In the back mountain of Shrek Academy, inside Dean Flender's office, the air seemed to have frozen solid.
Flender pushed up his signature crystal-rimmed glasses. The gaze behind the lenses was as sharp as a hawk's, repeatedly scanning the scene of the conflict that had just concluded, as well as Tang San—who was being supported by Xiao Wu and Oscar, his face pale but his eyes stubborn—and on the other side, Dai Mubai, who was unconscious and receiving emergency treatment from Li Yusong and Lu Qibin.
His heart had long since been stirred by raging waves, far from as calm as his exterior suggested.
"Twin Martial Souls... and beyond the Man Faced Demon Spider, it's actually a Dragon Martial Soul! A Crimson Gold Dragon... looking at the form and might of those dragon claws, the grade is absolutely top-tier! It's even... not inferior to the inherited Martial Soul of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan of the Upper Three Sects!"
Flender's heart hammered against his ribs. As a dean who took pleasure in "collecting monsters," discovering a piece of uncut jade like Tang San made him even more excited than if he had found a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone.
However, beneath the excitement lay immense doubt and a trace of unease. "That old brat Tuoba Xi's White Armored Earth Dragon Martial Soul, while also a top-tier dragon, leans more toward strength and defense, carrying an earth attribute. But this Crimson Gold Dragon... so pure, overbearing, and filled with a killing intent that could tear through everything—is this really a mutation of the White Armored Earth Dragon? Isn't the span of this mutation a bit too wide?"
An absurd thought that he couldn't help but entertain swirled in his mind: "If I didn't already know he was Tuoba Xi's seed, just looking at these Crimson Gold Dragon claws... I would have suspected he was a bloodline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan left out in the cold!"
After all, that ability to instantly dragonize was uncannily similar to the top-secret technique of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—the True Dragon Transformation! It was a terrifying combat skill that perfectly combined dragon bloodline, Bloodline Power, and Soul Power to briefly erupt with power far exceeding one's current realm.
But Flender quickly discovered the differences. "No... Tang San's dragonization seems to rely more on his own blood and that hidden bloodline power; his Soul Power acts more like a trigger than the dominant force? Strange, too strange..." He felt that what he had picked up wasn't just a simple treasure, but a treasure wrapped in layers of mist, or perhaps... a hot potato.
As his gaze fell once more upon the unconscious Dai Mubai, Flender felt a headache coming on. The Dai Family of Star Luo behind Dai Mubai was not to be trifled with. Although the Star Luo Empire no longer existed and the Dai Family had integrated into the Federation, their influence remained deeply entrenched. Now, before the Seed Team had even taken shape, the core members had already turned into mortal enemies through infighting.
"Sigh, trouble, truly massive trouble..." Flender rubbed his temples, but the gleam deep within his eyes grew brighter. "However... the greater the risk, the higher the reward! If I can cultivate this kid... hehe..." He had already begun to fantasize about Shrek Academy shining brilliantly in future tournaments thanks to Tang San.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, who was helping Tang San walk back, felt emotions that were complex to the extreme.
She looked at the tightly pressed lips and slightly furrowed brows on Tang San's pale profile, while her mind kept replaying the moment that Crimson Gold Dragon claw appeared, the overwhelming dragon might, and the flash of violence and unfamiliarity in Tang San's eyes.
That dragon might... that dragon claw...
Nightmare-like fragments of memory surged into her mind! That was the day of blood she could never forget!
The towering Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon True Body tearing through the sky, the terrifying thunder raging, her mother's (a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit) shrill screams, the angry and desperate roars of the Sky Azure Bull Python Da Ming, and even the fact that the Titan Giant Ape Er Ming had been surrounded and killed in battle by the Clear Sky Sect long before... and the man who led that siege, his hands stained with the blood of her kin, was none other than the now-renowned Yuan Chen God King—Yu Yuanchen! The man who possessed the supreme Thunder Sacred Dragon Martial Soul!
