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Repairing the arena wouldn't take five full days.
Bibi Dong's extended break was clearly intended to give her team time to study countermeasures against Seven Treasures Academy in preparation for the upcoming championship match, ensuring the Spirit Hall Academy team could secure victory.
However, this was a two-way street—Seven Treasures Academy could also use this time to analyze their opponents.
With two Title Douluos, Dugu Bo and Ke Jie, leading the charge, supported by the three Soul Douluo from the Three Elements Academies, both sides made meticulous tactical preparations to ensure they were ready for the final showdown.
"Teacher, isn't this tactical arrangement overly complicated? I think it'd be better to keep things simple," Ning Tianchen suddenly remarked.
The more complex the tactics, the higher the risk of mistakes. Moreover, they didn't have access to a training ground during these five days to practice the new strategies.
Of course, it wasn't that they couldn't find a venue—it was just that they were in Spirit City, where the Spirit Hall had eyes everywhere. Trying to develop an entirely new strategy under the watchful gaze of the Spirit Hall was simply unrealistic.
After Ning Tianchen spoke, the rest of the Seven Treasures team nodded in agreement.
By this stage of the tournament, the pressure on the team members was immense. Adding overly complex tactics would almost certainly lead to errors.
Ke Jie understood this logic and explained, "These tactics aren't meant for you to master completely. Instead, they're designed to familiarize you with possible options. When the Spirit Hall team changes formations, you'll be able to respond immediately."
"But are we overthinking this?"
Dugu Bo analyzed, "The Spirit Hall has many scholars. Their priority should be figuring out how to defeat our team, not devising overly elaborate tactics for their own squad."
"I think we should shift our focus. Let's examine the Spirit Hall team's members and identify potential weaknesses in their tactics."
Everyone agreed with his suggestion.
The previous discussion results weren't discarded but instead applied to analyzing the Spirit Hall team, helping Seven Treasures Academy devise countermeasures.
---
Inside Shrek Academy's room.
Since being carried back, the room had been eerily silent.
The healing-type soul masters Flender hired had cured everyone except Dai Mubai, whose condition remained beyond their reach.
Coupled with Ma Hongjun's deteriorating state, this match had cost Shrek Academy two key members.
Xiao Wu was the first to regain consciousness. She hadn't sustained serious injuries—just a bump on her forehead when she fell off the stage.
"Principal, what's wrong with Brother San?" Xiao Wu asked anxiously.
Tang San didn't have any visible external injuries either, but his immense mental exhaustion had caused him to fall into a deep coma.
Flender sighed heavily. "Xiao San's condition isn't serious—he'll be fine after some rest."
Xiao Wu breathed a sigh of relief and continued to stay by Tang San's side.
Yu Tianheng, Yu Tianxin, and Tai Long gradually woke up one by one.
The loss of this match had hit them hard.
They sat slumped, heads bowed like wilted plants, saying nothing.
At some point, Yu Tianheng suddenly asked, "Principal, where's Mubai?"
Dai Mubai's condition was the most severe. To spare his dignity, Flender had arranged for him to stay in a separate room.
"Mubai's situation is serious. Never mind, Tianheng and Tianxin, go check on him. Maybe you can come up with a solution," Flender said, leading them to a nearby room.
Tai Long and Xiao Wu, concerned about Tang San's safety, didn't go to see Dai Mubai.
Flender had cleaned the small room.
The mangled flesh and Dai Mubai's clothes had been replaced.
Dai Mubai lay on the bed, showing no external injuries but still unconscious.
After Flender's explanation, Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin's expressions changed.
"Mubai is a proud man. A blow like this…" Yu Tianxin trailed off.
"It's already happened—no point dwelling on it. Do your families have any healing herbs that might help Mubai recover?" Flender asked.
Dai Mubai hadn't just lost his dignity as a man; he had also lost his chance to inherit the throne.
Such a drastic change—how could anyone, even a seasoned elder, not contemplate ending it all?
Yu Tianheng thought for a moment. "Our sect does have some healing herbs, but medicines capable of regenerating lost limbs are extremely precious. We likely won't be able to obtain them."
