At that moment, Yu Xiaogang returned to the hotel where the Shrek team was staying. Just as he reached the door, he happened to see Qin Ming checking over the now-awake Tang San, along with Oscar and the others.
Qin Ming sighed, saying, "To be honest, if these younger students weren't already from Shrek, I would definitely try to bring them into Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Yu Xiaogang immediately spoke up, "Even if they're from Shrek Academy, you can still bring them into Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
From what he knew, Heaven Dou Royal Academy always had two entry slots for each Soul Master Tournament. By merging with them, the Shrek team could directly solve the qualification issue, and at the same time, reinforce their lineup by drawing on students from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. With that, Yu Tianheng would have a proper reason to join—switching to another team within the same academy, something even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family could hardly object to. After all, Heaven Dou Royal Academy ultimately belonged to the royal family.
Perhaps they could even merge with the Heaven Dou first team.
Right now, Yu Tianheng was captain of the Heaven Dou team, and Qin Ming was the leader. That possibility wasn't far-fetched.
If it worked, the new team would even have the potential to contend for the championship. All Yu Xiaogang needed was to secure leadership of the merged team, and make sure the core was built around his disciple Tang San. This, with his seniority, would not be hard to arrange.
Furthermore, becoming the leader of such a team would also give him plenty of ways to get close to Yang Yunhai, and use the opportunity to study his evolved Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.
If he could uncover something useful, it would no doubt benefit his disciple Tang San greatly. Truly killing two birds with one stone.
As for conflicts among the students? They were just children. With Flender's help, he wasn't worried about smoothing things over.
Thinking this through, Yu Xiaogang strode inside under the gaze of everyone, making his way to sit down beside Flender.
"Xiao San, how are you feeling now?"
The first thing he did was ask about Tang San's injuries.
"Though my bones are still hurting, I'm fine otherwise," Tang San replied with a faint smile, his face pale.
"Good," Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly.
Ye Lingling's healing ability was indeed powerful. By the time Tang San had been carried back to the hotel, most of his injuries had already stabilized. Aside from muscle and bone trauma, the rest had already healed more than halfway.
As for Xiao Wu, suffering soul skill backlash had damaged her spirit. She would not be waking up anytime soon.
"Master, what do you mean by this?" Qin Ming followed up cautiously, trying to probe.
Before Yu Xiaogang could answer, Flender spoke sharply, "Xiaogang, are you trying to undermine me? These children belong to Shrek Academy. They are ours now and always will be. Do you think Shrek can't give them proper training?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression didn't change. His tone remained calm, "I never said they should join Heaven Dou Royal Academy. What I mean is that the two academies can cooperate, exchange resources."
Turning toward Qin Ming, he added, "Teacher Qin, I think that shouldn't be a problem, right? And if you can't decide, I can always go directly to Spirit Hall."
"…"
Not long after, under Yu Xiaogang's sharp reasoning—raising the tournament slots, the simulation facilities, and the founding purpose of the academies—Flender finally gave way, leaving the room with a defeated look. Ma Hongjun hurried after him. Yu Xiaogang, however, stayed behind with Qin Ming, continuing to negotiate the details.
It was agreed that the Shrek team would head to Heaven Dou City two months later.
After Qin Ming departed, Flender eventually returned, having been reminded by Ma Hongjun with the phrase "borrow the hen to lay the egg."
"Flender, close the door," Yu Xiaogang said at once.
"You have something to say?" Flender frowned, closing the door before returning to sit.
Yu Xiaogang turned his eyes on Tang San. "Xiao San, don't let today's defeat discourage you. I've already figured out that control-type Soul Master you faced."
"His current soul power and Martial Soul strength didn't come from cultivation," Yu Xiaogang continued steadily, "but from obtaining a rare treasure. It allowed his cultivation to skyrocket in a short period, and even forced his Martial Soul to evolve."
"What!?" Flender blurted out, shocked.
"A rare treasure?" Tang San's pupils shrank slightly, his lips murmuring unconsciously.
"Xiao San, the name Yang Yunhai should be familiar to you," Yu Xiaogang pressed.
"It's him!?" Tang San's face showed surprise.
"You two know each other?" Flender asked.
Tang San nodded. "He's a commoner orphan. We used to be dormmates, working students at Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy."
"This person was very diligent in cultivation. Aside from attending class in the mornings, he spent nearly all other time training. Even though his innate soul power was only 0.5, by the time of graduation, he had already reached rank 20 through his own effort."
"Truly a model of compensating for lack of talent with effort."
"Innate 0.5 soul power Blue Silver Grass, yet progressing that fast… impressive," Flender nodded, somewhat admiringly.
Then, turning quickly to Yu Xiaogang, he pressed, "Xiaogang, tell me, what exactly happened?"
"From rank 20 Grandmaster to rank 32 in just a few months… what kind of miracle could possibly cause such a leap? I've never heard of anything like it."
"It was a bamboo shoot," Yu Xiaogang said. "On the outside, it looked normal. But inside, the flesh was pitch black, smooth like jade."
"Such a thing exists!?" The others were stunned. Flender spoke without thinking.
'That has to be an immortal herb. Even if it wasn't of the highest grade, its medicinal power wouldn't be far off.' Tang San's heart trembled violently.
His Martial Soul was also Blue Silver Grass. He was certain that such a treasure would suit him perfectly. If he had been the one to consume it, his Martial Soul's strength would have advanced to terrifying heights.
Thinking of how easily Yang Yunhai had defeated him today, Tang San's chest surged with unwillingness.
He hadn't lost in wisdom, or skillful use of Martial Soul, or even battle tactics. He had lost only because he hadn't eaten that rare treasure.
Such unfairness filled him with fury.
'Why!? Why does a freak with only 0.5 innate soul power get such a treasure, while I, born with full innate soul power, do not!? Just like in my past life—working harder than inner sect disciples, understanding hidden weapons more deeply than anyone, yet never allowed into the inner sect because of birth. Heaven is so unfair!'
Past life and this life, all the same!
His fists clenched tightly, his eyes burning with suppressed rage.
"Golden patterns on the Blue Silver Grass… so it really evolved. Even if it hasn't reached the Blue Silver Emperor level, it can't be far off," muttered Tang Hao quietly from upstairs, his eyes flashing in surprise.
'If Xiao San could have consumed that…' His heart ached with regret.
Yu Xiaogang went on, "This Yang Yunhai also picked up some knowledge of medicine. After joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he actually came up with a method to treat Dugu Yan's old ailment, and even gained Dugu Bo's acknowledgment. After that, he was taken away for a time."
"With Dugu Bo's mastery of poison and medicine, there's no way he wouldn't have noticed the changes inside Yang Yunhai's body. So I believe Yang Yunhai wasn't lying—he must have truly absorbed all the medicinal power. Otherwise, Dugu Bo would never have let him live."
"Also, the changes in his Martial Soul and his hair color are clearly moving toward the characteristics of that treasure. If I'm not mistaken, both his body and Martial Soul have inherited part of its properties."
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.