Chapter 30: One-on-One Against Flender! Full Firepower!

Flender spoke seriously, "The graduation requirement for Shrek Academy is reaching Level 40 in spirit power."

"You've already reached Level 40. I can lead the team later to help you hunt for a spirit ring."

"What are your plans after that?"

Tang Lan had already thought this through and answered fluently.

"My age is a factor, so nothing else seems appropriate right now."

"I also can't stop worrying about Xiao San and Xiao Wu, so I'd rather stay at Shrek."

"As for my training routine…"

"Apart from team training, I hope you, Headmaster, can allow me to arrange the rest of my time freely."

Flender smiled.

He flicked a wooden stick, pinning it into a tree trunk.

"If you want special treatment from me, you'll have to prove yourself with strength."

However, Tang Lan wasn't in a hurry to make a move.

He pretended to be troubled and said, "Yesterday, I only won because Teacher Zhao underestimated me, plus I had teamwork on my side."

"Headmaster Flender, your level is even higher than Teacher Zhao's, right?"

"How am I supposed to fight you?"

"How about you give me a little handicap?"

Flender's expression remained unchanged—he wasn't persuaded.

"An enemy won't give you a chance."

"If you want privileges, prove yourself with strength."

With that,

He directly summoned his Martial Soul—Owl Cat—while keeping both hands behind his back.

Tang Lan raised an eyebrow!

Last night...

Tang Hao had taken this exact stance when facing both Flender and Zhao Wuji together.

Was this some kind of "Father's debt, son repays" situation?

Alright, alright, alright!

So this is how we're playing, huh?

Tang Lan raised his right hand, summoning the Thunderflame Clear Sky Hammer, which flashed with electricity as it expanded to half his height before landing solidly in his grip.

At the same time, his Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor materialized behind him, ready for action.

"Third Spirit Ability—Life Burial!"

Unlike regular Blue Silver Grass, Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor didn't need to spread outward. It erupted directly from beneath Flender's feet, engulfing and entangling him completely!

Layer upon layer, forming a ten-meter-wide ball of grass.

Inside, waves of spirit power fluctuations burst forth but couldn't keep up with the rapid growth of the Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor.

This!

This was the true terror of Life Burial—no charging required, unavoidable lock-on, and endless expansion!

Tang Lan's internal power was already ten times that of others at his level, and with his spirit power replenishing at an absurd rate, he could sustain this technique indefinitely.

Moreover, the Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor could absorb the enemy's energy, reducing the cost of the spirit ability.

In an instant—

Tang Lan actually trapped Flender inside!

And he wasn't idle either.

Gripping the Thunderflame Clear Sky Hammer, he continuously infused it with immense internal power, his momentum surging higher and higher.

Dai Mubai and the others, who happened to be passing by, froze in place.

Why did this seem…

Even more intense than yesterday?!

Hidden in the shadows, Zhao Wuji was shocked speechless!

This kid... was holding back yesterday?!

Finally,

Flender realized he couldn't afford to drag this out. He had to activate his spirit ability—

"Fourth Spirit Ability—Eagle Claw Slash!"

Three sharp energy blades tore through the thick layers of entanglement, slashing toward Tang Lan.

In response,

Tang Lan didn't even bother dodging. He simply clenched his left hand tightly—

"Explode!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!—

All the Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor vines self-detonated simultaneously!

A powerful shockwave spread out, flattening a ring of wooden houses nearby.

Even Zhu Zhuqing and the others, who were standing further away, had their eyes stung by flying debris, forcing them to raise their hands and use spirit power to disperse the dust.

At the center of the explosion—

Flender stood unharmed, enveloped in a golden armor of light.

However...

"That's Master's sixth spirit ability—Golden Owl Cat!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed. "Brother Lan actually forced him to this point?!"

Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief!

A Spirit Saint (Rank 70+) had been forced to use a sixth spirit ability against a mere Spirit Ancestor (Rank 40+)?!

What kind of novel plot was this?!

Ning Rongrong was skeptical. "That explosion looked strong, but was it really necessary to use the sixth spirit ability?"

