Douluo: Infinite Lottery System

On the playground, Xiao Tianyang cracked his neck and rolled his wrists, a slight smile dancing in his eyes. "Xiao San, you and Xiao Wu better cooperate well. Otherwise, your brother Tianyang won't take responsibility if anything happens."

For some reason, even though Tang San had faced death without flinching before, he couldn't shake the sense of pressure coming from Xiao Tianyang.

"Tang San, don't be scared. With the two of us working together, what do we have to fear?" Xiao Wu, ever the fearless expert, immediately tried to reassure him.

"Alright, let's get this over with. Hurry up, I've got other things to do." Xiao Tianyang urged. "And if you don't make a move, don't blame me for taking the first strike."

"Xiao Wu, I'll take the lead in the attack, and you provide support from the side. Remember not to stay too close to Brother Tianyang!" Tang San instructed.

With that, he stepped forward, not wasting any time. He was genuinely worried that Xiao Tianyang might take the initiative. If that happened, he wouldn't even have a chance to act.

Tang San's speed was far from disappointing. Even though his 'Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track' was still developing, the improvements he'd made were undeniable.

"Stay away from me? Really?" Xiao Tianyang smirked, leaning in, preparing for Tang San's strike. He knew his opponent too well to fall for such tricks. Lowering his body, he planted his legs firmly on the ground and swept them outward. Not only did he dodge the attack, but he also sent Tang San airborne, causing his lower body to flail.

"'Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon... troublesome," Xiao Tianyang mused, watching Tang San tripped and hit the ground with a heavy thud.

Though Tang San had been sparring with Xiao Tianyang for months and knew his moves well, he still had to stay on guard. When Xiao Tianyang's punch came, Tang San slapped the ground with one hand, rolling to the side just in time to avoid it.

"Brother Tianyang, don't forget about me." a voice called from behind Xiao Tianyang.

But all he did was chuckle in response. "Don't worry, I won't forget you."

Xiao Wu, skilled in soft technique, couldn't help but close the distance, despite Tang San's warning. From the start, Xiao Tianyang never took her seriously.

When a pair of small hands wrapped around Xiao Tianyang's arm, a surge of energy coursed through him. His protective aura flared, and Xiao Wu's soft skills couldn't even scratch him.

Boom!

Xiao Wu was thrown back, surprise written all over her face. But just as she was about to recover, Xiao Tianyang turned his body halfway, reached down with his right hand, and seized Xiao Wu's ankle, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips.

Before Tang San could intervene, Xiao Wu let out a startled scream as she swung through the air like a ragdoll. Despite the force of the motion, Xiao Tianyang made sure she wasn't hurt, as he was always measured in his strikes.

Still, he knew defeating these two stubborn fighters required more than just power—it was about breaking their spirits and making them lose hope.

With a thought, Xiao Tianyang hurled Xiao Wu through the air, aiming straight toward Tang San.

"Little San, catch me." Xiao Wu cried, her limbs flailing helplessly as she drifted through the air with a cute expression.

Tang San had no choice but to reach out to catch her. As much as he wanted to avoid it, he couldn't escape the situation. He sighed inwardly, preparing to act.

The moment he caught Xiao Wu in his arms, Xiao Tianyang's movements were swift and precise. He slightly bent his left leg, and curled his right arm inward, forming a semicircle with his palm. With a powerful push, the air seemed to roar in response, and a faint dragon's roar echoed in the distance.

Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms—first form: The Proud Dragon Repents

Tang San had no choice but to throw Xiao Wu up into the air to get her out of harm's way, while he crossed his arms in front of his chest to block the incoming force.

Xiao Tianyang's attack couldn't focus all its power on a single point, so Tang San was pushed back several steps, but he managed to avoid any serious injury.

"What, that doesn't look good..." Xiao Wu murmured, preparing for what came next. She had already anticipated Tang San's move, but the sight of it still left her anxious.

Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Wu's eyes widened as she saw Xiao Tianyang in the reverse direction with his left hand. He adopted the same stance, only this time he slapped outward with even greater force.

The second strike hit with such precision that Tang San wasn't only pushed back; he was slammed into the ground, his feet sliding across the dirt.

At the same time, Xiao Tianyang vanished from sight, his body rising into the air as he launched another devastating strike from above.

Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms—second form: The Dragon Soars in the Sky

As the wind from the approaching palm drew closer, the pressure overwhelming her, Xiao Wu braced herself, closing her eyes in anticipation of the blow.

But to her surprise, instead of the full force of the strike, she only felt a light tap on her forehead. A murmuring voice followed.

"It's troublesome. I have to hold back my strength, even when I'm fighting..."

Before Xiao Wu could process his words, she collided with Tang San, landing with a soft thud as she let out a muffled grunt.

As Xiao Tianyang landed gracefully, a system prompt suddenly appeared before him.

Congratulations to the host for completing the side mission, [Three-Ve

Combination].

Reward: Lottery Value x7.

Xiao Tianyang's face displayed a sense of relief, while Tang San, a little sore from the earlier collision, gently pushed the girl off his body.

"Xiao Wu, can you get up first?" he asked, wincing slightly.

Xiao Wu, still stunned by the situation, quickly regained her composure. She stood up and helped Tang San to his feet. Then, turning toward Xiao Tianyang, she asked, "Brother Tianyang, how much strength did you use

just now?"

"Less than 30%," Xiao Tianyang replied, clapping his hands nonchalantly, his usual smile never leaving his face.

"Really?" Xiao Wu raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

For some reason, Xiao Wu's instincts told her that Xiao Tianyang might be hiding something.

"Brother Tianyang, I didn't expect you to be this strong," Xiao Wu said with a tone of awe.

Tang San, having gotten up from the ground, shook off his discomfort. He wasn't injured, but the impact of Xiao Wu hitting him had left him feeling a little off.

"Come to think of it, we haven't sparred for almost a month," Tang San said, more to himself than anyone else.

Xiao Tianyang thought for a moment and nodded. "True."

"Can..." Tang San hesitated, then continued, "But Brother Tianyang, have you really decided to go to the Soul Hunting Forest alone?"

Xiao Tianyang stepped closer, patting Tang San on the shoulder reassuringly. "Are you still worried about this?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Don't worry, even Master Su can't do anything to me, let alone a little spirit beast. You should focus more on yourself."

Tang San still seemed uneasy, so Xiao Tianyang added, "I've got a teacher to help me. I've already decided to set off the day after tomorrow to get my first soul ring."

Tang San's concern lingered. "Why don't you come with us? At least we'd have someone to look out for us."

Xiao Tianyang waved it off with a smile. "It's really not necessary," he said. Then, his expression shifted as he remembered something. "Bubu's still outside the academy, waiting. I'll be off now."

Tang San called out a few times, but all he received in response was a casual wave goodbye from Xiao Tianyang. It left him feeling a bit down.

From this exchange, it was clear just how much Tang San cared about Xiao Tianyang. Otherwise, how could he be so persistent and hesitant, especially when it came to his friend's well-being?

At this moment, Xiao Wu stepped forward as well, her voice cautious but filled with concern. "Is brother Tianyang really going to the Soul Hunting Forest alone to obtain your first soul ring? It's dangerous."

Xiao Tianyang's figure was already fading into the distance, his decision resolute. Tang San sighed and nodded. "I know, but this is likely his final decision—he won't listen to anyone."

Tang San's expression grew more solemn as he continued, "Brother Tianyang has always been like this. Ever since he untied the knot in his heart, he's become... too strong."

It was true. Xiao Tianyang's approach to life and the way he carried himself gave Tang San a sense of overwhelming strength, both physically and mentally. But there was also something unsettling about it.

The words Xiao Tianyang once said to him echoed vividly in Tang San's mind, as if they had just been spoken.

"Little San, I want to become stronger. I hate the feeling of being weak."