Chapter 171: Tang San — "The Dugu Clan Has So Many Good People!"
Thanks to Ning Rongrong, the two teams maintained a cordial atmosphere.
Since the Shrek Team had conceded, Little Snake readily detoxified them.
Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun all wore complex expressions.
They had previously been cured of Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Purple Poison, but now, facing other members of the Dugu Clan, they realized just how lethal that toxin truly was. Being able to detoxify Dugu Yan's poison before had been pure luck.
If Dugu Yan herself had reached this level of mastery, there was no chance they could have resisted it despite their soul power difference.
"You're all okay, right? We went a bit too far on stage just now—no hard feelings, I hope?"
Little Snake grinned, his white teeth stark against his shadowed face, his tone surprisingly friendly.
Zhang Jingyang and Dong Heguang also looked on with apparent concern.
Tang San felt his heart warm. The Dugu Clan really does have a lot of good people!
"It's fine. The poison's been cleared, just some minor injuries—nothing serious," Tang San said with a respectful bow.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun bowed as well.
Their opponents had completely outmatched them, yet even in victory, they showed courtesy and care—true noble bearing.
It made their defeat much easier to accept.
Tang San and Ma Hongjun thought privately, So this is how nobility truly behaves.
In the VIP box, Ning Fengzhi smiled broadly. Gem Academy's strength had far exceeded expectations.
With two powerful soul masters from the Dugu Clan leading them, they would likely keep winning throughout the preliminaries—and could still continue to conceal their full abilities until the finals.
When the grand finale came and all seven gem-spirit masters appeared together, Spirit Hall's team would be caught completely off guard.
Emperor Xue Ye looked delighted. "Those soul masters from Gem Academy are remarkably mysterious. That captain's skill—was that a mental attack?"
Ning Fengzhi replied, "Indeed it was a mental skill. Extending gem spirits into such spiritual applications—I must say, it's astonishing.
Your Majesty, both his third and fourth skills are of the spiritual category. As for his first and second, they might not be related to it at all—perhaps defensive, or even agility-based.
That's the uniqueness of gem martial spirits.
I find myself more interested in their future matches with every round."
Salas and Qian Renxue remained silent.
Seated in the second row, Qian Renxue's expression was serious—her attention fixed entirely on Tang San.
"This Tang San is truly extraordinary. To think he resisted illusion so completely… how?
The illusion caster was level forty-two, yet Tang San is only level thirty-four.
Could it be that his spiritual power is special… or that he possesses a head soul bone?"
Since meeting Tang San after the first match through Ning Fengzhi's introduction, she had been impressed by his composure and thoughtful demeanor.
Since then, she had watched every one of his fights.
His abilities were etched vividly in her mind—his Blue Silver Grass was tough, poisonous, perfect for a control-type soul master.
Yet Tang San also possessed agility like an assault-type, his body flexible and responsive.
Once, in a battle against a defense-type soul master, he'd even shown remarkable physical strength—excellent in close combat.
And now he revealed superior spiritual power, far beyond others of his level.
He truly deserved to be called a genius.
Qian Renxue had the distinct feeling that Tang San still hadn't shown all his cards.
"Interesting. They won't win this tournament, that's certain.
But Tang San will remain here at Blue Tyrant Academy for quite some time—within Heaven Dou City.
Tang San… just what are you hiding? I'll uncover your secret one way or another."
Her lips curved in a quiet, confident smile—everything was proceeding within her control.
As the preliminaries continued, by the end of the ninth round only four teams remained undefeated: Gem Academy, Thunder Academy, Tianshui Academy, and Blazing Academy.
Godwind Academy had lost to Blazing Academy in the eighth round—a defeat that had clearly been no accident, since Feng Xiaotian had deliberately held back.
In the meantime, none of the other top academies had met in direct conflict.
But the tenth round would change that—one of the unbeaten academies would have to fall.
This was the pinnacle showdown: Gem Academy versus Thunder Academy.
Both teams had obliterated every opponent in their previous nine matches.
Thunder Academy's strongest technique was Heaven's Wrath, unleashed when all seven soul masters performed their lightning skills together.
Heaven's Wrath condensed thunder energy into electrified bolts capable of devastating attacks.
When seven bolts struck simultaneously, they could paralyze an entire team in an instant.
Watching Thunder Academy's battles was a visual feast—sheer destructive beauty.
Gem Academy, on the other hand, exuded mystery and power. In nine matches, they had showcased both their overwhelming spiritual attacks and their deadly poisons.
Both academies had won countless fans.
Even before the match began, the entire arena was packed to capacity.
The crowd's chants soared:
"Gem Academy forever—defeat Thunder!"
"Ten victories! Ten victories!"
"Heaven's Wrath! Thunder Academy will win!"
Every shout echoed through the grandstands.
Up in the VIP booth, professional commentators gave their excited report.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament's tenth round!
Today's highlight match—an epic showdown between two undefeated giants: Gem Academy and Thunder Academy!
It's worth noting that both academies are part of the newly reformed Five Elemental Alliance. Just a few days ago, the Four Elements Alliance shocked the soul master world by announcing the inclusion of Gem Academy, renaming themselves the Five Elements Alliance!
What we're about to see will surely be a historic battle.
Will the dominating thunderous might of Thunder Academy prevail—or will the mysterious Gem Academy continue to shroud itself in legend?"
The commentator's dramatic tone built suspense—then suddenly grew higher-pitched.
"Ah! What's this? There's a stir among the audience—Gem Academy's lineup has changed!
Heavens! They've added another Soul Ancestor! That makes five total!
Even now Gem Academy continues to hide its true power—they are indeed like a treasure trove, endless and dazzling!
Wait—her name, according to the committee records, is Ning Rongrong! Martial spirit: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda! She's here!
She's stepping onto the stage—how radiant she is! No wonder the crowd's roaring like a storm!
At just fourteen years old, already a level forty-two Soul Ancestor—breaking every record in soul master history!
I daresay she is Heaven Dou's shining star!
The spotlight of the entire arena is hers!
Look—the Thunder Academy's supporters… they've turned!
The entire crowd is chanting her name!
Ning Rongrong's debut has conquered the hearts of Heaven Dou City!
Thunder Academy, may fortune favor you—you'll need it!
The match is about to begin. Both teams are releasing their martial spirits.
And there—look! Ning Rongrong has unleashed hers!
Witness the brilliance of her debut!"
(END CHAPTER)
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