Chapter 337

Nan Qiuqiu's reason for conceding is simple; her strongest soul skill has already been used in the recent battle, and it caused considerable consumption against Meng Hongchen; with her current remaining soul power, it is basically impossible to use it again in the upcoming battle.

If she continues fighting Meng Hongchen, the greatest possibility is that she cannot hinder Meng Hongchen at all and will be easily defeated by Meng Hongchen, possibly even suffering serious injury.

In that case, it's better to simply concede; this ensures maximum benefit.

Meng Hongchen naturally also saw this; five years ago, Shilake Academy used similar tactics to level the gap in the team match, thereby turning the individual elimination and 2-2-3 matches from loss to victory.

As a result, Tang Sect is pulling this stunt again.

This makes her feel as if yesterday's events are repeating.

Seeing Nan Qiuqiu prepare to step down, Meng Hongchen's face filled with anger, and she coldly said:

"I hope your next contestant can be more of a man and not concede at the drop of a hat."

She didn't control her volume, so all the Tang Sect members heard her words.

They looked at each other, and then Xu San Shi stood up, righteously saying:

"Since they're demanding this, I, the man among men, must be the one to go up."

Bei Bei kicked him in the butt angrily.

"If you're going up, hurry up; don't dawdle here."

Xu San Shi was supposed to be the third to go up, as planned by everyone yesterday, but this guy still put on an act.

Xu San Shi rubbed his butt and pointed resentfully at Bei Bei.

"Bei Bei, you wait for me!"

Having said that, he ignored Bei Bei's reaction and quickly walked onto the competition stage.

Seeing him, Meng Hongchen's expression turned solemn.

She had watched all of Tang Sect's previous matches, paying attention not only to Tang Wulin but also carefully observing Xu San Shi's performance as a Soul Emperor.

It can only be said that he is worthy of being a Soul Emperor of Shrek Academy; his combat power is far greater than that of an ordinary sixth‑level soul engineer in the Ri Yue Di Guo Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

And now Meng Hongchen's own soul power has dropped to less than twenty percent, making victory unlikely, so how to inject more toxin into Xu San Shi's body, making it difficult for him to continue fighting, is what she needs to consider.

Xu San Shi gazed at Meng Hongchen from afar; his originally unrestrained and carefree gaze turned serious.

Apart from Meng Hongchen's sixth soul skill, which she has never used before, her abilities have long been figured out by everyone in the Tang Sect.

In terms of the match format, her ability is undoubtedly very troublesome, because even if she loses, her toxin will remain in the opponent's body, lasting until the team battle ends.

Just now Nan Qiuqiu was stabbed by her sword; now seated in the competitor area, his complexion has already begun to look off.

Therefore Xu San Shi's goal is not merely to defeat Meng Hongchen; he wants to avoid being hit by her entirely and defeat her swiftly.

Originally this was an impossible task, but after Nan Qiuqiu weakened Meng Hongchen, the goal became feasible.

At the referee's command, Xu San Shi stomped his foot hard and surged forward.

Meanwhile Meng Hongchen reactivated her flying soul tool and flew into the air.

Seeing Xu San Shi charging at her, she flicked her slender sword, scattering a sky‑filling blade light that thrust toward Xu San Shi.

This sword bears the deadly poison of the Zhu Qing Ice Toad; if Xu San Shi is stabbed even once, he will surely suffer.

Xu San Shi smiled upon seeing this, and then his fourth soul ring lit up.

The scenery before her eyes changed abruptly; Meng Hongchen quickly realized it was Profound Darkness Displacement activating, and she hastily employed Ice Refraction to try to escape the spot.

Yet she has used this move so many times already—how could Xu San Shi possibly lack a counter?

A strong impact surged through, and Meng Hongchen's body suddenly went rigid, the ice beneath her feet shattering as well.

The Profound Darkness power and Profound Darkness Shock, two soul skills used together, not only shattered the ice surface but also briefly took control of Meng Hongchen.

She gritted her teeth, struggling hard to break free from the rigidity brought on by Profound Darkness Shock.

But Xu San Shi obviously knew her plan; his fifth soul ring lit up, he raised his shield like a gigantic Black Tortoise, and charged at Meng Hongchen.

This is Xu San Shi's fifth soul skill, God‑Tortoise Collision; with the augmentation of Profound Darkness power, its might is now no weaker than a sixth‑level soul skill of an ordinary soul master. And given that Meng Hongchen is currently immobilized, her combat power reduced to less than one‑tenth, she obviously has no means to block this strike.

「Bang! 」

A heavy impact sound rang out, Xu San Shi's figure was flung backward; he adjusted his posture in mid‑air and then landed steadily on the ground.

In the end, it was the referee who helped Meng Hongchen block this strike.

The referee was also helpless; he didn't want the Ri Yue Di Guo Royal Soul Engineer Academy to lose, but he dared not let Meng Hongchen get injured.

The identities of the siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen are basically common knowledge among the people of the Ri Yue Di Guo Empire; he dare not let these two little ancestors suffer even the slightest injury in the match under his supervision.

Xu San Shi placed his hands behind his head, wearing a carefree grin as he looked at the referee.

「How about it, I won, right? 」

The referee's face darkened, but with the crowd watching he couldn't say much, so he reluctantly nodded.

Xu San Shi waved his hand.

「Then hurry up and announce it. 」

「……The winner of this match is Xu San Shi of the Tang Sect team. 」

「Very good. 」 Seeing the referee announce his victory, Xu San Shi smiled at Meng Hongchen and said, "How about it, am I the real man you want?"

Looking at his despicable grin, Meng Hongchen trembled with anger.

How could someone be so despicable? Although Xiao Hongchen could still restrain herself, let alone her; after taking two deep breaths, she coldly glared at Xu San Shi and stepped down from the stage.

Xu San Shi sighed helplessly and said to the referee:

「Look at her gaze just now—obviously she's taken a liking to me; what do you say I should do about this karmic entanglement? 」

「……」

The referee no longer knew what to say to this thick‑skinned guy; having overseen matches for years, he had never seen anyone so shameless as Xu San Shi.

Moreover, this despicable person's strength is still quite formidable, which only adds to the frustration that has nowhere to vent.

In the subsequent three individual elimination matches, all were victories for the Tang Sect.

After winning two more opponents, Xu San Shi voluntarily conceded, letting Bei Bei go on stage to settle the final foe, while he used the opportunity to replenish his soul power below the stage.

With the individual elimination round over, the team battle was about to begin.

Xu Tianran looked toward Jing Hong Chen.

"Hall Master, what do you think are the odds of your Academy winning against the opponents?"

Jing Hong Chen's expression was grim; after a moment's hesitation, he finally said, "Although I'm reluctant to admit it, our chances of winning this team battle are less than one in ten."

Xu Tianran smiled in a refined and easygoing manner, comforting, "It's all right, Hall Master; don't be so disheartened—this match isn't your fault."

Although Xu Tianran was naturally ruthless, he was not incapable of distinguishing right from wrong; he could still tell whether the defeat of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in this match was due to their weakness or the Tang Sect's strength.

He asked Zhongli Wu, "National Teacher, do you have a way to make them serve the empire once the plan begins?"

Zhongli Wu respectfully clasped his fists.

"Your Highness, rest assured; we have our own methods."

Xu Tianran nodded in satisfaction.

"Then that's good."

If these talents could be used by him, then everything would be easy to discuss.

But if they couldn't...

then let them all just go die.

(End of chapter)