Youth Tournament, Part Two

"Number One, Tang Ao of the Clear Sky Sect, versus Number Two, Bai Feng. Bai Feng wins."

"Number Seventeen, Tang Chen, versus Number Eighteen, Bai Ding."

This was Tang Chen's first time facing an opponent who relied on speed.

His opponent was one of the few Soul Masters above level forty: a level forty-four agility-type Battle Soul Ancestor from the Speed Clan.

Tang Chen introduced himself first. "Tang Chen. Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. Level thirteen Battle Soul Master."

After hearing Tang Chen's introduction, Bai Ding looked at him with sympathy. The poor child had actually drawn him as an opponent.

Bai Ding could not help trying to persuade him. "Tang Chen, you should concede. The gap in our Soul Power is too great. You have no chance at all."

Tang Chen said nothing, but the resolve in his eyes said everything.

Bai Ding sighed. This child just won't listen.

Then he introduced himself. "Bai Ding. Martial Soul: Sharp-Tailed Swift. Level forty-four Battle Soul Ancestor."

The two took their stances. Tang Chen knew his only chance was to strike first.

"First Soul Skill: Clear Sky Power!" Veins bulged along Tang Chen's arms as he activated his first Soul Skill. His strength tripled in an instant, while his physique and defense doubled.

Tang Chen burst forward and attacked Bai Ding.

At first, Bai Ding paid the attack no mind. Tang Chen was only a One-Ring Soul Master. Even with the Clear Sky Hammer as his Martial Soul, how strong could his attack be?

But when the wind from the hammer struck his face, Bai Ding sensed something was wrong. Such incredible strength!

The Clear Sky Hammer was already upon him. It was too late to dodge.

Bai Ding could only force his Soul Power into a sideways lunge. He still failed to evade it completely, and the hammer smashed into his left shoulder.

Crack!

A tremendous force struck, and Bai Ding's left shoulder snapped.

"It broke! It actually broke!" "Damn, what a powerful attack!" "Could the young sect master actually win?" "Hard to say!" ...

The crowd below the platform erupted into heated discussion.

Up on the platform, Bai Ding thought, I've made a complete fool of myself.

Coming to his senses, Bai Ding cast aside his earlier contempt and prepared to fight Tang Chen with everything he had.

"First Soul Skill: Phantom! Third Soul Skill: Flight!" Bai Ding unleashed two Soul Skills in quick succession, creating six phantoms before taking to the sky.

Tang Chen had no way to attack an airborne opponent, and he could not keep up with Bai Ding's speed. He had no choice but to concede.

"Number Seventeen, Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect, versus Number Eighteen, Bai Ding of the Speed Clan. Bai Ding wins."

Tang Chen walked down from the platform looking dejected, never noticing Bai Ding's twitching face.

Bai Ding stared after him. ...What are you so dejected about? Isn't it perfectly normal to lose to me? If you'd actually won, what would I have to show for my twenty-five years of life?

After his defeat, Tang Chen had no interest in watching the remaining matches. He went straight back to his room to continue cultivating.

As soon as he returned, Tang Chen flopped onto the bed. "Ah! I'll rest a little first."

Lying there, Tang Chen decided to review the fight.

Hmm... I couldn't match his speed, but once my level is higher, he won't be able to get close to me at all. That's nothing to worry about.

My level is lower than his, but I'm only six and he's already twenty-five. Of course his level is higher.

The more Tang Chen thought about it, the more he felt there was nothing wrong with him at all.

"Oh well, what's done is done. Time to eat." Tang Chen pulled a handful of dried meat from his Storage Ring and stuffed it into his mouth.

Meanwhile, with the sect master...

"How should we put together the seven-person team?" the second elder asked first.

"I think we should have two Clear Sky Hammers, one Soul Breaking Spear, one Great Strength Gorilla, one Armored Giant Rhino, one Sharp-Tailed Swift, and one support member," Tang Yue proposed.

"That could work, but who should be the support member?" After discussing it, the other elders and clan chiefs agreed that Tang Yue's proposal made sense, but they still needed to settle the question of support.

Then Tang Yue had a "brilliant idea." He said to the elders and clan chiefs, "How about I visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and ask them for a support member?"

"Hmm... Uh... Well..." The others hesitated, unable to make up their minds.

The sight of their spineless faces made Tang Yue's blood boil. "You're all scared shitless. I've decided. I'm going to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to ask for a support member."

And so, the team's roles were settled.

Choosing who would fill those roles was an even bigger headache.

"My grandson has to have a place on the team." "Why? There are plenty in the clan more talented than your grandson." "Because I can beat you, that's why." ...

Compared with the Clear Sky Sect elders' bickering, the chiefs of the four other clans were remarkably composed.

The chief of the Breaking Clan spoke first. "Yang Wu, who came to awaken his Martial Soul this time, is the most talented member of the Breaking Clan. We choose him."

The chief of the Strength Clan followed. "My grandson Tai Kang had Innate Soul Power at level seven. He just turned eight this year and has already reached level thirteen. The Strength Clan chooses him."

Then the Speed Clan chief said, "My youngest son also had Innate Soul Power at level seven. He's nine this year and has reached level fifteen. The Speed Clan has made its choice too."

Of the four single-attribute clans, only the Defense Clan had yet to choose.

The Defense Clan chief was inwardly miserable. He could only tell the truth. "The Defense Clan's younger generation has been dwindling these past few years. Hardly any geniuses have emerged. The most talented child in the clan right now is still my son, who only awakened his Martial Soul today. I have no one else to choose, so the Defense Clan chooses him."

Seeing that the elders were still arguing, Tang Yue cut in. "That's enough from all of you. If you really can't decide, fight it out. Whoever wins gets the final say."

Tang Yue was not worried. His son was a genius with Innate Full Soul Power. He was certain to have a place on the seven-person team.

Just then, a middle-aged man pushed the door open and entered. Everyone stared at him in astonishment and exclaimed in unison, "First Elder, you've come out of seclusion!"

The middle-aged man nodded, walked over, and dropped onto the sofa beside them.

"I've broken through," he said. The words struck like a thunderclap.

Everyone exchanged glances, their excitement impossible to hide.

It meant the Clear Sky Sect would soon have another Titled Douluo.

Overjoyed, Tang Yue rushed forward, wrapped the first elder in a bear hug, and thumped his back. "Well done, little brother! You've made something of yourself! Once I'm done here, I'll take you to get your ninth Soul Ring."

The first elder struggled free of Tang Yue's embrace. "Big brother, if you hadn't let go, you would've squeezed me to death."

Having finally escaped, the first elder addressed the others. "Give the last spot to my son. Xiao'er had already passed level twenty before I went into seclusion, and he's not even eleven yet. His talent is decent."