Chapter 107: Yu Xiaogang's Dilemma

Unexpectedly, the Shrek Team's first‑round draw was still Chi Huo Xue Yuan, but Chi Huo Xue Yuan actually conceded outright, and the Shrek Team won its first victory without a fight.

When the Shenfeng Academy Team took the field, three Soul Ancestors from Chi Huo appeared in the Shenfeng Academy Team, just as in the original; the Soul Ancestors of both teams merged into a single seven‑Soul Ancestor squad.

The Heaven Dou Empire Shenfeng Team, facing a Star Luo team, secured victory in just one minute; within the team, Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian coordinated—fire rode the wind, wind boosted the fire—so both Wind Attribute and Fire Attribute damage surged dramatically.

Everyone was instantly shocked; judging by this, the entanglement of the Shenfeng Academy and Chi Huo Academy teams indeed amplified their strength, and the seven Soul Ancestors seemed no weaker than other top teams.

Seeing Huo Wu looking spirited, Yang Xiong internally scoffed: only the two‑headed sycophant Feng Xiaotian would devise such a rotten plan, probably pressured by the loss in the promotion match and trying to show off in front of Huo Wu.

But the fool fails to realize that the Shenfeng Academy's dominance in the Qualifying Tournament wasn't due to individual skill, but its unique seven Wind Attribute Soul Grandmasters, all capable of Flight; adding three Chi Huo Soul Ancestors now forfeits its advantage.

In the second round the Shrek Team rested, while all three top‑seed teams fielded their lineups; the Heaven Dou Team also made a grand appearance, with Oscar and Qin Shuang in its ranks, yet even against a rookie Star Luo Empire team it suffered an unambiguous crushing defeat, turning the seed teams into laughingstocks.

Naturally, the other two seed teams also made grand entrances; the Star Luo Royal Academy Team likewise had seven Soul Ancestors, and Dai Weisi had reached level 49, making him the highest Soul Power Level member among the Two Great Empires aside from the Spirit Hall Team; Yang Xiong clearly felt Dai Weisi was far more fierce and powerful than Dai Mubai.

As for the Spirit Hall Team, its strength was even more exaggerated: it not only had three Soul Kings, but every member was above level 45, giving an overwhelming Soul Power advantage, and each seemed to have abundant combat experience—truly a golden generation.

After two consecutive rounds, virtually every team displayed a certain level of strength; according to Yang Xiong's assessment, the Spirit Hall Team, the Star Luo Royal Academy Team, and the New Divine Wind Team should rank in the top three, even considerably stronger than the Shrek Team, with impressive Soul Power Levels and team coordination across the board.

In contrast, the Shrek Team was far more mediocre: on one hand it lacked a powerful Martial Soul Fusion Technique, and on the other the members showed gaps in both Soul Power and cooperative synergy.

Unlike Yang Xiong's casualness, everyone in the team appeared unusually solemn, especially Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and Dai Mubai, as well as the substitute Zhu Zhuqing.

After the second round, there was still a day off; Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong simply ignored all team matters and spent a whole day leisurely strolling around Spirit City.

Spirit City, by comparison, is not as bustling as Seven Treasures City or Heaven Dou City, yet the entire city feels very tranquil; Spirit City is populated entirely by Soul Grandmasters, ordinary people cannot enter, and among the Grandmasters there is no conflict nor any slavery, presenting a thriving atmosphere.

In contrast, Yu Xiaogang, Qin Ming and others appeared extremely busy and equally despondent.

Especially Yu Xiaogang, whose eyes were blood‑red, continuously writing and calculating on paper; the room was piled with sheets, as if analyzing each team's strength, with the three strongest teams placed at the very center.

Tang San, watching Yu Xiaogang's condition, felt a pang of sympathy.

"Teacher, don't be so nervous; we'll do our best and definitely won't lose to other teams."

Yu Xiaogang gave a wry smile: "Xiao San, after my analysis and calculations these past days, I'm afraid we have little chance against these three top teams, especially the Spirit Hall Team, which in strength completely crushes every other team and is not even on the same tier."

Tang San quickly replied: "Teacher, we're still young; the members of the Spirit Hall Team are clearly over twenty. In the next Soul Master Competition we'll also have several Soul Kings, and then our strength will definitely surpass that of the Spirit Hall Team."

Yu Xiaogang showed a hint of resentment: "The next competition? I'm just a bit unwilling to accept it; you've worked so hard, you're already the youngest Soul Ancestor in history, yet you still can't achieve the desired results."

"Moreover, after years of planning, we've finally reached Spirit City, and I never expected it to be this hard; these three top teams would have been guaranteed champions every year in the past."

