Tang San and Tang Long were currently the most talented juniors of the Clear Sky Sect.
Tang Long, adopted by Tang Xiao, was also a member of the Clear Sky Sect.
At just 25 years old, he had already reached the terrifying level of a 52nd-ranked Soul King.
Tang San, son of Tang Hao, was even younger yet had also attained Soul King rank.
Whether in terms of strength, talent, or temperament, both had earned Ancestor Tang Chen's high praise.
After undergoing Tang Yuehua's Noble Etiquette training, they carried themselves with refined aristocratic grace.
When asked by his adoptive father Tang Xiao, Tang Long glanced at the soul tool projection screen and replied:
"I'm not familiar with soul master tournaments, but I believe in myself and the power of the Clear Sky Hammer."
"Tang San, what about you?" Tang Xiao nodded, unsurprised by his adopted son's response, then turned to Tang San who hadn't spoken immediately.
"Glazed Academy belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Dugu Yan will probably participate."
"That granddaughter of Dugu Bo who defeated you over two years ago?"
Tang Xiao vaguely remembered this incident—when Tang San had been caught as an example during their visit to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well two years prior.
"What level do you think she's at now?" Tang Xiao asked curiously.
Tang San shook his head: "Over two years ago, Dugu Yan was around rank 52 or 53. As for now, I don't know."
Tang San had gotten this information from Grandmaster, who had recently returned to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
From Yu Tianxin, he'd learned some useful details—namely that Dugu Yan was extremely powerful, possibly the strongest participant in this tournament.
"A 19-year-old Soul King!" Tang Xiao couldn't help but marvel at Tang San's words.
But remembering that Tang San was five years younger than Dugu Yan yet had also reached Soul King rank, pride surfaced on Tang Xiao's face.
He patted Tang San's shoulder: "In two and a half years, she might approach rank 60."
It was common knowledge that soul masters' cultivation speed slowed after reaching rank 50.
"Little San, are you confident?"
"Yes. Even if Dugu Yan is a Soul Emperor, I have the determination to win!" Tang San declared resolutely.
Failing to seek revenge was unworthy of a gentleman—especially for someone as pure and flawless as himself.
So what if she was a Soul King or even Soul Emperor?
He'd already killed one Soul Emperor. Defeating another should be easy.
As the Shrek members discussed their plans, the screen began broadcasting the match.
Watching the soul tool-transmitted footage, Tang Xiao was stunned:
"A Soul Ancestor-level Nine Heart Begonia and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
On screen, Glazed Academy's members charged forward like berserkers, only guarding their vital points while ignoring all other damage.
Their strategy: inflict a thousand wounds while suffering eight hundred—then heal back two thousand.
In less than thirty seconds, under the combined buffs of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and Nine Heart Begonia...
With Shui Yue'er and Yu Hairou as main damage dealers and the other three Soul Elders as secondary attackers, they pummeled Heaven Dou Royal Academy's seven members into crying for their parents.
Nearby, Flender, Grandmaster, and Liu Erlong gasped.
"A Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and Nine Heart Begonia supporting simultaneously is this terrifying?!"
They were more berserk than actual berserkers.
Who would have thought these delicate-looking female soul masters would fight without dodging or retreating, charging forward recklessly?
To put it more vividly—they fought like madwomen or red-clothed female ghosts haunting the night.
Absolutely terrifying.
"Little San!" Grandmaster's breathing became rapid after watching. "If you face Glazed Academy, take out those two support-type soul masters first."
"Understood." Tang San nodded gravely.
...
In a rest area not far from Shrek Academy...
"As expected, Heaven Dou Royal Academy lost." A golden-haired girl watched the arena through the soul tool projection.
"Ye Lingling with her Nine Heart Begonia was originally from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, yet..."
In this exclusive lounge, the golden-haired girl was the youngest and smallest, though her strength wasn't lacking.
Her concern for Heaven Dou Royal Academy made her face show an uncharacteristically troubled expression.
"Princess Xue Ke, Glazed Academy will likely be our toughest opponent."
Huo Wushuang sighed while watching the one-sided battle.
"A Nine Heart Begonia plus Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is practically invincible."
"Attack boosts, spirit power boosts, defense and speed boosts, plus healing—how are we supposed to fight that?"
"No need to call me princess." Xue Ke sighed. "I'm no longer a princess, and as for Xue Qinghe..."
"Let's not talk about him."
The golden-haired girl was the missing Xue Ke, who had joined Blazing Wind Academy.
"Teacher, if we encounter Glazed Academy, how should we strategize?"
Feng Xiaotian turned from the screen to look at their newly recruited teacher—a young woman reading a book titled Humanity and Beast Nature while lounging on a sofa.
This teacher had remarkably broad interests.
Whether it was The Domineering CEO and Me or On Sustainable Development Between Humans and Soul Beasts, her reading tastes were unpredictable.
With black-framed glasses resting on her nose, paired with light green hair and delicate features, she exuded an intellectual beauty.
This teacher was also a Title Douluo—reportedly a rare support-type one at that.
Like Xue Ke, her martial soul was a variant of the swan—apparently called the Emerald Swan.
An outsider might think she had some connection to the Heaven Dou imperial family.
"Feng Xiaotian, devise your own strategies. Don't overthink it."
"As long as we avoid Spirit Hall Academy, Shrek Academy, and Glazed Academy, victory shouldn't be an issue."
"Teacher, even if you say that, fourth place gets no rewards."
Huo Wu couldn't help but complain.
Only the top three received soul bones. Fourth place wouldn't even get scraps.
Hearing Huo Wu's grumbling, the green-haired woman set her book aside and adjusted her glasses with a finger:
"Don't measure yourself against others—it only breeds anxiety."
"Surviving and improving slightly each day is achievement enough."
"Life is fragile yet resilient. Merely competing here already places you above ninety-nine percent of soul masters."
"I completely don't understand what you're saying." Huo Wu complained again.
"Feng Xiaotian, do you get it?"
Under Huo Wu's gaze, Feng Xiaotian's temple twitched as he scrambled for an explanation:
"The teacher means we should stay grounded. As long as we improve bit by bit daily, we'll eventually surpass those who seem strong but are actually just bloated."
Bi Ji: "..."
I never said that. Stop improvising.
But watching these two passionate students, Bi Ji chose not to correct them.
Her gaze shifted to Xue Ke, still reviewing the match replay.
"Qian Renxue, you've really given me a difficult problem."
If not for the Sea God's Heart pleasing Her Majesty, I wouldn't be handling this mess.
Killing her father yet expecting her to abandon vengeance?
You've treated Xue Ke well, true, but blood ties are complicated matters.
While recovering, Xue Ke seemed to have learned something through the Sea God's Heart.
That's why she left the Heaven Dou Empire for the Balak Kingdom, where I coincidentally found her.
If all else fails, I'll ask Her Majesty to erase Xue Ke's memories of Emperor Xue Ye.
But then Qian Renxue would be displeased.
Honestly, what is that girl thinking?
Keeping such an unstable element while even strengthening her.
Though a support-type soul master, evolving the swan martial soul into an Emerald Swan—by human standards—grants abilities surpassing even the Nine Heart Begonia.
"Speaking of which..." Bi Ji's sleeve concealed the edge of an envelope.
"Di Tian said Her Majesty would come to the human world. I wonder where she is now."