Although the attributes of Tang San's Crimson Gold dragon might and Yu Yuanchen's thunder dragon might were vastly different—one focused on violent slaughter, the other on thunderous transformation—that sense of oppression belonging to a top-tier dragon, high and mighty, looking down on all beings, was so similar! It made her, a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit, tremble and fear from the depths of her soul!
Over the past few years, due to Tang San's company and the relatively peaceful life at the human academy, the bone-deep hatred in her heart seemed to have been covered in dust. She had even become somewhat addicted to this "playing house" state where she didn't have to live in constant fear and could eat, drink, and have fun without a care.
Perhaps, subconsciously, she had long understood that relying on her own Soft Bone Rabbit racial talent to seek revenge against Yu Yuanchen, who had become a God King, was nothing more than a pipe dream. That sense of despair made her unconsciously "give up."
But today, Tang San's sudden second Martial Soul, this incredibly powerful Crimson Gold dragon claw, was like a thunderbolt that violently split open the past she had tried so hard to forget!
"Revenge... I came here for revenge..." Xiao Wu's heart trembled, but her eyes gradually became firm, even bordering on obsessive. "I can't do it on my own... but if... if he could..."
She looked at Tang San, her gaze growing scorching. Tang San's Twin Martial Souls, especially this Crimson Gold Dragon Martial Soul with infinite potential, allowed her to see a faint glimmer of light in the endless darkness.
"The Man Faced Demon Spider plus the Crimson Gold Dragon... his talent might truly have a chance to grow to that height! As long as... as long as I can guide him and make him strong enough!"
Once this thought sprouted, it grew wildly. Xiao Wu gripped Tang San's arm tightly, as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw.
She decided to get closer to Tang San, using every possible means to help him, guide him, and make him the "sharp sword" for her revenge! As for what she would have to pay in the process, or whether it was fair, Xiao Wu, whose mind was clouded by hatred and "hope," could no longer care.
She, a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast who didn't understand human affairs and had a simple mind, would never have guessed that her existence and her plan to "cultivate a human for revenge" had fallen into the chess game of two God Kings from the very beginning, becoming a pawn pushing the gears of fate.
Over the next half year, the atmosphere in the Shrek Academy Seed Team dropped to freezing.
After Dai Mubai recovered from his injuries, his hostility toward Tang San only increased, viewing him as a mortal enemy. With him at the lead, joined by the Food System Soul Master Oscar and the Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Hongjun, they formed a small clique, openly and secretly ostracizing Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Tang San's personality became even gloomier; he spent most of his time immersed in cultivation and research, barely communicating with anyone other than Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu focused entirely on Tang San, and the two became a world unto themselves.
Meanwhile, Li Qingshan (Dragon Patterned Stick) and Lu Ziqi (Star Luo Chess) chose to protect their own interests, turning a blind eye to the conflict between the two sides and forming a neutral faction.
Flender looked at the clearly divided team, which lacked any semblance of tacit understanding, and felt a splitting headache. If this continued, let alone achieving good results in the tournament, it would be a miracle if the team didn't disband.
"This cannot go on!" Flender slammed the table, his mind made up. "I must use actual combat to grind down the edges of these little brats! They need to see blood and take a beating together before they'll know who is a teammate they can entrust their backs to!"
With a wave of his hand, he made his decision: starting today, the Shrek Seed Team would head to the Suotuo Great Soul Arena for a month of intensive team soul fighting training!
When the news was announced, the members reacted differently. Dai Mubai rubbed his hands, preparing to settle the score in the arena; Oscar and Ma Hongjun were both excited and nervous; Li Qingshan and Lu Ziqi were indifferent; Tang San's eyes flickered, seemingly viewing this as an excellent opportunity to improve his practical experience; Xiao Wu was somewhat worried, but felt more confidence in Tang San.
Over the past half year, with the aid of the cultivation resources provided by Shrek Academy, which far exceeded those of Nuoding City (although Flender was stingy, he had invested heavily in the seed members—though most of the costs were put on credit), everyone's cultivation level had improved significantly.
