Chapter 118: Poaching

Tang Hao still brought Tang San to the waterfall for cultivation, but when the two arrived, Tang Hao's face turned pale; it was obvious someone had already been here.

Tang Hao rushed to the secret chamber behind the waterfall; everything inside was as usual, but the items he had hidden were already gone.

Tang Hao roared, "Who is it? Who stole my things? I will not stand with you."

It was also Tang San's first time seeing Tang Hao like this, and he had no idea how to speak to him.

Finally, Tang Hao knelt before a patch of grass, tears glistening in his eyes: "A Yin, I have wronged you; I never imagined I would lose even your last belonging."

……

Yang Xiong returned with the troops to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy; this time the academy's Shrek team took second place, the best result in recent years, and everyone seemed jubilant, even the Snow Night Emperor personally received them.

Yang Xiong immediately sought out the Three Education Commissioners, mainly to arrange a leave of absence for Ning Rongrong.

In fact, judging by Yang Xiong's and Ning Rongrong's Soul Power Levels, they have already reached the graduation standard of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but they are only fourteen, and can still enter the next Soul Master Competition; neither Xue Qinghe nor Yu Xiaogang would let them graduate easily.

Given Yang Xiong's and Ning Rongrong's backgrounds, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will likely have other cultivation arrangements for them, so the Three Education Commissioners did not force them to stay, instead granting them leave, to return before the next Soul Master Competition.

After Flanders returned to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he seemed absent‑minded, showing no desire to teach, especially now that the Shrek team has essentially fallen apart.

Besides Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing also applied for leave; they plan to go out for trials, since the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's training cannot truly help them surpass Davis.

Ning Rongrong has already returned to the sect early with Ning Fengzhi; as the Sect Leader's Inheritor, she does more than just cultivate, also learning how to handle internal sect affairs.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiong still has matters to settle at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy; after two years with the Shrek team, he cannot have gained nothing.

The first person Yang Xiong sought was Zhao Wuji; Zhao Wuji's days at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are extremely leisurely, mainly overseeing the team's combat training, spending the rest of the time cultivating, and his salary is decent.

When Zhao Wuji saw Yang Xiong approach him alone, he was pleased: "Xiao Xiong, I heard you performed well in this Soul Master Competition; seems you haven't been beaten for nothing all these years."

Yang Xiong smiled, "I owe that to Teacher Zhao; without you, I wouldn't have such good combat proficiency."

After a brief idle chat, the two got down to business.

Yang Xiong laughed, "Teacher Zhao, do you have any plans for the future, or do you intend to keep teaching at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

Zhao Wuji looked puzzled, "Xiao Xiong, what do you mean? Is the Heaven Dou Royal Academy not good? I think life here is pretty fine."

After a moment of silence, Yang Xiong said, "Our recent trip to Spirit City brought many events; Dean Flanders seems shaken and may not stay at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and I see Teacher Er Long constantly urging Dean Flanders and the Master to go to Lan Ba Academy."

Zhao Wuji replied, "The Heaven Dou Royal Academy isn't home to little monsters like you; it's normal that people hesitate at critical moments. I'm easygoing—brothers can just go to Lan Ba Academy together. After all, we've endured many hard days; isn't a monthly salary of three thousand Gold Soul Coins enough?"

Yang Xiong thought for a moment, "Teacher Zhao Wuji, you're not young anymore; have you considered the future? Perhaps you could stop teaching."

Zhao Wuji's expression changed, "Xiao Xiong, our relationship has always been good; you know my temperament. I don't want any ties with your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—those sect rules are too many and restrictive; otherwise I'd have joined already."

Yang Xiong shook his head, "It's not about the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it's personal. I'd like Teacher Zhao to be my private coach."

Zhao Wuji was a bit puzzled, "Private coach? What's a private coach—like those family‑raised soul masters? Are you underestimating me? If you keep saying that, don't blame me for kicking you out."

Yang Xiong replied, "It's different: you'd only teach me, my brother, and our family—mainly combat training; no other responsibilities. Salary five thousand Gold Soul Coins per month, with food and lodging fully covered."

In fact, Yang Xiong's idea was modeled after the private coaches of former Blue Star athletes; those coaches earn huge salaries and work relatively loosely, which should suit Zhao Wuji's temperament.

Zhao Wuji asked, "Yang Xiong, what are you really thinking? The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect shouldn't be short of people like me, right?"

Yang Xiong quickly responded, "Teacher Zhao, I've said this has nothing to do with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. My older brother just graduated this year, and I plan to return to the sect for cultivation; if I need combat training later, I won't find anyone else. After sparring with you so many times, I'm accustomed to your teaching style."

