At this moment, Xue Qinghe had completely returned to his usual calm demeanor and was even smiling. "Xiao Xiong, I did lose my composure earlier. After all, it's rare to see such a powerful Titled Douluo, especially one with a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. That's the most precious treasure in the entire Spirit Master world."
"Teacher, that man looked incredibly strong. Could it be that the Clear Sky School has truly reappeared?"
Ning Rongrong was also puzzled. "Father, how could that man be so powerful? He even knocked back the Titled Douluo who ambushed him with a single blow."
Ning Fengzhi remained silent for a while before speaking. "Qinghe, Xiao Xiong, Rongrong, that man just now was Tang Hao from the Clear Sky School. He was extremely talented and once known as a rare genius. In fact, he's recorded as the youngest Titled Douluo in history."
"However, due to certain events in the past, Tang Hao was expelled from the Clear Sky School. If you ever encounter him again, be extremely cautious."
Xue Qinghe nodded. "The Clear Sky Hammer is indeed formidable. Especially that hundred-thousand-year spirit ring of his, it was truly shocking. That was my first time seeing one, which is why I lost my composure."
Seeing Xue Qinghe return to normal, Yang Xiong rolled his eyes. This guy really knows how to act. No wonder he's been undercover for so long without being discovered.
That night, all the carriages were parked together in a circle, while hundreds of knights stood guard around the perimeter.
Yang Xiong quietly approached Lin Gong. "Teacher Lin, I need your help with something. It's urgent, and I'll make sure you're well rewarded."
Lin Gong looked puzzled. "What could a little guy like you possibly need help with? Wuhun City is dangerous. Without me by your side, aren't you afraid you'll get into trouble? Sword Douluo might not be able to protect you all the time, especially since his duty is to protect Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong."
Yang Xiong smiled. "It's just Wuhun City. We're traveling so openly, with even the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire among us. Nothing serious will happen."
Lin Gong fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Wuhun City is far more dangerous than you think. There are countless top-tier experts lurking here. Even I wouldn't act recklessly. If you stand out too much, you'll become a target."
"Didn't you see your teammate Tang San? It's precisely because of his extraordinary talent that the Spirit Hall wants him dead."
Yang Xiong replied, "I'm still a disciple of a major sect. As long as I don't act recklessly, the sect leader should keep me safe. But this matter is truly urgent, and you're the only one I can trust. So I'd like you to handle it personally."
Lin Gong was even more confused. What could be so urgent that it required a Spirit Douluo like him?
Without another word, Yang Xiong handed Lin Gong a map and a sealed envelope. "Teacher Lin, this is crucial. If it's successful, don't come to Wuhun City. Go straight back to the sect. We'll regroup there."
"Of course, if it can't be done, just leave it be."
Seeing how serious Yang Xiong was, Lin Gong accepted the envelope and map without informing anyone and left quietly.
Back in the carriage, Ning Rongrong was still playing with Zhu Zhuqing and the others. Only Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo remained inside.
Ning Fengzhi seemed to know Lin Gong had left but said nothing. He just quietly read his book while Sword Douluo sat with eyes closed, resting.
Just as Yang Xiong was about to meditate, Ning Fengzhi spoke. "Xiao Xiong, I don't know what your stance is on Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, but both of them come from the Clear Sky School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Unless it's absolutely necessary, there's no need to turn them into enemies."
Yang Xiong smiled. "Sect Leader, you're overthinking it. Why would I cause trouble with them?"
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "I know you're strong-willed and don't like the way I maintain superficial relations with those two sects. But the Spirit Hall is too powerful now. Without allies, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect won't survive."
Yang Xiong pondered this. "Sect Leader, we still need to strengthen ourselves. Can the Clear Sky School or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan really help us?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "It's not about immediate help. The Clear Sky School produced the legendary Clear Sky Twins. If not for their conflict with the Spirit Hall, they would overshadow even us. As for the Blue Lightning Clan, although Yu Yuanzhen is struggling to maintain it, they've also produced the Blue Lightning Twin Stars. They may rise again."
"If the three top sects fight among themselves, we'll only weaken each other, which will benefit the Spirit Hall in the end."
Yang Xiong nodded. "I understand, Sect Leader. I won't start any conflict, but I also won't back down from what's rightfully mine, no matter who it is."
Ning Fengzhi said, "I know asking you to attend Shrek Academy was a bit unfair. With your strength, you'd be the core of any team. But in this tournament, you hardly got to compete in the qualifying rounds."
Yang Xiong smiled calmly. "Sect Leader, you know I don't care about glory. I just want to train peacefully. As for the team, I've done my part, even if I've held back a bit. I believe I've been a good teammate and student."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "I understand now. Perhaps I shouldn't have thrown you into the chaos of Shrek. After this Soul Master Tournament, I won't interfere with your cultivation plans anymore."
