Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 573: Tang San Concedes

In the next round, Tang San would face Big Cat, while Mei Gongzi would compete against the winner of today's final match.

As for the doubles competition, Mei Gongzi had no concerns. After she and Tang San defeated Meng Dede and Meng Deshi, there were few opponents left who could even put up a fight, let alone pose a threat to them.

In the individual competition, Tang San and his team had already achieved great success, fully meeting their goals. Tang San's initial aim was for him, Mei Gongzi, and Big Cat to at least reach the top sixteen. Reaching the top sixteen was essential to gain recognition from the Ancestral Court, and for Big Cat, it meant gaining the recognition of the lion race.

Now, they had all reached the semifinals, continually defeating powerful opponents. Undoubtedly, they had become the focus of everyone's attention, especially Mei Gongzi, who was the current favorite to win the championship. Even if the audience didn't know that Big Cat was also their comrade, they at least knew Asura was Mei Gongzi's partner in the doubles competition. A doubles pair reaching the semifinals in the individual competition meant they were undoubtedly the favorites to win the doubles championship as well.

Before this Elite Competition began, the Ancestral Court Council did not actually expect a participant to win both the individual and the doubles championships. Winning both required competing every day; no matter how strong one was, could they ensure they wouldn't get injured in the matches? None of the competitors was a pushover, after all. Unless one was in top condition constantly, even being the strongest did not guarantee continuous victories. And with this elimination format, losing one match meant losing everything.

Yet Asura and the Peacock Princess advanced step by step under such conditions and finally reached their peak. With things as they were, it seemed that nothing could stop them anymore. It was almost unthinkable that participants that were not even pure-blooded demons or nymphs could get this far.

At the same time, the Celestial Dance of the Peacock Demon clan had reappeared on the continent, bringing this once-glorious clan back into the Ancestral Court's focus.

Although the higher-ups knew that this was the result of the Peacock Great Demon King's efforts, it wasn’t like the man was participating himself. The fact that his descendant was able to come this far was a testament to her strength and determination.

As for Asura and the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint, they were complete dark horses. The former’s origins were unknown, but he clearly possessed two powerful bloodlines, while the latter belonged to the cursed Lion-Tiger clan and yet did not seem to suffer from any kind of curse.

Although their brilliance was somewhat overshadowed by Mei Gongzi, reaching the semifinals of the individual competition still proved them to be absolute peak powerhouses.

Yet after the individual competition ended, an unexpected event occurred in the doubles competition the next day.

The Asura Peacock Pair faced a powerful nymph duo and won the match, but Asura got injured. Moreover, his injury seemed severe. After this match, the audience who had bet on them to win the doubles championship were greatly disappointed, and the odds plummeted.

What made these people even more desperate was that the next day, in the semifinals of the individual competition, Asura withdrew due to his severe injury.

Yes, he forfeited the match against the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint, allowing him to advance directly to the finals.

On the complete opposite, Mei Gongzi had nothing but smooth sailing; her superior strength and Celestial Dance ensured that she advanced to the individual competition finals after trampling on a powerful opponent in the semifinals.

***

"Why?"

Big Cat had an unwilling and unconvinced expression on his face as he confronted Tang San, who had just opened the hotel door for him. Although Tang San looked somewhat pale, he didn't seem incapable of fighting in the slightest.

"I'm injured! And tired. I need a break!" Tang San complained with a cheerful smile.

Big Cat angrily replied, "I was planning to have a fair fight with you in the arena. Even though I know I'm not your match, I wanted to compete and see where my strength stands. And don't you want to meet her in the finals? Why are you forfeiting?"

Tang San first invited him to sit down in the living room.

"Hey, don't get mad. If we want to spar, we can do that anytime, no? Besides, after so many days of competition, I'm really tired. I got some internal injuries in the match against Meng Dede, so resting for a day is better. Do you think beating Meng Dede was easy?"

He was not actually incapable of fighting, but he was not lying either. The battle with Meng Dede had exhausted Tang San's divine consciousness and spiritual power significantly. At the same time, however, being able to awaken the divine intent of the Asura Sword not only benefited Mei Gongzi but also helped him further refine and purify his spiritual power and divine consciousness.

Big Cat still looked a bit unwilling and wanted to say something, but Tang San continued, "The doubles competition was supposed to be us teaming up. I prioritized love over friendship, so I have to apologize for not being able to compete by your side. How could I face you in the arena? My heart has already lost to you. So don't worry about it. Besides, in a real fight, I might not even beat you now. You have a divine weapon, hehe."

Seeing Tang San's relaxed smile, Big Cat replied sullenly, "Pft, as if... You know this isn’t right. Anyway... Is your body okay?"

Tang San nodded and said, "Don't worry, it won't affect tomorrow's doubles match."

His decision to forfeit the individual competition was well-considered. The most important reason was what he had just told Big Cat: he had already decided that if he faced Big Cat in the competition, he would forfeit. He had agreed to the doubles competition but then backed out at the last minute for Mei Gongzi, leaving Big Cat hanging. Although Big Cat didn't say anything, Tang San couldn't pretend it didn't happen. So, he had to show his stance.

Moreover, he secretly had Zhang Haoxuan contact the Redemption Society to take advantage of this opportunity and make a huge profit.

The Redemption Society's financial situation wasn't great; otherwise, they wouldn't have coveted their array discs. Tang San had Zhang Haoxuan inform the Redemption Society that he would concede the match against Big Cat. Coupled with his apparent serious injury in the doubles match and today's forfeit, the odds of him and Mei Gongzi winning the doubles championship had dropped sharply in the past two days.

With the help of these few matches, as long as the Redemption Society managed things well, they would surely make a huge profit. No matter how weak they were, the Redemption Society had enough of a foundation to lead humanity for so many years. They could most certainly take advantage of this without anyone being the wiser; after all, the demons and nymphs betting on these matches had plenty of money.

Thus, his sudden injury and forfeit actually hit a couple of birds with one stone. And as long as he and Mei Gongzi won the doubles championship, it would be enough to establish her reputation as the new top genius, greatly benefiting her in taking over the Peacock Demon clan.

A faint smile appeared on Tang San’s face. He patted Big Cat on the shoulder and said, "You should prepare well for the finals now. Little Mei has made great progress these days. Her understanding of space is truly profound, and she has made great strides recently. She is close to fully integrating her two bloodlines. The killing intent of the White Tiger Demon Emperor is even above your God-Killing Domain, though I don't know how much Little Mei has comprehended on that side. Anyway, be careful if you face her."

Big Cat glanced at him and snorted. "Alright, alright, I'm going back. Take care of yourself. When we get back home, you must spar with me properly, and you can't go easy on me. You have to give it your all."