Chapter Forty-Nine: Who Can You Kill?

A fist struck the side of the gun’s tip with unerring precision.

Everyone saw a flash of silver light, dazzling as lightning, as a figure suddenly appeared before Liang Qiu.

Tang Tian!

A tremendous force surged down the gun’s shaft. Soul Hunter’s body drifted backward, dissolving the force. The Soul General’s gray, glass-like eyes fixed on Tang Tian.

That blinding punch tore through everyone’s field of vision, leaving a faint trace on their retinas.

It was actually Tang Tian!

Had he already become this powerful?

Many gazes brimmed with shock and disbelief. They had seen Tang Tian use the Flash Fist before, but never with such brilliance. What terrifying speed!

“Basic Tang! Be careful—!” Amory cried out urgently.

Tang Tian’s face was cold and severe. He calmly retrieved a pair of black iron gauntlets from the Aquarius Armory and slipped them on.

“Zhou Peng, who are you going to kill? Who could you possibly kill?”

His voice was icy, full of contempt and ridicule, high and aloof—like a slap across Zhou Peng’s face. Zhou Peng felt his face burn, a rush of blood pounding to his head.

“Soul Hunter Spear, kill him!” Zhou Peng’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse with rage. “Kill him for me!”

The Silver Soul General’s body gave a visible shudder, then vanished, only to reappear before Tang Tian in the next instant. A spear shadow, trailing afterimages, expanded rapidly before Tang Tian’s eyes.

Clang!

The black iron gauntlet blocked the spear’s tip without yielding an inch.

“Who can you kill?” Tang Tian’s mocking voice sounded again, cold as ice.

With the second Crane Form’s enhancement, his true power could go no further due to the Wall of Perfection, but traces of it flowed along his meridians, spreading throughout his body; every aspect of his abilities was greatly improved.

Never before had Tang Tian wanted so much to kill someone—the murderous intent within him surged like an unstoppable tide. Yet for some reason, he felt an extraordinary, icy calm.

The Silver Soul General was repeatedly thwarted, his battle intent blazing, a silver glint flickering in his gray, glass-like eyes.

The spear’s tip quivered lightly—buzz!—a sudden explosive sound as three spear shadows shot out like venomous dragons from their lair, lunging at Tang Tian.

Tang Tian remained motionless, transforming his fist into a palm—Shadow Fragment Palm!

Black palm shadows exploded, splitting into dozens of irregular fragments, like dappled sunlight through the leaves, alternating light and shade, giving an inescapable sense of inevitability.

Clang, clang, clang!

Three impacts sounded almost simultaneously, merging into a single sound in everyone’s ears.

“Tell me, who can you kill?” Tang Tian’s frigid mockery was drawn out, each word clear as a bell. Zhou Peng’s face turned so red it seemed it might bleed; his nails dug into his palms, but he dared not move.

The third-level Shadow Fragment Palm in Tang Tian’s hands had become extremely deadly. Originally used to confuse opponents, with the power of Crane Form, each fragment became a razor-sharp blade. The piercing whistle of the strikes sent chills through every onlooker.

For the Silver Soul General at the heart of the battle, the pressure was even more overwhelming.

Yet Yang Yun, who had been named a master two centuries ago, wielded the spear with unmatched mastery—even this Soul General card, created in his youth, showed the nascent signs of his future genius.

With a clear shout, the Silver Soul General swung his right hand, gripping the butt of the spear as if wielding a staff, sweeping the spear into a perfect circle.

A gasp! An astonishing vortex of air instantly formed before Tang Tian, sucking away all the palm shadows like knives.

A cold glint flashed in Tang Tian’s eyes. He crouched low, body coiled, and pounced.

His right fist, drawn to his waist, trembled almost imperceptibly before shooting forth!

Small Collapse Fist!

Bang!

The vortex shattered into pieces. A fierce light flashed in the Silver Soul General’s eyes; he drew back the spear’s tip minutely, then thrust forward with explosive force!

Boom!

A muffled thunderclap shook the ground, and an invisible shockwave burst outward from between Tang Tian and the Silver Soul General.

The Soul General’s fourth-tier true power was terrifyingly dense; amplified by his spear technique, it was utterly unstoppable, easily shattering Tang Tian’s first Crane Form.

Tang Tian was unsurprised—his killing move had long been set. He let down all his defenses, allowing the force to rush unimpeded along the dantian’s staircase, surging toward the second Crane Form!

The fierce fourth-tier power crashed into the second Crane Form like a clay ox into the sea—vanishing without a trace.

Opportunity!

Instead of retreating, Tang Tian surged forward. His left hand arched into an eagle’s claw, seizing the spear’s shaft.

This move caught the Silver Soul General completely off guard. Although Tang Tian’s true power was only third-tier, fueled by the Crane Form’s energy, it far surpassed ordinary third-tier power. The force of the Small Collapse Fist had been direct and unadorned, and the Soul General was still dissipating it—he never expected Tang Tian to charge in as if nothing had happened.

The spectators were dumbfounded. This—this—this… made no sense!

Such an all-out collision, unless one side was vastly superior, meant both would endure equal shock. Typically, both parties would need a brief respite.

But Tang Tian ignored this iron law entirely!

What kind of monster was this man?

Everyone stared at Tang Tian, utterly speechless.

The Five-Finger Iron Claw—third-level martial skill, famous for locking down weapons with finger strength.

While Tang Tian’s other martial skills lagged behind Small Collapse Fist, each one had been practiced over a hundred thousand times. Anywhere else, such training would be considered true mastery.

