"Young lady, I can see your skeletal structure is extraordinary. You're a one-in-a-million genius among Spirit Masters. You should really consider joining our Taoyuan Academy. Your future achievements will surely be limitless."
Douluo Continent, Soto City.
Li Yusong was sitting on a stool, dejectedly trying to recruit students for Shrek Academy. Just then, the sound of someone trying to poach their applicants came from across the street, leaving a nearby Flender completely speechless.
Only a few days ago, a Spirit Master school named [Taoyuan Academy] had sprung up right across from Shrek Academy, directly competing with them for students.
How could this be allowed? If this new school managed to snatch away students, wouldn't it cut off his source of income?
In front of Taoyuan Academy, perched on a blooming peach tree, stood a tall youth who appeared to be seventeen or eighteen. He was enthusiastically calling out to the passersby, trying to recruit them.
"Are you talking to me?" Ning Rongrong asked with a detached air.
Wang Sheng nodded. "Yes. My teacher said two girls would arrive today, one in a black outfit and another in a white dress. He told me to ask if they wanted to join our Taoyuan Academy. I believe that must be the two of you."
"Oh, right. He also said a lively girl with rabbit ears might be worth considering. Is that you?" Wang Sheng then turned his gaze towards Xiao Wu, who was standing next to Tang San.
"Uh... Does your teacher have the ability to see the future?" Ning Rongrong's interest was piqued.
"It must be some kind of trick," Zhu Zhuqing stated coldly.
"My teacher has never been wrong, and he doesn't resort to tricks," Wang Sheng said, his tone filled with immense respect when he mentioned his teacher. "You don't have to join Taoyuan Academy, but please do not slander him."
Six years ago, it was this very teacher who had made an exception and accepted him as a nominal disciple, completely transforming him into a Spirit Master genius.
"Third Brother, why are these two schools so close to each other? Which one are we supposed to join?" Xiao Wu whispered to Tang San. "Is his teacher really that amazing? To know in advance that we were coming?"
Tang San scoffed. "It's just a cheap trick to fool people. It might work on others, but it won't work on me."
He then addressed Wang Sheng directly. "Sorry, we already have a teacher. Grandmaster told us to join Shrek Academy, so we aren't interested in your Taoyuan Academy."
Turning to Li Yusong, Tang San pulled Xiao Wu along with him. "Sir, Xiao Wu and I would like to register for Shrek Academy." He promptly handed over twenty Gold Spirit Coins.
"Age is suitable. Are you both Spirit Grandmasters?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, you truly are two little monsters. Congratulations on being accepted into Shrek Academy. Mubai, take them inside." After confirming Tang San and Xiao Wu's spirit ranks, Li Yusong admitted them directly.
"What about the rest of you?" Flender called out, his mood visibly improved after recruiting two geniuses and pocketing several hundred Gold Spirit Coins. "Do you want to sign up? Don't say I didn't warn you. This Taoyuan Academy was just established. He's the only student, and his teacher doesn't even dare to show his face. He's probably a nobody. You can choose between our Shrek Academy or that broken-down Taoyuan place. Think it over."
"You must be here for me. Why don't you join Shrek Academy as well?" Dai Mubai said, looking at Zhu Zhuqing with a complicated expression in his eyes.
"Mn." Upon hearing his words, Zhu Zhuqing's face remained impassive, but she nodded and paid the registration fee.
"Sigh, looks like another day without recruiting anyone. It seems these Spirit Masters are not fated to learn from my teacher," Wang Sheng said with a sigh.
"Of course a trash school can't recruit anyone, especially one that dared to open across from our Shrek Academy," Dai Mubai retorted, turning back to glare at Wang Sheng with his evil eyes. He could sense a beastly power within the other boy that rivaled his own. "I suggest you move your school soon, or I'll find people to tear it down."
As the saying goes, one mountain cannot house two tigers.
"Is that a challenge?" Wang Sheng's eyes narrowed.
"So what if it is? Strength is the only thing that matters," Dai Mubai declared, clenching his fists and sneering.
Only a mediocrity is afraid of causing trouble!
"My teacher says that Taoyuan Academy does not start trouble, but we are not afraid of it either," Wang Sheng stated calmly. "Wang Sheng, 28th rank Spirit Grandmaster. Martial Soul: Battle Tiger. Please enlighten me."
As he spoke, Wang Sheng's Martial Soul possessed him. His body instantly became more robust, the character for 'King' (王) appeared on his forehead, and two Spirit Rings, one yellow and one purple, rose from beneath his feet.
"His second Spirit Ring is actually purple?"
"His second ring is a thousand-year Spirit Ring?"
"What kind of monster is he?"
"But what a pity," Dai Mubai sneered. "I don't know how your second ring is purple, but being only in the twenties at your age is still too pathetic. A thousand-year Spirit Ring? I have one too. A Tiger Martial Soul? I have one of those as well, and mine is the supreme ruler among tigers—the White Tiger!"
With a heavy stomp, three Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—appeared around Dai Mubai. He announced coldly, "Dai Mubai, 37th rank Battle Spirit Elder."
"Alright, little ones, watch closely," Flender said calmly. "The gap between Mubai and this Wang Sheng is the same as the gap between our Shrek Academy and their Taoyuan Academy."
