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Chapter 97: Xuan Zi—Is It My Turn Now?
Noon.
After finishing lunch, Tang San received a message and made his way straight to the Dean's office.
By the window stood an elderly man clad in elegant white robes, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the outside world. Tang San bowed slightly.
"Teacher, you wanted to see me?"
"Mm."
Yan Shaozhe gave a light hum in acknowledgment, then turned to appraise Tang San from head to toe once more. Satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
Exceptional talent, formidable strength, yet without the arrogance typical of ordinary geniuses; cautious and low-key in his actions, and above all, respectful toward his master. {T/N: And a selfish coward}
Even he could find no fault with this disciple.
"I've called you here today for two reasons. First, regarding this afternoon's assessment: your team will face the two geniuses who chose to join the Spirit Guidance Department three months ago. Use this noon break to prepare properly."
"…Ah?"
Tang San froze. Hadn't the matchups been supposed to be decided by drawing lots?
Such obvious manipulation, and directly telling him to prepare beforehand, is that really okay?
"Don't have confidence?" Yan Shaozhe asked lightly.
"Don't worry, Teacher. I observed their team during the preliminary rounds. While they are indeed strong…"
Tang San's mind briefly recalled what Huo Yuhao had done to Wang Dong'er just days ago, and the morning's threat to beat him up to protect his daughter. His fists clenched tightly.
After a moment's pause, a calm, confident smile spread across his face, the three words of victory slipping slowly from his lips:
"We'll win."
Though inwardly critical of Yan Shaozhe's methods, Tang San couldn't deny that this arrangement suited him perfectly.
After the morning's incident, his hatred for Huo Yuhao had deepened further. Now, with the chance to strike back even a little, his blood practically boiled.
Huo Yuhao… Huo Yuhao.
Originally, Tang San had intended to let him flounder a few more days before crushing him utterly in the finals. But it seemed that Huo Yuhao's freshman assessment would end here.
"Mm, good. Confidence is a good thing, but don't get careless. The second matter is what I need to tell you next."
Hearing Tang San's confident tone, Yan Shaozhe allowed a faint smile to curl on his lips. He pushed a delicately crafted box across the desk toward Tang San.
"Open it."
Upon hearing this, Tang San quickly stepped forward. When he saw what was inside the box, he couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.
Inside lay a Spirit Bone, radiating a faint silvery glow. Even from its aura alone, its quality was undeniable.
At that moment, Yan Shaozhe's voice drifted slowly into Tang San's ear.
"This is an extraordinarily rare ten-thousand-year Spirit Bone, roughly fifteen thousand years old. I especially secured it as the reward for your freshman assessment."
Tang San's eyes betrayed little surprise at the sight of such a treasure. Yan Shaozhe nodded in satisfaction and continued.
"However, it is not yours yet. I said, This is a reward for the freshman assessment. Only if your team wins the elimination round of the competition, will this reward truly belong to you."
Hearing this, Tang San's mind hesitated slightly.
Fifteen thousand years… still a little low.
In his previous life, he might have been overjoyed to possess such a Spirit Bone. But now, as a reincarnated God King, attaching a Spirit Bone barely over ten thousand years felt somewhat… unworthy.
Especially when considering that Huo Yuhao already had a four-hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone in his possession. By comparison, this one in his hand seemed trivial.
Comparing oneself to others could indeed be infuriating.
Moreover, Spirit Bones, like Spirit Rings, were difficult to replace once absorbed. In his previous life, he had luck on his side to swap them during the Sea God assessment. This time, there was no guarantee. So in absorption, one must be selective.
Spirit Rings were necessary for cultivation and unavoidable. Spirit Bones, however, could be approached with caution.
Seeing Tang San deep in thought, Yan Shaozhe smiled.
"Don't feel too pressured. I've seen your diligent training over the past days. A freshman assessment championship should not be difficult for you."
"The reason for offering this reward is that you will face Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena this afternoon. Their talents are likewise extraordinary, and their strength seems nearly equal to yours. This Spirit Bone is both recognition of your abilities and a warning."
"I hope that in this afternoon's match, you will give it your all. Do not lose due to overconfidence in your strength."
Only Yan Shaozhe knew that while the Spirit Bone seemed intended for Tang San, it was actually a strategic move to sway Gu Yuena.
A ten-thousand-year Spirit Bone on the line revealed just how seriously he regarded the afternoon match. If Tang San won, Yan Shaozhe could assert his dominance and recruit Gu Yuena to the Battle Spirit Department. Huo Yuhao might even follow.
If skill fell short, students could volunteer; even Xian Lin'er wouldn't have much say. Considering her temper, it was unlikely the three months of effort invested would be recoverable.
