Gathering Undercurrents, Tang San's First Trace

Gathering Undercurrents, Tang San's First Trace

After Qin Ming left, Ling Feng did not relax. He knew the tournament was about to begin, and every faction was making intense preparations. Tang San, his greatest target, was of vital importance.

He activated the "Jade Phosphor Communication Bead" Dugu Bo had given him and infused it with Soul Power. A dark green flash flickered across the bead's surface, and Dugu Bo's slightly hoarse yet vigorous voice immediately rang out in Ling Feng's mind. "Brother Ling Feng? What is it?"

"Senior, I need you to help me investigate someone's whereabouts," Ling Feng said directly. "Tang San, a youth from Nuoding Academy whose martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, though he is quite formidable. He should have already arrived in Heaven Dou City and may have joined some academy. I need to know exactly where he is, as well as the situation of those around him—Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and the others."

"Tang San? Blue Silver Grass?" Dugu Bo's voice carried a hint of confusion, but he quickly said, "Fine! A trivial matter! This old man has operated in Heaven Dou City for many years. I still have this much of an intelligence network. Give me one day!"

"Thank you, Senior." Ling Feng cut off the communication.

With Dugu Bo, a local powerhouse, taking action, finding Tang San would be as easy as turning his hand. All that remained was to wait for news and prepare to intercept him during the tournament. In the original story, Shrek Academy had participated under Blue Tyrant Academy's name. He wondered whether there would be any changes this time.

Just as Ling Feng was deep in thought, the passive warning from the Eye of Fate sent another vague fragment—toward the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, a molten-gold gaze seemed to pierce through space, carrying scrutiny and calculation as it fell upon Cuiwei Garden. At the same time, another gaze filled with resentment and malice—Yu Tianheng's—was watching this place from somewhere deep within the academy.

"Xue Qinghe... Yu Tianheng..." Ling Feng sneered. Let the storm come even more fiercely!

The following evening, the Jade Phosphor Communication Bead lit up again.

"Brother, I found him!" Dugu Bo's voice carried a trace of amusement. "That kid named Tang San is indeed in Heaven Dou City. He didn't join the Five Elements Academy, nor did he go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy—obviously, he doesn't know you're there. He joined an obscure little academy—Shrek Academy! This academy is currently affiliated with Blue Tyrant Academy in the south of the city and has obtained the qualifications to participate in this Soul Master Tournament."

Shrek! It really was Shrek! A sharp glint flashed through Ling Feng's eyes.

"There's a little girl following him named Xiao Wu. Her martial soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit, and her Soul Power is not weak. There's also a blond, heterochromatic-eyed kid named Dai Mubai. His martial soul is the White Tiger, and he is a Soul Elder. He seems to be from the Star Luo Empire. There are several others as well, but their strength is ordinary." Dugu Bo's intelligence was extremely detailed. "Oh, right. This Shrek Academy is rather interesting. Its dean is named Flender, a Soul Sage. There are also two teachers. One is named Zhao Wuji, also a Soul Sage, with the Great Strength Vajra Bear as his martial soul and a fiery temper. The other is named Yu Xiaogang..."

Dugu Bo paused, and his voice turned strange. "...Yu Xiaogang, nicknamed 'Grandmaster.' He has plenty of theories, but his own strength... ahem, he's only a rank 29 Soul Grandmaster. They say he is from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but it seems he was expelled from the clan. He is very close to Tang San and appears to be his teacher."

Yu Xiaogang! Tang San's teacher! Ling Feng sneered inwardly. This "theoretical grandmaster" had provided Tang San with plenty of "correct" guidance in the original story. He wondered what expression Yu Xiaogang would wear when every one of his theories was shattered by Ling Feng.

"Thank you, Senior!" Ling Feng solemnly expressed his gratitude. This intelligence was crucial!

"A small matter. Brother, do you need this old man to do anything during the tournament?" Dugu Bo asked, clearly wanting to repay the favor.

"Not for now. Senior, focus on stabilizing your realm. When the time comes, I will contact you." Ling Feng replied. Dugu Bo was a card to be played at a critical moment.

After cutting off the communication, a cold glint flashed in Ling Feng's eyes. Shrek Academy, affiliated with Blue Tyrant Academy... Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Yu Xiaogang... all the key figures were already in place!

"Very good." Ling Feng walked to the window and looked toward the south of the city, as though he could see through layer upon layer of buildings to the blue-clad youth cultivating within Blue Tyrant Academy.

"Tang San, the prey has been locked on. Next, let us have a proper 'exchange' on the tournament stage. Your immortal herbs, your fortuitous opportunities, your glory... I will take them all, one by one! It is time for the protagonist of this tournament to be replaced!"

He spread open his palm, and golden light gathered in it. The phantom of the Spear of Judgment slowly emerged, crimson-gold radiance flowing around its tip and radiating an aura both sacred and destructive. The curtain of the tournament was about to rise! The tides of Heaven Dou City would be completely stirred by him!