Will Win

No...

Tang San narrowed his eyes.

He first denied it with absolute certainty, then fell into a state of bewildered confusion, because his intuition as a Tang Sect disciple was telling him that the person before him was dangerous!

The other party was already standing on the same starting line as him.

But this... how was it possible?

With only innate spirit power of level six, how could he be faster than someone with innate full spirit power like himself?

Whether it was his own personal experience or his teacher's daily teachings, the amount of innate spirit power determined the speed of daily cultivation and set the upper limit for future achievements; this was common knowledge on the continent!

Tang San's brain raced, while time in the real world continued to tick away.

An exhausted Naruto was panting heavily. Seeing the two figures standing blankly in place, he straightened his back slightly, shot Tang San a look, and walked past them without changing his expression.

Xiao Wu shrank behind Tang San. Only when Naruto was nothing more than a distant silhouette did she muster the courage to make a face at his back and wave her fist high in the air.

"Hmph!"

After doing this, Xiao Wu held her head high, triumphantly placing her hands on her hips. She turned around, about to happily continue their previous conversation, only to see Tang San's serious expression, his gaze refusing to shift.

"Third Brother?"

Hearing Xiao Wu's call, Tang San finally snapped out of it. He turned his head and offered Xiao Wu an apologetic smile. "Xiao Wu, go play by yourself today. I have something to take care of."

"Third Brother, aren't you going to look for the blacksmith shop anymore?"

Not yet realizing that Naruto had already crossed the threshold of a level ten Spirit Master, Xiao Wu blinked in confusion, but Tang San only nodded dismissively.

"Yeah, there are some things I need to ask my teacher."

In the academy corridor, Yu Xiaogang walked with a gust of wind, his rhythmic footsteps echoing through the hallway. The teachers he encountered looked slightly displeased, but they still frowned and stepped aside to let him pass.

His destination was the principal's office. Seeing the heavy door, the Grandmaster didn't even bother to knock and pushed it open directly.

"He is already a Spirit Master!?"

This question preceded him into the room, followed by the Grandmaster himself, his eyes filled with shock and anger.

Principal Fuqi, sitting at his desk, frowned. Seeing who it was, he suppressed his annoyance, rubbed his temples, forced a weary smile, and nodded slightly.

"Yes, a level twelve Spirit Master. I have personally verified his spirit ring."

"As for the age of the ring, I can't be certain, but it should be around four hundred years." Principal Fuqi's reply was hesitant; he was recalling the scene from earlier.

The yellow spirit ring under Naruto's feet had only appeared for a few seconds. He hadn't seen it clearly, but it seemed even more intensely yellow than his own five-hundred-year second spirit ring.

However, that must have been his imagination.

Thinking this, Principal Fuqi composed himself, looked up at the somewhat dazed Grandmaster, and couldn't help but shake his head.

The incident had indeed started because of his own slip of the tongue, but now that the facts were laid bare, Naruto was truly a rare genius. If the Grandmaster had set aside his arrogance or kept his mouth shut back then, things wouldn't have reached this point.

"How is this possible?"

Yu Xiaogang's brows were knitted together. He muttered to himself before looking up to confirm with Principal Fuqi. "It's only... been half a year, right? How could he have increased by four levels? According to the plan I made with Tang San, increasing by three levels a year is already at the forefront of the continent. By what right does he do this?"

"He only has innate level six spirit power! Tang San has innate full spirit power!"

Yu Xiaogang spread his hands, his volume rising uncontrollably.

"Xiaogang."

Principal Fuqi waved his hand to soothe him.

"You only have eyes for Little San and can no longer see anyone else. The academy teachers and I have seen with our own eyes how Naruto trains daily. That workload would be difficult for me to sustain for even a few days, let alone a child."

"I don't find it strange at all that he could increase by four levels—no, six levels—over the past half year."

Principal Fuqi leaned forward in his chair, staring into the Grandmaster's eyes.

"Xiaogang..."

"Doesn't the amount of innate spirit power fail to determine a Spirit Master's future? Isn't that what you said?"

Then what do you mean!

That I am the trash!!?

Yu Xiaogang roared internally, his hanging hands clenching until they cracked.

Of course, he had said that. "There is no trash spirit, only trash Spirit Masters." He had used those words to inspire Tang San, and even more so to inspire his younger self.

Why did he come up with that idea? Wasn't it because he possessed a trash spirit that brought shame to his family?

There is no trash spirit! Only trash Spirit Masters!

Even with a trash spirit, he could still carve out a career. What a young and arrogant thought that was. But reality had dealt him too many setbacks. Looking at his current level twenty-nine spirit power, reality had already given him the answer.

He knew this answer all too well, yet he refused to accept it.

For years, he had clung to the Ten Great Spirit Theories, wasting away in Notting Academy while waiting for death. He claimed to be searching for a disciple to inherit his mantle, but before Tang San, with his innate full spirit power, had he ever taken on a single student?

