The brief conflict within Dormitory Seven of the Nuoding Academy was like a pebble tossed into a calm lake; the ripples dissipated quickly, yet they quietly altered the subtle atmosphere.
Ever since the day he sparred with Xiao Wu and exchanged cold words, Tang San (using the alias Tang Chi) had completely immersed himself in his own world.
Aside from the academy's mandatory cultural and martial soul theory classes, he spent almost all his time cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill, honing his hidden weapon techniques, and familiarizing himself with his newly acquired first soul skill—Tough Spider Web.
The dean of Nuoding Academy, that elderly Soul King, became even more cautious in his "care" for Tang San after the boy successfully obtained his first soul ring.
He secretly instructed the mentor in charge of the work-study students to provide as much convenience as possible to the child named "Tang Chi," turning a blind eye to minor privileges as long as school rules weren't broken. This gave Tang San more time and space for solitary cultivation.
He chose a secluded grove behind the academy as his secret base. Whenever the night was deep and quiet, he would practice the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track Steps for maneuvering and evasion, the precise control of hidden weapons with his Mysterious Jade Hand, and the cultivation of his Purple Demon Eye.
The "Tough Spider Web" soul skill, granted by the four-hundred-year-old Golden Silk Spider soul ring, was also something he constantly explored, attempting to combine it with Tang Sect hidden weapon techniques. He discovered that this web was not only exceptionally tough but also carried a certain stickiness and powerful neurotoxins (inherent to the martial soul); if thrown with special techniques, it was highly effective for trapping enemies and launching sneak attacks.
His cultivation level rose steadily, driven by hatred and the profound nature of the Mysterious Heaven Skill, and he was not far from reaching level fourteen. The face beneath his Human Skin Mask grew increasingly resolute, and the coldness and wariness in his eyes deepened. He was like a young wolf lurking in the shadows, silently licking his wounds and sharpening his claws, waiting for the moment of revenge.
As for Xiao Wu, after declaring herself the boss of Dormitory Seven, she lived up to the name by "looking after" the work-study students. Naturally lively and energetic, she quickly became the ringleader among the children.
Although she still disliked the "spider stench" on Tang San that made her uncomfortable, that spar had made her realize that this taciturn guy was not simple. Coupled with the fact that Tang San occasionally helped out when they faced aristocratic students, the relationship between the two shifted from pure aversion to a subtle "peace" where neither interfered with the other.
Occasionally meeting in the cafeteria or on the road, Xiao Wu would lift her chin and huff, while Tang San would simply ignore her, and they would get along without incident.
However, the peaceful days were soon broken.
Although Nuoding City was small, the children of the few soul master families entrenched there had always acted like bullies within the academy, especially enjoying the oppression of work-study students who lacked backgrounds. In the past, the work-study students mostly swallowed their pride.
But Xiao Wu's arrival changed all that. With her formidable strength and fiery personality, she didn't suffer any losses after several conflicts; instead, she beat several aristocratic students until they were bruised and swollen.
This completely enraged those minor nobles. One day after school, led by the City Lord's Son (a level nineteen soul master with an Iron Armored Rhinoceros martial soul), seven or eight aristocratic students, accompanied by two family guards (at the Soul Grand Master level), blocked several work-study students who were alone at the academy's back gate, including Xiao Wu.
"Stinky rabbit! You were arrogant last time, but today I'll see if I don't skin you to make a scarf!" The City Lord's Son sneered, taking the lead to activate his martial soul and charge forward. The two family guards also released their soul rings, their soul power pressure enveloping the entire area.
The work-study students turned pale with fright. Although Xiao Wu was strong, she was outnumbered, and it looked like she was about to suffer.
Just then, a thin, small figure flashed out from the nearby alley like a ghost, moving so fast that only a blur remained!
It was Tang San!
He had been cultivating nearby and rushed over upon hearing the commotion. When he saw the ugly faces of those aristocratic students bullying others, especially the arrogant and domineering look of the City Lord's Son, it instantly triggered the image in his memory of his mother, Tang Miao, being bullied by Huyan Lian and eventually dying miserably! That suppressed anger and hatred in the depths of his heart erupted like a volcano!
"You... all deserve to die!" A flash of blood-red crossed Tang San's eyes. His Man Faced Demon Spider martial soul instantly possessed him, and a chilling, violent aura permeated the air. Without a word, he shifted his body to dodge the City Lord's Son's charge, executing his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track Steps to the limit, sliding between the two guards like an eel.
"First soul skill, Tough Spider Web!"
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Several white spider webs emitting a fishy, sweet scent shot out at extremely tricky angles. They weren't direct attacks, but rather meant to seal off the guards' evasion space! At the same time, his hands flickered repeatedly, and several Bone-Piercing Nails whistled through the air, aiming straight for the opponents' wrists, ankles, and other vital joints!
