Chapter 11: Binding Soul Touch vs. Entanglement

The entire process of absorbing the soul ring didn't take long. However, the surging soul power within Cheng Xiao made him feel a hint of difficulty, though not to the point of being overwhelming. With a slight effort, he completely absorbed the soul ring.

Cheng Xiao quickly estimated his body's limits; it shouldn't exceed six hundred years. Going higher might pose risks.

"If only this Soul-Binding Vine had been five hundred and eighty years; it would have touched the limit perfectly."

Cheng Xiao felt a slight regret, but he adjusted his mindset swiftly, "Can't think like that. Nothing is perfect, especially with absorbing beyond the time limit. Going higher increases the risk, and regret won't help if something goes wrong."

He wasn't crazy enough to gamble with his life for a higher time limit.

What he needed was to reach the highest possible limit within a safe range, gaining a clear understanding of his capabilities.

Moreover, what difference did it make if the first two soul rings increased by a few decades or a hundred years? For soul rings below ten thousand years, the difference in the power of soul skills wasn't significant.

Risking one's life for such a tiny advantage was unnecessary, especially when there were other ways to enhance strength.

Cheng Xiao slowly opened his eyes, and after sensing his soul skills, a subtle smile curved his lips.

"How is it? How is it?" Xiao Wu approached, brimming with curiosity.

For some reason, Tang San felt a tinge of regret.

"It's a skill similar to Tang San's control ability." Cheng Xiao smiled, "I call it Binding Soul Touch. The shadows I gaze at are controlled by me. When I use my soul skills, the shadows turn into tentacles, restraining the enemy."

"Who is stronger between you and Xiao San?" Xiao Wu asked with curiosity.

"We won't know unless we try," Cheng Xiao shook his head. "Tang San, want to give it a shot?"

"Hehe, no need. I'm already at Level 22; you're not my match," Tang San smiled, his expression humble but with a hint of pride in his words.

With the guidance of a Grandmaster and his higher soul power, Tang San didn't think he would lose to Cheng Xiao.

"Just testing the effect of the first soul skill, not using the second one. Let's see whose control ability is faster and more effective," Cheng Xiao suggested.

"Yeah, yeah, let's try it! I want to see Cheng Xiao's soul skills too," Xiao Wu eagerly looked at Tang San.

Unable to resist such a gaze, Tang San hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Xiao Wu clapped her hands happily, bouncing like a little rabbit between the two, "I'll be the referee. I'll count to three, and you both attack at the same time!"

Tang San and Cheng Xiao stepped back simultaneously, their expressions growing serious as they released their martial souls.

Blue Silver Grass rapidly grew around Tang San, while Cheng Xiao's eyes turned into inky black holes.

"One, two, three, begin!"

[First Soul Skill: Entanglement!]

[First Soul Skill: Binding Soul Touch!]

Both of them activated their first soul skills, but at the same time, they also retreated towards the rear. Tang San even employed Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, turning his figure into residual shadows, moving away from his original position.

Knowing that the other used a control ability, how could they stand still without any defenses? They weren't fools.

The vines formed by Blue Silver Grass almost instantly appeared within a one-meter radius around Cheng Xiao. They shot toward him, and although Cheng Xiao evaded, the Blue Silver Grass pursued relentlessly, making it somewhat difficult for him to handle.

Seeing this scene, Tang San's lips curled up slightly. It seemed that the direction chosen by his teacher was correct. Blue Silver Grass was indeed suitable for a control route. At this moment, he was extremely grateful to have Yu Xiaogang as his mentor.

However, in the next instant, Tang San's smile froze on his face. He suddenly looked down at his feet, only to find that his shadow had transformed into tentacles, climbing up his legs and directly binding him. This prevented him from using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.

"When did this happen!?"

The shadow didn't stop; it continued climbing, binding Tang San's arms and leaving only his forearms free to move.

"Tang San, you've lost." Cheng Xiao hid behind a tree, and the Blue Silver Grass, obstructed by the tree, lost control over Cheng Xiao. Instinctively, it entwined around the tree trunk.

In a moment of urgency, Tang San, without thinking, bent his wrist, preparing to use his hidden weapon.

"Tang San, it's just a friendly match; no need to bring out your iron lump, right?" Cheng Xiao grinned, but secretly infused soul power, just in case this guy lost his mind.

Cheng Xiao had no intention of killing. He knew that Tang San's Title Douluo father was somewhere watching. Killing Tang San would be suicidal; he wasn't that foolish.

Tang San was taken aback. Right, it was just a friendly match. Could he really resort to using hidden weapons to kill Cheng Xiao after a single failure? Even if he wanted to kill, it wasn't the right time. Xiao Wu was still watching; if he really killed Cheng Xiao, Xiao Wu would never forgive him.

His struggling movements gradually weakened, and his tense wrists relaxed. Tang San's gaze dimmed, and he sighed, "I lost."

Cheng Xiao withdrew the Binding Soul Touch and released Tang San.

Tang San stood up, dusting off his clothes, but his brows were tightly furrowed.

"Why is Cheng Xiao's soul skill so much faster than yours?" Xiao Wu, still leaning towards Tang San, asked when she saw Tang San's dissatisfaction.

"Naturally, Tang San's soul skill and mine have fundamental differences," Cheng Xiao explained. "The activation speed of Little San's soul skill and mine is similar, but there's a crucial difference. Little San's martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. When it uses a soul skill, it must have roots, so it needs to root itself underground before using the skill. If I prepare in advance, I can take this opportunity to retreat, and the Blue Silver Grass can only grow from behind, chasing me."

"But my martial soul is different; shadows move with objects! No matter where Tang San escapes, the shadow will follow. The starting point of the shadow is the moving object. It only needs to climb up your feet. After entwining your legs, the shadow is completely fixed to the ground, completely blocking your movement."

In essence, plant entanglement requires roots, and plant roots cannot move. However, the "roots" of the shadow are on the person, rendering escape useless.

"Doesn't that mean no one can escape this skill!?" Xiao Wu widened her eyes.

Cheng Xiao smiled but didn't answer. Of course, it was possible to escape, but how could he directly reveal his weakness to others?

"Let's go, the journey is over; it's time to go back."

Cheng Xiao lightly tapped Xiao Wu's forehead and walked towards the edge of the Star Dou Forest.

"Hmph!" Xiao Wu covered her forehead, wrinkled her nose at Cheng Xiao's back, and then chased after him.

"Cheng Xiao, wait for me! Your soul skill is quite interesting. How about we have another friendly match..."

"No!"

"Why!?"

The two frolicked, completely forgetting that someone hadn't caught up yet.

Tang San watched their backs, and at this moment, there was no trace of the jealousy he felt earlier. He frowned, pondering Cheng Xiao's words from earlier.

For the first time in history, Tang San began to doubt whether his Blue Silver Grass following the control system was the right path. Cheng Xiao's few words had severely undermined Tang San's confidence, making him feel that, in terms of control, Blue Silver Grass simply couldn't match up to the advantages of the shadow.