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Shrek Academy was short of two key members: Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. To prepare for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Competition, Qin Ming and Flender, through their joint efforts, had the Heaven Dou and Shrek teams training and fighting together in team soul battles for the past year and a half since Ning Tian's departure.
Yu Tianheng, being Yu Xiaogang's nephew and on good terms with him, had been convinced to switch sides and join the Shrek team. With their captain gone, the vice-captain's fate unknown, and their support Spirit Masters off training elsewhere, the Heaven Dou team was little more than a shadow of its former self.
Flender pushed hard, and with Qin Ming's eager support, a deal was struck. The team would compete under the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's banner in the competition four months away, but it would carry the Shrek team's name. Dai Mubai and his group of five, along with Shrek's teachers, would still call themselves part of Shrek Academy during the event. As they put it, they were only tied to Heaven Dou in name, lending a hand for the fights.
This arrangement didn't sit well with the remaining Heaven Dou members. But what could they do? Qin Ming, their team leader, was tight with Shrek, almost too tight.
Tang San's teacher, Yu Xiaogang, was Yu Tianheng's uncle, leaving Tianheng no room to refuse his uncle's wishes. On top of that, Heaven Dou had once lost to Shrek. Most critically, the academy's three education committee members were desperate to shake off the label of "the Heaven Dou Empire's top Spirit Master academy with no real strength to back it up" at the competition. They were so set on this that when Yu Tianheng chose to join Shrek, they actually agreed to Shrek's bold demands, leaving everyone stunned.
Over the past year and a half, Yu Xiaogang had poured his energy into building a team around Tang San. The Heaven Dou team, and even other Shrek members, ended up as little more than backup. Everything centered on Tang San. They figured that even if the missing Ning Tian, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong returned from their training, the Heaven Dou team wouldn't be able to reclaim its old glory.
Right now, the Shrek team's strength stood as follows:
Dai Mubai, Spirit: White Tiger, Level 40 Assault System Spirit Elder.
Oscar, Spirit: Sausage, Level 34 Food System Spirit Master.
Tang San, Spirit: Blue Silver Grass, Level 39 Control System Spirit Elder.
Ma Hongjun, Spirit: Evil Fire Phoenix, Level 32 Assault System Spirit Elder.
Xiao Wu, Spirit: Soft Boned Rabbit, Level 40 Assault System Spirit Elder.
Yu Tianheng, Spirit: Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon, Level 42 Assault System Spirit Ancestor.
Shi Mo, Spirit: Black Tortoise Turtle, Level 40 Defense System Spirit Elder.
Shi Mo, Spirit: Black Tortoise Turtle, Level 39 Defense System Spirit
Yu Feng, Spirit: Wind Chime Bird, Level 38 Agility Attack System Spirit Elder.
Osler, Spirit: Black Leopard, Level 38 Agility Attack System Spirit Elder.
...….
Early in the morning, sunlight bathed the field as Yu Xiaogang stood in the center, hands behind his back, eyeing the ten students lined up before him. A rare flicker of satisfaction crossed his stern, weathered face.
"Great work," he said. "After Tianheng, Mubai, Xiao Wu, and Shi Mo have hit Level 40 too. Soon, Shrek will have four Spirit Ancestors. That kind of lineup would shine in any past competition. Add in Little San and Mubai's spirit fusion skill, and we're set to make waves at the next event. Little San, Shi Mo; you're both at Level 39. With time still left before the competition, push hard to break through. Osler, Yu Feng, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun, you too."
"Yes!" Shrek's crew answered with fire in their voices, while the Heaven Dou team, except for Yu Tianheng, mumbled weakly.
Yu Xiaogang barely blinked at the difference. To him, everyone but Tang San was just there to fill space; even his nephew Yu Tianheng and the rest of Shrek.
His gaze drifted over them coolly. "Now, we start the final training phase before the competition."
Even the usually quiet Shi brothers couldn't hold back. Shi Mo spoke up fast, "Wait, Grandmaster, I'm at Level 40. Shouldn't I go hunt a soul ring?"
Yu Xiaogang's brow creased. "My research shows that after reaching Level 40, a Spirit Master can keep training and grow stronger without a soul ring right away. You're a team. Wait until Little San and Shi Mo hit level 40 too. It Won't be long."
Shi Mo went quiet. Tang San was one thing, but Shi Mo was his own brother. He couldn't argue against sticking together.
Xiao Wu, though, wasn't about to stay silent. "Grandmaster, I think we should get those soul rings now. Sure, we can train without them and get the power later, but a Level 41 Spirit Ancestor trains faster than a Level 40 one. Say a Spirit Ancestor gains ten units of soul power a day where a Level 40 might only get nine, or even eight or seven. That slows us down without us noticing."
Since Ning Tian left, Xiao Wu had thrown herself into training. Now that she could grab a soul ring, she didn't want to sit around.
Yu Xiaogang's frown deepened, lines etching across his forehead. "Who told you that?"
Xiao Wu didn't answer, just stared at him with a blank look. She didn't need to say it, everyone in Shrek could guess who'd put that idea in her head.
Silence fell over them all. Even Dai Mubai, who hated Ning Tian more than anyone, hesitated before speaking. "Uh, Grandmaster, maybe we should go for the soul rings first? The Sunset Forest isn't far from the academy."
