Half a month ago, Yu Xiaogang had an accident while traveling alone in the Star Dou Forest. He encountered a group of thousand-year spirit beasts and, at the brink of death, accidentally entered a dangerous area where he consumed a rare heavenly treasure resembling lingzhi. Coupled with his desperate will to survive, his martial spirit underwent an evolution.
For the first time in decades, Yu Xiaogang felt the power of his martial spirit. His Luo San Pao, which used to resemble a pig, transformed into a majestic and mighty dragon. Although, because he awakened it too late, it still could not compare with the Golden Holy Dragon that he once formed with the Golden Iron Triangle through their Martial Spirit Fusion Technique.
Even so, it was enough to rival top-level beast spirits like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. That day, Yu Xiaogang relied on the terrifying dragon's aura to scare off the group of thousand-year spirit beasts. However, lacking combat experience, he was chased down by them again and was left seriously injured and on the verge of death. At that critical moment, a breathtakingly beautiful woman appeared and saved him.
From that day on, Yu Xiaogang felt something different within himself. Liu Erlong was already with Flender, but by a twist of fate, he awakened his martial spirit again and even met that girl from the past.
Although there was now a great difference in their status, Yu Xiaogang seemed to have found something he wanted to do, and the stubbornness that had always existed in his heart began to loosen.
He was not sure about her feelings toward him, but at least her attitude was good. His third spirit ring was personally chosen and hunted for him by her according to his newly awakened martial spirit.
Walking out of the main hall of the Spirit Hall, Yu Xiaogang felt a sense of rebirth he had never experienced before. This would be the starting point for him to begin anew.
...
A month may not be long, but it is not short either. If one intends to accomplish something, a month is often enough.
During this month, apart from Tai Long who went into seclusion to break through level forty, the others, including Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong, had to undergo a month-long hellish training regimen.
This training would be far more intense than before, because Oscar knew very well how powerful their opponents in this year's tournament would be. Even with Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong on the field, there was no guarantee of victory.
Oscar even used his clone ability to form a team , a team strong enough to give the Shrek team members real sharpening and tests.
When the time came, Oscar would not hold back. To ensure that Ma Hongjun and the others could pass the test with their true strength, Oscar specifically designed this month-long potential-excavating devil training.
The purpose was to integrate everything they had learned so far and to produce a result where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. This was the quality a true genius should have.
Their opponents this time would not be peers of the same level but rather the three deans of Shrek Academy themselves.
Dean Flender, martial spirit: Owl, level 85 agility-attack system Spirit Douluo.
Vice Dean Zhao Wuji, martial spirit: Vigorous Vajra Bear, level 82 power-attack system Spirit Douluo.
Vice Dean Liu Erlong, martial spirit: Fire Dragon, level 79 power-attack system Spirit Sage.
One Spirit Sage and two Spirit Douluo as direct training instructors were enough to give this group of little monsters an unforgettable month of devil training.
However, before training began, Flender brought back a young man around thirty years old.
In the dean's office of Shrek Academy, the group of little monsters listened to Flender's guidance. Then Flender solemnly introduced the young man.
Flender said: "This man is considered your senior. He was one of the most outstanding graduates of Shrek Academy. Now, at the age of thirty-four, he has already reached the rank of Spirit Emperor and serves at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy as the leader of the Emperor Team."
The young man smiled and waved: "My name is Qin Ming. If you wish, you can call me senior. I have come today to visit you. I hope you don't mind my interruption."
Everyone sized up Qin Ming. They all knew about the Emperor Team , the first team of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and a guaranteed seed team for the finals.
To become the leader of such a team, Qin Ming's strength was naturally beyond doubt. A Spirit Emperor in his thirties was already at the top level of talent on the continent , that is, if one hadn't met monsters like Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai.
Thus, the group respected Qin Ming as a genius senior and current mentor of the Emperor Team, though they were curious why he had come. Since he was the leader of the Emperor Team, he would eventually be their opponent in the finals. As both opponent and senior, what could Qin Ming possibly do?
"We greet Senior Qin. If you have anything to say, please just tell us," they replied with smiles.
