"Tsk tsk tsk, how tragic," Su Ming remarked with a hint of 'disgusted empathy.'
Despite the protection of their dragon transformation technique and Tang San's 'assistance' with Blue Silver Grass, Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin were ultimately left bloodied and unconscious from the onslaught. Without a strong healer, it was doubtful they'd be able to compete the next day.
Xiao Wu looked at Su Ming curiously, "Brother, did you see something? How are those two doing?"
Instead of answering Xiao Wu directly, Su Ming turned to Ning Rongrong with a smile, "Rongrong, why don't you use your spiritual power to sense it?"
Ning Rongrong understood immediately—Su Ming wanted to test her skill in manipulating spiritual power. She had practiced hard yesterday, even managing to condense her spiritual energy into a short sword. While it wasn't strong enough to pierce through a dedicated defense-focused Spirit Master, she was thrilled to finally have an offensive capability.
By focusing her senses, she quickly perceived Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng's condition and was alarmed—they were in a critical state, barely clinging to consciousness and in dire need of immediate medical attention. Without prompt intervention, they could face long-term damage or even death.
"Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng are in bad shape; they can't keep competing and need urgent medical care, or the consequences…" Ning Rongrong trailed off, looking gravely concerned.
Su Ming gave her an approving nod, "You're exactly right, Rongrong. Their strong constitutions and the protection of the dragon transformation technique kept them going this long. If it weren't for those advantages, they would've been done for."
"If either of them had died, Blazing Academy wouldn't just lose their place in the tournament—they'd be facing serious repercussions!" Su Ming continued, impressed with Huo Wu's bold move to target Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng with such focused force, even adding support abilities to amplify the damage. If those two had died, the wrath of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan would have fallen on Blazing Academy.
As the smoke cleared, the spectators saw Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng lying weakly on the platform, their bodies covered in burns and torn clothing. The host, Dou Dou, winced at the sight; Blazing Academy's attacks had clearly gone overboard.
Thunderclap Academy's advisor, Yu Xiaogang, stepped forward, his face dark with anger, "Thunderclap Academy requests a temporary pause in the match. Our two team members are unfit to continue and need to be taken for medical treatment immediately!"
Dou Dou looked troubled, "This...doesn't follow the rules."
There was no precedent for pausing a match, as participants typically left the stage by walking or being knocked out. The best course of action would be to concede, but since this break would give Thunderclap Academy time to recover, it seemed unfair to Blazing Academy. Yet, Dou Dou wasn't willing to offend Thunderclap Academy's lead instructor.
Noticing the host's dilemma, Huo Wu interjected with a casual smile, "Blazing Academy has no objections. Those two really are in rough shape, and since Thunderclap Academy isn't conceding, we won't take unnecessary risks."
"Who knows how long they can hold out in their current state? If they pass away during the match, Blazing Academy would lose its right to compete. No point in risking that for Thunderclap Academy's stubbornness," Huo Wu added.
A chorus of boos rose from the audience, directed not at Blazing Academy, but at Thunderclap Academy. By flouting the rules, Thunderclap Academy had forced Huo Wu to 'reluctantly' agree to give them a one-minute break, making her seem all the more magnanimous to the crowd.
This move instantly elevated Huo Wu's reputation in the audience's eyes, while Yu Xiaogang's actions tanked Thunderclap Academy's. Instead of conceding gracefully, they seemed willing to risk others' lives, potentially endangering Blazing Academy if their team members died.
Su Ming was amused. Huo Wu's handling of the situation was downright devious—but he liked it. Even Thunderclap Academy's former advisor couldn't hold back anymore, snapping at Yu Xiaogang, "Yu Xiaogang, look at the mess you've made! If Thunderclap Academy wants to keep its dignity, you need to concede immediately!"
"Do you really think the remaining five can take on Blazing Academy?" he continued, his voice tinged with anger.
Yu Xiaogang's face was grim, but he ignored the advisor's remarks. With only a minute, he had to act quickly. Just then, Qin Ming returned from the medical center with news that a healer was available.
Yu Xiaogang immediately had Qin Ming take Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng to the medics. As he passed Tang San, he whispered, "Xiao San, go all out—this is your chance!"
Anyone overhearing this remark might have been puzzled. What did he mean by going all out? Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had already proven ineffective, and his fourth spirit ability was useless—wasn't he already trying his hardest?
And what did he mean by "this is your chance"? Given their current situation, surrender seemed the more sensible choice.
But Tang San understood his teacher's hint perfectly: he was to unleash his second spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer! Blazing Academy's fire energy was potent, presenting a rare opportunity for Blue Silver Grass to strengthen its fire resistance through absorption.
Tang San was more than willing. If he could rapidly boost his Blue Silver Grass's fire resistance, it would save him time and help him attain his goal of reaching Rank 50 and advancing with his father to the Blue Silver Emperor's ancestral grounds to acquire his fifth spirit ring.
Soon, a minute passed.
In this brief minute, Tang San had already consumed Oscar's full-strength recovery sausage. Combined with the operation of his Mysterious Heaven Technique, his soul power had mostly recovered.
The spectators were quite disdainful of Tang San's actions; even Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, feeling displeased.
However, since the Blazing Academy had no objections to this, they didn't say anything.