Tang San said: "Teacher, we still have a chance; at least against the New Divine Wind Team and the Star Luo Royal Academy Team, we might not lose outright."

Yu Xiaogang chuckled wryly: "It's not that simple. Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu already counter you and Dugu Yan heavily, and Feng Xiaotian himself is extremely formidable. Our Shrek Team lost to those two teams in the Qualifying Tournament, showing a clear gap in strength between us."

"As for the Star Luo Royal Academy, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun are both very powerful, and they haven't even played their trump cards yet."

Tang San, a bit puzzled, asked: "Teacher, could Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun perfectly control the Nether White Tiger?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded: "There should be no problem; Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun are both high‑level Soul Ancestors. According to my research on the Star Luo Empire, once one reaches the Soul Ancestor realm, if the two have sufficient rapport, they can unleash the Nether White Tiger."

"I originally brought Zhu Zhuqing into the team hoping he and Dai Mubai would form a Nether White Tiger, perhaps becoming one of our trump cards, but Zhu and Dai Mubai remain somewhat distant, never fully in sync, so the Nether White Tiger is intermittent in its effectiveness."

"According to Dai Weisi's Soul Power calculation, the Nether White Tiger formed by Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun would have at least a mid‑tier Soul King combat power, possibly even top‑tier Soul King strength; even with Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda amplification, it would be hard to match."

Tang San's disappointment deepened upon hearing this; he also wanted to prove himself, especially on the continent's most dazzling stage, to demonstrate his worth to the world.

Yu Xiaogang continued: "I've conducted a detailed analysis of everyone on the Shrek Team. Purely in terms of combat power, you, Yu Tianheng, and Dai Mubai are all quite good, but only barely at the 45‑56 level; compared to Feng Xiaotian there's still a gap. However, the one I can't figure out is Yang Xiong."

Tang San, puzzled, said: "Yang Xiong? His combat power is indeed far stronger than mine, but if I use an External Soul Bone, I shouldn't be that far behind him."

Yu Xiaogang shook his head: "It's not that simple. I once spoke with Sect Leader Ning; he said he himself doesn't know the exact combat power Yang Xiong has reached, but he did say Yang Xiong never loses to anyone in the entire Soul Master Competition."

"I've been pondering the meaning of that statement; so far Yang Xiong has never used a soul skill, and we don't even know what his soul skill is. This might hold the key to turning the tide against strong teams, perhaps even giving us the capability to face the Spirit Hall Team head‑on."

Tang San's eyes showed a hint of resentment: "Teacher, I will train hard and will definitely not be weaker than Yang Xiong."

Yu Xiaogang sighed: "Xiao San, I have great faith in your strength and in your talent; you are truly unparalleled."

"But for the past two years I've been quite curious about Yang Xiong; although he still trains at the academy, you should understand that he hasn't yet reached his limit. He has his own training regimen, and even I can't interfere too much."

"Just like the four Bracelets Yang Xiong wears: back when we were first in Shrek, you said they were weight‑loads, but I've recently observed that now Yang Xiong even wears the weight‑loads during combat, and the load seems much heavier than at the start, showing his strength is far beyond our expectations."

Tang San quickly replied: "Teacher, that's not right; Yang Xiong only has an ordinary martial soul, so why is his physical condition so strong? Especially his cultivation speed over the past year—he's faster than me, even faster than everyone else, which doesn't resemble an Innate Soul Power Level 6."

Yu Xiaogang shook his head: "I don't know; perhaps he discovered an entirely new cultivation method, or maybe he got a huge opportunity. It could be that the senior Title Douluo paid special attention to this disciple—after all, a Title Douluo is far beyond what ordinary people can comprehend."

Tang San fell silent upon hearing this; although Yu Xiaogang knows many things, as his cultivation has progressed over the years, Tang San's own understanding has also broadened, gradually recognizing some limitations in Yu Xiaogang's theories.

Yet after so many years together, like a father‑son relationship, Tang San even felt a long‑missed paternal affection, so he raised no doubts toward Yu Xiaogang.

When Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong returned to the hotel after a day's walk, the atmosphere seemed very heavy, and even the usually lively Huo Wu fell silent.

Obviously, after two consecutive rounds, everyone began to grasp the gap between themselves and the top teams.

Especially Dai Mubai no longer exuded his former vigor; a trace of distress appeared in his eyes, clearly indicating that his strength lagged far behind Dai Weisi—Mubai is now only level 42, while Dai Weisi is a full level 49, and Dai Weisi's appearance suggests he has undergone extremely rigorous training, making his combat power likewise exceptionally formidable.

Yu Xiaogang, however, looked as if he wanted to speak but held back, leaving Yang Xiong at a loss for how to respond.

(End of Chapter)