Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

Tang San froze for a moment, a flicker of irritation rising in his heart. It had already been nearly a week, and these people were still coming after him? Would it never end?

"That Tai Long is back again," Lin Jie said, glancing at Tang San.

Tang San looked at Lin Jie and briefly explained what had happened between him and Tai Long a few days prior. Although Lin Jie already knew about it, he couldn't help but chuckle again—what a ridiculous family.

At that moment, the student who'd brought the message added, "It's not just Tai Long's father this time. His grandfather's come too."

This family really didn't know when to quit.

Lin Jie said, "Let's go take a look. Xiao Wu, go inform the dean. Tai Long's grandfather is no ordinary man—if things escalate, we won't be able to handle it ourselves."

"Got it," Xiao Wu nodded and turned to leave.

"Let's go," Lin Jie said, and the group stood up and headed outside.

Under the curious gazes of many Shrek Academy students, Lin Jie, Tang San, and the others made their way to the school gates.

Standing at the gates were Tai Long and his father, Tai Nuo, flanking an elderly man. Although the man's hair was already graying, his burly figure and spiked, steel-like hair gave him a powerful presence. Just standing there, he exuded a commanding aura without saying a word.

From the way Tai Long and Tai Nuo stood beside him, and from their cautious expressions, it was obvious the old man held a dominant position in their family.

"Grandfather, it's already been a week! I'm begging you—can't we just let this go? If this keeps up, I won't be able to show my face around campus anymore…" Tai Long pleaded helplessly with the old man beside him.

That old man was none other than the patriarch of the Strength Clan, a pure strength-type Spirit Master—an eight-ring Spirit Douluo.

"Silence." Tai Tan gave a single cold command and shot his grandson a sharp look.

After Tai Long had been defeated by Tang San days earlier, his overly protective father, Tai Nuo, had stepped in—only to end up being poisoned and defeated by Tang San as well, thanks to Oscar's support. Furious, Tai Nuo reported the incident back to the family, prompting his father Tai Tan to personally come to Shrek Academy to settle the score.

Tai Tan had already planned to confront Tang San as soon as he returned, but the boy had conveniently gone on a trip with Flender. Today, word had finally reached Tai Tan that Tang San was back. Naturally, the old man wasn't going to miss the chance to "teach him a lesson."

Lin Jie and Tang San reached the gate just in time, surrounded by a crowd of students.

Both of them immediately noticed the extraordinary aura radiating from the gray-haired old man beside Tai Long.

Tai Tan's steely gaze swept over the crowd like a cold wind. His tone was calm but carried undeniable weight: "Which one of you is Tang San?"

Though his voice was low, the chilling gaze that accompanied it sent shivers down everyone's spines.

Lin Jie could see it plainly—this old man clearly thought Tang San had run off last time out of fear. Now that Tang San had returned, he wasn't going to miss his chance to settle accounts.

Tang San glanced at Lin Jie, then behind him, noticing that Xiao Wu hadn't yet returned with the dean. It looked like he'd have to face this himself. Steadying his breath, Tang San adjusted his Spirit Power to its optimal state, took two steps forward, and calmly said, "I'm Tang San."

"So it was you… the one who injured both my son and my grandson," Tai Tan said coldly.

Tang San cursed inwardly. It had been a week, and they were still dragging this out? But he could also tell that this elder's strength was on an entirely different level—definitely not someone he could handle. There was no point in trying to explain.

"Very good." Tai Tan's eyes gleamed with light as he spoke. A powerful aura burst forth from his body, radiating out in all directions.

Even Lin Jie was forced to take two steps back from the pressure. Tai Long and Tai Nuo, standing beside Tai Tan, were pushed back five or six steps before they could steady themselves. The Shrek students behind Lin Jie and even Tang San had to retreat a few steps as well.

Tang San's expression grew more solemn with each passing second. The sheer weight of this aura made it painfully clear—he wasn't remotely a match for this man. A sense of helplessness crept into his heart.

Then, Tai Tan spoke again. "You injured my son and grandson because they were weak. But don't think my Strength Clan is weak. I won't bully the young by acting personally, but I propose we make a wager."

Tang San met Tai Tan's gaze evenly and asked, "What kind of wager?" His voice was steady, but the cold sweat forming at his brow betrayed his unease.

Tai Tan produced a stick of incense from who-knows-where, flicking his wrist. It shot through the air like a bolt and embedded itself firmly into the academy's iron gate. The moment it hit, the incense ignited and began to burn.

Seeing this, Lin Jie narrowed his eyes slightly. That was no ordinary throw. To turn a fragile stick of incense into a piercing projectile that lodged in solid metal... that required not only immense strength, but also terrifying control.

All the surrounding students gasped in amazement. Oscar couldn't help but mutter, "Damn… that's an iron gate. How much strength does it take to pierce it with a stick of incense?"

Tang San, with his Purple Demon Eye—though not yet at the "Mustard Seed" level—could still discern a few things. His heart tensed.

"I won't raise a hand," Tai Tan said. "But if you can withstand my pressure for the duration of this incense stick's burn, you win. I'll have Tai Long and Tai Nuo kneel and apologize to you. But if you lose… you'll join my Strength Clan."

Lin Jie had originally thought about stepping in, but after some thought, he held back. Even if he defeated Tai Tan, given the Strength Clan's ties to Tang Hao, there was no way they would side with him. Besides, it was a good opportunity for Tang San to reveal his twin Martial Souls.

Tang San considered it carefully. Back during the Heaven Dou Royal Tournament, he had withstood pressure from the Spirit Douluo Zhi Lin, and had even used that opportunity to break through to level thirty-four. Though Zhi Lin was a control-type Douluo and not a pure power-type, Tang San was still confident.

Just then, Ma Hongjun shouted, "That's not fair! If Tang San loses, he has to join your clan. But if you lose, what do you lose?"

Tai Tan turned to Fatty and asked flatly, "Then what do you suggest?"

Even though his tone was calm, Ma Hongjun still found it intimidating. Steeling himself, he said, "Simple. If you lose, then your grandson and son should join Tang San's clan instead."

"Oh? You have a clan too?" Tai Tan asked, looking toward Tang San with curiosity.

"I do. The Tang Sect," Tang San said firmly.

Tai Tan frowned slightly, trying to recall the name, but came up empty. Probably some minor organization. "Fine. Then it's settled. Get ready."

As soon as Tai Tan finished speaking, Tang San noticed the air around him grow heavy and viscous, like being submerged in water. Ripples of pressure began radiating outward, surrounding him in an oppressive force.

Lin Jie and the others had already backed away seven or eight meters the moment Tai Tan unleashed his pressure. Even at that distance, they could still feel the weight of it.

When the full force hit Tang San, his face immediately contorted. He staggered back a step or two. His bones creaked under the strain, and with a grunt, he released his Martial Soul.

Tai Tan watched in silence, his tiger-like eyes narrowing in surprise. He had released five-tenths of his full strength. Yet this boy—a mere level thirty-four Spirit Elder—had managed to remain standing?

Looks like he couldn't afford to hold back.