One of the lackeys quickly explained, "Third Young Master, while you were in seclusion training, Brother Tailong attracted many ordinary Soul Masters who admired his extraordinary strength and acknowledged him as their leader. This offended some of the academy factions. A week ago, Brother Tailong beat up a senior student who had been in the Main Academy for two years. Today, that student brought in a powerful backer."
"Oh? A powerful backer? Who might that be?" Tang San narrowed his eyes.
The lackey replied, "He Chunwen. He's the sworn brother of Tuo Jia, the young master of the Sacred Dragon Sect."
At the mention of the Sacred Dragon Sect, even the others couldn't help but look grave. Compared to He Chunwen, Tuo Jia was far more terrifying. What made people even more fearful was Tuo Jia's background—the Sacred Dragon Sect, which kept a low profile precisely because it had originated within Spirit Academy.
Take Tailong, for example. Over the past half-month, he had gained quite a reputation in the academy, gathering a group of followers. It wouldn't be strange if he eventually established his own sect. The Sacred Dragon Sect's leader, Tuo Ba Xi, was once an outstanding graduate of Spirit Academy. He had even led the academy's team in the Pan-continental Elite Soul Master Competition and won the championship that year.
Imagine how much influence such a prominent figure held within Spirit Academy. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he could summon a hundred followers with a single call. Later, Tuo Ba Xi established his own faction within the academy, which gradually evolved into a sect. This sect had remained within Spirit Hall City ever since.
However, because the Sacred Dragon Sect itself was low-key and overshadowed by the immense prestige of Spirit Hall City, its reputation hadn't spread far. But within Spirit Academy, its name was extremely prominent—even surpassing the Lower Four Sects and approaching the Upper Three Sects.
"That He Chunwen is a soon-to-be graduate, and his strength is formidable! Brother Tailong can't beat him," a girl said indignantly.
Tang San was no stranger to Soul Duel Arenas. If there was one arena that could surpass the Clear Sky Soul Arena, it would undoubtedly be the Martial Soul Battle Arena in Spirit Hall City. And arenas weren't just for matches—they also had rules for life-and-death duels.
If both Soul Masters were willing to fight to the death, they could sign a Life and Death Contract—a battle that would only end with one's demise!
"The Sacred Dragon Sect? I've never heard of it. Even if I had, it wouldn't matter much. Don't worry, Tailong will be fine." With a flip of his hand, a box appeared in Tang San's palm. It was the Soul Guidance Device box left behind by the swindler who had tried to deceive him out of his Spirit Bone.
"Ever since enrolling, I've inexplicably encountered all sorts of trouble. If it's not because of my Clear Sky Sect identity, then the only source of the problem must be this thing."
Tang San examined the box in his hand. On his very first day at Spirit Academy, he had been targeted, and even during his seclusion, people had been harassing Tailong. It wasn't hard to guess where the root of the problem lay.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the Soul Guidance Device. He had examined it carefully before—this box was only good for deception and had no practical use at all. It shouldn't have warranted such a fuss from these people.
"Guess I'll have to ask someone about it."
At the Soul Duel Arena in Spirit Hall City, Tailong and He Chunwen were already standing on the combat stage. Their duel had attracted many students from Spirit Academy to watch, including not only those from the Branch Academy and Main Academy but also the genius Soul Masters from the Holy Academy observing from a distance.
Tailong glared furiously at He Chunwen on the stage and roared, "He Chunwen, take back what you said, and this matter can still be settled."
"Take it back?" He Chunwen sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Was I wrong? Your so-called Third Young Master relies entirely on his sect. Compared to Spirit Hall, the so-called Upper Three Sects are nothing special. The era of the Upper Three Sects ends here—and so do you."
As soon as He Chunwen uttered these words, even some Spirit Academy students who had hoped to mediate couldn't help but sigh softly. There was no way Tailong would remain indifferent after such provocation—his loyalty had been evident to everyone recently.
Sure enough, the moment the words fell, Tailong's Great Strength Gorilla Martial Soul manifested. His eyes turned blood-red, as if he were ready to tear someone apart.
Among the spectators were some prodigious talents from the Holy Academy, who nodded in approval. Though Tailong was only ranked tenth, once he broke through to the 40th rank and obtained a powerful Soul Ring, it would only be a matter of time before he entered the Holy Academy.
"Tailong, you don't have to fall for such obvious bait." A lazy voice suddenly rang out. Tang San, led by several Branch Academy students, had finally arrived.
"Third Young Master!" Seeing Tang San emerge from seclusion, Tailong let out a sigh of relief. After all, He Chunwen had the backing of the even stronger Tuo Jia, which had put pressure on him.
At Tang San's appearance, both He Chunwen and Tuo Jia in the audience turned their gazes toward him simultaneously. When they spotted the Spirit Bone Display Box in Tang San's hand, their pupils constricted sharply.
Sensing their stares, Tang San casually toyed with the box, completely unfazed.
Seeing Tang San arrive, Tuo Jia no longer hid himself. With a flash, he appeared, his eyes icy as he demanded, "So you're Tang San?"
Tang San replied leisurely, "What if I am? What if I'm not? Neither is your real goal, is it?"
Tuo Jia's expression darkened, and an oppressive aura radiated from him as he turned the tables. "Perfect timing. You've stolen a sacred treasure from my Sacred Dragon Sect. How do you choose to die?"
The moment these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in uproar.
"Stealing?"
"Unlikely, right? Isn't Tang San the young master of the Upper Three Sects? Why would he steal?"
"Who knows? Maybe the Upper Three Sects built their wealth on theft in the first place."
Ignoring Tuo Jia's false accusation entirely, Tang San stepped onto the stage and said to Tailong, "Tailong, step down for now. I'll handle this."
"As you command, Third Young Master." Tailong immediately leaped off the stage.
Tuo Jia's face twisted in fury. Born into the Sacred Dragon Sect, though they claimed independence, they were secretly backed by Spirit Hall. In the eyes of the Sacred Dragon Sect, they were inherently superior—destined to rise like phoenixes and replace the so-called Upper Three Sects, becoming the new elite.
As fellow sect heirs, Tang San's blatant disregard struck at Tuo Jia's most vulnerable point.
Tuo Jia's face turned icy cold, his entire body exuding a sinister aura as he glared at Tang San and said, "Tang San, this isn't your Clear Sky Sect territory—this is Spirit Hall jurisdiction. Theft is a serious crime punishable by nose amputation and facial branding!"
Without even lifting an eyelid, Tang San replied, "You talk too much. I obtained this box fair and square. If you have the skills, try taking it back by force instead of wasting time with empty threats!"
Seeing the situation unfold from the stage, He Chunwen recognized his chance to shine. He leapt forward and declared loudly, "There's no need to trouble Young Sect Leader Tuo Jia! Since the opponent is a Spirit Academy student, this should be settled between students. Let me handle him!"
Before He Chunwen could finish speaking, Tang San's quiet chant was already heard: "Clear Sky Nine Absolute Heavens Techniques—Void."