Douluo Continent: Naru Sacred Heart, Snow Shines Forever

In another corner of the rest area, Chen Jieqi leaned back in his chair, seemingly deep in thought.

He was reviewing the situation.

This was his habit; after every battle, win or lose, he would mentally review the entire fight.

Find loopholes, find flaws, find areas where you can do better.

"Tianheng".

He opened his eyes, his voice not loud, but everyone fell silent.

"Your decision is correct. By targeting one point and eliminating Tang San, the Shrek Academy system will collapse."

Yu Tianheng looked at him without interrupting.

"But you were held back by Tang San's maneuvering for too long."

Chen Jieqi's voice was calm, as if he were stating a fact, not making an accusation.

"What were Yu Feng and Oslo doing when you rushed over?"

Yu Feng and Oslo exchanged a glance.

"That fat guy is staring at me like crazy."

Yu Feng grinned,

"That fire line was like it had eyes; it burned wherever I went."

"Tang San's hidden weapons and Blue Silver Grass... I can't break through them."

Oslo leaned against the wall, his voice muffled.

Chen Jieqi nodded.

"Yes, but have you ever considered that if Tianheng were to hold Tang San back, you could abandon your individual objectives and concentrate your firepower on him together?"

Yu Feng was stunned for a moment.

"I... can't get through, that fat guy's line of fire..."

You are not alone.

Chen Jieqi interrupted him.

"Oslo will flank from the side, and you'll swoop down from high altitude. If the two of you attack simultaneously, can that fat guy's firepower block both of your directions at the same time?"

Yu Feng subconsciously looked at Oslo.

Oslo was silent for two seconds, then slowly shook his head.

"Even if he can stop one," Chen Jieqi continued.

"And what about the other person?"

No matter how fast Tang San's hidden weapons and Blue Silver Grass are, they can't possibly block two agility-based attacks at the same time, especially since Tian Heng is also holding him back from the front.

The rest area fell silent instantly.

"Tian Heng alone can hold Tang San back. If the two of you attack at the same time, Tang San won't be able to hold out for long."

Meanwhile, the Azure Vine from the Stone Mill and Tianxuan can completely restrain Xiaowu and Zhu Zhuqing, enough to hold them off until Tang San collapses.

Chen Jieqi's gaze swept over the three of them.

"With Tang San down, Shrek Academy's array core is gone. No matter how strong Dai Mubai is, he can only barely handle Shi Mo, not to mention Tian Heng."

No matter how fierce Ma Hongjun's fire is, it can't stop the two of you agile attackers from striking at the same time. Shrek's two supports are just sitting ducks.

He paused.

"Your tactics are correct, but in execution, you only 'spot the problem' and didn't 'cover the entire area'."

His tone softened a bit.

"Of course, this is a retrospective analysis. In a real fight, no one can guarantee that it will be effective."

But at least, next time you encounter a similar opponent, you'll have one more option.

Yu Tianheng remained silent for a long time.

His right hand clenched unconsciously, a habitual action, an instinctive reaction whenever someone pointed out a problem with him.

But this time, he slowly loosened his fingers.

"It's my fault for not coordinating things properly."

He said.

"This isn't just your problem."

Chen Jieqi said,

"None of the three of you thought of that. You're all used to each playing your own game and forgot that you could team up to attack one point."

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

"Remember next time, the other side has a key point in the formation, and so do you."

The rest area was quiet for a few seconds.

Yu Feng opened his mouth, "Captain Chen, why didn't you say so earlier?"

"You were all 'almost dead' just now, what's the point of saying all this?"

Yu Feng shut up.

Graphite said in a low voice, "Captain Chen is right. If Yu Feng and Oslo press forward together, Tang San won't be able to hold out for long."

Yu Tianheng nodded without speaking, but his eyes changed; they were no longer filled with dejection, but with seriousness.

At the same time, the look in their eyes when they looked at Chen Jieqi became even more convincing.

Oslo leaned against the wall, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"I'll remember that next time."

Chen Jieqi didn't say anything more. He closed his eyes and gently tapped the armrest.

