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Although Tang San failed to enter the top twenty, Tang Lie was genuinely satisfied with his performance.
Starting from behind and still managing to break into the top thirty within such a short period already proved Tang San's talent beyond doubt. Compared to him, Tang Long and Tang Hu's results were far more disappointing to the Clear Sky Sect. They had consumed more resources, entered the Training Ground earlier, and yet still lagged behind Tang San.
Now, neither of them had made it into the top twenty.
It was nothing short of a humiliation.
The only consolation was that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School also had no representatives in the top twenty, preventing the Clear Sky Sect from being singled out as the sole embarrassment.
Between the two, Tang Long performed marginally better, ranking twenty-sixth, while Tang Hu languished at fifty-seventh.
At this very moment, both of them were being dragged off by Sect Elders for brutal closed-door training. Their schedules were completely filled—so tightly that even going to the restroom required reporting in advance.
With results this poor, how could they dare ask for freedom?
"What else do you need?" Tang Lie asked directly. "Just say it. The Sect will satisfy you."
At present, Clear Sky Sect had placed all its hopes on Tang San. They were sparing no expense in nurturing him. If no one from the Sect entered the top twenty next month, every Elder would have to kneel in the Ancestral Hall and beg the ancestors for forgiveness.
"Reporting to Sect Master," Tang San replied solemnly, "I still need a bare-handed offensive secret skill. Although the Mountain Suppressing Hammer Art is powerful, it struggles at close range and is difficult to execute when pressed."
"You've seen the power of Soaring Dragon Divine Fist," Tang Lie said without hesitation. "Exchange for that."
"The Sect has already helped you pre-order a fourth-grade cultivation technique and a fourth-grade hammer-type offensive secret skill. They'll be delivered tomorrow."
Tang San's heart surged with excitement. This was precisely what he had been hoping for.
"Thank you, Sect Master. Tang San will not disappoint the Sect."
"Put other matters aside for now," Tang Lie said seriously. "This is a critical period. Focus entirely on cultivation. You must enter the top twenty next month."
"I will."
Tang Lie studied him for a moment, then spoke bluntly, "Have you been going to Heaven Dou City frequently to see that Xiao Wu?"
Tang San lowered his head in silence.
"Little San," Tang Lie said heavily, "your talent and comprehension are exceptional. The future of the Sect rests on your shoulders."
Only after Tang San repeatedly promised to devote himself fully to cultivation did Tang Lie allow him to leave.
"Got scolded again?" Tang Xiao asked lazily, half-reclined under the warm sunlight. Ah Yin lay beside him, vines swaying gently.
Tang San rubbed his head, his face slightly red.
Tang Xiao called him over, patted his head, and said calmly, "Cultivation and companionship—both matter, and both don't. What matters is what you truly want."
"If Xiao Wu matters more to you than strength, don't force yourself."
"If you value both, learn to balance them."
"And if strength matters more, then let her become your motivation."
Tang San stood quietly, deep in thought.
"No matter what you choose," Tang Xiao added, eyes half-closed, voice relaxed yet firm, "Godfather will support you. The Sect's pressure—I'll bear it."
Tang San inhaled deeply, his gaze steady. "Godfather, Mother… I want to try to balance both."
Tang Xiao smiled faintly. Ah Yin gently brushed Tang San's cheek with a vine, leaves rustling softly as if offering encouragement.
"…How many secret skills have you exchanged recently?" Gao Feng asked, puzzled. It was difficult to believe Qian Renxue could maintain her ranking while being burdened with so many responsibilities.
"Quite a few," Qian Renxue replied evenly. "One defensive secret skill, two offensive ones, two movement skills, and two auxiliary techniques to refine spirit power control."
Even Gao Feng couldn't help warning her, "Secret skills require depth, not quantity. Without deep comprehension, you'll hit a bottleneck."
"I know," Qian Renxue said calmly. "This is temporary. Once everyone starts cultivating full fourth-grade sets, I'll have time to catch up."
Gao Feng shook his head, saying no more.
"Dai Cheng… that Dai Cheng is from your Dai Family, right?" Ma Hongjun asked incredulously.
"Yes," Dai Mubai replied quietly. "The White Tiger Sect was founded by my family."
"To charge into the top twenty at month's end… that's terrifying," Oscar said enviously.
"Little San isn't bad either," Flender added hastily. "Top thirty is impressive."
"But that has nothing to do with Shrek, does it?" Ma Hongjun muttered bluntly.
Flender immediately bristled. "Without Xiaogang's guidance, could Little San have built such a foundation? He's an honorary teacher—Little San is naturally a Shrek disciple!"
He slapped the table decisively. "Next year's recruitment brochure will prominently feature Tang San's name."
Zhao Wuji rolled his eyes. "Dream on. Talents will choose Spirit Hall Academy, Blazing Academy, Seven Treasure Academy… even royal academies are opening branch schools now. Free tuition for geniuses."
Flender fell silent.
Zhao Wuji patted his shoulder. "Shrek isn't just your burden. With Mubai and the others, ten or twenty years—we'll make Shrek's name resound."
Oscar nodded. Dai Mubai sighed softly. Ma Hongjun laughed. Flender's eyes grew moist.
Elsewhere, Fire Yang faced his own dilemma.
Fourth-grade secret skills required astronomical resources. Even exhausting family wealth wouldn't be enough.
Eventually, Shui Bing'er proposed a solution.
"A training class," she said. "For mid- and low-level Spirit Masters. We accept only sacrificial coins."
With Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and herself—all top ten talents—the appeal was undeniable.
"Three days a month each," Shui Bing'er added. "The rest handled by instructors."
Huo Wu's eyes lit up.
This path… might just work.
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