The inter-academy exchange tournament had concluded.
Many teachers from various academies recognized the shortcomings of their own teams and decided to push their squads into an intensive training phase ahead of schedule.
For a time, competition became fierce.
Of course, the Seven Treasures team was not about to fall behind.
The championship of the inter-academy tournament was highly regarded by the participating academies. However, in the broader soul master community, many people hadn't even heard of such an event.
"The tournament is over, and it's time for everyone to refocus. Starting today, for the next eight months, we will enter a full-scale sprint phase. Do your best to increase your spirit power before the Soul Masters Tournament begins."
Currently, the spirit power levels of the Seven Treasures team members were as follows:
Zhu Zhuqing and Chen Huayu were both at level 37, nearing level 38. There was hope they could break through to become Soul Ancestors before the tournament, and they might even raise their spirit power by one or two more levels.
Feng Xiaotian was currently at level 47, while Ning Tianchen was at level 45. Feng Xiaotian had a higher probability of breaking through to become a Soul King. As for Ning Tianchen, reaching Soul King status would likely require prolonged cultivation to have any chance of breaking through.
Yu Die and Cai Die were both at level 43, with a slim chance of becoming Soul Kings but a good possibility of advancing to high-level Soul Ancestors.
A team of all Soul Ancestors, plus two Soul Kings, made the Seven Treasures team the clear favorite to win this year's tournament.
"Principal Ke, I may need to go into seclusion with Elder Dugu," Ning Tianchen said.
Increasing spirit power by five levels in eight months was clearly a tall order.
Aside from using the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, Ning Tianchen couldn't think of a better way.
By harnessing the power of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well to quickly absorb the medicinal effects within his body, he might have a chance to break through before the tournament began.
Ke Jie didn't object. "Go ahead. From now on, stop going to the Great Spirit Arena. Spend all your daytime hours cultivating spirit power—I'll designate a private area for you in the simulated cultivation field. Additionally, every evening, you'll have two hours of training to refine your teamwork and prepare several more tactics before the tournament starts."
"Also, I've decided to find two substitutes for the team within the academy. The Soul Masters Tournament has a long and intense schedule. Bringing two substitutes will help alleviate some pressure on the main team members."
Ning Tianchen and the others didn't object.
---
Inside Shrek Academy
Yu Tianheng's letter to the sect had received a response.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family agreed to let them enter the Thunderclap Canyon to search for treasures, but on one condition: Yu Xiaogang must return to meet Yu Yuanzhen, and they also needed to bring Yu Tianxin along.
This reply clearly showed that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family encouraged the "Blue Lightning Twin Stars" to compete against each other rather than allowing Yu Tianheng to dominate alone.
For the sect, having two geniuses compete with each other could unlock their potential, giving both a chance to become strong in the future—a virtuous cycle.
"What a bargain for him," Yu Tianheng muttered, rolling his eyes.
Understanding the sect's intentions, he wasn't upset.
However, would Yu Xiaogang really agree to return to the family now?
"Teacher?" Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang, feeling a bit nervous.
If Yu Xiaogang refused the conditions, they wouldn't have a chance to enter the Thunderclap Canyon or obtain the legendary immortal herbs. But compared to these external rewards, Tang San respected Yu Xiaogang's decision.
"I'll return once," Yu Xiaogang said calmly.
"Xiaogang, are you sure about this?" Flender asked urgently.
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "For the children, I must make some sacrifices. Even if I endure humiliation upon returning to the family, I won't hesitate."
"We'll leave immediately. Flender, you and Zhao Wuji must protect the children well."
Liu Erlong's relationship with Yu Luomian ensured she wouldn't return to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
This trip didn't include her.
As he spoke, his gaze turned to Tang San and the others. "Not too many people should go this time. Tang San, Tianheng, and Mubai, you three will accompany me."
"The rest of you stay at the academy to train. When we return, I'll take you into the final sprint phase. Ideally, most of you should be able to break through to Soul Ancestor status before the tournament."
---
That day, Yu Xiaogang and the others boarded a carriage heading toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
Yu Xiaogang's destination was different from the others'. He needed to enter the family through the main gate, while the others could enter the Thunderclap Canyon from its external entrance.
Half a day later, Yu Xiaogang disembarked from the carriage by the lake at the outskirts of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
Pulling back the carriage curtain, a vast expanse of water came into view. The lake was crystal clear, like a mirror reflecting the beauty of the sky. From afar, it appeared like a deep blue ocean.
Around the lake, the scenery was picturesque, resembling a hidden paradise. Small animals occasionally frolicked in the surrounding woods.
"Tianheng, is that where the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's gates are located?" Tang San pointed to the distant mountain shrouded in mist on the other side of the lake.
With his keen eyesight, he could faintly see buildings perched on the mountainside.
Yu Tianheng was slightly surprised and patted Tang San on the shoulder, smiling. "Tang San, your eyesight is impressive. From this distance, I can't even see the outline of the sect, yet you can spot it clearly."
Tang San didn't reveal anything about the secrets of the Tang Sect from Bashu.
He smiled gently and said, "Since childhood, under my father's guidance, I practiced a technique called 'Eyesight Enhancement.'"
"This kind of technique is rare, Tang San. Never let outsiders know about it, understand?" Flender, fearing Tang San might speak carelessly, earnestly advised him.
Enhancing eyesight meant enhancing spiritual power. If this technique were exposed, it would bring endless trouble.
Tang San nodded solemnly.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family truly lives up to its reputation as one of the top three sects—it's quite impressive."
The influence of the top three sects was extraordinary, and their geographical locations were strategically significant.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family was surrounded on three sides by lakes, with the only land connection being the Thunderclap Canyon, a gathering place for soul beasts.
The peninsula-like terrain made it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Any enemy assault from any direction would be detected immediately by the disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
After all, on the pristine surface of the lake, any sudden appearance of figures could be spotted from afar.
As for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, they had built their own city on a plain outside Tiandou City. With multiple layers of defenses inside and out, it was similarly easy to defend but hard to attack.
Speaking proudly of his family's greatness, Yu Tianxin puffed out his chest, filled with pride. "Naturally. Our sect has been passed down through dozens of generations, enduring for a thousand years without falling. The internal development of the sect evolves with the times."
"Tang San, Mubai, even a powerhouse like the Spirit Hall wouldn't be able to successfully cross the lake, let alone traverse the Thunderclap Canyon to invade our sect. Therefore, across the entire continent, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's territory is truly the hardest to attack."
Tang San couldn't help but marvel. "A thousand years of heritage—this is something no nouveau riche could ever compare to."
Dai Mubai laughed. "Tang San, as they say, 'Flowing nobility, unshakable families.' Once a family can survive for a thousand years, it becomes unmovable."
But this wasn't necessarily a good thing.
In his heart, Flender couldn't help but sigh.
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