After that one-versus-fourteen "instructional battle" ended, the atmosphere lingering over the Shrek Academy training ground took a long time to dissipate.
Among the Shrek Seven Devils, a strong sense of unwillingness and frustration permeated the air. Dai Mubai punched the ground, his tiger-like eyes wide open: "Damn it! I couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes!" He recalled the helpless feeling when his full-power strike was effortlessly blocked by the other party's single hand, feeling extremely stifled inside. Ma Hongjun sat slumped on the ground, his chubby face drooping: "Is my Phoenix Flame not even worthy of warming him up?" Xiao Wu rubbed her still sore and numb ankle, pouting. Though she didn't speak, her lively large eyes were also filled with dissatisfaction. Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, but her cool eyes burned with an even fiercer flame, her mind repeatedly echoing Marco's critique: "Your attack power is too scattered, focus it on a single point." Ning Rongrong and Oscar exchanged bitter smiles; their proud support abilities appeared so pale in the face of such an absolute power gap.
However, compared to the Shrek Seven Devils' intense unwillingness, after the initial shock and frustration, the members of the Royal Fight Team instead showed a kind of almost relieved calmness.
Yu Tianheng sat cross-legged on the ground, meditating with his eyes closed. His mind kept replaying Marco's comments about his insufficient Soul Power concentration and crude force application techniques. His brows were tightly furrowed, but his breathing gradually stabilized. He deeply understood that Marco's strength had long surpassed their level; losing to such a person was not a disgrace but rather a valuable opportunity to see their own shortcomings. Dugu Yan sighed and said to Osler: "Forget it, don't dwell on it. Brother Marco's strength... we should have been mentally prepared long ago." The Shímò and Shímó brothers nodded honestly; their minds were relatively simple, feeling fortunate just to receive guidance from such a powerful expert. Osler let out a mournful cry before collapsing to the ground as if resigned to his fate: "Sigh, the boss is still the boss, so abnormal it's not even human.".. Comparing ourselves to him is just asking for trouble." This sense of relief stemmed from their earlier and clearer recognition of the insurmountable gap between them and Marco.
Training continued in a subtle atmosphere. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang used the remaining time to conduct specialized training targeting the problems each person exposed during the "instructional battle." He also took time to have several in-depth conversations with his nephew Yu Tianheng, instructing him on the key secrets of cultivating the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Spirit and combat techniques. Yu Tianheng benefited greatly, feeling even more respect for his theoretically invincible uncle.
During one conversation, Yu Tianheng couldn't help but advise: "Uncle, your talent shouldn't be buried here. Come back to the family with me. Father... actually misses you very much."
Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened slightly, a complex and hard-to-describe pain and nostalgia flashing in his eyes. He shook his head, his voice low but firm: "Tianheng, I appreciate your kindness. But some things, once they're past, they're past. I'm quite content here."
"Alright, I have my own path to follow." He patted Yu Tianheng's shoulder, "Your road is also long. Walk it well, and don't disgrace the pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon." Seeing his uncle's resolute attitude, Yu Tianheng could only sigh inwardly and say no more.
During these past few days, the one most deeply affected and unwilling to accept defeat was undoubtedly Tang San.
That crushing defeat, especially Marco's evaluation of his hidden weapon techniques as "petty tricks," deeply wounded the pride of this Tang Sect disciple. In subsequent training sessions and sparring matches, Tang San challenged Marco multiple times—sometimes openly requesting guidance, other times launching sudden attacks during practice. He pushed the Tang Sect Skills to their limits, employing Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Mystic Jade Hand, Crane Control Dragon Capture, and even hidden weapons like the Silent Sleeve Arrow and Sand Shooting Shadowing. His assaults were cunning and ruthless, far surpassing Soul Masters of his level.
Yet, without exception, the results were the same. No matter how elusive his movements or how concealed and vicious his hidden weapons, Marco always evaded or neutralized them with seemingly prescient ease. His Purple Demon Eyes couldn't even track Marco's movement trajectories, and the refined Soul Power cultivated through his Profound Heaven Skill seemed like a mere stream compared to the vast ocean of his opponent's power. What Tang San found most unbearable was that Marco never once used his Martial Soul, relying solely on physical prowess and basic Soul Power application to treat all his proudest techniques as nothing.
"Your skill is passable, but over-reliance on external objects and deceitful methods is ultimately not the true path of a Soul Master. Your Martial Soul holds immense potential; don't neglect the root for the branches." After effortlessly deflecting another of Tang San's ambushes, Marco left these plain yet hammer-like words behind before drifting away.