The thought of the Spirit Guidance Department's three-month investment in Gu Yuena being wasted brought Yan Shaozhe an odd sense of satisfaction.
"But I promise, I will ensure you will never regret joining the Spirit Guidance Department."
Her sharp words upon leaving had lodged in his mind like a thorn. Now recalling them, Yan Shaozhe's lips curled in a cold smile.
"Xian Lin'er, did you think tricking two students into the Spirit Guidance Department three months ago meant victory? I will show you that in the face of absolute strength, all schemes are but fleeting illusions."
"Teacher, I understand, but I do not wish to take this Spirit Bone."
The sudden words snapped Yan Shaozhe back to attention. Tang San closed the box and pushed it back toward him, bowing slightly as he requested:
"If I win the freshman assessment, may I exchange this Spirit Bone for another reward?"
"Oh?"
Yan Shaozhe raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Tell me, what reward do you wish for?"
"The Eight Spider Lances."
Tang San's voice carried a rare trace of excitement. "I wish to, like my ancestor, Tang San, possess the external Spirit Bone Eight Spider Lances provided by the Man-Faced Demon Spider."
Before enrollment, he had considered venturing into the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt Man-Faced Demon Spiders and obtain the Eight Spider Lances Spirit Bone, crucial to his previous life's growth.
But alone, the endeavour was slow. He had to carefully avoid other Spirit Beasts, and even encountering a Man-Faced Demon Spider did not guarantee a successful hunt.
A two- or three-thousand-year-old one was manageable. But a ten-thousand-year-old? Who could say who would survive?
Even a standard ten-thousand-year-old Spirit Beast required a Spirit Emperor to reliably hunt. A ten-thousand-year-old Man Faced Demon Spider could easily kill him.
With Yan Shaozhe's help, however, the outcome would be different. With a Super Douluo assisting, he could replicate his previous life's feats, slaying Man-Faced Demon Spiders to obtain the Eight Spider Lances.
Yan Shaozhe was momentarily taken aback. He knew the Eight Spider Lances were ancestor Tang San's hallmark Spirit Bone.
Yet Spirit Bones were rare enough. Obtaining the same external Spirit Bone from Man-Faced Demon Spiders was no small feat.
Tang San's request reminded him: to replicate his ancestor's glory, the Eight Spider Lances was indispensable—a challenge worth attempting.
Another issue immediately arose: as Dean, Yan Shaozhe could not personally spare time to hunt in the Star Dou Great Forest.
He needed someone strong enough to protect Tang San and available to assist.
After a brief consideration, a name lit up in his mind: Xuan Zi.
Yan Shaozhe's eyes brightened.
Of course!
An old man in the house is a treasure indeed. This vacation could be used to give Xuan Zi something to do; otherwise, he would just drink day and night.
Soon, Yan Shaozhe would speak with Xuan Zi, having him accompany Tang San into the Star Dou Great Forest for training and to see if the Eight Spider Lances could be obtained.
With a ninety-eight-level Super Douluo personally accompanying him, success was assured.
Thinking this, Yan Shaozhe looked at Tang San and smiled.
"Unexpected for such a young one to admire ancestor Tang San so deeply. No wonder your talent is so great, even sharing the same name. I promise you: if you win the freshman assessment, not only will this Spirit Bone be yours, I will also arrange for someone to take you hunting Man-Faced Demon Spiders during the vacation."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes shone with indescribable joy. He bent his knees and knelt before Yan Shaozhe with a thump. {T/N: He only knows to kneel}
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"What are you doing? You are my disciple. Naturally, I will do my utmost for you. Rise, and prepare well for this afternoon's match. Make our Battle Spirit Department proud."
"Yes, Teacher!"
Afternoon.
Seeing Huo Yuhao and Tang San's teams appear in the same arena, Zhang Lexuan on the viewing stand furrowed her brow slightly.
"Huh?"
Beside her, Yan Shaozhe feigned surprise and raised an eyebrow. "Two championship-favoured teams meeting so quickly… what a coincidence!"
He glanced at Zhang Lexuan and then Zhou Yi, smiling as he asked:
"Which team do you think will win this match?"
Zhou Yi looked at Zhang Lexuan. Seeing her calm expression unchanged throughout, a hint of unease flickered in her eyes.
Before she could speak, Zhang Lexuan's voice sounded.
"He promised me, so I choose to believe him."
Noticing Huo Yuhao looking her way, Zhang Lexuan waved and smiled. Seeing the boy return her gesture with a thumbs-up and a smile, her lips curved upward again.
Yet when she turned toward Yan Shaozhe, her smile vanished, replaced by a serene composure.
"Dean Yan, I do not know if you had intervened in this match, but it does not matter. Because no matter what you did, he will not lose."
(End of Chapter)