The Grandmaster being able to persuade the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall proved that he wasn't entirely without wit. In a flash, he'd come up with a new argument.
"So what if he's awakened the Blue Silver Emperor? Blue Silver Grass on its own has no offensive capabilities. Absorbing plant-type spirit rings won't enhance his physical strength and won't grant any offensive soul skills. He'd be at the mercy of others. But absorbing animal-type spirit rings is different. Xiao San not only gained self-preservation skills in the early stages but also laid the groundwork for transitioning to a different path in the future. At that time, it'll prove my theory correct."
'Transitioning to a new path later?' With Blue Silver Grass lacking potential, switching to plant spirit rings later would be useless! Everyone present was confused by Yu Xiaogang's statement.
Only Flender, who knew Tang San had the Clear Sky Hammer, had a flash of realization in his eyes: 'That's right, animal spirit rings enhance physical stats and could pave the way for cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer later.'
Tang San, having lived two lives, naturally caught the Grandmaster's hidden implication. But he already understood—the Grandmaster had him absorb animal spirit rings just to test a theory. Now Yu Xiaogang was simply trying to cover up his mistake. But at this point, it was too late to undo the damage. Turning against him now would accomplish nothing.
Tang San released the hidden arrow in his sleeve, silently thinking, 'For the sake of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I'll let you live a few more days.'
Then he opened his eyes, exhaled a long breath of turbid air, and looked at Yu Xiaogang with reverent eyes again.
"Teacher, a teacher for a day is a father for life. I believe your decision was right."
"Xiao San, I..."
Yu Xiaogang, meeting Tang San's sincere gaze, was instantly filled with guilt. He had destroyed Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, yet the boy still trusted him so deeply.
Yu Tianming, who had seen Tang San's little movements clearly earlier, couldn't help but laugh when he saw Yu Xiaogang's touched expression.
"Hahaha, let me remind everyone—Yu Xiaogang's so-called spirit theory is nothing more than common knowledge in Spirit Hall and the major clans. He simply published it for fame."
Turning to the Shrek Seven Devils, he continued, "Unfortunately, Yu Xiaogang lacks true mastery. His theory is full of holes and has harmed many commoner soul masters. Talented students of Shrek, don't let him deceive you."
Most of the Shrek Seven Devils were Soul Elders. They had tolerated Yu Xiaogang's six-month training only because of his reputation as a 'Spirit Theory Grandmaster.'
Now, hearing Yu Tianming's revelations, their expressions grew strange. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar especially, all nurtured by Flender over the years into unruly rebels, were clearly agitated. If Flender hadn't been present, they might have given Yu Xiaogang a piece of their minds already.
What mattered most to Yu Xiaogang? His spirit theory—and the way others viewed him.
With his theory exposed and the Shrek Seven Devils now full of suspicion and disdain, Yu Xiaogang completely lost his composure. He pointed at Yu Tianming, trembling, unable to utter a single word. He could only gasp for air, tears the size of beans streaming from his reddened eyes.
Zhao Wuji looked at the Grandmaster crying like that and sneered, muttering under his breath, "I told you all before that his theory was fishy. Now do you believe me?"
Flender's mouth twitched. After returning from the Star Dou Forest, Zhao Wuji had indeed questioned Yu Xiaogang's theories. Neither he nor Tang San had taken it seriously at the time—but who would've thought that this loud brute would hold onto that memory until now?
Zhao Wuji's muttered remark became the last straw for the Grandmaster. Seeing Zhao Wuji's gormless face, Yu Xiaogang grew dizzy with rage and blacked out, collapsing into his chair.
Shrek Academy prided itself on one belief: 'Those who don't dare cause trouble are worthless.'
Avoiding trouble wasn't the same as fearing it—that was dignity. But what kind of person seeks out trouble on purpose? Thugs, ruffians, and bandits. Even among delinquents, taking pride in stirring up trouble just for the sake of it was considered low-grade.
When Flender, the founder of Shrek Academy, saw his sworn brother collapse, his rogue instincts flared. Unconsciously, he released the aura of a Soul Sage, glaring furiously at Yu Tianming.
At the same time, Zhu and Zi behind Yu Tianming unleashed their own Soul Sage auras, clashing with Flender's in an instant.
These two had reached Soul Sage level just past the age of twenty, rivaling the original Seven Devils after Seagod Island. While Flender's spirit was just a Four-Eyed Owl, their spirits carried the bloodline of a Flood Dragon. Flender's outburst was quickly crushed and forced back upon himself.
Realizing he was no match, Flender sulked back into his seat.
Yu Tianming, as if oblivious to the clash, smiled warmly. "The Grandmaster just fainted. It's no big deal. Dean Flender, instead of joining the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, why not merge into Blue Tyrant Academy under Aunt Liu Erlong? The Golden Iron Triangle could reunite once more."
Liu Erlong's academy? Flender instinctively turned to look at Yu Xiaogang, clearly reminded of their past together, momentarily lost in thought.
At the dining table, Yu Xiaogang slumped over in his chair. Flender rested his chin in silence. Zhao Wuji absentmindedly scratched his scarred head. The Shrek Seven Devils all wore unreadable expressions.
Ning Rongrong, once the 'Little Witch' of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, sat docilely in Yu Tianming's arms, quiet amid the noisy banquet.
Yu Tianming had lost interest in lingering. He looked to Ning Rongrong with gentle eyes and said, "Rongrong, let's take a walk around Heaven Dou City and visit Clan Leader Ning, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo."
Ning Rongrong was shocked. 'Visit father... and Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone? Is he planning to propose? Will they agree?' Her cheeks turned red at the thought. Dizzy, she couldn't even muster a reply.
