Chapter 184: Ah Yin, You Took the Wrong Path
Deep in the shadows, Tang Hao caught sight of Ah Yin and was momentarily entranced. Having not seen her for eleven years, Ah Yin had grown even more beautiful, even more charming, her figure impeccable.
According to Tang San's talk of that other world, Ah Yin should have been with him. She rightfully belonged to him—she was his, his! All because of Qian Xunji, that shameless and vile crook who stole Ah Yin from him!!
On one side of the VIP dais, the master of ceremonies announced loudly, "Next, His Majesty, the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, will declare the competition open."
Amid thunderous applause, a deep, resonant voice carried through the amplification soul tools to every corner of the arena. "I, Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, representing the empire itself and as host of this tournament, now announce that the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is hereby open."
Once the applause died down, the Emperor continued: "Here, I hope that every soul master participating in this tournament can fully display your abilities and achieve excellent results. You are all the pride of the Heaven Dou Empire. For the empire's glory, let your brilliance shine!"
Returning to his seat, the master of ceremonies spoke again: "Next, we invite His Holiness the Pope of Spirit Hall to deliver an address for this tournament."
As Qian Xunji rose, applause erupted—not a bit weaker than for Emperor Xue Ye. Over on the Tianshui Academy side, they cheered vigorously, while on the Shrek Seven's side, they were reluctant to lift their hands at all, glancing at Qian Xunji with disdain and loathing.
Qian Xunji gave a slight smile, raising one hand calmly. "I'm delighted to accept the invitation as a guest of honor at this tournament's opening. As the Pope of Spirit Hall, a member of the soul master community, I'm pleased to see so many gifted young soul masters participating this year."
"The Soul Master Tournament is your stage to show your strength. As His Majesty just said, bring your best and bring honor to your academies, and let the Heaven Dou Empire see your prowess."
The master of ceremonies then asked, "Your Holiness the Pope, as the continent's mightiest soul master, on behalf of all the spectators, I'd like to ask: Of the twenty-eight teams in these preliminaries here in Heaven Dou City, do you favor one in particular?"
"Tianshui Team."
At those words, tens of thousands of eyes fell upon Tianshui Academy, making them the focus of the entire arena.
"Oh?" said the master of ceremonies in surprise. "Might I ask why Tianshui Team has earned your favor?"
"Because my son is on Tianshui Team."
At that, the whole Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena roared in excitement—the Pope's son was also taking part in the tournament. And Emperor Xue Ye understood at once why Qian Xunji had attended the opening ceremony here in the Heaven Dou division.
On Tianshui Academy's side, Qian Renchuan wore a wry smile. He could already sense warlike stares pouring in from every direction. His father really was piling on the pressure, but there was no way he'd let his father down!
On the Shrek side, they stared at Qian Renchuan with both fear and hatred. Two years earlier at the Soto Great Spirit Arena, Qian Renchuan's "Thousand-Handed Shura" persona had swept the Shrek Seven, leaving them with a lingering shadow. The hatred was because he was that traitor who once belonged to the Tang Sect but sided with Spirit Hall, snatching the immortal herbs that should have been theirs!
Gu Chen's eyes flashed with fighting spirit. From Ning Rongrong, he'd learned some of Qian Renchuan's story: a Pope's son, also a twin-spirited genius just like himself. That was his true rival.
Once Ning Fengzhi's speech ended, Salas—seated in the second row—came forward with a palace maid as a guide. Standing next to the master of ceremonies, he began announcing the matchups.
"Round One of preliminaries: Canghui Academy versus Purple Star Academy."
"Round One: Auckland Academy versus Flame Radiance Academy."
"Round One: Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Blue Tyrant Academy."
Hearing that, the Shrek Seven's expressions all turned rather strange—Blue Tyrant Academy was their old stomping ground in the previous timeline. Back then, they had recognized Liu Erlong as the dean, switching Blue Tyrant Academy's name to Shrek Academy to participate in this same tournament. They had thoroughly trounced the Heaven Dou second team. This time, it was definitely not something they could replicate.
The Heaven Dou second team went up, fielding all of the Shrek Seven except Ning Rongrong, while Gu Chen remained on the bench. After all, Blue Tyrant Academy's lineup only consisted of rank-30s, led by Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiangzhu, all about rank 35. No point sending a rank-50 Soul King to fight. A one-vs-seven wipe would have been trivial for him.
Within a mere three minutes, Blue Tyrant Academy was defeated—this was even with the Heaven Dou second team deliberately holding back. Seeing the second team's effortless victory, Emperor Xue Ye looked pleased, while Qian Xunji, Ah Yin, Bone Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi all left the VIP seats.
With Blue Tyrant Academy finished off, Tang San glanced upward—only to see that the five up there had already departed.
"Xiao San, over here."
Tang Hao's voice came from behind him. Tang San returned through the passageway to find his father, though Tang Hao's appearance made him pause: the man had shaved his beard, combed his once messy "bird's nest" hair, and wore neat clothes, no longer giving off that rancid smell. Although he still looked haggard, he appeared about ten years younger.
Tang Hao snapped, "Why're you just standing there? Hurry and follow me!"
Tang San hastened to keep up, while the rest of the Shrek Seven, along with Yu Xiaogang and Flender, exchanged glances and followed behind in puzzlement.
Outside the Great Spirit Arena—
Ah Yin was walking with the Tianshui Team. Qian Renchuan looked somewhat reluctant. "Mother, must you leave so soon?"
She nodded. "Yes, I've been away from Spirit Hall for quite a while and need to return. The Pope is providing generous prizes for the champion, including something special for you. So fight hard in this tournament."
"Don't worry, Mother—Bing'er and I will lead our team to victory!"
He had barely finished when he noticed a group approaching from behind—Tang Hao, along with the Heaven Dou second team. Their body language suggested they were here to see them.
"What do you want?" Qian Renchuan asked sharply, disliking them as the "naturally wicked Tang clan."
Ah Yin raised a hand, stepping forward calmly, voice and expression cool as if facing strangers. "Tang Hao, what is it?"
Tang Hao forced a bitter smile at her aloof manner. "Ah Yin... it's been a long time. This is my son—his spirit is Blue Silver Grass, just like yours and your son's."
The youth stepped forward to pay respects, lowering his head with a complex look on his face. He still believed her to be his mother, but right now he could only address her as "senior."
Ah Yin nodded. She remembered him from the Heaven Dou second team's fight with Blue Tyrant Academy. She didn't expect him to be Tang Hao's son.
Tang Hao said, "Ah Yin, for whatever reason, my son reached rank 39 and can't progress any further. I have no idea why—could you take a look for me?"
Surprise flickered across the Shrek Six's faces. Tang San had stuck at rank 39? That seemed impossible!
From behind, Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, and Gu Chen all narrowed their eyes.
"Show me your spirit," Ah Yin said.
Tang San lifted his right hand, the Mysterious Heaven Skill circulating. After fusing with the Man-Faced Demon Spider ring, his Blue Silver Grass had turned purple. Two yellow, one purple spirit ring quietly emerged.
Observing Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, Ah Yin frowned slightly. "Poison. Who told you to cultivate your martial spirit this way?"
At those words, everyone's gazes swung onto Yu Xiaogang, whose face went pale. He quickly asked, "Your Majesty the Silver Emperor, I— I guided Tang San on how to train his Blue Silver Grass. Did I guide him incorrectly?"
"It's not just incorrect—it's completely reversed."
Yu Xiaogang had been about to breathe a sigh of relief, but hearing her go on left him tottering.
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