The consecutive defeats and critiques nearly shattered Tang San's mentality. He sat alone on the dormitory rooftop, gazing emptily at the night sky, his confidence suffering an unprecedented blow. Yet, deep in his heart, he never once doubted the Tang Sect Skills or the path of hidden weapons he had learned. He clenched his fists, nails digging deeply into his palms.
"It's not that the Tang Sect Skills are weak—it's that I'm too weak! My current Soul Power, techniques, and perception are far from sufficient to unleash their true power!" Tang San screamed inwardly. "If... if I could create those peerless hidden weapons from the Tang Sect's compendium, like the Wrath of the Buddha Tang Lotus, Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle, or Peacock Plume... even if Marco is a Soul Emperor, he could never withstand them so easily!" He held an almost obsessive confidence and dedication toward the Tang Sect Skills, especially those legendary top-tier hidden weapons. Marco's evaluation instead ignited a fiercer desire within him to restore the Tang Sect's glory and a profound awareness of his own inadequacies.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang found Tang San trapped in self-doubt. Without excessive comfort, he calmly analyzed: "Xiao San, Marco isn't entirely wrong. While hidden weapon techniques can achieve surprise, the foundation of a Soul Master ultimately lies in their Martial Soul and Soul Power. Your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul possesses exceptional control, and its potential is far from fully tapped. Moreover..." The Grandmaster paused, lowering his voice with gravity, "Don't forget, you possess Twin Spirits. This is your greatest advantage!"
When your Blue Silver Grass is cultivated to a sufficiently powerful level, and when you attach Soul Rings to the Clear Sky Hammer in the future, choose only those that are ten thousand years or even a hundred thousand years old... By then, your achievements may not be inferior to his. The current failure is to help you see the true path clearly and understand the importance of a solid Soul Power foundation."
Grandmaster's words were like a sudden awakening, jolting Tang San back to his senses! Twin Spirits! Clear Sky Hammer! That's right, he possessed the world's top-tier Item Martial Soul! A strong Soul Power foundation was the basis for driving all techniques and even crafting top-tier Hidden Weapons in the future! Why obsess over temporary victories or defeats? Once he grasped this, the confusion and frustration in Tang San's eyes quickly faded, replaced by a more resolute gaze and a fiercely burning fighting spirit. "Teacher, I understand! I will focus on improving my Soul Power and building a solid foundation! The Tang Sect Skills are an important tool for me, but they will never be my sole reliance!"
Several days of intense training and mental adjustment passed in the blink of an eye, and the Royal Fight Team's training in Suotuo City was nearing its end. The day to return to Heaven Dou City had arrived.
During this time, after repeated persuasion and analysis from Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, Dean Flender had finally made the difficult decision: to accept the invitation from the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy and lead all the teachers and students of Shrek Academy to Heaven Dou City to join as a special class. After all, for the sake of the students' better future and development platform, personal persistence sometimes had to yield. However, Shrek Academy still needed time to handle the transition matters and would depart later.
Thus, the Royal Fight Team would return to Heaven Dou City first.
On the day of departure, at the entrance of Shrek Academy, the members of the Royal Fight Team packed their belongings and bid farewell to the Shrek group. Compared to their initial curiosity and subtle sense of superiority, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others now carried a more composed demeanor and traces of their training experience. Though they had been "crushed" quite badly, they had to admit that these past few days had been immensely rewarding.
"Finally going back!" Osler stretched lazily, a relieved smile on his face. "Even though I was hit hard by the boss, at least it's over! The training here is practically inhuman!"
Dugu Yan also sighed in relief: "Yes, we need to rest properly for a few days after returning and digest the gains from this trip."
The Shímò and Shímó brothers nodded with honest smiles. Even Yu Tianheng's stern expression had softened considerably. Ye Lingling remained quiet as always, while Li Qiuyao glanced somewhat reluctantly at Shrek Academy and then at Marco.
Qin Ming bid a solemn farewell to Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Grandmaster, agreeing to meet again in Heaven Dou City.
Marco gave a slight nod to the Shrek group, his gaze lingering on Tang San for a moment. Seeing that the previous stubbornness in the other's eyes had been replaced by a settled determination, the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly before he turned away.
Led by Qin Ming and Marco, the Royal Fight Team set off on their return journey, leaving behind the unforgettable Suotuo City and Shrek Academy. Meanwhile, the Shrek Seven Monsters remained where they were, watching them depart, their hearts filled with anticipation for the future and... a newly ignited, even more fervent desire to grow stronger.
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