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A month later.
The members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Team One had successfully completed the hellish training regimen designed by Ye Lan. This led to a tremendous enhancement in the strength of every member of the Heaven Dou Team One.
Yu Tianheng had gained initial mastery over the sustained release of his 'Thunderous Dragon Claw'. Furthermore, after undergoing dragon transformation, Yu Tianheng's physical power, resilience to attacks, and close-quarters combat abilities were all remarkably enhanced. Following a path centered on lightning-based energy, Yu Tianheng's current close-combat prowess was no longer something to be taken lightly.
The defensive power of the Shi brothers, Mo and Mu, was further strengthened! Even without employing their Xuanwu Turtle Shields, the brothers' personal defensive capabilities had already reached the standard of dedicated Defense System Spirit Masters.
Oslo's speed, meanwhile, had improved to the point where Yu Tianheng could not even touch him in the slightest. Fortunately, Yu Tianheng had now mastered the 'Thunderous Dragon Claw'; by continuously enveloping his body with its power, Oslo no longer dared to get too close to him.
As for Yu Feng, his aerial combat abilities had improved across the board. In Ye Lan's eyes, Yu Feng could now be considered a barely qualified Flight System Spirit Master.
Dugu Yan's improvements were concentrated mostly in her close-combat capabilities and her Spirit Power control. After entering her Spirit Avatar state, Dugu Yan's speed was now considerably faster than that of Power Attack System Spirit Masters of the same rank, enabling her to barely hold her own against them in a melee. Furthermore, Dugu Yan's 'Extreme Spirit Power Infusion Method' had achieved initial success, making her efficiency in utilizing Spirit Power far greater than that of an ordinary Spirit Master.
Ye Leng Leng, meanwhile, could now roughly control the application range of her Spirit Abilities and had become more proficient at judging how much Spirit Power to expend for each type of injury. Ye Leng Leng's progress with the 'Extreme Spirit Power Infusion Method' was advancing much more rapidly than Dugu Yan's. This was perhaps because Ye Leng Leng was simultaneously cultivating both her Spirit Ability utilization and her Spirit Power efficiency; the two aspects complemented each other, resulting in an extremely fast rate of improvement for both.
The seven members of the team were chatting and laughing in the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's training grounds. They hadn't started their training yet, as they were waiting for someone.
After a long while, Qin Ming arrived alone in the center of the training grounds.
Oslo asked in surprise, "Teacher Qin, why isn't Captain Ye here again?"
Ever since Ye Lan had refined the training plan for Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Team One, the members had developed an ever-growing conviction in his methods, and all subsequent training tasks were designed by him. It could be said that while Ye Lan was nominally the captain of Team One, he had, in reality, already become its true 'Team Leader'.
The original team leader, Qin Ming, though still holding the title, was now primarily responsible for handling the team's logistical work. This included tasks such as checking the members' training progress, examining their injuries, purchasing food-type items that could restore Spirit Power, and arranging the team's meals.
Despite now only managing logistics for Team One, Qin Ming performed his duties with great diligence. He was more than happy to help the team, and watching them progress day by day brought him immense satisfaction. He had long been in absolute awe of Ye Lan's theories.
It was only now that he realized just how undisciplined the old training methods at Shrek had been. By comparing the change in strength of Heaven Dou's Team One before and after Ye Lan's training, Qin Ming finally understood that Shrek Academy was not a place that nurtured monsters.
Shrek Academy was a place that screened for monsters. The Spirit Masters who could join Shrek were all geniuses who had reached the rank of Grand Spirit Master before the age of twelve and Spirit Elder before fifteen. Even without Shrek Academy's guidance, these geniuses would have undoubtedly grown strong on their own.
When it came to truly cultivating talent, in Qin Ming's eyes, only the number one theoretical master on the Douluo Continent, someone like Ye Lan, could transform an ordinary Spirit Master into a genius. After all, Ye Lan had started as a Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master with an innate Spirit Power of only rank three. Although it was unclear what opportunities had allowed his cultivation speed to become so fast now, the combat power that Ye Lan displayed could not be faked, nor could his dazzling array of self-created Spirit Abilities.
He would surely astonish everyone at the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament in a few years! Qin Ming thought to himself with emotion as he looked at the seven completely transformed members of Team One.
Returning to his senses, Qin Ming began to answer Oslo's question.
"I waited for Ye Lan for a while on my way to the training grounds but didn't see him. He must have stayed up all night experimenting with Spirit Power again!"
"Speaking of you all, you have now more or less reached a plateau with the hellish training. Without a substantial increase in your Spirit Power, this regimen will no longer provide significant improvements."