Why take Tang San?

Because deep down, he knew:

Only Tang San! This genius with the trash spirit Blue Silver Grass and innate full spirit power could allow him to play the ostrich! To prove himself through a roundabout way!

And now!

A bastard had suddenly appeared, frantically hammering at the thick turtle shell Yu Xiaogang had built around himself, shouting loudly into the void from time to time: "There are indeed no trash spirits, only trash masters!"

Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. He bit his lip, turned slowly, and walked toward the door with his head buried.

Not knowing which words he had gotten wrong again, Principal Fuqi hurriedly stood up.

"Xiaogang?"

"Xiaogang!?"

Yu Xiaogang ignored him and walked straight out of the principal's office, leaving only a door slamming shut behind him, leaving Principal Fuqi to sigh.

That night, Notting Academy was brightly lit. Among the various faculty offices and training rooms, one room with the best lighting had been specially reserved as a private studio for the Grandmaster.

In this very studio, a dejected Yu Xiaogang sat at his desk. Piles of books were scattered across the table, and research notes covered in dense characters were strewn haphazardly across the floor.

Yu Xiaogang wanted to find an answer in the books, but history was always filled with brilliant talents who broke through the shackles of innate spirit power to become Titled Douluo.

In the past, Yu Xiaogang had viewed them as role models, but now, he found these people to be nothing but an eyesore!

Creak.

The old door pushed open, suddenly breaking the silence. A soul-lost Yu Xiaogang snapped awake and turned his head to see Tang San cautiously poking his head in from behind the door.

"Xiao San?"

Yu Xiaogang exclaimed, hurriedly tidying his appearance while recalling the reason—Tang San had asked him to inquire about something, but he had been so distraught he had forgotten to tell him.

"Teacher?"

Tang San scanned the bookshelves, then glanced down at the messy documents. He stepped into the studio on tiptoe, intending to ask what had happened, but Yu Xiaogang spoke before he could.

"Naruto... is now a level twelve Spirit Master. His first spirit ring is about the same age as yours, around four hundred years..."

"Xiao San, you... prepare well. It might be in these next few days."

As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang's hands, hidden behind his back, subconsciously clenched, turning his knuckles white.

It wasn't just the provocation from that brat.

His experience in spirit battles was shallow, but he knew that when the two had a six-level gap in spirit power, he had nearly lost. Now that the gap had narrowed to two levels, how could he not be anxious?

Tang San, however, was the complete opposite.

So... that's how it is.

In an instant, he accepted the reality. Now, Tang San only needed to consider how to defeat his opponent. Taking a deep breath, Tang San raised his head, his gaze burning like a torch. "Teacher, I am ready. I will make him kneel and apologize to you in public!"

The voice echoed in Yu Xiaogang's ears, lingering for a long time.

Yu Xiaogang pursed his lips tightly. The light returned to his eyes as he looked at Tang San. A trash spirit had limited his own strength, but it could not hide his talent. And now, Heaven had sent a piece of unpolished jade right to him!

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Yu Xiaogang's arm trembled as he patted Tang San's shoulder and nodded heavily!

"Very good! Teacher thinks so too!"

Tang San nodded slightly as well.

Victory belonged to him!

Meanwhile, "76..."

"77..."

In the small Jiang Family courtyard shrouded in night, a low, rhythmic sound lingered in the air.

Sweat dripped like threads onto the bluestone slabs. Steam rose from his bare back, forming wisps of white smoke under the moonlight.

A sweat-drenched Naruto gasped for air. After several hundred one-armed push-ups, his body had turned bright red, like a piece of burning wrought iron. Briefly assessing his physical state, Naruto gritted his teeth and completed the final set of physical training.

"Your body is in this state, and instead of resting, you're exercising again?"

Inside the Sealing Space, Bibi Dong frowned and turned her head away angrily. She didn't know how many times she had said these words, unsure if it was scolding or concern.

"Persistence is the true color of youth!"

Naruto didn't offer much of an explanation, just a casual excuse.

[No Regrets Youth] gave him the confidence to train frantically, but this tag required daily persistence. If he missed a single day, it would vanish on the spot, requiring a week or so of training to regain. He really couldn't explain this abstract setting.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes in a way that was still quite charming, assuming this stubborn mule had been influenced by the muscle-bound brains of the Tang family.

Besides, if this stubborn mule really ruined his own body, he couldn't blame it on her.

As she pondered, Bibi Dong secretly leaked a bit of her spiritual power to take a quiet look, then twitched the corner of her mouth, humming a few times to herself as she retracted it.

This brat's body is truly made of iron; he's fine even after being abused like this!

He made This Seat worry for nothing!

In any case, it's all this brat's fault!

Unaware of the dramatic psychological activity inside the Pope's head, "Hoo..."

