Chapter 226: Tang San Begins to Shine
Even from the base of Pope's Hill, the radiant glow of the two soul bones could be clearly seen. In that moment, all of Spirit City erupted in a frenzy.
If this hadn't been the Pope's Hall, and if not for the presence of several Titled Douluo maintaining order, someone might have already given in to their greed and tried to seize them.
"That's Mom's soul bone."
Xiao Wu stared at the pink-glowing head soul bone floating in the air, recognizing the familiar aura it emitted. Tears almost spilled from her eyes as intense hatred surged within her. Damn Spirit Hall!
From behind the Pope, Ghost Douluo spoke in his low, shadowy voice: "These two soul bones are the Spiritual Condensing Skull of the Soft Bone Rabbit, and the Piercing Arm Bone of the Death Spider Emperor. Both are from 100,000-year soul beasts and are top-grade soul bones."
Qian Xunji's lips curved into a faint smile. "These two soul bones were gifts from two of my closest friends—sincere offerings, to be awarded today to the most outstanding team in the entire soul master world."
"There is only one victor—only one champion. The team that proves itself most worthy shall receive both soul bones. I hope the three finalist academies give it their all to earn this supreme honor."
As his words fell, intense fighting spirit surged among the twenty-one soul masters from the three remaining teams. Most of them set their sights on the head bone—of the six types of soul bones, head bones were the rarest and most valuable, far superior to an arm bone.
Tang Xiao, Ning Fengzhi, and others twitched slightly. Everyone knew that Qian Xunji's so-called "gift" of a 100,000-year head bone had been forcibly taken from Tang Hao during their battle. He had even severed Tang Hao's arm and leg and stolen the Clear Sky Sect's legacy soul bones, reducing the once-mighty Douluo to a Soul Saint. Even the name "Clear Sky Douluo" was now stained.
A gift from a "true friend"? More like a friend whose heart was torn out by force.
But that raised another question—who was the second "friend"? Who else on the continent could take down a 100,000-year soul beast?
If Spirit Hall had done it, they certainly wouldn't hide it. They'd use it to showcase their power.
Qian Xunji continued, "This morning, each of the three teams will send out their seven members for a single-elimination individual round. The team with the last person standing gains a major advantage and advances directly to the championship match tomorrow. The losing two teams will fight for the remaining final slot this afternoon. Now, please send forth your first contestant."
Just like the promotion rounds, it was a single-elimination format—but now with all three teams involved. This round wasn't for the title, but it was just as critical.
Victory not only meant qualifying for the top two—it gave the winner a full day to rest before the final.
A row of gilded chairs was set before the Pope's Hall. Qian Xunji sat in the center, flanked on the left by Tang Xiao, Ning Fengzhi, and Bone Douluo, and on the right by Ah Yin, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo.
Spirit Hall sent Xie Yue. Tianshui sent Qian Renxue. Heaven Dou Second Team sent Tang San.
With his experience from his past life, Tang San picked a bye with one touch, leaving the first match to Xie Yue vs. Qian Renxue. Neither team had specific intentions toward the Second Team for now.
This match was like any standard one-on-one battle. The referee asked both sides to summon their spirits.
Xie Yue revealed his Moon Blade. Two yellow, two purple, and one black ring appeared—five total.
Qian Renxue's rings glowed—three purple and two black. His Blue Silver Emperor Spirit shimmered in his hand, and from his back, eight crystal-blue spider legs pierced outward—his external soul bone, Eight Spider Lances.
He also activated his Blue Silver Domain. No more holding back. The Spirit Hall team was too strong, and his only useful ally was Shui Bing'er. He had to conserve energy wherever possible.
"First Skill: Slash."
"Second Skill: Control."
"Third Skill: Break."
"Fourth Skill: Power."
"Fifth Skill: Kill."
Xie Yue slashed through the incoming vines and unleashed all five skills. His Moon Blade doubled in size, coated in crimson soul energy, and charged forward in a bloody blur.
"Ah!"
He leapt high, blade raised, and slammed down toward Qian Renxue.
CLANG!
Two of Qian Renxue's spider legs intercepted the strike. Sparks flew, but at that moment, vines shot up from the ground, wrapping around Xie Yue's legs and arms. The remaining spider legs aimed directly at his torso.
Xie Yue had no choice but to surrender and return to the rest area, face bitter. As a prodigy of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, he'd been defeated in just one round—even after going all out.
Qian Renxue examined his spider legs, noticing the marks left by the Moon Blade. He had to admit—the weapon was dangerously sharp. Had he not restrained Xie Yue's arms with vines, the blade might've cracked his spider legs.
Next up: Tang San.
At the referee's signal, both combatants summoned their spirits.
Tang San had waited long for this. It had been two months since his crushing defeat in the first round of the promotion tournament. This time, he would not repeat past mistakes. He immediately summoned his Clear Sky Hammer—even though it bore no soul rings.
He had never forgotten the humiliation he and Xiao Wu had endured, especially the shame inflicted by Qian Renxue.
The crowd saw this as a foregone conclusion. Sure, the Clear Sky Hammer was the number one tool spirit, but without any rings, it was only 500 jin in weight. And Tang San was still a Soul Ancestor—he couldn't possibly win.
Just before the match began, Tang San raised one finger.
"Qian Renxue—one strike. I only need one strike to defeat you."
He turned to the massive Angel Statue above the Pope's Hall.
"Under this statue of the Angel God, I'll show you that the Angel Spirit is nothing more than a worthless chicken before the Clear Sky Hammer!"
The moment he said that, soul power fluctuations surged violently. The entire Spirit Hall was furious. Even those who didn't worship the Angel God knew the Angel Spirit was Spirit Hall's heritage. Such blasphemy was a direct slap to their face.
Tang Xiao immediately stood and bowed toward Qian Xunji. "Your Holiness, Xiao San is young and impulsive. Please don't hold his words against him."
Cold sweat ran down his back. He knew Tang San was a reincarnator. He knew Tang Hao had crushed Qian Xunji, and Tang San had done the same to Qian Renxue. But insulting the Angel Spirit in front of Spirit Hall? Even he wouldn't dare do that.
Qian Xunji raised a hand and chuckled. "Young people—this is the age to be bold. Let him experience a few things, and it will temper him in time."
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