Xiao Wu glared at Tang San. Remembering her humiliating defeat at the hands of those stones last time only fueled her anger. "Wait for what? Who knows when you'll ever come back! They've already come bullying us right to our doorstep! That bastard Boss Xiao claimed he wants me as his pet rabbit. If I could still swallow that, I wouldn't be Xiao Wu!"
Tang San frowned. He hadn't realized kids this age could harbor such vile thoughts. It seemed a lesson was truly necessary to teach them that the work-study students weren't to be trifled with.
With that thought, he tapped his waist pouch, his gaze shifting to the battlefield.
Wang Sheng was already covered in bruises and purple marks. Amidst his continuous tiger-like roars, his Soul Power was growing weaker and weaker. Yet his opponent hadn't landed a single hit on him, toying with him like a cat playing with a mouse.
Wang Sheng's fighting style was simply too monotonous. Seizing the last reserves of his Soul Power before it was completely drained, he launched a final offensive. Taking two running steps, he lunged at Liu Long again. This time, he was determined—even if he got beaten to a pulp, he was going to leave at least one mark on his opponent.
Liu Long had known Wang Sheng for a long time and naturally saw through his intent. As Wang Sheng charged, his expression turned serious. He swung his long staff, delivering three consecutive strikes aimed at Wang Sheng's head and shoulders. If he could knock back this exhausted opponent, Wang Sheng wouldn't be able to mount another meaningful attack.
But at that exact moment, Liu Long suddenly felt a sharp sting on the hands gripping his staff, as if bitten by a mosquito. His attack hesitated for a split second.
His moves had been calculated precisely; this momentary delay immediately left an opening. The first staff strike still connected with Wang Sheng's head, but Wang Sheng gritted his teeth and pushed through the blow, causing Liu Long's next two strikes to whiff completely.
For a Tool Soul Master wielding a long weapon, having a Battle Soul Master with a Beast Martial Soul close the distance was absolutely devastating. Even though Liu Long was slightly stronger than Wang Sheng in terms of raw power, the outcome remained the same.
Bam! Wang Sheng's tiger claw slapped across Liu Long's head, sending him flying. Wang Sheng immediately twisted his body, his right leg whipping around in a tiger-tail kick that smacked heavily onto Liu Long's back, smashing him toward the ground.
Liu Long didn't possess Wang Sheng's exceptional resilience. All his Soul Power was channeled into his staff; his personal defense was mediocre. Wang Sheng's attacks were delivered with everything he had. When Liu Long crashed heavily into the ground, he was knocked unconscious instantly.
Wang Sheng let out an exultant roar toward the sky, as if trying to vent all the pent-up resentment from the past few years.
Boss Xiao had been watching with a detached expression as Liu Long toyed with Wang Sheng. The sudden reversal of the situation left him thoroughly stunned.
After all, Liu Long ranked among the top three in strength among his followers. If Boss Xiao hadn't already obtained his first Soul Ring, he couldn't guarantee he could defeat Liu Long himself.
Xiao Wu spoke with mocking amusement. "Broken Liu really is broken Liu, utterly useless. What do you say, Boss Xiao?"
Boss Xiao waved a hand, having his other underlings drag Liu Long away for emergency treatment. They were just students at a junior Soul Master academy; with their meager Soul Power, fatal outcomes were unlikely.
"We concede the first match. Ling Feng, you're up."
The second opponent Boss Xiao sent out was a thin, small-framed upperclassman. With his tiny nose and eyes and slender build, he didn't look twelve at all. He appeared closer in age to Xiao Wu and Tang San.
"Call Wang Sheng back. I'll go." Tang San whispered in Xiao Wu's ear.
Xiao Wu had sharp eyes; she could immediately tell this second opponent was an agile-type Soul Apprentice, a natural counter to Wang Sheng. Wang Sheng had already expended too much of his Soul Power earlier. His defeat was certain.
"Wang Sheng, come back. Let Xiao San take this match. You can rest."
Wang Sheng was still buzzing with the high of his victory over Liu Long. Hearing Xiao Wu's voice, he finally realized Tang San had returned at some point. He knew his own situation—despite beating Liu Long, he genuinely had no strength left to fight again. Little did he know, if Tang San hadn't secretly flicked those three small pebbles to disrupt Liu Long's attack, he could never have achieved that victory in the first place.
"You're a work-study student?" Ling Feng looked at Tang San, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
Tang San simply nodded at him. "Please, make your move."
Although Ling Feng was thin and small, he still towered over Tang San, who was only in his first year. This was a duel to determine who could become the class leader. He didn't spare another thought for hesitation. After one more glance at Tang San's belt, he launched himself into the air. Executing a nimble flip mid-flight, he spread his arms wide and actually glided forward two meters, swooping toward the top of Tang San's head.
Beast Martial Soul. Tang San identified his opponent's martial soul instantly. The Great Master's teachings these past few days hadn't been for nothing. This student named Ling Feng was an agile-type Battle Soul Master. His beast martial soul was likely a flying creature. Judging from his non-imposing appearance and attack style, it probably wasn't an eagle. That left possibilities like a swallow or a crow.
Watching his opponent swoop down upon him, Tang San remained perfectly still, as if the attack didn't exist at all.
Ling Feng was fast. Among the sixth-grade students, he was renowned as the fastest. He was one of Boss Xiao's close friends, and his movements were incredibly agile. Just as he was about to reach Tang San, his body twisted abruptly. With a forceful flap of his arms, he changed direction mid-air, appearing behind Tang San. Both arms swung simultaneously, chopping toward either side of Tang San's neck.
Even as Ling Feng flipped over his head, Tang San didn't move. Facing an opponent with unknown abilities, meeting motion with stillness was the best strategy.
(End of Chapter)