'That's more like it.' Salas thought to himself, 'Possessing the Clear Sky School's Pope Token, a disciple with the surname Tang, a spirit ring showing Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, and only fourteen years old… isn't this clearly that hybrid born of a transformed soul beast from back then? Yu Xiaogang, you damn fool, just to show off, you exposed your disciple's true identity.'
"Is that so? Many thanks for the Master's insights today. I shall take my leave…"
With that, Salas ignored Flender's attempts to keep him, and even forgot to bid Ning Fengzhi farewell as he swiftly led his entourage out of the Blue Tyrant Academy's meeting hall.
After the Spirit Hall group had left, Ning Fengzhi gave Yu Tianming a deep look, then departed with Bone Douluo. Seeing this, Yu Tianming didn't linger either, and followed after them with Qian Renxue and Ning Rongrong.
Once everyone had gone, only Flender and Yu Xiaogang were left in the meeting room.
When the others were far away, Flender finally asked with confusion, "Xiaogang, Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Douluo are mortal enemies. Why would you reveal so many details about the Blue Silver Emperor to Salas? What if he figures out Little San's identity? Wouldn't he be in danger?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes flickered as he thought, 'I was too relaxed just now and let such a big secret slip. If Salas really thinks it over carefully, he'll definitely guess Little San's identity. But if we don't join the finals in Spirit Hall City, how will I reclaim my reputation as the Grandmaster of Spirit Theory?'
After a moment of silence, Yu Xiaogang put on a confident smile. "Flender, don't worry. Who would guess that a Blue Silver Grass spirit user like Tang San is actually the son of the Clear Sky Douluo? As long as Tang Hao is around, nothing will happen to Little San."
…
Yu Tianming, Ning Rongrong, and the others strolled along a shaded path at the edge of Blue Tyrant Academy. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the ground, and the air was filled with the fragrance of grass and trees.
"Tianming, do you know the secret behind Tang San's rapid cultivation? Did the Master really develop some special method?" Ning Fengzhi asked gently. "Forgive my boldness, but Tang San has no resources, and yet his cultivation speed is shockingly fast. It's too suspicious."
Ning Rongrong was equally puzzled. 'I took the Qiluo Tulip, but Tang San didn't take any immortal herbs. How is he cultivating even faster than me?'
"Moreover…" Ning Fengzhi stroked her head, then glanced at Bone Douluo and Qian Renxue before continuing warmly. "I've already decided that the next sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be Rongrong, who possesses the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Though his tone remained calm, the words were like thunderclaps to everyone present. Yu Tianming and Qian Renxue both showed visible shock.
Ning Rongrong was even more flustered. "Father, I… I'm going to be married. How can I inherit the sect?"
"Rongrong, strength is paramount on the Douluo Continent. Tianming has incredible strength at such a young age, and you possess the strongest support spirit. You two will one day stand at the pinnacle of the continent. Isn't a mere Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a fitting dowry?" Ning Fengzhi remained as gentle and elegant as ever.
Tears filled Ning Rongrong's eyes as she threw herself into her father's arms, sobbing. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been passed down for generations, and was the culmination of Ning Fengzhi's life's work. Yet now, it was being offered as her dowry. This overwhelming fatherly love shattered her fragile emotional walls.
In truth, Ning Fengzhi had long since discussed this with Sword and Bone Douluo. A sect's value lay in its people, not its name. With Yu Tianming's strength already surpassing that of the Sword and Bone Douluo, and Ning Rongrong wielding the legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, their leadership could only bring the sect greater prosperity. Entrusting the sect to them was not only a show of trust—it also bound their fate together.
Ning Fengzhi patted her shoulder and looked up at Yu Tianming. "Tianming, is Tang San's rapid advancement due to a unique bloodline?"
"You already know he has the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, Uncle Ning?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Everyone's heard the story of Tang Hao falling in love with a soul beast. Judging by Tang San's age and that extraordinary Blue Silver Grass, I figured it out."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong stopped crying and looked up, shocked. "Father, are you saying Third Brother's mother was a soul beast? He's not fully human, but like those wolf thieves—half-soul beast hybrids?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded again.
Yu Tianming explained gently, "Wolf thieves are descendants of ten- or hundred-year-old soul beasts, which is why they exhibit beastly traits. But Tang San is different—he's the offspring of a ten-thousand-year transformed soul beast. The beast bloodline is hidden, so he's essentially human."
Then he looked back at Ning Fengzhi. "But Tang San's rapid cultivation isn't due to his soul beast bloodline. It's because he uses an evil cultivation method. Let's pretend we don't know. Once we reach Spirit Hall City, someone else will reveal his identity to the world."
Ning Fengzhi nodded in agreement. Though the 'solidarity of the Upper Three Sects' was a mere formality, he wasn't foolish enough to offend a fugitive like Tang Hao without good reason.
…
While Yu Tianming strolled through Blue Tyrant Forest, Salas had already returned to the Spirit Hall branch in Heaven Dou City.
"Fifteen, sixteen, sixteen… Among the three of the Golden Generation, even the most talented Hu Liena didn't reach rank 40 until fifteen."
Clack—he slammed a file shut and quickly locked it in the hidden drawer. He strode back to his desk and picked up Tang San's dossier.
"Blue Silver Grass… a trash spirit? Soul Elder at thirteen, Soul Ancestor before fifteen… this Tang San is interesting. Surname Tang, Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, and a teacher with the Clear Sky School's Pope Token—clearly the hybrid of Tang Hao and that soul beast."
With that thought, he grabbed a pen and rapidly penned a sealed letter.
On the envelope were five words: Top Secret – For the Pope Only.
…
A few days later, the promotion tournament began.
The five teams from the Heaven Dou region, along with ten others from the empire's five autonomous kingdoms, gathered at the Royal Knights' training grounds for the next phase of the competition.
The tournament followed a round-robin format over fourteen rounds, with each round featuring seven matches and one team sitting out. The final rankings would be determined from these matches.
Unlike the chaotic team battles, the promotion tournament allowed individual talent to shine in front of the audience. Each team sent seven members, and each member fought until defeated, then the next would take their place, until one side was completely eliminated.
At the north end of the field, a grandstand had been erected, serving as both the VIP section and judging area.
As before, Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Salas sat in the front row. But this time, seated beside the emperor was none other than Yu Tianming, the representative of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Behind him sat the clan leaders of the Lower Four Sects and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
Those unfamiliar with Yu Tianming paid it little mind, but the Blue Tyrant Academy students who often saw him now looked at him with newfound reverence.
From the stands, Huo Wu stared at Yu Tianming in astonishment and whispered to Huo Wushuang, "Brother, why is Cousin Tianming sitting next to the Emperor? Is he really that important in the clan?"
Huo Wushuang smiled mysteriously. "Tianming is the designated heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Of course he can represent the Upper Three Sects beside the emperor. Plus, he's engaged to both the Poison Douluo's granddaughter and the daughter of Sect Master Ning. With that much support, even the emperor might have to bow his head to him."
Huo Wu finally let out a breath, her earlier shock fading. "If he has that much backing, then maybe that Title Douluo-level cultivation isn't an exaggeration. After all, even that half-innate-soul-power Master reached rank 29 thanks to the clan."
At that moment, Feng Xiaotian approached. He followed her gaze toward Yu Tianming and smiled. "Sister Huo Wu, so that's your cousin Yu Tianming? I heard he has a mutated spirit like me, and even an extra head. Too bad he isn't competing, or I'd know what a real genius feels like."
Clad in a teal uniform embroidered with silver thread, tall and handsome, brimming with confidence, Feng Xiaotian was the dream of many girls—but not to Huo Wu. She didn't even look at him as she coldly replied, "You can't even beat the weakest of the Blue Lightning Trio, Yu Tianheng. How can you compare to Cousin Tianming?"
"Sister Huo Wu… if not for the energy I spent creating my original skill, I'd have reached Soul King too…" Feng Xiaotian, a genuine prodigy anywhere else, was utterly humbled in her presence.
Indeed, despite being innately full soul power, Feng Xiaotian, now over twenty, had yet to reach Soul King, having devoted too much time to developing a self-created spirit skill. Though powerful and versatile—possessing offense, defense, speed, and flight—his efforts had severely slowed his cultivation.
As the two conversed, the first match of the promotion tournament officially began.
And, by unfortunate chance, Blue Tyrant Academy drew the very first match—and against none other than the strongest team, Thunderclap Academy.
From the central stand, Emperor Xue Ye turned to Yu Tianming and chuckled kindly. "Tianming, what a coincidence. The first match is between two of your clan's academies. Looks like my luck with the draw wasn't so good."
"Blue Tyrant versus Thunderclap, huh?" Yu Tianming propped his chin with one hand, a hint of anticipation in his eyes. "It's just a match, but I am interested in watching these two teams fight."
As soon as he finished speaking, both teams' chosen fighters took to the field.
Thunderclap Academy's vice-captain, Yu Tianqing. Level 44 Power Attack Soul Ancestor. Martial soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Blue Tyrant Academy's vice-captain, Dai Mubai. Level 42 Power Attack Soul Ancestor. Martial soul: White Tiger.
As they stepped onto the field, both unleashed their martial souls. Dai Mubai's White Tiger came from the Star Luo royal line, capable of fusion with the Nether Civet, placing it among the high-tier spirits. But Yu Tianqing, though from a branch line, possessed the top-tier Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—superior to the White Tiger.
After spirit attachment, Dai Mubai activated two enhancement skills, his muscles bulging and fur sprouting over his body, claws gleaming. Yu Tianqing's muscles also knotted tightly, his skin dotted with blue scales. His dragon-formed arms were fully covered in tough scales, nearly indistinguishable from a true dragon's limbs.
Despite not having absorbed the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, Yu Tianqing's cultivation allowed partial dragonification of his arms, instantly suppressing Dai Mubai in aura.
The spectators in the VIP seats already saw where this match was headed. Emperor Xue Ye even said outright, "This prince of Star Luo has already lost."
Hearing this, a smile tugged at Yu Tianming's lips. He leaned toward the emperor and said, "The outcome may be clear, but the process of a prince's defeat… is still worth watching."
(End of Chapter)
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