Time flew by swiftly as the sun and moon alternated like a shuttle. Nine months had quietly passed in intense cultivation and preparation since the members of the Royal Fight Team completed their Marrow Cleansing Skill. The Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was approaching, and the atmosphere in Heaven Dou City grew increasingly thick with competitive anticipation.
Several significant events had occurred during these nine months.
First, regarding the matter of the special guest for the tournament's opening ceremony, after Marco conveyed Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's intention, Father Ye carefully considered and finally replied: he agreed to attend the opening ceremony as a special guest but politely declined the speech segment, expressing his preference to observe the grand event as a spectator. The empire expressed understanding and respect for this decision, and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe personally sent a letter of gratitude and VIP credentials. This outcome reflected both the empire's regard for the Ye family and aligned with Father Ye's unassuming nature.
However, what truly sent shockwaves through the Soul Master Realm in Heaven Dou City were two major incidents at Shrek Academy.
About six months ago, a powerful Soul Power pressure suddenly erupted from the direction of Shrek Academy, reaching the level of a Soul Douluo! Though it lasted only momentarily, it was sensed by numerous powerful figures in Heaven Dou City. Immediately, rumors spread that Shrek Academy harbored a Soul Douluo-level expert, casting a veil of mystery over the previously obscure academy and attracting attention and speculation from various factions. Some rumors claimed that the hot-tempered Vice Principal Liu Erlong had achieved a breakthrough, while others suggested the academy had invited a reclusive master to oversee it.
Even more astonishing news emerged one month before the tournament began. A spy planted by Osler near Shrek Academy risked his life to bring back earth-shattering intelligence: Tang San, the pivotal control-system Soul Master of the Shrek Seven Devils, was actually a once-in-a-century possessor of Twin Spirits! His second Martial Soul was none other than the Clear Sky Hammer—the number one Item Martial Soul under heaven!
This news was like a massive rock thrown into a calm lake, causing tremendous shock within the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, especially among the core members of the Royal Fight Team!
When Osler hurriedly brought this news to the training ground and informed everyone, all were stunned except for Marco, who had already suspected it!
"What?! Twin Spirits?! Clear Sky Hammer?!" Yu Tianheng abruptly stood up from his seat, his face filled with disbelief. "Tang San's second Martial Soul is the Clear Sky Hammer? How is that possible!"
Dugu Yan covered her mouth with her hand, her beautiful eyes wide open. "Twin Spirits... Clear Sky Hammer... No wonder his Blue Silver Grass is so formidable. So this was his real trump card!"
The Shímò and Shímó brothers looked at each other, their honest faces also filled with shock.
Ye Lingling exclaimed, "Heavens! Twin Spirits! We actually fought against a genius with Twin Spirits!"
Li Qiuyao blinked her large eyes. Though she didn't fully grasp the significance of Twin Spirits, she could tell from everyone's stunned reactions that it was extraordinary.
Osler gestured excitedly, "I knew that kid wasn't simple! So he was hiding such a huge secret! The Clear Sky Hammer! The number one Item Martial Soul under heaven!"
Even the usually stern Lu Zhou tightened his grip on his sword hilt slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
After the initial shock, everyone quickly connected the dots to an even more astonishing truth.
"Hammer of Clear Sky... the surname Tang..." Yu Tianheng took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly, "Could it be... Tang San is the son of that legendary Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao?!"
The moment these words were spoken, the training ground fell into dead silence!
Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao! The legendary figure who single-handedly severely wounded the Spirit Hall's Pope all those years ago! If Tang San was his son, then everything made sense! The inheritance of Twin Spirits, the legacy of the Clear Sky Hammer...
"This matter is of utmost importance!" Dugu Yan said with a grave expression, "The appearance of Clear Sky Douluo's son, who also possesses Twin Spirits—if this news spreads, it could cause massive waves!"
"Exactly," Yu Tianheng nodded, "The Spirit Hall would never stand idly by. This information must be strictly confidential, limited only to us few. It must not be leaked!" As a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he understood the complex implications involved.
Everyone nodded in agreement, realizing the seriousness of the situation. Apart from their core members and a handful of others like the three Education Committee members, this information hadn't widely spread throughout Heaven Dou City. Clearly, various forces were either observing quietly from the shadows or intentionally controlling the spread of the news.
The atmosphere before the grand competition grew increasingly tense and mysterious due to the consecutive "revelations" about Shrek Academy and Tang San.
Finally, three days before the official start of the competition, all members of the Royal Fight Team gathered at Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's No. 1 Training Ground for their final pre-battle mobilization. The three Education Committee members were also present in person.
Chief Meng Shenji scanned the spirited team members and said solemnly, "The competition begins tomorrow! Nine months of arduous training have all been for this moment! The honor of Heavenly Dou Royal Academy and the empire's expectations rest on your shoulders! Tell me, are you ready?!"
"We're ready!" everyone responded in unison, their voices resounding and battle spirit soaring!
"Good!" Meng Shenji nodded with satisfaction, "The specific tactical arrangements will be explained by Marco."
All eyes turned to Marco.
Marco stepped forward, calmly scanning the group before speaking slowly, "Everyone should be clear about this year's competition format by now. The preliminary rounds are held in each division, with five qualifying spots from our Heaven Dou division. Then comes the Heaven Dou Empire's advancement tournament, which selects fifteen teams. Finally, these fifteen teams will join the fifteen teams selected by the Star Luo Empire, plus one team directly advanced by the Spirit Hall—thirty-one teams in total—gathering at the final competition venue to compete for the championship."
He paused before dropping a bombshell: "My plan is for the Royal Fight Team to split into two groups."
"Split into two groups?" Everyone was stunned.
"That's right," Marco explained, "Team One will consist of Lu Zhou as captain, with Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Shimo, Shimò, Ye Lingling, and Osler—seven of you forming what we'll call 'Royal Fight Team Two.' I will form a separate team alone, taking Li Qiuyao with me for training."
"What?!"
"Brother Marco, you're going alone in one team?"
"This... this can't work!"
The crowd erupted in surprise, and even the three Education Committee members showed astonishment. Though everyone knew Marco possessed extraordinary strength, the Soul Master competition was a team event—how could one person possibly advance through all the stages?
Marco raised his hand to quiet the discussions, his tone calm yet carrying absolute confidence: "With my strength, even if I were alone, it would be more than enough to go from the preliminaries to the finals. Do you still not believe in my capabilities?"
The training ground instantly fell silent. Everyone exchanged glances, then showed helpless bitter smiles and expressions of resignation.
Yu Tianheng said with a wry smile: "Of course we believe in Brother Marco's strength. It's just... this is too astonishing."
Dugu Yan also shook her head: "One person clearing the entire tournament... I'm afraid it's unprecedented."
Osler said excitedly: "If the boss takes action, there's definitely no problem! It's just... it'll be too hard on you, boss!"
The three Education Committee members exchanged glances, seeing shock in each other's eyes, but more than that, trust in Marco's capabilities. Meng Shenji pondered and said: "Marco, are you sure about this? Although the tournament rules allow it, participating alone would be an enormous test of your Soul Power consumption and tactical arrangements."
Marco smiled faintly: "Committee members, rest assured, I know my limits. This arrangement has several advantages. First, it ensures our Heavenly Dou Royal Academy has two teams entering the finals, possibly even taking the top two spots, maximizing the display of the academy's strength. Second, the second team will be led by Lu Zhou. You seven have excellent coordination and are strong enough to stand out from the preliminaries. Although I'm their captain, I haven't had much team practice with them. Third..." His gaze swept over everyone, "I also want to see how much potential you can unleash without me on the field. True strength grows under pressure."
He looked at Lu Zhou: "I believe Brother Lu has the capability to lead the Royal Fight Team to defeat all opponents."
Lu Zhou met Marco's gaze, his stern face showing no expression, but he nodded heavily.
Yu Tianheng and the others understood Marco's deeper meaning. This was both trust and a test. Without Marco as their mountain bearing the weight ahead, they would have to rely on their own strength to face all challenges! This undoubtedly brought tremendous pressure, but it was also the best way to stimulate their potential!
"We understand!" Yu Tianheng took a deep breath, his eyes determined, "Team One will definitely not bring shame to the academy! We will definitely fight our way into the finals!"
Dugu Yan, Shimo, Shimò and others also voiced their determination, their fighting spirit soaring.
Marco nodded with satisfaction, a playful smile appearing on his face: "Alright, enough dawdling. Just watch my performance when the time comes. Team One shouldn't slack off either - if you can't even make it to the finals, just wait and see how I deal with you when I get back."
Everyone was momentarily stunned, then they all laughed, the tense atmosphere easing considerably.
"Don't worry, boss! We can definitely do it!" Osler promised, patting his chest.
"Brother, just wait to see our performance in the finals!" Ye Lingling waved her small fist.
Li Qiuyao also said in her childish voice: "Brother Marco, do your best! I'll do my best too!"
The pre-battle mobilization ended in an atmosphere that was both tense and full of confidence. The three Education Committee members offered a few more words of encouragement before leaving, giving the team members their final private time.
After everyone had dispersed, Marco stood alone in the center of the training ground, gazing out the window at the gradually darkening sky, his eyes profound.
"Twin Spirits, Clear Sky Hammer... Tang Hao's son... Soul Douluo pressure... Shrek Academy, truly giving everyone a 'surprise'," he murmured softly. "Spirit Hall... the Upper Three Sects... the Empire... the gaze of all major powers must now be focused on Heaven Dou City."
"This works just as well." A faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. "The murkier the waters, the more opportunities arise. Tang San, let me see how far you, this 'Child of Destiny', can go in this grand feast gathering attention from across the continent. And I..." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "will leave my own mark in this tournament in my own way."
The Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, this destined-to-be magnificent stage, was about to begin.