Naruto, finally finished, let out a long breath. He stood up shakily, slowly removed his weighted gear, and wiped away his sweat. Bibi Dong, however, began to scold him for another reason.

"Are you in such a rush? The meridians in your body haven't fully healed yet. Don't go fainting on the ground the moment you step into the arena."

"I'll just take that as our Pope caring about me."

Tossing aside his towel, Naruto stretched his body and secretly circulated his spirit power. With the help of a certain Spirit Hall Pope who wished to remain anonymous, Naruto had spent several days soaking in medicinal baths on the road, and the meridians in his body were already more than half-healed.

Clenching his fists and feeling his current physical state, Naruto said softly, "Don't you want revenge? Even though we can't kill Tang San right now, throwing a few punches to vent our anger is still doable!"

Bibi Dong, who had been frowning, froze as she recalled the scene of Naruto beating Tang San mercilessly.

At the time, she had been too busy wallowing in her own sorrow to properly enjoy it, which was truly a pity. Now that Naruto had pointed it out, Bibi Dong's pale purple eyes gradually began to glow, and she actually felt a sense of anticipation!

"I suppose you have a heart, kid."

Bibi Dong still struggled to keep her expression stiff, refusing to show a smile, and offered only a lukewarm word of praise.

"Oh, come on, we're on the same side, aren't we?" Naruto raised a hand to pat his chest, his mouth running wild. "If it really comes down to it, I'll just use a cheat code. I'll drag out that Death Spider Emperor and take it for a walk, make Tang San kneel down and sing 'Conquer'!"

"You brat!?"

"Just kidding."

Naruto chuckled a few times, not daring to tease her further, and slowly wiped the playful grin from his face.

"Don't worry, I'll win!"

Victory belonged to him!

It was just an unremarkable morning.

The entire Nuoding City woke up as usual, entering the daily grind. Only the Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy was a slight exception today.

Classes had been intentionally suspended. At this moment, most of the students were gathered on the training grounds, forming a bustling, noisy circle. The dozen or so teachers were scattered among the crowd, barely managing to maintain order.

According to the Principal's prior requirements, this was the limit of the academy's "public display."

Standing at the edge of the Soul Fighting Arena, Principal Fuqi swept his gaze over the dense crowd of students, then over the few old friends beside him, paused briefly on the Grandmaster, and finally looked at the two people on the field.

Shaking his head, Principal Fuqi felt somewhat helpless.

This soul fight was happening after all.

Things had reached this point.

Principal Fuqi stopped overthinking it, stepped away from the crowd, and took a deep breath.

"You both know the requirements, right?"

The two on the field stood dozens of steps apart, their gazes locked firmly on each other. At the question, they merely nodded in silence.

Principal Jin had no intention of wasting energy on further persuasion. He gathered his thick spirit power in his throat, and his voice instantly resounded throughout the campus.

"This soul fight! The use of weapons other than your own spirits is prohibited! Lethal methods are prohibited! And most importantly! This soul fight is to settle a grudge! A Spirit Master's conflicts are to be resolved right here on this arena!"

"The conflict between the two of you shall be settled in this fight. All grievances are to be wiped clean, and from this point on, you are never to lay hands on each other in any form within this school!"

The booming shout hit the teaching building and echoed across the training grounds. Ensuring everyone present had heard clearly, Principal Fuqi lowered his eyes to look at the two troublemakers and increased his volume once more.

"Swear it on your spirits!"

Neither of them believed for a second that they would lose, so they raised their hands without hesitation and swore.

""I swear it on my spirit!""

Seeing the seriousness and confidence in their eyes, Principal Fuqi shook his head even more vigorously. As he had said before, these geniuses were always extremely confident, extremely arrogant, and at the same time, extremely prideful.

In truth, he had left something out back then—a problem he only realized as Principal after the academy had taken these geniuses in.

They were also extremely troublesome!

"Anything else to say?" Principal Fuqi looked between the two of them and finally asked, "For instance, any demands after the victory?"

Tang San slowly lowered his stance, clenched his fists, and spoke coldly, "I only require him to kneel and apologize to my teacher."

"I don't need anything. Besides, things like this won't be rare in the future anyway." Naruto, on the other hand, curled his lip, not really caring. The blood feud between them wouldn't end just because of one soul fight; this was merely the beginning.

But it was indeed time to put an end to the meaningless struggles of the next few years.

"Then, soul battle..."

Principal Fuqi raised his arm high.

In Tang San's hand, the Blue Silver Grass swayed, and an orange-yellow soul ring emerged beneath his feet.

Naruto gripped his palm in the air, and six pitch-black chains whistled as they shot out from his palm, with a muddy-yellow soul ring appearing beneath his feet as well.

The two of them stood ready, poised to strike.

"Begin!"

As Principal Jin swung his arm down, the two of them shot out from their spots like lightning!