Chapter 173: Tang San Doesn't Dare to Fight
At first, Feng Xiaotian hadn't thought much about Luo Ling.
Luo Ling hadn't fought against Blazing Academy and had almost no interaction with Huo Wu—the girl to whom Feng Xiaotian devoted all his devotion.
As her loyal admirer, his focus rarely left Huo Wu.
But after witnessing Luo Ling's one‑against‑seven victory in the last round of the preliminaries—when Luo Ling had unleashed a domain‑type ten‑thousand‑year spirit skill—Feng Xiaotian had to admit the man was strong.
Still, he attributed most of that strength to the ability itself, not the user.
Yet now, Luo Ling had shown terrifying power without even activating a single spirit ring.
With only his martial spirit and raw energy, he had felled Yu Tianheng in one strike.
That was something beyond Feng Xiaotian's comprehension.
Down below, Yu Xiaogang's voice suddenly burst across the arena. "Referee! This is just a tournament! Luo Ling's attack was excessively brutal—he's violating the rules!"
The referee rubbed his temple tiredly. This was the second time someone had filed a complaint against Luo Ling, and the victim was once again Yu Tianheng.
He couldn't help but pity the poor boy lying motionless on the ground.
Coughing lightly, the referee straightened, putting on a grave expression and turning toward Luo Ling, silently waiting for an explanation.
Of course, no one expected the organizers to actually punish Luo Ling. With Emperor Xue Ye overseeing the event and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's master present, any notion of disqualification was absurd.
Everyone already knew—Luo Ling wasn't just Heaven Dou Royal Academy's pride but also a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Apologies, I may have gone a bit too far," Luo Ling said calmly under the crowd's scrutiny.
Instead of denying it, he offered a faint smile and a hint of contrition. "I'm sorry—it's just that I can't stand traitors. I lost control for a moment, but it shouldn't be too bad."
As he spoke, he turned toward the Heaven Dou viewing area and smiled at Ye Lingling. "Lingling, could you help treat Yu Tianheng? After all, he was once one of us."
His tone was sincere, his demeanor impeccable—making it seem as though he were the victim of circumstance rather than the one who had nearly sliced another man open.
The spectators, hearing words like "traitor" and "former teammate," instantly built their own version of the story in their minds.
Their sympathy for Yu Tianheng quickly turned into distaste, their eyes cold with judgment.
When Ye Lingling met Luo Ling's polite smile, her heartbeat faltered and her cheeks flushed slightly. She nodded quickly and hurried to Yu Tianheng's side, beginning treatment.
With the power of her Nine‑Heart Begonia, the wounds mended swiftly.
It didn't take long for her to notice that Luo Ling hadn't lied—not entirely. Though Yu Tianheng's injuries looked terrible, they weren't fatal.
From the stands, Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, his glare burning with resentment. But seeing Yu Tianheng stable, he had no grounds to complain further.
The referee simply nodded. "Winner—Heaven Dou Royal Academy! Continue to the next match."
Now Shrek Academy had only one fighter left—Tang San.
"Shrek Academy, send out your next contestant," the referee prompted.
All eyes turned to Tang San.
But he didn't move.
His body was rigid as stone, his feet rooted firmly to the ground.
Looking at Yu Tianheng's half‑dead state, he knew exactly what would happen to him if he stepped forward. Luo Ling would not hold back—he never did.
In the best case, he'd end up like Yu Tianheng. In the worst, seriously crippled—and that could ruin his chances in later matches.
He needed to enter the finals. He needed to reach the Soul King level. He needed to give his Clear Sky Hammer five ten‑thousand‑year rings—so that one day he could crush Luo Ling beneath his feet.
He couldn't afford to jeopardize the future for one reckless fight.
Tang San's fists clenched tightly, his entire body trembling.
Around him, the audience began to murmur. The sight of his shaking frame, his silence—it all looked like fear.
"You're not thinking of surrendering, are you?" Luo Ling's voice cut through the noise like silk over steel.
The words carried across the entire field, stirring the Royal Knights into uproar.
"Coward!"
"No backbone!"
"Spineless bastard!"
Each shout echoed like nails being hammered into Tang San's chest.
"You sent six people to wear me down," Luo Ling continued, his tone dripping with contempt. "All so you'd stand a better chance when facing me yourself."
He smirked. "And now, when it's your turn—you hesitate? What was the point of their effort then?"
His crimson eyes flicked briefly toward Yu Tianheng. "Was this the result they fought for?"
Tang San's body shook violently, his eyes bloodshot and wild.
In Luo Ling's gaze, Tang San's spiritual energy churned erratically, soul threads twisting and knotting in disarray.
Yu Xiaogang noticed the change too.
"Stop it! Tang San isn't like what you say!" Yu Xiaogang shouted in protest.
"Oh?" Luo Ling replied lightly, casting him a dismissive glance before turning his burning eyes back to Tang San. "Then come, Tang San—show me."
It was an invitation. A challenge.
Tang San stared back, fists clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his palms, blood dripping down his fingers.
After several seconds, he shut his eyes.
When they reopened, his gaze was eerily calm.
He released his fists, his shaking ceased, and he turned his back to Luo Ling.
"I surrender," he said simply.
Without another word, he walked off the stage.
The arena exploded in jeers and boos, waves of mockery rolling across the stands.
Luo Ling, however, only watched Tang San's departing back in silence, a spark of curiosity in his eyes.
To endure humiliation without breaking—that was not easy.
He had to admit, the Tang San of the original timeline had the qualities of someone destined for godhood.
Unfortunately, this Tang San had met him.
Luo Ling shook his head faintly.
The referee sighed, then announced Heaven Dou Royal Academy's victory once again.
…
Back in the rest area, Tang San looked utterly drained, his mind and body both collapsing under the weight of fury and shame.
He could still hear the sneering voices of the spectators echoing in his skull, each word stabbing deeper.
And in his mind, only one name consumed his thoughts—Luo Ling.
"I'll kill you. I swear I'll kill you!" he muttered, madness leaking into his voice. "I'll gain more power—enough to crush you completely!"
"When I become a Soul King… at the finals, you'll pay."
His voice broke into a hoarse scream. "Luo Ling!"
As his cry echoed through the empty room, a faint crimson aura seeped from his body.
Dark red vines of the Blue Silver Grass curled across the floor like living serpents.
The mark of the blood sacrifice—the gift of a forbidden god.
Power gained easily, with no visible cost.
But every divine blessing hides its price.
(END CHAPTER)
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