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Looking at the dejected Qin Ming, Ye Lan offered some words of comfort.
"Teacher Qin, there's no need to be so disheartened. The fact that Shrek Academy only considers spirit power level during enrollment, and not a student's character, destined it to stray onto this misguided path."
"And it isn't just their enrollment practices. The strength of Shrek Academy's faculty is among the best of all Spirit Masters in Suotuo City!"
"Teachers at other academies are merely Spirit Elders or Spirit Kings."
"In contrast, most of Shrek Academy's teachers are Spirit Emperors or even Spirit Saints."
"Having powerful teachers should be an excellent advantage for enhancing the students' understanding of cultivation."
"However, Shrek Academy has inexplicably adopted the creed that 'one who doesn't dare to cause trouble is mediocre'."
"With the backing of a Spirit Saint, it was inevitable that the Shrek Five Monsters would go down the wrong path."
"Constantly stirring up trouble guaranteed that they would eventually suffer a major fall!"
A smile cracked across Yu Tianheng's stiff face. "And now they've run into us, a solid steel plate, haven't they? Hahaha~"
Qin Ming nodded and said, "I hope this can serve as a lesson for them. If they turn back now, they can still be saved."
"When I studied at Shrek Academy years ago, we didn't have such an utterly ridiculous creed."
"Perhaps as the strength of Dean Flender and the teachers grew year after year, it fueled Shrek Academy's inflated ego."
Shi Mo added, "After all, in Suotuo City, a Spirit Saint is already considered invincible."
Qin Ming sighed. "Ultimately, it still comes down to the students' character. Our Heaven Dou First Team is backed by the three elders of the Education Committee, and they are veteran Spirit Douluos!"
"But none of you developed the bad habit of causing trouble. I used to take that for granted, but now I realize how wonderful you all are!"
Yu Feng laughed. "It's all because Teacher Qin taught us so well!"
Qin Ming continued, "Tomorrow, in the seven-versus-seven Spirit Fight, our Royal Fight Team's opponent will be the very same Shrek Team that includes the Shrek Five Monsters you encountered."
"Besides them, there are two other members who are Ye Lan's students. You haven't met them yet."
"However, students taught by Ye Lan are certain to be exceptional!"
"I was originally going to ask you to show the Shrek Team some mercy, but after today's events, I want you to give it your all."
"You can go easy on Ye Lan's two students, but against the others, don't hold anything back!"
"I don't want to see what happened to Tianheng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo repeat itself!"
The members of the Royal Fight Team nodded in unison.
While nodding, Yu Tianheng said, "Teacher Qin, you don't need to worry too much. We were injured mainly because the Spirit Saint, Zhao Wuji, appeared. In my opinion, the Shrek Team itself is nothing to be afraid of."
Shi Mo and Shi Mo also nodded in agreement.
Oslo declared, "At the Spirit Elder level, the Royal Fight Team is unrivaled throughout the entire Heaven Dou Empire!"
Yu Feng chimed in, "Oslo is right! It's because Lengling's healing is becoming more and more outrageous!"
"Now when we fight, we don't need to worry about getting injured at all. We only need to mind our spirit power consumption."
Qin Ming turned to ask Ye Lengling, "Lengling, can your spirit power sustain the consumption required to heal all six members if they were injured?"
Ye Lengling replied, "I'm not sure exactly how many rounds of healing I can manage, as the severity of each person's injuries would be different."
"But I will do my best! Over these past few months, I've been constantly using my third spirit ability to heal Yan Yan and the others."
"Following the training methods Ye Lan provided, my control over my spirit power's range and my efficiency have improved tremendously!"
When it came to Ye Lengling's progress, Shi Mo and Shi Mo were the most qualified to speak. Their position was at the very front, meaning they had to withstand any large-scale, high-damage spirit abilities. In recent Spirit Fights, they noticed they were sustaining fewer wounds. This wasn't because their opponents were weaker, but because Ye Lengling's healing had become increasingly frequent and perfectly timed.
Seeing their confidence, Ye Lan issued a reminder.
"The Shrek Team is not as weak as they appear. Their strength should not be underestimated."
"One of my students, Ning Rongrong, possesses the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, which can erase the spirit power gap between you."
"The other is named Zhu Zhuqing. Although her spirit power level is much lower than Oslo's, with Ning Rongrong's support, her speed will be no slower than his."
"And..."
Zhu Zhuqing has received my true teachings for an agility-type Spirit Master! Ye Lan thought to himself.
"Furthermore, Tang San is an extremely insidious person! He's the black-haired young man who used hidden weapons on Yu Tianheng."
"You must all be wary of his hidden weapons. With the exception of Shi Mo and Shi Mo, if any one of you is careless, you could be eliminated, seriously injured, or even killed by them."
"Killed? But we're just in a Spirit Fight, not a life-or-death battle!" Yu Feng exclaimed in shock.
Qin Ming was also surprised. "Ye Lan, are you exaggerating the consequences? Is Tang San really that vicious?"
"I know him very well. If you hadn't provoked him, I couldn't say if he would use hidden weapons."
"But you have offended him to the core. In his eyes, you are already courting death!"
"Therefore, Tang San will definitely use his hidden weapons tomorrow!"
"Besides him, it's possible the others on his team have also been equipped with mechanical-type hidden weapons."
The members of the Royal Fight Team all frowned; they hadn't expected the Shrek Team to be so troublesome.
"So, you must be extremely careful and protect Ye Lengling."
"Understood, Captain Ye!" the Royal Fight Team responded in unison.
They trusted Ye Lan completely. If he said the Shrek Team would use hidden weapons, then they would.
Ye Lan, still concerned, added, "Before the battle starts tomorrow, I will lay out a strategy for you. We must minimize the risk of injury!"
Hearing that Ye Lan was going to arrange their tactics, Qin Ming said with great anticipation, "I'll finally get to see the battle strategy devised by 'The Scholar'! I can't wait to see how different the Royal Fight Team will be tomorrow."
Ye Lan replied, "Teacher Qin, you are also formidable. The Heaven Dou Team's winning streak is still unbroken! Your strategies must have played a significant role."
Qin Ming said happily, "Hahaha, it's mainly because you've trained the Royal Fight Team to be outrageously strong!"
Oslo handed him a drink. "Teacher Qin, don't just talk, drink up!"
That night, in a hotel in Suotuo City.
Ye Lengling and Dugu Yan were sharing a bed. A sliver of moonlight pierced the late-night darkness. Ye Lengling seemed to be in a deep sleep, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. Beside her, Dugu Yan tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
She was struggling with what role she should play in the relationship between herself, Ye Lengling, and Ye Lan. Dugu Yan shifted from side to side, feeling frantic.
After a long while, unable to sort out her thoughts, she turned to look at the sleeping Ye Lengling, who had removed her black veil. The bright moonlight shone upon the side of her face.
Her brows, untouched, rival the verdant spring mountains; her lashes, first to gather the evening's frosty dew.
For a moment, Dugu Yan stared, mesmerized.
"Lengling, are you asleep?" Dugu Yan whispered.
"No. Yan Yan, why are you still awake?" Ye Lengling responded, her eyes still closed. She wasn't pretending; Dugu Yan had simply been moving too much.
"I..." Dugu Yan found it hard to begin.
Ye Lengling waited quietly.
"Lengling, what is your current relationship with Ye Lan?" Dugu Yan finally mustered the courage to ask.
"Why do you want to know?" Ye Lengling replied softly.
"I... If you two are together, then I'll wish you happiness!" Dugu Yan confessed the thought weighing on her heart.
Ye Lengling opened her eyes, turned, and cupped Dugu Yan's face. "Yan Yan, don't you want to be with Ye Lan every day?"
"I... I do. But if it's you, Lengling, I think you two are a perfect match," Dugu Yan said, tears welling in her eyes.
After wiping away her tears, Ye Lengling said, "You don't need to consider my relationship with Ye Lan. If you want to walk alongside him, then you should do it! I will support you!"
"Lengling, really?! Why don't you mind sharing Ye Lan with me?" Dugu Yan asked, her voice filled with incredulous joy. She couldn't understand why Ye Lengling wouldn't want Ye Lan all to herself.
"Share? Ye Lan only belongs to himself. I just don't want either you or him to get hurt in the slightest," Ye Lengling said.
Dugu Yan threw herself into Ye Lengling's arms. "Lengling, you're too good! If I were you, there's no way I'd share Ye Lan!"
"Pfft, then I would just have to steal him away!" Ye Lengling joked.
"You just try!" Dugu Yan started tickling her.
The two began to playfully tussle, and the turmoil in Dugu Yan's heart completely vanished.
The next day, in a lounge at the great Suotuo Spirit Arena.
Ning Rongrong stood before the one-way glass, trying to see into the opposing team's lounge, but it was impossible.
Watching her stare wide-eyed in the direction of Ye Lan's lounge, Zhu Zhuqing patted her head. "Rongrong, you'll be able to see Teacher in just a little while!"
Ning Rongrong nodded, her heart filled with anticipation.
Just then, the door opened, and a man with a buzz cut and a full beard strode in.
"Gather around! I've obtained the latest intelligence on the Royal Fight Team. Pass this around," Yu Xiaogang announced.
Tang San instantly rushed forward and took the document. After a single glance, his heart sank.
