Chapter 196: Tang Lie

On the viewing seats of Shilake Academy, an old man sat, with two yellow, two purple, and five black Soul Rings—nine in total—floating on his body.

And this domineering soul power comes from him.

Wu Fei Xun's form froze, daring not to make any further move.

This domineering soul power belonging exclusively to the Haotian Hammer, he will never forget it in his lifetime.

"Ha… Haotian Sect…"

Terror flashed in his eyes, and the clothing on his back was already damp with cold sweat.

A Title Douluo possessing the Haotian Hammer martial soul sat in command, bolstering the confidence of the Shilake crowd.

Yu Xiaogang's mouth curved into a smile; with the Clear Sky Sect as a backing and a Title Douluo's protection, even if the secret of the Dual Martial Soul were exposed, so what?

On the arena, as Feng Xiaotian was defeated by Tang San's Haotian Hammer, the situation became clear.

Tang Lie watched Tang San's back, his gaze tinged with satisfaction; since first seeing Tang San, he had never given him a friendly look.

But in his heart, he acknowledged Tang San.

Fourteen years old, Four Ring Soul Elder, Dual Martial Soul, External Attached Soul Bone—any one of these placed on a Soul Master would already merit the label genius, let alone all appearing in a single person.

The elder disciples of the Clear Sky Sect harbored hatred for Tang Hao, resented him for bringing peril to the sect, for recklessly leaving the sect, and even more for his distrust of the sect, causing trouble and not returning to seek its protection.

The Clear Sky Sect knew from start to finish who the true enemy was; whenever an elder broke through to a Title Douluo, the voices within the sect called for revenge against the Spirit Hall.

Their hatred toward Tang Hao differed entirely from their hatred toward the Spirit Hall.

Whether Tang Hao or Tang San, the blood of the old sect master flows in their veins.

"What's wrong? Do you all want to go up and try?"

The Clear Sky Sect disciples beside Tang Lie were eager to try this Soul Battle competition; especially after watching Shilake win round after round, their youthful vigor made them naturally want to compare themselves with their peer genius Soul Masters.

Hearing Elder Seven's words, the Clear Sky Sect disciples gave an awkward smile; indeed, that was their thought.

The organizer of the Soul Master Competition is the Spirit Hall; in their style, they certainly would not allow mid‑competition tampering of the team roster.

In the corner, Xiao Wu curled up, instinctively covering the Heart‑breaking Red Love Token in her arms; unaware of her oddity, everyone's gaze fell on the arena—since Tang Lie arrived at Shilake Academy, Xiao Wu had become cautious.

……

"Tang Hao, what are you doing?"

The three elders of the Clear Sky Sect and Tang Xiao, shortly after entering Tiandou City, discovered Tang Hao hidden in the shadows protecting Tang San.

In turn, Tang Hao also discovered them.

"This is what I owe the sect; I know I can never repay it in my lifetime, but I need to pay the price for my past actions;

Elder brother, Xiao San is your nephew; with your protection in his future, I am at ease."

Tang Hao attempted to forcibly extract the soul bone within his body, offering the bone's location and two Soul Rings as payment.

But his action was stopped by the three elders.

"Hmph, you're trying to evade again? Using this self‑harmful method to escape—does such self‑destruction honor the sect's cultivation of you? How much has the sect invested in you, and you repay it like this?"

"If you truly wish to atone, keep your ruined body and later make up the sect's losses!"

"The Spirit Hall's debt—my Clear Sky Sect will reclaim it sooner or later."

"You're seriously injured; I'll go fetch Yang Wudi and have him treat you, using this chance to make amends for the Clear Sky Sect's harm to them; the Four Great Families suffered heavy losses, ultimately due to us."

"But what is Ning Fengzhi really scheming? It makes me very curious; it seems like an accidental coincidence, yet one can spot traces of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect within it."

Tang Xiao let out a sigh of relief; his greatest worry was that the elders would truly abandon Tang Hao.

From the current situation, this is at least the best outcome.

The Clear Sky Sect has been hidden for years; how it will re‑enter the Soul Master World is a question worth pondering.

At minimum, the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect and the Tian Dou Imperial House have already learned of the Clear Sky Sect's whereabouts, and they are already speculating how the Clear Sky Sect will reappear in the Soul Master World.

Moreover, with Tang Hao as a Clear Sky Douluo, the Clear Sky Sect boasts as many as seven Title Douluo, all wielding the Haotian Hammer, giving their combat power beyond that of ordinary Title Douluo.

Even Ning Fengzhi, who arranged all this, hadn't expected the Clear Sky Sect to now have so many Title Douluo.

……

Tie Li returned to his hotel room to rest; tomorrow is the final match, the opponent's strength is average, and securing this win will involve almost no trouble.

It can basically be confirmed that they will advance to the next round's Promotion Match.

The Promotion Match differs from the Preselection; it has no public arena and is held within the military camp.

The Two Great Empires conduct it separately; within the Tian Dou Empire, besides the main competition zone, five subsidiary zones host ten teams total, and those who successfully advance from the Preselection are undoubtedly elite among elites.

The next day, Tie Li led his team onto the arena; their opponent was the Yanhuo Team, whose seven members each possessed the strength of a Three Ring Soul Honorable, and facing a team led by a Soul King, the seven all wore bitter smiles.

But this being the final Preselection match, they were unwilling to end their Soul Master Competition journey by forfeiting.

Thus, they resolved to fight with all their might; even if they lose, they would not forfeit.

"Let the match begin!"

As the referee announced the start, both sides' members immediately unleashed their martial souls and Soul Rings.

However, under the pressure of Tie Li, the Soul King, the seven of the Yanhuo Team could scarcely exert their full strength; within just a few rounds, they were eliminated.

After the remaining arena matches conclude, a awards ceremony will be held, granting the top five Preselection teams certificates for the Promotion Match.

Teams that did not advance will not attend the final ceremony; only the top five may sit in the VIP seats on the podium to receive the awards.

The first four Preselection teams have already been confirmed, but the fifth qualifying team is still competing.

The Tianshui Team faces the Suixing Team; the victor can advance to the next round of the Promotion Match.

In terms of number of Soul Sects and Soul Power Level, the Suixing Team holds an advantage, but the Tianshui Team has hidden tactics.

In the original timeline, the Tianshui Team employed their Soul Fusion Technique against the Shilake Team; this time they used it against the Suixing Team.

Previously, when the Tianshui Team faced the Shilake Team, they concealed their tactics and did not use their Soul Fusion Technique.

"Give up; don't let this damage your exquisite looks." The Suixing Team captain's gaze at Shui Bing'er was strange.

"You should think more about yourselves; this final point, the Tianshui Team has it secured!"

(End of chapter)