"I get it now, Yu Xiaogang, that pitiful guy, is going to get Tang San killed. Luckily, Tang San was fortunate this time." Tianlin finally understood why the Clear Sky Avatar looked impressive but was of little use.
This was because the current soul power levels of the Shrek Seven Devils couldn't compare to those in the original story, so Tang San's Clear Sky Avatar was only a half-finished product.
But it was fortunate that it was only half-finished. Otherwise, given that Tang San's mental strength and physical constitution at this time were far inferior to the original, if he used the real weapon martial soul avatar, his soul might collapse, and then Tang Hao would have to smash the Grandmaster to death with his hammer.
"If this continues, I will lose. Since that's the case, explode!"
Seeing that he couldn't gain an advantage, Tang San gave up on brute force, choosing instead to instantly compress his soul power, and then erupt it all at once. The advantage was greatly increasing his attack power for a moment; the downside was the massive consumption of soul power. If it failed, he would be completely exhausted.
"Want to compete in explosive power, but is your soul power as refined as mine?" Tianlin was completely unafraid. He practiced the Nuwa Emperor Meditation Method from childhood, and in terms of purity and refinement of soul power, except for Qian Renxue, who cultivated with the power of Heavenly Snow, no one on the whole Douluo Continent could surpass him.
Boom!
Both exploded at the same time, and the huge impact changed the color of heaven and earth. Except for Title Douluo, many Soul Douluo and Soul Sages present had to activate their martial souls to protect their students who hadn't reached Soul King level.
"This clash is almost as powerful as a Soul Sage. I can't believe this is a move from just a Soul King and a Soul Ancestor," Yue Guan said in shock. He had psychological trauma from the Clear Sky Hammer and didn't expect Jun Tianlin's sword to have such power.
"Ugh!"
With two muffled grunts, Tianlin and Tang San were both sent flying. Blood seeped from the corner of Tianlin's mouth—this was the first time he was injured in the tournament. But it wasn't Tang San who did it; rather, he overestimated the power of the pseudo-Clear Sky Avatar and forcibly held back some of his power to avoid accidentally killing Tang San and losing qualification. In other words, he was hurt by his restraint.
Tang San, on the other hand, was far worse off. The tool martial soul avatar greatly consumed soul power; he might have to rest for a long time.
Tianlin could barely stand, but Tang San was already unconscious. The outcome of this match was decided.
Because of the seven-in-one fusion skill, the rest of the Shrek team's soul power was completely drained, while the Emperor Battle team was fresh. Continuing would be meaningless.
"Match over. The winner is the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Emperor Battle Team."
After hearing the referee's announcement, Flender clenched his fists in frustration. After fighting so hard to reach the top three, he still couldn't overcome the Sword Prince, even losing with the seven-in-one fusion skill.
If Flender was just unwilling, the Grandmaster was thoroughly furious. "Impossible! How could my seven-in-one fusion skill lose? Even the Spirit Hall Academy can't necessarily break it. How could a Jun Tianlin do it?"
"Right, it's because there are no soul rings! The Clear Sky Hammer doesn't have soul rings, so it can't unleash its true power." Grandmaster found many excuses for himself. In any case, he didn't believe his invincible theories could fail.
Thinking of this, Grandmaster instinctively looked toward Bibi Dong. He had previously sought her out for the twin martial soul cultivation method, but she refused him. Now he felt he must try again; relying on past friendship, he was determined to get the method from her.
Bibi Dong glanced at the dejected Grandmaster and saw the desire in his eyes—she understood what he was thinking.
Not long ago, Yu Xiaogang came to her for Tang San's sake, promising that Tang San would never be an enemy of Spirit Hall in exchange for the twin martial soul method.
But was that possible? The deep hatred between Tang San's family and Spirit Hall wasn't something a promise could resolve. Bibi Dong didn't believe Grandmaster didn't know Tang San's true identity.
Yet he still tried and even used deception. Did he not realize that once Tang San mastered the twin martial soul, the first to suffer would be her, the Pope of Spirit Hall?
When he made this request, did he ever consider her life? No—he only wanted to promote his theory.
As for whether Tang San would cause trouble for Spirit Hall after succeeding—what did that matter to Yu Xiaogang?
Thinking of this, a rare trace of sorrow flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. Ever since the incident with Qian Xunji, she knew she was already mad. The only remaining clear spot in her heart was Yu Xiaogang, but now even his ruthlessness was consuming the last of her reason.
"Your Holiness, the match is over. May I take Xiao Tian and the others back? He needs to prepare for tomorrow's match and must recover as soon as possible." At that moment, an anxious voice sounded. Bibi Dong looked over—it was Xue Qinghe, or rather, Qian Renxue.
Her daughter had returned home but hadn't visited her once, treating her like a stranger.
This was the first time she spoke to her today, and it was for this Sword Prince.
Bibi Dong nodded. "Alright, dismissed. Take care of his injuries and prepare for tomorrow's finals."
She was the Pope; without her approval, no one dared to leave. Only after she said dismissed did the academies start to disperse.
Today's match left many wanting more. Though both sides only exchanged one move, what appeared was truly astonishing.
First, the seven-in-one fusion skill, then the Clear Sky Hammer Avatar. When everyone thought Shrek would win, Jun Tianlin decisively slapped them all in the face, breaking the so-called number one weapon martial soul avatar with the Seven Kill Sword technique and a simple fourth spirit skill.
As expected, the Sword Prince was still the invincible Sword Prince, an insurmountable mountain before all academies.
Watching her daughter support Tianlin out of the arena, Bibi Dong gave a bitter smile. "Just like me, but much luckier."
Qian Renxue was so similar to her former self, both falling for the wrong person. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan from the Upper Three Clans were destined to be Spirit Hall's enemies.
The difference was, Jun Tianlin's strength was a thousand times greater than Yu Xiaogang. He had the potential to break fate. Unless she killed him now, even she might not be able to stop him in the future.
...
Back at the Emperor Battle rest room, Xue Qinghe immediately said to Ye Lingling, "Lingling, quickly, use Nine Heart Begonia to heal Xiao Tian."
She seemed very anxious because she knew how powerful the Clear Sky Hammer Avatar was. Her father had been struck by the Clear Sky Hammer plus the Ring Explosion and the Great Sumeru Hammer, dying of his wounds.
If today Tianlin also suffered hidden injuries from the Clear Sky Hammer, she would make the Clear Sky Sect pay.
"Yes, Your Highness." Ye Lingling nodded and immediately used Nine Heart Begonia to heal Tianlin.
"Brother Xue, don't worry, it's just a rebound injury. I'll be fine after a few days' rest," Tianlin said. Under the Nine Heart Begonia, his complexion improved greatly.
"Xiao Tian, for tomorrow's finals, if you really can't do it, don't participate. It's just a soul bone; if you want, Big Brother promises to find you three even better ones," Xue Qinghe advised.
This would benefit both sides—after all, she was from Spirit Hall and hoped they would win the final championship. If Tianlin didn't participate, Spirit Hall would almost certainly win.
And Tianlin would get more rest and avoid accumulating internal injuries, a win-win for her.
PS: Read atleast 190 advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode