Chapter 285: Intense Battle, From Team Fight to Duel
As the preliminary rounds neared their end, Han Li decided he couldn't keep skipping out and slacking off. He returned to the stands to fulfill his duties as Spirit Hall's Holy Son and guest of honor.
The atmosphere in the stands was noticeably better than before. Most obviously, the three education committee members and Xue Ye were conversing more frequently. Understandable after all, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second squad had performed well enough to practically secure a spot in the finals.
While this didn't necessarily mean they had a shot at the championship, it was still a win for the academy's reputation, especially on their home turf.
Yu Yuanzhen's expression, however, was less than pleasant. Thunderclap Academy was all but confirmed for elimination. Thankfully, Yu Tianheng, the captain of the Imperial Battle Team's first squad, was guaranteed a spot in the finals at least he hadn't completely embarrassed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Salas and Huyan Zhen, on the other hand, were quite pleased. Out of the five teams qualifying from the Heaven Dou division, Tianshui Academy and Elephant Armored Academy had also secured their spots. There was little to complain about.
As for Ning Fengzhi, he remained as unreadable as ever. When Han Li arrived, he simply greeted him with a polite nod and a smile.
The matches continued as scheduled, and the arena was filled with excitement.
On the stage, the teams from the Imperial Battle Team's second squad and Divine Wind Academy took their positions.
Both sides had confidence in themselves, and since Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was no longer in contention for a qualifying spot, the tension wasn't as high as in previous matches.
No intricate tactics were involved both sides sprang into action the moment the whistle blew.
Divine Wind Academy's entire team immediately took to the air. They were the only team in the tournament where every member possessed the ability to fly.
Meanwhile, on the Imperial Battle Team's side, apart from Ning Rongrong and Oscar, everyone else also sprouted a pair of soft pink wings.
As soon as their buffing abilities were fully deployed, Ning Rongrong and Oscar didn't hesitate. They raised their hands in surrender and walked off the stage without a second glance.
Oscar had already handed Tang San the last two flight enhancing mushroom sausages. His soul power was nearly depleted, making it pointless for him to stay in the fight. The same went for Ning Rongrong her buffs had been given, and beyond that, she was nothing more than a moving target.
Divine Wind Academy understood this move perfectly it was a clear sign that the Imperial Battle Team was going for a fast paced assault. Coincidentally, that was their specialty as well.
Feng Xiaotian zeroed in on Tang San, while the remaining six members instinctively surrounded the other four. Although the opposing team had two Soul Ancestors, aerial combat was Divine Wind Academy's forte.
From the very start, the battle escalated into an intense clash.
Dai Mubai and the others knew their flight time was limited to just one minute. Utilizing the speed boost from the Crest Serpent's agility, they launched a direct charge at their opponents.
Meanwhile, Tang San and Feng Xiaotian engaged in a high speed chase, constantly clashing in brief skirmishes while strategically disrupting each other's teammates.
In the chaotic melee, Divine Wind Academy held the upper hand. The biggest issue was that against their wind attributes, Ma Hongjun was nearly useless. Whether he attacked or held back, he was at a disadvantage. Inevitably, he became the first to be eliminated.
However, he wasn't entirely ineffective. His elimination created an opening for Xiao Wu, who seized the opportunity, exploiting a gap in the enemy's abilities. Using a rapid combination of her skills, she took down one of Divine Wind Academy's members. With Dai Mubai's support, they managed to eliminate another, though Xiao Wu was also taken out in the process.
The situation remained dire. The six versus four scenario had turned into a four versus two, and their flight time was almost up. Once Dai Mubai and Tai Long landed, they would become easy targets. Even though they were physically stronger than their opponents, they would inevitably be worn down and defeated.
But they had anticipated this from the beginning.
As their flight time dwindled, Dai Mubai and Tai Long, without looking back, flew straight toward Tang San and Feng Xiaotian. It appeared they were attempting to regroup at the last moment, aiming to take down Feng Xiaotian together.
Divine Wind Academy's remaining members, as expected, fell for the bait.
It was a natural reaction supporting teammates in battle was instinctual.
However, just as they pursued, Dai Mubai and Tai Long suddenly veered back and activated the final burst of their flight enhancing mushroom sausages.
Amid Dai Mubai's White Tiger Meteor Shower, the two of them, shield skills activated, charged straight into the remaining four members of Divine Wind Academy. Absorbing a portion of the damage, they forcefully locked them in midair.
At the same time, Tang San smirked and activated his third soul skill.
Working in tandem with Dai Mubai and Tai Long, he unleashed consecutive Spider Web Bindings, sending all six of them his teammates included crashing out of the ring.
In a split second, eight contestants were eliminated.
Only Tang San and Feng Xiaotian remained on the stage.
"That was a good call."
Feng Xiaotian took a deep breath as he looked at Tang San. He could only blame his team for being too careless. They had failed to fully exploit their aerial advantage and had instinctively fallen into their usual fast paced attack patterns. They had overlooked the fact that the Imperial Battle Team's second squad never played by conventional rules.
