The two God Kings, Kindness and Destruction, simultaneously shook their heads.
"Although Asura threatened that boy, he has now agreed to this divine decree, so it doesn't violate the rule that gods cannot interfere in the lower realm's affairs."
An angry Poseidon turned and saw Ignaz bowing respectfully, so he could only storm out of the committee in a huff.
"Thank you, thank you, my ass—we'll see about this."
Ignaz then headed toward the eastern part of the Star Luo Empire. After walking only a few steps, all the animals around him—especially those that appeared directly before him—were instantly killed.
Because of this, he had no choice but to find a secluded waterfall to meditate in peace. While cultivating his spirit power, he also refined his character, gradually dissolving the murderous nature within his body.
...
Spring passed and autumn came; heat and cold alternated. After one year, beneath the waterfall, a handsome white-haired youth leapt from the water. As his figure sprinted rapidly up the cliff face, the waterfall itself briefly appeared severed in midair.
Ignaz landed steadily, his black robe already draped across his shoulders. At this moment, his killing intent was restrained, and his spirit power was more abundant than ever.
"There's still a year and a half until the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. It's time to implement my plan."
With a kick, Ignaz propelled himself forward, flying toward Sky Star City in the eastern part of the Star Luo Empire.
...
In the restroom of Soto City's Great Spirit Arena, a pink-haired man in green robes with a wolf insignia on his chest was laying out battle plans.
"Oslo, Yu Feng—you two are agility-attack type spirit masters. One of you must restrain the enemy captain, while the other quickly breaks through their defense line. Your first priority is to eliminate that Blue Silver Grass spirit master—he's the core of their entire team.
"Dimo, you'll assist Oslo in restraining the captain. The other four will follow the plan. Understood?"
When it came to the Shrek team, which had just gained some fame, they didn't take them seriously at all. Still, they replied reluctantly:
"Got it, Teacher Qin."
Especially Oslo and Yu Feng—they still couldn't fully integrate into Heaven Dou Team Two.
In terms of strength, they could easily fit into Heaven Dou Team One. But because of that, Ignaz—whose whereabouts remained unknown—had been forced into Team Two, this so-called "garbage team," where everyone was only around the level of Spirit Elder.
"Those two bitches from 'the dead one,' and those two bastards Shi Mo and Shi Mo—none of them are worth a damn. If Big Brother Tian Heng were still here, how could we suffer such humiliation?"
The two cursed Dugu Yan's group in their hearts constantly, bitter over how disgustingly they had been excluded.
Qin Ming, seeing Oslo and the others' half-hearted attitude, grew furious. But on the eve of battle, he couldn't afford to lash out at the seven before him.
He often thought about how great it would be if he could lead Heaven Dou Academy Team One—Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the strongest students. Especially Dugu Yan, who was now already a Spirit King.
In the last tournament, not a single Spirit King had appeared among any team members. Yet now Heaven Dou Royal Academy had produced one, along with Ignaz, three years prior.
Unfortunately, Qin Ming had appealed to the academy's three teaching committee members many times, hoping to lead Team One, but his wish had never been granted.
This was because Dugu Yan had taken it upon herself to train her group under the crushing force of waterfall pressure. Ye Lingling had agreed, and even Shi Mo and Shi Mo—students with top-tier beast martial souls—had supported her approach.
Qin Ming couldn't accept this. He had even reported it multiple times, claiming that if Dugu Yan continued recklessly, the three geniuses would all be ruined.
Now, as leader of Heaven Dou Team Two, he wanted to prove to the committee that without his guidance, even a team with a Spirit King like Dugu Yan would be weak when assembled.
And with only one year until the next Spirit Master Tournament, he looked forward to seeing the mess she would make of Team One. He feared they wouldn't even be able to gather seven members when the time came.
As the host stepped into the spirit fighting stage, he shouted enthusiastically:
"Let us welcome Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team Two and the Shrek Academy team to the stage!"
The audience erupted in thunderous applause.
"Brothers, release your martial souls!"
As Dai Mubai and the others activated their martial souls, Oslo and the rest followed suit, attacking the Shrek members according to plan.
"First spirit skill, Wind Blade!"
"Second spirit skill, White Tiger Light Wave!"
But after only a few exchanges, Team Two was utterly defeated. Shrek Academy's reputation soared overnight.
...
Meanwhile, after seven days of continuous flight, Ignaz arrived at Sky Star City. Upon entering, he noticed all the Yang family medicine shops that once lined the streets had closed down.
It seemed as if no trace of the Breaking Clan remained. His heart heavy, Ignaz rushed to their old headquarters.
"Could it be that because I killed people from Spirit Hall, they completely exterminated the Breaking Clan? Impossible. No matter how mad that woman is, she wouldn't openly destroy a spirit master clan—especially one once affiliated with the Clear Sky Clan."
When he reached the gate, Ignaz saw that surveillance had doubled since before.
Unbothered, he knocked loudly and shouted:
"A guest from the past returns to visit the Breaking Clan!"
The gates soon opened, and several Yang family members stepped out, Soul-Breaking Spears in hand, studying him cautiously.
"Who are you looking for?"
Ignaz stared at the man leading them—Yang Yong, twenty-two years old, yet his weathered face looked like someone in his thirties.
"It's me, Ignaz."
Ignaz summoned his martial soul. Yang Yong's eyes locked onto the Blood Thunder War Spear, recognition dawning instantly.
The tension vanished, and joy spread across his face.
"So it's you! I never expected you'd look like this after five years."
Throwing an arm over Ignaz's shoulder, Yang Yong said warmly:
"So, are you here to buy more pills, or have you come to join our Breaking Clan?"
"Joining is impossible. I've come to recruit you. The Breaking Clan has shown me kindness, and I'm here to offer you a brighter path forward."
Yang Yong's expression hardened, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Brother, you can't joke about this. If you've already joined Spirit Hall, then our Breaking Clan will have no choice but to fight you to the death."
۞۞۞۞
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