In the following days, Xu Yang followed his schedule, spending the remaining time in the library searching for knowledge that piqued his interest. After nearly a week of searching, he found a few books on the manufacturing of soul guides. Although they were incomplete, they contained corresponding teachings. While he may not be able to create a level nine soul-guided cannon, making a level two or three soul-guided ray was certainly within reach.
"Truly impressive for a royal family to have such a legacy regarding soul guides!"
Delighted with his findings, Xu Yang planned to return and study further. However, one thing puzzled him: why did soul masters on the continent despise soul guides so much, to the point where there was little inheritance regarding them?
He had spent seven days in the library just to find these four books on soul guides, which were quite worn and had wormholes. This indicated that soul masters on the continent did not value soul guides at all, believing that their own strength was far more important.
Yet, in Xu Yang's view, these two aspects were not mutually exclusive. Soul guides could enhance one's strength and serve as a life-saving trump card to ensure safety.
He had once asked Ning Fengzhi why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, an auxiliary sect, did not research soul guides. For auxiliary soul masters, soul guides should be the best supplementary power. Unfortunately, Ning Fengzhi had good intentions but lacked the means because the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had no corresponding inheritance for soul guides. They had some soul guides available, but no one was willing to waste time dismantling and studying them.
"With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tower's ability to appraise treasures, I shouldn't lack materials for researching soul guides!"
"I need to gather some materials next time I return."
Thinking about the various precious gems and metals stored in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's treasury made Xu Yang smile. As Ning Fengzhi's disciple, he couldn't touch the valuable soul bones in the treasury, but he could freely take some materials.
Just as Xu Yang was dreaming about his future plans and casually summoning countless soul-guided rays from above, Dugu Yan and Ye Lengleng approached him.
"Xu Yang! Today a teacher named Qin Ming has come to our class. He said he wants to select members for the next Tianshou Second Team to participate in the Soul Master Competition two years from now. We're here to call you along!" Dugu Yan said directly.
"Oh!"
Xu Yang nodded nonchalantly. To be honest, he wasn't interested in this year's Soul Master Competition. His strength simply wasn't enough; even if selected as a team member, he would likely just be a substitute with little chance of actually participating.
In two years' time, even if he were exceptionally talented, he might only reach level thirty as a Soul Master. If he could obtain the Rooster Crown Phoenix Sunflower, he might reach slightly above thirty levels—still not qualified to compete.
He was more interested in participating in future competitions against his peers and proving himself against talented Soul Masters; as for later competitions, he wanted to see Tang San's level.
"Don't you want to participate in this year's Soul Master Competition?" Dugu Yan asked with surprise at Xu Yang's attitude.
"What would it matter if I participated? With our strength, we'd only be arranged as substitutes with no chance of actually competing—we'd just sit in the audience watching while accumulating experience for next time."
This approach wasn't limited to Tianshou Royal Academy; any large-scale advanced Soul Master academy operated similarly. The purpose was to allow students to adapt early on to the intensity of competitions and prepare for future events.
There were always numerous substitutes involved.
"Hmm~ that makes sense!" Dugu Yan nodded in agreement while narrowing her eyes at Xu Yang: "So what's your plan then?"
"To participate—of course!"
Xu Yang's answer surprised Dugu Yan; hearing his previous response made her think he wasn't interested in trying out. Just as she was about to ask why, Xu Yang continued: "This is an excellent learning opportunity and a chance to see how my peers measure up—why not?"
"So let's go! We shouldn't keep the teacher waiting!"
Hearing this, Dugu Yan and Ye Lengleng exchanged exasperated glances; they hadn't expected him to be this kind of person.
At the training ground exclusive to Tianshou teams,
Dozens of Tianshou-level students were already waiting there—these were all top students from each class with spirit power no less than level twenty-three—each one eager and ready for action.
Among them were Yu Tianheng and Oscar from Xu Yang's class; Shimo and Shimo brothers from Xuanming Sect in Tianshou Second Class; and Yufeng from Tianshou Third Class—all elite students whom Xu Yang had come to know since arriving at Tianshou Royal Academy.
A teacher who appeared to be only in his twenties stood at the center of the training ground observing students closely. He aimed to select a batch of elite team members for upcoming competitions in two years' time.
As for why it wasn't for this year's competition—it was because this year's team would be led by another teacher from Tianshou Royal Academy who held title of Soul Emperor! This was also why he came down to Tianshou-level classes instead of picking students directly from Tianshou teams!
In just a short while,
He had already selected several promising candidates; among them he considered Yu Tianheng as captain but also thought about Xu Yang who had defeated Yu Tianheng previously. However, given that Xu Yang had been skipping classes since arriving at school—it seemed clear he wouldn't make a good choice!
Before long,
Xu Yang entered alongside Dugu Yan and Ye Lengleng. Upon seeing this,
Yu Tianheng's expression darkened slightly; he hadn't expected himself to lose—even though Xu Yang possessed a thousand-year spirit ring! Yet somehow reality showed him losing so thoroughly left him feeling somewhat resentful.
Xu Yang didn't dwell on it much; instead flashing Yu Tianheng a big smile before taking his place at the back of their class lineup while engaging in casual conversation with Dugu Yan and Ye Lengleng.
He hadn't forgotten his purpose for coming to Tianshou Royal Academy—to seek out Dugu Yan's grandfather Ning Fengzhi so that he could retrieve celestial herbs from within Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes!
Ning Fengzhi didn't have great public reputation—one could even say it was terrible—but this man kept promises and treated his own people very well! Whenever trouble arose—he'd step up without hesitation!
How many times had he risked himself saving Tang San—even sacrificing his own life? Although Tang San owed him gratitude for saving their family—it wasn't possible for such debts to remain unreturned forever!
Not only did he save Tang San multiple times—but simply retrieving celestial herbs from Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes would be enough repayment!
Let alone that Ning Fengzhi didn't know about their value—after all medicine and poison are intertwined! As a Title Douluo skilled in poison—his expertise regarding medicinal matters matched equally high standards! Even if unfamiliar with specific herbs—he understood their rarity!
After all—those who could cultivate up until Title Douluo weren't fools!
Yet still willing help Tang San after acquiring celestial herbs showed how deep their bond ran!
This indicated clearly that Ning Fengzhi was someone worth befriending deeply!
(End of Chapter)