The Jester's Pilgrimage, the Grandmaster's Theory Crushed Underfoot

After a twenty-day long trek, this team of Spirit Masters, the most eye-catching of this era, finally arrived at Spirit City.

The towering city walls stood eighty meters high, constructed entirely of granite, gleaming with a cold, hard luster under the sun. The hexagonal Spirit City was built against the mountain, and the Pope Palace at the very peak was magnificent, resembling a palace for gods looking down upon the mortal world.

For ordinary Spirit Masters, this place was the destination of their dreams and a hall of glory.

But for Shrek Academy at this moment, it was a giant cage, a beast's maw that had long since opened wide.

The carriage slowly drove into the city gate.

Through the window, Tang San looked at the Pope Palace, which symbolized the supreme power of Spirit Hall, and his body trembled involuntarily.

If it were before, he might have been filled with high spirits, vowing to make a name for himself here and fight for the glory of the Clear Sky Sect.

But now, he only felt like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, walking step by step onto the butcher's block.

"We're here."

Flender's voice was low. He also felt the oppressive sensation brought by this city, especially when thinking of the secrets held by Tang San and Xiao Wu, as well as the demon who had been eyeing them; this money-grubbing dean felt uneasy in his heart.

The team was arranged to stay in a specialized hotel in the west of the city.

Compared to the luxurious VIP building where the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was staying, the accommodations for Shrek Academy seemed much more shabby. But this was not what made Tang San feel the most uncomfortable.

What made him feel the most uncomfortable was that when he got off the carriage, he happened to see Yu Tianyu stepping down from that luxurious carriage.

And beside Yu Tianyu, not only was there Huo Wu, the maid who had completely fallen for him, but even Shui Bing'er from Tianshui Academy was now walking by his side; the two seemed to be discussing some application of ice-type spirit power, their behavior quite intimate.

Even Shui Bing'er too...

Tang San gritted his teeth. He remembered that during the qualifying rounds, although Shui Bing'er was arrogant, her eyes were clear. But now, the gaze she directed at Yu Tianyu actually carried a trace of undisguised adoration.

How much more does this demon intend to take before he is satisfied?

Yu Tianyu seemed to sense Tang San's gaze.

He stopped, turned his head, and across the bustling crowd, he flashed a brilliant smile at Tang San.

Then, he raised his hand and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Tang San's whole body stiffened, and he hurriedly lowered his head, pulling Xiao Wu into the hotel in a rush, like a frightened mouse.

Inside the hotel room.

Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan.

Tang San's decadence, the shadow of the Clear Sky Hammer being crushed, and that unknown, massive threat made this theoretical master burn with anxiety. He knew that with Shrek's current state, wanting to win the championship in the finals was simply wishful thinking.

Moreover, the backlash problem of the Twin Martial Souls had always been a sharp sword hanging over his heart.

If this problem was not solved, let alone winning the championship, Tang San's future might be ruined.

"No, I must make a trip."

Grandmaster stopped, a flash of determination in his eyes. "Only she knows the cultivation method for Twin Martial Souls. For the sake of Little San, I will cast aside my pride."

"Teacher, where are you going?" Tang San looked at Grandmaster, who was tidying his clothes, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

"I am going to find Bibi Dong."

Grandmaster took a deep breath and spoke the name that made the entire continent tremble. "She is the current Pope and also the second person in history to possess Twin Martial Souls. Only she can save you, and only she can tell you how to resolve the martial soul conflict."

"Find the Pope?!" Tang San was shocked. "But we and Spirit Hall..."

"Rest assured, Little San."

Grandmaster patted Tang San on the shoulder, a confident, bitter smile squeezed onto his stiff face. "She and I... have some old history, after all. Although we haven't seen each other for so many years, I believe she won't do anything to me. For your sake, even if I have to kneel and beg her, I will not hesitate."

Hearing his teacher's words, Tang San's eyes welled up with tears of gratitude.

This was his teacher! He would not hesitate to bow his head to their greatest enemy for his sake!

"Teacher... you must be careful."

"Wait for my good news."