His five fingers locked firmly onto the spear.

The Silver Soul General realized the danger and exerted all his strength, spinning the spear at high speed.

But with Crane Form’s energy sharp as a blade, Tang Tian’s five fingers became five steel talons gripping the spear. As the shaft spun, sparks erupted, dazzling and bright between his fingers.

Yet these sparks posed no threat to the black iron gauntlets; only the force transmitted down the shaft nearly pried his fingers loose.

But Tang Tian’s aim was never the spear itself. His five fingers relaxed, turning the grip into a loose hold, and with a ghostly movement, he darted into the Silver Soul General’s embrace.

The Soul General shook his arms, trying to force Tang Tian away, but after the baptism by Wang Zhen, such force meant little to Tang Tian. He used it, snaking his right arm at an odd angle to hook the General’s elbow from within.

The Silver Soul General sensed disaster—panic flickered in his eyes.

His anticipation was sharp, but Tang Tian, moving at unimaginable speed, used the elbow as a pivot, lightning-quick, to wrap up the General’s other wrist.

The Soul General grew even more desperate, struggling with all his might to shake Tang Tian off.

Yet Tang Tian was calm, the two powers locked in a stalemate. Using the strength transmitted through the opponent’s arm, Tang Tian’s body swung out, limber as a noodle. At a bizarre angle, one leg clamped down across the General’s shoulder.

A fierce shout!

Tang Tian exploded with force.

Crack, crack, crack!

Terrifying sounds echoed—the Silver Soul General dissolved into a beam of light and vanished.

Tang Tian landed steadily. He looked coldly at Zhou Peng and spat out, slowly and clearly, “Who can you kill?”

Every drop of blood drained from Zhou Peng’s face. He turned as pale as parchment; all his anger and murderous intent evaporated, drowned by a tide of terror that flooded every corner of his heart.

He stood there, ashen, hollow-eyed—a puppet whose soul had fled.

Impossible… impossible… That was the Soul Hunter Spear… Master Yang Yun’s Soul Hunter Spear…

The entire arena was dead silent. All were stunned by Tang Tian’s overwhelming strength. No one had ever imagined that Tang Tian would reach such heights! Had he been concealing his power all along…?

Amory’s eyes were wide as saucers. The battle that had just unfolded seemed almost beyond belief—Basic Tang… had you really grown so strong…?

Shen Yuan gazed blankly at Tang Tian in the arena, suddenly recalling that day in the stands.

“Brother Yuan, your Soul General card is really great! Incredibly useful!”

“I’ve practiced them all—five martial skills, wow, they’re amazing!”

You… you really mastered all of them…

Han Bingning’s expression froze. The fierce, unrivaled, domineering Tang Tian before her utterly overturned the image she had of that scatterbrained youth who used to shout “maiden” at random moments. She suddenly remembered his oft-repeated, laughable phrase—“A boy like a god!”

It was no longer funny in the slightest.

And this time, Tang Tian hadn’t fallen into madness…

Why… had he suddenly become so strong…?

Han Bingning was even a little dazed. Was the Tang Tian before her the same as the one she knew?

Something must have happened to him.

As this realization dawned, Tang Tian was already striding slowly toward Zhou Peng.

“Who can you kill?” His voice was cold as death, the murderous intent chilling the entire hall. All who had been dazed snapped back to themselves with a jolt.

Zhou Peng’s face was as gray as ashes. With the Silver Soul General utterly destroyed before his eyes, he lost even the last shred of confidence and courage.

If even the Soul Hunter Spear couldn’t defeat him…

“Tang Tian, if you so much as harm a hair on the young master’s head, the Zhou family will never let you go!” shouted one of Zhou’s experts, his bravado hollow.

Another Zhou family expert stammered, “Tang Tian, we were in the wrong. If you’ll just let us go—”

Tang Tian’s figure vanished.

Crack!

A barely audible snap—a bone breaking. Zhou Peng clutched his throat, the last light fading from his lifeless eyes as he crumpled to the ground.

“Tang Tian…” The Zhou family guard’s furious roar was abruptly cut off; a severed hand burst through his chest.

Liang Qiu, unconcerned, withdrew her hand. Spotless, she said coolly, “A family like Zhou’s has no place in Starwind City.”

No one knew when Sima Xiangshan had appeared behind another Zhou family guard. The guard collapsed in a pool of blood, while Sima Xiangshan smiled innocently, “I completely agree.”

Han Bingning sheathed her sword. At her feet, the Zhou family guard’s life had ended. She said firmly, “On behalf of the Han family and Northern Yan, I support destroying the Zhou family.”

The Zhou family had always been arrogant, and Zhou Peng’s actions had clearly incited universal anger. Though the various families often vied with one another, true bloodshed was rare. Zhou Peng’s unrestrained behavior naturally provoked resentment.

More importantly, they feared the Zhou family’s actions would once again enrage Tang Tian.

The Tang Tian before them radiated a sense of the utmost danger.

So, they decided to do a good deed and settle things thoroughly for him. The three strongest students reached a tacit agreement in an instant.

They all put on a face that said, “Everything’s settled now,” as they looked at Tang Tian.

“Hey, hey, don’t steal my spoils!” Tang Tian glared at them, as if ready to turn on anyone who dared touch his prize.

The three of them were petrified.

Liang Qiu thought silently: For someone as dignified as me…

Sima Xiangshan thought: Just keep pretending. If you stop pretending, Little Bai will die of shock…

Han Bingning thought: As expected, he’s back to his old self…