Vice-Captain: Yu Tianheng, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Rank 39 Power Attack System Spirit Elder. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Shi Mo, Black Tortoise. Rank 38 Defense System Spirit Elder. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Shi Mo, Black Tortoise. Rank 37 Defense System Spirit Elder. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Oslo, Ghost Leopard. Rank 36 Agility Attack System Spirit Elder. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Yu Feng, Wind Chime Bird. Rank 36 Agility Attack System Spirit Elder. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Dugu Yan, Jade Phosphor Serpent. Rank 38 Power Attack System Spirit Elder. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Ye Lengling, Nine Heart Begonia. Rank 35 Support System Spirit Elder. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Tang San stood stunned for a long time before passing the document to the others.
Dai Mubai's expression turned grim. He was the only Spirit Elder on the Shrek Team above rank 35. Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ma Hongjun were still just Spirit Grandmasters.
"They're all Spirit Elders?! What's the point of fighting?" Ma Hongjun wanted to surrender.
Xiao Wu said angrily, "Ma Hongjun! Have you forgotten Teacher Zhao Wuji's severed arm?!"
"I..." Ma Hongjun trailed off.
Zhu Zhuqing said seriously, "Our team isn't weak! Although the Royal Fight Team is a Silver Spirit Team with a twenty-fight winning streak, we're about to advance to Silver with a twenty-seven-fight winning streak of our own!"
Tang San suppressed his inner turmoil and said calmly, "Zhu Zhuqing is right. Although there's a large spirit power gap, we have Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"As long as her enhancements are effective, the gap can be overcome."
Grandmaster affirmed his response. "Little San is correct. The gap isn't as large as you imagine."
"Beyond spirit power, we should focus on their Martial Souls."
"First is the rank 39 Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon... I heard from Zhao Wuji that you already clashed with them yesterday."
"You must now understand its characteristics. It's quite troublesome, isn't it?"
Yu Xiaogang looked at the Shrek Five Monsters, his gaze settling on Dai Mubai. "Dai Mubai, summarize the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul for Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong."
Dai Mubai's expression was ugly. "Although I hate to admit it, in terms of pure attack power, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is stronger than my White Tiger Martial Soul."
"Its lightning is extremely difficult to deal with. Just getting hit will paralyze your entire body, making it hard to circulate spirit power to resist the continuous follow-up attacks."
"The attack I took yesterday was only Yu Tianheng's first spirit ability."
"So, when fighting him up close, you absolutely must not get hit by his lightning!"
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is the continent's number one Beast Martial Soul. Its lightning is exceptionally tyrannical!"
"Little San, do you have a good strategy?"
"I will handle the problem of engaging Yu Tianheng in close combat," Tang San said after a moment of thought.
"Good. You truly are my disciple," Yu Xiaogang said, nodding with satisfaction.
He continued, "Besides Yu Tianheng, you must also be concerned about the Jade Phosphor Serpent, Dugu Yan."
"She is the granddaughter of the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo. Her Martial Soul is fearsome, one of the most poisonous on the continent."
"If you are poisoned by it, you must forfeit immediately and circulate your spirit power to resist. If you don't, you could dissolve into vile blood and die!"
Everyone's expression changed slightly, except for Tang San's. A Martial Soul that poisonous exists?
Yu Xiaogang asked, "Little San, do you have a strategy for this?"
Tang San said disdainfully, "Jade Phosphor Serpent poison? It's trash. I can handle it."
"Good, you truly are my disciple!"
Ning Rongrong stepped forward. "Besides those two, we should be paying even more attention to Ye Lengling and her Nine Heart Begonia."
"The Nine Heart Begonia is passed down a single lineage; only two can exist at a time. Its Martial Soul is unique: it only has one type of spirit ability, which is group-range healing."
"As long as Ye Lengling has spirit power, the Royal Fight Team cannot be eliminated."
"If it weren't for the fact that this Martial Soul is so exceedingly rare, the title of the world's number one support-type Martial Soul might not belong to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
Oscar said dismissively, "Of course the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is number one! I've never seen a support-type Spirit Master more formidable than Rongrong."
Ma Hongjun muttered, "We can't touch the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, can't get tainted by the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison, and there's an even more outrageous Nine Heart Begonia."
He then posed a soul-searching question: "Aren't there a few too many of these overpowered Martial Souls?"
The others began to ponder this. Indeed! Why were there so many?
Yu Xiaogang asked tentatively, "Little San, do you have a way to deal with the Nine Heart Begonia?"
Tang San thought for a moment. "Don't worry, I have a strategy for it."
Even though Tang San said he could handle all three, Ma Hongjun still looked at Yu Xiaogang. "Grandmaster, I won't ask about the Wind Chime Bird or the Ghost Leopard. But how strong is the Black Tortoise Martial Soul?"
