Shrek Academy had arduously defeated Blazing Academy, securing victory in this crucial match. However, the joy of triumph was short-lived, especially for the core control Soul Master Tang San, whose heart was shrouded in a thick shadow.
After the match concluded, the team members supported each other as they returned to the academy's exclusive resting room. Oscar immediately produced a large quantity of Recovery Sausages and detoxifying small sausages, distributing them to everyone. Jiangzhu also fully activated her Martial Soul to heal her teammates, especially Ma Hongjun who had sustained the most severe injuries. He was urgently escorted back to the academy by Flender and Zhao Wuji to receive personal treatment from Teacher Shaoxin.
The atmosphere in the resting room was somewhat somber. Although they had won, everyone clearly understood how lucky and brutal this victory had been. If not for Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing executing their Martial Soul Fusion Skill "Netherworld White Tiger" at the critical moment, forcibly breaking through Huo Wu's "Fire Dance Sun," defeat would likely have been theirs.
Tang San sat alone on a chair in the corner, head bowed low, fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He stared blankly at the ground, his eyes vacant as if having lost focus. His mind kept replaying scenes from the match: how the Blue Silver Grass withered and charred helplessly before the scorching flames; his own powerlessness when the sea of fire raged; Huo Wu's contemptuous gaze; and the frustration of barely winning in the end only by relying on his teammates' Martial Soul Fusion Skill...
An unprecedented sense of defeat and powerlessness gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake. All along, he had prided himself on his experiences from two lifetimes, his Tang Sect Skills, and Twin Spirits, believing that with effort, he would inevitably stand at the peak. Yet in today's battle, the absolute elemental disadvantage had rendered his renowned Blue Silver Grass control nearly seventy percent ineffective!
He couldn't help but recall that nightmarish figure again—Marco. That youth similar in age to him yet possessing unfathomable strength, who could even crush opponents enhanced by Soul Bones without releasing his Martial Soul. The other's calm and indifferent eyes seemed to silently speak of the vast, insurmountable gap between them.
"Power... I need more powerful strength!" Tang San screamed inwardly. In his left hand, the other Martial Soul that had long been dormant—the Clear Sky Hammer—stirred. If... if he had used it then, would the outcome have been different? That number one Item Martial Soul under heaven!
"Brother, are you alright?" Xiao Wu's concerned voice sounded by his ear. She gently sat beside Tang San, linking arms with him, her lively eyes filled with worry. "We won the match, that's what matters. Don't overthink it. Blazing Academy had elemental advantage over us—it wasn't your fault."
Tang San lifted his head, forcing a faint smile as he patted Xiao Wu's hand. "I'm fine, Xiao Wu. Just... a bit tired." He didn't want to worry her, but the gloom in his eyes was unmistakable.
After tending to the burns on his arm, Dai Mubai also approached, giving Tang San a firm pat on the shoulder. His voice was hoarse yet resolute: "Xiao San, don't lose heart! This victory was hard-won! Without your command and support, we would've collapsed long ago! So what if they had elemental advantage? Next time we meet, we'll definitely find a way!"
Though Zhu Zhuqing was a woman of few words, she also stepped forward. Her cool, clear eyes looked at Tang San as she gave a slight nod, indicating her agreement with Dai Mubai's words.
Ning Rongrong said in a sweet voice, "Third Brother, the Control System is the brain of the team. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even resemble a team in combat."
Oscar, while chewing on a sausage to recover his Soul Power, mumbled, "Exactly, exactly, Little San! You're the brain of our team! Without you, we're just a bunch of headless flies! We're counting on you to lead us in avenging Fatty's humiliation!"
Hearing his companions' sincere comfort and encouragement, a wave of warmth surged in Tang San's heart, slightly easing his sense of defeat. Yet, his thirst for power grew even stronger. He gave everyone a grateful look and nodded, "Thank you, everyone. I understand. We will become stronger."
However, the fleeting unwillingness and struggle deep in his eyes did not escape the notice of Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, who had been silently observing him all along.
Yu Xiaogang's expressionless face showed no emotion, but his slightly furrowed brow revealed his inner turmoil. He knew this disciple of his all too well. Tang San was exceptionally talented and possessed a resilient will, but precisely because of this, suffering such a defeat—especially when his most relied-upon ability was completely countered—dealt a far greater blow to his heart than it would to an ordinary person. Coupled with the invisible pressure brought by that Marco... although Little San was physically present, his heart had likely already given birth to inner demons.
"Little San, come with me for a moment," Yu Xiaogang stood up and said to Tang San, his tone calm yet leaving no room for doubt.
Tang San was momentarily stunned. He raised his head and met his teacher's deep, serious eyes, causing his heart to tighten slightly. Silently, he stood up and followed the Grandmaster out of the lounge, arriving at a secluded, deserted corner at the end of the corridor.
The corridor was dimly lit, with only a faint amount of daylight filtering in through the window. Master and disciple stood facing each other, the atmosphere somewhat stagnant.
"Teacher," Tang San called out softly.
Yu Xiaogang did not speak immediately, only quietly watching Tang San, his gaze seemingly capable of piercing through his body and reaching the depths of his soul. After a long while, he finally spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse, "Little San, what are you thinking?"
Tang San's body trembled slightly. He pursed his lips and did not answer immediately. He dared not look into his teacher's eyes, afraid of having the restless thoughts in his heart seen through.
"Tell me!" Yu Xiaogang's tone intensified, carrying a hint of sternness. "Are you thinking that if you had used the Clear Sky Hammer back then, the outcome would have been completely different?"
Tang San abruptly raised his head, a flicker of astonishment flashing in his eyes before turning into bitterness. Sure enough, he couldn't hide anything from his teacher. He took a deep breath and no longer concealed his thoughts, his voice filled with suppressed agitation and resentment, "Teacher! Why?! Why is the Blue Silver Grass so powerless against fire?! If... if I had used the Clear Sky Hammer back then! The number one Item Martial Soul under the heavens! It definitely wouldn't have..."
"Foolish!" Yu Xiaogang sharply interrupted him, his usually expressionless face showing clear anger for the first time. "Little San! Have you forgotten what I taught you? There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters! It's true that Blue Silver Grass is countered by fire, but that doesn't mean it's weak! Today's defeat was due to elemental disadvantage, but it was absolutely not a defeat of your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul! If you deny it because of this and hastily seek the power of the Clear Sky Hammer, that is the true path to certain death!"
Yu Xiaogang's heart burned with anxiety. He understood better than anyone the allure and peril of Twin Spirits. Tang San's current mindset was precisely the beginning of a misguided path! Once he started relying on the absolute power of the Clear Sky Hammer while underestimating the malleability of Blue Silver Grass, not only would he waste his control-type talent, but he might also cause a catastrophe during future Soul Ring absorption due to his unstable mentality! Especially since the issue of Soul Ring conflict between Twin Spirits remained unresolved!
Scolded so severely by his teacher, Tang San felt as if struck by a club. His body swayed slightly, but the unwillingness in his eyes didn't fade; instead, he argued back: "Teacher! I know! But... strength! We need strength! You saw it too, that Marco... and the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall! Relying solely on the current Blue Silver Grass, can we really make it to the end? I've already reached the fortieth rank and can absorb a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring! If I attach a Soul Ring to the Clear Sky Hammer, even just one, my power will definitely skyrocket! I..."
"Enough!" Yu Xiaogang took a sudden step forward, his hands gripping Tang San's shoulders so tightly his nails nearly dug into the flesh. Staring intently into Tang San's eyes, his voice trembled with emotion: "Xiao San! Look at me! What did you promise me?! Have you forgotten the greatest hidden danger of Twin Spirits?!"
Seeing the unprecedented shock, anger, and profound worry in his teacher's eyes, Tang San's remaining words stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the storm raging in his heart. His tone was pained and solemn: "Twin Spirits may seem like a tremendous opportunity, but in reality, it's like dancing on the edge of a cliff! If the Soul Rings of the two spirits conflict in attributes or repel each other's energy, the mildest consequence is the complete loss of your Martial Soul, while the worst is your body exploding and dying! I've told you about these dangers more than once! Until we find a perfect method to resolve the Soul Ring conflict, attaching Soul Rings to the Clear Sky Hammer is no different from suicide! Do you understand?!"
Seeing the genuine concern and worry in his teacher's eyes, the restlessness and obsession in Tang San's heart were doused as if by a bucket of ice water, rapidly cooling down. He recalled his teacher's painstaking guidance over the years, his mother's tragic sacrifice, his father's years of endurance... He had actually been so blinded by temporary frustration that he'd entertained such a dangerous thought!
"Teacher... I..." Tang San's voice was choked with emotion and regret.
Seeing clarity return to his disciple's eyes, Yu Xiaogang felt slightly relieved but still didn't dare relax. His tone remained extremely grave: "Xiao San, promise me! Without absolute certainty, you must never rashly attach Soul Rings to the Clear Sky Hammer! This is an order, and your teacher's only request of you!"
Looking at his teacher's deadly serious face, Tang San nodded heavily, his voice low but firm: "Teacher, I promise you! Just now... I lost my mind. I made you worry."
Hearing Tang San's assurance, Yu Xiaogang's tense nerves finally relaxed. He released his grip on Tang San's shoulders, gently patting his back instead. A tired yet relieved smile appeared on his face: "Good, that's good... Xiao San, you must remember that on the path of power, haste makes waste. The developmental potential of Blue Silver Grass is far greater than you imagine. As for the mysteries of Twin Spirits..."
He paused, a complex light flashing in his eyes, and lowered his voice, "When you successfully pass the preliminary selection and head to Spirit City for the finals, I will take you to visit an old acquaintance. He... holds the key clue to resolving the conflict between Twin Spirits' Soul Rings."
"What?!" Tang San abruptly raised his head, his eyes bursting with unbelievable joy. "Master, are you serious? There really is a way to solve it?" This was undoubtedly a glimmer of light in the darkness!
Yu Xiaogang nodded firmly, his tone returning to its usual steadiness, "Yes, this matter is of great importance. I'll give you the specific details when the time comes. For now, what you need to do is calm your mind and lead everyone to fight well in every match ahead. Trust your companions, trust yourself, and trust your Blue Silver Grass."
Tang San took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excitement and anticipation in his heart, his gaze becoming firm once more. "Yes, Master! I understand!"
Watching his disciple's rekindled fighting spirit, Yu Xiaogang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He knew this was only a temporary comfort—the temptation of Twin Spirits and the pressure of reality still remained. But at least, he had bought Tang San some time and pointed him toward the next glimmer of hope. However, going to Spirit City to visit that "old acquaintance"... the road ahead would likely still be fraught with thorns.
Master and disciple exchanged a glance, both seeing gravity and determination in each other's eyes. Then, one after another, they silently walked back to the rest room.
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