Yang Wudi
Tang San stopped worrying about the form of address and got down to business. "Senior Tai Tan, I have come here today because I need your help with something."
"Young Master, please give me your orders. As long as it's within my power, I'll go through fire and water for you." Tai Tan puffed out his chest, patted it, and spoke in a hearty tone.
Tang San shook his head. "It's not that serious. I just wanted to ask you to introduce me to Clan Chief Yang Wudi. I've heard that Clan Chief Yang's Soul Breaking Spear Technique is unparalleled, and I'd like to learn some spear techniques from him. I hope to receive some guidance from Clan Chief Yang."
Tai Tan frowned slightly, paused for a moment, then nodded. "No problem, leave it to this old servant. Once Old Goat arrives, I will definitely introduce you. But young master, Yang Wudi has a bad temper, so be careful not to provoke him."
"I understand. Tai Tan, Senior Titan." Tang San smiled, not taking it to heart.
Tai Tan waved his hand, a smile spreading across his face. "There are still two weeks until the gathering. Young Master, why don't you stay at the Strength Clan's residence during this time? This old servant will have a fine courtyard prepared for you; you'll be very comfortable."
"No need, I have other things to do. I'll come back in half a month. I won't bother you any longer."
Seeing Tang San refusal, Tai Tan didn't press the matter. "Alright, no problem. I'll give the order immediately. Young Master can come and go from the Strength Clan's residence at any time. If you need anything, just let me know, and this old servant will certainly do it."
Tang San naturally expressed his gratitude once again.
With the important matters concluded, Tang San remembered Shrek Academy and asked, "Senior Tai Tan, do you know where Blue Tyrant Academy is?"
Tai Tan chuckled, "You've come to the right person. My grandson, Tai Long, attends Blue Tyrant Academy. However, Blue Tyrant Academy has since been renamed Shrek Academy. I heard a new batch of teachers and students arrived, so they changed the name. Why are you asking about this, young master?"
Tang San replied, "I am a student of Shrek. I took leave a few months ago and left the academy. I heard that the academy moved to Heaven Dou City and merged with the Blue Tyrant Academy, and I was planning to go back to rejoin the team. My teachers and classmates are all there."
Tai Tan nodded, then turned to his grandson beside him. "Tai Long, you take the young master to the academy later."
"Yes, Grandpa." Tai Long stepped forward respectfully, cupped his fists to Tang San, and said, "Young Master, I'll take you to the academy."
Tai Long was several years older than him, yet he kept calling him "Young Master," making Tang San feel extremely uncomfortable.
Tang San waved his hand casually, "Brother Tai Long, you don't need to call me Young Master, just call me Tang San. I'm younger than you, you can call me Xiao San too."
Tai Long scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "Alright, Tang San. Then I won't stand on ceremony. Let's go, I'll take you to the academy."
Tai Long is straightforward and doesn't mince words.
Tang San followed Tai Long out of the Strength Clan's mansion, and the three of them walked along the street towards the Shrek Academy.
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the Shrek Academy.
The school gate is still the same iron gate that Blue Tyrant Academy used to have, but the five characters "Shrek Academy" on the lintel have just been replaced.
Tang San stood at the school gate, looking up at the brand-new signboard, a smile curving his lips.
With Tai Long leading the way, Tang San quickly arrived at Flender's dean's office.
When Flender saw Tang San and Xiao Wu walk in, he strode up to Tang San and said, "Good lad, you're finally back! Was the journey smooth? Did you get your Fifth Soul Ring? What level is it?"
Tang San smiled and nodded, "The Soul Ring went very smoothly, it's a ten-thousand-year level one."
Flender looked at Tang San with satisfaction. Although a ten-thousand-year Fifth Soul Ring was a common configuration, he knew that his prized disciple, Qin Ming, only obtained a nine-thousand-year Fifth Soul Ring because no one helped him.
"It's good to be back, it's good to be back. Go and rest first, we'll arrange training tomorrow." Flender patted Tang San on the shoulder, a rare smile on his face.
Then he turned to Tai Long and said, "Tai Long, take Tang San and Xiao Wu to the head teacher to assign them dorm rooms."
