Chapter 71: Tang San's Mentality Completely Shatters!
At the Soul Fighting Arena, in the Shrek Academy rest area.
Everyone had their heads lowered, their faces filled with dejection.
They had considered the possibility of losing, but they had never expected to lose so cleanly, so thoroughly.
Tang San, a Soul King, simply couldn't carry them.
"We just didn't have information about them. Next time, we won't lose again."
Tang San, who was currently receiving treatment, spoke to the others.
His mentality had already taken a heavy hit, yet he still tried to comfort everyone.
As the core of the Shrek team, Tang San had to prioritize the team's morale first—even if his own mindset had already cracked.
"Exactly. We just lacked intelligence on them. Shui Bing'er's control was too ruthless—it gave us no chance to display our strength at all."
Dai Mubai spoke with a serious expression, though deep down, he wasn't confident either.
He had originally thought Tang San would avenge him cleanly and decisively.
Unexpectedly, even Tang San had stumbled.
But this really couldn't be blamed on Tang San.
The overall strength of the Sky Water Academy team was genuinely higher than that of Shrek Academy.
The main reason… was simply that they themselves hadn't performed well enough!
"Xiao San and Dai Mubai are right. You simply didn't understand your opponents' information—that's why this loss was unjust."
Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, his expression far from pleasant.
If Tang San had fought Zhu Zhuqing one-on-one, he shouldn't have lost.
With the Clear Sky Hammer and soul rings absorbed beyond his level, Tang San was stronger than Zhu Zhuqing in almost every aspect.
So the reason for their defeat lay in Dai Mubai and the others not knowing Shui Bing'er's capabilities.
The continuous control completely suppressed Shrek's side, preventing them from displaying any of their true strength before they were eliminated.
There was also Ning Rongrong.
Although it was unclear why her martial soul had become nine-layered, her support ability was absolutely terrifying.
If Zhu Zhuqing were paired with Ning Rongrong, even Tang San might not necessarily be able to win.
"Yes! Next time, we won't lose!"
Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others hurriedly echoed, though the disappointment on their faces still lingered.
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang shook his head and looked toward Tang San.
"Xiao San, come with me."
In the end, Tang San's teammates simply couldn't keep up with his pace.
Their talent was limited—unlike Tang San, who possessed seemingly endless potential.
"Yes, Teacher."
Tang San's leg had already been treated and could move for now.
He followed Yu Xiaogang out of the Soul Fighting Arena to a deserted spot.
"Xiao San, has something changed with your mentality?"
Yu Xiaogang asked bluntly.
This match was likely the most miserable defeat Tang San had ever experienced.
Although Tang San's performance appeared normal on the surface, the sense of frustration in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"Yes, Teacher."
Tang San nodded.
"I didn't lose to Ning Rongrong or Zhu Zhuqing—I lost to Shui Bing'er."
"She's only a Soul Ancestor, yet her control ability is even stronger than mine as a Soul King."
Both were control-type soul masters, but Shui Bing'er's control made even Tang San feel his scalp go numb.
"Xiao San, this was only a match."
"Shui Bing'er had Ning Rongrong's support. That's why her control exceeded your expectations."
Yu Xiaogang spoke calmly as he explained.
He was afraid Tang San would get stuck in a dead end and refuse to listen.
Of course, Yu Xiaogang also knew that even without Ning Rongrong's support, Shui Bing'er's control wouldn't weaken much.
Instant ice bind. Large-scale encircling techniques.
As long as one was hit by even a single one, movement would be completely frozen in an instant.
Sustained control—controlled to death, without the slightest chance to resist.
If her teammates were weaker, Tang San might have had a chance to break free and turn the tide.
But Shui Bing'er's teammates… were anything but weak.
"Xiao San, your future is ultimately not something Shui Bing'er and the others can compare to. A single win or loss isn't important."
"And as for Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others—their talent is limited. They're already starting to fall behind your pace."
"You… should think about it carefully."
After saying this, Yu Xiaogang turned and left.
Some things could be hinted at—but he couldn't make decisions for Tang San.
Tang San had already grown up. He had his own thoughts.
When Yu Xiaogang thought about Tang San adding soul rings to his second martial soul, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Tang Hao had warned Tang San: without his permission, he was not allowed to add soul rings to the second martial soul.
Yu Xiaogang had told Tang San the same, and had even explained the reason behind it.
Yet Tang San still chose to do so to rapidly increase his strength, failing to fully maximize the advantage of twin martial souls!
One must know that absorbing a soul ring doesn't merely grant an ability—it also provides soul power from the ring itself.
At the level of a Titled Douluo, even absorbing just nine soul rings of around fifty thousand years could rapidly raise one's soul power from Rank 91 to above Rank 95.
At the Titled Douluo stage, every single level required an enormous amount of soul power—something incomparable to the few levels gained at lower realms.
Tang San's behavior was like picking up sesame seeds while throwing away a watermelon.
After Yu Xiaogang left, Tang San remained silent for a long while.
He clenched his fists, a trace of determination flashing once more in his eyes.
"Teacher, I understand everything you said, but I…"
"I'm just not willing to accept this!"
Tang San murmured. After his words fell, he returned once more to the Shrek Academy rest area.
This time, the defeated look in his eyes had vanished—replaced by burning battle intent.
He would prove that Tang San was the most talented person on the Douluo Continent!
If not for the competition rules restricting the use of weapons, his strength would never have been so limited.
By this time, the Sky Water group had already left the Soul Fighting Arena.
Tang San could only glare at the chairs they had been sitting on, venting the frustration in his heart.
---
Glazed Tile Hotel
"This meal is on me—order whatever you want!"
Ning Rongrong stood with her hands on her hips, her face full of smug pride.
The Glazed Tile Hotel was an industry under the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The food and wine sold here were extremely difficult to find anywhere else.
And the prices were astonishingly high!
For Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, and the others, this was also their first time dining at the Glazed Tile Hotel. Given their financial situation, even eating here once freely would make their hearts ache for a long time.
"Thank you, Miss Rongrong!"
"Miss Ning is mighty and domineering!"
Amid their laughter and chatter, the girls began tasting delicacies they had never eaten before.
Wang Li and Xiao An had been here once before, with Ning Rongrong's father, Ning Fengzhi, paying the bill.
Back then, neither of them even looked at the menu—they only felt that the spread was incredibly lavish.
Xiao An didn't have much concept of gold soul coins.
But Wang Li knew very well how difficult it was to earn even a single gold soul coin.
Back when he used to fish, even during good market conditions, it would take over a month to earn just one gold soul coin.
One could only imagine…
"Hundred-Year Earth Dragon Tendon—one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight… gold soul coins?"
"Ten-Year Spinach—sixty-six gold soul coins?"
Staring at the menu, Wang Li suddenly understood why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was so wealthy!
After all, those capable of turning soul beasts into delicious dishes were exceedingly rare on the current Douluo Continent.
—
End of Chapter