Chapter 17

Ning Fengzhi stood up, smiling, and said: "Yang clan chief, with such sincerity, what fault could I possibly find? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's supplies will soon be transported to the capital of the Star Luo Empire; please send someone to receive them."

Yang Yun also stood up to see him off, smiling and said: "Custodial Hall Master Niu Gao will be in charge of the construction project in the capital of the Star Luo Empire when the time comes; the Sharp Feather Hall will contact you."

As they were about to leave, Bone Douluo turned back, smiling, and said: "Sect Master Yang, I hope we have the time to go all out in a sparring match without any reservations; it will surely be very satisfying."

Yang Yun said loudly: "Bone Douluo, whenever you have time, just let me know; I will accompany you to the end."

After the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect departed, A Li leaned against the door frame, looking at Yang Yun and said: "Indeed, just as you said, someone has sent money over; but how did you know that this immortal herb can cause a martial soul to evolve?"

Yang Yun smiled and said nothing, striding into the hall.

Seeing its tenacious vitality, the Blue Silver Emperor, which had already slightly recovered its vigor, curled the corner of its mouth.

"Uncle Hu, go to the Spirit Hall branch to collect the intelligence reward; Haotian Douluo Tang Hao, the murderer who killed the previous Pontiff, crossed blades with me a few days ago in Suotuo City."

"His martial soul is the Haotian Hammer, possessing a 100,000-year ninth spirit ring; he uses the Chaotic Whirlwind Hammer Technique, as well as the Haotian Ultimate Ability - Sumeru Hammer, to detonate the ring."

Yang Wuhu clenched his fists, his breathing becoming somewhat hurried; this guy has finally appeared.

"Sect Master, how did you feel after fighting him? Weren't you injured?"

Yang Wudi inquired.

Regarding this, Yang Yun merely shook his head and replied with three words: "He fled," without elaborating further.

But just those three words are enough to explain many things.

Yang Wuhu departed upon orders from the Breaking Clan; the Spirit Hall's intelligence bounty is not small.

But over these years, no one has found Tang Hao's whereabouts, and no one dares to claim the bounty.

One slip-up could easily make one a target of Haotian Douluo's revenge; but now, the Breaking Heaven Sect fears nothing.

There's no need to expose Xiao Wu's matter; too many people eyeing that spirit ring is not a good thing.

Yang Yun still has a martial soul that hasn't been given a spirit ring yet.

On the other side.

A group from Shrek Academy went into the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt spirit rings; although they had set out a few days early, they still ran into the unfortunate Canghui Academy.

The two sides erupted into conflict.

This time, Zhu Zhuqing did not invest much feeling into Shrek Academy, and only then did she suddenly realize that the twisted values taught in this institute...

Not daring to cause trouble is mediocre, so they instead actively provoke, play the hooligan, and flirt with female students from other academies? Those people from Canghui Academy are no good either, and these Shrek folks are just as bad.

The elder brother doesn't speak of the younger brother.

As the fight commenced, Tang San also noticed something; Zhu Zhuqing had actually already broken through the thirtieth-level bottleneck.

But why has she never said anything about it?

In the end, Zhao Wuji stepped forward to resolve Ye Zhiqu's water tortoise; Flandre did not show up.

The next day, when Flandre led the team, Tang San voiced his doubt.

"Zhuqing, you've already broken through the thirtieth-level bottleneck, right? Why didn't you tell everyone and keep it hidden?" Tang San asked.

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the whole team to hear.

Seeing everyone's attention focused on her, Zhu Zhuqing instantly felt a hint of pressure.

But she is no longer a lone, helpless individual; behind her stands strong support and reliance.

Facing Tang San's inquiry, she calmly replied: "I have indeed long since broken through the thirtieth level, but I do not intend to hunt for spirit rings."

Tang San frowned slightly and said: "Zhuqing, you also know that my teacher is the grandmaster who created the 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls'; I have been studying under my teacher since childhood."

"According to my teacher's research findings, a soul master who breaks through a bottleneck can indeed accumulate soul power without obtaining a spirit ring; but if one can obtain a spirit ring, it's still best to do so as early as possible."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and said: "Thank you for the reminder, Tang San, but I have my own considerations; your teacher's research does not apply to all soul masters."

Tang San was fine listening to the earlier part, but upon hearing that last sentence he became a little unhappy. "What are you, daring to question my teacher's research? That is a renowned theory recognized by many high-level soul masters, the essence of painstaking research accumulated over many years."

That statement sounds correct; anything can have exceptions.

But saying that in front of my teacher and his students shows a lack of regard for me.

"One day as a teacher, lifelong as a father — isn't this indirectly questioning Tang San's father?" "No need to thank me; it's just that I, Tang San, am meddling." Tang San said lightly, and did not continue discussing the topic.

"Third brother, Zhuqing isn't — " Xiao Wu tugged at Tang San's arm.

Tang San patted the back of Xiao Wu's hand, showing a smile, but still walked away.

Xiao Wu let out a sigh, came up to Zhu Zhuqing's side, and whispered softly: "Zhuqing, don't take Third Brother's words to heart; his teacher carries too much weight in his heart; it's not intentional toward you."

Zhu Zhuqing rubbed Xiao Wu's shoulder, smiling and shaking her head.

After the events at Canghui Academy, Zhu Zhuqing became even more certain she wouldn't stay with this group for long.

She only needs to be responsible for her own strength and follow the sect master's arrangements; she believes Yang Yun won't harm her.

Otherwise he wouldn't have saved her and given her that thing.

Zhu Zhuqing had indeed doubted Yang Yun's motives, or whether he had designs on her.

But in the end, all of that was overturned.

No benefit.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't think her chest was worth Yang Yun expending so much effort.

Upon reflection, to obtain great power and control her destiny, she must inevitably give up something.

For now, the things that need to be given up are still acceptable; when the day comes that she can't accept them, suicide will be the answer.

This is her, Zhu Zhuqing—distinctive personality, firm will, clear goals.

Furthermore, as long as the third ring successfully absorbs a soul ring beyond limits, or even achieves a ten-thousand-year fourth ring.

If she wants to stay in Shrek, it's not something Tang San's unwillingness can decide.

This is the confidence that strength brings.

Some displeasure doesn't delay the team's progress; the group searched in the forest for a long time.

Later encountering the Phoenix Tail Crested Snake happened just as in the original.

With Fúlándé added, the Shīlàikè team brimmed with confidence; speaking to Cháotiānxiāng was no easy task.

Finally Àosīkǎ obtained the spirit ring of the Phoenix-tailed Crowned Snake.

Cháotiānxiāng left angrily.

Fúlándé noticed that Cháotiānxiāng's expression as he left was off; furthermore, the Dragon Lord and Snake Granny always appear together, never parting.

They might also be wandering nearby.

They were just about to let the team leave the Star Dou Great Forest as a precaution.

Tang San, who had been sitting cross-legged in meditation, stood up and said, 'Dean, I'm afraid we can't leave that early.'

Fúlándé frowned slightly: 'Tang San, state your reason; why can't we leave now?'

Tang San glanced at Zhu Zhuqing beside him and said lightly, 'Because I just broke through to level 30; I also need a thousand-year spirit ring.'

'So, to avoid trouble and not make the academy teachers make another trip, let's just help me hunt for a spirit ring now.'

Zhu Zhuqing gazed calmly into the distance, as if she hadn't noticed the provocative meaning in Tang San's words.

Dai Mubai, however, heard it clearly.

(End of chapter)