Dai Mubai, fifteen years old, level 43 Soul Ancestor;
Oscar, fourteen years old, level 35 Soul Elder;
Ma Hongjun, twelve years old, level 33 Soul Elder;
Li Qingshan, fifteen years old, level 37 Soul Elder;
Lu Ziqi, fifteen years old, level 36 Soul Elder;
And those with the greatest progress were undoubtedly Tang San and Xiao Wu. Previously in Nuoding City, they had almost no access to decent auxiliary cultivation resources or pills that could increase Soul Power without side effects. This half-year of "pampering" allowed their potential to erupt, with their Soul Power breaking through four levels in succession!
Tang San, twelve years old, level 36 Soul Elder!
Xiao Wu, twelve years old, level 36 Soul Elder!
The increase in level and the nourishment of resources also made Tang San and Xiao Wu deeply realize the importance of resources, sparking a stronger desire for greater power and more resources.
The Suotuo Great Soul Arena was brightly lit and bustling with noise.
The Shrek Team's debut was not smooth. The seven of them fought as individuals, with no coordination whatsoever. Although they barely managed to win a few matches against weak opponents due to their individual strength, they appeared clumsy and struggled significantly when facing teams with tacit coordination.
The shadow of defeat and the boos from the audience were like buckets of cold water poured over their heads.
Even the most arrogant Dai Mubai, after a team collapse nearly occurred due to his reckless solo charge, had a look on his face that had turned extremely ugly.
Flender's merciless criticism during every post-match review made them realize the severity of the problem.
The turning point occurred during a seemingly ordinary team soul fight.
The opponents for Shrek Team this time were a team called Iron Wall. The cultivation levels of the members in this team generally ranged between level 35 and 38; looking at soul power alone, they were even slightly inferior to Shrek Team. Their martial souls were not top-tier either, mostly consisting of defense-oriented types like rhinoceros, Iron Armored Beast, and granite.
However, as soon as the match began, Shrek Team fell into an unprecedentedly bitter struggle!
The seven members of the Iron Wall team coordinated with a degree of tacit understanding that was infuriating! Their tactics were extremely simple yet incredibly effective: the three strongest defense system soul masters stood at the very front like moving fortresses, resisting all of Shrek's attacks head-on.
Two agility attack type soul masters roamed the flanks to harass, specifically targeting members with weaker defenses like Oscar and Ma Hongjun.
Meanwhile, their captain—a level 38 control system soul master whose martial soul was a Swamp Giant Crocodile—coordinated from the center. His soul skills could create large-scale swamp areas, severely restricting the movement speed of everyone on Shrek Team!
Looking at Shrek Team, their problems were exposed completely.
Dai Mubai was single-mindedly focused on launching a strong attack to prove himself, often charging deep into enemy lines and becoming disconnected from his teammates.
Tang San was accustomed to fighting alone, and his control and attacks were poorly integrated with his teammates.
Although Xiao Wu was agile, she lacked effective support.
Li Qingshan and Lu Ziqi attempted to control the field, but their effectiveness was greatly reduced because the front line couldn't hold and the flanks were being harassed.
Oscar's sausage supply line was intermittent.
Ma Hongjun's phoenix flames occasionally caused friendly fire...
For a time, Shrek Team was beaten into a state of chaos, retreating step by step.
Dai Mubai charged fiercely several times, only to be blocked back by the joint efforts of the opponent's three-man iron wall formation, and he was nearly ambushed by the agility soul masters on the flanks.
Tang San's Tough Spider Web was often neutralized or restricted by the opponent's control soul master's swamp as soon as it was released.
Xiao Wu's soft skills had their power greatly reduced in the mud.
"Damn it! These turtles!" Dai Mubai, unable to break through after a long time, roared in anger, having added several more wounds to his body.
"Boss Dai, pull back! The formation is scattered!" Li Qingshan shouted anxiously.
"Oscar, Recovery Great Sausage!" Lu Ziqi urged while using Star Luo Chess Deployment to lay down obstacles.
