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"Third Brother, what's wrong with that guy? Why'd he just take off like that? So strange."
Ma Hongjun was the one talking. Ever since Zhu Qing told him the only way to deal with his martial soul's side effects was to soak in cold water or live in some frozen wasteland, he'd given up on fixing things with Ning Tian. Instead, he chose to stick with Tang San, the strongest member of the Shrek team.
Calling Tang San "Third Brother" right in front of Ning Tian was his way of picking a side. His tone carried no respect for Yu Xiaogang, though. He knew Tang San felt the same way by now.
Before this, everyone in Shrek except Yu Xiaogang, who was still lost in his own head had figured it out. Ruining someone's future was as bad as killing their parents. Yu Xiaogang had messed Tang San up so much that even calling him "teacher" anymore was a stretch.
"Who knows?" Tang San replied, acting like he hadn't even noticed Yu Xiaogang run off. He turned to Zhu Qing, continuing his questions about the fourth soul ring for his Blue Silver Grass.
Ning Tian wanted it this way. He sent a quick mental message to Zhu Qing, who hesitated for a moment before passing it on. "I've got a good grasp of your martial soul's situation. Honestly, as your former head instructor, I feel terrible about what's happened. I should've seen you heading down the wrong path sooner, it's partly my fault."
Zhu Qing's words were full of emotion, showing regret and guilt over Tang San's three poison-attributed soul rings. It caught everyone off guard, even Tang San. This was what a true, selfless master sounded like. Despite knowing her student didn't get along with Tang San, she still treated him fairly.
For a moment, Tang San felt touched. He couldn't help but think, 'If I'd chosen to study under Zhu Qing back then, like Ning Tian did, instead of sticking up for that fraud Yu Xiaogang, would I be ahead of Ning Tian now?'
He knew Ning Tian's talent. His martial soul was just a fancy-looking Bamboo Sword with only half a level of innate soul power. Compared to Tang San's full innate soul power and twin martial souls, it was nothing. If he'd trained under Zhu Qing from the start, he might've reached Spirit King by now. Instead, Ning Tian had passed him for a while. Without his strong second martial soul, he might've been stuck in Ning Tian's shadow forever.
Sadly, there were no second chances. His ethos didn't allow for another teacher. But at least it wasn't too late to turn things around.
Zhu Qing was already offering him specific advice. She paused, looking thoughtful. "Your Blue Silver Grass has three poison-attributed soul rings already. I don't know how you're handling the side effects, but adding a wood-attribute ring now would clash badly with the poison ones."
"Right," Tang San nodded, waiting for more. Inside, he thought, 'This is a real master; straight to the point.' Good thing he hadn't listened to Ning Tian's dumb idea about getting a wood-attribute ring for his fourth ring.
But Zhu Qing's next suggestion threw him off. "I'd recommend a Pit Demon Spider for your fourth soul ring. It's not poisonous and could give you a crowd-control skill, something you'd usually see in a fifth soul ring."
That's right, Ning Tian had picked the Pit Demon Spider for Tang San, knowing it would give him Blue Silver Prison, a crowd-control skill that'd lose its edge later. It only worked on the ground and wasn't as strong as his third skill, Spider Web Restraint. By the end, even his Binding skill was more useful.
Tang San wasn't convinced yet. He frowned. "But Master Zhu Qing, wouldn't adding an animal soul ring to a plant martial soul cause problems?"
"That only happens if your first three rings were all plant-based. Since your first and third rings came from animals, you're already past that point. Whether you choose a plant or animal ring now, there'll be some conflict. So, all things considered, a Pit Demon Spider is your best option. Just keep in mind, because of the mismatch, even if you stretched your third ring's limit, don't go over 5,000 years for this one."
Zhu Qing felt a little dizzy from her own explanation, but it was what Ning Tian wanted her to say, so she went with it.
Tang San nodded firmly, though he had no plans to stick to 5,000 years. His Clear Sky Hammer's second ring was nearly 4,000 years old. His Blue Silver Grass's fourth ring needed to be at least 6,000 years old to pave the way for a ten-thousand-year ring on his second martial soul later.
.......
Meanwhile, Flender had caught up to Yu Xiaogang.
"Xiaogang, what's this about? Why get upset over a kid?"
He grabbed Yu Xiaogang's shoulder to stop him.
"What's there to say? The world doesn't believe in my theories anymore, and now even my own student doesn't. Staying here just makes me a laughingstock."
Yu Xiaogang's face was pale and lifeless.
Flender got worked up. "Xiaogang, I expected more from you. Are you really this weak? Is this the Yu Xiaogang I know? Giving up so easily. Do you even deserve Erlong's love?"
Since arriving at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Flender had kept in touch with Liu Erlong through letters and even met her once in Heaven Dou City. But with Yu Xiaogang's reputation sinking, thanks to Tang San's martial soul troubles, he hadn't dared set up a reunion. If Liu Erlong showed up now, Yu Xiaogang would likely run off again, maybe for good.