Dai Mubai wasn't a disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family. Why would they go all out to save him?
Unless, of course, Dai Mubai renounced his imperial status in the Star Luo Empire and joined the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family—a possibility they might consider.
But only barely.
Flender understood the implications and didn't press further.
Later that day, Jiang Zhu submitted her resignation. She wouldn't return to Shrek Academy but instead planned to go home to discuss marriage with her childhood sweetheart.
With Shrek Academy's matches concluded, Flender had no reason to keep her.
By the afternoon, Dai Mubai finally woke up. Realizing his condition, he threw a fit in the room.
The other members of the Shrek Seven Monsters had no energy to comfort him. After an hour of tantrums, Dai Mubai gradually calmed down.
Notably, Tang San also regained consciousness around this time.
With Tang San's knowledge of medicinal herbs, there was no doubt he could treat Dai Mubai's condition.
With a thud, Dai Mubai knelt by the bedside.
"Mubai, what's wrong?" Tang San's voice was weak, the sharp pain in his head making him suffer.
"Let Xiao San rest. Your issue can wait," Flender patted Dai Mubai's shoulder.
That night, Tang San's condition stabilized. Upon learning of the team's devastating loss, he struggled to accept reality and locked himself in his room.
Xiao Wu wanted Yu Xiaogang to comfort him, but Yu Xiaogang's condition was even worse than his.
Soon after, the window of Tang San's room was blown open by the wind. A black-robed figure followed the breeze inside.
Tang San seemed to sense something. A hidden weapon in his sleeve clicked into place as he turned abruptly.
Upon recognizing the visitor, he exclaimed, "Father."
Then his expression dimmed, and he collapsed onto the bed, dejected. "Father, I've disappointed you. Despite all my efforts—and Master's five-person martial soul fusion technique—I still couldn't defeat Seven Treasures Academy."
"Father, was I too impulsive? If I hadn't trained with the Hao Tian Hammer, the two sources of soul power within me wouldn't have clashed. My future cultivation…"
Tang Hao didn't answer his question but instead asked, "What insights did you gain from using the martial soul fusion technique?"
Tang San replied honestly, "I could feel my spiritual energy being drained by the Hao Tian Hammer. All that remained were instinctive combat responses—I had no mental capacity left to monitor the battlefield. Perhaps that's why we lost."
Tang Hao sat beside him, placing his left hand on Tang San's shoulder. "The true form of a weapon martial soul consumes a tremendous amount of spiritual energy. Relying on the martial soul fusion technique, your soul power reached the threshold to activate the true form. But your spiritual energy was far from sufficient—that's one issue."
"Before the match, you didn't repeatedly train with the five-person martial soul fusion technique, leaving you flustered on the battlefield. That's the second issue."
Tang Hao could see the problems clearly.
However, these were now things of the past—not worth dwelling on.
Tang Hao continued, "Finishing in the top three is still a good result for you. This year's tournament was filled with geniuses. You didn't lose because of a gap in strength but because of age."
"In five years, at the next tournament, some of you will surely break through to Soul Emperor level. At that point, the championship will be within your grasp."
Tang San nodded, his mood improving slightly.
"Father, what's the grudge between the Hao Tian Hammer martial soul and the Spirit Hall? I've heard people mention it these past few days…"
Tang Hao interrupted, "I told you—I'll explain everything when the time is right. However, there's something we need to prepare for now."
"In Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai, Yu Tianxin, and Yu Tianheng represent the Star Luo Empire and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family. These three will become our allies in the future. I want you to maintain contact with them—they'll prove useful later."
"Allies?" Tang San nodded, though he didn't fully understand.
Over the past few days, from snippets of conversations overheard, he had pieced together that his father and the Spirit Hall were enemies. The specifics of their feud would have to wait until Tang Hao chose to reveal them.
As for Dai Mubai and the Yu brothers, they were already classmates.
Classmate bonds, sometimes, were stronger than alliances.
Having counseled Tang San, Tang Hao's purpose was fulfilled.
Before leaving, he added, "Xiao San, pack all your belongings before the finals. I'll take you and Xiao Wu and leave Spirit City separately."
"Father, what…" Tang San was confused.
