He sighed regretfully: "What a pity. Xiao San and the others are still too young. Their participation this time can only serve as training. But I believe the championship in five years will undoubtedly be ours!" Flender's final words grew impassioned.
"The dean is right! That so-called Golden Generation from Spirit Hall are already in their twenties. By the time we reach that age, they won't stand a chance against us!" Ma Hongjun boasted with naive arrogance.
"Rongrong, I support you! Consider this as competing in the finals on our behalf. Defeat Spirit Hall and claim the championship!" Xiao Wu's eyes briefly flashed with hatred, though she masked it well, quickly shifting to an encouraging expression as if cheering for Ning Rongrong. She hadn't come to the human world to play—she was here to cultivate formidable strength and seek vengeance. Spirit Hall was her enemy.
"Rongrong, I wish you victory in the championship!" Zhu Zhuqing encouraged.
"The championship is mine for sure!" Ning Rongrong declared confidently. "Alright, Dean, I must go now. I'm heading to Gem Academy next. Xiao Wu, Zhu Qing, Xiao Ao, Xiao Ma—you all focus on your cultivation. Otherwise, you'll never catch up to me again! Call for me at Gem Academy when it's time for the Soul Duel."
With that, Ning Rongrong took Dugu Feng by the hand and strode out.
After the two had left, Flender turned a stern gaze upon the remaining six Shrek Monsters. "Your recent performance has disappointed me greatly. Just because Rongrong isn't here and we haven't arranged team Soul Duels, does that mean you shouldn't take the initiative to go to the Great Soul Arena? Haven't any of you considered participating in one-on-one or two-on-two Soul Duels there? Xiao Ma, Xiao Ao, Dai Mubai—you didn't even rise until the sun was high in the sky. Ning Rongrong is the young princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Which of you can compare to her status? Since you can't match her background, shouldn't you at least match her diligence? How else do you expect to surpass her? Ning Rongrong is already a Soul Ancestor. At this rate, I doubt you'll ever catch up to her!" Flender spoke coolly.
"Impossible!"
"Five days ago, she was only level 35!"
"Did she take some miracle pill?"
The six Shrek Monsters erupted in disbelief. No one could possibly advance five levels in five days.
"She truly is a Soul Ancestor now, having reached level 42. Flender, did Rongrong tell you the reason for this?" Liu Erlong interjected.
With Liu Erlong's confirmation, Tang San and the others fixed intense stares on Flender.
"Hmph!" Flender snorted. "Regardless of the reason, the fact remains that she's now a Soul Ancestor. Dai Mubai, she's three years younger than you, yet her Soul Power Level has already surpassed yours! Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Qing, Xiao Ma! Rongrong is around your age, yet her Soul Power Level has far exceeded yours now!"
Silence fell completely over the thatched cottage. Dai Mubai and Tang San were utterly stunned. Ever since the Soul Duels in Suotuo City, Ning Rongrong's Soul Power had been advancing rapidly. But now, she'd shockingly jumped seven levels in just a few days.
"I acknowledge there must be another reason for her recent breakthrough, but her diligence in cultivation has been evident to all. I'm giving you one day to adjust your states. In one day's time, I expect to see the most determined, persistent, and hardworking versions of yourselves!"
Flender shouted loudly.
"Yes, Dean!"
The six monsters responded in unison, running toward the cafeteria at full speed. They were truly shocked.
Flender watched their retreating figures with a smile.
He admitted that today had been a wake-up call for him.
If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had methods for Second Spirit Awakening, what about other factions?
Flender had originally thought his students were genius enough.
Now, he realized it wasn't sufficient—they needed to push harder, to experience some stimulation too.
"Old Flender, have you lost your mind? The kids are already working hard enough!" Liu Erlong asked in confusion.
Yu Xiaogang, however, remained silent, deep in thought about how one could increase Soul Power so drastically within five days.
No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn't figure it out.
"Stop keeping us in suspense, Flender! How did Ning Rongrong achieve this?" Yu Xiaogang glared at Flender.
Flender replied irritably, "Second Spirit Awakening!"
Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong exchanged stunned glances.
They had heard of Second Spirit Awakening before.
During cultivation, some Soul Masters experienced Martial Soul mutations or secondary enhancements, either through absorbing Spirit Rings or their own efforts.
But such a massive boost in Soul Power was unprecedented, even for them.
"When Ning Rongrong returns, we'll have to ask her in detail how her Second Spirit Awakening occurred. Perhaps it could help Xiao San's training!"
Yu Xiaogang thought to himself.
Deep in the forest, beneath a towering tree.
A disheveled man clad in black stood there, his gaze piercing through the trees toward a cluster of thatched huts.
"Second Spirit Awakening?
Ning Fengzhi has been stuck at level 79 for years, rumored to be due to a Martial Soul Defect in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Could this defect have been resolved?
When sword and bone intersect, Ning Fengzhi appears, radiating invincible light.
Even a level 98 Titled Douluo could be challenged.
On this continent, aside from level 99 Limit Douluo, no one could stand against them.
And this is with Ning Fengzhi halted at level 79, a Soul Saint.
If he were to break through to Soul Douluo or even Titled Douluo, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would become terrifying!"
Tang Hao shook his head, then turned his gaze to his son Tang San, who was deep in cultivation.
"Xiao San's Blue Silver Grass Soul Spirit isn't ordinary—it's the Blue Silver Emperor, the sovereign of Blue Silver Grass. It, too, can undergo a Second Awakening."
Tang Hao placed a hand on a nearby tree.
Last time, outside Suotuo City, he had clashed with that old dragon.
His injuries had worsened again.
Since then, he had been recuperating.
Watching his son's progress daily, Tang Hao felt hope burning brighter within him. His cheerful mood even made his cultivation more focused.
But old wounds weren't so easily healed.
Tang Hao coughed lightly, thinking that his son's strength needed to grow rapidly.
His expression darkened as he pondered for a long while.
"Can't rush this, can't rush. Though Xiao San's Soul Power lags far behind the Dugu Family's geniuses...
This is only his first Martial Soul, and his progress is already remarkable.
A Second Awakening should wait until he reaches Soul King to maximize its benefits!"
Tang Hao suppressed his impatience.
He knew all too well that at his son's age, solidifying foundations was paramount.
Every step of cultivation had to be perfected.
Only then could he go further in the future.
Tang Hao thought of his father, Tang Bo, who hadn't allowed him or his elder brother to venture out for training until they reached the Soul Saint stage.
On one hand, he feared they might perish prematurely, and on the other, he personally supervised their hammer technique practice within the sect to solidify their foundation.
This was what allowed him and his elder brother to smoothly cultivate all the way to becoming Titled Douluo.
Xiao San is even more diligent than I was back then. Taking one step at a time in cultivation is the right approach.
Tang Hao barely suppressed his urge to rush the process.
"I should also inform Elder Brother about the changes in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and have him stay vigilant!"
A flicker of determination passed through Tang Hao's eyes.
(End of Chapter)