"Flender, Dean Flander." Tang San said, then followed Tai Long out of the dean's office.
The new academy's dormitories are still divided into male and female sections, so Tang San and Xiao Wu still don't have the opportunity to live together.
Soon, after greeting Yuan Ning Rongrong and the others, Tang San's life returned to normal.
Two weeks later, the gathering of the four ethnic groups began.
The mansion of the Strength Clan was brightly decorated with lanterns, and large red lanterns hung from the main gate all the way to the inner courtyard, illuminating the entire street in a red glow.
Carriages and horses came and went in an endless stream in front of the gate, and every now and then, Soul Masters dressed in various colorful outfits would jump down from the carriages, greet each other with clasped hands, and laugh loudly.
Although the Four Single-Attribute Clans have long since separated from the Clear Sky Sect, their friendship has never been broken. Their biennial gathering is a rare moment of reunion for them.
Tang San asked the academy for two days off and set off early in the morning, arriving alone at the Strength Clan.
Upon seeing Tang San, Tai Tan quickly stepped forward and lowered his voice, "Young Master, Old Goat has arrived and is waiting in the secret chamber."
Tang San smiled and said, "Tai Tan, Senior Titan. I know what I'm doing."
Tai Tan led Tang San to a secret room deep within the mansion.
The secret room was small, with no windows on the four walls, only an oil lamp on the ceiling, casting a dim light. An old man stood with his back to the door, his hands behind his back.
The old man was thin, but his back was ramrod straight, like a gun stuck in the ground. He wore a dark gray robe and his hair was gray.
Hearing footsteps, Yang Wudi slowly turned around.
His eyes were long and sharp, and his overall demeanor was like his Martial Soul, the Soul Breaking Spear —sharp, cold, and uncompromising.
Tang San stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and bowed. "Junior Tang San greets Senior Yang."
Yang Wudi did not return the greeting. His gaze swept over Tang San's face, and he coldly asked, "You are Tang Hao's son, Tang San?"
Tang San nodded helplessly, his tone calm. "That's right, it is indeed this junior."
Yang Wudi looked away, walked to a stone chair, sat down, and said, "If Tang Hao hadn't found me some time ago and apologized to me in person, I would never have agreed to let the old gorilla see you."
"Speak up, what do you want? Get to the point, I don't like beating around the bush."
Tang San's heart skipped a beat. Tang Hao had indeed visited the Breaking Clan again, and was finally beginning to confront his past?
Tang San said directly, "This junior wishes to learn the Soul Breaking Spear Technique from Senior Yang. Furthermore, this junior has heard that Senior Yang possesses an Immortal Herb Catalogue, containing illustrations and descriptions of the effects of various rare medicinal herbs from across the world. This junior is quite interested in medicinal herbs and hopes to obtain that catalog from Senior Yang so that I can identify and use Immortal Herbs in the future."
Yang Wudi raised an eyebrow. "Soul Breaking Spear Technique, Immortal Herb Catalogue —this kid certainly has a big appetite." A mocking smile curved Yang Wudi's lips.
"You're really asking for the moon. The Soul Breaking Spear Technique is a secret spear technique passed down through my Breaking Clan, never taught to outsiders. You don't even have a spear-type Martial Soul, so what do you need the spear technique for?"
"My Fifth Soul Skill is to conjure a long spear, but I possess the spear yet know how to use it. Therefore, I wish to learn spear techniques to unleash the full power of my Soul Skill. And the Soul Breaking Spear Technique is the strongest spear technique I have ever heard of on the continent."
Tang San spoke the truth and casually offered a compliment.
A hint of surprise flashed in Yang Wudi's eyes, followed by a spark of interest. "Fifth Soul Skill? What level is your Soul Power now?"
Level 53.
After saying that, Tang San's five Soul Rings rose from the soles of his feet, two yellow, two purple, and one black.
Tang San used his External Soul Bone, the Dreamlike Illusion Eyes, to disguise the colors of his Second Soul Ring and Fourth Soul Rings. From the outside, the Soul Ring Configuration appeared to be normal.