Yu Tianheng paid no mind to Lu Feng. At this moment, his body couldn't help but start to tremble.
Of course, Yu Tianheng was not scared or excited. Around him, the power of lightning was surging violently. Within a ten-meter radius, the soul power had almost condensed into a solid form.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning burst forth, instantly striking a stone slab on the spirit fighting stage, leaving it charred black.
"Holy crap! Is the captain still just sparring? How does it feel like he's fighting for his life?" Osler's eyes widened as he looked at the thunderstorm on the stage.
"Hmph!" Dugu Yan snorted coldly. She had actually calmed down now.
She recalled the time she had spent with Tang Si. No matter the situation, the other party always seemed so calm and unhurried.
From the spirit hunting market, to her grandfather's medicine garden, and now. Tang Si had never done anything he wasn't confident about.
She had been worrying too much. In their battle so far, Tang Si hadn't even used a single soul skill.
"Huh? There's an unexpected surprise!"
Lu Feng's eyes immediately lit up as he looked at the black cluster of light at Yu Tianheng's feet.
[Picked up a black cultivation technique [Breath of Thunder Style] fragment *1 (1/10)]
A black-quality cultivation technique!
It was actually on the same level as the "Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record"!
"This must be a cultivation technique that only the direct descendants of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan can learn." A flash of understanding appeared in Lu Feng's eyes, and his expression regained a bit of seriousness.
To be able to become one of the Upper Three Sects, none of them were simple.
The Clear Sky Sect had many ultimate techniques: the Disorderly Splitting Wind, the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, the Great Sumeru Hammer. If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan didn't have a few trump card skills, how could it be called the world's number one beast martial soul?
It was just that there were very few descriptions of it in the original work, or rather, its glory had been overshadowed by the protagonist's group.
Lu Feng shook his head, casting these distracting thoughts out of his mind. The current Yu Tianheng was now worthy of him using seventy percent of his strength.
Lu Feng's first soul ring shone, and a black aura burst forth from his body. The surrounding air immediately became heavy. The black light quickly spread off the stage, covering the members of the Imperial Fight Team.
The teacher at the side of the stage frowned slightly. Soul power surged, and a transparent light screen rose from the edge of the stage, isolating the black light.
"Phew~"
Osler took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. In that brief moment, he felt as if his chest had been hit by a large hammer, and the pressure made it hard for him to breathe.
The spirit fighting stage was clearly divided, with the blue electric light and the black light contending against each other.
The members of the Imperial Fight Team, including several teachers, stared intently at the two, afraid of missing a single detail.
The next moment, the two moved at the same time.
"Crackle!"
Yu Tianheng's feet were covered in electric light, and his speed suddenly increased by a large margin. A strong lightning power gathered on his dragon claw as he charged straight at Lu Feng.
"Bang!"
The dragon claw and the iron fist met. A fierce wave of soul power vibrated out, and a strong wind immediately swept across the spirit fighting stage, causing the corners of their clothes to rustle loudly.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
Lu Feng's first soul ring flashed repeatedly, each punch stronger than the last.
"Screech!"
Yu Tianheng's body was knocked back more than ten steps. He swung his dragon claw and grabbed the ground. The dragon claw scraped against the ground, making a harsh sound.
By the time his body had stabilized, three shocking scratch marks had been left on the ring.
"Swoosh!" Yu Tianheng stomped his foot, his figure suddenly accelerating, and he launched another attack on Lu Feng.
In the VIP room on the second floor.
The three committee members looked at the two on the ring and nodded with satisfaction.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, does this student catch your eye?" Meng Shenji said with a smile.
His face was full of respect, but the proud expression was also unconcealed. Having cultivated a genius student for the academy, as a teacher, he naturally had a glowing face.
With only a two-ring cultivation, he could actually suppress a Soul Elder, and a Soul Elder with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul at that.
This could no longer be described as a genius, but a monster!
"Not bad. The three committee members have taught well. With the academy under your management, I, Qinghe, am very relieved," Xue Qinghe stood up and cupped his hands at the three.
The three committee members immediately returned the gesture, the smiles on their faces even more brilliant.
"In a moment, I would like to meet this student personally," Xue Qinghe said lightly.
"To be noticed by His Highness the Crown Prince is his good fortune."
On the spirit fighting stage, Lu Feng looked at the panting Yu Tianheng and said with a faint smile, "Brother Yu, let's end this spar here. Our battle should have far exceeded ten minutes, right?"
Lu Feng's head was also covered in sweat, but it was all forced out by his soul power.
For a Soul Grandmaster to fight a Soul Elder of a higher realm and remain undefeated was already a rare feat.
If after a match, he still looked as if he were taking a leisurely stroll? Anyone with eyes could tell something was wrong.
Lu Feng did not have the habit of showing off in front of others.
Of course, in Lu Feng's heart, defeating a Yu Tianheng was nothing.
If he became a god in the future, or even a God-King, then he could show off however he wanted!
