Chapter 162: The Shocked Six Monsters
Flender sighed. "It's a pity. Xiao San and the others are still too young. This tournament will be more for experience than for victory.
But mark my words—in five years, we will be champions!"
His final words were filled with conviction.
"The Headmaster's right! That so-called Golden Generation of Spirit Hall—they're already in their twenties! Once we reach that age, they won't even be in the picture anymore!"
Ma Hongjun shouted, full of bluster and youthful arrogance.
"Rongrong, I support you! Go to the finals in our place, defeat Spirit Hall, and bring home the championship!"
A flash of hatred passed through Xiao Wu's eyes, though she quickly hid it. In the next instant, her expression turned bright and supportive.
She cheered, full of energy—as if only encouraging her friend.
But deep down, she wasn't here for play. She was here to grow stronger… and one day take her revenge.
Spirit Hall was her mortal enemy.
"Rongrong, I hope you win the championship!" Zhu Zhuqing added sincerely.
"The championship will definitely be mine!" Ning Rongrong replied confidently. "Alright, Headmaster, I should go now. I'll be heading to Gem Academy next.
Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, Oscar, Fatty—you all better train hard! Otherwise, you'll never catch up to me.
When you go to the Great Spirit Arena for team battles, call me at Gem Academy!"
With that, she took Dugu Feng's hand, and the two of them walked away together.
Once they were out of sight, Flender's expression hardened as he turned toward the remaining six Shrek Monsters.
"Your recent attitude has disappointed me. Just because Rongrong isn't here doesn't mean you're free from team training.
Why haven't any of you gone to the Great Spirit Arena on your own? Why not participate in one-on-one or two-on-two matches?
Fatty, Oscar, Dai Mubai—the sun's already up before you even get out of bed!
Rongrong is the princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Which of you can compare to her background?
You lack her status, and your effort is nowhere near hers. So tell me—what right do you have to be stronger than she is?
She's already a Soul Ancestor! I suppose you'll never catch up to her!"
His words struck like thunder.
"Impossible!"
"She was only level thirty-five five days ago!"
"Did she eat some kind of miracle pill?"
The six Shrek Monsters exploded in disbelief. None of them could accept that anyone could gain five levels in just five days.
"She's truly a Soul Ancestor now. In fact, level forty-two," Liu Erlong interjected calmly. "Flender, did Rongrong tell you how it happened?"
Her confirmation silenced them flat. Tang San and the others all stared at Flender, waiting for an answer.
"Hmph."
Flender folded his arms. "Whatever the reason, it's a fact—she's surpassed you all. Dai Mubai, she's three years younger than you, yet her level's higher!
Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, Fatty—all of you are around her age, and she's left you far behind!"
The courtyard fell completely silent.
Dai Mubai and Tang San both looked shaken.
Since their team's time in Soto City, Ning Rongrong's progress had already been fast—but this sudden leap was unimaginable.
"I'll admit she must have used some external method, but her diligence is unquestionable.
You have one day to adjust your mental state. Tomorrow, I want to see your determination, your focus, and your will to improve!"
Flender's voice boomed across the clearing.
"Yes, Headmaster!"
The six shouted in unison, then sprinted toward the dining hall for breakfast—truly shaken to their core.
Watching their retreating figures, Flender allowed himself a small smile.
He had to admit, he was inspired too.
If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had the means for martial spirit evolution, what about other great powers?
He'd thought his students were prodigies before—now he realized they still had a long way to go. It was time to push them harder.
"Flender, have you lost it? The kids are already training like maniacs," Liu Erlong said, bewildered.
Yu Xiaogang, however, said nothing. He sat deep in thought, trying to figure out how such an enormous level increase could happen in only five days.
No matter how long he pondered, he couldn't find an explanation.
"Stop keeping secrets, Flender. How did Ning Rongrong do it?" Yu Xiaogang demanded at last.
Flender rolled his eyes. "Martial spirit evolution."
Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong exchanged astonished looks.
They were familiar with the concept.
Martial spirits could evolve or mutate—sometimes naturally, sometimes through powerful stimuli like spirit rings or cultivation breakthroughs.
But for one evolution to yield that much soul power—it was unprecedented.
"When Rongrong returns in the future, we'll have to ask her exactly how this happened," Yu Xiaogang murmured. "It might help Xiaosan in his own cultivation."
Deeper in the forest, under an enormous tree, a man in tattered black clothes stood quietly, watching the distant huts.
"Martial spirit evolution?
Ning Fengzhi has been stuck at level seventy-nine for years, all because of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's defect.
Could that defect have been solved?
If so, then when Sword and Bone appear beside him, Ning Fengzhi will truly shine with unrivaled brilliance.
Even a level ninety-eight Titled Douluo could fall before them.
Aside from the limit Douluo at level ninety-nine, no one would be able to challenge them.
And that's when Ning Fengzhi is still only a Soul Sage.
If he ever reaches Soul Douluo or becomes a Titled Douluo—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would become terrifying."
Tang Hao muttered, shaking his head, then glanced toward his son, Tang San, cultivating not far away.
"Xiao San's Blue Silver Grass isn't normal—it's the royal Blue Silver Emperor. It too can undergo a second awakening."
He rested his hand on the tree trunk.
The battle with that old dragon outside Soto City had worsened his injuries.
He'd spent the past days recovering, watching his son's steady progress—and with each day, his hope grew stronger.
That optimism made his own cultivation calmer, though his old wounds still refused to heal.
Coughing lightly, he could only think, My son must grow stronger fast.
Yet he forced himself to stay patient.
"No, I can't rush it. He's still young. Though his soul power is far below that Dugu brat's, his progress is already excellent.
The second awakening should wait until he becomes a Soul King—that's when it'll bear the most fruit."
Tang Hao steadied his emotions.
He knew better than anyone that at Tang San's age, foundation was everything.
Each step must be solid—only then could one climb to the peak.
He recalled his own father, Tang Bo, forbidding him and his brother from venturing out before reaching Soul Sage.
Part of it was for safety; part of it was to ensure they perfected their hammer techniques, building a foundation of steel.
That discipline was what had allowed him and his brother to reach the rank of Titled Douluo.
"Xiao San's even more diligent than I was back then. Step by step—that's the right way."
Suppressing his urge to intervene, Tang Hao nodded to himself.
"The changes in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect... I must warn my brother to stay alert."
His eyes flickered coldly beneath the shadows of the tall tree.
(END CHAPTER)
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