"Watch out for hidden weapons!" one guard exclaimed, hurriedly waving his blade to block. But they had clearly never encountered such an eerie and swift attack method. Caught off guard, one had his wrist struck by a Bone-Piercing Nail, causing his steel blade to fall, while the other was stuck by the edge of a spider web, his movements stalling.
Seizing this opportunity, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she let out a sharp cry: "Good timing!" Her Waist Bow exerted force, and her Soft Skill was activated. Her entire body, as if boneless, wrapped around the guard whose movements were hindered, her slender legs fiercely locking around his neck before she threw him down hard!
Bang! The guard was thrown until he was dizzy and disoriented.
Having succeeded in his first strike, Tang San did not stop. Stepping with his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track Steps, he stuck to the other blade-wielding guard like a maggot on a rotting bone.
His Mysterious Jade Hand, flickering with a faint jade luster, struck precisely on the back of the opponent's blade. A cold, hidden force penetrated through, making the guard feel his arm go numb and his attack slow down. Tang San's other hand, like a viper emerging from its hole, struck at the vital acupuncture point under the opponent's ribs!
On the other side, Xiao Wu also completely let go, her combat instincts as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast fully revealed. Although her soul power wasn't high, her movement techniques were agile and strange, and her attacks were ruthless and tricky, beating the City Lord's Son and the other aristocratic students until they cried for their parents and were scattered on the ground.
This brawl, which originally had a huge disparity in strength, saw the situation instantly reverse after the variable of Tang San joined in. The two of them—one eerie and ruthless, the other agile and swift—had no communication, yet they cooperated with a surprising degree of tacit understanding. In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the City Lord's Son and his gang were all lying on the ground, groaning incessantly.
Tang San coldly swept his gaze over the mess on the ground. The blood-red in his eyes slowly faded, but the cold killing intent made the aristocratic students on the ground feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave, shivering in silence. He walked to Xiao Wu's side, glanced at the "roommate" who had just fought alongside him, and said flatly: "Let's go."
Xiao Wu clapped her hands, put her hands on her hips, and huffed at the people on the ground: "If you dare bully our work-study students again, I'll beat you every time I see you! Let's go!" After saying this, she held her head high like a victorious little peacock and left side-by-side with Tang San.
After seeing the aristocratic students run away, Xiao Wu walked up to Tang San, looked at him with a complex expression, and curled her lips: "Hey! Tang Chi, I didn't expect you to be quite capable! Although the spider smell on you is still very unpleasant... but, thanks!"
Tang San took a deep breath, suppressing his surging killing intent, returned to his usual indifference, and said faintly: "It's nothing, I just can't stand them bullying people." Having said that, he turned and walked back to his own corner.
"Hey! Wait up!" Xiao Wu called him back. She tilted her head to think for a moment, then suddenly smiled, a smile like sunlight piercing through dark clouds, carrying a hint of cunning: "For the sake of your help today, I'll let the past go! From now on in Dormitory Seven, Big Sister Xiao Wu will cover you!"
Tang San's footsteps paused. He didn't look back, but his tense mouth seemed to loosen imperceptibly. Perhaps, in this cold world, having one more "ally" who wasn't annoying wasn't bad. At least, when facing those high-and-mighty nobles, he would no longer be alone.
After this battle, the work-study students felt proud and elated, and they admired Tang San and Xiao Wu even more. The relationship between Tang San and Xiao Wu also underwent a subtle change.
Although they still couldn't be called friends, at least they were no longer at daggers drawn. Xiao Wu would occasionally come over and curiously ask what those "nails that could turn corners" were. Tang San mostly remained silent, and only when he was annoyed by the questioning would he coldly reply: "Hidden weapons."
The ripples in Nuoding Academy were just a corner of the vast scroll painting of the Douluo Continent. At the same time, in the political and economic center of the continent—(Blue Lightning) Dragon City—within the Tianxing Martial Way Soul Master Academy, a gathering concerning future glory was quietly taking place.
Tianxing Academy, inner courtyard elite training ground.
Eight-year-old Yu Tianquan stood in the center of the field with his hands behind his back, dressed in a simple white training uniform. He stood tall and straight; although he was still young, his features were already beginning to sharpen. His rare heterochromia (ice-blue on the left, purple-gold on the right) held a composure beyond his years and... a faint, hard-to-detect arrogance that belonged to a genius.
He had just achieved a shocking feat in the academy's third-grade promotion assessment with his level twenty-four Soul Grand Master cultivation—single-handedly defeating a joint team composed of five top students with an average soul power of level thirty-two.
The battle process was clean and efficient. The powerful elemental control of his Silver Dragon Martial Soul (primarily ice and lightning) and the crushing physical strength and keen combat intuition he had cultivated since childhood were displayed to the fullest. In particular, his two thousand-year purple soul rings, which exceeded the limits, left the watching mentors and senior students dumbfounded.