The situation was extremely passive, and boos even erupted from the audience. Flender's complexion on the viewing platform was livid; he wished he could go down there himself and beat these disappointing kids.
Tang San's brows were tightly locked; if things continued like this, defeat was inevitable. He glanced at Xiao Wu, who was also trapped in the swamp and moving sluggishly, then looked at Dai Mubai, who was acting like a crazed tiger in front but was repeatedly thwarted. A battle raged within his heart. Personal grievances versus team victory—which was heavier?
Just as the opponent's control soul master activated a soul skill again and a larger swamp was about to swallow the immobilized Xiao Wu, a flash of resolution crossed Tang San's eyes!
"Boss Dai!" Tang San suddenly shouted, his voice piercing through the clamor of the arena. This was the first time he had called Dai Mubai "Boss."
Dai Mubai was stunned and subconsciously looked back, seeing the unusually serious yet sincere look in Tang San's eyes.
Tang San lowered his voice, speaking at a rapid pace: "Their core is that control soul master! I will restrict him from the front; your White Tiger Meteor Shower should cover his left and right sides—don't let him dodge.
Li Qingshan, use your Dragon Patterned Stick to disrupt the ground beneath his feet! Lu Ziqi, use your chess game to trap his retreat path! Xiao Wu, prepare to charge! Oscar, sausages!"
This series of instructions was clear and precise, instantly pointing out the key! Although Dai Mubai was extremely annoyed with Tang San, he knew this was the only chance to break the stalemate! He gritted his teeth and roared: "Fine! I'll listen to you once! Brothers, coordinate!"
"First Soul Skill, Tough Spider Web!" Tang San did not hesitate; a massive spider web shot accurately toward the front of the opponent's control soul master, forcing him to respond.
"Fourth Soul Skill, White Tiger Meteor Shower!" Dai Mubai suppressed his annoyance toward Tang San and poured his rage onto the opponent, with countless light bullets covering the space to the left and right of the control soul master.
"Third Soul Skill, Thousand Layered Stick Shadows!" Li Qingshan's Dragon Patterned Stick turned into streaks of stick shadows, smashing fiercely into the ground beneath the control soul master's feet to disrupt his center of gravity.
"Second Soul Skill, Star Luo Chessboard!" Lu Ziqi waved his hand to lay down a soul power chessboard, sealing off the control soul master's retreat path.
"Third Soul Skill, Instantaneous Movement!" Xiao Wu seized the timing, instantly breaking free from the swamp and appearing behind the briefly restricted control soul master, launching her Waist Bow!
This sudden, tacit coordination caught the Iron Wall team off guard! Their control core was instantly focused upon; although they barely held on thanks to their levels and defenses, their rhythm was completely disrupted!
"Now! Full attack!" Tang San whispered, his Man Faced Demon Spider martial soul manifesting as he charged first. Dai Mubai roared and followed.
Having lost the effective coordination of their control soul master, the Iron Wall team's bucket-tight formation developed cracks. Shrek Team seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, and although their coordination was still rusty, they finally turned the tide. After a bitter struggle, they eventually won the victory by a narrow margin.
After the match ended, the members of Shrek Team collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. Although they had won, there was not much joy on anyone's face, only exhaustion and lingering fear.
Dai Mubai looked at Tang San, who was also panting not far away, his eyes complex. The coordination from just a moment ago had indeed played a key role.
He snorted coldly and turned his head away, but the hostility that had previously seemed like it would never end seemed to have... faded quite a bit. At least, when facing a common, powerful enemy, they could temporarily set aside their prejudices.
Flender nodded slightly on the viewing platform; it was finally starting to look like something. Real combat was indeed the best catalyst for tempering a team.
In the subsequent soul fighting matches, although Shrek Team was still stumbling, the members began to have simple communication and tactical execution.
A strange, tacit understanding formed between Dai Mubai and Tang San, with one focusing on offense and the other on support, greatly increasing their power. Over the course of a month, they had stumbled their way to obtaining the Silver Soul Fighting Badge, and their team cohesion had significantly improved.
However, just as Shrek Team was gradually finding a sense of teamwork, they encountered an unprecedentedly powerful opponent in their final team soul fight at the Great Soul Arena—the Tianxing Team!
It was not the monstrous team that Yu Tianquan belonged to, but another seed team cultivated by Tianxing Academy. But even so, the fame of the continent's number one academy still made the entire Suotuo Great Soul Arena boil with excitement!
The members of both sides took the stage.
The Tianxing Team, a seven-man lineup, possessed an extraordinary aura:
Captain: Meng Yiran, fifteen years old, martial soul Dragon Snake Scepter, level 45 assault type battle soul ancestor, tall and slender with a cold, beautiful face.
Vice-captain: Ning Rongrong, twelve years old, martial soul Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, level 39 support system vessel soul elder, petite and cute with lively eyes.
Lei Dong, fifteen years old, martial soul Lightning Leopard, level 43 agility attack type battle soul ancestor, with a robust physique.
Song Qing, fifteen years old, martial soul Sky Blue Vine, level 44 control system battle soul ancestor, with a composed temperament.
The other three were ordinary genius students from Tianxing Academy: Zhang Long (fourteen years old, martial soul Iron Armored Rhinoceros, level 38 assault type soul elder), Zhao Hu (fourteen years old, martial soul Wind Wolf, level 38 agility attack type soul elder), and Wang Ming (thirteen years old, martial soul Rock Golem, level 38 defense system soul elder).
The Shrek Team was under immense pressure. Looking solely at Soul Power Level, the opposition held a comprehensive advantage!
As the battle began, the Tianxing Team displayed the discipline of a top-tier academy. Under the enhancement of Ning Rongrong's brilliant Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda (boosting strength, speed, soul power, and defense), the attributes of every Tianxing Team member surged!
Meng Yiran brandished her Dragon Snake Scepter with fierce momentum, single-handedly suppressing the combined efforts of Dai Mubai and Li Qingshan! Lei Dong transformed into a bolt of Blue Lightning, weaving across the arena with speed far exceeding Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun, constantly harassing the backline.
Song Qing's Sky Blue Vine moved like a phantom, precisely restricting the control of Tang San and Lu Ziqi while continuously fracturing the Shrek formation! Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and Wang Ming formed a solid frontline, advancing steadily.
The Shrek Team fell into the most difficult battle since the tournament began! Even with their previous coordination, they were beaten into a state of having no power to fight back in the face of absolute strength and perfect team synergy!
Dai Mubai roared repeatedly but could not break through the shadows of Meng Yiran's scepter; Tang San's spider webs and Lu Ziqi's chessboard were repeatedly punctured in advance by Song Qing's Sky Blue Vine; Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun were in constant danger before the speed-crushing Lei Dong; Oscar could barely get his sausages out...
"Bang!" Caught off guard, Xiao Wu was struck in the shoulder by a claw attack from Lei Dong that carried a paralysis effect. She let out a miserable cry and flew backward, spitting blood; she was clearly heavily injured!
"Xiao Wu!" Tang San's eyes were about to split! Seeing Xiao Wu injured, his mind went blank for a moment, leaving only surging rage and killing intent! The memory of his mother's tragic death and the shadow of being hunted down overlapped with the image of Xiao Wu's injury, completely igniting the violence deep within his heart!
"You all... deserve to die!!!" Tang San let out a beast-like roar, his eyes instantly bloodshot!
Hum—!
An aura far more terrifying and brutal than when he fought Dai Mubai erupted from his body! A crimson gold light shot into the sky!
Crack! Crack!
The eight purple-black, somewhat illusory spider legs that had appeared on his back due to his martial soul manifestation suddenly became as sharp as spears, flickering with a cold, metallic sheen. This was the External Soul Bone—Eight Spider Lances.
At the same time, his right arm underwent dragonization once more, covered in Crimson Gold Dragon scales and transforming into a ferocious dragon claw! The chilling aura of the Man Faced Demon Spider intertwined with the domineering aura of the Crimson Gold Dragon, making him look like a Demon God returned from hell!
"What is that?!"
The entire arena was in an uproar! Even Flender on the viewing platform stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief! "Could this be... an External Soul Bone?! And this dragonization... it's more complete than last time! This kid..."
Having unleashed his trump card, Tang San's strength skyrocketed! The Eight Spider Lances granted him extreme speed, attack power, and lethal poison, while the dragon claw provided unstoppable tearing ability! Like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, he instantly threw the Tianxing Team's formation into chaos!
The Eight Spider Lances pierced wildly, and the dragon claw tore through everything! Meng Yiran's scepter shadows were forcibly ripped open, Lei Dong's speed appeared sluggish before the rapid Eight Spider Lances, and Song Qing's Sky Blue Vine was easily shredded by the dragon claw! Tang San was fighting with a style of trading injury for injury and life for life, acting like a madman!
The Tianxing Team was stunned! They had never seen such a crazy, reckless opponent! Under Tang San's desperate fight, Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and Wang Ming were the first to be heavily injured and eliminated, Lei Dong and Song Qing were also severely wounded, and Meng Yiran was forced to retreat repeatedly!
However, the foundation of the Tianxing Team was indeed deep. Under the all-out support of Ning Rongrong, who spared no soul power, Meng Yiran, Lei Dong, and Song Qing barely managed to withstand Tang San's frantic assault, and both sides fell into a brutal war of attrition!
In the end, the only ones left standing on the field were the pale-faced Ning Rongrong, who had been protected to the death by her teammates in the back, and Tang San, whose soul power was nearly exhausted, covered in blood, and whose Eight Spider Lances and dragon claw were dimming.
Tang San gasped for air, walking toward Ning Rongrong step by step, his killing intent undiminished. As long as he eliminated this support, Shrek would win!
Watching the approaching Tang San, a flash of panic crossed Ning Rongrong's small face, but it was immediately replaced by firmness. She took a deep breath, flipped her wrist, and produced a foot-long, exquisitely crafted hand crossbow engraved with complex runes—it was a Level Four Soul Tool! It was the "Soul Chasing Crossbow" she had crafted herself!
"Go!" Ning Rongrong shouted, injecting her remaining soul power into the crossbow. A solidified green light bolt shot toward Tang San like lightning! After all, she was a Support System Soul Master and lacked combat experience; although the arrow was fast, it lacked variation.
Although Tang San was at the end of his rope, his combat instincts remained. He barely leaned to the side, and the crossbow bolt grazed his shoulder, drawing a trail of blood. However, his forward momentum was also blocked.
Ning Rongrong wanted to fire again, but her face turned pale; her soul power had bottomed out. A cold light flashed in Tang San's eyes, and he forced his last bit of soul power, slamming his dragon claw down!
Just as the dragon claw was about to strike Ning Rongrong, a Soul Tool Barrier appeared in time, blocking the attack.
Ning Rongrong had used her last bit of soul power to activate it. A Level Four defensive soul tool.
After this strike, both Tang San and Ning Rongrong collapsed from exhaustion.
"Both team members have lost their combat capability. The match is over! It's a draw!" the referee announced loudly.
Tang San's body swayed, his Eight Spider Lances and dragonization state dissipated, and he slumped to the ground. Ning Rongrong also let out a sigh of relief and sat down limply.
A brutal battle ended in a draw.
On the viewing platform, Flender looked at the unconscious Tang San and the shaken Ning Rongrong below, his expression incredibly complex.
Tang San's trump cards and potential far exceeded his imagination, but the violence and lack of control within that power also made him deeply worried.
And Ning Rongrong, that little girl from the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, was actually a Level Four Soul Master... This Tianxing Academy was truly full of hidden talents!
The Shrek Team's trip to Suotuo City concluded with this shocking draw. And the name Tang San, along with his bizarre External Soul Bone and powerful second martial soul, entered the sights of some of the continent's top powers for the first time. The storm seemed to have only just begun to brew.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan