Tang San's Defeat

"Alright," the Grandmaster nodded slightly, saying, "As per our original agreement, within a year's time, if your cultivation level surpasses Tang San or your combat capability exceeds his, you win. If you fail to surpass Tang San in either aspect, then I win. I don't need to reiterate the stakes, do I?"

"No need. Just make sure you don't play foul after you lose," Ao Tian replied.

"And one more thing," Ao Tian added, "Don't bother me again in the future."

The Grandmaster was somewhat surprised by Ao Tian's strong confidence. However, he still said, "No problem, as long as you accept defeat gracefully. I hope you can do that."

"I have no interest in playing tricks with you all after winning anyway," Ao Tian said.

"You must be Ao Tian, with such an imposing manner," the Principal beside the Grandmaster said with keen interest.

Ao Tian glanced at him but didn't respond.

"Let's begin," he declared.

Gu Yuena's gaze rested on the Grandmaster's face for a deep moment before she and Xiaowu retreated to the side.

The Grandmaster and the principal also moved back a bit. The top of this hill provided ample space, and the cleared area in the middle was sufficient for Ao Tian and Tang San to battle.

"She seems to hold me in contempt. I wonder if her attitude will change after this fight," Tang San subtly glanced at Gu Yuena.

"Release your martial soul," Ao Tian instructed.

Tang San nodded, raising his left hand. With surging soul power, a clump of blue silver grass with purple patterns emerged from his palm and rapidly grew, spreading outwards.

A yellow spirit ring rose from under his feet, pulsating on his body.

"Tang San, martial soul: Blue Silver Grass, Control System, level sixteen Combat Spirit Master. Please advise me!" Tang San's voice was strong and full of confidence.

He looked at Ao Tian and continued, "Ao Tian, if your level isn't higher than mine, then your only chance is to defeat me."

"What if my level is higher than yours?" Ao Tian smiled and asked.

Tang San was taken aback for a moment, shaking his head, "Impossible. I've never seen you train. Even if you became a spirit master before me, your level couldn't possibly be higher than mine now."

Tang San had already realized that his Mysterious Heaven Skill was much more efficient than the world's conventional meditation methods. Over the past year, he had diligently cultivated, while Ao Tian had whiled away his time. How could they possibly be on the same level?

How could there be someone in this world who didn't need to train and still gained strength?

"There's nothing impossible," Ao Tian said, "But I still want to have a battle with you. Wouldn't you also want this opportunity? Defeating me will clear your name and win you the favor of the beauty."

With that, Ao Tian glanced at Gu Yuena.

Tang San's heart raced with anger, and even he, with his composed demeanor, couldn't help but feel his face flush.

Even the Grandmaster looked at his disciple with astonishment, then back at the extraordinarily beautiful girl. He inwardly nodded with a smile.

Indeed, the girl was truly outstanding, her appearance stunning, and her talent remarkable.

Frustrated, Tang San's voice turned colder, "Then release your martial soul and let me see if your strength matches your words."

Ao Tian shook his head, "I defeated you twice before without using my martial soul. I'll do the same this time."

"Arrogant!" Tang San sneered. Without further ado, over a dozen thick strands of Blue Silver Grass surged toward Ao Tian, resembling a group of venomous vipers.

Each of these Blue Silver Grass vines was as thick as a human arm. In an instant, they reached Ao Tian and bound him tightly, leaving only his head exposed.

"It's over," the Grandmaster said with a faint smile.

"Something's not right. Why isn't Ao Tian resisting?" The Principal frowned.

The Grandmaster smiled, "It's normal. A seven-year-old child, faced with Blue Silver Grass as fierce as poisonous snakes, how many can remain calm?"

The Principal nodded slightly, "You're well-informed indeed."

The Grandmaster explained, "In situations where the cultivation levels are similar, Control System spirit masters are the strongest in one-on-one combat. Ao Tian is bound by Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. Moreover, the Blue Silver Grass also contains the paralytic toxin of the Datura Snake. Right now, Ao Tian would find it difficult to resist even if he wanted to. I've calculated precisely. Given the toxicity and tenacity of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, even someone who just broke through to the level of a Spirit Master might not be able to free themselves from its constraints."

"Then, congratulations," the Principal said with a smile.

Just as he finished speaking, Ao Tian's voice rang out, "Tang San, after a year, is this all the progress you've made? The thorns on your Blue Silver Grass can't even pierce my skin."

It was only then that the Grandmaster and the Principal noticed that Tang San's complexion seemed off.

"Tang San, what's wrong?" the Grandmaster asked.

Tang San didn't answer, his face serious as he controlled the Blue Silver Grass, gradually tightening it.

His Blue Silver Grass was extremely resilient. Under its terrifying binding force, few could withstand it.

Even without the paralysis toxin, as long as Ao Tian couldn't break free from Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, then this match was already Tang San's victory.

"I'm done playing with you," Ao Tian said. With a light shake of his body, the dozen or so thick strands of Blue Silver Grass wrapped around him instantly shattered. Vine fragments and scattered leaves flew in all directions.

"How is this possible!" The Grandmaster was the first to exclaim. His ordinary-looking face turned wide-eyed, his expression filled with disbelief.

That was Blue Silver Grass, which even someone who had just broken through to the level of a Spirit Grandmaster couldn't free themselves from. How could it shatter like this...

How did Ao Tian do it? Could his strength have already surpassed that of an ordinary Spirit Grandmaster?

Impossible! The Grandmaster vehemently shook his head, his heart pounding rapidly. No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't fathom how Ao Tian broke free from Tang San's Blue Silver Grass.

The Principal watched the Grandmaster's frustrated expression, then looked at the battlefield, his face puzzled. He didn't know how to console the Grandmaster. He was equally clueless about what had just happened.

"Your Blue Silver Grass is still a bit weak for me," Ao Tian chuckled. "Use whatever means you have. Otherwise, I'll end the fight."

Tang San's face grew more serious. His right hand brushed over his belt, fingers gripping four goose eggs.

"The same move again? It had no effect on me last time," Ao Tian remarked.

Tang San didn't utter a word. With a swing of his arm, the four goose eggs drew arcs in different directions, attacking Ao Tian.

The "Swallows Parting Flight" technique from the Tang Sect's Hundred Hidden Weapons was Tang San's favorite technique.

The four goose eggs flew simultaneously, but along different trajectories. This was a technique that required a profound understanding of hidden weapons, and it was nearly impossible to defend against.

It was as if four people were attacking simultaneously. Who could withstand an attack from four people at once?

These four goose eggs targeted specific acupoints on Ao Tian's body. When hit, an ordinary person would experience a brief loss of resistance.

"Last time, I couldn't break through your defenses, but that doesn't mean I can't this time," Tang San's eyes flashed with determination.

Both his soul power and physical strength had increased significantly since last time. The power of his hidden weapons had also grown stronger.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

Four crisp sounds rang out as the goose eggs seemed to strike an even harder object. Due to the rebound force from Ao Tian's body, they shattered on the spot.

Tang San's face slightly changed, his palm flipping over. Four steel needles, each about five inches long, appeared in his hand.

The needles were thin at the front and thicker at the back, with extremely sharp tips. They were one of the hidden weapons specially used to break through defenses in the Tang Sect's arsenal.

Bone Piercing Needles!