"Ye Lan and I have discussed this. It's now time for you to start gaining more practical combat experience."
"From now on, our Heaven Dou Team One will begin participating in a tour of seven-versus-seven team battles in the Great Spirit Arenas of various cities across the Heaven Dou Empire. We will only return to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy once the Imperial Fight Team has been promoted to a Gold Spirit Team."
"I hope that our team can achieve a direct promotion to a Gold Spirit Fighting Team with twenty-one consecutive victories!"
"This is not only a test for you all but also a reward for the blood you've shed during this period!"
"You can all start packing your things now. There's no training this morning! This afternoon, we will gather and set off to participate in the Spirit Arena tour!"
The tense expressions on Oslo's and Yu Feng's faces finally broke into the happy smiles of their former selves. They were finally getting a break! It was time to show other Spirit Masters the true meaning of the Imperial Fight Team's speed!
Yu Tianheng and the Shi brothers also had eager looks on their faces. Their hellish training during this time was certainly not for nothing. Previously, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's team might have lost when facing bizarre and unusual Spirit combinations in seven-versus-seven battles. Now, Yu Tianheng was confident that Team One would not lose a single match again.
Dugu Yan, however, asked with some concern, "Teacher Qin, will Captain Ye be participating in the Spirit Arena battles with us?"
"Ye Lan will not be participating with you. If Ye Lan were to also join the seven-versus-seven battles, it would be an absolutely one-sided slaughter!"
"A crushing victory like that would do nothing to improve our actual combat experience! I asked for Ye Lan's opinion last night, and he said he would not participate in the upcoming team battle tour."
"My opinion is the same as his. Only in Ye Lan's absence can you all truly shine your brightest!"
After speaking, Qin Ming seemed to think of something else. He then comforted Dugu Yan, "Don't be too sad, Dugu Yan. The final battle will be in the Great Spirit Arena of Suotuo City."
"Ye Lan will go there to watch your matches. My alma mater, Shrek Academy, is also there."
"Two of Ye Lan's students are at Shrek Academy as well. You can get to know your junior school sisters then."
"You all can be considered half-students of Ye Lan, so you can't afford to lose to your much younger junior schoolmates, okay?"
A smile instantly appeared on Dugu Yan's face, and she turned to Ye Leng Leng beside her, "Leng Leng, this way Ye Lan will be able to see the moment we receive our Gold Spirit Badges!"
Ye Leng Leng nodded and said, "Yanyan, before we leave the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, let's go to Ye Lan's house together and drop off the lunchbox we made for him."
"Okay!" Dugu Yan took Ye Leng Leng's hand, and they headed in the direction of Ye Lan's house.
For all these days, Ye Leng Leng and Dugu Yan had taken over responsibility for Ye Lan's meals. The two seemed to be competing in a culinary contest, with their cooking skills improving day by day. Even Ye Lan, who had experienced the gourmet foods of his previous world, was astonished by their culinary talents.
A moment later, Dugu Yan knocked on the courtyard gate, but there was no response from within. Dugu Yan and Ye Leng Leng exchanged a glance before retrieving a key from under a nearby flowerpot. After unlocking the gate, the two pushed it open and walked inside.
"Idol?! Are you still sleeping?!" Dugu Yan and Ye Leng Leng called out for Ye Lan to wake up as they walked towards his bedroom.
They had only taken a few steps when Ye Leng Leng noticed a letter on the coffee table.
Ye Leng Leng tugged on Dugu Yan's sleeve and said, "Yanyan, look over there."
Dugu Yan turned her head and saw the brown envelope on the coffee table. She immediately led Leng Leng over to it.
Dugu Yan picked up the letter and saw that the envelope was addressed: 'To Leng Leng and Yanyan'.
Dugu Yan eagerly tore open the envelope and began to read its contents. The letter was written in Ye Lan's very handsome handwriting. The general content detailed Ye Lan's upcoming plans and included some words of encouragement for Dugu Yan and Ye Leng Leng.
After finishing the letter, Dugu Yan looked crestfallen and said, "Leng Leng, does Idol plan to become a high-ranking official at the imperial court in the future? Why has His Highness the Crown Prince been inviting him for tea so often recently?"
"Is His Highness the Crown Prince that idle? I can't believe we didn't even get to see Ye Lan one last time before he left!" Dugu Yan's eyes were filled with disappointment.
Ye Leng Leng comforted her, saying, "You know how good Ye Lan's relationship is with Big Brother Xue. Let's just leave the lunchbox on the coffee table. When Ye Lan comes back tonight, he'll still be able to eat the food we made."
