Compared to the general audience, the teachers from the soul master academies and the talented observers clearly sensed many deeper things from this battle.
Rather than being shocked by Tang San revealing his Clear Sky Hammer, they seemed more focused on the defensive-type soul master named Yang Xiong, especially within the Five Elemental Academies.
The captains of several teams, Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, Shui Bing'er, and others, gathered with serious expressions.
Feng Xiaotian spoke first: "Huo Wushuang, how much of their true strength do you think the Shrek team used when you defeated them last time?"
Huo Wushuang responded with equal seriousness: "Feng Xiaotian, I honestly don't know. Back then, Yang Xiong clearly wasn't as powerful as he was today. My strength is roughly equal to Yu Tianxin's, but he was completely suppressed by Yang Xiong, who even blocked multiple opponents on his own. That's not something an ordinary defensive-type soul master can do. And even now, despite losing, no one has seen him use any soul skills."
Feng Xiaotian nodded. "I actually feel like I've found someone similar to myself. Yang Xiong's self-created soul techniques are impressive. Maybe I could exchange ideas with him about developing self-made techniques."
On the side, Huo Wu sneered. "Feng Xiaotian, your Wind Demon Wolf's Thirty-Six Slash is too complicated. I think Yang Xiong's techniques are more straightforward and powerful. Especially the one he used to defeat Yu Tianxin, it might already be at the level of a top-tier thousand-year soul skill."
"I was surprised he could withstand my Flame Dance Radiance back then. He probably used the same technique to block Yu Tianxin's attack."
Feng Xiaotian quickly added, "Don't worry, Huo Wu. I'll personally defeat Yang Xiong to settle things for you."
Everyone gave Feng Xiaotian odd looks, Huo Wu had only casually mentioned it, but he reacted like it was a personal mission.
Shui Bing'er smiled and said, "Let's not get too carried away. The Shrek team's overall soul power levels are still too low. Especially Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, which, as a control-type martial soul, is easily countered. Maybe that's why they lost to the Blazing Team."
Huo Wu scoffed. "Blue Silver Grass? It'll turn to ash under my flames."
All of them were geniuses and direct competitors, so they were quick to spot Shrek's weaknesses.
After some healing, the group attended a grand banquet hosted by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe himself. All three chief examiners were present, as well as Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo. Even Flender felt somewhat flattered by such attention.
At the banquet, Xue Qinghe frequently toasted Tang San and Dai Mubai, clearly showing strong interest in recruiting them, especially Tang San. Both Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi placed great importance on him.
After all, possessing twin martial souls is considered a peerless talent, and Tang San's second soul, the Clear Sky Hammer, commanded great respect.
In contrast, Xue Qinghe treated Yang Xiong rather indifferently, perhaps holding a slight grudge.
Since their last meeting, Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong had spent several occasions with Xue Qinghe under Ning Fengzhi's arrangement. Ning Rongrong was especially close with him.
However, Yang Xiong often teased Xue Qinghe about still being unmarried at his age, which was quite awkward for Xue Qinghe, especially since Ning Fengzhi, as his teacher, had even offered to help arrange a match.
Normally, someone of Xue Qinghe's age and status, as Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, would have heirs already. The fact that he had no romantic rumors at all was unusual.
Though Xue Qinghe might be annoyed by Yang Xiong's jabs, the close relationship between their families meant he couldn't show it. As Ning Fengzhi's disciple, he was practically like a son; they couldn't become enemies over such small matters.
At the banquet, Xue Qinghe kept toasting everyone, but his smile faded slightly when he met Yang Xiong again.
Yang Xiong greeted him first: "Brother Qinghe, we hit it off from our first meeting. We're like family, no need to be so distant."
Ning Rongrong scolded him playfully: "Xiao Xiong, what are you talking about? How could the Crown Prince ever be distant? Not everyone is as petty as you."
Yang Xiong played dumb: "As long as Brother Qinghe doesn't mind, that's good. By the way, how about that suggestion I gave last time?"
Xue Qinghe looked awkward, but still smiled. "I'm still considering it. No need for you to worry about it. You're still young, focus on cultivation instead of thinking about romance all the time."
The two traded subtle barbs, though to outsiders, they looked like close brothers. Ning Fengzhi seemed very pleased.
Yang Xiong, inwardly sarcastic, thought: "You fake Xue Qinghe, I want to see how long you can keep pretending."
Later, back in his dorm, Yang Xiong was surprised when Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing came to visit.
He invited them in and poured tea. Given their lack of close personal ties, he suspected they had something serious to discuss.
"Dai Mubai, aren't you supposed to be cultivating? What brings you here?"