This wasn't just about the team; it was personal for Dai Mubai. He was counting on them to help him beat the Star Luo Empire's top team, led by Dai Weisi, in the competition six months away. The faster they all got stronger, the better.
"Well…" Yu Xiaogang's eyes flicked to Tang San, a quick plea flashing in them.
Tang San took a deep breath and stepped in. "Xiao Wu, Mubai, that stuff about Level 41 being faster than Level 40? It's nonsense. Someone made it up. There is no proof at all. Anyway, I'll hit Level 40 in two or three months, tops. Can't you wait that long?"
Normally, he wouldn't stick up for Yu Xiaogang. The man had caused him plenty of grief, enough that Tang San still dealt with stomach troubles every few days. But Xiao Wu's heart still lingered on Ning Tian, and that was something he couldn't stand. So even if Yu Xiaogang was wrong, Tang San would back him up. Besides, waiting until he hit Level 40 to hunt soul rings wouldn't hurt him, would it?
What could Dai Mubai and Xiao Wu say to that? Dai Mubai needed Tang San to take down his brother, and Xiao Wu had to keep up her "good little sister" act around him.
Yu Xiaogang, though, was touched by Tang San's words, his eyes nearly watering. All his effort over the past year felt worth it. His star disciple, with those twin spirits, was finally standing up for his teacher's pride in front of everyone again.
...…
Truth was, without immortal herbs, breaking past Level 40 with just the Mysterious Heaven Skill was tougher than Tang San thought. He'd planned on three months max, but it took over four. Ten days before the competition, he finally made it.
By then, Shi Mo had already hit Level 40 a few days earlier. He'd been training longer than Tang San and had sat at Level 39 for over half a year.
To celebrate this big moment and to avoid another mess like the last time in the Star Dou Great Forest, Flender took charge himself. Teachers Zhao Wuji, Qin Ming, Lu Qibin, and Li Yusong came along, plus the ever-debated Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang. With ten students, the group of sixteen left the training field behind and headed for the Sunset Forest.
At the same time, five people reached the mountain's base where the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy stood; one guy and four girls.
They looked young. The woman in front seemed a bit older, maybe in her early twenties. The man beside her and the three girls behind them were younger, probably eighteen at most.
The guy leading them was tall, about 1.86 meters, with broad shoulders and long legs. He had sharp features and a calm, almost otherworldly vibe. The woman next to him had long pink hair, fair skin, and a figure that drew eyes with every move she made, her smile full of charm.
The three girls behind them didn't have her curves or flair, but their looks stood out even more. The one with long golden hair and big, bright eyes especially caught attention. Even with two other stunning girls beside her, she shone the brightest.
These five were Ning Tian, Zhu Qing, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong. After nearly two years of training, they were back at the academy to gear up for the competition in ten days.
Ning Rongrong looked up at the mountain and sighed. "Time flies. Two years have gone just like that."
"To be exact, one year, ten months, and seven days," Zhu Zhuqing said. She didn't talk much, but her cool face hid a spark of excitement in her pretty eyes.
It made sense. In less than two years, their strength had changed completely. Returning to the academy now, where they'd only stayed a couple of months, and Ning Tian just one felt like coming back stronger than ever. No one could resist that feeling, not even the quiet Zhu Zhuqing. The others felt it too; no one could fully ignore the pull of success.
Ning Tian glanced back at Zhu Zhuqing with a grin. "Zhuqing, you've got a sharp memory."
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks turned pink. Ye Lingling piped up beside her, "It's not just memory. She remembers every day she's spent with you."
Since her spirit became the Sacred Heart Begonia, breaking the Nine Heart Begonia's curse, Ye Lingling had been smiling more. Facing Zhu Zhuqing, who was a lot like her, she couldn't help teasing.
"Oh, I get it," Ning Rongrong added with a smirk.
Zhu Zhuqing's face went redder, but Zhu Qing stepped in. "Alright, you two, ease up on Zhuqing. You know she gets shy."
"Who says she's shy?" Ning Rongrong shot back. "I saw her kneeling in front of Ning Tian once, helping him—"
She stopped, regretting it instantly. That time she'd caught them, Ning Tian and Zhu Zhuqing had pulled her into it too, making her kneel to keep quiet. She'd ended up doing the same thing Zhu Zhuqing did.
"Helping him with what?" Zhu Qing asked, her eyes wide. Ye Lingling leaned in, curious.
Ning Tian and Zhu Zhuqing just smiled, a hint of mischief in their looks.
Under their stares, Ning Rongrong rushed to fix it. "Kneeling on one knee, measuring his waist and legs for pants. She was going to get them custom-made. Pretty shameless, right? That's it."
"Ning Tian!"
A clear, familiar voice cut through their chatter from up ahead.
They all turned. The Shrek and Heaven Dou teams were walking toward them in a big group.
It was Xiao Wu, wearing a pink top and pants, her long hair falling to her hips. In the past two years, she'd grown up. Without her fourth soul ring yet, she wasn't as developed as Ning Rongrong or Zhu Zhuqing, but she'd still turned into a pretty young woman.
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