Youth Showdown Tournament, Part Two

"That's Clan Leader Yang's son, isn't it? He's only ten, but he's already reached level twenty-two and beaten Passerby C, who's level twenty-eight. Clan Leader Yang has a worthy successor indeed," the second elder said, praising the Breaking Clan's leader as he watched Yang Ping'an win.

In the stands, the Breaking Clan's leader could barely keep the corners of his mouth from reaching the sky, but he said, "It was just a trick. Nothing worth mentioning, nothing worth mentioning."

A few more weaklings pecked at each other, until the sixty-eighth match.

Number 136, Niu Ma, versus Number 137, Tai Gang.

One belonged to the Defense Clan, the other to the Strength Clan. Their fight was a one-sided beating.

"Niu Ma. Martial Soul: Armored Giant Rhino. Level nineteen Battle Soul Master." "Tai Gang. Martial Soul: Great Strength Gorilla. Level twenty-one Soul Grandmaster."

As soon as the introductions ended, Tai Gang covered the distance in a few quick strides and threw a punch at Niu Ma.

Watching the fist come at him, Niu Ma calmly activated his first Soul Skill. "First Soul Skill: Giant Stone Guard!" Tai Gang's fist struck his shield, but it only trembled slightly. The blow had done almost no damage.

Tai Gang had yet to pull his fist back, leaving an opening. Niu Ma immediately channeled his Soul Power and charged.

The Grand Transport Collision sent Tai Gang flying more than a meter. He spat out a mouthful of blood.

Tai Gang wiped his mouth. Feeling the pain throughout his body, he gave a rueful smile. "Well played, Niu Ma. I was arrogant enough to underestimate you. But now I'm going all out!"

With that, Tai Gang gathered all his Soul Power. "Second Soul Skill: Titan Power! First Soul Skill: Mars Mighty Fist!" He activated both skills at once and attacked Niu Ma.

At such close range, Niu Ma had no chance to dodge. He could only use his first Soul Skill again and try to withstand the blow.

"First Soul Skill: Giant Stone Guard!" Mars Mighty Fist slammed into Giant Stone Guard, and a crisp crack rang out.

Niu Ma's Giant Stone Guard shattered under the punch. Though it had sapped much of the blow's force, what remained struck Niu Ma and left him badly injured.

"I concede." Seeing that he could no longer turn the tide, Niu Ma surrendered without hesitation.

"Match sixty-eight: Number 136, Niu Ma, versus Number 137, Tai Gang. Tai Gang wins."

After several more matches, the first round of selection finally ended.

Meanwhile, the big shots above were deep in discussion about several of the talented contestants.

"Those few in their forties only came to beat up weaklings."

"What can we do? Stop them from competing? I'd say anyone who draws an opponent above level forty is just unlucky."

"Besides, only five people under twenty-five have reached level forty, and one of them is from the Speed Clan."

"What's wrong with the Speed Clan? Did the Speed Clan eat your family's rice?"

"Hey, it's just that everyone knows the Speed Clan has next to no attack power."

"My Defense Clan has it worse. Our young talent is still back at the clan grounds. That damned Niu Qiang didn't even tell me. When I get back, I'm breaking his damn legs."

"Enough, enough. Stop arguing." In the end, the sect master brought the discussion to a close. "I have an idea."

"What if we choose the most talented, promising youngsters from the four single-attribute clans and the Clear Sky Sect to form a team?"

Before anyone else could offer an opinion, Tang Yue made the decision. "It's settled. We'll choose seven people to form the Clear Sky Team."

The others thought, You've already made the damn decision yourself. Why even ask us?

Seeing their expressions, Tang Yue narrowed his eyes. "Do any of you have a problem with that?"

The others shook their heads in unison. "No problem, no problem. A wise decision, Sect Master!"

Seeing them fall in line, Tang Yue nodded with satisfaction. "All right. Let's keep watching."

With the first round of selection over, 201 contestants advanced. Tang Ao was the luckiest of them all, having drawn a bye.

"The second round—two hundred down to one hundred—begins!" At Tang Yue's announcement, the next round officially began.

Number One, Tang Ao, versus Number Two, Bai Feng.

Both contestants had already taken their places in the arena.

To everyone's surprise, the atmosphere lacked the tense, sword-drawn pressure they had expected.

Tang Ao looked at Bai Feng across from him, a rueful smile appearing on his face.

He took two steps forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "Brother Feng, it's been a while."

Tang Ao and Bai Feng had met a year earlier.

After completing a sect mission, Tang Ao had suddenly felt like challenging Bai Feng to a fight.

Tang Ao had only been level twenty-eight then, while Bai Feng had already passed level thirty.

Tang Ao had fought with everything he had, yet he still could not touch so much as a corner of Bai Feng's clothes. Though Bai Feng's attacks were not powerful, he had worn Tang Ao down until his Soul Power ran dry and he lost.

Tang Ao had little confidence this time, either.

Seeing Tang Ao greet him first, Bai Feng smiled, nodded, and returned the salute. "You're too courteous, Brother Tang. We fought when we carried out that mission together last year. I hear you've since broken through to Soul Elder. Today, we can finally have a proper fight in this arena."

Tang Ao shook his head. "You give me too much credit, Brother Feng. Even after breaking through to Soul Elder, I still can't keep up with your speed."

Then Tang Ao changed tack. "I still can't match your speed, Brother Feng. But since our last fight, I've devoted myself to studying the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and finally created a Self-Created Soul Skill of my own: the Defensive Hammer Technique!" With that, Tang Ao summoned his Martial Soul, the Clear Sky Hammer.

"Come on, Brother Feng!" Tang Ao called.

"Please." Bai Feng summoned his Martial Soul, the Sharp-Tailed Swift, which merged with his body. "First Soul Skill: Divine Speed! Second Soul Skill: Chaotic Shadows!" His speed doubled, and he split into numerous afterimages that rushed at Tang Ao.

"First Soul Skill: Clear Sky Defense! Second Soul Skill: White Elephant Power!" Tang Ao activated both his first and second Soul Skills, doubling his strength and defense.

"Defensive Hammer Technique!" Tang Ao whirled the Clear Sky Hammer so tightly around himself that it formed a flawless barrier.

Outside it, Bai Feng stared at him as though he were an idiot. If your defense is that strong, I just won't attack. I'll wait until your Soul Power runs out.

Tang Ao was dumbfounded. Why isn't he attacking? This isn't how I imagined it!

The stalemate dragged on. Whenever Tang Ao lowered the Clear Sky Hammer, Bai Feng seized the chance to land a couple of blows; whenever Tang Ao attacked, Bai Feng retreated. Soon Tang Ao's Soul Power was exhausted, and he had no choice but to concede.