Getting no answer, Yu Tianming simply took her hand and helped her up, walking out of the dining hall as if no one else existed.
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly realized—if Yu Tianming and Ning Rongrong left, who would protect her? How could she escape the fate that awaited her after the Star Luo Empire's defeat?
She rushed after them and grabbed Yu Tianming's arm. "Will you come back? Can you... take me with you?"
Her words carried enough ambiguity that any outsider would assume Yu Tianming had abandoned her. Even Dai Mubai's face turned green, as if he'd swallowed a fly.
Of course Yu Tianming understood Zhu Zhuqing was only seeking protection. He wasn't angry and responded gently, "Whether Dean Flender joins the Imperial Academy or Blue Tyrant Academy, they'll both be heading to Heaven Dou City. We'll meet again there."
Zhu Zhuqing, reassured, quietly returned to her seat and resumed eating.
Flender, unable to challenge Yu Tianming's strength, hadn't dared to stop him. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing stay behind, he sighed in relief. 'If both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing got taken away, Shrek would be down to five students. How could we enter the soul master tournament with less than seven?'
Dai Mubai glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and thought coldly, 'She's close with Yu Tianming and Ning Rongrong. She must've secured his protection. This shameless woman would probably do anything to survive.'
Frustration and resentment festered in Dai Mubai's heart like wild grass.
Once Yu Tianming was out of sight, Dai Mubai slammed his chopsticks down and sneered at Zhu Zhuqing. "As a duke's daughter, you'd sell your dignity just to stay alive?"
"So what? A certain prince ran off from the Star Luo Empire to save his own skin and even sold me out," Zhu Zhuqing snapped back without hesitation.
"You're courting death!" Dai Mubai slammed the table and stood up, his evil eyes blazing with rage.
He had never been a patient man. Though a fallen prince, he'd threatened even the daughter of the Seven Treasure Clan in the original story. Right now, he had no bond with Zhu Zhuqing, no spirit fusion between them—no affection.
Xiao Wu had always disliked Dai Mubai. Seeing him act like this, she grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hand and scolded, "Dai Mubai! Look at you, all fierce and violent with your own people. Thank the heavens Zhuqing didn't end up with you—she'd never have been happy!"
Faced with the women's sharp tongues, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger was never one to back down. His tiger claws sprang out, ready to attack at any moment.
Seeing Xiao Wu threatened, Tang San stood up immediately. Spiky black-red Blue Silver Grass erupted from the ground, spreading silently throughout the corners of the hall.
Just as tensions boiled over, Flender, already in a foul mood, also stood up. The aura of a Soul Sage burst forth, and his raspy voice echoed:
"Everyone, SIT DOWN! I'm still here—are you all trying to turn this place upside down?"
Meanwhile…
Yu Tianming didn't go far before he brought Ning Rongrong and Zhu and Zi into the center of his internal water world with a single step.
The water world spanned nearly a thousand miles, with its central landmass alone having a diameter of a hundred miles.
A kilometer beneath the land's surface, Yu Tianming had created many hollow chambers. These served as storage, holding tens of thousands of soul bones retrieved from Dragon Valley, as well as various daily necessities.
Above ground, a brilliant golden sun hung high in the sky, illuminating the entire realm. It was created by his fifth soul skill, Golden Sun, and since it existed in his controlled space, it never faded—only dimming and brightening with the external world's day and night cycle.
The Blue Silver Emperor planted over half a year ago had not regained its consciousness but had fully recovered physically. Its seeds had already spread across the land. Perhaps because the water world wasn't a true miniature world, the Blue Silver Grass here remained fragile and thin—far from the robustness of the outside world.
After bringing the group in, they were greeted by a garden of strange flowers and herbs. These were all immortal herbs collected from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Once the water world stabilized, Yu Tianming transplanted them from Yu Yuanzhen's place into this realm.
Though the water world didn't speed up plant growth like the Ice and Fire Well, it could host living things—unlike the Hundred Treasures Pouch. It offered a stable environment for the herbs to thrive. Storing them here was safer than in Yu Yuanzhen's care—even Qian Daoliu couldn't take them by force.
Strangely, the spiritual energy around the immortal herbs was much richer than elsewhere in the water world, making even the scattered Blue Silver Grass appear stronger.
The sudden shift in space made Ning Rongrong cover her mouth in surprise. She looked at Yu Tianming in awe. "This is amazing, Tianming-ge. Where have you taken us?"
Yu Tianming didn't reveal that it was a space within his own body. Instead, he led her to a strange plant.
It was a massive flower—its roots and leaves like woven drapes, its petals a golden tulip radiating a rich, luxurious fragrance.
Yu Tianming looked at her gently. "Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is the strongest support spirit. But it has a flaw—it only has seven layers, so it can only carry seven spirit rings. Your highest future achievement would likely be Rank 79—Soul Sage."
Thinking he was disappointed in her, Rongrong's face dimmed. She looked up with pitiful eyes.
"Even if I only reach Soul Sage, I can still support you well—just like how Father supports Sword Grandpa. With my boosts, your strength would rise significantly."
Yu Tianming chuckled and patted her head.
"What I meant is—this flower is called the Qiluo Tulip. It absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, the brilliance of sun and moon. Since your spirit is a treasure-type, with this flower's help, you might break through the Soul Sage limit."
Ning Rongrong, born with innate Rank 9 spirit power, had heard many legends of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda from her father.
Hearing this now, her eyes sparkled. 'Could this miraculous flower evolve my spirit into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?'
(End of Chapter)
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