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Time flew by, and a year quickly passed. The date for the Shrek reunion that Flender had mentioned was fast approaching.
Over the past year, Yang Xiong had primarily focused on rigorous cultivation, not getting too involved in the affairs of either the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect or the Body Sect.
The defensive plan for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had long been communicated to Ning Fengzhi, and its execution was now solely in his hands.
Gu Douluo, representing Ning Fengzhi, personally visited the Hao Tian Sect to discuss their emergence from seclusion and potential cooperation.
However, within the Hao Tian Sect, opinions were divided. The five elders favored re-entering the world, but Tang Xiao—calm and cautious—did not support the idea at this stage.
Clearly, Tang Xiao was in communication with Tang Yuehua, fully aware of the Spirit Hall's current dominance. If they emerged recklessly, they would immediately become targets of the Spirit Hall.
It was unclear whether Tang Yuehua had contact with Tang Hao, but she was certainly aware of Tang San's situation.
Tang San had performed admirably in the previous Soul Master Tournament, showcasing twin martial souls, innate full soul power, and an external soul bone. At just 14 years old, he had already reached the Soul Ancestor level, demonstrating extraordinary talent.
From both opportunity and innate ability, Tang San was a rare genius in the Hao Tian Sect in recent years. If the sect were to emerge now, the Spirit Hall would undoubtedly tear up their old treaty, leaving no room for Tang San to grow further.
After careful deliberation, the Hao Tian Sect decided to remain in seclusion for now—though they prepared to emerge at any time, as Tang San would eventually need their protection after wandering outside for so long.
Upon returning to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Gu Douluo detailed his observations of the Hao Tian Sect. Although the sect hadn't revealed the strength of its five elders, Gu Douluo—mysterious and formidable himself—could sense that there weren't multiple Title Douluos present.
Especially when facing Tang Xiao, who exuded an air of calmness and authority, Gu Douluo could tell that Tang Xiao's soul power was slightly stronger than his own. With Gu Douluo's experience and insight, he estimated Tang Xiao to be at level 97. Given the might of the Hao Tian Hammer martial soul, Tang Xiao's strength likely rivaled that of Sword Douluo.
After hearing Gu Douluo's report, Ning Fengzhi grew much more serious. He decided to further consolidate the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's influence, calling on all disciples to focus intensely on their cultivation.
Clearly, Gu Douluo's reconnaissance had made Ning Fengzhi feel the pressure. If the Hao Tian Sect continued to develop unchecked, their emergence would signal the decline of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi also understood that in terms of influence, the Hao Tian Sect far surpassed the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. At its peak, the Hao Tian Sect's inner and outer disciples were far stronger than the current state of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. The Hao Tian Sect possessed unparalleled charisma, and the Hao Tian Hammer was an insurmountable peak in everyone's minds.
Yang Xiong had originally wanted to visit the Hao Tian Sect to meet Tang Xiao and witness the legendary Hao Tian Hammer martial soul. However, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Douluo vetoed the idea, as this trip was meant to probe the Hao Tian Sect's strength. A reckless visit might alert them and provoke unnecessary suspicion between the two sides.
As for the Body Sect, everything proceeded as usual. Within the sect, cultivation efforts were intense, and the Body Academy had expanded over the years, recruiting several students with Body martial souls.
The overall strength of the Body Sect had improved to some extent. Lin Gong and Dragon Duke remained at level 91, though their progress had slowed significantly after reaching the Title Douluo level. Both had attained thousand-year fifth soul rings, which affected their foundations.
On the other hand, Niu Gao recently broke through to become a Title Douluo, becoming the third such master in the Body Sect—and the only one from a single-attribute family.
This time, neither Sword Douluo nor Bone Douluo accompanied him; Lin Gong led all the sect's elders to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for soul rings.
After a thorough search, Niu Gao obtained an approximately eighty-thousand-year soul ring, raising his soul power to level 91.
Perhaps spurred by Niu Gao's breakthrough, Bai He and Yang Wudi trained even harder. Yang Wudi reached level 88, while Bai He reached level 87.
In terms of pure combat strength, Yang Wudi was the strongest in the Body Sect, even surpassing Lin Gong and Dragon Duke slightly.
However, Lin Gong was a rare control-type Title Douluo, while Dragon Duke possessed the powerful fusion technique formed with She Po Chao Tian Xiang. Each had their strengths, and when working together, their combined strength became even more formidable.
If the Body Sect's strength had increased significantly, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect saw some improvement as well—but Yang Xiong's progress was less fortunate.
No matter how hard Yang Xiong trained, he seemed stuck at level 69, showing no recent progress.
After obtaining his sixth soul ring and undergoing the Ice-Fire Forging Body, his three soul bones had broken and reformed, allowing him to break through to level 67 using the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
But over the following year, Yang Xiong's cultivation speed slowed dramatically. It took him a full year to barely reach level 69, and afterward, his progress ground to a near standstill, like a turtle crawling forward.
Yang Xiong considered consuming another immortal herb, but none of the available herbs suited his Body-type martial soul.
Moreover, it had only been a little over a year since he consumed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Yang Xiong could still feel its effects lingering in his body, strengthening his meridians and bones.
