"Hm?"
Sensing a faint trace of spiritual power spying on him, Xu Yunhan glanced around cautiously.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed and asked with curiosity, "Yunhan, what are you looking for?"
Xu Yunhan shook his head. "Nothing."
He suspected it might be Tang Hao secretly watching from the shadows. The spiritual power was extremely strong—if Xu Yunhan's own spiritual power wasn't powerful enough, he might not have even noticed it.
Although someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan might be secretly protecting Ning Rongrong nearby, this spiritual pressure felt more like it belonged to a Titled Douluo-level expert.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan did have two Titled Douluo, but they likely wouldn't have time to personally follow Ning Rongrong around.
If Tang Hao truly was secretly protecting Tang San, then eliminating Tang San would be extremely difficult. Even if Xu Yunhan managed to kill him, he would be instantly killed by Tang Hao in retaliation.
He wasn't interested in any plan that would result in mutual destruction.
"I'll need to change my strategy," Xu Yunhan mused.
His earlier plans for dealing with Tang San were mostly direct and out in the open.
But now it was time for a more subtle approach.
He began to consider trying to become "good friends" with Tang San or Xiao Wu. That way, whether he intended to sow discord later or deal with them in secret, it would be much safer.
After all, he possessed the passive soul skill "Charm," which was always active. As long as he maintained a friendly attitude, he believed Tang San and Xiao Wu's affection and trust in him would steadily grow.
As for Dai Mubai, because of Zhu Zhuqing's presence, his animosity toward Xu Yunhan kept overpowering any positive feelings.
As a result, Dai Mubai not only viewed Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing with hostility but had extended that resentment toward Xu Yunhan's sidekicks, Oscar and Ma Hongjun, as well.
Elsewhere—
The battle between Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Zhao Wuji continued.
"A good opportunity!"
"Second Soul Skill — Charm!"
Xiao Wu seized her chance and used a soul skill with a confusion effect, aiming to momentarily disorient Zhao Wuji.
But Zhao Wuji merely smiled inwardly.
"You dare use a confusion skill on me? Don't you know that the Immovable King is immune to such tricks?"
The instant the charm took effect, Zhao Wuji used his powerful spiritual force to rebound the effect back at her.
"Ahh!"
Xiao Wu screamed. The spiritual backlash hit her hard, and Zhao Wuji's strength sent her flying through the air. She immediately lost consciousness.
Her spiritual strength was too weak. Against Zhao Wuji, whose soul power was enhanced by the attributes of the Immovable King, she didn't stand a chance.
"Xiao Wu!"
Tang San panicked, furious and anxious.
He tried to rush to her side but was blocked by Zhao Wuji.
"Relax. She's only passed out from the backlash," Zhao Wuji said casually. "Heh, trying to use a mental confusion skill on me? She's got guts. Consider this a lesson."
"Move!" Tang San glared, eyes fixed on Xiao Wu.
"She's fine. Just fainted,"
Xu Yunhan acted quickly, catching the unconscious Xiao Wu midair and calling out to Tang San.
He then gently carried her over to the side and had Zhu Zhuqing look after her.
That simple gesture earned Xu Yunhan some favor in Tang San's heart.
The "Good Friends" plan had officially begun.
"Teacher Zhao, you shouldn't have hurt Xiao Wu!"
Tang San stared at Zhao Wuji in fury.
"Heh." Zhao Wuji laughed it off, unconcerned. "It's a battle. Injuries are bound to happen. What now? You're all alone, and you're just a control-type Soul Master. What can you even do?"
Tang San gritted his teeth. "You forced me into this!"
"Oh?" Zhao Wuji's interest was piqued. "Still got something up your sleeve? Go ahead, show me. Don't let me down."
"You won't be disappointed," Tang San growled.
A yellow century-old soul ring lit up beneath his feet.
"Parasite!"
As the soul skill activated, Tang San quickly retreated, putting distance between himself and Zhao Wuji.
"This again?"
Zhao Wuji looked disappointed. With a shake of his body, he shattered all the Blue Silver Grass vines that tried to entangle him.
Then he charged toward Tang San. "Careful now, Tang San!"
As he spoke, a yellow soul ring flared beneath Zhao Wuji's feet.
"Second Soul Skill — Power Vajra Palm!"
Both his palms turned golden, radiating immense pressure as he thrust them toward Tang San.
Tang San's expression changed. He swiftly activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, weaving through the attack with agile footwork, and simultaneously used Purple Demon Eye to track Zhao Wuji's movements.
"Huh? What technique is this?"
Zhao Wuji realized it wasn't a soul skill—there was no soul power surge. "Not bad," he muttered, intrigued.
Normally, soul skills were easy to detect due to the spike in soul power when used.
"Entangle!"
Tang San used Blue Silver Grass again to interfere with Zhao Wuji's movement, looking for a chance to launch a hidden weapon.
Yes—
Since the Blue Silver Grass was useless against Zhao Wuji without the Clear Sky Hammer, he had to rely on hidden weapons if he wanted to avenge Xiao Wu.
He could accept injuries in battle—if it had been anyone else, even himself, he wouldn't have minded. But when it came to Xiao Wu, he couldn't forgive it.
"Let's see how you dodge this."
Zhao Wuji, growing more excited, used his Power Vajra Palm again—this time, in a ranged form.
A giant golden palm shot through the air toward Tang San.
Tang San tried to dodge using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, but it was no use. The golden palm tracked him relentlessly.
With no way to escape,
Bang!
Tang San wrapped himself in Blue Silver Grass for protection, but the golden palm shattered the vines and slammed into him, knocking him to the ground.
He was badly hurt, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"It's a homing soul skill!"
Tang San frowned.
A homing soul skill meant the attack locked onto its target—within the attack range, there was no way to dodge it.
Oscar covered his face with his hands. "Sigh... Looks like Teacher Zhao's getting addicted to the fight."
Ma Hongjun shrugged. "Let's just hope he doesn't go overboard. Otherwise, when Dean Flender gets back, he'll definitely give Teacher Zhao a piece of his mind."
Dai Mubai glanced at the incense stick—only one-fifth remained. He silently hoped Tang San could hold on until the end.
He wanted to help Tang San, but Zhao Wuji had forbidden anyone from interfering in the fight. If he tried, he'd definitely be punished harshly.
Earlier, Dai Mubai had intended to catch Xiao Wu when she was thrown, but that damn Xu Yunhan had beat him to it.
Now Xu Yunhan seemed to be cozying up to Tang San, Xiao Wu, and even Ning Rongrong—this made Dai Mubai both anxious and furious.
If Xu Yunhan managed to win them over, Dai Mubai would be left completely isolated.
Damn it!
Dai Mubai shot a cold glare at Xu Yunhan.
Xu Yunhan seemed to sense it and responded with a polite, harmless smile, which only made Dai Mubai grit his teeth in anger.
"Tang San, can you still go on?"
Zhao Wuji strolled toward Tang San, looking utterly unconcerned.
Tang San remained on the ground, not getting up.
Just as Zhao Wuji stepped a bit closer, Tang San suddenly activated his "Parasite" soul skill again.
As Zhao Wuji once more shattered the Blue Silver Grass vines with a burst of strength, a concealed weapon flew toward him and struck his body with a metallic clang.
"Oh? What's this trick now?"
Zhao Wuji was intrigued. "But breaking through my Immovable King Body is no easy feat."
ps: advance chapters come to my https://www.patreon.com/c/Seraphim777