"And one more thing, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is second to none. If something belongs to you, don't hesitate to fight for it. The sect will always back you."
Yang Xiong was secretly pleased. "Thank you, Sect Leader!"
A few days later, they finally arrived at Wuhun City.
During that time, a small incident occurred, after the previous ambush, Xiao Wu unexpectedly broke through to the Soul Ancestor realm after a few days of cultivation.
Liu Erlong was overjoyed and personally took Xiao Wu to a nearby Soul Beast forest to obtain her soul ring. Her fourth soul skill was Invincible Golden Body.
Everyone, including Liu Erlong, was thrilled. Now the team had seven Soul Ancestors, plus Yang Xiong, a powerful high-level Soul Elder. Xiao Wu's Invincible Golden Body was an incredible skill that would be a major asset in future battles.
Upon entering Wuhun City, everyone felt relieved. At least here, they wouldn't face ambushes,Wuhun City was said to be the safest place in the world.
After over ten days of travel, they finally had a proper place to rest.
Wuhun City was built atop a mountain and surrounded by towering hexagonal walls. Each wall stood dozens of meters tall, adorned with intricate murals. In the city's center stood a massive angel statue, visible even from afar.
While Wuhun City wasn't as large as Heaven Dou City, its mountainous position made it easy to defend and hard to attack. The walls were incredibly sturdy, made with special materials and crafted like works of art.
Security in the city was extremely tight. Patrols were everywhere, and all the guards were Spirit Masters with considerable power.
Yang Xiong couldn't help but admire the strength of the Spirit Hall. Even palace guards couldn't guarantee that all their members were Spirit Masters. These patrolling guards were not only powerful but deeply loyal, proving the Spirit Hall's immense influence.
As soon as Yang Xiong stepped into Wuhun City, he felt a strange force wash over him, making him feel lighter, as if his spirit had been uplifted. Perhaps this was due to the uniqueness of his Martial Soul.
Others didn't seem to feel it as strongly. Perhaps it was something unique to his body's Martial Soul.
Yu Xiaogang, who had gone missing since the end of the qualifier matches, suddenly reappeared. But he looked disheveled and aged, as if something had deeply affected him.
Yang Xiong guessed he must've gone to see Bibi Dong, hoping to ask about cultivating twin martial souls. But it looked like Bibi Dong had completely severed her past ties.
After three days of rest in Wuhun City, the finals of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament officially began.
There were thirty-three teams in total: fifteen from the Heaven Dou and Star Luo regions, plus three seeded teams, Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, Star Luo Royal Academy, and the Spirit Hall Team.
There would be five rounds in total. In the first round, the three seeded teams had a bye. In the second, the two top teams from the preliminaries had byes. In the third, the second-place teams from the preliminaries had byes. From the fourth round onward, no more byes.
By the end of the fourth round, three teams would remain for the final round, the top three.
The final round would include both individual and team matches to determine the champion. The standards were extremely high, especially since only one day of rest was allowed between rounds. The schedule was incredibly tight.
Yu Xiaogang and Flender gave one final pep talk, and even Crown Prince Xue Qinghe appeared in person, after all, they were representing the Heaven Dou Empire.
But compared to Team Two, Oscar and Qin Shuang, who had joined Team One, looked extremely downcast. Although they easily advanced to the second round, it was clear they would be outmatched once they fought, possibly even humiliated, which could tarnish the empire's image.
The team lineup was again arranged by Tang San. After some adjustments, the final seven were: Tang San, Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Yang Xiong, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong.
Although the Shi brothers had excellent defense, they lacked Xiao Wu's agility in offense. And Xiao Wu's Invincible Golden Body was far stronger than most defensive techniques.
Long-term tests also proved that a single defensive Soul Ancestor didn't contribute as much as Ning Rongrong, the top-tier support-type Soul Elder.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the best support martial soul. Though Ning Rongrong was only at level 36, her buffs were extremely powerful. With her split-mind control training at the level of "Five Aperture Scatter Focus," she could support five people at once.
She had three buff skills: strength, speed, and spirit power, all increasing by 40%. The effect on the team was immense.
Another support-type Soul Master, Ye Lingling, was also present, but her abilities focused more on healing and less on combat enhancements.
As for Xiao Wu, even Yang Xiong found it odd. How could a rabbit martial soul develop something like Invincible Golden Body? It was a rare skill even among top-tier defensive Spirit Masters.
After all the adjustments, Yang Xiong was once again placed as the team's defensive Soul Master, at the back of the formation.
He also gave Ning Rongrong many reminders: no matter what, she must not reveal the Eight Spider Lances. The competition was being watched closely by the entire world, and since she hadn't fully integrated with the bone, it might draw unwanted attention.
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