Chapter 98: After the Battle
For the average audience, whether it was the teachers from the Soul Master Academies or the geniuses watching the battle, they clearly noticed many different things after this fight.
While the shock of Tang San revealing the Haotian Hammer was significant, they seemed more focused on the defensive soul master, Yang Xiong, especially within the Five Elements Academy.
Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, Shui Bing'er, and the captains of several battle teams gathered together, their expressions unusually serious.
Feng Xiaotian spoke first: "Huo Wushuang, what do you think? When you defeated the Shrek team last time, how much of their true strength did they actually display?"
Huo Wushuang, now also serious, responded, "Feng Xiaotian, I'm not sure. Yang Xiong on that day was clearly not as strong as today. My strength was almost equal to Yu Tianxin's, but he was able to completely suppress Yu Tianxin and even stop multiple opponents. This is not something an ordinary defensive soul master can achieve. To this day, even after losing the match, no one has seen any of his soul skills."
Feng Xiaotian nodded. "I feel like we've met a kindred spirit. Yang Xiong's self-created soul skills are excellent. Perhaps I could have a discussion with him about the process of developing self-created soul skills."
Huo Wu's face showed a slight disdain. "Feng Xiaotian, your Broken Wind Demon Wolf 36 Slashes is too complicated. I think Yang Xiong's self-created soul skills are simple and direct. Especially the final move he used to defeat Yu Tianxin; based on sheer power, it probably already reached the level of top-tier thousand-year soul skills."
"I was surprised when he was able to withstand my Fire Dance Sunstrike. He must have used that technique to resist Yu Tianxin's soul skills."
Feng Xiaotian quickly replied, "Sister Huo Wu, don't worry. I will personally defeat Yang Xiong and get revenge for you."
Everyone looked at Feng Xiaotian with unusual expressions. Huo Wu had just casually mentioned something, yet he seemed very sensitive to it.
Shui Bing'er, on the other hand, smiled and spoke, "Let's not talk too much. The Shrek team's soul power levels are too low, especially with Blue Silver Grass as their control system martial soul. It's very easy to counter. Maybe this is why they lost to Fire Dance Academy."
Huo Wu snorted. "Blue Silver Grass is nothing. Under my flames, it will turn to ash."
These individuals were all geniuses and direct competitors. It was easy for them to spot the weaknesses in Shrek's team.
After receiving treatment, the group attended a grand banquet hosted by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe himself. All three of the headmasters were present, and Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo also attended. The attention shown to the group was so significant that even Flender felt slightly overwhelmed.
At the banquet, Xue Qinghe frequently raised his glass, especially towards Tang San and Dai Mubai, the captain and vice-captain, showing a strong inclination to bring them closer. It was evident that both Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe valued Tang San highly.
After all, dual martial souls were considered a rare and unbeatable talent, and especially Tang San's second martial soul, the Haotian Hammer, made him very highly regarded.
In contrast, Xue Qinghe seemed extremely indifferent to Yang Xiong, almost harboring some resentment.
Since the last meeting with Xue Qinghe, Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong had spent quite a bit of time with him, especially as Ning Rongrong had a close relationship with Xue Qinghe.
But each time they met, Yang Xiong particularly enjoyed teasing Xue Qinghe about not being married at his age, especially since Ning Fengzhi, as Xue Qinghe's teacher, even planned to help him with this, which made Xue Qinghe very embarrassed.
Normally, someone of Xue Qinghe's age, with his status as the Crown Prince of the Tiandou Empire, would have a crucial need for heirs, yet Xue Qinghe didn't seem to care at all. In fact, he didn't even have a rumor about it, which was highly unusual.
Even though Xue Qinghe had some minor complaints about Yang Xiong's remarks, he never really minded. After all, their families were so familiar with each other, and as Ning Fengzhi's direct disciple, Xue Qinghe was almost like a son to him. It was impossible to let small matters sour their relationship.
At the banquet, Xue Qinghe raised his glass frequently to everyone. However, when he met Yang Xiong again, his originally smiling face slightly faltered.
Yang Xiong spoke first: "Brother Qinghe, we've known each other for a while now. We are all family, so there's no need to stand on ceremony."
Ning Rongrong immediately spat playfully at Yang Xiong. "Little Bear, what are you thinking? How could Brother Qinghe be so distant? Do you think everyone is as petty as you?"
Yang Xiong played dumb: "If Brother Qinghe doesn't mind, that's good. By the way, Brother Qinghe, what do you think of the advice I gave last time?"
Xue Qinghe immediately appeared very awkward, but still smiled: "I've been thinking about it recently. Don't worry about it, Yang Xiong. You're still young. Focus on your cultivation and not on matters of men and women."
…
The two of them exchanged soft jabs, but to outsiders, they seemed very friendly, especially with Ning Fengzhi appearing quite pleased.
Yang Xiong silently scoffed inwardly, "Well, you're really something, pretending to be Xue Qinghe. I'll just wait and see how long you can keep it up."
However, when Yang Xiong returned to his dorm, there was a knock at the door. To his surprise, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had arrived.
Yang Xiong invited them in and casually poured them some tea. As the saying goes, "If nothing is happening, the three treasures hall won't open." While Yang Xiong and Dai Mubai were teammates, their relationship wasn't very deep. He wasn't sure why they had come.
"Dai Mubai, why aren't you focusing on your cultivation right now? Why come find me?"
Dai Mubai appeared very serious: "Yang Xiong, I want to talk to you about the Soul Master Competition."
Yang Xiong was a bit confused: "What's there to talk about? We just need to participate normally. We still have a good chance in the qualifiers."
Dai Mubai replied, "Yang Xiong, I know you haven't been giving your all from the start. I hope you can help me and Zhu Zhuqing."
Yang Xiong laughed: "What's going on? If you're facing some trouble, feel free to tell me. We'll solve it together."
Dai Mubai fell silent for a moment before speaking: "You should already know about me and Zhu Zhuqing's backgrounds. This competition is crucial for our future, so I absolutely must win. I must shine in the finals."
Yang Xiong took a sip of tea: "I've heard about the Star Luo Empire matters. But no matter whether it's in the competition or in other matters, I've done what I can. I've contributed my part to the team."
Dai Mubai continued: "Yang Xiong, have you heard that the reward for the champion is three soul bones? I'll give up everything; I just want us to defeat the Star Luo Royal Academy."
Yang Xiong smiled: "Soul bones are precious, but you need your life to claim them. As for the team's matters, I'll do my best. But for us, whether it's fighting for the championship or facing the Star Luo Royal Academy, it's still too far away."
Seeing Yang Xiong's obvious indifference, Dai Mubai became helpless: "We've been teammates for a few years, and I know your strength better than anyone. Even if Tang San and I team up, I'm not sure we can win against you. And you've never used your soul ring skills."
Yang Xiong directly spoke: "I think I've told you before why I don't use soul ring skills. Have you ever thought about why you, as the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, are at the Tiandou Royal Academy? It's probably not that simple."
After their communication, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing left. Yang Xiong watched their retreating figures and couldn't help shaking his head.
Yang Xiong was very clear. As the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai was likely still trying to compete for the throne. All of this depended on him defeating Davis, but Davis was already at level 49, far beyond what Dai Mubai could handle.
Especially without the rare Ji Rong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, Dai Mubai's combat power was far weaker than in the original work, and Zhu Zhuqing didn't have the Water Immortal Jade Bone, making their soul power levels significantly different, which put them at a much larger disadvantage compared to Davis and Zhu Zhu Yun.
But right after Dai Mubai left, a group of people came again, including Ning Fengzhi, Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San, of course, with Bone Douluo as well.
After the banquet, Tang San met with Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi. Clearly, their conversation was about the origins of the Haotian Hammer and Tang Hao's situation, but Yang Xiong didn't care about those things.
Yang Xiong saw Ning Fengzhi and immediately spoke: "Sect Master, why are you here looking for me? Rongrong is in the next building."
Ning Fengzhi's expression darkened: "Yang Xiong, don't be so nervous. We just have a few things to communicate."
Yang Xiong was confused. If it were something related to the sect, they could have come to him directly. Why bring Yu Xiaogang and Tang San along?
Ning Fengzhi paused before speaking: "Yang Xiong, do you know the significance of this Soul Master Competition, especially the importance of the championship?"
Yang Xiong thought for a moment before speaking: "I heard the champion's reward is three soul bones. I'm guessing these three soul bones must be extraordinary, right?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded: "The Spirit Hall has offered three soul bones because they have absolute confidence in their team. From what I know, their team is called the Golden Generation, with three Soul Kings. All their members are above level 45."
Yang Xiong was silent for a while: "Sect Master, I've heard about it. But given our team's current strength, we're still too far from the Spirit Hall team. There's no hope of winning."
Ning Fengzhi sighed: "I know the gap is huge. I also understand the Spirit Hall's intentions. They want to achieve an overwhelming victory to elevate their reputation. If they succeed, their status in the soul master world will be even more solidified. This will cause trouble for the position of the top three sects."
Yang Xiong showed some confusion: "Sect Master, are you exaggerating? Although Spirit Hall is strong, we have a close relationship with the Tiandou Royal Family. We're not afraid of them."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head: "The current Pope of the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong, is extremely powerful and ambitious. Over the years, she's developed rapidly with iron-handed methods, absorbing all the talented young soul masters. Their power might be stronger than I imagined."
"Especially Bibi Dong, who not only handles things ruthlessly but is also extremely strict within her own ranks. I'm afraid she'll strike at us sooner or later. At that time, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may not be able to stand on its own."
Yang Xiong sighed helplessly: "Sect Master, it seems like I have no way to help. I'm just a Soul Master right now. Maybe in five years, I'll have a chance to fight against them."
"Besides, what does this have to do with Tang San and the Master?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled: "Of course, it's related. Master Yu Xiaogang comes from the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family, and Tang San comes from the Haotian Clan. This time, the three sects are working together, and we are all facing the Spirit Hall. Yu Yuan Zhen has already written to me, and we've even established contact with the Haotian Clan."
Yang Xiong was speechless. Ning Fengzhi seemed to be enjoying this leading role, but wasn't he worried about being targeted by Spirit Hall in the future? After all, the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus had already retreated, and the Haotian Clan was in seclusion. Only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remained relatively active.
"Sect Master, even if the three top sects work together, we probably can't defeat their three Soul Kings. At least I can't think of any way."
(END CHAPTER)
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