Xiao Wu took the water bottle, drank a few sips, and said thoughtfully,"Your second soul skill is really powerful. It buffs our side and weakens the enemy. Once your soul power increases, the percentage effects will grow stronger too. Won't the enemy just get played to death?"
"I tested it earlier. It still has some limitations," Tang San explained."To get the best effect, I need to establish the Endless Grass Field first. On top of that, the buffs are affected by strong wind, and the positive and negative buffs can't be used at the same time. Also, I need to mark my teammates with soul power ahead of time—otherwise, they might get caught by the debuff too."
Xiao Wu pouted."It's still insanely strong, okay? Even if we don't get the buffs, weakening the enemy is already a huge advantage. When you become a Titled Douluo, you'll reduce their stats by ninety percent. Why not just make them commit suicide at that point?"
—
Suddenly, back at the field where Ning Rongrong's group was assembled, Tang San turned to her and said politely,"Thank you for your generosity, young miss. Before we start the match, may I ask a question? If it's too personal, feel free not to answer."
"Hm?" Ning Rongrong blinked. "Ask. As long as I can talk about it, I won't hide anything."
Tang San leaned forward slightly."Do you have a grudge against Mu Tian? Why do you want me to defeat him?"
"That's no secret. This guy's been pestering me nonstop. He's really annoying," Ning Rongrong huffed. "If you can teach him a lesson, I'll be very happy."
"Oh… So it's a case of a toad lusting after swan meat," Tang San said meaningfully.
Then, abandoning all previous deference, he straightened his posture and stared directly at Mu Tian."You're surnamed Mu… So you're probably not a direct descendant of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Most likely just someone with high innate soul power who caught the clan master's attention. But instead of thinking about how to contribute to the sect, you chase after the sect master's daughter?"
Tang San snorted."Too shameless. Today, I'll help the respected little princess teach you what it means to know your place—and what true humility is."
—
The Soul Saint: "..."Nearly thirty Soul Sects: "..."Ning Rongrong: "..."Xiao Wu: "..."
At that moment, everyone felt like a herd of alpacas had trampled through their minds.
Wasn't this change of attitude a little too fast?!
And yet—strangely—none of them found Tang San annoying. All except for Mu Tian, of course. On the contrary, the lead Soul Saint, who had the sharpest insight, realized something deeper:
Tang San's gaze had never wavered. From the beginning, it had been calm, measured, and calculating. He had been probing—first to confirm the identities of Mu Tian and Ning Rongrong, then to observe their dynamic. And once he was certain that Mu Tian was merely a pestering pursuer with no authority…
Tang San flipped the script.
This kid is dangerous, the Soul Saint thought. Rational, patient, insightful… a born strategist.
And while Mu Tian did have innate full soul power and had earned the sect master's favor, Ning Rongrong's preference would ultimately carry more weight. Even if the sect master had matchmaking hopes, he wouldn't force his daughter's hand. Not with someone like Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo around—those two had long since proven that marrying into the clan wasn't a requirement to become its protector.
"Alright!" Mu Tian sneered. "Let's see what you're made of!"
He raised his hand, and with a surge of soul power, a black-scaled lizard leapt out from his body. Its form was grotesque—red patterns laced its head, and flames licked from its maw.
A fire attribute beast martial soul.
Tang San narrowed his eyes, gaze sharp. He wasn't focused on the yellow soul ring, but the martial soul itself.
"A beast-type martial soul that can separate from the body… an Earthfire Lizard?"
"That's right!" Mu Tian smirked. "My martial soul is a disengaging type, just like your teacher Yu Xiaogang's. But my Hao Yue is far stronger than that pig!"
Tang San's eyes flickered.
Hao Yue…?
This guy's definitely a transmigrator.
Only someone with external knowledge would refer to Yu Xiaogang's "disengaging-type" martial soul and call him a pig.
Unfortunately for him… Tang San wasn't the same Tang San either.
But Mu Tian… was loud. Too loud.
More questions rose in Tang San's heart.
If I'm a transmigrator who only inherited my martial soul from my biological parents… then how does this guy have Hao Yue—the Austin Griffin—from Throne of the Primordial Blood?
In that story's mythology, Hao Yue was one of the twin sons of the Creator God—the embodiment of destruction and devastation.
Tang San's gaze darkened.
The martial soul in front of him… it wasn't just strong. Its eyes were unnervingly intelligent.
Does it have sentience already?
If the ninth head of Hao Yue—Austin Griffin—awakened fully, wouldn't its destructive will overpower Mu Tian?
Moreover, as the soul beast emerged, it didn't show intimacy toward Mu Tian at all. In fact, it simply stared at him. Coldly. Evaluating him.
Tang San's instincts screamed.
Wait… Could it be sensing my Haotian Hammer? If Hao Yue is a martial soul of destruction, then it may be naturally attracted to the Haotian Hammer's destructive nature.
Worse… what if it wants to devour it?
That would be catastrophic.
Even as a Great Soul Master, if he lost a martial soul—especially one like the Haotian Hammer—the backlash alone could kill him.
His thoughts sharpened like blades.
If Hao Yue was truly a sentient, parasitic martial soul that sought to absorb others… then he couldn't afford to let Mu Tian grow stronger. No matter how powerful Hao Yue was now, if it evolved further, even Mu Tian might not survive the fusion.
And if it turned its gaze on him...
Then I'll have to disable it first.
Before it decides to come for me.