In the days that followed, there was a change in the Fengshen Team. Aside from Jiang Xiaofeng not appearing in matches, the rest of the team continued their 7v7 battles as usual.
When Tang San saw the Fengshen Team without Jiang Xiaofeng, his expression turned sour.
"Who knows what kind of scheme that guy is cooking up now? He actually substituted in a mere Soul Elder!"
Yu Xiaogang also looked confused. He had been eager to study Jiang Xiaofeng more thoroughly, but the guy had only fought in the first match—and even that had been an overwhelming victory, providing no useful data.
"I suspect he wants to hide his team's real strength. That's probably why he doesn't plan to fight again for now. But their continued presence in Soto City shows they're not afraid of us studying them. So if they're not afraid, why isn't he taking the field?"
Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were both puzzled. After all, this was their greatest rival.
But Jiang Xiaofeng's reason was quite simple: he wanted Wolf Third Brother to get more combat training.
As for why he didn't fight himself, that too was straightforward. His role in the team was that of a controller. Unless something unresolvable happened, he had no reason to take the field.
At the moment, because of the current soul power levels of the team members, Jiang Xiaofeng decided to stay on the bench. That didn't mean he wouldn't fight again in the future.
Yu Xiaogang had already thoroughly studied the soul power and soul skills of all the Fengshen Team members. In front of him lay eight detailed profiles.
Flender, seeing the troubled look on Yu Xiaogang's face, couldn't help but pat his shoulder.
"Don't worry, we've got time. These kids might only be Soul Elders now, but I believe they'll soon break through to the Soul Ancestor level!"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head.
"I'm not concerned about their soul power growth. I'm more worried about their opponents. From the data we've gathered, the members of the Spirit Hall team have talent that's no less than Tang San and the others. More terrifyingly, their battle experience is incredibly polished. Is that even normal for their age?"
Flender laughed.
"Well, they are from the Spirit Hall. Of course they have better training resources. We're just a small academy barely scraping by on my sponsorship hustle. We can't compare! Just relax and trust our little monsters!"
Yu Xiaogang nodded, though he still felt uneasy. Among all the profiles, there was precious little information on Jiang Xiaofeng.
Innate full soul power, awakened with twin martial spirits. One was the commonly seen Zhuxian Sword, but the other sword was rarely used—and even its name was unknown. That's what worried Yu Xiaogang the most.
At that moment, Tang San came to see Yu Xiaogang.
"Teacher, you were looking for me?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Yes. We've been in Soto City for a month now, and we've had many battles, both big and small. We've also watched the Fengshen Team fight at least 20 matches. If we reach the Soul Ancestor realm, do you think we have a chance to go toe-to-toe with them?"
Tang San nodded, then shook his head.
"Teacher, that's a hard question to answer. You know our strength, but the Fengshen Team's full power is still unclear. Based on what we do know, maybe we can fight them evenly. But if their captain joins the fight, I can't say for sure."
Yu Xiaogang looked a bit lost.
Although the Advanced Soul Master Tournament was still a ways off, judging by the current situation, winning it seemed like a far-fetched dream.
"We can't go on like this. With our limited funds, we can't support the cultivation of you little monsters. We need a strong backer!"
Yu Xiaogang had a simple goal: find someone to support Shrek Academy financially.
Otherwise, with no money and no resources, they'd only be holding back Tang San and the others.
"You mean we need a partner?"
"Yes. How about the Heaven Dou Royal Family? They're recruiting right now. With our strength, we shouldn't have any issues."
"We'll follow your lead, Teacher."
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Good. But before heading to Heaven Dou City, we need to boost your soul power. If you're only at the Soul Elder level, the royal family might not even consider you. You'll need to be Soul Ancestors at the very least."
Tang San nodded.
"Understood!"
"Good. You'll all follow a more detailed training plan next. Once the time is right, I'll take you to Heaven Dou City myself."
"Yes, Teacher!"
"The Heaven Dou Royal Team and the Star Luo Royal Team both have strong members. Not only that, even the disciples sent by the Five Element Academies this time are quite impressive. Looks like we need to raise our strength too."
Jiang Xiaofeng put down the information in his hands and looked up at the sky.
Mo Botuo smiled and said, "Getting cold feet already, Your Highness?"
"Of course not. I'm just thinking about how to help our team level up. After all, there are quite a few teams out there with Soul Kings."
Even though Jiang Xiaofeng felt their team could handle Soul King-level opponents even now, just to be safe, at least Hu Liena and the others needed to reach the Soul King level.
After all, Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu had a wager going. He couldn't afford to mess this up.
"Your Highness, how about this—after we train for a month or two in the Spirit Arena, we head straight for the Star Dou Great Forest?"
Jiang Xiaofeng nodded. That was a solid plan.
"Alright, let's do it your way. The Spirit Arena will help us develop our synergy, and the Star Dou Great Forest will help us grow real strength."
A few months later, the two teams that had dominated the Soto City Spirit Arena quietly left.
One had no rivals among Soul Elders; the other ruled the Soul Ancestor bracket.
At the inn's entrance, Hu Liena waved and called out to Jiang Xiaofeng.
"Brother Feng, hurry up!"
Jiang Xiaofeng smiled. "Coming!"
Just then, Tang San and his group also exited the inn.
Seeing the still-bald Ma Hongjun, Yan couldn't help but mock him.
"Why hasn't your red fuzz grown back yet? What, are you gonna be bald forever? Hahaha!"
Ma Hongjun, rubbing his shiny dome, glared angrily at Yan.
"I haven't even settled the score with you guys yet! If it weren't for you, my hair wouldn't be like this! Come on—no soul power, just fists!"
Yan rolled up his sleeves.
"Bring it on! You think I'm scared of a fat bald guy like you?"
Jiang Xiaofeng stepped between them.
"Don't waste time talking to a loser—it might lower your IQ."
Yan smirked. "True that. I'm not the bald one—why should I be mad?"
"Hahaha!" roared Tiger Boss and the others.
(End of Chapter)