Chapter 275: Thunder Academy's Unexpected Defeat & The Tournament's Direction
Tang Xiao came as quickly as he left.
He arrived with excitement and left the same way.
This time, he returned to the clan with hope.
Regarding Tang Hao's plan, he agreed to most of it, but there was one thing he disagreed with.
About publicly attending the finals in Spirit City, he still felt there was no need for excessive publicity.
Going there was fine, but there was no need for an official declaration.
In his words, showing up and making an open statement were two different things.
The latter would be too provocative what if Spirit Hall refused to acknowledge them?
Tang Hao, though dissatisfied, had to admit his brother had a point.
Considering the entire Clear Sky Clan, he could only reluctantly agree.
Meanwhile, Han Li's message was sent through Salas to Qian Daoliu.
After reading it, Qian Daoliu remained silent for a moment before responding:
"Everything is up to Han Li's judgment."
In short, his trust was absolute.
Back in Heaven Dou City, the Soul Master Tournament continued as usual.
One major change, however, was that Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang had officially taken over as the Royal Academy's team leader.
Compared to his previous role as an assistant instructor, this was a significant promotion.
Meanwhile, Tang San received a letter through Yu Xiaogang from Tang Hao.
The letter clearly stated that as a father, he had always been watching Tang San's growth.
He expressed his pride and reassurance that his son had grown up.
Of course, Tang Hao didn't forget to add one final sentence.
"Use the hammer in your left hand to protect the grass in your right."
The moment Tang San read this familiar phrase, his spirit was shaken.
He immediately understood.
This was his father's way of telling him that there was no longer a need to hide the Clear Sky Hammer.
But why didn't he mention anything about the Clear Sky Clan?
Tang San was no longer the naïve boy he once was.
At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he had learned a wealth of knowledge previously unknown to him.
In the process, he realized that some aspects of Yu Xiaogang's teachings had been lacking.
He wasn't sure if it was due to Yu Xiaogang's ignorance or if it was deliberate.
Aside from solid foundational knowledge on spirit beasts,
many other key topics had been left out.
Fortunately, he had supplemented them on his own.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai used the tournament's three day break to go out with Tang San and Tai Long.
When they returned, Dai Mubai had successfully broken through to Rank 42
And he was already very close to Rank 43.
According to him, if they made it to the finals, he would definitely break through.
However, despite his confident smile, Ning Rongrong couldn't shake the feeling that his face looked strangely pale.
Then, Tai Long stepped forward.
Unlike Dai Mubai, who had been unconscious during his breakthrough,
Tai Long had undergone a special transformation.
He had used the same bone replacement technique as Tang San.
As a result, he had also broken through to the Spirit Ancestor level.
His grandfather was right being Tang San's loyal follower was truly a blessing!
Breaking through three ranks in a single day?
And his fourth spirit ring was even 7,000 years old!
Others could only dream of such fortune.
Grinning with joy, Tai Long proudly announced his advancement to Rank 42.
His teammates were shocked yet delighted.
Now, their team had three Spirit Ancestors.
Although it was still one short compared to Tianshui Academy's four known Spirit Ancestors,
they were still among the tournament's top contenders.
Well, at least in Dai Mubai and Tang San's calculations,
Zhu Zhuqing and the others weren't considered part of Tianshui Academy.
To them, those four were there specifically to counter their team.
With three Spirit Ancestors and Ning Rongrong's powerful support,
their team's effective strength was equal to five Spirit Ancestors.
Victory in the finals was practically secured.
Even Dai Mubai, whose expression was usually grim,
finally had a smile on his face.
He knew Davis had a powerful martial soul fusion technique,
but after this recent trip, he had learned something important
Tang San's "secret."
He had seen that small, black hammer.
To him, Tang San's combat strength was just as formidable.
As long as they used Oscar's flying sausage to dodge Netherworld White Tiger's attack,
they stood a real chance of winning.
Even better they might not even have to fight Star Luo's team.
If just if
Tianshui Academy and Star Luo clashed,
then no matter who lost,
Dai Mubai would be more than happy with the outcome.
In fact, he hoped that Zhu Zhuqing would fight Davis and Zhu Zhuyun and they would all perish together.
That would be ideal.
His thoughts turned venomous.
Just as the team was celebrating their breakthroughs,
the door suddenly swung open.
Yu Xiaogang had just returned from watching the matches and gathering intelligence.
The moment he stepped inside, his expression was grim.
Everyone turned to look at him.
It was clear he was in a bad mood.
Tang San immediately stepped forward, curious.
"Teacher, what's wrong?
Did something happen at the arena?"
Originally, he had planned to attend today's matches,
but due to some delays, he had returned early.
