena can actually bring in spectators."
Lin Yue's heart stirred. What other tricks did this system have up its sleeve?
Since it could bring him in, did that mean it could also bring in other people? Others from his world, or even people from Tang San's original world?
"So it's finally begun?"
Feeling himself within a mysterious world, Tang San opened his eyes. His self-assured, sharp gaze swept toward the opposite side, piercing through layers of mist, only to find a tall and beautiful woman.
Huh?
A trace of blankness flashed across Tang San's face. The dark-skinned little boy could not understand what kind of character he had encountered.
Filled with absurdity, the boy could not help asking in his mind:
"Wait, system, didn't you say I would be dueling myself from a parallel world?"
[ Correct. ]
"Then who is this?"
For a moment, Tang San could not even summon the will to fight. He stared intently at his opponent, while ten thousand wild horses named confusion galloped through his heart.
"Me? My name is Tang Yin."
After figuring out the so-called system rules in her mind, Tang Yin also realized that the person she was fighting seemed to be herself from a parallel world.
But as she looked at the dark, skinny little boy who was a full head shorter than her, Tang Yin could not help frowning deeply.
Was this guy really her?