"Hmph! Then let him eat a cold chicken leg rice!" Dugu Yan said, a little angrily.
Two months later, in a tavern at the Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena.
The tavern was noisy and extremely crowded. However, within the bustling establishment, one corner stood out with a distinctly different atmosphere, appearing quite sparse. The other Spirit Masters seemed to be deliberately avoiding that corner, preferring to squeeze into the crowded areas rather than take a seat in the empty section.
In that sparse corner, a red-haired fatty with a mohawk was looking around, sizing up the female Spirit Masters coming and going. The red-haired fatty's gaze was so intense it was as if he were trying to strip them bare with his eyes alone! The offended female Spirit Masters were angry but dared not speak out, merely quickening their pace and using other Spirit Masters to block the red-haired fatty's line of sight.
That sparse corner was the designated dining area for the 'Shrek Seven Devils Team', a team that was on a continuous winning streak and about to be promoted to a Gold Spirit Team. The male members of the Shrek Seven Devils Team were notoriously vicious! They were incredibly heavy-handed, and if anyone displeased them, the consequences were severe. At best, they would be verbally insulted; at worst, they would be beaten so badly they couldn't get out of bed for months.
Therefore, the other Spirit Masters in the tavern avoided the 'Shrek Seven Devils Team' like the plague, not wanting to ask for trouble by going over there.
An evil fire flickered in the mohawked red-haired fatty's eyes as he stared intently at the curvaceous figure of another passing woman. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said to the blond man next to him, "Boss Dai, can you take me out again tonight? Just looking at these people is making my whole body feel uncomfortable."
Dai Mubai shot Ma Hongjun a sidelong glance. "You're just hopeless. I reckon you'll die on top of a woman one day."
Ma Hongjun only dared to retort in his mind: You're a world-class lecher yourself. Your Spirit isn't an Evil Fire Phoenix, but you're not doing any less than I am.
While complaining internally, Ma Hongjun put on a smile and flattered him, "Boss, don't I still have you? You're so strong, I just need to cheer for you during our two-person Spirit fights. Women are just too addictive for me; I'd rather die on top of a woman!"
"I really don't know what to do with you. Pick a cheaper place tonight," Dai Mubai said, feeling a pinch in his wallet.
After Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's relationship became like that of strangers, Dai Mubai began to completely let himself go. He no longer cared about Zhu Zhuqing's feelings and had become fast friends and partners in crime with Ma Hongjun. However, Dai Mubai looked down on the common brothels that Ma Hongjun frequented, preferring high-end establishments, and eventually, he managed to corrupt Ma Hongjun's tastes as well. Ma Hongjun shamelessly stuck to Dai Mubai, and Dai Mubai had no choice but to satisfy his little brother. Their recent frequent and lavish spending had put a strain on Dai Mubai's finances.
The other three at the table with Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai remained expressionless during the two degenerates' explosive conversation, showing no change in emotion. It was clear they had long grown accustomed to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's behavior.
On Ma Hongjun's other side, Oscar, who had reverted to his decadent and sleazy appearance, asked Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, have you seen Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong? Why are they missing from our meal together again?"
Xiao Wu, with her arm around an ordinary-looking young man, replied, "Oscar, they've probably gone shopping together again."
The thought of Zhu Zhuqing stirred the evil fire within Ma Hongjun. But then he remembered the time he was severely taught a lesson by her and said resentfully, "Why haven't the teachers kicked those two out yet? It's obvious they're not on the same path as us, right? Apart from participating in the seven-versus-seven Spirit fights, the five of us are never with them, whether it's for training or for meals."
Tang San glanced at Ma Hongjun. "Fatty, if we kick them out, are you going to multiply into three fatties to take their place in the Spirit fights?"
Ma Hongjun gave a sheepish smile and didn't dare to refute Tang San. Ever since obtaining the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San seemed to have become a different person, possessing a very sinister aura. The person Ma Hongjun feared most now was not Dai Mubai, but Tang San.
Dai Mubai said, "Fatty, you're still thinking about kicking them out? Right now, you're the one with the least utility on the team. Although Ning Rongrong still doesn't have much combat power, she can run very fast, allowing her to tie down one person, and she can also amplify our strength."
At the mention of Ning Rongrong, a nostalgic look appeared in Oscar's eyes. "That's right, that's right, Boss Dai is correct. Look at the support-type Spirit Masters on other teams. Who can compare to Rongrong with her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit?"
Ma Hongjun mocked Oscar, "Rongrong? I dare you to call her that to her face. Ning Rongrong clearly ignores you, so why are you still kissing up to her? Second Oscar, you might as well come with me to the brothels. What kind of women can't you find there to have fun with?"
