Chapter 83 Tang San Thinks He's Strong Again
Tang San froze slightly, while Yu Xiaogang's face hardened in alarm.
"Tang San is my disciple. I won't allow anyone to lay a hand on his soul bone."
"No need to be so nervous, Master," Luo Ling said with a gentle smile and a shake of his head.
But Yu Xiaogang did not let his guard down. Having spent years buried in research, he knew better than anyone how priceless an external soul bone was to a soul master.
Luo Ling's words might have sounded harsh, but "killing to seize a soul bone" wasn't an exaggeration—it was very real.
"I believe you wouldn't harm Tang San. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's reputation, you'd never stoop to such things," Yu Xiaogang said, forcing himself to sound calm.
If Luo Ling truly reported Tang San's soul bone to his sect, there was no way Yu Xiaogang could protect his student. Even with Flender and Zhao Wuji combined, their only hope would be Tang San's father—but no one knew where Tang Hao was.
Luo Ling nodded faintly and said nothing more. The others simply looked on with envy toward Tang San's great fortune—all except Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai's eyes gleamed strangely as he gazed at the eight thick, black spider legs behind Tang San.
He had lost an arm—though it had been reattached, his strength was drastically reduced.
If he could have something like those eight limbs, his fighting ability would skyrocket.
When Luo Ling finally returned to sit beneath the tree, Yu Xiaogang exhaled quietly, relief slipping into his expression. He turned back to address the rest.
"I hope all of you will keep quiet about Tang San's external soul bone. We're one academy, one family. Treat this as a personal favor I owe you."
"Don't worry, Xiaogang," Flender assured him solemnly. "No one here will say a word." He turned to glance at the students.
One by one, they nodded. After all, they were only twelve or thirteen years old—not yet corrupted by greed or ambition.
Satisfied, Flender smiled faintly.
"Good. In that case, let's start your training." Yu Xiaogang steadied his voice, regaining the confidence of a teacher.
"You seven are all Shrek students. I've reviewed your records and will design specialized training plans. I expect your full cooperation."
"I'll treat everyone equally. Now, let's line up by age."
"One—Dai Mubai. Two—Oscar. Three—Tang San. Four—Ma Hongjun. Five—Xiao Wu. Six—Ning Rongrong. Seven—Zhu Zhuqing."
"We'll begin by showcasing your individual soul skills. Dai Mubai, you'll go first."
"I want each of you to spar against Dai Mubai and display everything you have."
At the command, Dai Mubai froze, his expression uneasy.
"What's wrong?" Yu Xiaogang frowned. "You're level thirty‑seven. The strongest of them is barely thirty‑one. This should be easy for you."
Everyone's eyes turned to Dai Mubai—they all knew why he hesitated.
He'd just lost his arm to Luo Ling not long ago, missing the recent Star Dou Forest trip entirely.
Though his injuries had healed enough to move freely, engaging in a serious fight would tear the newly repaired limb apart again.
The silence grew awkward. Flender quietly walked over to Luo Ling and whispered a few words.
Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted—his gaze toward Dai Mubai turned from pity to cold indifference.
A battle‑type soul master unable to fully use one arm was little better than useless.
"Teacher," Tang San suddenly called out, his eyes flashing with an idea. "Since Dai Mubai is injured, why not let Luo Ling take his place?"
Everyone blinked. Even Luo Ling looked up in mild surprise.
He caught sight of the eager gleam in Tang San's eyes.
So, after gaining an external soul bone, this kid thought he was invincible again?
Luo Ling's lips twitched.
Yu Xiaogang hesitated, considering. Luo Ling wasn't part of Shrek—he had no obligation to join their training.
But before Yu Xiaogang could reply, Tang San pressed further, his tone openly provocative. "Senior Luo, since you're here as Rongrong's companion, you wouldn't mind helping with our combat drills, right?"
Luo Ling set his drink down and finally met Tang San's gaze. A faint smile touched his lips.
"Sure. Since you're so eager, I'd hate to refuse."
After all, if someone insisted on getting beaten, how could he decline?
Yu Xiaogang's eyes darted between them, sensing an odd tension. There was something more going on here.
"Very well," he said at last, hands clasped behind his back. "Luo Ling will spar with you all. This is just a demonstration match—stop once a point is made."
"Luo Ling, you're a Soul Ancestor. Be careful not to hit too hard."
"Of course." Luo Ling smiled lightly as everyone moved aside.
"I'll go first," Tang San said, stepping into the open field.
Standing at the arena's center, he looked back toward his teacher. "Teacher, may I use all my abilities?"
"You mean the Eight Spider Lances?" Yu Xiaogang asked, glancing toward Luo Ling. After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Use them. It's a perfect chance to test them out against a strong opponent—but no hidden weapons."
Hearing that, Tang San's eyes gleamed with excitement. He was now a three‑ring Soul Elder—not as strong as Luo Ling, but with his external soul bone, he finally felt confident again.
"Be careful," Tang San said with faux courtesy, clasping his hands. Blue light flared beneath his feet as Blue Silver Grass spread rapidly across the ground.
"Let me see your third soul skill—and your external soul bone," Luo Ling replied evenly. His simulated soul rings flickered to life as the Scythe of Shadows formed in his hand.
Darkness rolled outward; the very air above the training field dimmed.
Yu Xiaogang's expression tightened. For the first time, he felt true pressure from a tool‑type martial soul—perhaps even greater than Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer.
"What kind of martial soul is that…?" he murmured, eyes glinting with an insatiable scholar's curiosity.
In the arena, Tang San struck first. Blue Silver Grass shot up from beneath his feet, spreading in every direction, wrapping toward Luo Ling like a tidal wave of vines.
Control‑type versus power‑type. If he could restrain Luo Ling, victory would be his.
The Blue Silver Grass lashed forward, the first soul skill—Binding.
It reached Luo Ling and twisted to wrap around him.
A smug smile crept across Tang San's face. The poison within his Blue Silver Grass, enhanced by the Human‑Faced Demon Spider, could easily cripple a Soul Ancestor.
But Luo Ling's calm never wavered.
He lifted his scythe and swung lightly.
The blade spun in a circular arc around him, shredding the vines like paper.
Fragments of Blue Silver Grass scattered across the ground—then withered and turned to ash.
(END CHAPTER)
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