In his mind, Tang San's eight spider spears, his bloodshot eyes when he went berserk, and the moment of clarity when he finally stopped all played over and over again.

Xiao Wu was more important to Tang San than he had imagined. He went berserk for her sake, even revealing his external soul bone.

But what concerned Chen Jieqi even more was that Tang San was able to rein himself in when he was on the verge of going berserk.

That wasn't willpower; it was fear. Was he afraid the secret of the Eight Spider Lances would be exposed? Or something else?

A slight smile appeared on Chen Jieqi's lips.

"This Tang San... is more ruthless than I imagined. He can hide his true intentions and endure even more."

He opened his eyes and looked out the window at the arena. The lights were mostly dimmed, and the audience was leaving one after another, but the crimson crystal in the center of the arena was still radiating warmth.

After tonight, Huang Dou will become a Golden Fighting Soul, but there is one name that will keep everyone awake at night.

Chen Jieqi closed his eyes and gently tapped the armrest. Next time, it wouldn't be so easy.

.......

The other door was flung open, and seven people stumbled in.

There was no cheering, no celebration; they lost.

Ma Hongjun was being carried on Dai Mubai's back and was still asleep, while Zhu Zhuqing leaned against Xiao Wu with her eyes closed.

Oscar lay on the ground, blood still seeping from the wound on his shoulder. Ning Rongrong squatted beside him, searching for bandages, her fingers trembling so much she couldn't tear them open.

Xiao Wu sat down, supporting her lower back, her face as white as paper, but she immediately looked at Tang San.

Tang San stood at the door.

The clothes on his back were torn by the eight spider spears, there were charred claw marks on his shoulders, his ribs were covered in bruises, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth.

But his gaze wasn't on me.

He was looking at Xiao Wu, not because he was afraid of losing, but because he was afraid something would happen to her.

Flanders pushed open the door and came in.

He glanced at Tang San, whose external soul bone had been seen by 20,000 pairs of eyes.

His brows were furrowed deeply.

Of course he knew who Tang San's father was; that man had just dumped his son on him and left.

He promised not to tell Tang San.

But did that man know that his son possessed an external soul bone?

He opened his mouth, but in the end he just patted Dai Mubai on the shoulder.

"Treat the injury first."

Then he walked out, and as the curtain fell, Tang San saw that his back looked very heavy.

Flanders had just left when Zhao Wuji came in.

His gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Tang San.

"That was a fucking awful fight."

No one spoke.

Zhao Wuji walked over to Ma Hongjun, checked his pulse, and then went to check Zhu Zhuqing's complexion.

Finally, he stopped in front of Oscar, looking at the wound that was still bleeding.

He rummaged through the medicine powder while cursing under his breath.

"That ghost leopard Oslo, he really went all out."

Oscar hissed as the powder was sprinkled on.

"Bear with it."

Zhao Wuji then took out a few more bottles of medicine and tossed them to Dai Mubai and Xiao Wu.

"Apply them medicine."

He stood up and looked at Tang San.

"External soul bones, do you know how conspicuous these things are?"

Tang San nodded.

"From today onward, countless eyes will be watching you—some curious, some greedy, some wanting to destroy. Are you ready?"

"It's done."

Zhao Wuji stared at him for three seconds, then suddenly smiled.

It wasn't a happy smile, but a complex one, tinged with bitterness and pride.

"Okay. Then don't die."

He turned and walked out, just in time to run into Yu Xiaogang who was standing outside.

Zhao Wuji lowered his voice, "Does that kid...does his father know?"

Yu Xiaogang shook his head.

Should we tell him?

"It's not the right time yet."

Zhao Wuji didn't say anything more and strode away.

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and lifted the curtain.

The rest area quieted down.

Xiao Wu was bandaging Oscar when Dai Mubai walked over to Zhu Zhuqing with a medicine bottle. Ning Rongrong finally tore off the bandage, but didn't know where to start wrapping it.

"Stop the bleeding first..." Oscar said, lying on the ground.

"I know!" Ning Rongrong's voice was trembling with tears.

Tang San sat down, the bruises on his ribs slowing his movements slightly.

He closed his eyes, his mind filled with images: the sound of the eight spider spears piercing the tortoise shell, the spider spears stopping an inch in front of Yu Tianheng's throat, the blood at the corner of Xiao Wu's mouth, and twenty thousand pairs of eyes.

He suddenly opened his eyes.

The devouring ability of the Eight Spider Lances must never be known to anyone.

He looked at Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu looked up at him and smiled, "Third Brother, it's alright."

Tang San lowered his head and looked at his hands, the hands that had almost pierced someone's chest today.

Next time, we can't do that again.

The curtain was lifted again.

Yu Xiaogang stood at the door, looking only at Tang San, not at anyone else.

He walked up to Tang San, squatted down, and gently pressed the claw mark on his shoulder.

"teacher--"

"Don't speak."

He lifted his shirt to look at the charred wound; his fingers hovered over it, trembling slightly.

Then look at the bruises on his ribs, the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth, and the clothes that were torn on his back.

He looked at it very carefully, as if he were examining something fragile.

"Does it hurt?"

Tang San shook his head.

Yu Xiaogang stared at him for three seconds, then whispered, "Liar."

He stood up, took out two pills, and put them into Tang San's hand. "Eat them."

Tang San swallowed it.

Yu Xiaogang lowered his voice, so that only two people could hear him.

"Did you use that today?"

Tang San's body stiffened for a moment.

"No. Almost... but I stopped myself."

Yu Xiaogang's brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed.

"It's good that you've stopped."

His voice was soft, but Tang San could hear the lingering fear in it.

"The external soul bone has been exposed, which is already a huge problem, but that ability... is ten thousand times more dangerous than the external soul bone."

You stopped yourself, that's fortunate, but what about next time?

"I'll control myself."

Yu Xiaogang looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

"I trust you."

He reached out and patted Tang San on the back of the head very gently.

But remember, some things must never be seen by anyone. Once they are known, no one can protect you.

Tang San raised his head. "I've got it."

Yu Xiaogang didn't say anything more.

He stood up, his gaze finally sweeping over the others: Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun.

He didn't speak, but there was an indescribable emotion in his eyes.

Then he turned and walked out.

The rest area was quiet for a long time.

Dai Mubai spoke, his voice a little hoarse, "Master... you only looked at the mistress?"

No one answered.

Xiao Wu lowered her head and continued bandaging.

Oscar lay on the ground and said calmly, "The master... has always been like this."

Dai Mubai paused for a moment, then nodded.

Tang San sat there, still clutching the porcelain bottle in his hand. He took a deep breath, stood up, and walked to Xiao Wu's side.

"I'll do it."

He took the bandage with steady movements, as if he had done it ten thousand times.

Xiao Wu looked at him, her eyes reddening, "Third Brother..."

"It's fine."

Tang San's voice was calm, "It will be alright."

The night is deep.

The gates of Shrek Academy were wide open in a dilapidated state, and seven people limped in.

Tang San walked at the back, glanced back, and saw the lights of Soto City flickering, and the dome of the Soul Arena was no longer visible.

He knew that from tonight onward, many people would remember his name, not because of his victory, but because of the Eight Spider Lances.

But at least, they don't know the true secret of the Eight Spider Lances.

He turned back and quickened his pace.

Xiao Wu was waiting for him ahead.

Flanders stood in the shadows, watching them come in.

Zhao Wuji leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.

Yu Xiaogang stood further away, his back to everyone.

Flanders walked over and lowered his voice.

"Should we tell his father?"

Yu Xiaogang remained silent for a long time before saying, "I will try to contact him."

Zhao Wuji snorted.

"That bastard, he just abandoned his son and left him there."

Flanders glanced at him: "Keep your voice down."

Zhao Wuji shut up.

Yu Xiaogang turned around and watched the seven people walk into the dormitory.

Tang San walked at the back, his steps were steady, but he was forcing himself to stay upright.

Mistress, you must control yourself. Once some things are exposed, no one can save you.