Huo Wushuang said with a hint of helplessness, "Sister, why did you agree to the Thunder Academy's request just now? Even if you agreed, you shouldn't have let them restore their soul power by eating food-type soul master sausages in that one-minute period."
Huo Wushuang genuinely couldn't understand why his sister would make such a decision; it seemed like a thankless move.
But Huo Wu responded, "Brother, don't worry about it. I have my reasons for doing this. Soon, Tang San will probably go all out. Your task is to hold off the rest of the Thunder Academy with the other team members."
"I'll handle Tang San. If necessary, Huo Chun and Huo Jun can boost me!"
The other team members were also a bit puzzled, but Huo Wu's authority was unchallenged; whatever she said, they would follow.
Inwardly, Huo Wu was thinking that Tang San might use his second martial spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer, soon, as his soul power had mostly recovered.
Since she had promised Su Ming to properly teach Tang San a lesson, she intended to execute it perfectly.
By defeating him after he used his Clear Sky Hammer, she believed it would break Tang San down even more!
At that moment, the announcer, Dou Dou, saw that both sides were ready and said, "The one-minute timer is up. The match resumes!"
As soon as the announcer finished, a massive blue hammer appeared in Tang San's left hand!
In the audience, Su Ming and Xiao Wu's eyes narrowed, not expecting Tang San to reveal his second martial spirit so quickly. Wasn't he worried about being targeted by the Spirit Hall?
Some less-informed spectators immediately raised questions: "Hey, isn't it against the rules to use weapons in this match? Isn't Tang San breaking the rules?"
"Yeah, yeah! Announcer, Tang San is blatantly breaking the rules; shouldn't you declare the Blazing Academy the winner?"
Since the Thunder Academy had already violated the rules once, and the Blazing Academy hadn't objected, people saw the appearance of a hammer as Tang San relying on external help.
The announcer, Dou Dou, found herself in a dilemma, casting her gaze towards Emperor Xue Ye and the others on the stage.
What should she do?
As she was close enough to Tang San, she could tell that the hammer was unusual, not just a simple weapon. However, due to the Clear Sky Clan's long isolation, it had been years since a soul master with the Clear Sky Hammer had appeared, so it was natural for some to forget.
Compared to the restless crowd, Emperor Xue Ye uncertainly asked Ning Fengzhi, "Sect Leader Ning, is this… the Clear Sky Hammer?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, the hammer in Tang San's hand should indeed be the Clear Sky Hammer martial spirit."
Emperor Xue Ye murmured in shock, "Then that means Tang San is a twin martial spirit user?"
Meanwhile, the Spirit Hall Bishop Salas, sitting on the other side of Emperor Xue Ye, was struck by a thought upon seeing the Clear Sky Hammer. The Clear Sky Clan had been in seclusion for years, and only that person, exiled from the sect, had it.
He remembered hearing about a child back then. If his calculations were correct, the age matched perfectly!
This needed to be reported to the Pope.
Salas subtly gestured with his left hand, summoning a heavily armored Spirit Hall guard. He whispered something to him quietly.
This interaction was naturally noticed by Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi.
However, they chose not to intervene. They were well aware of the old grievances between the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Clan.
Salas held a considerable position within the Spirit Hall; otherwise, Bibi Dong would not have assigned him to oversee the Heaven Dou City branch.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly, thinking the Spirit Hall likely intended to target Tang San. But that was not his concern.
Though their three sects shared a common bond, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Clan were technically rivals.
One supported the Heaven Dou Empire, and the other, the Star Luo Empire.
Tang San alone couldn't represent the Clear Sky Clan. Whether he lived or died didn't matter; he had already formed a grudge when he decided to help Su Ming.
Then, Emperor Xue Ye's authoritative voice resounded, "The match continues. This is the Clear Sky Hammer martial spirit, not an external weapon, so Tang San has not violated any rules."
The announcer, Dou Dou, sighed in relief.
And the audience members who had just raised doubts fell silent.
The Clear Sky Hammer?
Whoa, was this the long-lost legacy martial spirit of the Clear Sky Clan?
But why was it appearing here?
Some observant spectators remained silent, sensing that the reappearance of a Clear Sky Hammer user might foreshadow future events.
On the stage…
Huo Wu smiled faintly, "I didn't expect you to possess twin martial spirits, and the other one is even the Clear Sky Hammer. But, your second martial spirit doesn't have any spirit rings. Do you think you can defeat me like this?"
Tang San expected this question. Although his Clear Sky Hammer lacked spirit rings, his months of training with his father were not in vain!
From the Clear Sky Clan's martial skills, he not only mastered the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique but had also learned a few of the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes.
Ordinarily, the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes were forbidden for Tang San to practice without the approval of the clan's leaders. His absorption of the Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone hadn't boosted his power as anticipated.
After much consideration, Tang Hao decided to teach Tang San the nine attack techniques of the Clear Sky Hammer, the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes.
Tang Hao planned to bring Tang San back to the Clear Sky Clan to reclaim his heritage after winning the soul master competition. He believed Tang San's talent and power would earn him recognition from the clan master and elders.
Now, he was simply teaching Tang San ahead of time, not technically breaking any rules, as Tang Hao continuously reassured himself.
In response to Huo Wu's remarks, Tang San looked at the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand, realizing that his only chance to win was through the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique!
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