When the spectators and the teams that did not advance to the preliminaries had left, the five teams that did advance slowly walked out of the Great Spirit Arena.
Strangely enough, the previously unnoticed Oscar and Dugu Yan were now being secretly watched by several pairs of eyes.
Among them were Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, Shui Bing'er, and Yu Tianxin, the captains of their respective teams.
It was puzzling that the captain and vice-captain of Shrek Academy's team had never once made a move during the previous matches.
Could it be that Shrek Academy had not yet gone all out? Could it be that even Dai Mubai, whose spirit power level had reached fifty-five, was not qualified to be the captain of Shrek Academy's team?
Or was this their strategy? Did they deliberately fabricate a captain and vice-captain?
But judging from the demeanor of Oscar and Dugu Yan, they did not seem fake. For a while, the news left the members of the Four Element Academies puzzled.
The Shrek group, however, did not care about what others thought. They calmly left the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena and returned to the academy.
There was a month before the promotion matches began, which they could use for training. The twenty-some consecutive days of battle had taught them much, especially Tai Long, who had already begun preparing to break through to level forty midway through. This month would be enough for him to go into seclusion and break through.
The others were much the same as Tai Long. After resting for three days, they all threw themselves fully into training.
The battle with the Five Element Academy had taught them that even with their current strength, unless they revealed Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong, victory would not be easy.
This was the meaning of "there is always someone stronger." Not to mention that in the future they would still face Spirit Hall and opponents from the Star Luo Empire.
But apart from Oscar, the others at Shrek Academy still did not know that a huge dark horse had quietly appeared in the Star Luo division, sweeping through the competition with overwhelming momentum.
The Star Luo Emperor himself felt helpless about this. The Sword Sect had formed an academy team and exchanged for a competition slot, then began a domineering "rule" in the Star Luo Empire.
However, the Star Luo Emperor could understand. To prevent misunderstandings, one of Gai Yue's avatars personally met with the emperor and explained everything.
"The Sword Sect has two geniuses. To let both compete, this is the only solution."
Understanding was one thing, but the appearance of the Sword Sect's Lingyu Team meant that one of Star Luo's own teams had to give up a slot. And Lingyu Team's strength was simply too great, crushing the confidence of the younger generation of spirit masters in Star Luo Empire.
The Star Luo Emperor could not make sense of it. If even their Royal Academy might not defeat the Lingyu Team, then what of the other Sword Sect genius's team? Just how strong would they be?
The Star Luo Emperor even regretted granting the Sword Sect a slot, since the strength they displayed left little hope of winning the championship.
But perhaps it was not all in vain. After all, his son had received guidance and had just broken through from level forty-nine to level fifty. This was at least a bittersweet outcome.
Spirit City, Hall of the Pope.
Inside the grand, golden hall there were only five people. Sitting on the main seat was Bibi Dong, current Pope of Spirit Hall. To her left was Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, clad in golden armor, whose presence was flamboyant and even slightly coquettish.
Below the dais, three young talents knelt on one knee. They were the current Golden Generation of Spirit Hall , Saintess Hu Liena, Spirit Hall Team Captain Xie Yue, and Yan.
"Rise." Bibi Dong glanced at the three young people below. Her eyes revealed little emotion, but they still hinted that she was in a good mood.
"Nana, I hear you have recently been losing your appetite? That is not something you, as the Saintess of Spirit Hall, should be distracted by. You know that, don't you?" Bibi Dong spoke softly, but after the words left her mouth, she froze slightly.
Back then… wasn't that villain the one who said such things to her? What was she feeling now? Had she become just like that villain?
Had the dragon slayer become the dragon, or had she remained true to her heart despite the passage of time?
Hu Liena dared not look up at her teacher, bowing her head even lower. "Teacher, this disciple… this disciple is just a little worried about him…"
Seeing Hu Liena's expression and hearing her words, Bibi Dong felt a faint stir of emotion in her heart, but quickly returned to her calm state as if nothing had happened.
Her voice remained steady: "I understand what you are thinking. But if your mind is entirely fixed on one man, how can you make progress? I know Ailan's ability, and I can see his ambition. If you keep being like this, be careful that he might no longer want you."
Bibi Dong did not try to separate them , first because it was in her interest to win over the Sword Sect, and second because she had once been abandoned and wanted to shield her disciple this time.
Hu Liena was slightly startled, then nodded after a long silence. "I understand, Teacher."
Bibi Dong knew Hu Liena's character. As long as she listened, no matter how she felt, she would suppress it in her heart and work harder.
Then Bibi Dong took out a letter and handed it to Hu Liena, who read it carefully.
After a while, Hu Liena's expression changed slightly and she passed the letter to her brother Xie Yue.
Bibi Dong's voice sounded again: "According to Ailan, his younger brother's name is Oscar. Combined with the information compiled by Bishop Salas, it can be concluded that Shrek Academy is the academy where his brother Oscar is studying."
"But Shrek Academy's strength cannot be underestimated. Based on what they have shown so far , one level fifty-five Soul King and three Soul Sects , if we add Oscar and the three who have never appeared, they likely have at least two Soul Kings, all with high spirit power levels."
After speaking, Bibi Dong met Hu Liena's gaze. "Nana, facing such opponents, do you have confidence?"
Hu Liena's mind was still focused on that level fifty-five Soul King. They were all young, and someone had already reached the Soul King realm at this age?
Seventeen years old and already level fifty-five , Hu Liena herself had only been level forty-five at seventeen. What kind of talent was this?
If one member was already level fifty-five, then what about their captain, Oscar? How terrifying must his strength be?
Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Hu Liena came back to herself. Her light yellow eyes flickered slightly.
But soon she calmed down. Shrek Academy was strong, yes, but that was still just speculation. Besides, was Ailan weak? Was their Spirit Hall team weak?
Two Soul Kings? So what? She and her brother had a Martial Soul Fusion skill. Their Spirit Hall Academy team , three Soul Kings plus four Soul Sects , was enough to sweep away any peers.
Her gaze firmed as she replied: "Teacher, I have confidence. This year's championship will still belong to Spirit Hall!"
Xie Yue and Yan echoed: "Your Holiness, we will defend the glory of Spirit Hall at all costs!"
Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction, then looked toward the door. "Since that is the case, I will give you one more safeguard."
The three of them were puzzled, but the next moment the great doors opened. Ghost Douluo Guimei entered, leading a middle-aged man of about fifty.
The man's appearance was ordinary. He wore plain clothing and had cropped hair, a straight nose, and a square mouth. At first glance he seemed cold and distant, like someone removed from the mundane world.
But a closer look revealed that he was just an ordinary man pretending to be aloof in order to appear profound.
While the three youths were observing him, Bibi Dong hid her complex feelings and said calmly, "This is the Master. You may call him that. He is now an elder of Spirit Hall, proficient in theory and training. During the next two months he will be giving you special training. How much you can learn will depend entirely on yourselves."
Hearing this, the three youths were surprised. The Master's image grew taller in their hearts. To become an elder of Spirit Hall, one had to be exceptionally powerful or make an outstanding contribution.
The three respectfully saluted. "Greetings, Master. We will be under your guidance from now on. Please teach us all you can."
Seeing such outstanding young talents treat him with respect, Yu Xiaogang suddenly felt relieved. Perhaps he should have come here long ago.
That disciple he once pinned all his hopes on… compared to him, that disciple seemed like nothing more than an ungrateful wolf.
He had painstakingly taught him for six years, and after only three months apart, he switched teachers. Not only did he deny Yu Xiaogang as his teacher, he even listened to a child's words.
And that brat who stole away the disciple meant to prove Yu Xiaogang's theories , not only did he do that, he even slandered him, calling him shallow and a fraud.
Was Yu Xiaogang shallow? Was he a fraud? His decades of research and theoretical work were the result of a lifetime of effort.
Since Tang San had betrayed his master, he would not hesitate to teach others everything he knew.
