Chapter 159: Shi Nian's Assassination Attempt
"What are you two whispering about?" Yu Xiaogang frowned when he noticed their strange expressions.
He was desperate to shift the subject away from why Luo Ling had managed to win.
Flender turned toward him and said, "Xiaogang, you weren't exactly wrong earlier when you said Luo Ling would lose."
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened at the mention of that topic again, but he froze when he caught the tail end of Flender's explanation.
"Just now, Luo Ling unleashed a burst of spiritual power nearly equal to that of a Spirit Sage. That's why he was able to break Canghui Academy's Seven Asura Mirage."
Flender nodded and continued, "So in a way, you weren't wrong. If he hadn't been hiding such terrifying spiritual strength, he probably would've lost."
Yu Xiaogang's expression twisted oddly.
Flender's words sounded as if he were trying to help him save face, but somehow, Yu Xiaogang couldn't bring himself to feel any better.
Tang San, standing nearby, had also overheard their conversation. His expression froze.
"Spiritual power… close to a Spirit Sage..."
The phrase echoed repeatedly in his mind, chipping away at what little confidence he'd built since the Blood Sacrifice Ritual.
Luo Ling had hidden such monstrous spiritual strength all along, which meant that during their previous battle, he hadn't even used his full power.
If Tang San reached Soul King level in the future, would Luo Ling simply unveil another hidden ability?
A deep heaviness settled over Tang San's heart.
After a long silence, he raised his head and looked at the figure still standing on the stage.
Regardless of what power Luo Ling might still be hiding—he would surpass him one day!
Luo Ling's shadow had already etched itself deeply into his mind.
…
"The third round of the preliminaries—Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Canghui Academy—Heaven Dou Royal Academy wins!"
As the referee's voice faded, the Great Spirit Arena erupted in cheers.
Though this battle lacked visible weapon clashes or massive spirit skills, the invisible struggle of spiritual power had left the audience both stunned and exhilarated.
The Seven-in-One Fusion Technique had dazzled them, but Luo Ling's overwhelming counterattack had completely shattered their expectations once more.
Surrounded by his teammates, Luo Ling returned to Heaven Dou's rest area.
Oslo's face was still flushed red. He had gone into the match hoping to show off, but ended up trapped in illusion the entire time—utterly useless.
"How does it feel to win lying down?" Shi Mo teased as he walked over.
"Get lost!" Oslo grumbled, shoving him lightly. "I just had bad luck, that's all!"
As the two joked around, the mood remained light in Heaven Dou's camp.
It was quite the opposite in Canghui Academy's rest area. Their seven team members sat slumped, pale and shaken. Spiritual combat was different from physical clashes—while it left no external wounds, the mental backlash was far more devastating.
Their spirits had been seriously damaged; they would not be able to use the Seven Asura Mirage again anytime soon.
Shi Nian, their instructor, cast a dark glance at his team but said nothing. His eyes then shifted toward Luo Ling, gleaming faintly with killing intent.
Frustration consumed him. When he first learned Canghui would face Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he had already considered assassinating Luo Ling.
But with Heaven Dou's royal backing behind the young man, he'd restrained himself.
Besides, he had absolute confidence in his Seven Asura Mirage.
After all, Luo Ling was only a Soul King—and a tool-type one at that, with a scythe martial spirit.
Who would have guessed that such a martial spirit user could possess spiritual power rivaling his own?
If not for that freakish power, Shi Nian's illusion would have stunned the Spirit Master world and made him renowned as a true master of spirit theory.
He would have replaced Yu Xiaogang as the new "Grandmaster."
His hands trembled as rage festered. The more he thought about it, the stronger his killing intent became.
Back in Heaven Dou's rest area, Luo Ling casually sensed the surge of hostility. Glancing toward Canghui's section, he noticed Shi Nian's clenched fists.
"Planning an assassination?" Luo Ling wondered silently.
In the original story, Shi Nian had indeed attempted an assassination—but his target had been Tang San, and it had happened before their match.
But now, after the fight was already over? What was the point? It wouldn't change the outcome.
Though confused by the man's motives, Luo Ling nonetheless kept his guard up.
And yet, he felt a twinge of curiosity.
After all, Shi Nian was no ordinary opponent—a Spirit Saint specializing in illusions, his martial spirit, "Broken Dream," was infamous.
How powerful could his true illusion be?
…
The remaining preliminaries proceeded as usual.
Luo Ling did not compete again. With his level of power, facing mere Soul Ancestors and Soul Kings was simply bullying.
His absence dampened the tournament's excitement somewhat, but other academies soon drew attention.
Shrek Academy, for one, performed impressively—after more than twenty rounds, they had practically secured qualification for the next stage.
The other teams knew that Heaven Dou Royal Academy's spot was guaranteed, leaving Thunderclap Academy, Godwind Academy, Shrek Academy, Blazing Academy, and Tianshui Academy to fill the remaining places.
As for Elephant Armored Academy, having suffered multiple defeats to the elemental academies, they were eliminated from contention.
Finally, the last match of the qualifiers arrived: Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Tianshui Academy.
For once, Luo Ling decided to attend in person. He had no intention of fighting—he simply wished to admire the beauties of Tianshui up close.
However, as he walked toward the Great Spirit Arena, the world around him suddenly began to distort.
He stopped, unsurprised.
The air fell deathly silent; every sound vanished.
Luo Ling observed the warped surroundings with interest. A faint silhouette slowly materialized in front of him.
His gaze focused—it was an elderly man in white robes. The leader of Canghui Academy, the level seventy-two Spirit Saint—Shi Nian.
"So, you finally decided to act?" Luo Ling said calmly, utterly fearless.
Shi Nian frowned deeply.
This wasn't the reaction of someone trapped in an illusion. Had Luo Ling not realized he was already ensnared?
But his doubts vanished the next moment.
"Compared to your disciples, your illusion is far more realistic," Luo Ling said casually, glancing around at the dreamlike scenery. He didn't even treat Shi Nian as a threat.
Shi Nian's brows furrowed tighter. "You knew I was coming to kill you?"
Luo Ling nodded. "Didn't you reveal your killing intent during the match? I expected you'd make a move soon, though I didn't think you'd wait until the qualifiers were nearly over."
Shi Nian's pupils widened. Luo Ling's words made it clear—he had known all along.
Yet despite that, how could he still look so calm?
(END CHAPTER)
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