The battle between the two was not hindered in the least by the mutual astonishment in their hearts. Feng Xiaotian's body spun in mid-air, his wings striking in a cycle as he unleashed the third and fourth slashes.
Tang San likewise used his Clear Sky Hammer to intercept these strikes. Simultaneously, the momentum of his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique began to build.
As it turned out, Tang San's judgment was correct; each of Feng Xiaotian's attacks was indeed stronger than the last. Although the incremental increase in power wasn't massive, Tang San's arms were already beginning to feel numb.
Yet, at that moment, Tang San suddenly smiled. No one expected him to find the humor in such a situation. Having intercepted four strikes, his calves were now buried deep in the ground. Feng Xiaotian had already stated that there were thirty-six slashes in total.
Judging by the current situation, Feng Xiaotian's attack power would not only grow stronger, but his speed would increase accordingly, as speed and power were directly proportional. The core characteristic of this self-created soul skill was the use of velocity and gravity to continuously enhance offensive output.
Feng Xiaotian's soul power was two ranks higher than Tang San's. Combined with such an amplification, how could Tang San possibly hold out?
At this moment, a terrifyingly sharp soul power erupted around Feng Xiaotian's body, but so what? He was indeed a highly talented soul master, and the power of his self-created skill was extraordinary enough to defeat opponents stronger than himself.
However, compared to a gradual-amplification skill like this, the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique performed with the Clear Sky Hammer was the absolute pinnacle of such techniques. Furthermore, standing on the ground made it much easier for Tang San to exert force than his opponent.
This was the reason for Tang San's smile. Feng Xiaotian's amplification relied on speed and gravity; Tang San's amplification relied not only on those but also on his own raw physical strength. And when it came to strength, even the Soul King-level Feng Xiaotian might not be able to match Tang San, who had absorbed eight soul rings and possessed a ten-thousand-year-level torso bone.
The clash between the Stormwind Demon Wolf's Thirty Six Successive Slashes and the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique officially began.
Tang San had used this hammer technique for smithing countless times; his practice was beyond measure. In the first few collisions, Feng Xiaotian could still hold his own or even claim a slight advantage. But after the tenth hammer strike, Feng Xiaotian began to feel inadequate—like a piece of iron being forged by the Clear Sky Hammer, constantly struck and sent flying.
By now, the wings connected to his spine were completely numb from the tremors. He wanted to stop, but he found he couldn't. Tang San's hammer seemed to possess a strange "stickiness" that sucked his body in; he was forced to continue the successive slashes even if he didn't want to.
This gave Feng Xiaotian a new understanding of Tang San's true power. Yet, in this moment, he showed the poise of a true genius. As he reached the nineteenth slash, he let out a sharp roar, and cyan light surged frantically. If he couldn't dodge, he would meet force with force!
Bolstered by a ten-thousand-year soul ring and his absolute control over the wind element, he gradually regained his confidence.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The hammer and the wing-guillotines collided several more times. The power of their combined attacks was approaching the level of a high-tier Soul King, yet neither slowed down, their movements becoming as fierce as if they were settling a life-and-death grudge.
Tang San could execute his technique up to forty-one strikes, while Feng Xiaotian had thirty-six. Every collision stacked their momentum. Finally, both reached their final strike. Feng Xiaotian seemed to transform into a literal winged Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf, diving toward the ground. Tang San seemed to merge with his hammer, becoming a black whirlwind of destructive force.
A piercing wolf howl and the booming whistle of the hammer shook the heavens.
BOOM—!
The two terrifying attacks collided. The arena cracked inch by inch, and a massive shockwave of dust and air surged from the center. The audience was speechless; the power of that final clash had reached the Soul Emperor level.
When the dust finally settled, two figures stood facing each other. Tang San leaned on his hammer to stay upright, while Feng Xiaotian clutched his chest, his clothes shredded and the base of his wings bloodied. He looked much more disheveled than Tang San.
Tang San was wary; though his internal organs were rattled, he still had the strength to fight. He still hadn't used his ten-thousand-year soul skill or his torso bone—those were his final trump cards. But this was only the Promotion Competition; there was no need to fight to the death and reveal everything before the Grand Finals.
Feng Xiaotian felt the same. He had enough power for one more move—his fifth soul skill—but was it necessary? He had recognized Tang San's strength.
The two stared at each other for a long time before speaking simultaneously:
"You are strong, but now is not the time for the final moment. How about we both take a step back?"
Hearing the same thought from each other, they both froze for a second before breaking into smiles, a sense of mutual respect growing in their eyes.
"Deal!" they said in unison.
Supporting their heavily injured bodies, the two approached each other. They retracted their Martial Souls and bumped fists in the air. Then, they turned to the referee.
"Shrek Academy concedes!"
"Godwind Academy concedes!"
The referee looked at them with admiration. The purpose of the tournament was friendly competition and the display of talent, not mutual destruction.
"Godwind Academy vs. Shrek Academy—it's a draw!" the referee announced with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
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