Had it not been for his unique martial soul and the tempering he underwent in the Blood River of Slaughter City, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum's effects might have conflicted with those of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot, potentially causing more harm than good.
Thus, Yang Xiong dared not consume another immortal herb recklessly, fearing potential side effects.
Even so, breaking through to level 69 felt like hitting a wall. His cultivation speed slowed to a crawl, as if he had entered a bottleneck.
Yang Xiong considered breaking through via intense battles and pressure, but with his current strength, he could barely hold his own against a Title Douluo.
Moreover, neither his teachers nor Yang Wudi could engage in life-or-death battles with him. Their sparring felt more like friendly exchanges.
Seeing no progress, Yang Xiong finally left his room.
But as soon as he stepped outside, his eyes lit up—there were unexpected visitors at home: his older brother Yang Wei and the others had returned.
Yang Xiong was ecstatic, immediately embracing Yang Wei tightly.
After five years apart, Yang Wei looked much stronger, shedding his youthful awkwardness and exuding a sharper, more mature presence.
"Big Brother, Oscar, when did you return?"
Yang Wei laughed heartily: "We arrived last night but didn't disturb you since you were in deep cultivation."
"Little Bear, you've changed a lot these years. You're even taller than me now, and your strength has grown unfathomable."
Yang Xiong quickly replied: "Big Brother, you've grown a lot too. It seems your training outside has paid off."
Without dwelling on formalities, the three of them began drinking during the day.
Yang Xiong glanced around: "Oscar, where's Qin Shuang? Didn't she go with you for training?"
Oscar smiled: "Qin Shuang is a disciple of the sect. She went to pay respects to Elder Ning early this morning and hasn't returned yet."
The three clinked glasses and downed their drinks. After years apart, they had endless stories to share.
Yang Wei seemed eager to speak: "Little Bear, I've seen so much these past few years. We've practically traveled across the entire continent of Douluo."
"In the far north, we went to the Extreme North. It was freezing—I almost froze solid. In the south, we visited the Star Luo Empire. Their culture and way of life are vastly different from ours. Traveling like this opened my eyes to how vast this world is. I realized how limited my perspective was when I was confined to the sect."
Amidst their enthusiasm, the three recounted their experiences over the years.
Yang Wei, Oscar, and Qin Shuang had faced countless dangers—battling people, fighting soul beasts, encountering various perils, and meeting all sorts of individuals, martial souls, and soul beasts across the continent. They even spent some time in a mercenary corps.
In short, they underwent a continent-wide training regimen, experiencing diverse lifestyles and dangers, often narrowly escaping death.
Of course, their growth over the years was remarkable. When they first left the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, all three were at level 41, having just obtained their fourth soul rings.
But after five years, Oscar had astonishingly reached level 62, an incredibly rapid increase in soul power. He might even surpass the original Shrek Seven in terms of cultivation.
Oscar's natural talent was indeed exceptional. After consuming an immortal herb, his cultivation accelerated dramatically—a testament to his status as a genius with innate full soul power.
In comparison, Yang Wei and Qin Shuang lagged behind. Both were now at level 59, close to breaking through to the Soul Emperor level.
Unlike Yang Xiong, they hadn't undergone the intense training at Shrek Academy in Suotuo City. Especially Yang Wei, who had never experienced such rigorous physical conditioning. Even with the aid of top-tier immortal herbs, his natural limitations held him back.
However, when they heard that Yang Xiong had reached level 69, they were astonished. It seemed the gap between them was widening.
As the three drank, Ning Rongrong and Qin Shuang arrived hand-in-hand at Yang Xiong's house, pouring themselves drinks without hesitation.
Ning Rongrong was especially delighted to see Oscar: "Uncle Big Sausage, it's been so long! I figured if Shuang Shuang had returned, you must have too!"
Oscar was momentarily speechless, his face tinged with embarrassment, while Qin Shuang covered her mouth, giggling uncontrollably.
In the past, Qin Shuang used to call Oscar "Uncle Big Sausage" alongside Ning Rongrong. But after their travels, their relationship had grown closer, and she now called him "Little Ao."
After everyone had their fill of wine, Yang Xiong chuckled: "Oscar, your training this time has been excellent. It seems you've improved tremendously in both combat and other areas. I'm reassured now."
Oscar quickly added: "Brother Xiong, all of this is thanks to the plan you laid out for me. My trip to the Extreme North yielded incredible results."
Yang Xiong asked: "Did you find the Mirror Image Beast I mentioned?"
Oscar nodded: "Of course! Not only did I obtain my sixth soul ring, but I also gained something else. As you predicted, I now have combat capabilities—I'm no longer a food-based soul master without fighting ability."
Ning Rongrong smirked: "Uncle Big Sausage, isn't your cultivation level at 62, making you a Soul Emperor? I'm already at level 63—higher than you by one level."
Everyone's lips twitched at this remark. Ning Rongrong's cultivation speed was astonishing, rivaling even battle-type soul masters.
At just 19 years old, she was three years younger than Oscar. A 19-year-old Soul Emperor was rare in history, let alone an auxiliary Soul Emperor.
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