"You don't get it!" Xiao Wu retorted. "Brother's second spirit ability, Blue Silver Emperor Detonation, comes with barbed projectiles! Once embedded in the target, they continuously drain spirit power, mental energy, and even life force!"

Ning Rongrong was stunned into silence!

Did you just hear what she said?!

Was this really something a second spirit ability should be capable of?!

"Headmaster, take my hammer!"

Tang Lan's thunderous roar drew everyone's attention.

The Thunderflame Clear Sky Hammer, charged for an extended period, was lifted high as Tang Lan leaped into the air—

Aimed directly at Flender, who was preparing to take flight, and smashed down!

Flender was cunning, too.

Despite being Level 78 against Level 40, he still tried to retreat to dodge.

But Tang Lan suddenly raised his left hand and grabbed at the air!

"Get back here!"

"ROAR—"

A golden dragon spiraled around Flender, forcefully yanking him back down.

—Dragon Capture Technique!

Although Flender instantly shattered the restraint, he had already missed the opportunity to escape.

He had no choice but to activate his fourth spirit ability again, his hands slashing out ten fierce energy blades.

The two forces were about to collide head-on...

"Boom—"

"Boom—"

"Boom—"

Massive Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor vines erupted from the ground.

Tang Lan, charging fiercely, suddenly pivoted and retreated—

—But it was just a feint.

Utilizing Rippled Steps, he stepped on the Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor vines, shifting and maneuvering like a shadow.

Weaving through the air like threading a needle, he narrowly slipped through the ten razor-sharp energy blades.

Then, his hammer swung down toward Flender's shoulder!

Flender had no time to activate another spirit ability. He could only block with his eagle claws.

"Bang!"

A muffled impact rang out.

Tang Lan was sent flying!

But he spun mid-air, hooking around a thick Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor vine like a boomerang, rebounding with another hammer strike!

In the brief moment that had passed,

A massive cage of Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor vines had formed above them.

With their resilience and tenacity,

If Flender wanted to escape, he would have to take a direct hit from Tang Lan's hammer!

Normally, Flender might have risked it.

But!

That was the Clear Sky Hammer!

The number one tool martial soul in the world!

And it was mutated!

Tang Lan was using the Random Wind Hammer Technique, and he had Heavenly Strike, which he could switch to at any moment for an ultimate attack.

Even as a Spirit Saint (Rank 70+), Flender did not dare to take that hit head-on!

—He only had to look at what happened to Zhao Wuji yesterday!

Flender had no choice but to strike again with his eagle claws, sending Tang Lan flying once more.

But Tang Lan, using Rippled Steps, circled around another Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor vine—bringing down a third hammer strike!

The time gap between each exchange was simply too short for Flender to break free.

He was forced to stay in place, taking hammer strike after hammer strike.

As the fight continued—

Flender realized something was off!

The Random Wind Hammer Technique getting stronger with each hit was expected.

But how were those Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor vines—which weren't even directly touching him—still draining his spirit power?!

Although the energy absorption was weaker than when the vines physically wrapped around him, and they didn't drain his mental or life force,

There were just too many of them!

They covered the entire battlefield, constantly siphoning his energy!

Moreover—

By all logic,

Tang Lan was only a Rank 40 Spirit Ancestor.

Going blow-for-blow with a Rank 78 Spirit Saint should have left him completely wrecked from the recoil alone!

Yet here they were, exchanging over twenty direct clashes, and Tang Lan was perfectly fine!

Something was wrong!

"Third Spirit Ability—Seek and Slay Weakness!"

Flender, utilizing the special vision of his Owl Cat martial soul, instantly spotted it—

Each time they clashed, a golden glow on Tang Lan's body absorbed most of the impact.

He didn't recognize the Indestructible Vajra Body,

But he knew it was trouble!

The remaining force from their collisions?

With Tang Lan's monstrous physique—capable of withstanding a ten-thousand-year spirit ring— it was barely a scratch.

If physical attacks wouldn't work—then let's see how he handles magic damage!

Suddenly—

(End of Chapter)

Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X