Qin Ming did not waste time. He took a sip of tea and said softly: "I have already seen your strength during the preliminaries. I came here at the request of the dean, who asked me to share some experience with you."
"In my opinion, however, there is not much Qin Ming can teach you. Dai Mubai is already a level 55 Spirit King at such a young age. To be honest, your talent surpasses mine. It is no exaggeration to say the student has outdone the master."
"Even if my Emperor Team encounters you, victory would not be certain. But even so, there are two things I want to tell you."
Hearing Qin Ming's frank evaluation, Flender nodded in satisfaction. This student was the one he was most proud of apart from the current Shrek monsters.
When he first met Qin Ming by chance, Flender had already felt this young man was doing well. After catching up, Flender learned of Qin Ming's current position and identity.
So he thought of inviting him to share some experience with the new generation of monsters.
Although Oscar was already fully capable of acting as their teacher, occasional experience and insight from someone outside or from a senior was still very valuable.
The group of little monsters kept smiling: "Please speak, Senior Qin. We will listen carefully and remember your words."
Looking at these modest little monsters, Qin Ming could not help but compare them to the proud geniuses under his own command, and he once again felt admiration for his alma mater.
Qin Ming smiled: "Having been in the spirit master world for nearly thirty years, I experienced the stage you are in now. Today, as a senior, I want to tell you two heartfelt truths."
"You are all geniuses, possessing outstanding talent while keeping a drive to improve. What I want to tell you is simple , actual combat is the best way to test and improve yourselves."
"Only by constantly fighting, facing different opponents, will you improve faster. The spirit master profession is ever-changing , no one knows what kind of opponent they will meet next."
"The only way is to fight as many different spirit masters as possible to accumulate experience. You are all the top talents of the spirit master world, and the opponents you meet in the Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament are also the best among the younger generation. In your whole life, this tournament is just a small chapter , your road ahead is long."
"Winning or losing is important, but what matters more right now is experience and growth. If a spirit master cannot maintain the belief and determination to win, then his whole life will be mediocre."
Hearing Qin Ming's words, everyone could not help but glance at Oscar. Qin Ming's words were similar to what Oscar usually taught them, but these were Qin Ming's personal experiences. As for Oscar?
Qin Ming's reminder made them respect Oscar even more. At sixteen, Oscar was already more mature in thought than Qin Ming imagined and was constantly putting his words into practice.
Qin Ming's visit was just a brief episode. His purpose was simply to tell his juniors about his own journey as a spirit master, so they could avoid detours.
That evening, Flender treated Qin Ming to a meal. During dinner, Qin Ming shared many of his experiences, from which everyone benefited greatly.
As he was leaving, Qin Ming said softly to the little monsters: "The Emperor Team will be waiting for you in the finals. When I return, I will train them specially. I look forward to competing with you in the finals."
After sending Qin Ming off, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others began their special training the very next day. Since their senior had said so, how could they let him down?
Oscar was also very curious about the current lineup of the Emperor Team. Since in this version his sister, the control-type spirit master, was no longer present, what kind of member would the Emperor Team recruit to fill the gap?
Judging by Qin Ming's attitude today, even after seeing Dai Mubai and the others' strength, he did not seem worried about the Emperor Team at all. This showed that he had confidence.
Perhaps, due to the small butterfly effect caused by himself, this year's tournament might bring unexpected surprises.
...
The promotion tournament of the Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Competition was not as lively as the preliminaries. To protect the privacy and safety of the spirit masters, no audience was allowed.
The promotion tournament was still divided into two empires. The thirty teams that had passed the preliminaries would compete within their respective empires. The three seed teams that had already qualified for the finals did not participate.
In the Heaven Dou Empire's area, including the five teams from the Heaven Dou City preliminaries, fifteen teams had gathered in the morning to register and assemble at the tournament venue.
Although there were fewer teams, those who passed the preliminaries were undoubtedly the elite of the elite.
The ten teams from the four kingdoms and one duchy under the Heaven Dou Empire had arrived earlier to familiarize themselves with the environment. They came bearing many promises from their respective nations.
If they achieved good results, the rewards they would receive might even exceed the promises of Emperor Xue Ye.
Since they were vassals of the Heaven Dou Empire, if they could outperform the empire's own teams in the promotion tournament, it would undoubtedly prove their strength.
And those kingdoms and duchies were even more eager for talent. Who would not want to have more powerful spirit masters under their control?
In the wars of the Douluo Continent, although the number of spirit masters was small, they had long been the deciding factor on the battlefield.
The number of high-level spirit masters was also the fundamental measure of a power's strength. This was why the Spirit Hall held such a transcendent status that even the two great empires dared not offend it.
The two empires knew very well that those kingdoms and duchies were secretly supported by the Spirit Hall but could only endure it silently.
The promotion tournament was held at the royal hunting grounds, fifty kilometers southwest of Heaven Dou City. The grounds featured varied terrain and vast space, serving as a place for royal hunts and training.
Normally, commoners were forbidden to approach this place. It was patrolled and guarded by ten thousand members of the Royal Knights, who also trained there. They rotated every three months to maintain combat readiness.
The Royal Knights were considered the strongest force in the hands of the Heaven Dou royal family.
To avoid unnecessary trouble and conflict, and to prevent other academies from spying on their strength, all fifteen participating academy teams were housed in separate locations.
The Royal Knights were clad in bright silver armor, which provided excellent defense. Even their mounts, the Sky Soul Horses with magical beast bloodlines, were carefully chosen.
These horses had little offensive power but were extremely fast, strong, and had remarkable endurance , making them the best choice for cavalry.
Even with their riders and heavy armor, their speed was not reduced, showing just how extraordinary they were.
Once such a cavalry force charged, its destructive power would be terrifying.
The Royal Knights numbered fifty thousand in total, with every captain of a hundred-man unit or higher being a spirit master.
This was an extremely costly army, but its deterrent power was just as great. At least under its threat, the kingdoms and duchies dared not act rashly.
The Shrek Academy team arrived at their assigned camp. After a month of devil training, they were eager for battle to test the results.
The promotion tournament was still a round-robin format, but since there were fewer teams, the duration was shortened from one month to half a month. After another half-month break, the finals would be held at Spirit City, located on the border between the two empires.
At this time, in Shrek Academy's camp, Dai Mubai and Tang San were discussing the order of appearance for their team members when Ning Fengzhi and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe came to visit.
Today, Xue Qinghe was dressed in ordinary noble clothes, not particularly luxurious. He looked just like any other nobleman. Standing next to the elegant Ning Fengzhi, he almost seemed like a background character.
When Xue Qinghe saw Oscar in the Shrek team, his expression changed slightly, but he quickly hid it. After all, he was here on behalf of Emperor Xue Ye to visit the academies.
As soon as Ning Fengzhi arrived, Ning Rongrong rushed out.
"Father," Ning Rongrong called out as she ran out of the tent and jumped into Ning Fengzhi's arms, her face full of excitement.
Ning Fengzhi stroked her hair: "I came to check on you. It seems you are all in good shape. I hope you will achieve great results in the promotion tournament."
Ning Rongrong raised her small fist: "Hmph, it's a pity I'm just a support-type and won't have a chance to participate in the matches. Otherwise, I'd show you my strength."
Ning Fengzhi lovingly patted her head, smiling warmly.
"Uncle, Brother Xue, would you like to come in and sit for a while?" Oscar asked when he saw they were about to leave.
Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe exchanged a glance and smiled, shaking their heads. Ning Fengzhi said: "We won't sit. We still have to visit the other academies."
Before leaving, Xue Qinghe gave Oscar a strange look and then glanced at Dugu Yan, who was holding Oscar's arm. Xue Qinghe just smiled faintly before leaving with Ning Fengzhi.
Dugu Yan felt puzzled about Xue Qinghe's inexplicable good attitude and told Oscar about it. Oscar just smiled and said that he had met the Crown Prince by chance before and had a pleasant conversation. It was normal for him to show goodwill when he saw them being so close.
Even so, Oscar was a bit surprised but not worried. After all, both he and his sister were merely clones. Even if someone targeted them, it would not matter , and it might even help expose hidden enemies.
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