"Brother Tang Si, congratulations on passing the assessment. I think it won't be long before I see you in the first Imperial Fight Team," Yu Tianheng took a few deep breaths, trying hard to maintain the smile on his face.
In Yu Tianheng's heart, he actually already knew that he had lost this battle.
If Tang Si hadn't spoken up, his soul power would have been exhausted in a few more minutes.
His third soul skill was a continuous consumption skill.
What's more, the other party was just a two-ring Soul Grandmaster. The moment Yu Tianheng had decided to use his third soul skill, he had already judged it as his own defeat.
"Brother Tang Si, you are very strong. I look forward to our next match," Yu Tianheng patted Lu Feng's shoulder, then silently turned and left.
Unlike his high spirits when he had arrived, his back now looked somewhat lonely.
"Holy crap! Tang Si, you can actually fight the captain to a standstill!" Osler patted Lu Feng's shoulder and said in shock.
As he spoke, a fawning smile appeared on his face. "If you obtain your third soul ring, wouldn't the captain's position fall to you?"
"Hmph! Osler, what, have you forgotten about me, the vice-captain?" Dugu Yan crossed her arms and snorted lightly.
After speaking, Dugu Yan looked at Lu Feng, her eyebrows curved. "Congratulations, I didn't expect you to be so amazing!"
Lu Feng touched his nose and said with a faint smile, "Aren't you already aware of how amazing I am?"
"Oh! You two have actually reached this stage!!!" Hearing this, Osler, as if he had discovered a new continent, his eyes darted back and forth between the two, a lecherous smile on his face.
"Ahem, I was talking about archery! Brother Ao, don't get the wrong idea."
"What a coincidence, Brother Tang Si. I was also thinking of 'archery'."
A teacher hurried over.
"Teacher Li, save me! Ah!"
Osler waved at the teacher, as if he had seen a savior.
Teacher Li looked at Osler, who was pinned to the ground by Dugu Yan and unable to move, and shook his head helplessly. "Tang Si, His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence."
"The Crown Prince?" A hint of confusion flashed in Lu Feng's eyes.
Xue Qinghe?
Qian Renxue?
"This teacher, I wonder why His Highness the Crown Prince is looking for me?" Lu Feng asked respectfully.
"In any case, it's a good thing. Just come with me," Teacher Li said, creating suspense.
Walking into the office, Lu Feng saw a young man behind a desk, reviewing some documents, looking very busy.
The young man had regular features. Although he was in casual clothes, his body exuded a faint majesty.
At the same time, a cluster of light dropped from the desk:
[Picked up a black skill [Disguise] fragment *1]
"It's him!" A hint of astonishment flashed in Lu Feng's eyes, which he instantly concealed.
A black-quality skill was not common, especially the same skill.
"It seems that young man from the Spirit Hall back then was Qian Renxue. The [Disguise] skill seems to be one from the Seraphim's soul bone set."
"Why on earth did she go to Nuoding City? Could it be that she had been in Heaven Dou City for too long and went to the countryside for a breath of fresh air?"
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!" Lu Feng said respectfully.
"Hahaha, Brother Tang Si, no need to be so polite. Your battle today was truly brave and extraordinary!"
Xue Qinghe put the documents in his hand to the side. "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have found it hard to believe that a Soul Grandmaster could actually fight a Soul Elder to a standstill."
Xue Qinghe said with emotion, "It's a pleasure to meet you. If you don't mind, just call me Big Brother Xue. There's no need to mention the title of Crown Prince."
Hearing this, a hint of confusion flashed in Lu Feng's eyes. "What is this Qian Renxue up to? With her strength, she shouldn't be unable to recognize me, right? Could it be that she wants to recruit me again?"
"Or is she testing me? To see if I'm loyal to the Spirit Hall?"
"Hmph, I, Tang Si, am a man of iron integrity! A test? Which cadre can't withstand such a test?"
Lu Feng looked up at Xue Qinghe. The other's words and actions were as if they had been rehearsed countless times.
His expression, his tone—there was not a single flaw.
If not for the fact that Lu Feng was a transmigrator, he might have really been moved by his 'sincerity' and 'approachability'.
Seeing Lu Feng's silent appearance, Xue Qinghe said in a loud voice, "You should only be in your teens, right? Calling me big brother shouldn't be a disadvantage for you, right?"
Lu Feng shook his head and said with a faint smile, "Your Highness the Crown Prince overstates it."
"Oh? Brother Tang Si, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly."
Lu Feng smiled slightly and cupped his hands. "A Crown Prince is a Crown Prince and should maintain the dignity of Your Highness. Reward those with merit and punish those with faults, rather than insisting on being my brother."
"Brother Tang Si's way of thinking is rather different from ordinary people."
Xue Qinghe pondered for a moment. He had always maintained an approachable attitude in order to gain the support of more ministers.
After all, Emperor Xue Ye's health had not been good in recent years, and he was also very old.
However, his actions had not been very effective.
Besides winning over some ministers of low rank and little influence, the other old-guard families and ministers, such as the Ao family, were not moved at all.
Xue Qinghe stopped thinking about these issues and said, "I wonder where Brother Tang Si's hometown is? And when did you join the Royal Academy?"
Lu Feng shook his head. "I am not a student of the Royal Academy, just a temporary student for a period of time. I estimate that in half a year, I will be leaving."
"Why? Could it be that there is some other place that can compare to my Royal Academy?"
Lu Feng crossed his arms and said, "To be honest, I have already joined the Spirit Hall. If Your Highness the Crown Prince wants to recruit me, then there is no need to waste your breath."
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe's interest was immediately piqued.
"Brother Tang Si, what did the Spirit Hall promise you?"
As he spoke, Xue Qinghe took out a gold plaque from his coat and handed it out. "This plaque is a symbol of the Crown Prince's identity. Carrying it when you are out on business can save you a lot of trouble."
Lu Feng took the gold plaque and casually glanced at it twice.
The style of the gold plaque was very simple, oval-shaped. On the front of the plaque was a swan pattern, and on the back was a large character, Xue.
"I am honored by Your Highness the Crown Prince's favor. However, the relationship between me and the Spirit Hall is not just about benefits. If Your Highness the Crown Prince wants me to withdraw from the Spirit Hall..."
As he spoke, Lu Feng handed the gold plaque back. "You have mistaken me for someone else."
Xue Qinghe sized up Lu Feng, his eyes shining brightly. This soul master with the Light Attribute was indeed worthy of his attention.
"Hahaha, join the Imperial Fight Team, and you will be directly ennobled after graduation. When you cultivate to level forty, the empire will help you obtain a soul ring of the optimal age for free."
Xue Qinghe smiled. "Brother Tang Si, how about it?"
Lu Feng shook his head and did not reply.
The appreciation in Xue Qinghe's eyes grew even stronger. Such a loyal person should be in his service.
He was already wondering in his mind if there were any suitable young women in the Qian family.
"Does Your Highness know that the Spirit Hall awakened my martial soul for me and gives me a monthly soul master subsidy? It's like my home," Lu Feng asked in return.
Xue Qinghe smiled. "Since Brother Tang Si..."
Before he could finish, Lu Feng held up two fingers. "It's not impossible for me to join the Royal Academy... You have to add more money!"
Heaven Dou City, Yu Family, backyard.
"Crack!"
Yu Tianheng threw a punch, shattering the wooden stake in front of him.
"Huff~"
"Huff~"
He collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking his shirt.
"Damn it!"
Yu Tianheng slammed his fist on the ground.
In all his life, Yu Tianheng had never suffered such a 'crushing defeat'.
That's right, in his battle with Tang Si, Yu Tianheng considered it a complete and utter loss. It could even be described as a humiliation.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the world's number one beast martial soul, couldn't even take down a little two-ring Soul Grandmaster.
Yu Tianheng's inner pride made it difficult for him to let go for a long time.
"Tianheng, is your heart in turmoil?"
At this moment, a sturdy, large man appeared in the courtyard.
He was very tall, with robust muscles all over, and his height looked to be at least two meters. He wore a simple black vest, and a blue silk ribbon was tied around his right arm.
"Sixth Uncle!"
Yu Tianheng looked at the man before him, quickly propped himself up from the ground, his expression respectful, his body standing up straight.
The man's name was Yu Xingchen, and he was originally a disciple of a branch family of the Yu clan.
However, with his soul power as high as level eighty-nine, he had forcefully merged his branch into the main clan.
It was even tacitly acknowledged within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan that Yu Xingchen was the one among the several elders who had the most hope of breaking through to Titled Douluo.
"I've heard about what happened at the academy," Yu Xingchen said lightly.
Yu Tianheng lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Sixth Uncle, I have brought shame to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"No."
Yu Xingchen looked at the dejected young man before him and said in a deep voice, "Your battle with that Soul Grandmaster was not a failure. However, Tianheng, you lost to yourself."
"Myself?" Yu Tianheng raised his head, puzzled.
"Hmph, no one's life is smooth sailing. Back then, in my battle with Tang Hao, I was defeated in just seven moves under his Clear Sky Hammer."
"I was in a much worse state than you are now. Later, it took me a year to figure out one principle."
As he spoke, a glint flashed in Yu Xingchen's eyes. "In the growth of a soul master, the greatest enemy is oneself. Only by defeating oneself can one continuously break through the limits!"
"Defeating myself?"
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng seemed to have understood something.
He clenched his fists, and a raging fire ignited in his eyes. "Thank you, Sixth Uncle. I am enlightened!"
In Yu Tianheng's heart, he had originally elevated Tang Si to the same level as himself.
But upon careful thought, in terms of status, position, martial soul potential, and soul power level, in what aspect could Tang Si compare to him?
Just because he hadn't defeated him within ten minutes, he had doubted himself?
Yu Tianheng smiled faintly. As long as he cultivated step by step, did he still need to worry about an ordinary soul master surpassing him in strength?