What enmity could possibly make his father so cautious?
Tang Hao didn't elaborate. "Just do as I say—I won't harm you."
Tang San's presence in Spirit City wouldn't go unnoticed by the Spirit Hall.
Though things seemed calm on the surface, behind the scenes, the Spirit Hall was undoubtedly plotting ways to capture them.
After the championship match, the fervor of the Soul Master Tournament would wane, and the audience's attention would drift away from the competitors. Choosing to leave with the main group would risk a repeat of the ambush that occurred in the canyon on the way here—but worse.
If the Spirit Hall targeted only Tang San, Sword Chen Xin and Dugu Bo would likely stay out of it.
To avoid accidents, it was safer for Tang Hao to take Tang San away personally.
Tang San asked, "Should I tell Master?"
"No!"
With that, Tang Hao vanished from the room.
But he didn't go far, staying nearby to keep an eye on Tang San.
As for Yu Xiaogang, he was utterly useless.
Tang Hao had given him the Pope's Token specifically to leverage its influence and secure cultivation resources from the Spirit Hall for Tang San's benefit.
Back then, Tang Hao thought Yu Xiaogang was smart enough to understand the unspoken intent. Instead, Yu Xiaogang, being straightforward, sealed the token in a soul tool, burying its potential for eight years.
Moreover, before heading to Spirit City, Tang Hao had explicitly advised him to use the token sparingly.
What happened? Not only did Yu Xiaogang ignore the advice, but he also ended up arrested and lost the Pope's Token.
Such incompetence rendered him useless. The Tang family no longer needed him.
In Tang Hao's eyes, sparing Yu Xiaogang trouble was already an act of mercy.
Pushing aside these thoughts, Tang Hao turned his mind to another matter.
Among the tournament's rewards, the head soul bone would greatly benefit Tang San. Now that Shrek Academy had been eliminated, they no longer had a chance to compete for it.
Unwilling to miss out on this soul bone, Tang Hao began to hatch some devious plans.
...
Early the next morning, Tang San had just stepped out of his room when he noticed Dai Mubai kneeling by the door.
"Boss Dai, what's the meaning of this?" Tang San instinctively sidestepped and didn't accept such a grand gesture.
Dai Mubai spoke almost in tears, "Xiao San, I..."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Tang San ushered him into the room. "Mubai, let me take a look at your wound."
Without hesitation, Dai Mubai complied—regardless of embarrassment, Tang San was now his only hope.
The wound on Dai Mubai was clean, as if it had been completely severed.
Regrowing it would be impossible. The herbs capable of regenerating lost limbs were exceedingly rare. Tang San inwardly questioned whether he would even give them to Dai Mubai if he obtained them.
However, Tang Hao had mentioned that Dai Mubai would become their ally in the future—he couldn't afford to neglect him.
After some thought, Tang San consoled him, "Boss Dai, I don't have an immediate solution for your condition. But here's what we'll do—I need some time to think it over, and I promise I'll find a way to help you in the future."
Dai Mubai pulled up his pants, his face filled with excitement. "Xiao San, are you telling the truth?"
Tang San gave a faint smile. "Don't worry, I'll figure something out. In the meantime, you'll just have to endure for a while."
"Not a problem, not a problem," Dai Mubai nodded repeatedly.
As long as there was hope for recovery, nothing else mattered.
Satisfied with his response, Tang San said, "Boss Dai, securing third place is already an achievement. Come on, let's go see everyone."
---
Time flies like a galloping horse; days pass like falling flowers swept away by flowing water.
Unbeknownst to them, the five-day break had passed.
The night before, Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe, representing their respective factions and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, personally promised countless benefits to the team members.
If they could bring home the championship, the rewards from the two great powers alone would ensure Seven Treasures Academy's team lived comfortably for the rest of their lives.
Early that morning, the members of Seven Treasures Academy prepared to leave the hotel. The teams from Tiandou Empire still present in Spirit City spontaneously lined the streets, cheering them on!
"Go, Seven Treasures Team! Victory belongs to the Tiandou Empire!" shouted a member of a school that had decided to join the Tiandou Imperial Family.
Once someone led the cheer, others quickly joined in.