Grandmaster replied without hesitation, "In terms of quality, the Black Tortoise is in no way inferior to Dai Mubai's White Tiger."
"Oh."
Ma Hongjun had already started thinking about which brothel to visit with Dai Mubai that evening. The sooner the fight was over, the sooner he could clock out. He held no hope of winning.
After Grandmaster finished, the lounge fell quiet.
Tang San looked at the demoralized team and roared, "Have you all forgotten yesterday's enmity?!"
"To wash away yesterday's humiliation, we must win today's battle!"
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "To wash away the humiliation Shrek Academy suffered, I will permit Little San to use his hidden weapons and the Eight Spider Lances."
"Teacher, I was planning to use them even if you didn't say anything," Tang San stated. He then took five mechanical-type hidden weapons from his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges and distributed them.
However, when he offered them to Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, neither reached out.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the dark arrow case. "We're only having a Spirit Fight. Do you really intend to kill their entire team?"
Tang San said dismissively, "Given they are all Spirit Elders, the Silent Sleeve Darts won't kill them." It's a pity I couldn't finish the Godly Zhuge Crossbow, he thought. Otherwise, I would have made them pay a price in blood today.
Ning Rongrong waved her hand. "Tang San, didn't you say hidden weapons are righteous if used for a righteous cause? Is using them in the Spirit Arena a righteous act?"
Tang San snorted. "For the sake of avenging Teacher Zhao Wuji, using hidden weapons couldn't be more righteous."
Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes. This person was beyond saving.
After distributing the weapons, Tang San studied the Royal Fight Team's information again. After a long moment, he said, "Ma Hongjun, in today's fight, you can't have all of Oscar's flight sausages to yourself."
"The Evil Fire Phoenix doesn't have to be in the air to breathe fire, right?"
"They have a rank 36 flying-type Spirit Elder. Even if you could fly, you'd be no match for their Wind Chime Bird."
"Instead, how about we distribute the flight sausages to everyone?"
Ma Hongjun looked troubled. In the past, to uphold his Martial Soul's prestige, he had to fly for at least a few minutes in every battle. No matter how bad the sausages tasted, he would eat several in every match. Although he was unwilling, he didn't dare refuse Tang San.
"Alright," he said reluctantly. "But there are only six. How do we divide them?"
Tang San replied instantly, "We don't need to give one to Ning Rongrong; she's not a combatant. Besides, I'll have Xiao Wu protect her."
Hearing this, Oscar quickly said, "I'm not a combatant either! Let's give my sausage to Rongrong!"
Tang San shook his head. "You are one of the few Spirit Elders on the team. Your safety is more important than hers."
Ning Rongrong snorted. "I wouldn't eat a flight sausage anyway. Keep it for yourself!"
Tang San turned to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, in today's battle, protect Ning Rongrong."
Xiao Wu nodded. She would do whatever her third brother asked.
Tang San then looked at Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhu Zhuqing, I acknowledge your speed. Our opponent has a rank 36 Ghost Leopard. I'll leave him for you to handle. How about we let Xiao Wu protect Ning Rongrong today?"
Zhu Zhuqing had always coordinated with Ning Rongrong, staying by her side. She didn't understand this new arrangement. Was it really because Oslo's Ghost Leopard was that difficult to deal with? Unable to figure out the reason, she agreed to Tang San's tactical plan.
Meanwhile, in Ye Lan's lounge, the atmosphere was harmonious. The Royal Fight Team seemed as if they were on vacation. Yu Tianheng, Oslo, and Yu Feng had even started playing a card game.
Just then, Qin Ming walked in and handed a document to Ye Lan. "Ye Lan, take a look."
Ye Lan took it and read:
Captain: Dai Mubai, Martial Soul: White Tiger. Rank 38 Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Vice-Captain: Tang San, Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. Rank 34 Control System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Xiao Wu, Martial Soul: Jade Rabbit. Rank 31 Close-Quarters Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Ma Hongjun, Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix. Rank 28 Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow.
Member: Zhu Zhuqing, Martial Soul: Nether Civet. Rank 28 Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow.
Member: Oscar, Martial Soul: Sausage. Rank 31 Support System Tool Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.
Member: Ning Rongrong, Martial Soul: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Rank 27 Support System Tool Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow.
After reading, Ye Lan frowned slightly. He had only wanted to confirm Tang San's details, but his spirit power level was higher than he had expected.
Tang San's rank is actually two levels higher than in the original story! Is this the butterfly effect?
After a long pause, a possibility occurred to him. If that's the case, my tactics will have to change.
"Assemble," Ye Lan said calmly.
Hearing Captain Ye's call, Yu Tianheng and the others instantly focused, stopping what they were doing without delay.
(End of Chapter)