Sneak Attack

Yu Xiaogang trembled all over with rage. No matter how skilled he was at smooth-talking, he had no way to deny the ironclad facts.

Because everything Lu Shiyuan said was true.

He truly did not know what the world beyond Level 30 was like, nor did he know what it felt like to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Lu Shiyuan was right. As for what he had done back at Spirit Hall, others might not know, but how could he himself not know?

For a moment, anger, guilt, shame, and all sorts of emotions surged through him, turning his face bright red.

Tang San hurried forward to support Yu Xiaogang. His earlier wavering had only been temporary; at heart, he was an incredibly stubborn person who would not easily change his mind once he had decided something.

After spending last night together, Yu Xiaogang's vast theoretical knowledge had thoroughly convinced him.

Yu Xiaogang's meticulous care for him in daily life had also deeply moved Tang San, who had lacked affection since childhood.

The main reason he had wavered just now was that Lu Shiyuan's words had been far too shocking.

After steadying Yu Xiaogang, Tang San glared furiously at Lu Shiyuan. "Lu Shiyuan, I challenge you!"

Before Lu Shiyuan could speak, Xiao Wu burst out laughing. "You want to challenge my brother? You don't even have a Soul Ring. What are you going to challenge him with? That walnut-sized brain of yours, or those eyeballs that are about to pop out?"

Lu Shiyuan: "..."

Well, Xiao Wu had really let her nature run free.

Tang San grew even angrier, but he could not vent his fury on Xiao Wu. He could only direct it all at Lu Shiyuan.

"If you're still a man, then stop hiding behind a girl and playing dead!"

Lu Shiyuan knew what Tang San relied on: nothing more than those techniques of the Tang Sect.

Things like Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, along with Hidden Weapons, the ultimate trump card capable of turning the tide of battle.

Other transmigrators might have coveted such things, but in Lu Shiyuan's eyes, the so-called Tang Sect Secret Arts were merely average.

They said strength could overcome finesse. As long as one could crush ten techniques with a single force, what did it matter how many tricks the opponent knew?

Those seemingly exquisite movement techniques and secret arts had nowhere to hide before the flow of time controlled by Lu Shiyuan.

"Xiao Wu is right. You may think your actions are courageous, but in my eyes, you're just a brainless brute. A Soul Scholar without even a Soul Ring actually dares challenge me, a One-Ring Soul Master."

He paused before continuing, "Since you issued the challenge, there's no problem with me adding a wager, right?"

Seeing the hesitation on Tang San's face, he pressed the advantage. "No way. You've already had things both ways. You can challenge me, but I can't add a wager? So officials may set fires, but ordinary people aren't allowed to light lamps?"

It was the simplest form of provocation, but Tang San happened to fall for it.

With his blood boiling, Tang San agreed without hesitation. "Whatever wager you add, I'll accept it!"

"Good. Then I want this challenge to become a duel to the death. Regardless of victory or defeat, life and death are no concern. Do you dare?"

Both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were stunned.

Although Tang San had great confidence in the Tang Sect Secret Arts, he inexplicably felt guilty when facing someone who wanted to wager their lives at the drop of a hat.

Lu Shiyuan's reliance lay in his Martial Soul and Soul Power.

His level had now reached 14, just one step away from Level 15.

Although Tang San could reach Level 13 after absorbing a Soul Ring, he was currently only a Level 10 Quasi-Soul Master.

In terms of level, Soul Skills, and Martial Soul, Lu Shiyuan completely crushed the current Tang San in every respect. He truly could not find any reason he would lose.

Even in the most important aspect of battle—intelligence—Lu Shiyuan held the advantage.

It could even be said that, aside from the color of Tang San's underwear today, which was still a secret, everything else had long been exposed to the sunlight.

Just as Tang San was about to agree, Yu Xiaogang grabbed his arm.

He looked deeply at Lu Shiyuan and said in a low voice, "You're right. Little San does not even have a Soul Ring yet. A duel between you would be unfair."