The commotion immediately drew the attention of the city's residents.
Living in Spirit City, where the Spirit Hall held supreme authority, the locals naturally disliked this foreign team taking away the tournament's top prize.
In no time, the cheers of the various teams were drowned out by the jeers of the townsfolk.
Ning Tianchen wasn't angered by this; instead, he seemed to relish the insults.
"Is our boss losing his mind?" Chen Huayu muttered quietly.
The surrounding jeers and taunts made them quite uncomfortable.
Guards stationed within Spirit City had already arrived on the street but showed no intention of stopping the crowd.
Ning Tianchen shot him a glare. "Don't think I can't hear you."
"Tianchen Brother, do you want to rest for a bit? You seem a little off." Ning Rongrong looked worried.
Ning Tianchen chuckled. "Haha, the harsher their words, the more afraid they are of us winning the championship. This kind of commotion only proves how formidable we are!"
"Besides, what good are words? We'll prove them wrong with our strength! By the end, the whole street will be silenced!"
"You're as sharp-tongued as ever," Ke Jie laughed aloud.
If Seven Treasures Academy won the championship, the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare harm them—in fact, they'd likely escort them safely out of the city. These citizens wouldn't dare defy the Pope's authority.
At that point, they could only glare silently, unable to express their anger. Such a spectacle would surely be amusing.
Notably, Shrek Academy's team followed closely behind them.
The top three teams would all receive rewards from the Spirit Hall.
After today's match, the Soul Master Tournament would officially conclude. Of course, Shrek Academy had to attend the venue to accept their prizes.
At the foot of the Pope Mountain, the seven members of the Spirit Hall Academy team had been waiting for some time.
Upon seeing Seven Treasures Academy approach, the two teams walked side by side toward the square in front of the Pope's Palace.
Along the way, the members of the Spirit Hall team glared fiercely at Seven Treasures Academy.
The three members of the Golden Generation remained calm, paying no heed to the hostility.
Ning Tianchen ignored their provocation, his gaze never straying to the side.
When they reached the arena, under the guidance of a cardinal clad in red robes, the two teams took their positions on either side of the stage.
Pope Bibi Dong said a few brief words before announcing the teams' entry.
"You are all outstanding youths. Regardless of the outcome, remember that friendship comes first, and competition second."
The captains of both teams led the oath-taking ceremony.
Of course, whether or not they would actually adhere to these principles remained to be seen.
This match, Seven Treasures Academy sought revenge for the Imperial Battle Team, so they wouldn't hold back.
Xie Yue and the others had received instructions from Bibi Dong beforehand—they wouldn't show mercy during the match either.
Shrek Academy and the audience squeezed into the stands together.
Watching the scene on the stage, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but sigh. "Alas, we should've been the ones standing on the stage, basking in the spotlight."
Over the past five days, Yu Xiaogang had gradually regained his composure.
In his view, in five years, Shrek Academy's team would dominate all competitors.
This loss was only temporary.
"Teacher, rest assured. In five years, we'll regroup at the academy and compete again!" Tang San declared firmly.
Given their ages, they wouldn't be too old to compete in five years.
Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin, however, wore bitter smiles. After the tournament, they would return to their sects, undergo intensive training, and begin handling sect affairs. They wouldn't have time to participate in future competitions.
---
As the match was about to begin, the two captains shook hands.
The captain of the Spirit Hall Academy team was Xie Yue. With the same soul power level as Ning Tianchen and also being an offensive weapon-type soul master, this match would undoubtedly feature a fierce clash between the two.
"I hope you don't lose too badly," Xie Yue stood tall and arrogantly remarked.
Ning Tianchen wouldn't back down and immediately retorted, "I hope you can withstand my attacks and not disappoint me. However, I'd like to see your martial soul fusion technique."
Xie Yue was slightly startled.
Before the match, the Spirit Hall's secrecy measures had been excellent. Moreover, they had never used their martial soul fusion technique in previous matches. How did Ning Tianchen know about it?
Seeing this, Ning Tianchen smiled and responded, "Don't be nervous. As I said before, martial soul fusion techniques aren't invincible. Don't put too much faith in them."
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