Douluo Continent: The Eternal Order of the Azure Sky.

"Can you withstand this shot?"

Xiao Hongchen clenched his golden left hand until it cracked, his face drained of all color. His self-deceiving illusion had shattered completely.

He knew he had lost again.

One hundred meters—the arena is only one hundred meters away, and it will be over in an instant. The power of a level seven soul tool is enough to destroy oneself in an instant.

Chapter 57 Dark Moon Douluo, Shadow-Breaking Flowing Fire

"Smack—" Xu Guoyi slammed his hand on the armrest. "Nonsense!"

He wasn't referring to Kong Tianxu, but rather criticizing Xiao Hongchen for being unaware of the bigger picture. With Xiao Hongchen's knowledge, it was impossible for him not to see the epoch-making significance of Kong Tianxu's soul-guided spear.

In terms of the most fundamental aspect of a Soul Master's ability to innovate, he was already completely defeated, but he still made such a move out of pointless pride.

Xu Guoyi's original plan was to wait until the people on the field calmed down a bit, then lead the group of level nine soul masters to appear, announce the end of the competition, and then use a banquet as an excuse to further contact Kong Tianxu.

He certainly wanted the design principles of the Soul Guidance Gun in Kong Tianxu's possession, but such things couldn't be rushed. Not to mention that the matching sealed baby bottle technology hadn't been fully developed yet, this was not a suitable occasion to discuss a deal.

Yes, it was a transaction. Even though he was the most powerful man in the country, he could only obtain this technology from Kong Tianxu through a trade-off of benefits.

Even disregarding Kong Deming's terrifying influence, the act of seizing others' research results by trickery and force is enough to arouse the indignation of a group of high-level soul masters.

This is just a prelude. The real deal will be settled during the banquet, amidst toasts and drinks. That's where the Sun and Moon Nobles excel, and they'll be willing to pay any price for this technology.

But now, Xiao Hongchen's words have rendered the Soul Guidance Gun useless—long before Kong Tianxu crumbled it into scrap metal, the level nine Soul Guidance Masters had already noticed that the core array inside had melted due to the instantaneous overload.

This was after the Golden Scale Saint's Sigh was enhanced with the sturdiness attribute; otherwise, that level seven attack would probably have exploded before the Soul Guidance Gun was even released.

Just as the sweat that had just subsided on Jing Hongchen's forehead began to reappear due to Xu Guoyi's rebuke, a powerful voice rang out, breaking the unspoken silence on the field—

"After all these years, Mingdetang is still the same old place that explodes at the drop of a hat. Hey, Tianxu? What new gadget are you up to now?"

The gates of the Soul Guidance Trial Grounds suddenly opened, and a figure gradually became clear amidst the dissipating white smoke.

The newcomer was extremely tall and handsome, with a straight nose, square mouth, and a resolute face as if carved from stone. His short, graying hair bore a striking resemblance to Kong Deming, only much thinner. His pale yellow robe made him appear like a weathered old bamboo stalk.

"Looks like everyone's here." Kong Deming smiled without saying a word.

Upon seeing the old man's face clearly, Liao Mengkai's previously stiff expression softened noticeably, and the other soul masters looked surprised. Kong Tianxu waved his hand.

"Hello, Grandpa."

This old man is named Kong Tangyu. As Kong Deming's cousin, not many people present knew his real name. His identity as the Mingyu Sect Master was more well-known, but only within the city of Mingdu.

What truly made him a household name in the world of Sun Moon Soul Masters was another title he held:

Dark Moon Douluo, the number one close-combat soul master of the Sun and Moon Sect.

Decades ago, during a small war with the Star Luo Empire, Kong Tangyu, who had just broken through to level 90, forcefully killed the White Tiger Duke, who was being protected by several Title Douluos, by relying on the terrifying burst of power from his level 9 melee soul tool. He then managed to escape unscathed and became famous in one battle.

In the world of Soul Masters, there are quite a few level-nine Soul Tools, but among melee Soul Tools, there are only three that can reach level nine.

Dark Moon Blade, Crescent Moon Armor, Demon God Blade.

The first two items were both made by Kong Tangyu, and the owner of the last one was none other than Liao Mengkai, the leader of the Terrorclaw Soul Master Corps sitting in the viewing room—the Demon Blade Douluo. But few people know that Liao Mengkai not only studied under Kong Tangyu, but his Demon God Blade, which made him famous, was also successfully made with Kong Tangyu's help.

When Kong Tianxu first learned of this, he was quite surprised. He was well aware of the formidable strength of the wielder of the Demon God Blade.

In the original novel, Liao Mengkai was the first person to injure Huo Yuhao in a one-on-one battle after Huo Yuhao achieved the Yin-Yang complementary dual soul core, something even the top-tier level 98 Super Douluo Zhongli Wu couldn't do.

If you were to ask Liao Mengkai who is stronger between him and Kong Tangyu, even though he has now broken through to level 93, he wouldn't dare say he has any confidence in defeating his teacher who has been stuck at level 91 for nearly a hundred years.

"Tianxu, what happened to your personality after you came to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy? You've started using fixed-installation soul tools."

"Kong Tangyu said jokingly. With a slight movement of his soul power, the bullet that had fallen at his feet and was deformed beyond recognition slowly floated up and gradually returned to its previous shape.

"Teacher, we have important business to attend to."

Kong Tianxu glanced sideways, and Cain's voice came from behind Kong Tangyu, who was holding a golden thread in her hand. At the other end of the thread, a figure wrapped up like a dumpling was being dragged along.

Cain was Kong Tangyu's last disciple. In fact, since Kong Deming was busy with soul tool research most of the time, Kong Tianxu spent a considerable amount of time with Cain, receiving personal instruction from his great-uncle.

However, Kong Tianxu had no time to pay attention to Kong Tangyu's joke. His gaze was fixed on the black-clad figure bound by silk threads.

He had just kicked that face not long ago.

"Tianxu, do you know him?" Cain noticed Kong Tianxu's gaze, lifted the silk thread in his hand, and said, "I found him at the entrance of the trial grounds."

"Let's go back to Class One." Kong Tianxu's gaze turned slightly cold. He didn't even glance at Xu Yunhuang, who was writhing on the ground like a maggot, and strode towards the elevator.

Some people are just too audacious.

“I’ll go with you.” Cain followed quickly without hesitation. She didn’t even ask about the result of the match—she didn’t even need to look at Xiao Hongchen, who was slumped on the ground, looking utterly dejected. She never doubted who the victory would belong to.

Watching the two figures gradually disappear, Kong Tangyu rubbed his reddened nose.

"How long can we keep going like this?"

"Your great-uncle has come to see you off."

Before he finished speaking, his figure blurred, leaving a trail of ghostly afterimages. He grabbed Kong Tianxu and Cain by the arms, and leaped up like a roc, disappearing from the scene in an instant.

"Hehe, still so impatient." Kong Deming turned to Xu Guoyi, whose expression was uncertain, and asked with a smile, "What, does His Majesty know the hidden story?"

"That's the martial spirit of the naive and personal nanny, the Golden Thread Binding."

Xu Guoyi slowly stood up, the anger in his voice sounding as chilling as a knife to Jing Hongchen.

"Let's go, my beloved ministers. I want to see who dares to touch my daughter in my Sun Moon Royal Academy."

He slammed the scepter in his hand heavily onto the ground.

Xu Tianran lowered his eyes and eyebrows.

all the best.

……

"That's enough!"

Behind Su Muzhe, the inky shadow expanded wildly, blocking all the attacks released by the students. At the same time, one of his hands transformed from a fist into a claw, carrying a highly corrosive dark aura, and rushed straight at Xu Tianzhen's face!

Having been repeatedly tricked, he was now truly enraged. Although he hadn't yet used his strongest soul tool, he was no longer suppressing his soul power level.

The chilling darkness drew near, and Xu Tianzhen's face turned ashen. Her first spirit ring flickered slightly, but ultimately failed to light up.

After maneuvering for so long, she no longer had the soul power to use Sun Reflection again, and her opponent's other hand was already poised to strike, clearly ready to attack the location where she might move.

Will it hurt a lot?

She closed her eyes in fear and gripped the storage soul tool on her wrist tightly.

Why aren't they here yet?

On the roof of the teaching building not far away, an old woman in coarse gray clothes pulled out thousands of golden threads.

The school bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class.

Ji Juechen suddenly opened his eyes—

"roll!"

A furious roar exploded like thunder, and at the same time, a crimson meteor tore through the sky, carrying a piercing shriek, and crashed down!

Chapter 58 One Punch, A Kingly Victory

The solidified shadow of the night was instantly pierced by the meteor, followed by the shadowy claw that was right in front of Xu Tianzhen.

The fiery meteor roared, its speed undiminished, and as it spun rapidly, it slammed Su Muzhe, who was unable to dodge in time, into a wall of the teaching building.

A loud, muffled thud shook the entire school building. Students and teachers who had just finished class all craned their necks to find the source of the loud noise.

Some of the younger students had even rushed out of their classrooms and started to gather around Class 1.

"Sorry I'm late."

Kong Tianxu lightly touched the ground, and with a few flashes, he gracefully descended from the sky and stopped in front of Xu Tianzhen.

His voice was very gentle, a stark contrast to his angry shout just moments before. His words carried a soothing softness, like the gentle breeze ruffling hair and brushing against the neck, leaving one with a pleasant, ticklish feeling.

That scoundrel, he even knows he's late, and dumps all this mess on me, humph!

Xu Tianzhen pursed her lips, wanting to say something defiant, but she couldn't open her mouth. Her nose tingled, and she gently rested her head on Kong Tianxu's chest.

"Tianzhen, are you alright?" Kong Tianxu was startled by her reaction. Could it be that the people from Mingdetang really injured her? But at first glance, she didn't seem to have any injuries.

He placed his hand on the other's wrist very naturally, and his pure and gentle soul power slowly flowed into Xu Tianzhen's body. After confirming that the other was not injured, but that his soul power was somewhat depleted, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's alright, she's just exhausted her soul power. Leave the rest to me." He said softly, stroking her soft hair with his palm.

"Mmm~" Xu Tianzhen gently snuggled against him. That feeling of her heart racing was back.

But this time, it seems... not so bad?

Cain spread her dark golden bat wings and landed to the side, looking at the scene with a calm expression. She had expected this long ago. As long as she could stay by Kong Tianxu's side, she didn't care much about her position.

"Old Ji, what's wrong with you?" Jing Ziyan looked at Ji Juechen beside her, whose sharp sword intent was almost emanating from his body. She had never seen such a sharp and eager feeling before.

"This person is very strong."

Ji Juechen remained as taciturn as ever, but the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter. He stepped forward, intending to challenge Kong Tianxu to a duel.

"It's finally here!"

With a clang, Su Muzhe forcefully pulled his body out of the wall. His sixth spirit ring had already lit up, and a thick layer of shadow armor completely enveloped his body.

Just in his chest, a dark shadow materialized into two hands, pushing out the foreign object embedded in his armor. The charred, pitted iron ball rolled off his feet.

A single iron ball actually triggered Su Muzhe's sixth soul skill... Jing Ziyan's pupils contracted; she now fully understood why Ji Juechen was so alarmed.

Unlike Su Muzhe, who was focused on the battle, they clearly saw Kong Tianxu's movements. They initially thought it was a soul skill, but it turned out to be just an ordinary iron ball. It was as if he had used brute force to throw a cannonball. Was this first-year student even human?

Kong Tianxu ignored him and said to Xu Tianzhen, "You rest for a bit, I'll go and take care of him."

"Mmm." She nodded obediently, moved away from Kong Tianxu's embrace, and when she raised her face again, her rosy cheeks were exceptionally cute.

She raised her little fist, "I'll flatten them all!"

"Of course," Kong Tianxu said with a smile, then turned to look at Su Muzhe, who was walking slowly towards him, his eyes no longer showing any smile.

The moment their eyes met, they moved almost simultaneously. Su Muzhe, whose martial spirit seemed to lean more towards elemental abilities, actually charged forward just like Kong Tianxu. The distance between them rapidly closed.

As he charged forward, Su Muzhe spread his hands to his sides, each yielding an identical longsword. Each sword was about four feet long, with a thick hilt and an extremely thin blade.