The Master helped the three up and said stiffly, "No need for ceremony. In the time ahead, you will come to truly understand the strength and professionalism of the spirit master profession."
The three were puzzled. Did they not already understand?
As the most outstanding Golden Generation in Spirit Hall Academy history, Hu Liena believed she understood spirit masters very well. But since this Master was appointed by her teacher, she kept her doubts to herself.
After giving the orders, Chrysanthemum Douluo led the three away, leaving only Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang in the hall.
Bibi Dong put away her scepter and sat back lazily, her eyes on Yu Xiaogang. "Are you satisfied?"
Yu Xiaogang met her gaze briefly before quickly turning away. "Thank you. I didn't expect that after all these decades, you would still be the one to truly accept me."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong thought of the intelligence Ghost Douluo had brought back and let out a soft, sarcastic laugh. "Don't thank me , thank yourself. I trust your abilities, but if you want to stand firm here, you must also make them trust your abilities."
"These three are the most talented in the history of Spirit Hall Academy. Nana is my personal disciple. If you can make them believe in you, your name as Master will spread throughout Spirit Hall , even throughout the continent."
Yu Xiaogang clenched his fists, then let out a long breath before replying, "I understand. I will not let you down."
He tidied his clothes, turned, and walked toward the hall's exit. Bibi Dong watched his back, wanting to speak, but said nothing.
Just as Yu Xiaogang reached the door, he paused. His voice came slowly. "I don't know what you have been through all these years, but I promise that this time, I will not back down."
"You… take care of yourself…"
Yu Xiaogang left the hall. Since Bibi Dong had given him this right and this chance to prove himself, he would seize it. He would make everyone , including that ungrateful disciple , regret it for life.
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's last words, Bibi Dong was slightly stunned. When he had completely left, a faint smile appeared on her face as her mind drifted back to half a month ago.
At that time, she personally accompanied Hu Liena to choose her fifth spirit ring. Without her papal dignity on display, she acted more like a mother, talking to Hu Liena about many things.
After obtaining the spirit ring, they encountered the severely injured Yu Xiaogang on their way back.
Her emotions at the time could be described as a roller coaster. The man she had missed for so long appeared before her in such a state. And she hadn't expected that after this brush with death, Yu Xiaogang broke through the bottleneck to level thirty and now only needed one more spirit ring to reach the Spirit Elder realm.
For Yu Xiaogang, this was a heaven-sent opportunity.
After being betrayed by his ungrateful disciple and mocked by Oscar, he had spent half a year in a daze, but then suddenly had a revelation, rebuilt his confidence, and began perfecting his theories.
Since Oscar had said he lacked practical experience, he decided to gain it himself. With his level twenty-nine spirit power and his knowledge, he could not yet study high-level spirit beasts, but century-level ones were still within reach.
After over a year of hard work, Yu Xiaogang personally validated most of his theories. Though it was only against ordinary century-level spirit beasts, it was like discovering a new world for him.
He even began to agree with what Oscar had said , the theories of predecessors were shortcuts to knowledge, but they had to be combined with personal experience to truly make them one's own.
However, Yu Xiaogang also found many difficulties. His strength was limited, and at level twenty-nine he lacked the power and resources to go further.
He could no longer return to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan , or rather, even if he did, no one would give resources to someone who would remain a Grandmaster forever, not even if his father was the clan leader.
But Yu Xiaogang's personality would never let him give up. Since he could not rely on Flender or his clan, he thought of Liu Erlong, and coincidentally heard news about her.
But when he was ready to set aside the awkward past and find Liu Erlong, he discovered that the academy she founded, Blue Tyrant Academy, had somehow turned into Shrek Academy.
And he even saw Flender and Liu Erlong traveling together, their closeness more like lovers than siblings.
This nearly broke Yu Xiaogang again. After three months of despair, he decided to walk his own path.
He knew how powerful his martial soul could be. If he could awaken its bloodline, even at fifty years old, he could still have a chance to become strong.
What he lacked was an opportunity , a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
At this point Yu Xiaogang's mind was no longer entirely normal, but to his surprise, that opportunity really did appear.
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