Chapter 187: Yu Xiaogang's Secret Weapon
In Shrek Academy's resting area, everyone wore the same look of disbelief after witnessing Luo Ling's overwhelming display of strength—especially Tang San. The destructive power he had unleashed couldn't even be stopped by a Soul Sage.
Tang San silently questioned himself—could he really produce that kind of devastation?
If he used his Clear Sky Hammer, unleashed the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique…
His expression darkened.
Even with the full ninety-nine consecutive hammers, he doubted he could reach that level of power.
"Brother Ling's strength seems to have increased again... or maybe this is his true strength?" Ma Hongjun said in shock, snapping out of his daze.
He had always respected Luo Ling from a distance, and now that respect had grown into awe.
Oscar felt the same—shaking his head helplessly. Seeing such an overpowering Luo Ling, he couldn't help but wonder how Shrek was supposed to win.
By relying on Tang San?
He glanced at Tang San. True, Tang San had advanced to Soul King, but compared to Luo Ling?
A Soul Sage hadn't survived a single attack—what chance did a Soul King have?
Yu Xiaogang's expression was grim, but he soon regained his composure. Turning to Yu Tianheng, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Tang San, he said calmly,
"Have you already lost your will to fight before even facing him?"
They exchanged uneasy looks.
Fight him? Was that even possible? None of them could see a way to win.
Yu Xiaogang coughed lightly, then added, "You four, come with me. Luo Ling may be powerful, but he is not invincible!"
With that, he gestured for them to follow, leaving the arena behind. He deliberately did not call Ning Rongrong or the other two girls.
The three exchanged glances but didn't protest. Shrek's so-called unity was long gone—the team only looked complete on the surface.
Once the tournament ended, everyone would go their separate ways.
On the stage, the referee's voice rang out, "Heaven Dou Royal Academy defeats Xingluo Royal Academy!"
The result was decisive—Heaven Dou overwhelmed the Xingluo team utterly.
In truth, the victory belonged to Luo Ling alone. One man, one scythe, and the monstrous demonic attack he had conjured sealed the outcome of the match.
The spectators were stunned, shaken by his display of unimaginable power.
Before leaving, Tang San cast Luo Ling one last glance—his eyes filled with bitter resentment.
Moments earlier, he had felt despair, even fear of Luo Ling's dominance, but now Yu Xiaogang had handed him something that rekindled his confidence.
With Yu Xiaogang's new "method," he, too, could unleash power capable of rivaling a Soul Sage's strike.
Drawing in a breath, Tang San turned away, his blood boiling with anticipation and determination.
The crowd erupted in cheers for Luo Ling, chanting his name, but at that moment, one critical question escaped everyone's minds—including Yu Xiaogang and Tang San's.
That terrifying, abyssal scythe—had it truly represented Luo Ling's full strength?
Amid the roaring applause, Luo Ling quietly stepped down from the stage and returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy's rest area.
The moment he entered, Dugu Yan rushed up, pouting slightly. "Xiao Ling! Couldn't you let me have one turn to attack?!"
She was genuinely annoyed—the entire match had been nothing but Luo Ling's one-man show.
Luo Ling laughed it off. "I just got a little excited, that's all... next time, unless we're up against Shrek, I'll play support and let you all shine."
He waved his hand casually.
Had the opponent not been Davis—a "friend" from the past—he might not have even bothered to take the match seriously.
Satisfied, Dugu Yan's lips curved into a smug smile. "You'd better mean that! Don't steal my spotlight again!"
"Luo Ling," Shimo suddenly asked curiously, "what's the deal with you and that Shrek team anyway?"
From the preliminary stage onward, Luo Ling had always fought particularly fiercely against Shrek—especially their captain.
First he'd injured him severely, then during the advancement round, he'd forced Shrek's leader to avoid the fight altogether, humiliating them completely.
"We knew each other before," Luo Ling said simply. "Let's just say… there's bad blood."
As Luo Ling's performance stirred the entire coliseum, fear spread across the other academies.
Every team now prayed that they wouldn't be matched against Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
In Wuhun Hall Academy's rest area, the Golden Generation trio wore uneasy expressions.
Two years ago, back when Luo Ling remained within the Hall, the three of them together had barely managed to contend against him.
Now, after seeing his power in the arena, they all knew—they didn't stand a chance.
They also knew the truth—Luo Ling wasn't a Soul King… but a Soul Emperor, and one with a hundred-thousand-year ring.
"Na Na, what if we end up against Luo Ling? He wouldn't go that hard on us... would he?" Yan muttered anxiously.
Hu Liena smiled softly. "Don't worry. Xiao Ling said once he finishes off Shrek in the fifth round, he'll find an excuse to withdraw. He won't fight us."
"That's... good," Yan exhaled, relief flashing through his eyes, though it was tinged with fear.
He still remembered training with Luo Ling—how his own soul thread had been corrupted and how he'd almost lost his mind. That hollow, puppet-like horror was worse than death itself.
…
At the Shrek team's hotel, Tang San and the others had already returned ahead of time.
Yu Xiaogang gathered the four male members—Tang San, Yu Tianheng, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar—into a private room.
Tang San was particularly excited, already briefed earlier about Yu Xiaogang's new plan to defeat Luo Ling.
It was a technique the Master had developed by studying both Canghui Academy's fusion technique and the Fire Dance siblings' "Flaming Sun Dance" ability.
Yu Xiaogang handed out his notes to the group.
Other than Tang San, who already knew, the other three were visibly shocked upon reading them.
"A Four-in-One Fusion Technique?" Ma Hongjun asked in disbelief.
"This is based on Canghui Academy's method, isn't it?" Oscar added, clearly surprised.
Yu Xiaogang's face gleamed with pride. "That's right—the Four-in-One Fusion Technique."
"I developed it by combining Canghui Academy's Seven-in-One fusion principles with the Fire Dance siblings' elemental fusion to create an entirely new approach."
"This method channels the soul power of four teammates into one person, greatly amplifying that individual's strength."
"Master, why not use seven people, like Canghui Academy did?" Ma Hongjun asked curiously.
In his mind, seven should naturally be stronger than four.
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened slightly. "Seven-in-One is indeed stronger... but I can't risk teaching this method to Ning Rongrong and the others. If they leak it to Luo Ling, we'll lose our advantage."
"Ning Rongrong and her friends are all from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—they're on his side!"
He spoke with righteous conviction, though his eyes flickered faintly with guilt.
Keeping Ning Rongrong out was partly about secrecy. But the real reason? He could barely manage to construct a Four-in-One system—anything beyond that was beyond his ability.
(END CHAPTER)
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