Battle in Progress (Part Two)

After clashing with Qian Gu Xifeng for a while, Tang Xiao realized his Soul Power and stamina were draining too quickly. He couldn't keep this up.

So Tang Xiao said to Qian Gu Xifeng, "Brother Qian Gu, let's settle this with one move."

Qian Gu Xifeng readily agreed.

Hearing that, Tang Chen grumbled under his breath, "Now that's someone from the Douluo Continent. Low IQ!"

The two of them began activating their Soul Skills.

"First Soul Skill, Clear Sky Body Protection!" "Second Soul Skill, Thousand-Jun Hammer!"

"Second Soul Skill, Dragon Soul Protection!" "Third Soul Skill, Dragon Soul Impact!"

With roars, they charged at each other.

Hammer and staff collided.

A massive surge of Soul Power erupted. The shockwaves from their clash could even send weaker Soul Grandmasters flying.

In the end, Qian Gu Xifeng's Soul Power was stronger than Tang Xiao's. Though Qian Gu Xifeng was forced back five steps and Tang Xiao only two,

Tang Xiao had exhausted all his Soul Power, while Qian Gu Xifeng still had at least a third of his left.

Seeing this, Tang Xiao was about to concede.

But Qian Gu Xifeng spoke first. "I lost."

Then he strode off the arena without a backward glance.

Tang Xiao was left standing onstage, staring after him in a daze.

The host called out, "Qian Gu Xifeng of Spirit Hall versus Tang Xiao of the Clear Sky Sect—Tang Xiao wins!"

Several more bouts followed.

Soon, the tournament reached the final-four stage.

Tang Chen received a bye.

The other six competitors were paired off.

Before long, the final four had been decided.

They were Tang Chen and Tang Kong of the Clear Sky Sect, and Qian Huqiu and Ye Lan of Spirit Hall.

"Next match: Qian Huqiu of Spirit Hall versus Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect."

Tang Chen no longer felt like playing around with them.

Once he stepped into the arena, he defeated Qian Huqiu in a single move.

Next came Tang Kong against Ye Lan.

Tang Kong leaped into the arena and said to Ye Lan, "Let's skip the introductions."

Ye Lan nodded.

The two immediately began fighting.

Tang Kong summoned the Clear Sky Hammer and activated his second Soul Skill.

"Second Soul Skill, Thousand-Jun Strength!"

All Tang Kong's attributes rose by thirty percent, with his strength gaining an additional fifty percent.

He swung his hammer with the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and attacked Ye Lan.

Ye Lan summoned his Martial Soul, Azure Luan, to possess him and used his second Soul Skill to interfere.

"Second Soul Skill, Azure Luan Flame!"

Several fireballs shot toward Tang Kong. He swung the Clear Sky Hammer and blocked them one by one.

As Tang Kong advanced step by step, swinging his hammer, Ye Lan kept shifting position and attacking from all sides.

Soon, Tang Kong had driven Ye Lan into a corner. Defeat seemed imminent.

At that knife-edge moment, Ye Lan spread his wings and flew into the sky.

"Hahahaha! Didn't expect that, did you, Tang Kong?"

Hovering above, Ye Lan looked down at Tang Kong.

"Don't forget, my Martial Soul is the Azure Luan! Have you ever seen a divine beast that couldn't fly?"

Ye Lan kept unleashing Azure Luan Flame from the sky. Tang Kong could block every attack, but he had no Soul Skill that could strike an airborne opponent. After half an hour of fighting, he slipped up and took one of Ye Lan's fireballs.

He lost the match.

"Tang Kong of the Clear Sky Sect versus Ye Lan of Spirit Hall—Ye Lan wins!"

With the semifinals over,

only one match remained.

The host stepped forward and addressed everyone below the arena.

"Lords Soul Master, this is the last match of the tournament: Ye Lan of Spirit Hall versus Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect. Its outcome will prove who is the strongest of the younger generation! Now, please welcome our two competitors into the arena."

With the host's announcement, the final match had at last arrived.

Tang Chen walked slowly into the arena, every step radiating an imposing presence.

By the time he stood onstage, every guest in attendance could feel the unrivaled dominance rolling off him.

When Ye Lan entered the arena, he wasn't particularly worried about losing.

After all, even if he couldn't beat Tang Chen, Tang Chen couldn't hit him either. At worst, the match would end in a draw.

So Ye Lan was just as confident.

Once onstage, Ye Lan cupped his hands in greeting.

"Young Sect Master Tang, I've long heard of you. I'm Ye Lan. My Martial Soul is Azure Luan, and I'm a level forty-eight Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor."

Tang Chen had little interest in Ye Lan's introduction.

What was worth noticing about someone who still hadn't reached level fifty at twenty-five?

But Ye Lan had been perfectly courteous, and as young sect master, Tang Chen could hardly fail to return the greeting.

"Tang Chen. Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. Level forty-four Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor."

As soon as they had exchanged greetings, Ye Lan flew into the sky.

An eight-year-old brat had already become a level forty-four Battle Soul Ancestor. Who knew how many Soul Bones he'd absorbed?

From above, Ye Lan offered Tang Chen a word of advice.

"Young Sect Master Tang, you should surrender while you can. How could you possibly hit me up here?"

Seeing Ye Lan so confident, Tang Chen's lips curved slightly.

"Interesting!"

"Flight-Ban Domain!"

Soul Power surged around Tang Chen. As he called out, an ocher ring of light enveloped the entire arena.

Ye Lan was immediately forced out of the sky and slammed into the ground.

Splat! Ye Lan's face became intimately acquainted with the floor.

Ye Lan got back up and struggled comically to fly again.

Tang Chen couldn't help laughing.

"You'd make a pretty good clown. How about working for me as one from now on, just to make me laugh?"

Tang Chen meant every word, without the slightest intent to mock him.

But the words grated on Ye Lan's ears. To him, they were no different from being called a flightless chicken.

Furious, he forgot his original plan and charged straight at Tang Chen.

"I'll fight you to the end! Fourth Soul Skill, Azure Luan Sky-Splitting Slash!"

A blade of jade-green light slashed toward Tang Chen.

Its power was no small matter. Even a Soul King would struggle to withstand it unscathed.

Unfortunately for Ye Lan, his opponent was Tang Chen.

Tang Chen summoned the Clear Sky Hammer and shattered the blade of light with a light swing.

Ye Lan stared, dumbfounded. Tang Chen had crushed the fourth Soul Skill he'd unleashed at full strength with an attack that wasn't even close to his own full power. How could he possibly keep fighting?

All the fight drained out of Ye Lan.

He lowered his head dejectedly, raised a hand, and said weakly, "I concede."

Then he trudged back toward Spirit Hall's team, utterly dispirited.

The sect leaders watched Tang Chen's display of might, each of them astonished.

"Uncle Biao, can you tell how strong Tang Chen is now?" Ning Quan asked Aodebiao.