Oscar said with a righteous expression, "I would never go to such a filthy place with you. Rongrong would definitely be disgusted with me. Besides, I'm sure Rongrong's feet don't stink!"
Ma Hongjun was somewhat speechless and rolled his eyes at Oscar. This guy was beyond saving.
Xiao Wu hugged Tang San a little tighter and said coquettishly, "Third Brother, you better not learn from their bad habits. Having Xiao Wu is enough for you, right?"
Tang San took a sip of tea and nodded.
Although these teammates had poor character, their talent was still quite good. As long as someone had utility value, Tang San would not turn on them directly. For the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament in two years, he would still need them to compete with him and help him win the championship to make a name for himself in Heaven Dou.
Lately, Ye Lan's reputation as a 'scholar' was spreading far and wide. Tang San, who believed he was no worse than Ye Lan, was not content with remaining unknown. He was determined to win the championship of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Tournament!
Just as Ma Hongjun was still bickering with Oscar, a group of people appeared in the tavern. They were dressed in matching blue and white uniforms, and their entire beings exuded an aura of incomparable confidence. The moment these people entered the tavern, they captured the attention of everyone inside.
Faced with everyone's stares, a purple-haired woman among them frowned. She was not annoyed by the attention in general, but rather by the two particular gazes from the sparse corner that made her uncomfortable. Those two gazes came from Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai.
Ma Hongjun was staring痴ly at the impressively built purple-haired woman and said to Dai Mubai, "Boss Dai, that purple-haired chick is really not bad. I wonder what academy she's from. The people at her academy are so lucky. If I could see this chick every day, I'd be willing to give up fine wine and women!"
Dai Mubai brazenly sized up the purple-haired woman as well and said, "Who cares what garbage academy they're from. In any case, they can't compare to our Shrek Academy."
The purple-haired woman was different from Zhu Zhuqing. Although Zhu Zhuqing had a good figure, she was only twelve years old. This purple-haired woman was about eighteen or nineteen, and her level of development completely outshone Zhu Zhuqing's.
The two of them continued to blatantly stare at the purple-haired woman, and Ma Hongjun even excitedly let out a whistle. In Suotuo City, Ma Hongjun had no inhibitions. He was a member of a soon-to-be 'Gold Badge' team. He also had the Spirit Sage Zhao Wuji and his teacher Flender backing him up. So, Ma Hongjun didn't think there was anything wrong with looking a little longer. Weren't women made to be looked at by him? Teacher Flender had also said that those who don't dare to cause trouble are mediocre!
Ma Hongjun didn't care which backwater team these people were who had come to Suotuo City to fight. No matter what trouble he caused, he had Boss Dai, Tang San, and his teachers to clean up his mess.
When Yu Tianheng heard Ma Hongjun's whistle and saw the lecherous gaze of the red-haired fatty with the mohawk, as well as the uncomfortable look on Dugu Yan's face, rage instantly shot to his head. Dugu Yan was a woman that even he could not have. Was this damn fatty looking for death?
A dragon has a reverse scale; touch it and you will incur its wrath. Although this 'reverse scale' did not belong to Yu Tianheng, aside from Ye Lan, he would not tolerate anyone else disrespecting Dugu Yan. It was like seeing the unattainable moonlight of his heart being sullied by another.
"Shi Mo, Shi Mu, let's go! Let's teach them how to spell the word 'respect'," Yu Tianheng said with a dark expression.
"Yes, Captain," Shi Mo and Shi Mu replied in unison. They had not changed how they addressed Yu Tianheng. Although Yu Tianheng had asked them not to call him captain anymore, Shi Mo and Shi Mu stubbornly persisted.
Dugu Yan pulled Leng Leng back, saying with displeasure, "Leng Leng, stay away from them. I can't believe a rundown place like Suotuo City can also produce people with the same temperament as Xue Beng. What a mood-killer! I wonder when Idol will come to Suotuo City."
"Oslo, Little Yu, protect Dugu Yan and Ye Leng Leng," Yu Tianheng instructed, still feeling uneasy.
Oslo said casually, "Boss Yu, why are you so worried? Those guys look much younger than us. There's no need to be so cautious with Spirit Masters from a small place like this. Go and come back quickly. Yu Feng and I will go order the food first, we'll pour you a drink later."
Yu Feng was noncommittal. Their Imperial Fight Team had been on a continuous winning streak across the Heaven Dou Empire. They didn't really pay much mind to their peers, let alone Spirit Masters younger than them.
On the other side, when Oscar saw the black-haired man leading two burly men towards them aggressively, he said to Tang San with an excited look on his face, "Little San, here comes a good show."
