Soul Land: I Am the True Grandmaster

Chapter 207: Laying the Trap · Part Two

"As the saying goes, true gold fears no fire. After so many years, I'm curious to see how much Tang San has progressed. After all, you are the child of a certain someone. Why don't we have a sparring match?" Ye Wen proposed.

Buoyed by the confidence he'd built in his recent battles at the Suotuo City Arena, Tang San was overflowing with pride.

"Alright."

The three academy board members exchanged glances. While they hadn't expected things to turn into a duel, sparring was an ideal way to assess a soul master's talent, not only by measuring cultivation but by seeing real combat ability. They quickly arranged a venue for the match.

Tang San removed his outer robe and summoned his martial soul, along with the deep green spirit armor on his arm.

"Tang San, martial soul: Blue Silver Grass, level 32 Control System Battle Soul Elder. Pleased to learn from you."

Seeing the optimal configuration of two yellow and one purple soul rings, the three deans nodded approvingly. For someone as young as 13, reaching this level was no small feat a true genius, without question.

Ye Tianshui glanced up at her father.

"Dad, should I be the one to handle this?"

Ye Wen gave a slight nod.

"Go ahead. Just remember to take it easy and don't injure him too badly."

But then, Ye Tianshui hesitated, recalling something.

"Dad, didn't you once tell me that when taking on subordinates, I need to strike hard enough to establish my authority?"

Ye Wen's face betrayed an awkward smile.

Oh…right.

He'd accidentally let that slip when she was young, thinking she wouldn't remember. But evidently, she had taken it to heart.

"Ahem. Well, that's true, but it depends on the person. Tang San is too prideful to be a good subordinate he's got his own strong will. Anyway, stop overthinking and just focus on the task at hand," Ye Wen said, trying to keep his composure. I'm about to lose my image here!

Ye Tianshui still felt something was off, but obeying her father was one of her strong points. Without a second thought, she took her position opposite Tang San, summoning her martial soul. As her right eye glowed with a spirit mark, her height increased, and a chilling aura surrounded her, highlighting her heterochromatic eyes in an icy, regal allure.

Tang San felt a shiver run through his body a sensation he had longed for. This is it. This is the presence I've been yearning for.

"Ye Tianshui, martial soul: Ice Dragon, level 35 Assault System Battle Soul Elder. Let's begin," she said.

As her martial soul took hold, the temperature around them dropped noticeably. Yu Xiaogang watched Ye Tianshui intently. Clearly, this wasn't an ordinary ice dragon martial soul. A mere Soul Elder could hardly release such powerful energy. He started planning to propose a marriage alliance such bloodlines were wasted in other clans. Only his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could fully unlock her potential.

Unconcerned with outside opinions, the two duelists focused solely on the battle. The moment their martial souls took effect, both entered combat mode.

"First Soul Skill: Entangle!" Tang San seized the initiative, casting his signature Entangle skill and keeping a calculated distance.

Seeing the approaching vines, Ye Tianshui's lip curled in disdain. She kicked off the ground, leaping high into the air.

Tang San's eyes sparkled with excitement. In his previous life, the Tang Sect of the Chinese martial arts world had always warned against leaving oneself exposed by making large, open movements like jumping. Such actions created obvious openings for opponents.

"Second Soul Skill: Parasite, activate!" Tang San said, activating the spores hidden within the Blue Silver Grass as he had launched it. As the vines whipped through the air, they attached spores to Ye Tianshui.

However, Tang San's expression quickly changed when he realized that the spores he'd planted hadn't taken root. Not wanting to miss this rare chance, he quickly closed in to optimal range and activated his third soul skill.

"Third Soul Skill: Spider Web Bind!"

A massive spider web shot from Tang San's right arm, spreading wide as it hurtled toward Ye Tianshui.

To Tang San's astonishment, Ye Tianshui merely stomped her foot and launched herself into the air again, evading the web entirely.

"What? This doesn't make any sense," he muttered. This isn't right.

If Tang San had had any grasp of science, he would have dismissed this as impossible. But Ye Tianshui had no time for his confusion. Since he'd launched such a relentless attack, she saw no reason to hold back.

"Moon Step Shift!" she announced.

With a powerful stomp in mid air, Ye Tianshui's form vanished instantly. Only the Soul Kings in the audience could barely trace her movements. Dream God Machine, observing from the sidelines, stroked his beard in awe.

"So, this is the rumored 'Moon Step' technique from Tianxing Academy's Six Forms. To move freely in mid air with such speed few agility type Soul Kings could reach this level."

Ye Wen nodded humbly.

"You flatter us. Still, even among practitioners of the Six Forms, skill level varies greatly."

Tang San, for his part, had no time to eavesdrop. His eyes glowed with purple light as he activated his Purple Demon Eye.

"She's too fast I can't dodge!" he realized, his expression shifting.

Without any way to predict which part of his body she would target, Tang San initiated his contingency plan.

"Self created soul skill: Mysterious Jade Hand!" he shouted, as a green glow enveloped him, his body appearing to take on a jade like texture. While it looked brittle, the actual defense was far from weak.

Facing an opponent like this, Ye Tianshui had no intention of using any fancy moves. A defense spread across one's entire body was strong, but nowhere near as durable as focusing power in a single area.

"Rigid Style: Modified Finger Gun Cannon Fist!"

Without hesitation, she unleashed a full force punch to Tang San's abdomen.

The intense pain and sense of weightlessness sent Tang San hurtling backward. Ye Wen noticed his eyes were nearly bulging from the impact.

Big eyed boy? he thought. The scene felt oddly familiar. Add a "Steel Block" move and it'd be perfect.

Really, Tang San? Even with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, you still opted for full body defense? Pride and ignorance are a person's ultimate undoing, Ye Wen thought, shaking his head.

Ye Tianshui didn't press her advantage, instead standing still with a disappointed expression as she looked at Tang San.

"After all these years…this is it?"

Her dismissive words hit Tang San like a hammer. Gritting his teeth, he struggled to his feet.

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