Chapter 239: 258. Tang San at the Bottom
After two years of training, the strength levels of the Shrek Eight Monsters were as follows:
Xiao Wu: Level 53 Soul King, Martial Soul – Soft Bone Rabbit
Yu Tianheng: Level 52 Soul King, Martial Soul – Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon
Er Ming: Level 51 Soul King, Martial Soul – Titan Giant Ape
Dai Mubai: Level 49 Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul – White Tiger
Ma Hongjun: Level 47 Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul – Evil Fire Phoenix
Oscar: Level 48 Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul – Sausage
Tai Long: Level 43 Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul – Power Gorilla
Tang San: Level 41 Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul – Blue Silver Grass
(Ning Rongrong, Jing Ling, and Jiangzhu omitted.)
Yes, you read that right. After two years of cultivation—without the aid of immortal herbs—Tang San had barely reached the Soul Ancestor level. Meanwhile, his teammates had shot ahead like rockets, leaving him far behind.
Yu Tianheng surpassing him wasn't the problem—all things considered, he was older, and his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, plus his fusion skill with Xiao Wu, justified his growth. Tang San could accept that.
Er Ming's case also made sense; he was, after all, a transformed Titan Giant Ape—a god-beast lineage capable of rapid advancement, and he too shared a fusion skill with Xiao Wu. Tang San gritted his teeth but held it in.
Even Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun had overtaken him. Those three fools acted easygoing on the surface but secretly worked harder than he realized. Their potential wasn't bad either, so fine—he accepted that, too.
But Tai Long? That was beyond comprehension. This was his own follower—a one-armed subordinate with a trash martial soul, the Power Gorilla. Two years ago, Tang San had beaten him to a pulp. Their power difference back then had been enormous. Now that same Tai Long had surpassed him by two levels?
"How… how is that possible?!" Tang San fumed inwardly.
The humiliation burned deeply. He was now the weakest in the entire team, and as his power lagged behind, he noticed something else—Xiao Wu's attention was drifting away from him. Her gaze lingered more often on his two new rivals.
It was unbearable.
During one of Yu Xiaogang's group training sessions meant to improve coordination, Yu Tianheng suddenly challenged him. "Tang San! I challenge you. What qualifies a weak Soul Ancestor like you to lead the Shrek Eight Monsters as captain?"
The words darkened Yu Xiaogang's face instantly. To question Tang San was to question him—his pride as a master.
"Xiao San's strength may seem inadequate now, but his potential surpasses all of you," Yu Xiaogang defended.
"Potential isn't strength," Yu Tianheng replied coldly.
Before Yu Xiaogang could retort, Tang San stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Fine. I accept your challenge. If I lose, you can have the position of captain."
"Xiao San, don't be impulsive!" Yu Xiaogang warned, grabbing his arm. "You're only a Soul Ancestor. How can you fight a Soul King?"
Tang San chuckled. "A Soul King? He's hardly the first one I've defeated."
Soon after, the two met in the Blue Tyrant Academy's dueling arena, standing on opposite sides of the platform. Tang San glanced sideways toward Xiao Wu—but her eyes were fixed firmly on Yu Tianheng. That tiny look pierced him like a blade.
"Damn you, Yu Tianheng," he seethed inwardly. "You think just because you have a fusion skill with her you're special?!"
(As Yu Tianheng might say: Sorry, but having a martial spirit fusion skill does make me special.)
Knowing Xiao Wu disliked his use of hidden weapons in duels, Tang San declared proudly, "I'll not use any hidden weapons in this fight. We'll settle this fairly."
Yu Tianheng smirked. "Fair? Then I'll make it even easier. If I use any soul skill from my martial spirit, I'll count it as my loss. Whoever wins, takes the captain's title."
They activated their martial souls. Lightning burst from Yu Tianheng's body—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon flaring behind him. His spirit rings glowed yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black.
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass unfurled like living vines. His four rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—shimmered faintly.
(Without access to priceless immortal herbs, Tang San had settled for lesser millennium-ringed beasts. His fourth spirit ring came from a Cavity Spider—a lesser cousin of the Man-Faced Demon Spider. After wasting three opportunities on failed soul rings before, Tang San had begun to grow careless. He thought: Once Xiao Wu sacrifices herself, I'll replace my first six rings anyway, so why bother now?)
The duel began.
Tang San struck first—Blue Silver Grass's first skill, Binding, followed by his second, Parasite.
The vines lashed out—but Yu Tianheng's movements were swift, his steps flickering like shadows. He slipped past the bindings fluidly. Tang San froze for an instant—this footwork... it looked familiar.
In a blur, Tang San attacked again, launching himself forward with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, his hands switching to Mysterious Jade Hands. Yet as his palms struck, a matching hand intercepted them. Yu Tianheng's palm gleamed with the same technique—perfectly executed.
"What?! How do you know this move!?" Tang San gasped.
Yu Tianheng's hands shifted into claws, unleashing another familiar style—Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon! He flipped Tang San effortlessly and slammed him to the ground.
"This," Yu Tianheng said smugly, "is a gift from Xiao Wu."
Tang San was stunned. His eyes darted toward the stands. "Xiao Wu… why?" he said hoarsely.
"Ah San giegie," she said innocently, "I only shared it for the good of our team. Are you angry at me for helping Shrek?"
That gentle, tearful gaze struck him harder than lightning. Tang San coughed up blood.
If anyone else had betrayed one of his core secrets, he would never have forgiven them. But it was Xiao Wu—he couldn't summon an ounce of hatred toward her.
It must have been Yu Tianheng, he thought bitterly. He must have forced her to share my techniques. Damn him! He's beyond redemption!
Lost in that storm of anger, Tang San didn't even notice when Yu Tianheng hurled him bodily off the stage.
Only upon hitting the ground did Tang San realize his lapse—and the result. He had lost. Defeated by someone he should have surpassed.
"You've lost, Tang San," Yu Tianheng said coldly, looking down at him like a dead dog. "You're not fit to be captain anymore. From now on, the Shrek Battle Team's captain will be me."
"Enough!"
Dai Mubai stepped forward, supporting the bruised Tang San. He handed him three of Oscar's sausage recovery food, then glared up at Yu Tianheng. "Yu Tianheng! The team captaincy is set by the academy's rules, not by an arena duel. You think you can decide that with one match?"
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen10