The love letter exploded. Zhu Shen stared at the ashes, on the verge of tears. Tang San supported him, his expression complicated. As soon as the two left the forest, they saw a squad of Spirit Hall knights. A Cardinal led them. He glanced at the two of them, then fixed his gaze on Zhu Shen. "Grandmaster Yu, the Pope requests your presence." Zhu Shen's heart sank. Had Bibi Dong found out? He nodded, steeling himself. "Lead the way."
On the way, Zhu Shen quietly asked the system, "The love letter's gone. Will her favorability drop?" [Item consumed. Favorability bonus retained.] Zhu Shen sighed in relief. At least all that effort hadn't gone to waste. Tang San asked softly, "Teacher, will we be all right?" Zhu Shen grinned. "Relax. Your teacher here is handsome." Tang San's mouth twitched.
A side hall in the Pope Palace. Bibi Dong sat at the head of the room, her violet eyes cold. She watched Zhu Shen, her fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest. "Explain the disturbance in the Soul Hunting Forest." Zhu Shen cursed inwardly, then pasted on a smile. "Your Holiness, it was an accident." He quickly recounted what had happened, leaving out the details of how he'd set Tang San up. He focused on the Evil God Temple's conspiracy. Bibi Dong listened quietly, her expression unchanged.
Tang San added, "That Evil Soul Master called himself the Holy Child. He was very strong." Bibi Dong's eyes shifted slightly. "The Holy Child?" She turned to Zhu Shen. "Where's the love letter?" Zhu Shen awkwardly rubbed his nose. "It exploded." Bibi Dong fell silent for a moment. "What a pity." She waved a hand. "You may leave. Spirit Hall will handle this matter." Zhu Shen felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted and immediately dragged Tang San toward the exit. Just as they reached the door, Bibi Dong suddenly spoke. "Yu Xiaogang." Zhu Shen turned around. "Yes?" Bibi Dong watched him, her gaze profound. "The Spirit Hall Elite Tournament is in three months. I want you to lead the team." Zhu Shen froze. "Me?" Bibi Dong nodded. "Notting Academy can receive special permission to compete." She paused. "Don't disappoint me."
After leaving the Pope Palace, Zhu Shen was still a little dazed. Tang San tugged at his sleeve. "Teacher, the Elite Tournament..." Zhu Shen came to his senses, his eyes lighting up. "Xiao San, we're going to make a name for ourselves!" He slapped Tang San hard on the back. "Back to the academy for special training! We'll work you to the bone!" The slap sent Tang San stumbling. He sighed inwardly. Teacher was at it again.
When they returned to Nuoding City, the work-study students swarmed them. Wang Sheng was the first to rush over. "Teacher, are you hurt?" Zhu Shen waved a hand. "It's just a scratch. Nothing serious." He looked at them all. "I've got good news." The children perked up their ears. Zhu Shen cleared his throat. "The Pope has granted Notting Academy special permission to compete in the Elite Tournament." Silence fell. Wang Sheng dug at his ear. "Teacher, what did you say?" Zhu Shen repeated himself. The children erupted. "We can go compete in Spirit City?" "Oh my god, am I dreaming?"
Zhu Shen waited until they had calmed down before speaking. "Don't celebrate too soon." He surveyed them. "There are only a limited number of places on the team. The strongest will go." The children drooped at once. They only had one Soul Ring each. How could they compare with all those geniuses? Zhu Shen smiled. "That's why we'll spend the next three months in special training." He pointed at Tang San. "Xiao San is the standard. Anyone who can't keep up will withdraw." Tang San stood up straight in silence, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
After dinner, Zhu Shen called Tang San to his room. He took out the reward the system had just given him. "Take a look at this." Tang San accepted it. It was a jade-green Soul Bone. "A Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo left arm bone?" Zhu Shen nodded. "That makes five." Tang San hesitated. "Teacher, if I absorb them too often, could it..." Zhu Shen cut him off. "Quit wasting time and absorb it." Tang San had no choice but to sit cross-legged. The Soul Bone merged into his left arm, glowing green. A quarter of an hour later, he opened his eyes. "How does it feel?" Tang San flexed his left arm. "I'm stronger, and my Soul Power circulates faster." Zhu Shen nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. Tomorrow, we start combat training."
Early the next morning, the nine work-study students lined up on the field. Zhu Shen paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. "Today's training: take a beating." The children looked at one another. Zhu Shen pointed at Tang San. "Your opponent is him." Tang San froze. "Teacher, I'm fighting all nine by myself?" Zhu Shen nodded. "No Hidden Weapons, and no Clear Sky Hammer." He grinned. "Let's see your limits." Tang San's mouth twitched. Teacher was trying to set him up.
Wang Sheng charged first. His Martial Soul was a bear, and he had decent strength. Tang San slipped aside and wrapped Blue Silver Grass around his ankle. One tug and a twist, and Wang Sheng hit the ground face-first. The other children rushed in all at once. Tang San vaulted over them using a bamboo pole, then unleashed Blue Silver Bamboo Prison. A bamboo cage burst from the earth and trapped three of them. The remaining four panicked. Tang San landed and knocked them down one by one. In less than five minutes, all nine children were on the ground.
Zhu Shen clapped. "Beautiful." He walked over to Tang San and lowered his voice. "Were you holding back?" Tang San smiled wryly. "A little." Zhu Shen patted his shoulder. "Don't hold back next time." He turned to the children. "See that? That's the difference." Wang Sheng climbed to his feet, baring his teeth in pain. "Teacher, that was brutal." Zhu Shen glared at him. "If you want to compete, train. Starting today, three matches every day." The children groaned.
That afternoon, Zhu Shen trained Tang San alone. "Xiao San, it's time to prepare for your third Soul Ring." Tang San's eyes lit up. "Do you have a target in mind, teacher?" Zhu Shen smiled mysteriously. "The system says there's a thousand-year-old Lone Bamboo in the Star Dou Great Forest." Tang San frowned. "The Star Dou Great Forest is too dangerous." Zhu Shen waved a hand. "What are you afraid of? Your teacher's right here." He pulled out a map. "I've already planned the route." Tang San studied the map, wondering what kind of trap his teacher was planning this time.
Three days later, the two set out. At the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, Zhu Shen looked from one side of the map to the other. "It should be just ahead." Tang San warily surveyed their surroundings. This place was much more dangerous than the Soul Hunting Forest. Suddenly, a beast roared. Zhu Shen's eyes lit up. "Here it comes!" He dragged Tang San behind a tree. A thousand-year Wind Baboon charged toward them, heading straight for the Lone Bamboo. Tang San gripped the Clear Sky Hammer. "Teacher, should we attack?" Zhu Shen shook his head. "Wait until they've both worn each other down." He lowered his voice. "Remember: steal the kill."
The Wind Baboon and the Lone Bamboo fought fiercely. The bamboo was resilient, while the baboon was fast. They traded blows, neither able to gain the upper hand. Tang San watched with a pounding heart. If he faced that beast alone, he had no idea who would win. Zhu Shen, on the other hand, was practically beaming. "Xiao San, get ready." The moment the Wind Baboon sank its teeth into the Lone Bamboo, Zhu Shen gave Tang San a shove. "Go!" Caught off guard, Tang San charged straight out. The Wind Baboon spotted him and wheeled around to pounce. Tang San cursed under his breath and vaulted out of its way. The Lone Bamboo seized the chance to whip the Wind Baboon across the back. The beast howled, its attacks growing even fiercer.
Crouched behind the tree, Zhu Shen muttered, "Come on, fight, fight." The system's alert chimed. [Tang San detected in a tough battle. Conditions for setting up your disciple met.] Zhu Shen grinned. It worked. He quietly circled around to the side and unleashed Dragon Breath. Golden flames scorched the Wind Baboon's backside. It cried out in pain, distracted for an instant. Tang San seized the opening and brought the Clear Sky Hammer down. Boom! The Wind Baboon collapsed, and a purple Soul Ring appeared above it. The Lone Bamboo was badly wounded too, and a green Soul Ring rose from it. Tang San panted and looked at Zhu Shen. "Teacher, just now..." Zhu Shen put on an innocent expression. "I was helping." He hurried over. "Absorb it. Don't waste the chance." Tang San looked at the two Soul Rings, hesitating. "Teacher, which one should I choose?" Zhu Shen pointed at the Lone Bamboo Soul Ring. "This one, of course." He patted Tang San on the shoulder. "A thousand-year Soul Ring. It'll last you all the way to Soul Ancestor." Tang San nodded and sat cross-legged.
The absorption was agonizing. The thousand-year Soul Ring's energy was violent, battering his meridians. Tang San gritted his teeth and endured it, sweat pouring off him. Zhu Shen crouched beside him, counting silently. "One, two, three..." [Ding! Tang San is enduring the pain of absorbing a thousand-year Soul Ring beyond his level. Congratulations, host, on setting up Tang San! Reward: Evolution Points +100! Dragon God Bloodline purity can be raised to 26%!] Zhu Shen nearly burst out laughing. He hurriedly covered his mouth. Tang San's body trembled, his Soul Power surging wildly. Half an hour later, the Soul Ring absorption was complete. Tang San opened his eyes, his Soul Power having surged to level thirty-seven. He felt the new strength within him, his expression complicated. Teacher had set him up again, but he really was stronger now.
Zhu Shen leaned closer. "What's your Soul Skill?" Tang San released his Martial Soul. Three Soul Rings glimmered around the Blue Silver Grass. His third Soul Ring lit up, and countless bamboo spikes burst from the ground. "Blue Silver Bamboo Spikes. A ranged attack with a paralyzing effect." Zhu Shen's eyes lit up. "Not bad, not bad." He took out a Soul Bone. "A reward for you." Tang San accepted it. It was a right arm bone. "Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo?" Zhu Shen nodded. "That makes six." Tang San silently absorbed it, calculating that he was only one short of a full set.
On the way back, Zhu Shen hummed a little tune. Tang San couldn't help asking, "Teacher, can we really win the Elite Tournament?" Zhu Shen stopped and looked him seriously in the eye. "Xiao San, do you trust your teacher?" Tang San nodded. "I do." Zhu Shen smiled. "Then don't ask. Train hard, and we'll scare the daylights out of them." Tang San smiled too. "Yes, teacher."
When they returned to Notting Academy, Wang Sheng and the others crowded around them. "Teacher, you're back!" Zhu Shen swept out a hand. "Gather around. We're having a meeting." The children quickly lined up. Zhu Shen cleared his throat. "The tournament is in three months. I've made a preliminary team list." He read out the names. "Tang San, Wang Sheng, Xiao Lian, Li Erniu." The four named students looked thrilled. The rest drooped their heads. Zhu Shen added, "Everyone else will be alternates, but you still have to train." He turned to Tang San. "You're in charge of leading their training." Tang San froze. "Me?" Zhu Shen nodded. "That's an order." Tang San had no choice but to agree.
Over the next two months, the training doubled in intensity. Tang San crushed everyone in practice, and Wang Sheng and the others improved rapidly. Xiao Lian's Martial Soul was a flower, so she had been weak in combat. Tang San taught her how to control it, and now she could restrain Soul Masters of her own level. Li Erniu's Martial Soul was a bull. He was strong but clumsy, so Tang San trained him in dodging, and he was much more agile now. Wang Sheng changed the most: his Soul Power broke through to level twenty. Zhu Shen took him to the Soul Hunting Forest and found him a Hundred-Year Soul Ring. When Wang Sheng came back looking smug, Tang San slapped some sense into him.
One day after training, Zhu Shen called Tang San to his room. "Xiao San, there's something I need to tell you." Tang San sat down. "Go ahead, teacher." Zhu Shen's expression turned serious. "You may run into someone you know at the tournament." Tang San was puzzled. "Who?" Zhu Shen lowered his voice. "Your father, Tang Hao." Tang San's pupils contracted. "My father? Will he come to watch the competition?" Zhu Shen nodded. "I received word that the Clear Sky Douluo has been active nearby." He paused. "Also, be careful around Spirit Hall." Tang San understood what his teacher meant. His identity was sensitive, and if it were exposed, the consequences would be serious.
Zhu Shen patted him on the shoulder. "Don't be afraid. Your teacher's here." Tang San felt warmth in his heart. "Thank you, teacher." Zhu Shen grinned. "What are you thanking me for? You're my disciple." He took out a letter. "Bibi Dong just sent this." Tang San accepted it and read it, his expression changing. "Spirit Hall Academy is competing too?" Zhu Shen nodded. "And they're one of the seeded teams." He sighed. "It'll be hard for us to win." Tang San clenched his fists. "I'll work hard." Zhu Shen smiled. "That's more like it." He stood up. "Come on. Let's eat. We're having a special meal today."
In the dining hall, Wang Sheng was boasting. "When I win the championship, I'm going back to the village to marry Cuihua." Xiao Lian covered her mouth, giggling. "Who's Cuihua?" Wang Sheng blushed. "She's my neighbor." Li Erniu heckled him. "Oho, Wang Sheng's got a crush!" Everyone burst out laughing. Zhu Shen and Tang San walked in, and the room grew even livelier. Zhu Shen announced, "Tomorrow is a rest day. The final push starts the day after." The children cheered. Wang Sheng leaned over. "Teacher, what does 'final push' mean?" Zhu Shen smiled mysteriously. "You'll find out."
Late at night, Zhu Shen lay in bed looking at the System Panel. He had saved up quite a few Evolution Points, enough to raise his bloodline by two levels. After thinking it over, he raised it by one. [Dragon God Bloodline purity increased to 26%.] Warmth flowed through his body, and his strength increased once more. Zhu Shen nodded with satisfaction. The tournament was coming up, and every bit of added strength helped. He gazed out the window at the brilliant moon. Three months would pass in no time. He wondered what expression Bibi Dong would have when she saw him in action. Zhu Shen thought about it until he fell asleep. In his dream, he held the championship trophy while Bibi Dong smiled at him. Then Tang San sprang out and kicked the trophy away. "Teacher, you set me up again!" Zhu Shen jolted awake.
In the room next door, Tang San was awake too. He sat cross-legged, circulating Soul Power through his body. The Mandala Eye at the back of his head glowed faintly, his perception covering the entire dormitory. Wang Sheng was snoring, Xiao Lian was talking in her sleep, and Li Erniu was grinding his teeth. Tang San's lips curved upward. He would protect his companions. And his teacher too. Even if he was always setting Tang San up, he truly cared about him. Tang San took a deep breath and continued cultivating. He was determined to win the tournament.
Two days later, the final push began. Zhu Shen took the nine students to the Soul Hunting Forest. "Today's training is survival." He pointed into the depths of the forest. "Stay in there for three days, and come back alive." Wang Sheng went pale. "Teacher, people could die." Zhu Shen glared at him. "If you're afraid of dying, don't compete." He looked at Tang San. "You're leading the team. Protect them." Tang San nodded. "Yes." Zhu Shen waved them off. "Go on in. I'll come get you in three days." The nine looked at one another, then gritted their teeth and entered the forest.
Zhu Shen watched them disappear, wondering inwardly, System, does this count as setting Tang San up? [Team training does not count.] Zhu Shen sighed in relief. He was worried too, but the tournament was brutal, and they had to adapt in advance. He turned and left to take care of something else. He needed to grease a few palms at Spirit Hall. At the very least, he had to make sure the competition was fair.
In the forest, Tang San led the way, with Wang Sheng close behind. "Tang San, where are we going?" Tang San kept his senses wide open. "We're finding a safe place to camp." Xiao Lian spoke quietly. "I hear Soul Beasts." Tang San nodded. "Follow me." He led everyone around the dangerous areas and found a cave. Its entrance was narrow, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Tang San assigned Wang Sheng and Li Erniu to guard the entrance and told the others to rest. He set traps nearby himself, combining Blue Silver Grass and bamboo spikes to form a rudimentary defensive net.
At night, the Soul Beasts grew active. A Hundred-Year wolf Soul Beast approached the cave entrance. Wang Sheng was about to attack, but Tang San stopped him. "Wait." The wolf Soul Beast stepped into a trap, and bamboo spikes pierced its paw. It yelped and fled. Wang Sheng let out a breath. "Tang San, you're amazing." Tang San shook his head. "This is just the beginning." He gazed into the depths of the forest, his expression grave. There was no way his teacher's training would be that simple.
Sure enough, at noon the next day, a pack of Ten-Year Soul Beasts surrounded the cave. There were more than twenty of them. Wang Sheng and the others turned pale. "What do we do?" Tang San gave his orders calmly. "Xiao Lian, use your pollen to distract them. Li Erniu, hold the entrance. The rest of you, attack from a distance." He unleashed his third Soul Skill. Bamboo spikes erupted from the ground, impaling several Soul Beasts. The battle raged for half an hour. The Soul Beasts retreated, leaving everyone exhausted. Xiao Lian had injured her arm, and Tang San used Blue Silver Grass to bandage it. "Hang in there. We can leave tomorrow." Xiao Lian nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm not afraid."
On the third day, the most dangerous moment came. A thousand-year Soul Beast picked up the scent of blood and came looking for them. It was an Earth Cave Spider, skilled at hiding and ambushing its prey. Tang San noticed something was wrong at once. "Everyone, stay alert!" The Earth Cave Spider burst from underground and lunged straight at Xiao Lian. Tang San vaulted forward and knocked her out of the way, but its claws cut into his arm. Wang Sheng roared, his Bear Martial Soul bursting forth as he punched at the spider. The spider dodged nimbly and spat venom at Li Erniu. Tang San activated Blue Silver Bamboo Prison, trapping it for an instant. Li Erniu barely managed to dodge.
The battle reached a stalemate. The spider's defenses were strong, and its venom was deadly. Tang San had used up more than half his Soul Power, and the others were nearly spent. At the critical moment, Tang San remembered his teacher's words. Attack the weak point. He activated Purple Demon Eye and found the nerve node behind the spider's eyes. "Wang Sheng, draw its attention!" Wang Sheng gritted his teeth and charged in, taking a blow head-on. Tang San swung the Clear Sky Hammer with all his might, smashing into the node. Boom! The spider shrieked and collapsed. A purple Soul Ring appeared above it. The others slumped to the ground, panting. Tang San's arm was bleeding, but he smiled. "We won."
Three days later, Zhu Shen came to collect them. Seeing that all nine were alive, if a little battered, he nodded. "Not bad." He looked at Tang San. "How did it feel?" Tang San answered seriously, "Teamwork matters." Zhu Shen smiled. "Good. You understand." He clapped his hands. "Pack up. We're going back to the academy. The tournament is about to begin."
When they returned to Nuoding City, the atmosphere had changed. There were many more Soul Masters in the streets, all talking about the Elite Tournament. Wang Sheng looked around excitedly. "Teacher, do you think we'll become famous?" Zhu Shen rapped him on the head. "Win first, then we'll talk." When they returned to the academy, they saw someone standing at the entrance: a Cardinal, accompanied by a squad of Spirit Hall knights. The Cardinal saw Zhu Shen and stepped forward. "Grandmaster Yu, a Pope Token." He unfurled a golden decree. "The Notting Academy team must leave for Spirit City immediately. The tournament has been moved up." Zhu Shen froze. "Moved up? Why?" The Cardinal shook his head. "I don't know. It's the Pope's order. There must be no delay." He looked at Tang San and the others. "Please prepare as quickly as possible. You leave tomorrow."