"A 37th rank Battle Spirit Elder! He only looks fourteen or fifteen. The students at Shrek Academy are too talented."
"Actually, a Spirit Grandmaster at seventeen isn't bad," Tang San commented lightly. He had fought Dai Mubai not long ago and knew how formidable he was. As for Wang Sheng, he was just an unremarkable passerby.
"White Tiger Light Wave!"
Dai Mubai initiated with his second spirit ability, intending to end the fight quickly and bring glory to Shrek Academy. Both Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were very beautiful; he was quite interested in them, and getting them into his bed would surely be a wonderful experience.
"Second Spirit Ability: Fierce Tiger's Roar!"
A phantom of a ferocious tiger appeared behind Wang Sheng and lunged forward with a roar.
Boom!
The attack was unexpectedly more powerful than the White Tiger Light Wave. It not only dispersed Dai Mubai's attack but also slammed into him, forcing a grunt of pain from his lips. The outcome was surprising, but it was a thousand-year spirit ability, after all.
"Third Spirit Ability: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
Dai Mubai's muscles swelled, and black stripes appeared on his skin. He glared fiercely at Wang Sheng, grinding his teeth. "You asked for this!"
"The winner has been decided," Tang San stated knowingly. He had experienced this third spirit ability before; it was incredibly powerful, massively enhancing Dai Mubai's physical strength to a level no ordinary Spirit Grandmaster could withstand.
Dai Mubai threw a domineering punch at Wang Sheng, but Wang Sheng remained calm and composed. He assumed a stance resembling a tiger descending a mountain and uttered a few words: "First Spirit Ability: Tiger Soul."
"Tiger Form Fist."
Using his first spirit ability to enhance his Martial Soul possession, Wang Sheng transformed, moving like a real tiger. With a single leap, he was both swift and steady, embodying the form and spirit of the beast. He not only dodged Dai Mubai's punch but also launched a counterattack—a "fierce tiger tearing out the heart"—aimed at Dai Mubai's chest.
With a loud bang, Dai Mubai was struck by a heavy blow.
After a few more exchanges, even with the enhancement of the White Tiger Vajra Transformation, Dai Mubai's superior physical strength proved less agile and potent than Wang Sheng's tiger-like momentum.
Finally, Wang Sheng executed an extremely powerful move from his Tiger Form Fist—the Tiger Tail Kick—and landed a heavy blow on Dai Mubai's abdomen. Dai Mubai was sent flying, crashing to the ground where he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"How is this possible?" he sputtered in disbelief. "My Martial Soul is the White Tiger, and my spirit power is higher than yours! How could I lose to you?!"
"My teacher told me that while the Martial Soul is the core of a Spirit Master and spirit power dictates their upper limits, the ability to skillfully apply your power, integrate your skills, and achieve unity between man and soul is equally important," Wang Sheng explained calmly as he relaxed his stance. "Your Martial Soul and spirit power might be stronger than mine, but I study under the best teacher on the continent and practice the Tiger Form Fist he taught me every single day. So, even if my innate talent is inferior to yours, I can still defeat you."
Hearing this, Tang San snorted inwardly. No matter how good his teacher is, can he be more knowledgeable than mine?
"I want to join Taoyuan Academy!" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, and she made her decision on the spot. After all, Flender himself had just said this was the difference between the two academies.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression shifted slightly, but she seemed hesitant about something and remained silent.
"Really? That's great! You'll be the teacher's first disciple," Wang Sheng said happily.
Ning Rongrong was confused. "The first? What about you?"
Wang Sheng scratched his head, his demeanor completely different from the fierce warrior who had just defeated Dai Mubai. "Actually, I'm only considered a nominal disciple, not a true successor. I'm more like a follower. But he has taught me so much that in my heart, I already consider him my teacher. This is actually the first time he's officially taking a disciple."
"I see. So you're not even his true disciple, and you're already this strong?" Ning Rongrong's curiosity about the teacher of Taoyuan Academy grew. "I wonder who he is to be so incredible."
"My teacher's name is Su Ran," Wang Sheng said, his eyes glazing over as if in a trance at the memory of him. "Not only is his strength immense, but his appearance is also unparalleled in this world. You'll understand when you go inside and meet him."
"How dare you beat up Mubai and then try to steal our students? Do you really think Shrek Academy is a pushover?" Flender's expression turned grim as he checked Dai Mubai's injuries. An immense pressure radiated from him, so powerful it made it hard for Wang Sheng to breathe. He quickly assumed his Tiger Form Fist stance to avoid being forced to his knees.
This was the power of a Spirit Saint. If this man attacked, no matter how well Wang Sheng fought, he would be utterly crushed.
But just then, a gentle breeze swept past Wang Sheng, instantly neutralizing Flender's spirit pressure.
A calm, youthful voice drifted out from within Taoyuan Academy.
"In a duel between Spirit Masters, aren't a few scratches normal? If every Spirit Master were like you, demanding medical fees for every little bump and bruise, they might as well live in a hospital."
"If Dean Flender is looking for a spar, there's no need to trouble my student. I will be your opponent."
Following the voice, Ning Rongrong looked up. A young man with an exceptional posture, dressed in white and wearing a mask adorned with a pattern of immortal dragons and peach blossoms, was slowly walking out of the academy.
The moment he appeared, he captured everyone's attention.
(End of Chapter)