"You actually used my Clear Sky Hammer to smash cucumbers!" Tang San's eyes were bloodshot with rage.
Tom immediately hugged the hammer to his chest. Clear Sky Hammer? No, this was his Meow Meow Hammer, perfect for cracking walnuts and smashing cucumbers.
Qin Ming was a reasonable man. When the Shrek team lost to Tom on the fighting stage, he didn't protest. After all, his side had used hidden weapons first. Losing was a matter of skill - at least the cat only injured without killing.
But when his junior Tang San's hammer was taken, he had to step in.
Two yellow, three purple, and one black soul rings appeared around Qin Ming as bright yellow flames erupted from his body. His muscles bulged, stretching his loose clothes taut. His eyes turned yellow, and an overwhelming pressure bore down on Shen An and the others.
"I'll say this one last time - return the hammer, and I'll let this go," Qin Ming said, his words carrying a scorching intensity.
Ning Rongrong put her hands on her hips. "What if we don't? You're the ones who resorted to dirty tricks in the arena."
Shen An had told Ning Rongrong everything about the day's events. His cold gaze met Qin Ming's as the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass silently manifested. Back at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the Sword Douluo had said he could defeat Soul Kings. Now at level 40, he might even challenge a Soul Emperor, especially with speed potions. How could he back down when they came to his doorstep?
"Want it? Beat me first," Shen An said calmly, his soaring sword intent cutting through Qin Ming's oppressive aura.
Qin Ming, facing Shen An directly, could barely withstand the sword intent with his powerful soul power. But Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were in trouble. The pervasive sword intent filled the air, immobilizing the Soul Grandmaster and Soul Ancestor with the fear that any movement would mean losing their heads.
Qin Ming found Shen An's words laughable. How dare a Soul Elder challenge a Soul Emperor to "beat him"? Such arrogance!
Without hesitation, Shen An swung his sword, aiming to drive Qin Ming out of the courtyard to avoid damaging his property.
Shen An poured his vast soul power into the sword, its blade shining with extreme brilliance as if it could shatter the void for dozens of meters ahead.
Before Qin Ming could react in shock, his body moved instinctively to retreat. But his mind raced - Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were behind him. If he dodged, the sword's energy would kill Yu Xiaogang even if Tang San survived.
'I can't dodge. I have to block.'
Qin Ming's third soul ring lit up. Blazing Barrier!
A blazing barrier formed around him, but it couldn't withstand the razor-sharp sword energy.
"Boom!"
The massive impact sent Qin Ming flying over ten meters, the huge wound on his chest leaving him dizzy.
The collision of sword energy and flames created a shockwave that blasted Tang San and Yu Xiaogang away.
Shen An didn't pause, activating two soul rings to buff himself. Having seized the initiative, he pressed his advantage.
As Qin Ming was still airborne, Shen An descended like a piercing sword, his blade radiating unstoppable sharpness.
The level 62 Qin Ming never imagined being pushed back by a Soul Elder. Was Shen An the only genius here?
Gritting his teeth, Qin Ming abandoned all underestimation. Fifth Soul Skill: Flame Breath!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Raging flames spewed from Qin Ming's mouth, engulfing Shen An. Just as Qin Ming began to relax, countless sword beams shot out, slicing through the inferno.
Qin Ming was horrified to see Shen An emerge with only his clothes singed - not a single burn on his body, not even a hair out of place. Was this even human?
Shen An smirked and continued his assault, two Nine-Leaf Sword projections joining the fray. Fighting on three fronts, Qin Ming was hard-pressed.
The intense heat was fearsome, but Shen An, having consumed two immortal herbs and tempered in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, was immune to normal fire and water. Only ultimate-level flames and water could harm him.
"Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, first boost: strength, second: speed, third: soul power!" Ning Rongrong chanted softly, boosting Shen An the moment the fight broke out.
Qin Ming was miserable. What kind of monster was this, pinpointing his every weakness with uncanny swordsmanship, speed, and power?
Tang San, having risen and seen his unconscious teacher, burned with envy at Shen An's display. Why could a Soul Elder fight a Soul Emperor while he, a Soul Ancestor, couldn't even beat a cat?
'Despicable, using Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda support. I have to help Senior Qin or I'll never get my Clear Sky Hammer back.'
Tang San didn't hesitate. Though his soul power was draining rapidly, he could still fight for about three minutes. The Eight Spider Lances emerged silently.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes narrowed, her three soul rings rising as her martial soul manifested, bathed in moonlight that enhanced her beauty.
Zhu Zhuqing darted forward, receiving Ning Rongrong's threefold boost.
Tang San sneered. A mere three-ring Soul Elder, even with Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda support, thought she could stop him?
"Looking to die!" Tang San's lips curled in disdain. If he couldn't beat Shen An, he could at least crush Zhu Zhuqing.
Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track activated as the Eight Spider Lances slashed down. Tang San was confident Zhu Zhuqing couldn't evade.
Wait, why did this feel familiar?
It was Zhu Zhuqing's third soul skill: Shadow Flash, allowing her to teleport within ten meters. The soul power cost was high, but with Night's Blessing enhancing all attributes and Ning Rongrong's soul power boost, it was manageable.
Zhu Zhuqing's two other soul rings lit up, her speed skyrocketing as countless claw strikes rained down on Tang San. Even with his techniques and the Eight Spider Lances' unpredictability, Tang San struggled to defend.
The more they fought, the more Tang San seethed with envy. How could a non-top-tier Nether Spirit Cat match him? Wasn't he supposed to be the ultimate genius?
What Tang San didn't know was that Zhu Zhuqing's Nether Spirit Cat had evolved into the top-tier Moonlight Spirit Cat.
Tom and Jerry, watching the one-sided battles, even brought out small stools and started munching on watermelon from the fridge.
The watermelon seeds they spat out somehow flew straight into Tang San and Qin Ming's eyes.
How those seeds traveled so far and accurately was a mystery.
Tang San: "..."
Qin Ming: "..."
We're in the middle of a fight, and you're covering our eyes? How are we supposed to fight like this?