How Did Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track Become Gangzi's?

"I wrapped Zhu Zhuqing from head to toe with Blue Silver Grass, coil after coil. She struggled a few times, but she couldn't break free. In the end, she had no choice but to surrender."

"But honestly, Zhu Zhuqing had a great figure. That leather outfit hugged every curve."

"And it felt amazing to bind her up. The best thing about Blue Silver Grass is that it feeds what the vines touch straight back to me. I could feel everything. I really enjoyed that one."

"Of course, I had to act like a gentleman on the outside. I couldn't say I enjoyed it."

Tang San looked away, a faint smile playing at his lips.

Zhu Zhuqing was walking when her steps suddenly faltered.

Her ears twitched, and her expression visibly turned cold.

Every word of Tang San's thoughts reached her ears.

Bound up. The feel of it. Shared sensation. Enjoyment.

Her fists clenched inside her sleeves.

Tang San, you deserve to die!

In her mind, she saw herself bound, felt, and judged. It was as if Tang San had actually violated her.

Why wasn't Tang San a combat-type Soul Master?

If he were a Battle Soul Master too, she could formally request a sparring match and drive his face into the dirt on the Soul Arena Platform.

She would show him what binding felt like.

Dai Mubai heard Tang San's thoughts and ground his molars so hard they nearly cracked.

He knew nothing had happened in this life. Zhu Zhuqing stood beside him, untouched.

But Tang San's words had been far too vivid.

Tang San, you fucking deserve to die.

Nothing had happened in this life.

Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that Zhu Zhuqing had somehow been sullied.

Ning Rongrong walked in the middle of the group and heard every word of Tang San's thoughts too.

She rolled her eyes inwardly.

The feel of touching her? And he enjoyed it?

And he called Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun disgusting?

He's the most disgusting one of all!

The thought that she had actually been on good terms with someone like him in her previous life made her stomach churn.

Above all, I can't let Tang San's Blue Silver Grass touch me. Wouldn't that be the same as letting him grope me?

Flender walked at the front. He pushed up his glasses and cursed inwardly.

Tang San, you're a real piece of work. Even your private thoughts are filthy.

In all my years running an academy, I've never met anyone like you.

Ye Lin walked beside Xiao Wu and felt the mood around him suddenly darken.

Something had seemed off for a while now.

He just couldn't tell why.

He felt like everyone knew something he didn't.

But no one said a word.

Maybe they simply weren't familiar enough with one another yet and felt awkward talking.

The group passed through the arena gates.

Flender stopped, turned, and swept his gaze over them.

He took a stack of thin iron masks from his coat and handed one to each person.

"Before you enter the arena, register your identities. Everyone needs an alias. Wear your masks when you compete, so no one can tell who you really are or how old you are."

Ning Rongrong held up her mask and asked,

"Why?"

Dai Mubai smiled. "Grandmaster said we're still young, and our talent makes us easy targets. It could put us in danger. If we wear masks, no one will know our real ages."

Those who had not registered lined up to do so.

Ye Lin was last.

He walked up to the window.

The clerk picked up a blank Iron Badge. "Please choose a resounding name for yourself."

Ye Lin froze.

A name? That's way too hard!

Before long, Ye Lin received his badge.

Five large characters were engraved on it.

Resounding Name.

The group had just finished registering and had barely settled onto a bench in the Spectator Area when the Loudspeaker Soul Tool overhead crackled.

A deep male voice rang out.

"Next match: Resounding Name versus Hell Spirit Cat. Contestants, please take the stage."

Ye Lin blinked and turned toward Zhu Zhuqing.

She turned toward him at the same moment. Their eyes met across several rows of seats.

Expressionless, Zhu Zhuqing stood, loosened her wrists, and headed for the entrance to the Soul Arena Platform.

Ye Lin rose too, brushed off his clothes, and headed for the entrance on the other side.

They stepped onto the circular platform from opposite sides.

The referee stood at the edge. Once he confirmed they were both ready, he chopped his hand down. "Begin!"

The instant two yellow Spirit Rings rose beneath Zhu Zhuqing's feet, she moved.

Her Martial Soul Possession completed, cat ears sprang up through her hair, and her tail flicked lightly behind her.

She lunged straight for the opening on Ye Lin's left.

"Please fight with everything you've got. I want to see the difference between us."

Ye Lin reacted just as quickly. He pivoted, and the footwork of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track flowed into place.

He slipped through Zhu Zhuqing's Claw Shadows, dodging one strike after another.

"We specialize in different things. You excel at speed and striking from the shadows; I excel in a head-on fight. How can you compare us?"

Dai Mubai sat on a bench in the Spectator Area. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he leaned toward Ma Hongjun.

"That's some exquisite footwork. Look at those steps. They seem casual, but every move takes him clear of Zhu Zhuqing's attacks."

Ma Hongjun nodded. "It's impressive. His angles, timing, and positioning are all spot-on."

"That must be the footwork Grandmaster created."

"Yeah," Dai Mubai said. "Grandmaster invented it himself. Too bad he only teaches it to his own direct disciples. We couldn't learn it even if we wanted to. I'm jealous."

Tang San's expression changed the instant he heard that.

The corner of his mouth twitched.

What do you mean Gangzi created it?

That's my Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track!

A secret art of the Tang Sect!

Gangzi tricked me into becoming his disciple in my previous life, but I never taught him the complete formula. How does he know it?

And now he's claiming this footwork is his?

Has he no shame?

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun heard Tang San's thoughts.

Both burst out laughing at once.

Neither could hold it in.

But each was hiding the fact that he could hear Tang San's thoughts. Neither dared ask why the other was laughing, afraid the question would be turned back on him.

You? Create footwork like that?

Anyone with half a brain could tell you stole Grandmaster's technique in your previous life. He was too embarrassed to expose you and even covered for you.

You stole his work, and you have the nerve to accuse him of stealing yours?

You thief. You call yourself the creator? Take a look at yourself.

Grandmaster worked tirelessly to develop that footwork.

You open your mouth and claim it as your own. Who do you think you are?

Even Grandmaster, who had created the footwork, had never claimed it was entirely his own invention. He had only said he'd put it together from the experience of those who came before him.

"Some people really don't know their place."