Chapter 73: Shrek's Concerns
After a chaotic episode, under Yu Xiaogang's "strict discipline," Dai Mubai finally quieted down.
Suppressing his disgust, Yu Xiaogang forced himself to calm his irritation. His face tense, he said seriously, "Even though you won against the Berserker Team today—who are by no means weak among the Soul Elders—you must not get arrogant. I want to show you this dossier."
Huangdou Battle Team – Roster
Captain:
• Name: Yu Tianheng
• Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon
• Rank: 39
• Type: Power Attack System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Gold Spirit Fighter
Vice-Captain:
• Name: Dugu Yan
• Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent
• Rank: 38
• Type: Control System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Silver Spirit Fighter
Member:
• Name: Shi Mo
• Martial Soul: Black Tortoise
• Rank: 38
• Type: Defense System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Silver Spirit Fighter
Member:
• Name: Shi Mo
• Martial Soul: Black Tortoise
• Rank: 37
• Type: Defense System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Silver Spirit Fighter
Member:
• Name: Yufeng
• Martial Soul: Wind Chime Bird
• Rank: 36
• Type: Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Silver Spirit Fighter
Member:
• Name: Oslo
• Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard
• Rank: 36
• Type: Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Silver Spirit Fighter
Member:
• Name: Ye Lingling
• Martial Soul: Nine-Heart Begonia
• Rank: 35
• Type: Auxiliary Tool Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Silver Spirit Fighter
Member:
• Name: Zu Zong (Nickname: Uchiha Zong)
• Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass
• Rank: 38
• Type: Control-Enhanced Power Attack Tool Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Gold Spirit Fighter
Member:
• Name: Rougu Meitu
• Martial Soul: White Rabbit
• Rank: 33
• Type: Power Attack System Battle Soul Master
• Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple
• Titles: Team Silver Spirit Fighter, Individual Gold Spirit Fighter
As they read the dossier Yu Xiaogang handed over, everyone in Shrek—except Zhu Zhuqing, who already knew—looked grim. The entire team held Silver Spirit Fighter ranks or above.
"Teacher, what is this?" Tang San asked seriously.
Yu Xiaogang cast a sidelong glance at Dai Mubai, who was still leaning carelessly against him, then cleared his throat and said solemnly, "This is the Huangdou Battle Team's data from one month ago. I obtained it through special channels. I believe some of the members should be familiar to you.
Ye Lingling is the healing-type Soul Master who treated Dai Mubai previously; Zu Zong—also known as Uchiha Zong—is someone you all know; and Rougu Meitu, if I'm not mistaken, is none other than Xiao Wu, who has long spent time at Zu Zong's side. I can't believe I overlooked her—she's clearly an extraordinary talent!"
"But didn't you say Zu Zong only became a Soul Elder a year ago? How could his cultivation jump to Rank 38 within a year?"
The speaker was Ning Rongrong. While she already knew Zu Zong was strong, she had assumed his level was around Rank 34. Even with outstanding talent, a three-rank leap in one year would already be remarkable.
Yu Xiaogang replied, "Even when he was young, I could see he was an exceptionally clever child, never doing things by the book. His cultivation methods are completely unorthodox. A few times I saw him train, I thought he was daydreaming.
But somehow, his strength kept growing at a pace visible to the naked eye. Perhaps he understands the principle that 'the tall tree catches the wind'—and so deliberately hides part of his power."
Tang San frowned upon hearing this. In secret, he had tried imitating some of Zu Zong's training methods, like walking on trees or water. With his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he could manage briefly, but nowhere near Zu Zong's level of ease. As for asking Zu Zong for help? Don't joke. The two could barely avoid fighting on sight.
Yu Xiaogang then looked at Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, you've known Zu Zong for a while—you should know a few things."
His words drew everyone's attention to Zhu Zhuqing. Even Dai Mubai looked over, his expression complicated.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded helplessly. Though she was reluctant to reveal anything about Zu Zong, since he had already stopped hiding his true strength, there was no harm in mentioning parts of their past.
"I met Xiao Zong when we were ten years old." Zhu Zhuqing briefly recounted how she met Zu Zong in Star Dou Great Forest. She glossed over the assassination attempt by Zhu Zhuyun and others, simply saying they were ambushed. While describing the incident, she deliberately observed Dai Mubai's expression—and saw only fear, not a shred of guilt. Her dislike for him deepened.
As for Zu Zong's capabilities, she offered no details.
Yu Xiaogang wore a "just as I thought" expression, a trace of bitterness in his voice. If only he had Zu Zong's talent, he wouldn't have ended up like this.
"Looks like he broke through Rank 30 by the time he was ten and a half. Truly enviable talent."
"Wow, Zhuqing! So Zu Zong saved the damsel in distress, and you fell in love at first sight, then came all this way to find him, only to reunite and fall in love in Soto City. What a beautiful love story!" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up in admiration. She never thought such tales from books could play out in real life.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly, her face blushing.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar glanced at Dai Mubai—still drowning in his "painful" memories—and thought to themselves, "Brother... no, sister, you really lost fair and square!"
Meng Yiran also showed a look of longing as she turned to glance at Tang San.
Unlike the others, Tang San's mind was entirely focused on becoming stronger. As someone who saw himself as a genius, he was deeply provoked. Inwardly, he thought, "I don't care about some damn romantic love story right now. All I want is to become stronger—stronger than anyone. I want to become the most powerful person in the world."
"Teacher, are you saying you want us to defeat the Huangdou Battle Team?" Tang San looked toward Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang first nodded, then shook his head. "Yes and no. But with your current strength, you'd definitely lose. I just don't want you getting too full of yourselves."
"How is that possible? Even if Huangdou is strong, we just defeated the Berserker Team, and all of them were over Rank 35," Ma Hongjun protested.
Yu Xiaogang said, "The Berserker Team you beat had already been defeated by the Huangdou Battle Team—and nearly in a single clash. The match lasted no more than two minutes."
"Teacher, could it be they didn't have time to use 'Frenzy'?" Tang San asked. After all, if not for Oscar's flying sausage delaying them, it wouldn't have been so easy to win against the Berserker Team.
Yu Xiaogang said, "No, they did use it. According to recorded personnel reports, Huangdou only sent out three people at the start, and the Berserker Team was already on the back foot. After they used 'Frenzy,' they were defeated even faster—Uchiha Zong took them out in a single move."
Gulp. Everyone swallowed hard. Were they supposed to defeat a monster like that? How was that even possible?
Yu Xiaogang said, "My goal is for you all to obtain Silver Spirit Fighter rank within one month. If nothing goes wrong, you'll become the second Soul Elder-level Silver Spirit Fighter team after Huangdou.
By then, the chance of encountering Huangdou will be high. But don't worry—based on what I know, Uchiha Zong, or rather Zu Zong, hasn't participated in any team battles since earning the Silver Spirit title two months ago. The likelihood of facing him in a group match is very low."
Upon hearing that Zu Zong wouldn't be participating, everyone let out a long sigh of relief. None of them wanted to become the next "Dai Mubai." That move "Thousand-Year Kill" was simply too terrifying.
(End of Chapter)
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