Zhu Shen frowned. There had to be a reason the tournament had been moved up, but he didn't have time to think about it. "Go pack your things. We're meeting back here in an hour." The children hurried back to their dorms. Tang San stepped over to Zhu Shen. "Teacher, could this be a trap?" Zhu Shen shook his head. "I don't know. But with an arrow nocked, there's no turning back." He looked at the Cardinal. "We'll leave on time." The Cardinal nodded and left with his men.
An hour later, the nine stood on the field with their luggage. Zhu Shen surveyed them. "Remember, this tournament is no game. Follow my instructions in everything." They answered in unison, "Yes!" Zhu Shen swept out his hand. "Let's go." They boarded a carriage provided by Spirit Hall and set off for Spirit City. Tang San watched the scenery flash past outside and clenched his fists. The tournament—I'm coming. Father, will you be there to watch? Zhu Shen leaned back in the carriage and closed his eyes to rest, but inwardly he asked the system, Is the tournament being moved up connected to the Evil God Temple? [Insufficient information to determine.] Zhu Shen sighed. We'll deal with whatever comes.
Spirit City drew closer and closer. Its towering walls and magnificent buildings left Wang Sheng and the others staring in awe. Tang San was quietly astonished too. So this was the greatest city on the continent. The carriage passed through the city gate and headed straight for the accommodation Spirit Hall had arranged. It was a detached villa in a quiet setting. A Cardinal was waiting at the entrance. "Grandmaster Yu, this is your lodging. The tournament begins in three days. Here's the schedule." He handed over a sheet of paper. Zhu Shen took it and scanned the schedule. Their first match was against Canghui Academy. He smiled. "Canghui Academy? We go way back." Tang San was puzzled. "You know them, teacher?" Zhu Shen nodded. "I've heard of them. A bunch of illusionists. All flash, no substance." He looked at the others. "Get a good night's rest. Tomorrow, we'll analyze our opponents." They agreed and chose their rooms.
Late that night, Zhu Shen sat alone in the living room studying the schedule. Canghui Academy wasn't especially strong, but its illusions could be troublesome. Tang San had Purple Demon Eye and should be able to see through them. But what about the other children? As he pondered this, someone knocked on the door. Tang San came in. "Teacher, you're still awake?" Zhu Shen motioned for him to sit. "Worried about the competition?" Tang San nodded. "Wang Sheng and the others have never competed before. I'm afraid..." Zhu Shen cut him off. "Afraid of what? If we lose, we'll treat it as experience." He paused. "But you're different, Tang San. I want you to win." Tang San's gaze was resolute. "I will." Zhu Shen smiled. "Go to bed. Get some rest." Tang San stood and left. Zhu Shen kept studying the schedule until late into the night.
Three days later, the tournament opened. The Spirit Hall plaza was packed with people. Bibi Dong sat in the place of honor, with representatives of the various powers on either side. Zhu Shen led the Notting Academy team into the arena, drawing plenty of attention. "Look, that's Notting Academy." "Their team leader is Yu Xiaogang? Isn't he the theory Grandmaster?" "I heard his Martial Soul evolved. He's really strong." Their comments reached Zhu Shen's ears, and he held his head high. Tang San and the others followed close behind, their expressions serious. Wang Sheng's legs were trembling a little, so Xiao Lian pinched him. "Don't embarrass us." Wang Sheng gritted his teeth and stood up straight.
Bibi Dong announced the start of the tournament. In the first-round draw, Notting Academy was matched against Canghui Academy. The two teams took the field, and the referee explained the rules. "No deliberate killing. No forbidden items. Violators will be disqualified." Both sides bowed, and the match began.
The seven members of Canghui Academy quickly formed a formation.