Little Three, how did you get so far so fast!

"All right. Since Tai Tan's grandson isn't dead, make good use of him. Be careful when you act in Heaven Dou City from now on. I'm leaving."

With that, Tang Hao vanished from the back mountain without giving Tang San another chance to speak.

Tang San struggled to process those words, but he accepted them after only a moment.

Dad must be right. The Strength Clan is nothing but a bunch of slaves, and slaves have no place at the table.

With that thought, Tang San returned to Shrek Academy. He had barely taken a few steps when his stomach growled.

He had gone all night without eating in order to absorb the crystal blood dragon ginseng.

"It's almost noon. I'll head to the dining hall first."

When he reached the dining hall entrance, Tang San saw Oscar and Ma Hongjun supporting Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai's clothes were in tatters, his face was battered and swollen, and bruises covered his body. He limped along with the other two holding him up.

"Boss Dai, what happened?"

Tang San stepped forward in confusion to ask. Seriously, what happened in just one night?

Hearing Tang San's question, Oscar let out a helpless sigh as he supported Dai Mubai.

"Boss Dai had a fight with Zhu Zhuqing yesterday, and then she left the academy.

"This morning, Dean Flender told Fatty and me to go with Boss Dai and bring Zhu Zhuqing back.

"Then Boss Dai lost his temper and got beaten back here."

Tang San was surprised. Zhu Zhuqing? Beating up Dai Mubai? Was that for real?

"How did that happen? Surely Boss Dai could beat Zhu Zhuqing?"

Ma Hongjun shook his head.

"It wasn't Zhu Zhuqing. It was the Imperial Fighting Team. Zhu Zhuqing went to find Ning Rongrong.

"Ning Rongrong has joined the Imperial Fighting Team. After Boss Dai vented his anger, they gave him a brutal beating."

Dai Mubai spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and spoke bitterly.

"Damn it. I don't know how, but they've all broken through to Soul Ancestor. Even that bitch Ning Rongrong has reached Soul Elder.

"I let my guard down and couldn't defend myself at all. They beat me up."

Tang San looked startled and doubtful.

"They've reached Soul Ancestor too?"

"Too?"

The three stared at Tang San in confusion. What did he mean, "too"?

"Little Three, you mean..."

Tang San nodded.

"That's right. I've reached Soul Ancestor too."

"What?"

Ma Hongjun and Oscar were both stunned, while Dai Mubai's eyes darkened.

Tang San reached Soul Ancestor? How is that possible?

Tang San was already stronger than him, and the academy was deliberately nurturing him. Now that Tang San's rank had surpassed his as well, Dai Mubai was bound to be pushed to the sidelines of the team.

"Little Three, how did you get so far so fast! I'm still a Soul Grandmaster."

Ma Hongjun truly hadn't expected this. His rank had already been the lowest among the Shrek Seven Devils, and now the gap had grown even wider.

"Little Three, help me. I need to make that bitch pay."

Dai Mubai staggered forward and grabbed Tang San, his voice charged with emotion.

He didn't believe for a second that this was the fruit of tireless cultivation suddenly paying off. Like Ning Rongrong and the others, Tang San must have found some way to rapidly increase his strength.

Tang San frowned. How was he supposed to help? There had only been one crystal blood dragon ginseng, and he had devoured it without leaving so much as a root hair.

Everything else could only be considered defective goods. Eating them would definitely cause trouble.

"Boss Dai, it's not that I won't help. This sort of thing really is too dangerous."

Hearing that, Dai Mubai assumed Tang San simply didn't want to tell him because he feared being surpassed.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun followed Dai Mubai as well.

Dai Mubai gave a cold snort and left the dining hall entrance. He would find Flender and make him think of a solution.

Tang San frowned at Dai Mubai's attitude but said nothing more. What concerned him more now was why the entire Imperial Fighting Team had broken through.

Could they have immortal herbs too? No, immortal herbs are far too precious...

Tang San plunged into a storm of speculation, failing even to notice Yu Xiaogang approaching.

Seeing Tang San deep in thought, Yu Xiaogang thought this was a perfect opportunity. He immediately walked over, hoping to make his presence felt and restore his authority as a teacher.

Although Tang San still appeared as respectful toward him as ever, Yu Xiaogang always felt something was off.

"Little Three, what are you thinking about? Tell me. Perhaps your teacher knows the answer."

Tang San was speechless at those words, with suppressed anger simmering beneath it. If not for the Twin-Birth Secret Art, he would have torn Yu Xiaogang into ten thousand pieces long ago.

"Teacher, I just saw Dai Mubai. They said the entire Imperial Fighting Team has reached Soul Ancestor, so I was wondering whether they used some special method."

Yu Xiaogang froze on the spot. He didn't know the answer to this question either.

But Yu Xiaogang's greatest strength was his thick skin. He coughed twice and adopted an air of profound wisdom.

"That possibility certainly can't be ruled out. If you want to know, we can simply go and ask the Imperial Fighting Team. I'm sure they'll show me, the Grandmaster, some respect.

"Besides, something that benefits the development of the Soul Master World should be shared for the good of the Soul Master World, shouldn't it?"

With that, Yu Xiaogang hurried off toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy without a moment's pause, leaving Tang San staring blankly after him.

Does this damned Yu Xiaogang have no brain? Does he think he can just ask about something like this?

Tang San's heart was full of scorn. If this really involved immortal herbs, why would the Imperial Fighting Team reveal it?

Just like the Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Skill and hidden weapons, these were closely guarded secrets. How could outsiders be allowed to learn them?

Still, Tang San followed. First, nothing could be allowed to happen to Yu Xiaogang, and he could keep an eye on things if trouble arose.

Second, he also wanted to know what method the Imperial Fighting Team had used. Could it really be immortal herbs?

Having that useless Yu Xiaogang wade through the fire for him was undoubtedly a good choice.

When he reached the gate, Tang San asked the gatekeeper to notify Flender and the others, then caught up with Yu Xiaogang.

Before long, the two arrived at the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Ning Rongrong and her companions had just returned from Heaven Dou City and were planning to show Zhu Zhuqing around the academy.

"Stop!"

Just as they were chatting and laughing on their way inside, Yu Xiaogang's stiff, arrogant voice rang out behind them.

They frowned and turned to see Yu Xiaogang calmly straightening his black robe, his face full of arrogance.

"I want to know how you reached Soul Ancestor. Can you tell me?"

He raised his chin as he spoke, looking as though his time was limited and they had better answer quickly.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang act like that, Tang San immediately took two steps back to distance himself, wearing an expression that said he didn't know the man.

Ning Rongrong and the others exchanged looks, their brows furrowing.

The potions were Teacher Sunday's secret. What right did they have to divulge it? Even within Heaven Dou Royal Academy, only Xue Ye, Xue Qinghe, and the Three Education Committee Members knew.

Looking at Yu Xiaogang's corpse-like face, Ning Rongrong recalled how he had targeted her both openly and covertly back in Suotuo City. She planted her hands on her hips and stepped forward.

"Yu Xiaogang, who the hell do you think you are? You dare pry into our teacher's affairs? Are you even worthy?"