Tang San stood for a long time beneath the dormitory building before he finally let out a long sigh and turned to leave.
As the Tang Sect's genius assassin, his knowledge of poisons was a generation ahead of anything in the Douluo Continent—even the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, admitted inferiority. During the meal earlier, Tang San had already planted a special toxin on Tai Long.
Flaring his nostrils slightly, he followed the faint trail of poison lingering in the air. Pausing and walking again, he eventually arrived before the Blue Tyrant Academy's arena.
It was already afternoon, and many students had come here to watch the battles between top-tier students. From outside the arena, one could vaguely hear shouts of Tai Long's name.
Tang San knew he had found Tai Long. Recalling Xiao Wu's strange behavior, his face grew increasingly cold, a black aura seeming to rise around him.
The moment he stepped into the arena, Tai Long was in full view. He was fighting several opponents at once on the stage and still holding his ground. With his Spirit being the Strength Gorilla, his thick skin and immense strength even gave him a slight edge.
In the Blue Tyrant Academy, he was the highest-ranked student with a Spirit Ancestor-level cultivation, and naturally he was a popular figure. Cheers and screams erupted nonstop from the crowd.
Tai Long looked to be enjoying the admiration, a constant smirk hanging at the corners of his mouth. Every punch and kick was powerful and unrestrained.
Seeing his rival basking in such glory, Tang San strode to the stage below, suppressing his rage, and shouted up at him.
"Tai Long! What's the point of fighting these weaklings? Come and fight me—let me see what you're really made of."
Tai Long glanced down and saw Tang San. Wasn't this the so-called "brother" who'd been clinging to Xiao Wu? He waved his hand to dismiss the other fighters and laughed lightly.
"Well said. Tang San, right? Let's see what you're worth. If you can't even put up a fight, then stay away from Xiao Wu. Don't shamelessly play the third wheel."
'I've slept beside Xiao Wu for six years. You've only met her once. Who's really the third wheel here?'
Seeing Tai Long act like Xiao Wu was his possession made Tang San's veins bulge with fury.
"Gorilla, I'll give you half an hour to rest so that when you lose, you'll be thoroughly convinced."
"You? A mere Spirit Elder? I don't need rest. Get up here." In truth, Tai Long had barely exerted himself in the earlier fight. This was just a chance to show off.
"Fine! Don't regret it!" With a shout, Tang San leapt onto the stage.
He used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, his figure flickering like a ghost. In an instant, he stood atop the stage, drawing cheers from the crowd for his flashy entrance.
Tai Long's expression turned more serious. He dropped his arrogance and took up a proper fighting stance.
After a moment of silence, the two released their Spirits at the same time.
Muscles bulged across Tai Long's body, thick brown hair sprouting all over. With the Strength Gorilla Spirit Possession, he looked less human and more beast.
Tang San released his mutated Blue Silver Grass. Countless black-and-red vine-like strands writhed out from beneath his feet, twisting like worms and quickly covering the stage—eerie and powerful.
The moment Spirits were released, Tai Long roared and charged at Tang San.
Tang San retreated, and countless Blue Silver Grass vines surged forward like a black tide, winding around Tai Long's legs.
First Spirit Skill—Blue Silver Bind. Though not as flashy as enhancement or attack skills, it wasn't without merit. With Spirit power imbued, each vine's binding power increased significantly.
But against a pure strength-type Spirit Master like Tai Long, it was still too fragile. He gave a slight push and shattered the vines around his ankles, the spiked tendrils breaking into scattered debris.
The thick-skinned Tai Long barely had his skin scratched. His speed only slowed slightly before he resumed charging at Tang San.
As for the toxin carried by the Blue Silver Grass? It couldn't compare to the deadly poison of the Eight Spider Lances and acted far too slowly. The fight would be over before it kicked in.
The stage was limited in space, and Tai Long was quickly closing the gap. Yet Tang San didn't panic—in fact, he smirked. When Tai Long came within a few meters, Tang San flicked his wrist, and a net of Blue Silver Grass instantly shot forth, engulfing Tai Long.
Third Spirit Skill—Spider Web Restraint, inherited from the Human-Faced Demon Spider, was far more potent than Blue Silver Bind.
Unlike the earlier vines, this net was extremely tough. Despite Tai Long's brute strength, he only managed to slightly tear it. Worse, the web's sticky nature caused it to wrap tighter the more he struggled.
"As a power-type Spirit Master, you're naturally countered by control-types." Tang San scoffed at his struggling opponent. "This is the strength of a Spirit Ancestor? You can't even beat a Spirit Elder. If you're this weak, stay away from Xiao Wu. Stop shamelessly acting like the main character."
As he spoke, countless tendrils of Blue Silver Grass slithered up, tightly wrapping around Tai Long like a black-and-red cocoon. The vines twitched like worms, their tiny spines sawing into Tai Long's skin and cutting into his thick muscles.
The neurotoxin coated on the spines seeped into his bloodstream. Soon, he'd be paralyzed, unable to move. Even if he escaped, defeat was certain.
As Tai Long's struggles weakened, Tang San smirked in victory and strolled over, giving the cocoon a couple of light kicks.
"With strength like yours, you dare pursue Xiao Wu? You're only fit to be trampled underfoot by me."
Tai Long didn't respond from inside the cocoon.
Just as Tang San was fantasizing about Xiao Wu realizing her mistake and returning to his arms, a sudden explosion erupted. The Blue Silver Grass cocoon burst apart, and a bloodstained, hairy hand shot toward him.
Apparently influenced by Yu Tianheng, Tai Long had been training rigorously. Titan had even given him a rare spirit bone early on to make up for the power clan's lack of technique. That gift had helped Tai Long reach Spirit Ancestor level and become the strongest in Blue Tyrant Academy.
A seasoned fighter, Tai Long knew he was poisoned and that Tang San had incredible mobility. Instead of breaking free right away, he waited—pretending weakness until Tang San dropped his guard.
Using the power of the spirit bone, he shattered the web and vines in a burst and seized Tang San's head.
Drunk on victory and dreams of Xiao Wu's return, Tang San had let down his guard—making it easy for Tai Long's ambush to succeed.
Pain erupted, and a line from the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record surfaced in his mind: "Remain unshaken before a crumbling mountain; stay calm before a flooding river." A true hidden weapon master must always maintain composure.
He'd cared too much about Xiao Wu. His obsession with defeating Tai Long had made him reckless.
Tai Long's grip flipped the battle entirely. As a warrior grabbing a mage, Tang San had no way to break free.
Tai Long might've looked bulky, but his hands moved swiftly. One hand gripped Tang San's head while the other pummeled him with a flurry of punches. Tang San swung like a ragdoll in a storm, blood spraying onto nearby spectators.
Despite the pain, Tang San reacted fast. He reached for his belt and activated the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges. Streaks of golden light shot out and pierced Tai Long's body.
Tang Sect hidden weapon—Dragon Beard Needles. Crafted with rare metal and capable of bypassing internal defenses. Once inside, they curled into spheres, wreaking havoc.
These had once severely injured Spirit Sage Zhao Wuji. How could a mere Spirit Ancestor like Tai Long withstand it?
Dozens of fine golden threads pierced into Tai Long's body. When they coiled and dug into his flesh, the pain was excruciating. He collapsed, twitching violently.
In less than a breath, the tide turned. Tang San, bruised and bleeding, staggered to his feet, coughing up blood.
His face was swollen and filthy, fingerprints from Tai Long's hand etched into his forehead—a pitiful sight.
A few moments later, Tang San steadied himself and looked at the curled-up Tai Long. A vicious light flickered in his eyes.
Blue Silver Grass erupted from beneath his feet, wrapping around Tai Long's lower body.
Second Spirit Skill—Parasitic Drain—activated!
Streams of pure spirit power and traces of life force were siphoned from Tai Long into Tang San's body. Color returned to Tang San's face as he exhaled in relief and stood tall again.
But Tai Long's face was deathly pale. The loss of life force would leave him weak for months, his cultivation stalled.
The crowd, unaware of the details, erupted in cheers at the upset victory. A Spirit Elder defeating a Spirit Ancestor—it was exhilarating.
Tang San looked down at the badly injured Tai Long, thinking coldly, 'You got lucky today. Next time we meet in some remote place, I'll end you for good.'
Suppressing his killing intent, he sneered, "Gorilla, you, a Spirit Ancestor, lost to me, a Spirit Elder. Go cultivate properly, and stop chasing Xiao Wu."
Gritting his teeth, Tai Long roared, "You despicable coward! Using hidden weapons in a spar? You call this a win? You're just a rat in a gutter!"
The crowd stirred, murmurs spreading.
"In a spar? Why use a hidden weapon?"
"He couldn't win otherwise. What a dirty tactic."
"No wonder Tai Long lost—he used trickery. What a rat."
Ignoring the whispers, Tang San said flatly, "Hidden weapons are part of my strength. You lost—that's the truth. If you were stronger, you wouldn't have. Stay away from Xiao Wu, or I won't be so merciful next time."
The pain eased slightly, and Tai Long gasped through clenched teeth, yelling, "Bullshit! You sneaky, dishonorable bastard! Xiao Wu will never love you! She'll be with me! Give up already!"
Tang San's face darkened, a black aura forming again.
Dare to fight me over Xiao Wu? Then you've chosen death.
Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, Rule Three: Once you recognize an enemy, if they've set foot on the path to death, show no mercy—hesitation only brings trouble.
He roared, "Tai Long! If you still won't concede, then take this!"
Before Tai Long could speak, countless spiny, worm-like vines coiled around his head, engulfing his entire body. The spines slithered like snakes. Powerless to resist, Tai Long was moments away from being shredded to strips.
Just like when Lu Zhishen beat the villainous butcher to death, shouting, "You feigned death? I'll deal with you slowly!" Tang San wanted the crowd to believe Tai Long had refused to concede—so killing him would seem accidental.
"You little bastard, courting death!!"
Just as Tai Long neared death, an old man leapt onto the stage. A powerful aura exploded from him, shattering the vines and revealing the bloodied Tai Long beneath.
The old man's hair was short and spiky like steel needles, his face stern and awe-inspiring. Though his build resembled Tai Long's, his eyes were far more profound.
Seeing Tai Long's battered state, an overwhelming force surged from the man, thickening the air around him.
(End of Chapter)
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