"Of course my parents are not young, but their combat experience is relatively lacking, so they also need some training."

My older brother Yang Wei is already twenty this year; he has no hope of entering the next Soul Master Competition. At Soul Power Level 35, he'll likely return to the sect to serve as a junior steward or similar.

Zhao Wuji said, "You know I dislike being restrained; the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is too deep. I'm afraid problems will arise, you know my temper—I might not stand those sect juniors and want to beat them up."

Yang Xiong smiled, "Precisely because I understand those sect juniors' personalities, I want Teacher Zhao to train me and my older brother. Of course, if any trouble arises, you need not intervene; you can leave at any time."

Zhao Wuji showed a wry smile, "You little monster really stump me; I've spent years with Flanders and treated him as a brother, so I'm inevitably reluctant to let go."

After a pause, Yang Xiong said, "Teacher Zhao, if you agree to be my private coach, I guarantee you'll break through to Title Douluo within ten years."

Zhao Wuji was startled, "Xiao Xiong, do you know what you're saying? Title Douluo isn't easy to attain; I'm somewhat realistic—I may only ever reach Soul Douluo level in this life."

Yang Xiong looked extremely serious, "Teacher Zhao, do you see any part of what I said that I can't fulfill? Since I dare make this guarantee, I'm confident, and I can even arrange your last two Soul Rings—they'll be top‑grade Soul Rings."

Zhao Wuji's face darkened, "Yang Xiong, what exactly are you trying to do? The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect won't let you act recklessly."

Yang Xiong smiled, "It's not about being reckless; I have to consider myself. The sect's waters are too deep, and I fear drowning, which is why I say this to you, Teacher Zhao, and I'm grateful for your education these past two years."

Zhao Wuji thought for a long time before saying, "I need to think it over."

Yang Xiong nodded, "Teacher Zhao, I understand; it's a bit difficult for you, but it will be best for your future."

……

After leaving Zhao Wuji, Yang Xiong went straight to Oscar's small villa; Oscar only entered one round of the Soul Master Competition this time and suffered a crushing defeat, so he seemed quite dejected.

Yang Xiong offered a few words of comfort, then got straight to the point: "Oscar, want to come with me? Staying at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is a waste of your talent."

Oscar hesitated, "Brother Xiong, are you trying to get me to join the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? I don't want to be bound by a sect."

Yang Xiong smiled, "I'm not representing a sect, just myself. I've always regarded you as the best brother and friend among the Shrek members; you should go out for trials—only combat truly makes one stronger."

Oscar showed a hint of doubt, "I also want to grow stronger through combat, but I'm just a Food System soul master—can I really fight?"

Yang Xiong nodded, "Do you trust me? Though the Food System seems lacking in combat power, don't forget the Spiral Sphere I created; I also have other ways to make you a true battle soul master."

"Furthermore, regarding your current relationship with Qin Shuang, if you truly want to be with her, either come with me or join the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—you should know the difference between the two."

"Moreover, I plan to prepare two gifts for you that might truly transform you; after all, you're a rare case with Innate Full Soul Power."

Oscar thought for a long time, "Brother Xiong, if I don't go with you, will you withhold the Spiral Sphere and those gifts?"

Yang Xiong shook his head, "No matter what you choose, I respect you. We're brothers, you're not my subordinate; I'll still give you these things, but I hope you can seize"

"Besides, you'll graduate sooner or later, and you need to think about your future. A freelance Food System practitioner will face great difficulties, and others won't value you much."

"Only I truly understand your talent and your ideals; you might become the only Food System Title Douluo in history, perhaps a top master whose fame echoes across the continent."

Yang Xiong didn't hesitate and handed Oscar the cultivation method for the Spiral Sphere.

Oscar didn't accept but asked, "Brother Xiong, do you really think I can cultivate to Title Douluo? Do you truly acknowledge my talent?"

Yang Xiong didn't answer Oscar's question: "In Extreme North there is a soul beast called Mirror Shadow Beast, a very rare soul beast. If a Food System soul master uses this Ten‑thousand Year Soul Beast as a Soul Ring, your sausage should gain a replicating ability, allowing you to copy some battle soul master's soul skills, thus gaining combat power."

"Of course, if your body is strong enough, mastering the Spiral Sphere will also grant some combat power, but I'm still in secondary development of the Spiral Sphere, so it may become even stronger in the future."

"Actually, regarding cultivation talent, you're the best among all Shrek members, especially since you're fairly disciplined, but you lack opportunities."

After Yang Xiong finished saying that, he left immediately; Oscar is a clever person, so he will naturally know what to choose, especially since the truly crucial Immortal Herb has not yet been taken out.

(End of chapter)