He'd hoped to arrange something after the competition, but things had turned into this mess.
And just as Flender feared, if Liu Erlong came, Yu Xiaogang would run.
Hearing Flender's words, Yu Xiaogang sank even lower. "You're right. I don't deserve it; not back then, not now, and not ever."
Seeing his words backfire, Flender felt a headache coming on. He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Xiaogang, even I have to admit Master Zhu Qing's theories are solid. But no one's perfect. There are things she can't teach Little San that you can."
'Even you think I'm worse than Zhu Qing?' Yu Xiaogang was mad at first, but Flender's next point sparked some hope.
"Go on."
Flender grinned. "Don't forget, no matter how great Master Zhu Qing is, her theories are for single martial souls. But Tang San has twin martial souls."
That secret was still just between him and Yu Xiaogang in Shrek.
"You're right. Little San has twin martial souls. Only I can guide him through that."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. 'It seems it's time for me to see Bibi Dong.'
"That's the Xiaogang I know." Flender clapped him on the shoulder, pleased. "Now, come back with me. A little disagreement doesn't matter. Once you help Little San with his twin martial souls, he'll see how much you care."
"You're right," Yu Xiaogang said firmly. "But I can't go back yet."
Flender grabbed his shoulder again. "Xiaogang, you're not running off again, are you?"
"Relax. I'm not running. I'm going to Spirit Hall."
Though he'd sworn never to face that woman again, the one who'd used his theories and then cast him aside but for Tang San's sake, he'd make the trip.
And that Pope's Token from Haotian Douluo? It was time to put it to use.
...…
Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City, Emperor Xue Ye and Qian Renxue, posing as Prince Xue Qinghe, had just heard about Ning Tian's return and the new Heaven Dou team.
At first, Xue Ye didn't care much. They were just talented kids, not worth an emperor's time. But when he saw their results, he couldn't stay seated.
Ning Tian: Top-tier tool martial soul, Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Sword. Soul rings: yellow, purple, purple, black. Age 14 years and 4 months, Level 47.
Zhu Zhuqing: Martial soul Nether Spirit Cat. Soul rings: yellow, yellow, purple, purple. Age 14 years and 1 month, Level 42.
Ning Rongrong: Martial soul Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Soul rings: yellow, yellow, purple, purple. Age 14 years and 3 months, Level 41.
Ye Lingling: Martial soul Sacred Heart Begonia. Soul rings: yellow, yellow, purple, purple. Age 17 years and 4 months, Level 45.
The committee had even listed their exact ages to impress Xue Ye. Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling were support types. Ning Tian and Zhu Zhuqing, though, were battle Spirit Masters, and Ning Tian was a standout talent.
When Xue Ye learned Prince Xue Qinghe had recommended Ning Tian, he not only approved the new Heaven Dou team and their choice to skip the seeded spot but also told Qian Renxue to recruit Ning Tian and his teacher, Zhu Qing.
After all, someone who could train Ning Tian, boost Zhu Zhuqing's power, and evolve Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling's martial souls was a real master.
...….
In the prince's residence, Qian Renxue, fresh from meeting the committee and getting Xue Ye's orders, looked curious.
"Fourteen years old, breaking the rules with a ten-thousand-year fourth ring after a thousand-year second ring, and already at Level 47. Interesting… Ning Tian, you're starting to catch my eye."
Two years ago, when she first met him, he was just a twelve-year-old Level 34 Spirit Elder with two thousand-year rings. Decent, but not enough to match her innate Level 20, god-tier martial soul Six-Winged Angel.
But now, at fourteen, he was Level 47 with a ten-thousand-year fourth ring. That put him on her level at that age. Plus, like the man her mother cared about, he'd started with just half a level of innate soul power. That made him even more intriguing.
Same talent, different roads.
Ning Tian had grown into a prodigy she couldn't overlook. Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang churned out useless theories; half of them were stolen and even caused side effects for Tang Hao's son. If she hadn't seen him at the academy, she'd think he was a Spirit Hall spy sent to ruin Tang San.
What a mess.
"Get the carriage ready," Qian Renxue said, standing. Her attendants hurried to follow her command.
"Brother, where are you going?" A cheerful, lively girl skipped in: Xue Ke, Emperor Xue Ye's youngest daughter.
Qian Renxue's gaze softened. "On Father's orders, to recruit some promising young Spirit Masters for the empire."
That was a lie. As an undercover agent, she had no real plans to bring talent to Heaven Dou. But she knew others like Ning Fengzhi would try. Better to get Ning Tian on her side first.
She was sure she could pull it off.
Hearing it was about recruiting Spirit Masters, Xue Ke lost interest. She didn't care for fighting.
.....
A similar scene unfolded at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The little princess, who'd left home two years ago, joined Shrek Academy, switched to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and then took off with Ning Tian on a training trip, was back.
The sect was buzzing. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo fussed over Ning Rongrong, checking her for any scratches or bruises. If they found even one, Ning Tian would be in for a lesson he'd never forget.
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