After this battle, no one dared to look down on him because of his age. With his indisputable strength, he had secured in advance a spot on the seed team that Tianxing Academy was preparing for the "Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament" four years later.
At this moment, in the training ground, six other figures arrived one after another, standing opposite Yu Tianquan. They were between ten and thirteen years old, their auras varying in strength, but without exception, they all exuded a toughness and confidence far beyond their peers. They were Yu Tianquan's teammates for the next four years.
The first was tall and thin, with a cold expression and eyes as sharp as knives. A phantom of a uniquely shaped black short scythe hung at his waist. Gao Mingxuan, twelve years old, a level thirty-three Power Attack System Soul Elder, martial soul: Death Scythe. His father, Gao Zeyu, was a senior grade director at Tianxing Academy with the cultivation of a Soul Sage. The Gao family was originally of commoner origin, and it was only because his father's martial soul mutated and he cultivated diligently that they had their current status. Gao Mingxuan was even better than his father; the Death Scythe was a top-tier weapon soul, with eerie attacks containing an aura of death.
The second was a young girl dressed in light green sportswear. Her figure was already beginning to show curves, and her face was beautiful, but there was a faint, lingering green miasma between her brows, adding a touch of bewitching beauty. Dugu Yan, twelve years old, a level thirty-two Control System Soul Elder, martial soul: Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. She was the apple of the eye of the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo. With a deep family heritage, her knowledge of poison had already inherited thirty percent of her grandfather's true teachings.
The third and fourth were a pair of sturdy youths who looked almost identical. Their skin was bronze-colored, their muscles bulging, and they stood there like two iron towers. Shi Mo (older brother) and Shi Mo (younger brother), thirteen years old, both level thirty-two Defense System Soul Elders, martial soul: Black Tortoise Turtle. They were the sons of the Sect Master of the Black Tortoise Sect, one of the Lower Four Sects. The brothers were of one mind, possessed astonishing defensive power, and even held the trump card of a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
The fifth was a young girl with a cold temperament, wearing a plain white dress. Her appearance was stunningly beautiful, but her complexion was slightly pale, as if she did not eat the food of mortals. Ye Lingling, eleven years old, a level thirty-one Healing System Soul Elder, martial soul: Nine Heart Begonia. She was the pinnacle existence of healing weapon souls and had a deep connection with the Yu family. Her grandmother and Ye Zhilan were cousins, making her Yu Tianquan's distant cousin.
The sixth, a boy with a tiger-like head and a rebellious gaze, was only ten years old but already stood as tall as an average thirteen-year-old. His body was brimming with vigorous qi and blood, radiating a sense of explosive power. Tang Chuan, ten years old, a level 29 Power Attack System Soul Grand Master, Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. A direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect, son of Tang Hao, great-grandson of Tang Chen, possessing Innate Full Soul Power and extraordinary talent, he was hailed as having the potential to match his father.
These seven individuals were the prototype of the ace team that Tianxing Academy was pouring all its resources into cultivating, preparing them to compete in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament four years from now!
The mentor responsible for leading them was a veteran Soul Douluo Vice Dean. His gaze swept across the seven of them as he said in a deep voice, "From this day forward, the seven of you are a single entity."
"For the next eight years, you will train together, live together, and face challenges together. You have only one goal—to win the championship for Tianxing Academy in the tournaments four years and eight years from now!"
Once the Vice Dean finished his instructions, he left time for the team members to get to know one another.
The scene was quiet for a moment. Gao Mingxuan stood with his arms crossed, his expression cold. Dugu Yan looked at Yu Tianquan with curiosity, seemingly very interested in his heterochromia. The brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo smiled honestly. Tang Chuan wore an expression that suggested he thought he was the best in the world, his gaze occasionally darting toward Yu Tianquan with a mix of scrutiny and defiance.
Yu Tianquan remained as calm and indifferent as ever, appearing not to care much about the teammates before him.
He had his own pride. As the grandson of Yu Yuanchen, the son of Yu Yunting and the Snow Empress, and born with a god-level bloodline as a descendant of two gods, his perspective had long since transcended that of his peers. Joining the team was less about honor and more about a necessary form of training.
The most surprising reaction came from the usually cold Ye Lingling. When she saw Yu Tianquan, those beautiful eyes that seemed untainted by dust suddenly lit up, like ice melting and spring water beginning to flow.
She walked a few steps to Yu Tianquan, bent down, and pinched his chubby, fair cheeks with a smile: "Aha! Little Tianquan, long time no see, you've grown taller! Still looking so cool, come on, give your cousin a smile!"
Yu Tianquan's cool, little-adult expression instantly collapsed. His fair face flushed red as he attempted to dodge Ye Lingling's claws, but since her soul power was far higher than his, he couldn't escape. He could only stiffen his face and glare at Ye Lingling with his heterochromatic eyes, his expression full of embarrassment: "Cousin Lingling! Let go! We're in public, what kind of behavior is this!"
The others around them watched, dumbfounded. The corner of Gao Mingxuan's mouth twitched imperceptibly, Dugu Yan covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo scratched their heads and giggled, while Tang Chuan wore an "I see" expression.
They suddenly remembered that the Ye Family and the Yu Family were related by marriage; this Ye Lingling was indeed Yu Tianquan's distant cousin. They just hadn't expected that Ye Lingling, who usually didn't give anyone the time of day, would be so... lively in front of her cousin.
Ye Lingling, feeling playful, rubbed his cheeks a few more times before letting go with satisfaction, laughing: "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. We're teammates from now on, little Tianquan, you have to listen to your cousin!"
Yu Tianquan straightened his collar, which had been ruffled, and resumed his cool expression. He huffed and turned his head away, though his ears remained red. This interaction instantly bridged the distance between the team members, and the atmosphere became much more harmonious.
Because Yu Yunyao thought highly of Ye Lingling, she intended to take her as a disciple and guide her in the Martial Soul Evolution into the Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia, so that the bloodline of the Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia could be passed down.
Since there were no men in her generation that Yu Yunyao found satisfactory, and she had no intention of marrying, she didn't want the bloodline of the Sacred Heart Immortal Begonia to end there, so she thought of passing it down in this way.
Ye Lingling had therefore been raised by Yu Yunyao's side since she was young, which was how she had come to know Yu Tianquan. While Ye Lingling was always cold in front of outsiders, she only ever showed a sisterly closeness toward her little cousin. Perhaps it was because Yu Tianquan's cool, little-adult demeanor always made her want to tease him.
After a simple introduction, the seven of them had a preliminary understanding of each other. The Vice Dean returned and began to set up their initial team-building training—the seven of them had to join forces and hold out for the duration of one incense stick while he, a Soul Douluo, suppressed his cultivation to the Soul King level!
The training began immediately! Even suppressed to the level of a Soul King, the pressure of a Soul Douluo was no small matter! As soon as the battle started, the seven of them fell into a bitter struggle. Gao Mingxuan's Death Scythe was unpredictable, Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor controlled the field with poison, the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo's Black Tortoise Turtle formation was impenetrable, Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia healing light flashed frequently, Tang Chuan's Clear Sky Hammer was domineering, and Yu Tianquan's Silver Dragon Martial Soul, wielding both ice and lightning, launched the strongest attacks!
However, their first time working together was full of flaws. They fought individually, their soul skill coordination was clumsy, and they even frequently interfered with each other. In just a short moment, the seven of them were in danger; except for Yu Tianquan, who was being prioritized by Ye Lingling, the others were all injured, and Tang Chuan was nearly struck by a palm wind from the Vice Dean, almost losing his hammer.
"Coordinate! Pay attention to your coordination! Leave your backs to your teammates!" The Vice Dean's resonant voice echoed through the training ground.
Yu Tianquan frowned slightly. His figure flashed, and an ice-blue luster appeared on his silver dragon scales as an ice wall instantly condensed, blocking a fatal attack for Dugu Yan. Seeing this, Gao Mingxuan swung his Death Scythe in a strange arc, forcing the Vice Dean back and buying the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo a chance to catch their breath. Ye Lingling's healing light landed precisely on everyone who needed it.
Under immense pressure, the seven of them began to instinctively attempt to coordinate. Although still immature, they finally had the prototype of a team. When the time for one incense stick was up, the seven of them were disheveled but had gritted their teeth and held on.
The Vice Dean looked at the seven children, who were panting but had bright eyes, and nodded with satisfaction: "That's all for today. Remember this feeling; your teammates are the most solid support you will have on the battlefield in the future! Dismissed!"
The training ended, and the seven went their separate ways. Yu Tianquan glanced at Ye Lingling beside him, then looked at the backs of his other teammates, a glimmer of light flashing in his heterochromatic eyes. Team combat, it seemed... was actually quite interesting.
Meanwhile, in the distant Nuoding City, Tang San had just finished his day's cultivation. Looking at the stars in the night sky, he clenched his fists. He knew that his current strength was still a world away from avenging his mother. But he believed that with the ultimate skills of the Tang Sect and the wisdom of having lived two lives, one day, he would catch up to, and even surpass, them!
In the east of the continent, geniuses were gathering, sharpening their blades; in the southwest border, the son of vengeance was biding his time. Two vastly different trajectories of fate were slowly extending along their own paths toward an unknown future. The tournament stage eight years from now might be the first battlefield where they intersect. The undercurrent was already quietly accelerating beneath the calm surface of the sea.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan