"Show your true strength, or you stand no chance of winning."
Chen Xiaoming spoke calmly, his gaze fixed on Tang San.
Among all the people present, only Tang San had the potential to force him out of the circle.
Chen Xiaoming eagerly anticipated Tang San's Tang Sect techniques and hidden weapons.
"Hmph, let's attack together, he..."
Xiao Wu pouted at being underestimated, rolling up her sleeves, ready to strike, but Tang San stopped her.
"He hasn't even used his Martial Soul yet!"
Glancing at the incense stick burning on the ground, Tang San noticed that one-third of it had already burned away. Time was running out.
"Teacher Chen, be careful. I'm coming."
Faced with such a vast gap in strength, Tang San had no choice but to resort to his trump card—Tang Sect's hidden weapons.
Chen Xiaoming's overwhelming strength also ignited the fighting spirit within him. In his previous life as a Tang Sect genius, Tang San had confidence in his abilities. Now, he wanted to see if his hidden weapons could challenge a Soul Saint in this otherworldly realm.
He glanced at Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, signaling his desire to fight alone. After exchanging looks, they stepped back, understanding that their strength was insufficient to move Chen Xiaoming, let alone force him to reveal his Martial Soul.
"Tang San, we believe in you."
Ning Rongrong smiled faintly. As a support-type Soul Master, she couldn't win this match herself.
Zhu Zhuqing, though cold, nodded slightly after meeting Tang San's gaze.
With his companions' trust, Tang San smiled and turned back to Chen Xiaoming. His aura shifted, as if bathed in divine light.
"Teacher Chen, be careful. Here I come."
His figure blurred, activating Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. His hands turned jade-white—Tang Sect's Mysterious Jade Hands. A faint purple light filled his eyes—Purple Demon Eyes.
Swish swish swish swish swish...
Ten streaks of cold light shot from his fingertips, targeting Chen Xiaoming's eyes, shoulders, throat, heart, knees, lower body, and abdomen—each a vital point, none overlapping.
"Oh? Finally, Tang Sect's hidden weapons."
Chen Xiaoming's eyes flashed with interest. He finally released his long-suppressed Martial Soul.
Soul power surged, compressing the surrounding air, creating ripples in space.
Tang San was momentarily stunned but didn't stop. Another dozen streaks of cold light flicked from his hands.
Chen Xiaoming raised his head as a crimson soul ring emerged beneath him, shattering the chair he sat on. The blood-red ring glowed like fine ruby, slowly rising.
"A... hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"
Ning Rongrong gasped, covering her mouth, eyes wide in disbelief. Her mind went blank.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were equally shocked. Xiao Wu's eyes flashed with worry as she rushed forward without hesitation.
"Danger!"
Zhu Zhuqing called out, and Ning Rongrong snapped back to reality, abandoning their prior agreement.
"Seven Treasures has a name—Second: Speed!"
A rainbow light enveloped Tang San, making his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track even more elusive. Instead of retreating, he sidestepped, dodging the pressure.
Even with the unexpected appearance of the hundred-thousand-year soul ring, Tang San would not give up. He bore the hopes of Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Seven Treasures has a name—First..."
Before Ning Rongrong could finish, another crimson soul ring rose beneath Chen Xiaoming.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Two hundred-thousand-year soul rings—something only ever mentioned in theory—appeared on a Soul Saint.
Tang San's heart wavered for the first time.
Could he even make Chen Xiaoming move?
No—Tang Sect disciples never give up!
His eyes hardened, pushing Purple Demon Eyes to the limit. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track flickered as he searched for openings.
Chen Xiaoming glanced at Tang San, impressed by his resilience.
"Not bad... but I can't let you have false hope."
Boom!
Soul power erupted, and Chen Xiaoming's Azurewood Tree Martial Soul appeared in his right hand. Seven crimson soul rings rose, radiating suffocating pressure.
Tang San was blasted back, caught mid-air by Xiao Wu, who stumbled several steps before Zhu Zhuqing steadied her.
Chen Xiaoming stood like a monarch, dominating the battlefield.
But inside, he panicked.
Did I overdo it?
Glancing at the clear blue sky, inspiration struck.
"Hmm, the weather is perfect for a nap. The assessment ends here—you pass."
With that, he withdrew his soul power and vanished.
Nothing felt better than showing off... then running away.
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