Tianlin's questioning enraged Tang San. Standing protectively in front of his Master, Tang San said, "Brother Jun, you've helped me several times, but if you continue to disrespect my Master, don't blame me for being impolite." As he spoke, the silent sleeve darts hidden in his sleeves had already been quietly readied.
"Tang San, if you want to fight—whether it's a soul battle or a martial duel—I will accompany you to the end. But this matter concerns the future achievements of my sect's disciples. I will not retreat a single step."
Tianlin's gaze was fixed firmly on Tang San. The moment Tang San made any sudden move, Tianlin would not hesitate to strike back. Whether it was using the martial souls of Douluo Continent or Shu Mountain Sect's techniques against the Tang Sect, Tianlin had absolute confidence in crushing Tang San in either scenario.
"Enough, Xiao San. Since this Sword Prince does not trust me, then so be it. It's not like my theories have ever been widely accepted. Let's drop this matter here," the Grandmaster said in a low, deep voice. He seemed as though the world's lack of understanding for his ideas filled him with great resentment.
It was a performance that gave off the air of someone who believed themselves to be the only sober person in a world of drunken fools.
With such acting skills, no wonder he had managed to deceive two fools like Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong so thoroughly.
However, Tianlin wasn't buying it. He retorted directly, "If you want the world to recognize your theories, then first remove all the obvious common knowledge from your core ideas. Moreover, when announcing your theory, you only give its name without any details—how can people trust you? If you don't want to reveal your findings, keep them as secret techniques. If you do want to share them, then explain them clearly. Stop trying to play both sides."
"Jun Tianlin!" Tang San could no longer hold back and called out Tianlin's full name. "You may have done me some small favors in the past, but I repaid you with the Tang Sect's hidden weapons. We're even now. As for any remaining cooperation, it ends here. Today, you insulted my Master; one day, I, Tang San, will come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to settle this score with you!"
"Even?" Tianlin was left speechless by Tang San's peculiar choice of words. You should check the gold soul coin card in Xiao Wu's pocket before saying that. Did you give it to her? Of course not. I paid for it.
"Do as you please," Tianlin replied with a faint smile, departing with Ning Rongrong and the others. He had been looking for an excuse to dissolve this partnership, and Tang San's anger played right into his hands.
Previously, Tianlin had been forced to rely on the Tang Sect's hidden weapons like the Buddha Fury Tang Lotus because he had not yet unlocked the Five Elements Immortal Arts and thus couldn't create offensive talismans. But now, after the Holy Spirit Pearl acquired its first soul ring, the door to immortal arts had been opened.
Although, at the moment, he only had access to non-offensive yang-element immortal arts, this still signified that the Holy Spirit Pearl was the key to unlocking the immortal arts. In the future, when the Five Elements Immortal Arts were fully activated, he would possess powerful talismans like Blazing Inferno and Starfall Earthquake. Why would he need a Buddha Fury Tang Lotus then?
To Tianlin, Tang San had now lost all value. If there was any use left for him, it was to leverage his status as the successor of the Clear Sky Douluo to attract the enmity of Spirit Hall.
After Tianlin's departure, the Grandmaster dropped his pretense entirely, his face filled with rage.
Indeed, everything Tianlin had said was correct. In the Grandmaster's heart, the other members of the Shrek Seven Devils existed only to serve Tang San. All their soul skills existed solely to support Tang San, because Tang San was his disciple—the one who could best prove his theories.
Only Tang San could become the ultimate perfect soul master. The others? Reaching a passing grade of 60% was sufficient.
"Master, don't be angry. Your theories are correct, and I will prove it for you. Although I can't defeat that Sword Prince now, I will surpass him one day," Tang San said as he helped Yu Xiaogang take a seat, his tone filled with hatred.
"You're right, Xiao San. That Sword Prince may be strong now, but his potential is nowhere near yours. Don't forget, you possess twin martial souls, and your second martial soul is the world's number one tool soul—the Clear Sky Hammer. Once you've matured, he won't be your match," the Grandmaster said, quickly regaining his composure. A lifetime of being mocked and humiliated had long hardened him to such treatment.
"The Clear Sky Hammer? Master, is that the name of my second martial soul?" Tang San asked in confusion. Because Tai Tan had been sent away by Tianlin earlier, Tang San still didn't know the truth about his second martial soul.
The Grandmaster thought for a moment. Since Tang San had set his sights on surpassing the Sword Prince, some truths should be revealed to bolster his confidence. Thus, the Grandmaster told Tang San everything about the Clear Sky Sect and the Clear Sky Douluo.
After hearing the story, Tang San was stunned for a long time. He hadn't expected his background to be so extraordinary: the heir to the world's greatest sect, the son of the Clear Sky Douluo, and the possessor of the world's number one tool soul.
A surge of confidence filled him. That Sword Prince relies on the status of the world's second-largest sect and his inheritance from the Sword Douluo to act so arrogantly. But now, my identity is no weaker than his, and my potential far exceeds his.
Once my strength surpasses Tianlin's, I will use the funds he gave me to establish the Tang Sect and reorganize the Clear Sky Sect. With the combined power of the two sects, I will surely reclaim the blueprints for the Tang Sect's hidden weapons from him. Tang Sect weapons should not remain in the hands of another sect. At that time, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was willing to become a subordinate sect of the Tang Sect, so be it. If not, then...
Completely unaware of Tang San's delusions, Tianlin led Ning Rongrong and the others out of the teaching building. "Rongrong, since I offended that Grandmaster today, he likely won't teach you the Martial Soul Fusion Theory. Why don't you follow me to Heaven Dou City? And Hongjun, Oscar, Yi Yan—you should all come too."
"Boss, I won't go. Although I don't like that Grandmaster, my Master is the true founder of Shrek Academy. Shrek is his life's work, and I want to help him make the academy famous," Ma Hongjun said. Like Tianlin, he didn't forget those who had shown him kindness. Tianlin nodded in approval. This was the right thing for Ma Hongjun to do, so he didn't press the matter further.
"I was raised by the dean, and Teacher Shao Xin has also treated me with great kindness. I'll return to my sect after the tournament ends."
"I'll stay with Oscar."
Oscar chose to stay, as he had deep feelings for Shrek Academy. Naturally, Meng Yiran followed her heart and stayed with him.
"Brother Sword, I'll stay here too," Ning Rongrong said with a smile. "As the future sect master, I can keep an eye on Hongjun and Oscar to make sure they don't slack off in their training." Then, taking Meng Yiran's hand, she added, "Besides, I can't bear to part with Sister Yiran. We're best friends now!"
Having learned the true nature of Tang San's character from Tianlin, Ning Rongrong was also unwilling to form close ties with Xiao Wu. Moreover, she had already guessed the identities of Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai. As a result, Ning Rongrong had grown distant from the two girls in the Shrek Seven Devils and instead became close friends with Meng Yiran, who had joined her sect.
"Alright, take care of yourselves. With Grandpa Eagle around, nothing should happen to you in Heaven Dou City," Tianlin said as he waved goodbye to the group. Leaving Shrek Academy, he returned to his team.