"I have to admit Ma Hongjun's ability to stir up trouble is top-notch. He's truly a disciple who has learned from the best, Dean Flender himself."
Tang San shrugged. The five Shrek monsters had done this sort of thing many times. What's the point of being a young Spirit Master if you don't cause trouble?!
Dai Mubai glanced disdainfully at Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mu. He wasn't even looking for trouble with them, and yet they came knocking on his door?
Ma Hongjun said excitedly, "Boss Dai, here they come, here they come!"
Dai Mubai didn't even stand up, as if his chair was the White Tiger throne and no one was worthy of his welcome.
As Yu Tianheng's group of three approached, Dai Mubai couldn't even be bothered to lift his eyes, saying disdainfully, "What's the matter?"
"What's the matter? Kowtow to us three times, and I might consider letting you two off!" Yu Tianheng said, suppressing his rage.
"Hah, who do you think you are? Do you know who this is next to me? He is a prince of the Star Luo Empire! A Silver Spirit Badge holder! A Spirit Elder, the Nether White Tiger!"
"You commoners, shouldn't you hurry up and get lost?" Ma Hongjun introduced Dai Mubai's noble status, word by word.
Hearing Ma Hongjun's flattery, Dai Mubai's crossed leg began to shake even more merrily.
"Oh? And who might this be? So, it's the little punk, the cowardly White Tiger, Dai Mubai," Yu Tianheng, as the direct disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, did not hold back. He didn't care what kind of fallen prince he was.
"You're courting death!" Dai Mubai was struck where it hurt by Yu Tianheng's words. His leg stopped shaking, and his pupils instantly turned completely white.
Leaping from his 'White Tiger throne', Dai Mubai instantly unleashed his White Tiger Spirit Avatar and, at the same time, threw a punch directly at Yu Tianheng's stoic face!
Yu Tianheng was not slow either. A blue spirit light covered his entire body, and a lightning bolt insignia immediately appeared on his forehead! Arcs of purplish-blue electricity surged out from the lightning insignia, circling his body. Yu Tianheng's Spirit Avatar activation speed was even faster than Dai Mubai's; he only needed to transform his hand into a dragon's!
Before Dai Mubai could complete his White Tiger possession, Yu Tianheng's right hand had already completely transformed into a dragon claw covered in purplish-blue scales. Having finished his dragon transformation, Yu Tianheng twisted his body to dodge Dai Mubai's tiger punch.
Yu Tianheng's right dragon claw then shot back, seizing Dai Mubai's tiger wrist! Dai Mubai's right wrist felt as if it were being crushed by a giant caliper, the pain immense!
Just as Dai Mubai was about to struggle free from Yu Tianheng's dragon claw, the first yellow spirit ring on the claw immediately lit up. The 'Thunderous Dragon Claw' erupted from Yu Tianheng's body, continuously circling around him.
After circling halfway, the 'Thunderous Dragon Claw' locked onto Dai Mubai. In the next instant, Dai Mubai, who was held immobile by Yu Tianheng, was struck directly by the attack.
Hit by the claw-shaped lightning, Dai Mubai felt every cell in his body go numb, and a wave of intense, sharp pain assaulted his mind.
"Aaargh! Aaaaargh!"
Dai Mubai let out a painful howl.
"Boss!" Ma Hongjun shouted anxiously, and a purplish-red spirit power flashed. Phoenix Possession!
Seeing the red-haired fatty beginning his Spirit Avatar, Yu Tianheng immediately flung Dai Mubai, whose hair was now standing on end from the electricity, towards him. Ma Hongjun, who was just about to possess his spirit, was instantly sent flying by Dai Mubai's body, his Phoenix Possession interrupted. The two of them rolled across the tavern floor, finally coming to a stop after crashing through several tables.
Seeing Dai Mubai's miserable state, Oscar knew they had picked a fight with the wrong people this time and immediately ran towards the injured Dai Mubai.
Tang San, who had been watching the show with amusement, his expression instantly darkened. He stood up and looked directly at Yu Tianheng, saying, "We're all peers here, was that really necessary?"
Tang San glanced warily at the black-haired man's dragonized claw. He knew that this man possessed the continent's number one beast spirit, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. The three spirit rings on that claw—yellow, yellow, purple—and a Spirit Power deeper than Dai Mubai's, told Tang San that Fatty had truly provoked a formidable Spirit Elder.
"Oh? When those two were causing trouble just now, why didn't I see you stand up?" Yu Tianheng shot a glance at Tang San.
This person didn't show up earlier, didn't show up later. He only stands up after his own people get beaten?
(End of Chapter)