"Kid, don't act arrogantly without some real strength," Zhao Wuji said, displeased with Tang San's actions.
But he didn't know that in a dark corner somewhere, a figure in a black robe clenched his fists tightly, wishing he could skin him alive.
Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
His Blue Silver Grass Spirit lacked offensive power, so he decisively abandoned it.
His hands touched the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night at his waist—the hidden weapons stored inside his soul conductor device—now materializing in his hands.
His hands moved swiftly, countless hidden weapons flying like a torrential rainstorm toward Zhao Wuji.
Using throwing weapons with such hand technique was unprecedented in the history of Douluo Continent.
Zhao Wuji initially failed to see the trick and nearly fell for Tang San's ploy.
Though the hidden weapons attacked densely, Zhao Wuji's defense seemed even stronger.
Most of the weapons landed on his skin and were blocked outright; only a few managed to pierce his body.
Without the Dragon Whisker Needles, Tang San simply couldn't threaten Zhao Wuji.
The weapons that pierced his body were easily forced out by Zhao Wuji using a bit of soul power.
...
"What kind of fighting style is this? What kind of weapons?" Dai Mubai, watching, was dumbfounded.
Even under such an assault, the soul saint was showing some signs of trouble; if it were him, he'd probably have been turned into a porcupine by now.
Dai Mubai felt a bit relieved that when they first met, Tang San hadn't let Xiao Wu fight, or else he'd have been in big trouble.
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but cover her mouth; she had never seen such a crazy fighting style.
"Kid, my patience has limits," Zhao Wuji shouted angrily, though he still tried hard to control the fury in his heart.
Fudo Myo-o is a notorious villain; he has never been a good person.
Tang San's repeated provocations had long enraged him beyond measure.
The fifth spirit ring on his foot flashed briefly, then faded, and immediately the fourth spirit ring lit up.
"Fourth soul skill, Target Tracking."
Next to him, Ning Tianchen felt somewhat relieved, "Luckily, he hasn't used the Ten-Thousand-Year soul skill."
For Tang San at this moment, the Ten-Thousand-Year soul skill of a soul saint would be deadly.
If Tang San died, Tang Hao would completely lose his mind. That would be a disaster both for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and for the entire continent.
Without the power to alter the course of history, Ning Tianchen believed the best choice was to let the general timeline develop as originally intended.
Zhao Wuji's fourth soul skill had tracking ability, and given his current furious state, if he caught Tang San, even if he didn't kill him, he would at least cripple him.
With a thought, Ning Tianchen's Qisha Sword shot out and landed in front of Tang San.
"Second soul skill, Dragon Sword Protection."
Soul power transformed into thousands of spirit swords, forming a sword qi barrier in front of Tang San.
Zhao Wuji leapt onto the barrier and shattered it in just moments.
After the buffer, the power of his soul skill was somewhat reduced.
Tang San had used up all his hidden weapons and had no strength left to fight back.
Zhao Wuji grabbed him by the neck and fiercely threw him away.
"Rongrong, Dai Mubai, you two go find someone to treat everyone. Leave the rest to me," Ning Tianchen quickly arranged.
Tang San was not completely useless; at least he had bought quite a bit of time.
Ning Tianchen's gaze then shifted to the incense stick burning not far away, thinking, "About two minutes left, hopefully we can hold out until the end."
"Now it's just you and me. Let's have some fun," Zhao Wuji laughed heartily, his eyes suddenly turning cold.
"Teacher Zhao, please show me your skills."
With a casual flick, the Qisha Sword fell into his hand.
Standing firm, holding the sword, he showed no sign of retreat.
This time, Zhao Wuji struck first.
His fist was about the size of a child's head, giving some idea of the power behind his punch.
Ning Tianchen frowned tightly, only two meters away from the edge of the open space behind him—one wrong move and he would be eliminated.
"Qisha Sword Technique, Sword Defense Form."
This sword defense wasn't about flying on the sword but using offense as defense to guard all directions.
The Qisha Sword was held horizontally in front, firmly blocking the punch.
Compared to before, Zhao Wuji's punching force was now several times stronger. Ning Tianchen's hands gripping the sword even trembled slightly.
His legs slid about a meter on the ground before he regained his balance.
"Think you can block the next punch too?" Zhao Wuji sneered and launched another strike.
Even if Ning Tianchen could block this punch, the sheer force would push him beyond the open area's boundary.
"Sword Wings!"
Twin wings sprouted from his back, their sharp tips controlled to strike at Zhao Wuji's neck.
The wings were longer than Zhao Wuji's arm, so before his fist could hit Ning Tianchen's body, the sword wings would pierce his throat first.
"Soul bone!" Zhao Wuji was startled and immediately halted his attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Ning Tianchen used the flying ability of his sword wings to leap into the air.
"Third Soul Skill: Sword Wings Ascension!"
Under his control, the Seven Kill Sword shot forward like a flying blade, stabbing toward Zhao Wuji.
"Mighty Vajra Palm!"
Irritated, Zhao Wuji slapped the Seven Kill Sword away with a palm strike.
When he looked up again at Ning Tianchen, he noticed that the sword wings behind him were now only skeletal frames—the feathers had vanished.
For a moment, he was completely baffled.
In midair, Ning Tianchen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Even without the feathers, the skeletal sword wings still retained their flying ability. Otherwise, he would've been in real trouble.
"Kid, flying into the air isn't a wise move. Don't you know my fourth soul skill can lock onto you?" Zhao Wuji scolded with disappointment.
He had already demonstrated the effect of that soul skill earlier. Yet Ning Tianchen still dared to take flight—wasn't that foolish?
As soon as he finished speaking, the fourth soul ring beneath his feet lit up.
With the soul skill locking onto Ning Tianchen, Zhao Wuji leapt into the air, ready to teach him a lesson.
"Good timing—let me crack your back!"
"Third Soul Skill: Sword Wings Ascension! External Soul Bone Ability: Feather Blade Storm!"
The feathers of the sword wings hadn't fallen off. While the Seven Kill Sword had distracted Zhao Wuji earlier, Ning Tianchen had secretly hidden them nearby.
As the soul skill activated, countless feather blades and the Seven Kill Sword shot toward Zhao Wuji's back as if responding to a command.
"What?!"
Zhao Wuji's Vigorous Vajra Bear spirit had no flying ability. Suspended in midair, he couldn't adjust his posture at all.
Given the sharpness of the Seven Kill Sword, this strike had a high chance of piercing right through his body.
He had played the eagle his whole life, yet in the end, the eagle got pecked in the eye.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul True Body!"
The image of the Vigorous Vajra Bear appeared midair, and all of Zhao Wuji's attributes underwent a qualitative leap.
The feather blades and the Seven Kill Sword struck the Martial Soul True Body, but failed to inflict any damage.
To force a Soul Saint into using their Martial Soul True Body while only being a Soul Elder—that alone was enough for Ning Tianchen to be proud.
However, that last move had completely drained his soul power.
Without the support of soul power, the sword wings instantly retracted into his body. Exhaustion overcame him, and he fell unconscious, plummeting from the sky.
Zhao Wuji looked on with admiration and said, "Good kid… You're the real monster."
He leapt up again, catching the falling Ning Tianchen midair, preventing him from suffering any further injury.