Shi Yu's heart tightened.
Xu Sanshi was interfering with his ability to teleport.Though Xu Sanshi didn't directly control space, he could interfere with a space-attributed soul master's ability to use spatial power—and right now, Shi Yu was clearly being disrupted.
Xu Sanshi rushed forward like a raging bull, intending to smash Shi Yu to pieces.
"Air Control Technique!"Shi Yu couldn't teleport like before. His soul power had become sluggish, and it was already too late.
The first soul ring under his feet lit up. He could only rely on his soul skill to speed up the flow of his space power.
As soon as the soul ring activated, the space power within his body accelerated noticeably. Shi Yu shot into the sky like a rocket.
Ten thousand years ago, he had been unable to use soul rings for reasons still unknown. But now that he had returned to the present, his soul skills functioned normally.
His first soul skill, Air Control, allowed him to manipulate the air: enabling flight for himself, lifting others, or even altering the trajectory of incoming attacks or objects.
Used cleverly, this skill could divert the course of close-range strikes—or even energy attacks.
Right now, Shi Yu couldn't throw Xu Sanshi off course directly, so he could only adjust his own position to avoid the collision.
Xu Sanshi, unwilling to give up, stepped down hard, then leapt into the air, trying to slam into Shi Yu mid-flight.
But Shi Yu was rising too fast, soon flying beyond Xu Sanshi's reach.
In a flash of frustration, Xu Sanshi hurled his Xuanming Turtle Shield toward Shi Yu like a missile.
Shi Yu's body tensed. He couldn't go any faster. If this continued, he'd definitely get hit.
For a moment, he considered using the power of time—but the pressure from Xu Sanshi's third soul skill was interfering, making it difficult to summon time energy quickly.
This wasn't like his state ten thousand years ago, where even a Soul Saint's pressure hadn't slowed him down. His current cultivation level simply didn't compare.
Then, in a flash of purple light, something burst from his back.
Spider legs—emerging from his flesh and blood—curved forward and crossed in front of him like a shield.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"What is that?!"
Xu Sanshi's face twisted in shock.Beibei frowned, while Huo Yuhao stared blankly, not understanding what he was seeing.
Moon, lying lazily nearby, suddenly focused intently on Shi Yu high in the sky.
"An external soul bone... Eight Spider Lances?" Moon wasn't like the average student. At a glance, he made an educated guess.
But even he was surprised—it looked extremely similar to the legendary external soul bone once possessed by Tang San, the ancestor of Shrek Academy, ten thousand years ago.
Clang!The Xuanming Turtle Shield slammed into Shi Yu's Eight Spider Lances, producing a loud metallic sound.
Shi Yu's body was blown backward, spinning several times in the air before he barely stabilized himself.
His back throbbed with pain. He winced and looked down.
Two of the spider legs were visibly cracked.
He had taken a hard hit.
The turtle shield, bounced back by the rebound force, flew into Xu Sanshi's hand, where he caught it steadily upon landing.
But Xu Sanshi didn't press the attack.
He clenched his fists in frustration.
He hadn't expected this outcome at all.
Shi Yu finally let out a breath of relief. He looked at Xu Sanshi, whose expression wasn't much better than his own.
"The three-move agreement is over," Shi Yu said calmly. "Xu Sanshi, you lost. I hope you'll keep your word and stop pestering Senior Sister Nannan from now on."
Some of the students around looked at Shi Yu in surprise, clearly impressed by what he'd just pulled off. Others stared curiously at the strange spider legs on his back.
Meanwhile, several glanced at Xu Sanshi with amusement. For a Soul Elder to fail to defeat a Spirit Master in three moves—it was hard not to feel embarrassed for him.
Xu Sanshi said nothing. But his fists clenched tighter.
He turned to look at Jiang Nannan in the crowd.
Her expression was calm and indifferent. She even looked away, clearly disinterested in him.
Seeing that, Xu Sanshi's heart felt even heavier.
But he couldn't just lose it. Beibei came over quickly and pulled him back.
The three-move agreement had been made in public. If Xu Sanshi broke it now, it would ruin his reputation.
All he could do was endure.
Xu Sanshi put away his martial soul and followed Beibei. But after walking just a few steps, he turned back and said coldly to Shi Yu:
"I lost this time. But I'll challenge you again. If you're a man, don't run next time."
"You can hide once, but can you hide forever?"
Shi Yu floated back down to the ground.
Hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh.
"You're trying to bait me into accepting your challenge again, huh?"
"If that's the case, why not offer some conditions—like overturning today's result. If you win next time, then it'll be as if you didn't lose today."
"But sorry—do I look stupid to you?"
"I won't accept your challenge again. I hope you'll honor your promise and stop pestering Senior Sister Nannan."
"Don't come bothering me either. If you're a man, act like one and keep your word."
Shi Yu's tone sharpened.
"You..." Xu Sanshi almost lost his temper again.
"Calm down! Calm down!" Beibei quickly grabbed his arm to hold him back.
Shi Yu raised his voice and addressed the crowd:"Everyone, you all saw what happened. I ask you to help keep Xu Sanshi in check. If he goes back on his word and harasses Senior Sister Nannan, please remind him—a real man keeps his promise."
"No problem!" many people agreed, amused. They didn't mind watching the drama unfold.
"Just you wait!" Xu Sanshi pointed at Shi Yu, clearly furious. But he couldn't stay any longer and stormed off.
Beibei followed, trying to calm his bro down.
Tang Ya and Huo Yuhao also left with them shortly after.
A curious student stayed behind and asked Shi Yu:"Brother, was that a soul bone on your back?"
His eyes gleamed with curiosity—and greed.
Shi Yu didn't answer. He just looked back, then silently retracted the Eight Spider Lances.
He smiled politely at the student but said nothing.
Better not to confirm or deny it.
He then walked over to Jiang Nannan.
"Senior Sister Nannan, you're not mad at me for handling this on your behalf, are you?"
He had helped her without asking first—it wasn't exactly respectful.
Jiang Nannan looked at him and shook her head lightly.
"I didn't want to deal with him either. He's been bothering me for so long, and I was fed up."
"You helped me solve a problem I couldn't fix myself. I should be thanking you, not blaming you."
"I'll treat you to a meal sometime as thanks."
"Alright, but I'm warning you," Shi Yu suddenly relaxed and grinned. "I'm going to order the most expensive stuff on the menu."
"Don't order too much," Jiang Nannan warned, smiling. "I don't have that kind of money."
"I don't either. Let's be frugal, or we might end up washing dishes to pay for dinner," Shi Yu joked.
Jiang Nannan giggled. But her smile quickly faded into concern.
"You're hurt, aren't you?"
"My back's a little sore. But I'll be fine in a few days," Shi Yu said casually.
Jiang Nannan suddenly walked behind him and reached to lift his shirt.
"What are you doing?" Shi Yu was caught off guard but didn't dodge.
She lifted his clothes and saw several deep red bruises on his back.
They were clearly from the clash between the Xuanming Turtle Shield and the Eight Spider Lances.