Yu Xiaogang exhaled sharply.
Then, he spoke.
"Thunder Academy lost."
Yu Xiaogang spoke with a dark expression, his tone filled with frustration.
"What? Thunder Academy lost?"
Several voices echoed at once, all equally shocked.
"Master, if I remember correctly, their opponent today was Canghui Academy, right?"
Ma Hongjun asked, his face filled with disbelief.
"Yes, it was them."
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath to calm himself and nodded.
"But they aren't weak, yet they aren't exactly strong either, right? How did Thunder Academy lose to them? That doesn't make any sense. Did they send out their reserve team?"
Ma Hongjun blinked rapidly, unable to understand.
"No, Thunder Academy fought with their full main lineup. However, they didn't expect that Canghui Academy was hiding a Seven in One Fusion Technique. Before they could react, they were completely eliminated."
Yu Xiaogang's expression grew even more serious as he mentioned the "Seven in One Fusion Technique."
"Fusion technique? A Martial Soul Fusion Skill? And with seven people?"
Dai Mubai reacted instantly, his voice tense.
He had an intimate understanding of martial soul fusion skills and had yet to experience one himself.
"No, not a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. The highest recorded Martial Soul Fusion Skill involves a maximum of three people."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head, immediately dismissing the idea.
Instinctively, he wanted to boast about his "Golden Iron Triangle", but then he remembered the current situation with Flender.
Forcing himself to swallow his words, he glanced at the group before him and felt a strange sense of superiority.
So what if they were Spirit Saints?
In the end, he was the one who had won.
Pushing aside his thoughts, he cleared his throat.
"From my observations, although Canghui Academy's team didn't manage to achieve a true Seven in One Martial Soul Fusion Skill, calling it a Seven in One Fusion Technique is still accurate."
"They used similar martial souls to form a combined attack, which, while not as powerful as a true Martial Soul Fusion Skill, was still far greater than the sum of their individual strengths."
"But the most dangerous part is that their technique is a mental attack."
Yu Xiaogang recalled the devastating defeat Thunder Academy suffered at Canghui's hands.
Although he held grudges against some members of his own family, he didn't want the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to lose face in public.
He understood that the stronger his clan was, the more power and opportunities he would have.
Glancing at Tang San, Yu Xiaogang sighed inwardly.
Most importantly, on the way back, Tang Hao had warned him
Even with Tang San's mental strength surpassing his peers, he still wouldn't be able to withstand Canghui Academy's attacks.
A mental attack?
Tang San frowned and was about to speak to boost the team's morale,
but he saw Yu Xiaogang shaking his head at him.
Tang San hesitated and remained silent.
He might not completely trust Yu Xiaogang's judgment,
but if his teacher was this certain, it meant his father had told him.
There was no need for him to argue.
"I've decided to forfeit our match against Canghui Academy. What do you all think?"
Yu Xiaogang looked at the team.
"Forfeit? But that means "
Ma Hongjun started to protest but then remembered Flender's warning.
Losing face was better than losing his life.
The others turned to Tang San, waiting for his decision.
They had no alternative.
"Then let's follow Teacher's decision. We will forfeit."
"But this means we'll be under enormous pressure in our remaining matches. We've already lost one round."
Tang San frowned, mentally calculating the upcoming matches.
"Blazing Academy, Divine Wind Academy, Elephant Armored Academy, and Thunder Academy… With our forfeit against Canghui, we can only afford to lose one more match."
"If we lose more than that, we'll be eliminated."
Yu Xiaogang had already calculated this on his way back.
Laying out the facts, he looked at the team.
"This means tomorrow's match against Thunder Academy is a must win."
Yu Xiaogang pulled out a match schedule from his robes and pointed at Thunder Academy's name.
"Now that we've heard the bad news, it's time for some good news."
Yu Xiaogang deliberately paused.
Once he had everyone's attention, he finally spoke.
"Because of Canghui Academy's attack, Thunder Academy's members suffered severe mental trauma."
"This means their condition tomorrow won't be at its best."
"We have a high chance of winning."
At this, he subtly glanced at Dai Mubai and Tai Long.
He was well aware of their recent breakthroughs.
His lips curled into a pleased smile.
"Additionally, the day after tomorrow, our next opponent, Elephant Armored Academy, will be facing Canghui Academy right after our match."
"This means our fight against them will also be easier."
"Right now, Canghui Academy's team battle is essentially unbeatable unless a weakness is found."
"But at the same time, they are helping us by wearing down our opponents."
"In a way, they are our strongest weapon."
…
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's analysis, Tang San and the others gradually brightened.
(End of Chapter)
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