Lu Shiyuan sneered. "Get this straight. He's the one challenging me, not me bullying him. If he knows he's incapable, then he should keep his tail tucked between his legs instead of jumping out to draw attention. If he dies, he deserves it."

Fairness?

Fair my ass!

It was not as if Lu Shiyuan had suddenly lost his mind and issued the challenge. Had Tang San not considered fairness before opening his mouth?

In the end, he simply believed he was strong enough that even if Lu Shiyuan had a Soul Ring, he would not be his match.

Then again, when Tang San used Hidden Weapons, had he ever considered what fairness meant?

Every last one of them was a hypocrite with double standards.

For once, Yu Xiaogang did not get angry. Suppressing his emotions, he said, "You can fight, but you cannot fight to the death. This is Nuoding Academy, and students are forbidden from killing one another on academy grounds. Also, you cannot use Soul Ring skills. That would be unfair to Little San."

Lu Shiyuan was even more speechless. "How about I tie up both my hands and feet before fighting him? Or perhaps you, the impartial Master, can serve as referee and declare me the loser one second after the match begins?"

Xiao Wu chimed in as well. "Exactly. And you call yourself a Master? You must have made your name entirely through your thick skin. Whenever you run into a Soul Master above Level 30, do you shamelessly forbid them from doing this and that? Then, in the end, they're defeated by your shamelessness and have no choice but to acknowledge you as the most shameless person in the world?"

Seeing Yu Xiaogang look as though he wanted to fight but did not dare, Lu Shiyuan immediately lost his patience.

Taking Xiao Wu's hand, he said, "Enough, let's go. Xiao Wu, remember this: when you encounter an idiot in the future, never think about reasoning with them. Otherwise, they'll only forcefully drag you down to their level, then defeat you with their extensive experience of being an idiot."

If the earlier insults had merely been sarcastic barbs without profanity, then these words completely tore away all pretense.

Tang San's mind went blank with rage. He broke free from Yu Xiaogang's grasp and launched the first attack.

Lu Shiyuan had said he was leaving, but in truth, he had already raised his alertness to its peak.

He knew Tang San was a despicable person. Sneak attacks were as commonplace to him as eating and drinking.

What kind of honorable conduct could one expect from someone who used Hidden Weapons?

Still, Tang San had his strengths. He might be petty-minded, but he certainly had plenty of excuses.

No matter what happened, he could always place himself on the moral high ground and point fingers at others.

As for whether he truly stood on the moral high ground, who knew?

Lu Shiyuan simply would not listen to him.

Sensing the shrieking sound of something cutting through the air, Lu Shiyuan gently wrapped an arm around Xiao Wu's slender, delicate waist and led her to the other side.

Their movements were gentle, but they were not slow. They easily evaded Tang San's Sleeve Arrow attack.

After dodging the attack, Lu Shiyuan lowered his head and looked at Xiao Wu in his arms. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Thank you, Brother." The little rabbit revealed a sweet smile. With Lu Shiyuan protecting her, she was completely unharmed.

"What Tang San used just now is called a Hidden Weapon. Yesterday, he planned to use that thing to kill the gatekeeper." Lu Shiyuan patted Xiao Wu's head. "Move to the side. Brother will vent your anger for you."

Xiao Wu nodded obediently, her disgust for Tang San growing even stronger.

Brother was right. Tang San was a vicious person!

How could the innocent little rabbit have known that Lu Shiyuan had done it deliberately?

Even if Tang San had been blinded by rage, he would never have launched a sneak attack against Xiao Wu.

In other words, even if Xiao Wu had remained where she was, Tang San's Sleeve Arrow could not possibly have struck her.

Yet Lu Shiyuan had deliberately taken Xiao Wu with him when dodging. Did that not make it seem as though Tang San had truly intended to sneak attack Xiao Wu?

Now it was settled. Tang San's image in Xiao Wu's heart could never recover.