After their match against Shrek Academy, the Seven Treasure Team had only one formidable opponent left in the preliminary rounds: Thunder Academy.
Since the tournament was not yet halfway through, their match against Thunder Academy had been scheduled for the final day of the preliminaries.
That meant everyone could relax for a while, giving Wu Qi plenty of time to prepare his plans against Shi Nian.
Moreover, it wasn't just Shi Nian's Spirit Bone that he wanted. He also had his sights set on several treasures in Tang San's possession.
Early the next morning, the Shrek Seven Devils gradually woke up.
As they recalled Wu Qi's overwhelming strength, a deep sense of despair settled over them.
He seemed like an opponent who simply could not be defeated. No matter how hard they tried, all that awaited them was one crushing defeat after another.
The last time they faced the Seven Treasure Team, the opposing side had fielded its full main lineup. Although they hadn't paid much attention afterward, that match had definitely lasted more than a minute.
This time, however, Wu Qi had defeated them in under thirty seconds while leading three substitute members and without Feng Xiaotian even taking the field.
The gap between them had only grown wider.
Even Tang San had no idea how to bridge it.
Without relying on hidden weapons, was he truly incapable of winning battles?
Perhaps choosing to cultivate his Blue Silver Grass Spirit had been a mistake.
If he had cultivated the Clear Sky Hammer instead or developed both Spirits simultaneously would the outcome have been different?
After all, his Blue Silver Grass was completely helpless against the Seven Treasure Team's Wind and Fire attacks. It couldn't even survive, much less hinder his opponents.
Had he been using the Clear Sky Hammer instead, those problems would have disappeared, and he wouldn't have been forced into such a passive position.
Tang San unconsciously looked at his left hand, confusion filling his heart.
Had his teacher and father made the wrong choice?
The limitations of Blue Silver Grass were simply too great, restricting him at every turn.
Although the Shrek Seven Devils sat together, no one spoke.
Everyone kept their heads lowered, their usual energy completely gone.
Grandmaster, however, continued encouraging them.
"Everyone, pull yourselves together. In half an hour, we still have our match against the Blazing and Godwind Team."
But under the current circumstances, the Shrek Seven Devils had already lost confidence in the future. They no longer had any desire to fight the Blazing and Godwind Team.
Not long afterward, Flender hurried into the room.
"Everyone, get some proper rest today. I've already spoken with the tournament organizers. We won't have to play against the Godwind and Blazing Team."
Grandmaster immediately flew into a rage.
"Flender, who gave you permission to forfeit? Without Feng Xiaotian and others, the Godwind and Blazing Team is much weaker. The children have every chance of defeating them. Why would you surrender?"
For once, Flender offered no explanation.
The truth was obvious.
Given the Shrek Seven Devils' current mental state, how could they possibly defeat the Godwind and Blazing Team?
If they suffered another defeat, it would only deal them an even greater psychological blow.
It was better to forfeit and end the matter.
Flender walked out of the lounge.
Still dissatisfied, Grandmaster followed after him, only to run into Tai Tan, who had just arrived.
Grandmaster was only good at bullying those weaker than himself. When facing someone far stronger, he didn't dare utter a single word.
He merely forced an awkward smile and silently stepped aside.
Tai Tan glanced at him briefly before pushing open the lounge door.
The Shrek Seven Devils all looked up at once.
Tang San knew Tai Tan had most likely come to see him.
With his head lowered and none of his former confidence remaining, he silently followed him outside.
Inside another lounge within Shrek Academy.
After hearing the entire story from Tai Long, Tai Tan did not blame Tang San.
Instead, like an elder comforting a junior, he patted Tang San's shoulder and spoke kindly.
"Young Master, have you forgotten what this old servant told you before?"
Tang San shook his head.
He hadn't forgotten.
He had simply lost confidence in himself.
Tai Tan continued, "Back in the day, the Clear Sky Clan was filled with talented experts. Your father's talent was certainly exceptional, but among the entire clan, he wasn't especially outstanding."
"Because of his age and because he was Clan Master Tang Chen's grandson, many of the clan's young elites challenged him."
"I still remember it clearly. At sixteen, your father had only just reached Spirit Ancestor Level, while most of his opponents were high-Level Spirit Ancestors or even Spirit Kings."
"There were no surprises. Your father suffered countless defeats."
"He even questioned himself, wondering whether he hadn't worked hard enough or whether his talent simply wasn't sufficient."
"But look at him today."
"With your father's current strength, how many people in the Clear Sky Clan could still stand against him?"
"Those young geniuses who once challenged him are no longer his equals."
"The same principle applies here."
"Feng Xiaotian happens to be competing at the maximum eligible age for this tournament. He's twenty-four years old, ten years older than you."
"Young Master, with your talent, do you really believe you won't reach Spirit King Level in ten years?"
"And Wu Qi is likely no younger."
"You weren't defeated because your talent was lacking."
"You lost because of the difference in age."
"Furthermore, your father didn't reach Spirit Ancestor Level until he was sixteen."
"Even Clan Master Tang Chen himself only reached Spirit Ancestor Level at fifteen."
"But you're only fourteen, and you've already reached Spirit Ancestor Level."
"Your talent can honestly be said to be the greatest in the entire history of the Clear Sky Clan."
After hearing those words of encouragement, Tang San's mood improved considerably.
He finally broke his silence.
"Senior Tai Tan, but my Blue Silver Grass Spirit really can't win battles."
"It's too fragile. It's vulnerable to both fire and ice. If only I could cultivate my Clear Sky Hammer Spirit."
Tai Tan raised his hand, stopping him before he could continue.
"Young Master, you possess Twin Martial Spirits."
"Such talent is extraordinarily rare across the continent."
"But have you ever wondered why your Blue Silver Grass Spirit is able to coexist with the Clear Sky Hammer Spirit?"
Tang San had never considered that question.
Nor had Grandmaster ever mentioned it.
Tai Tan knew little about Spirit Master theory, but after living for so many years, he possessed insights that ordinary people did not.
"Young Master is your Blue Silver Grass Spirit really just ordinary Blue Silver Grass?"
"There are countless Spirit Masters across the continent whose Spirit is Blue Silver Grass."
"So why is it that only you have been able to cultivate it successfully, while none of the others could?"
Tang San remained silent.
Back then, Grandmaster had told him that with his knowledge, he could guide him in cultivating his Blue Silver Grass Martial Spirit.
The Mysterious Heaven Technique had always been circulating within Tang San's body. Throughout his cultivation, he relied on the Mysterious Heaven Technique to circulate his Spirit Power rather than depending entirely on his Martial Spirit.
There were times when he could clearly feel that cultivating through Blue Silver Grass alone was extremely difficult.
Whenever he asked Grandmaster about it, the answer was always that he had reached a bottleneck. Yet as soon as he circulated the Mysterious Heaven Technique, the situation immediately improved.
Now that Tang San had gained much more experience, he increasingly felt that he had chosen the wrong direction for cultivating his Blue Silver Grass Spirit.
After a moment of thought, he still spoke pessimistically.
"Senior Tai Tan, without the Clear Sky Hammer, I still can't defeat the Seven Treasure Team. No matter how extraordinary my Blue Silver Grass may be, it would still be sliced apart with ease against them."
Cultivating Twin Martial Spirits was no trivial matter. Tai Tan did not dare make such a decision on Tang Hao's behalf.
"Young Master, whether or not you should cultivate the Clear Sky Hammer Spirit is something you must discuss with your father."
---
If you like story please donate some power stones and leave a review
For additional chapters
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu