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Shrek Academy.
Unlike the harmonious atmosphere of the Royal Fighting Team, although Tang San had luckily secured a promotion spot, his condition was very poor.
Since the day he became a Spirit Master, at least in his environment, Tang San had always been at the peak among his peers. Even though he only possessed the Blue Silver Grass, which everyone called a trash Spirit, his strength was never inferior to those Spirit Masters of the same age who had powerful Spirits.
However, in the Soul Master Competition, he had witnessed too many powerful Spirits and too many powerful control system Spirit Masters. He didn't feel he was weaker than those people. If he and those with higher spirit power levels were the same age, he believed he would be stronger than them.
Yet, Shui Bing'er's top-tier Ice Phoenix that controlled the entire situation, Huo Wu's violent and scorching Fire Shadow Spirit... He realized again and again that even at the same level, with just the Blue Silver Grass, he could never defeat these opponents. The absolute elemental suppression and the absolute gap in Spirits were like an insurmountable chasm.
This enormous disparity, stemming from the Spirit itself, plunged him into unprecedented confusion.
He even began to doubt whether his persistence in cultivating the Blue Silver Grass was a mistake from the very beginning.
He didn't only have one Spirit.
The Clear Sky Hammer—the number one Tool Spirit in the world—still slumbered within him!
He was absolutely confident that if he had cultivated the Clear Sky Hammer from the start, with his current spirit power level, he would be able to challenge a Spirit Ancestor across ranks. His strength was far from just that!
Continuing to waste time on the Blue Silver Grass was tantamount to squandering his talent.
It would be better to give up early and switch to cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer.
With his current spirit power of level thirty-six, if he could attach high-quality spirit rings to the Clear Sky Hammer, he might even break through level forty before the promotion rounds!
Once this thought took root, it grew wildly.
His confidence in the Blue Silver Grass waned daily. He even developed a hint of resentment towards his father, whom he hadn't seen in many years, and towards his mentor, Yu Xiaogang. Why did they all want him to cultivate this weak Blue Silver Grass?
That so-called 'future potential,' compared to the tangible power within reach, which was more important? If he couldn't even grasp the present, what right did he have to talk about the future?
He didn't want to lose, especially not to Xuan Ming!
He knew that Xiao Wu's departure was not only because of his teacher but also because of Xuan Ming, the person strong enough to protect her.
And what about him? With this frail Blue Silver Grass, he couldn't even keep the person he wanted to protect... "No, I can't go on like this anymore."
Inside the wooden house, Tang San looked up. His hair was messy, and his eyes were bloodshot, making him look somewhat frightening.
"Clear Sky Hammer!"
Having made up his mind, Tang San finally walked out of the wooden house. He immediately sought out Yu Xiaogang and told him his idea of switching to cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer.
Naturally, Yu Xiaogang disagreed, but Tang San had already made up his mind.
Helpless, Yu Xiaogang could only tell him to rest first and that he would discuss it with Flender.
"Little San's father entrusted him to me, hoping I could use my knowledge to help him successfully cultivate his twin spirits. If he switches to the Clear Sky Hammer now, it might bring a huge improvement to Little San in the short term, but it would be extremely detrimental to his future," Yu Xiaogang said.
"Moreover, with his current body, rashly attaching spirit rings to the Clear Sky Hammer carries enormous risks."
The nature of the Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer differed greatly, even being completely opposite. The spirit power generated by the two Spirits was also different. Although Tang San's physical quality was excellent among his peers, it was far from enough to support him attaching spirit rings to both Spirits simultaneously right now.
One slip-up, and he could die!
Flender was a bit helpless. "Telling me this is useless, ah. You, his teacher, can't even persuade him, so what can I do?"
Tang San listened most to two people: Yu Xiaogang, his teacher, and Xiao Wu. But now, Xiao Wu had been angered away by Yu Xiaogang, and even he couldn't persuade him. What could others say?
"I want you to help me stabilize Little San first. I'm going to Spirit Hall to see if I can get Bibi Dong's method for cultivating twin spirits from back then," Yu Xiaogang said.
"Supreme Pontiff?" Flender's eye twitched.
"Are you sure? Erlong has only just managed to stabilize. If you go to see the Supreme Pontiff, won't you provoke her again?"
Although Liu Erlong had strong opinions about Yu Xiaogang because of what Xiao Wu and the others said, he was still the man she had waited half her life for; she couldn't let go!
Under Yu Tianheng's mediation, Liu Erlong had actually forgiven Yu Xiaogang for many things, and their relationship was recovering during this time. Just as things were finally looking up, if Yu Xiaogang went to see the Supreme Pontiff, wouldn't Liu Erlong explode?
"But Little San's current state, I can't delay any longer. Little San is a very stubborn person. Once he makes up his mind, even I find it difficult to change. If I really can't persuade him, I can only try my best to help him cultivate twin spirits simultaneously," Yu Xiaogang said.
"As for Erlong, Flender, please help me keep her stable."
"I..." Flender was somewhat speechless.
"How can I stabilize her?"
"I believe in your abilities," Yu Xiaogang said.
"Bibi Dong is currently in Spirit Hall in Tiandou City. I won't take too long. Just help me keep it from Erlong."
Flender sighed, "I'll try."
After bidding farewell to Flender, Yu Xiaogang hurried towards Spirit Hall.
Along the way, his mood was heavy and complex. On one hand, he worried about Tang San's future, and on the other, he felt anxious about facing Bibi Dong again.
After all, the two of them once had a deeply etched yet turbulent relationship. Now, meeting again, he wondered what kind of scene it would be.
"Flender."
Soon after Yu Xiaogang left, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice sounded in Flender's office.
"Douluo Hao?"
Flender's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly followed the sound to the back mountain forest, looking nervously at the black-robed figure who had suddenly appeared.
"I just went to see Little San; his condition is very poor. What happened?" Tang Hao asked in a deep voice.
That day outside Tiandou City, the terrifying head Spirit Bone skill of Xuan Ming had triggered his old injuries. For nearly half a month, it was extremely difficult for him to even circulate his spirit power. He had only just managed to recover a little and suppress his injuries, but when he returned, Tang San's state was as if his mindset had collapsed!
He had never seen Tang San like that before!
Flender sighed and recounted Tang San's experiences in the Soul Master Competition and his desire to switch to cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer, telling Tang Hao everything in detail.
After listening, Tang Hao frowned deeply, a flash of anger and helplessness in his eyes. "This child, in the end, was still struck down by the disparity in Spirits."
"Douluo Hao, what do you think should be done about this?" Flender asked cautiously.
Tang Hao was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I'll handle this. Next, I will take Little San away for a period of time."
With that, Tang Hao turned and walked towards the wooden house where Tang San was... At the same time, Yu Xiaogang also arrived at Spirit Hall.
Using the Supreme Pontiff's Token given by Tang Hao, he smoothly entered the hall and requested an audience with the Supreme Pontiff.
Bishop Salas dared not neglect him.
If it were anyone else, he might question the authenticity of the Supreme Pontiff's Token, but Yu Xiaogang... he indeed could possess such an item.
"What are you busy with?"
At the entrance of the training ground, Yue Guan stopped the hurried Salas.
"Elder Yue Guan," Salas replied nervously.
"That Yu Xiaogang has come with the Supreme Pontiff's Token, requesting an audience with His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff."
Yue Guan was startled: "Supreme Pontiff's Token? Yu Xiaogang? Are you sure?"
Only three Supreme Pontiff's Tokens were circulating outside Spirit Hall, held by the Upper Three Sects.
Only the Supreme Pontiff himself had the authority to issue additional ones.
As far as he knew, only Hu Liena and Xuan Ming each held one.
Where did Yu Xiaogang's Supreme Pontiff's Token come from?
"Absolutely certain! I have personally verified it," Salas confirmed.
"Elder Yue Guan, what do you think... should I report to His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff?"
Yue Guan frowned deeply: "Tell him to wait! At least... wait until the person inside leaves."
"The person inside?" Salas was stunned. "Xuan Ming is also here?"
Yue Guan glared at him: "If you want to live a few more years, ask fewer questions."
"Yes, yes, yes..." Salas immediately fell silent, standing respectfully to the side.
Yue Guan looked towards the depths of the training ground, pondering for a moment: "You guard here. I'll go think of a way."
No matter what Bibi Dong intended, Xuan Ming and Yu Xiaogang absolutely could not meet here!
He had to find Hu Liena! Get her to find a way to distract Xuan Ming and free up time for the Supreme Pontiff!
Having made up his mind, Yue Guan's figure flashed, and he quickly swept towards Hu Liena's cultivation area.
However, not long after, the Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo escorted Qian Renxue towards them.
The inner area of Spirit Hall was heavily guarded, but even without any disguise, no one would associate the person before them with the Tiandou Crown Prince. Qian Renxue had unrestricted access here.
"Your Highness." Salas, seeing the newcomer, quickly bowed in salute.
"His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff is inside..."
"I'm not looking for her," Qian Renxue interrupted him, her gaze sharp. "Bishop Salas, I'm looking for you. There are some things we need to discuss properly."
Salas was stunned, fine sweat breaking out on his forehead: "Your Highness, this subordinate is currently... perhaps inconvenienced. Could we choose another time?"
Qian Renxue's delicate brows furrowed: "What is so urgent?"
Aside from the Elder Palace, only Salas, the Platinum Bishop stationed in Tiandou City, knew her true identity, so that in times of crisis, he could mobilize the power of Spirit Hall for support.
In the past, he had always been obedient to her. How dare he prevaricate today?
"This..." Salas opened his mouth, his heart extremely nervous.
He, as an intermediary, naturally knew about Qian Renxue's previous investigation into Bibi Dong. Now that Qian Renxue was looking for him, he could naturally guess why.
But for Bibi Dong's matter, Gold Crocodile Douluo had issued a gag order!
He was absolutely forbidden to reveal a single word to Qian Renxue!
Now Yu Xiaogang was in Spirit Hall, and Gold Crocodile Douluo was also here. If he spoke, let alone tomorrow's sun, he might not even see tonight's moon!