Chapter 182: The Gap of the First Soul Ring, Part Eight
Could the healing effects of the Mysterious Heaven Technique really be this strong? Ye Wen wondered, watching Tang San recover quickly from the intense sparring. Or perhaps it's his unique, half spirit body that gives him such resilience. Regardless, seeing Tang San so battered did soothe some of Ye Wen's simmering resentment.
Maintaining his "kindly mentor" facade, Ye Wen took out a small box of ordinary healing ointment from his spatial ring and offered it to Tang San. A mix of conflicting emotions surged in Tang San this man had just defeated him but was now offering healing supplies. Moreover, the match was something they had mutually agreed upon, and Ye Wen had even held back. He couldn't very well view Ye Wen as his enemy or hold a grudge, as much as he wanted to. The words, "Those who harm me shall face retribution," lingered unspoken in his mind.
With his questions about Tang San's state now answered, Ye Wen had no interest in further interaction with this odd teacher student pair. He signaled to his five charges, and they left the forest, their figures soon vanishing in the dusk. Watching them go, Tang San felt a pang of envy, wondering when he, too, would have the strength and freedom to carry himself as Ye Wen did so powerful and carefree.
As they departed, Tang San's thoughts turned to the technique Ye Wen had mentioned, the Steadfast Style, and he asked Yu Xiaogang about it. With Ye Wen's influence, the five basic self created techniques he had shared long ago had now spread widely, and Yu Xiaogang, who had already heard of them, explained them all without reservation. Tang San's admiration for Ye Wen deepened, though he felt slightly irked that Ye Wen had only released five of the six techniques.
"Those who seek the greater good," Tang San thought, "ought to be selfless. A neutral figure such as Ye Wen ought to share all his knowledge, not withhold it for himself. One day, when my strength has grown, I will ensure these techniques reach every soul master across the land, and all shall know me as Tang San, protector of the people."
Tang San eagerly set about studying the Steadfast Style, quickly realizing it was superior to his Mysterious Jade Hands. The Steadfast Style could strengthen not only his hands but any part of his body, providing full body reinforcement. With his natural talent, Tang San soon combined his Mysterious Jade Hands with Steadfast Style principles, creating his own version, which he named Mysterious Jade Body.
This technique will be a lifesaver, he thought with satisfaction. Next time, there's no way that punch from Ye Tianshui would even faze me.
A shadow of obsession flashed in his eyes as he thought of Ye Tianshui. Her image was now burned into his memory. The disparity between them both at Spirit Rank 10 yet her strength far outshining his own fueled his drive. He resolved to question Yu Xiaogang about how one could possibly bear a thousand year soul ring at such a low level. But even with all her advantages, Tang San took pride in his dual spirits. When his second spirit could finally host a soul ring, it would surely start with a ten thousand year ring. At that point, who could say which of them would be stronger?
The days flew by as Tang San continued his training. Upon returning to the academy, he registered his spirit master rank and claimed his subsidies at Spirit Hall, his level testing at 13 already meeting the level for graduation from Nuoding Academy.
As Ye Wen's influence grew, the social dynamics at Nuoding Academy had also changed. The role of "noble leader," previously held by the city lord's son, Xiao Chenyu, now had a new face. With Ye Wen's guidance, Xiao Chenyu's father, Xiao Lie, had greatly improved his cultivation and raised his son's potential far beyond what it once was. Xiao Chenyu had even met the requirements for Tianxing Academy and enrolled there. Now, only the lowliest nobles remained at Nuoding, with Karamie, a barely ten ranked noble, taking over Xiao Chenyu's role as leader. He was far less capable, even compared to the original Xiao Chenyu.
Nuoding Academy allowed children to spar as long as no fatalities occurred, so when Tang San saw nobles bullying commoners, he promptly stepped in, taking down the so called noble elite with ease. His intervention cemented his place as Nuoding's unrivaled "boss" for the next six years, but he found the role unfulfilling. The thrill of competition was lacking, and his memories of Ye Tianshui's fierce presence filled him with longing. Over time, this desire grew into a single minded goal:
"I must become stronger, strong enough to stand beside her, and only then will Dean Ye Wen acknowledge me."
Had Ye Wen known of Tang San's ambition, he would have swatted him away without hesitation. Stand by my daughter? In your dreams!
The next six years passed quietly on the Douluo Continent. With the rapid increase in spirit masters, the empire's finances grew strained, a change that amused Ye Wen. During this time, he kept an eye on another matter: Dai Mubai, who, as expected, had abandoned his fiancée and hidden himself away in the Balak Kingdom to indulge in leisure.
"Possessing a White Tiger spirit yet lacking the courage to lead," Ye Wen sneered as he read about Dai Mubai's escapades in a report. "Even if he becomes a Title Douluo, he'll likely never surpass Rank 95. And without special resources to help him, he'll be useless."
Closing the report on Dai Mubai, Ye Wen turned to the next page, which focused on his fiancée Zhu Zhuqing.
"Despite being abandoned, she's shown a fierce determination to push forward," he noted with approval. "She has potential, but her current inexperience holds her back. With time and hardships, she might yet achieve the brilliance seen in the original story."
Setting aside the Star Luo gossip, Ye Wen's gaze shifted toward Heaven Dou Empire's affairs. Despite changes in fate, Xue Qinghe was still the crown prince, with only one other heir, Xue Beng, who was playing the role of a wastrel to survive the ruthless palace politics. In Heaven Dou, the royal infighting was vicious, while Star Luo's struggles for the throne seemed far less imposing. For all their talk of fairness, the royal siblings' age gap was large. Even with a ten year head start, Dai Weisi barely managed to reach Spirit King rank, a far cry from any impressive achievement.
With disdain, Ye Wen mused, The Star Luo royal family relies solely on connections, their supposed trials for the throne amounting to nothing. It was no wonder they were overthrown by the Star Crown Clan in the later stories.
Turning to gaze at the cityscape outside, Ye Wen murmured, The more the empires decay, the better it is for me. It will make my task that much easier. Since arriving in this world, he had felt nothing but loathing for the corruption permeating it. And with the world's consciousness seemingly endorsing his plans, he knew that achieving unity across the continent was his destiny.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10