He Nearly Let Tang San Win

"First Soul Skill, Entangle!"

As the two widened the distance between them, Tang San gave a low shout. The soul ring beneath his feet flared brightly, and several thick Blue Silver Grass vines burst from the ground, surging toward Cheng Xiao like tentacles.

Cheng Xiao gripped his Short Sword in one hand as black mist erupted from his body. Immediately afterward, strands of dark purple light intertwined across the blade.

The next second, Cheng Xiao swung his Short Sword. With a hum, several black streaks shot toward Tang San. The Blue Silver Grass rushing at him was mercilessly sliced apart the instant it collided with the black light.

In an instant, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had been cut into countless pieces by the Black Sword Qi.

Tang San was startled by the sight before him. Could the black light shooting from the blade be Cheng Xiao's first Soul Skill?

From beginning to end, Tang San had not seen Cheng Xiao release a Soul Skill. Yet what had just happened made him wonder whether Cheng Xiao's first Soul Skill had an effect that enchanted his weapon.

Although his Blue Silver Grass was a plant-type martial soul, it had become exceptionally tough after obtaining a soul ring. Ordinary soul masters could not break through it, yet Cheng Xiao had severed it with ease. If so, the effect of his first Soul Skill was likely to enhance his own abilities.

Wrapped in black mist, Cheng Xiao looked like a Death God harvesting lives. The dark purple glow deep in his eyes added an unstoppable aura to him, while the black mist around his body blazed like flames.

"Parting Birds!"

As he activated the Purple Demon Eye, a faint purple glow appeared in Tang San's eyes. While lightly brushing Twenty-Four Bridges Bright Moon, more than ten Silver Needles had already appeared in his hand.

The next second, Tang San used his Hidden Weapon techniques to fire every Silver Needle in his hand at Cheng Xiao's shoulders, calves, and abdomen.

"Swift Walk." Sensing the chilling glint in the air, Cheng Xiao muttered inwardly. His speed suddenly surged, and he charged fiercely at Tang San, throwing his Short Sword straight at Tang San's chest.

He plans to trade injury for injury! Cheng Xiao's speed after using Swift Walk was like that of a Cheetah. His acceleration was nearly instantaneous. Even Tang San, who had activated the Purple Demon Eye, had not expected Cheng Xiao to choose such a reckless, life-risking style of combat.

Seeing this, Tang San immediately used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to evade Cheng Xiao's incoming Short Sword, unwilling to get hurt. He believed that once his Silver Needles struck Cheng Xiao, the sparring match would be over.

But would things truly go as Tang San expected?

"Tang San, you've lost!" Cheng Xiao's speed increased once more in midair. Facing the incoming Silver Needles, a curve rose at the corner of his lips. Shadow Power rapidly gathered over his body, blocking every one of the needles.

Over the past month, Cheng Xiao had not merely become more proficient with his skills. His control over the Shadow Power within his body had reached a new level. He could now freely apply Shadow Power to any part of his body and even use it as a barrier. It was incredibly useful.

Not good! Tang San's expression darkened as he watched Cheng Xiao charge forward with unstoppable force. He had never expected his Hidden Weapons to be unable to harm him. The black mist around Cheng Xiao's body seemed to have a defensive effect. If that was the case, his Hidden Weapons were useless.

But how could Tang San admit defeat so easily? His Hidden Weapons and Soul Skills might have been ineffective, but he still possessed the Tang Sect's ultimate arts. He immediately circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill with all his strength and used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track again, trying to evade Cheng Xiao's attack.

But this time, Tang San was not so lucky. No matter how profound Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track was, at such close range, he could only take Cheng Xiao's attack head-on.

"Hit the Vital Point!" Cheng Xiao shouted lowly, his fist shrouded in black mist smashing hard into Tang San's abdomen just as Tang San tried to evade with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.

How is that possible? My Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track actually failed! With a bang, Cheng Xiao's fist struck Tang San in the abdomen amid his disbelieving cry. Tang San shot backward like a Cannonball for more than ten meters before collapsing onto the ground, clutching his stomach with a twitching face.

"Sorry. I like to give it my all when sparring." Picking up the twin swords that had fallen to the ground and returning them to their sheaths, Cheng Xiao walked over expressionlessly and helped Tang San up.

"I understand." Tang San held his abdomen with his left hand and waved his right hand. "Going all out in battle is a sign of respect for your opponent. I lost this sparring match."

"However, I have my teacher's careful guidance. I'm sure it won't be long before I find a way to beat you, and then defeat you."

"You can do it, Tang San. I believe in you." Cheng Xiao patted Tang San on the shoulder and said calmly, "Your teacher is a theoretical master in the soul master world. Though his strength is a little lacking, I believe that as long as you study properly under him, you'll definitely be able to defeat me."

Tang San froze slightly. Looking at Cheng Xiao's calm face, he did not know how to react for a moment.

"Alright, I've sparred with you for so long. It's time for me to go back and rest." Cheng Xiao gave Tang San a slight smile, then headed toward the Dormitory without looking back.

Watching Cheng Xiao's departing figure, Tang San took a deep breath. A faint purple glow rose in his eyes as he clenched his fists and murmured, "I will defeat you. I definitely will!"

"Cheng Xiao, who won between you and Tang San?"

On the Beds that had been pushed together, Xiao Wu lay sprawled in the middle, her lively eyes full of curiosity as she looked at Cheng Xiao, who had returned after bathing.

"Are you claiming this place as your mountain?" Cheng Xiao wiped his wet hair and jokingly looked at Xiao Wu, who had taken up half the Bed.

"I'm not. It's just that you weren't back yet." Xiao Wu curled her lips, then sat up from the middle of the Bed and patted the mattress. "You boys really are careless. Come here, let Sister Xiao Wu dry you off."

Cheng Xiao froze slightly at her words. Feeling the strange looks from everyone else in the Dormitory, his face could not help turning red. He gave a light cough and said, "No, no. I can dry myself."

A dissatisfied curve slowly formed on Xiao Wu's lips. She gave a soft huff, pulled over the blanket that had been kicked to the edge of the Bed, and said to Cheng Xiao, "Then if you don't dry yourself properly, I won't let you under the blanket tonight."

"???"

Cheng Xiao looked at Xiao Wu with a strange expression, leaned down close to her ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Do you know what you're saying?"

Xiao Wu's delicate face instantly turned red. She stammered incoherently, "I... I... it's all your fault... I... I don't know."

Cheng Xiao lightly tapped Xiao Wu's forehead with a finger and chuckled. "It's good that you don't know. Saying things like that can easily make people misunderstand."

"Mhm." Xiao Wu nodded quickly and burrowed beneath the blanket, leaving only her little head exposed. She looked at Cheng Xiao curiously and asked, "So who won? You still haven't told me."

"I nearly let Tang San win." Cheng Xiao shrugged slightly.

"Hehe, you're obviously just being modest." Xiao Wu said with a grin. "Tang San can't even beat me. How could he possibly beat you?"

"Yes, yes, you're the strongest."

"Hmph, it's good that you know how amazing I am!"