Dai Mubai looked serious. "Yang Xiong, I wanted to talk about the soul master tournament."
Yang Xiong was puzzled. "What's there to discuss? We just compete normally. We've still got a shot at the qualifying rounds."
Dai Mubai replied, "Yang Xiong, I know you haven't been using your full strength. I want to ask for your help, for both myself and Zhuqing."
Yang Xiong smiled. "If there's really a problem, just say it. We'll work together to solve it."
Dai Mubai hesitated before speaking again. "You probably already know about Zhuqing and me, our backgrounds. This tournament affects our future. I must win, and I need to shine in the finals."
Yang Xiong sipped his tea. "I've heard rumors about the Star Luo Empire. But whether it's in battle or daily training, I've already done my part for the team."
Dai Mubai continued, "Did you hear that the champions get three soul bones? I don't care about the prize. I just want us to defeat the Star Luo Royal Academy."
Yang Xiong laughed. "Soul bones are valuable, but only if you live to use them. As for the tournament, I'll do my best. But aiming for the championship or beating the Star Luo team feels a bit out of reach."
Seeing Yang Xiong's nonchalant attitude, Dai Mubai looked helpless. "We've been teammates for years. I know better than anyone how strong you are. Even if Tang San and I joined forces, we couldn't beat you. And you've never used your soul ring skills."
Yang Xiong responded, "I've explained why I don't use those skills. Have you ever wondered why a prince of the Star Luo Empire is at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy? It's probably not as simple as it looks."
After a long conversation, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing left. Yang Xiong shook his head as he watched them go.
He knew Dai Mubai was likely trying to return to the Star Luo Empire to fight for the throne. But Davis, his older brother, was already level 49, far beyond Dai Mubai's current capabilities.
Without the Jiu Ming Tong Tian Ju (Nine-sectioned Celestial Chrysanthemum), Dai Mubai wasn't as powerful as in the original storyline. Zhu Zhuqing, lacking the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, also lagged far behind. Compared to the duo of Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, the gap was massive.
Shortly after Dai Mubai left, another group arrived, Ning Fengzhi, Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and Bone Douluo.
After the banquet, Tang San had met privately with Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi, likely to discuss the Clear Sky Hammer and Tang Hao. But Yang Xiong didn't care about that.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi, Yang Xiong greeted him. "Sect Master, what brings you here? Rongrong is in the next building."
Ning Fengzhi frowned. "Xiao Xiong, don't be so nervous. We're just here to discuss something."
Yang Xiong looked puzzled. If it were sect business, why bring Yu Xiaogang and Tang San?
Ning Fengzhi paused, then said, "Xiao Xiong, do you know the true meaning of this soul master tournament, especially the significance of the championship?"
Yang Xiong thought for a moment. "I heard the winners get three soul bones. I imagine they must be extraordinary."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "The Spirit Hall offered up three soul bones because they're confident their team will win. According to my sources, their team, nicknamed the Golden Generation, has three Soul Kings. Every member is above level 45."
Yang Xiong fell silent. "Sect Master, I've heard that too. Honestly, our team isn't in the same league. We have no real chance of winning."
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "I know the gap is huge. But the Spirit Hall wants a crushing victory to raise their reputation to new heights. If they succeed, their status in the soul master world will become unshakable. That could be very bad for us."
Yang Xiong looked puzzled. "Aren't you exaggerating a bit? Spirit Hall is strong, but our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has close ties with the Heaven Dou royal family. We're not afraid of them."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "The current Pope, Bibi Dong, is powerful and ambitious. She's used iron-fisted methods to grow rapidly. Almost every talented young soul master has been drawn into Spirit Hall. Their power may be even greater than we realize."
"She's ruthless, even to her own people. I'm afraid she'll eventually turn against us. When that happens, our sect might not be able to stand alone."
Yang Xiong sighed. "There's not much I can do. I'm only a Soul Elder right now. Maybe in five years, I could challenge them. But what does any of this have to do with Tang San and Yu Xiaogang?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "It has everything to do with them. Yu Xiaogang comes from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and Tang San from the Clear Sky Sect. This tournament is a joint effort by the Three Upper Sects, our cooperation against Spirit Hall. Yu Yuanzhen already wrote to me, and we've even contacted the Clear Sky Sect."
Yang Xiong was speechless. Ning Fengzhi seemed strangely proud to be the first to step up. Didn't he fear becoming Spirit Hall's main target? The Blue Lightning Clan had long hidden away, and the Clear Sky Sect had completely gone underground. Only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remained publicly active.
"Sect Master, even if the Three Upper Sects join forces, how can we beat three Soul Kings? I can't think of a way."
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