"But I'm still going to win."
Feng Xiaotian was confident. Among all the competitors in the tournament so far, there was only one person he feared in a duel Zhu Zhuqing, if she decided to open with her ultimate move and instantly knock him out.
Aside from her, including Huo Wu, whom he admired, he didn't believe anyone else could defeat him in a one on one fight.
"Your hidden weapons won't work on me."
As Feng Xiaotian spoke, a visible whirlwind formed around him, wildly releasing his aura. Behind him, the spectral image of his Twin Headed Stormwolf martial soul emerged, letting out a resounding howl toward Tang San.
"Whether it works or not isn't for you to decide. And who told you I only rely on hidden weapons?"
As Tang San responded, Blue Silver Grass leaves, transformed into hidden weapons, shot toward Feng Xiaotian. At the same time, he quickly swallowed another Flying Mushroom Sausage. The difference between having and not having it was significant it allowed him to regain balance in this aerial battle.
Feng Xiaotian wasn't lying Tang San's hidden weapon techniques were indeed refined, but in a direct duel, getting close to him was a challenge in itself.
Before the hidden weapons could reach him, they were disrupted by the surrounding wind, either deflected off course or shredded completely. Apart from slightly draining both of their soul power, they had no real effect.
But Tang San's goal had already been achieved. Oscar's Flying Mushroom Sausage required a brief activation period after consumption, and this short distraction had given him enough time.
The wings behind him reignited with power, but what surprised Feng Xiaotian was that instead of keeping his distance, Tang San used the acceleration from his wings to charge straight at him.
Is he really that confident in his close combat skills?
The thought crossed Feng Xiaotian's mind. He acknowledged that Tang San had shown impressive melee abilities before, but he was still a Blue Silver Grass user. Engaging in a head on clash could he really withstand it? Feng Xiaotian's attacks were sharp and slashing by nature, the perfect counter to Blue Silver Grass.
But Tang San was already moving there was no time to dwell on it.
Feng Xiaotian chose to meet him head on. The moment he launched himself forward, his first soul ring lit up.
Wind Blade Array.
His hands, transformed into wolf claws through martial soul possession, gleamed with razor sharp edges. With a flick of his wrists, ten crescent shaped wind blades slashed through the air, emitting an eerie whistling sound as they sped toward Tang San.
Head, torso, legs under Feng Xiaotian's precise control, the wind blades sealed off Tang San's path from every angle.
Despite the dense barrage of wind blades, Tang San didn't slow down. He had encountered such attacks before.
Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track had long been ingrained in his movements. With a mere shift of his toes, his body flickered unpredictably, leaving behind a series of afterimages his movements truly lived up to the name Ghost Shadow.
Feng Xiaotian was shocked to find that he couldn't lock onto Tang San's presence. If he couldn't sense his opponent's position, aiming his wind blades precisely was impossible. Left with no choice, he continued launching them in a sweeping attack pattern.
But none of them hit.
Under Tang San's erratic movements, the wind blades struck only the empty arena floor behind him.
Then, just as suddenly, Tang San stopped dodging and reappeared unharmed in Feng Xiaotian's field of vision.
Their eyes met mid air, yet neither paused for even a moment.
Wolf claws and palms clashed.
Feng Xiaotian's claws, gleaming with a cold light, slashed toward Tang San's chest, but they were caught by his hands wrapped in layers of Blue Silver Grass. Though the grass immediately began to crack upon impact, it held just long enough. By the time the claws reached Tang San's hands, their trajectory had already been redirected to the side.
And Tang San remained completely composed.
His attack missed. Without hesitation, Feng Xiaotian twisted his body and slashed again, this time even faster.
But before his claws could land, Tang San's fist had already struck his forearm.
The force knocked Feng Xiaotian slightly off balance. Before he could recover, Tang San stepped in closer, positioning himself right against his body. At the same time, his right hand shifted from a fist to a claw, reaching for the pulse point on Feng Xiaotian's wrist.
Meanwhile, his martial soul remained active his soul rings flickered, and without a sound, Blue Silver Bind crept up from the ground, attempting to entangle Feng Xiaotian's legs and root him in place.
His close combat really is superior to mine… and he's ridiculously strong too.
Feeling the pain in his right forearm, Feng Xiaotian's thoughts raced.
But he didn't stop moving. A sudden burst of wind erupted around his feet, shredding the Blue Silver Grass attempting to restrain him. At the same time, he abruptly twisted his wrist, sending several small wind blades shooting toward Tang San's incoming hand.
This was one of the advantages of his variant martial soul. Though these wind blades weren't as powerful as his soul skills, their explosive nature made them a potent tool in melee combat.
Seeing this, Tang San's expression darkened. He swiftly withdrew both hands and leaped backward, putting distance between them once again.
(End of Chapter)
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