Grandmaster clutched the Elder Token of Spirit Hall tightly in his hand; that was his final trump card. He believed that with this token, plus the romance he once had with Bibi Dong, he could at least trade for a path to survival.

This was Tang San's only hope at this moment.

He watched the back of Grandmaster as he left, praying silently in his heart: Teacher, you must succeed. As long as the problem of the Twin Martial Souls is solved, I still have a chance to turn the tables!

Pope Palace, Council Hall.

The high dome was painted with a mural of the Angel God's descent, and the massive floor-to-ceiling windows let in golden sunlight, casting it upon the papal throne that symbolized supreme power.

Bibi Dong wore a bright golden gown, the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown on her head, and held a Scepter in her hand, so noble that one dared not look directly at her.

Time seemed to have left no trace on her face; instead, it endowed her with a mature and deadly charm.

And on the side of the hall, a VIP seat was set up.

At this moment, Yu Tianyu was sitting there, holding a cup of tribute tea treasured by Bibi Dong, his demeanor leisurely.

As the hope of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and a peerless genius who had displayed the power of the Dragon God, Bibi Dong was very interested in him. If Spirit Hall wanted to unify the continent, such talent must either be recruited or destroyed. Today was precisely an "interview" of Yu Tianyu by Bibi Dong.

"Yu Tianyu, your talent truly surprises me."

Bibi Dong's voice was cold and majestic. "To be able to suppress the pressure of a Title Douluo at such a young age, and even crush the true form of the Clear Sky Hammer with your bare hands. Join Spirit Hall, and I can appoint you as the Holy Son, with a status second only to the Pope."

"Your Majesty the Pope is too kind."

Yu Tianyu set down his teacup, showing no signs of being overwhelmed by the flattery. "However, a title like Holy Son is merely an empty name to me. I prefer cooperation over joining."

Just as Bibi Dong's brows furrowed and she prepared to lash out.

A Palace Guard Knight hurried in and knelt on one knee.

"Reporting to Your Majesty the Pope, someone outside is requesting an audience, holding an Elder Token."

"An Elder Token?" Bibi Dong paused. "Who is it?"

"He says his name is... Yu Xiaogang."

Upon hearing that name, the hand Bibi Dong used to grip her Scepter tightened abruptly, and her eyes, which had been as still as an ancient well, instantly churned with a tempest.

Anger, resentment, nostalgia, pain... countless complex emotions intertwined in her gaze.

"Let him in."

Bibi Dong's voice trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her icy composure.

Yu Tianyu sat to the side, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile as if watching a show.

The good show was about to begin.

A moment later, the slightly hunched figure of Yu Xiaogang walked into the magnificent hall.

When he saw Bibi Dong sitting high above, the look in his eyes became exceptionally complex. But immediately after, he saw Yu Tianyu sitting to the side.

"You... why are you here?!"

Yu Xiaogang was shocked. He had assumed this was a private meeting; he never expected his greatest nemesis to be here as well!

"I am a guest of Her Majesty the Pope, why wouldn't I be here?"

Yu Tianyu chuckled and spread his hands. "As for you, Grandmaster, shouldn't you be at the hotel comforting your crying disciple? What are you doing here? Reminiscing?"

Bibi Dong looked at Yu Xiaogang coldly, showing no intention of driving Yu Tianyu away.

"Yu Xiaogang, what business do you have coming to see me?"

Under Bibi Dong's icy gaze, Yu Xiaogang had to bite the bullet and ignore Yu Tianyu's presence.

"Bibi Dong... Your Majesty the Pope."

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and straightened his back, attempting to display a sense of integrity that was neither humble nor pushy. "I have come this time to ask a favor."

"I want to know how you solved the backlash problem of your Twin Martial Souls."

Hearing this, Bibi Dong was so furious she laughed.

"Yu Xiaogang, you are still as selfish as ever. Twenty years later, and the first thing you do upon meeting me is make demands?"

"This is for that disciple of yours named Tang San, isn't it?"

"Yes." Yu Xiaogang said righteously. "He is a genius, and he is my pride. I do not wish to see him go astray on his path of cultivation. You are a pioneer of Twin Martial Souls; this experience might mean nothing to you, but to him, it is a life-saving straw."

"In exchange, I can guarantee that as long as you tell me the method, Tang San will never be an enemy of Spirit Hall in the future."

Hearing this, Yu Tianyu, who was standing to the side, finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha! You're killing me!"

Yu Tianyu slapped his thigh, laughing until he doubled over. "Grandmaster, oh Grandmaster, is your face made of city walls?"

"Yu Tianyu! This is not your place to speak!" Yu Xiaogang said, flushed with anger.

"Why isn't it?"

Yu Tianyu stood up and walked toward Yu Xiaogang step by step, the terrifying pressure forcing Yu Xiaogang to retreat involuntarily.

"What right do you have to make guarantees for Tang San? Just because you are his teacher?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Tang San is a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect and the son of Tang Hao. He has a blood feud with Spirit Hall over his mother. You actually claim that as long as you give him the method, he won't be an enemy of Spirit Hall?"

"Are you treating Her Majesty the Pope like a fool, or are you just a moron yourself?"

Yu Tianyu's words were like a sharp blade, piercing through the thin veil of Yu Xiaogang's hypocrisy.

Bibi Dong's expression also turned extremely ugly.

"Yu Tianyu is right." Bibi Dong looked at Yu Xiaogang coldly. "Yu Xiaogang, how much do you think your guarantee is worth? To cultivate a powerful enemy to deal with myself? Do you think I would do something so stupid?"

"No, it's not like that!"

Yu Xiaogang grew anxious. "Bibi Dong, you know my theory. There are no trash martial souls, only trash spirit masters! I just want to prove my theory..."

"Enough!"

Yu Tianyu interrupted him again. "Stop bringing up that ridiculous theory of yours."

"No trash martial souls?"

Yu Tianyu waved his hand, and a bolt of lightning exploded within the hall.

"Then let me ask you, if there truly were no trash martial souls in this world, why are you still only a level 29 Great Spirit Master?"

"You say it's because of a martial soul mutation? Then what about Liu Erlong? That was also a mutation, so why is she a Spirit Saint?"

"Admit it, Yu Xiaogang."

Yu Tianyu leaned in close to Yu Xiaogang, his eyes filled with disdain. "You are nothing but a piece of trash. Your so-called theories are merely a fig leaf you use to cover up your own incompetence."

"You pin your hopes on Tang San not because you care for him, but simply to prove to yourself that you aren't garbage."

"A selfish, hypocritical man like you doesn't even deserve to stand here."

"You... you..."

Yu Xiaogang's face turned deathly pale under the verbal assault, his chest heaving violently as he nearly choked on his own breath.

Every word was a dagger to the heart.

Bibi Dong watched this pathetic, spineless man before her, and the last shred of lingering attachment in her heart vanished into thin air.

Indeed, how could I have ever fallen for such a loser back then?

Compared to the domineering, perceptive Yu Tianyu standing before her, Yu Xiaogang seemed like nothing more than a pile of mud that couldn't be propped up.

"Get out."

Bibi Dong waved her hand, her eyes filled with nothing but disgust. "Guards, throw him out."

"Bibi Dong! You can't do this to me! I have the Elder Token..."

Yu Xiaogang tried to struggle, but two Palace Guard Knights had already seized him, dragging him out like a dead dog.

"The Elder Token?"

Yu Tianyu picked up the token that had fallen to the floor and tossed it casually in his hand. "Tang Hao gave you this, didn't he? To come here and throw your weight around with a token given to you by the man who beat you up—you really are a talent."

The great doors slammed shut.

The hall returned to silence.

Bibi Dong looked at Yu Tianyu, the admiration in her eyes growing even deeper.

"Well said," Bibi Dong said calmly. "I have wanted to curse him out like that for a long time."

On the streets of Spirit City.

Yu Xiaogang walked in a daze, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

He had failed.

Not only did he fail to obtain the cultivation method for Twin Martial Souls, but he had also been humiliated beyond recognition by Yu Tianyu in front of Bibi Dong. More importantly, he could feel that Bibi Dong had completely given up on him and was filled with loathing.

"Teacher!"

Tang San, who had been waiting anxiously at the entrance of the hotel, hurried forward as soon as he saw Yu Xiaogang return. "How did it go? Did the Pope... agree?"

Yu Xiaogang raised his head to look at his disciple's hopeful face, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing his teacher's devastated expression, Tang San's heart sank to the bottom of a pit.

"Did we... fail?"

Yu Xiaogang closed his eyes in pain and nodded.

"Not only did we fail, but..."

"But what?"

"Yu Tianyu was there as well," Yu Xiaogang said through gritted teeth. "It was him! He was the one meddling! If it weren't for his interference and sowing discord, Bibi Dong would have certainly remembered our old ties!"

It's him again!!

Tang San clenched his fists so hard his nails pierced his palms.

That devil—not only did he humiliate me on the arena floor, but he was also working behind the scenes to cut off every path to my survival!

"San... I'm sorry, your teacher is useless," Yu Xiaogang wept.

Watching his teacher break down in tears, the foundation of Tang San's beliefs suffered a massive collapse.

So, the so-called invincible theories and the so-called old ties of an Elder were truly nothing more than a joke in the face of absolute power and authority.

Hope had once again turned into despair.

Since there was no one left to turn to, he would have to rely on himself.

The next day, to clear his head, Tang San took Dai Mubai and the others out for a walk, taking the opportunity to scout the terrain.

However, enemies often cross paths on narrow roads.

On a bustling street, they ran head-on into three people.

Two men and one woman.

The woman walking in the lead had long, fiery red hair and was stunningly beautiful. More importantly, she radiated an innate, seductive charm; every glance and smile could capture a person's soul.

Hu Liena.

Beside her were two men: one with a sinister expression (Xie Yue), and the other with a burly build and an arrogant face (Yan).

The Spirit Hall Academy Team—the three great Spirit Kings known as the "Golden Generation"!

"Yo, isn't this the trash team from Shrek Academy?"

Yan's gaze swept over Tang San and the others, his face full of disdain. "I heard you were beaten like dogs during the qualifying rounds. How do you still have the face to come participate in the Grand Finals?"

"What did you say?!"

Dai Mubai had a fiery temper and was about to lash out immediately.

"What? Want to start a fight?"

Yan sneered, a terrifying wave of spirit power suddenly erupting from his body.

Level 52!

The scorching aura of flames made Dai Mubai, a mere Spirit Ancestor, struggle to catch his breath.

Tang San's eyes narrowed.

A Spirit King! And a Spirit King with a top-tier Martial Soul at that!

Is this the true foundation of Spirit Hall?

"Don't be impulsive, Mubai." Tang San held Dai Mubai back. If they fought now, they would definitely be the ones to suffer.

"Heh, you're quite good at holding back."

Hu Liena looked at Tang San nonchalantly, a flash of contempt in her eyes. "I heard you have Twin Martial Souls? What a pity. You followed the wrong teacher and ruined your potential."

"You!" Tang San glared at her. He could tolerate insults directed at himself, but not at his teacher!

Purple Demon Eye!

A purple light flashed in Tang San's eyes, and a mental shock was launched instantly, piercing straight toward Hu Liena's eyes.

He wanted to teach this woman a lesson.

However.

"Child's play."

Hu Liena didn't even dodge; a pink light flashed in her eyes.

Charm!

As a control-type Spirit King specializing in mental power, her mental strength far exceeded Tang San's current level.

Boom!

Two forces of mental energy collided in mid-air.

"Ugh!"

Tang San let out a muffled groan, feeling as if his brain had been pricked by needles. He staggered back several steps, and two trails of blood flowed from his nostrils.

Backlash!

This was the gap in level and quality.

"Is that all you've got?" Yan laughed wildly. "You can't even handle one look from Nana, and you still want to win the championship? Go home and suckle on your mother's milk!"

The surrounding Spirit Hall students and passersby erupted in mocking laughter.

Tang San wiped away the nosebleed, his heart filled with humiliation and helplessness.

If he couldn't beat Yu Tianyu, that was one thing, but could he not even defeat these few people?

Just as the Shrek team fell into a desperate situation and Yan prepared to make a move to teach them a more profound lesson.

A lazy voice suddenly drifted down from the restaurant nearby.

"Hey, you little foxes and puppies over there, you're noisy as hell."

Everyone looked up.

On the second-floor balcony, Yu Tianyu was leaning against the railing, holding a bunch of grapes and tossing the skins down.

"Yu Tianyu!"

Seeing this figure, Tang San and Hu Liena called out at the same time.

The difference was that Tang San felt fear, while Hu Liena's eyes lit up with brilliance.

Over the past few days, legends about Yu Tianyu had been spreading like wildfire within Spirit Hall. The Pope had met him personally, he had defeated Feng Xiaotian with a single finger, and he had crushed a Clear Sky Hammer with his bare hands.

This man was the focal point of the entire younger generation.

"Yu Tianyu, this is the territory of Spirit Hall, mind your own business!" Although Yan spoke tough, his eyes clearly held a hint of wariness.

"Mind my own business?"

Yu Tianyu pushed off the railing and jumped directly from the second floor, landing lightly between the two groups.

He didn't even glance at Yan, walking straight up to Tang San instead.

"Tang San, didn't I tell you?"

Yu Tianyu reached out and patted Tang San's face as if he were a pet. "You are my toy. Before the Grand Finals begin, no one is allowed to bully you except for me."

Then, he turned around and looked at the Golden Generation.

"As for you lot..."

Yu Tianyu's gaze landed on Hu Liena, a wicked smirk curling the corners of his lips.

"You're quite the looker, but this Charm Technique is far too low-level."

"For the sake of you being a beauty, I'll give you all a piece of advice."

"Scram."

It was only a single word.

But as that word was uttered, a terrifying dragon might originating from an ancient Dragon King instantly swept across the entire street.

Thump!

Yan and Xie Yue felt their legs go weak; that suppression of bloodline stemming from the depths of their souls made it impossible for them to control their bodies, forcing them to drop to one knee on the ground!

Only Hu Liena managed to barely hold on thanks to her powerful mental strength, but even she was pale with fright, drenched in a cold sweat.

"What... what kind of pressure is this?!" Hu Liena looked at the youth in terror.

A single word was enough to suppress the Golden Generation?!

"Do you not understand human speech?"

Yu Tianyu stepped forward, reached out, and gently lifted Hu Liena's delicate chin.

"I said, scram."

Hu Liena looked into those heterochromatic pupils mere inches away, her heart pounding violently. Amidst the fear, there was actually a trace of inexplicable submission.

This man... was too overbearing.

"Let's go!"

Hu Liena gritted her teeth, helped Yan and Xie Yue up, and fled the scene in a sorry state.

The street returned to peace once more.

Yu Tianyu turned around and looked at the stunned Tang San.

"Look, I've saved you once again."

"Aren't you moved?"

Tang San trembled all over, his head bowed low.

Moved?

No.

This was the ultimate humiliation.

Because Yu Tianyu had shown him through his actions that in front of a true powerhouse, the so-called Golden Generation was nothing but trash. And he, who was not even as good as the Golden Generation, was trash among trash.

He was being protected only because he was a toy that hadn't been played with enough yet.

"Prepare well for the tournament, clown."

Yu Tianyu laughed and patted Tang San on the shoulder, whispering into his ear:

"That rabbit seems to have put on some weight lately; remember to make her eat less, otherwise she'll be too greasy when braised."

With that, Yu Tianyu walked away laughing.

He left Tang San standing there, as if plunged into an ice cellar.

He watched Yu Tianyu's retreating figure, then looked at the crowd around him pointing and whispering.

In such a vast world, there was not a single place for him to belong.

In this cage called Spirit City, all that awaited him was that inevitable, bloody end.