Chapter 174: Oscar Returns

Time flew quickly; a year had already passed, and the time for the Shrek gathering mentioned by Flanders was now very close.

Yang Xiong spent the year mainly in diligent cultivation, handling neither the affairs of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect nor the Body Sect much.

Anyway, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's protection plan had already been clarified with Ning Fengzhi, and the rest was his own responsibility to execute.

Bone Douluo, on behalf of Ning Fengzhi, personally visited the Clear Sky Sect to discuss the Clear Sky Sect's emergence and the cooperation between the two sides.

However, within the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao and the Five Great Elders disagreed; the Five Great Elders leaned toward the Clear Sky Sect re-emerging, while Tang Xiao, being steady and very cautious, did not support the Clear Sky Sect's current emergence.

Obviously Tang Xiao had communicated with Tang Yuehua and knew clearly that the Spirit Hall was now very powerful; a rash emergence would immediately draw the Spirit Hall's targeting.

Moreover, it was unknown whether Tang Yuehua was in contact with Tang Hao, but Tang Yuehua was aware of Tang San's situation.

Tang San's performance in the last Soul Master Competition was fairly impressive; he possessed a dual martial soul plus Innate Full Soul Power, also had an External Soul Bone, and at the tender age of 14 had already reached the Soul Ancestor Realm, showing his talent.

Whether in terms of opportunity or talent, he was a rare genius the Clear Sky Sect had seen in recent years; if the Clear Sky Sect emerged rashly, the Spirit Hall would definitely tear up the old treaty and give Tang San no chance to grow.

Thus, after final confirmation, the Clear Sky Sect decided not to emerge for the time being,

but also prepared to emerge at any moment, since Tang San, having roamed outside for a long time, also needed protection.

After returning to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Bone Douluo gave a detailed account of what he saw and heard from the Clear Sky Sect; although the Clear Sky Sect did not display the Five Great Elders' strength, Bone Douluo's own power and inscrutability made it clear that the Clear Sky Sect lacked the aura of multiple Title Douluo.

Especially when Bone Douluo faced Tang Xiao, Tang Xiao, though unusually steady, also exuded a mountain-like aura, inscrutable.

It should be noted that Bone Douluo is now at the 96th-level peak, while Tang Xiao's soul power is evidently a notch stronger; from Bone Douluo's perspective, it is clear that Tang Xiao has already reached level 97, especially given the might of the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul, which is likely comparable to a Sword Douluo.

After hearing Bone Douluo's description, Ning Fengzhi became considerably more serious and decided that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect should further contract its influence, urging all disciples within the sect to train earnestly.

Clearly, this probe by Bone Douluo made Ning Fengzhi feel pressure; if the Clear Sky Sect continues to develop this way, by the time they emerge, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will be on the brink of decline.

Ning Fengzhi also knew very well that, in terms of appeal, the Clear Sky Sect was far stronger than the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; especially at the Clear Sky Sect's peak, both inner and outer disciples were far more numerous than those of the current Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. One could say the Clear Sky Sect is born with unparalleled charisma, and the Clear Sky Hammer is an unsurpassable pinnacle in everyone's mind.

Originally Yang Xiong also wanted to visit the Clear Sky Sect to see Tang Xiao and the so-called Clear Sky Hammer martial soul, but Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo denied it; this time was mainly to probe the Clear Sky Sect's details, as a rash visit could stir up trouble and even provoke mutual suspicion.

As for the Body Sect, everything progressed as usual; the sect's interior was bustling with earnest cultivation, and the Body Academy had expanded somewhat over the years, gradually recruiting several Body martial soul students from outside.

The overall strength of the Body Sect also rose noticeably; Lin Gong and Long Gong remained at level 91, and after becoming Title Douluo, their progress slowed considerably, especially since both possessed the Fifth Soul Ring of the Thousand-Year, affecting their foundations.

However, Niu Gao had recently broken through to Title Douluo, becoming the Body Sect's third Title Douluo, and also the only Title Douluo from a Single Attribute Family.

This time, Sword Bone Douluo did not act; instead, Lin Gong led all the Body Sect elders to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for Soul Rings.

After a search, Niu Gao obtained a Soul Ring about eighty thousand years old, raising his soul power to level 91.

It was unclear whether Niu Gao's stimulus affected them, but Bai He and Yang Wudi also trained more earnestly; Yang Wudi reached level 88, and Bai He reached level 87.

In pure combat terms, Yang Wudi was actually the strongest in the entire Body Sect, even a notch stronger than Lin Gong and Long Gong.

However, Lin Gong was a rare Control System Title Douluo, while Long Gong possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Technique formed by the Snake Madam Chao Tianxiang, and each of the three had their own strengths; together their power would be even more spectacular.

If the Body Sect's strength could be said to have greatly increased, and even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had some improvement, Yang Xiong was relatively more struggling.

Even with all his hard training, Yang Xiong seemed stuck at level 69, with no recent progress.

Back then, after obtaining the Sixth Soul Ring and undergoing Ice Fire Tempering Body, three Soul Bones shattered and reformed; Yang Xiong, using Ice Fire Dual Eye, broke through to level 67.

However, in the following year, Yang Xiong's cultivation speed slowed further; it took a whole year to barely gain two levels, and after reaching level 69, his soul power's growth was like a turtle's, with no noticeable progress.

Yang Xiong also considered taking Immortal Herb again, but those herbs were not suited to his Body martial soul.

Especially after taking the rare mushroom Qi Rong Tong Tian Ju for just over a year, Yang Xiong could clearly feel the medicinal power inside him had not fully vanished, and his meridians and bones were strengthening.

If Yang Xiong's martial soul were not special, especially after having been tempered in the Killing City Blood River, the Qi Rong Tong Tian Ju would likely clash with the earlier Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Blazing Fire Apricot Tender, making it more detrimental than beneficial.

Therefore Yang Xiong dared not casually take Immortal Herb again, lest his body suffer side effects.

Even after Yang Xiong exhausted his efforts, after reaching level 69 his cultivation speed slowed further, as if he had hit a bottleneck.

Originally Yang Xiong hoped to breakthrough through combat and pressure, but given his current strength, even a Title Douluo could barely spar with him.

Moreover, whether against his two teachers or Yang Wudi and others, the fights could not reach life-or-death stakes, resembling mere sparring.

Seeing no progress, Yang Xiong finally left his room.

But as soon as he stepped out of his door, his eyes brightened; many people had arrived home—brother Yang Wei and the others had returned.

Yang Xiong appeared unusually excited and immediately embraced brother Yang Wei.

After five years apart, brother Yang Wei looked much stronger, shedding his former youthful aura and appearing sharper.

"Brother, Oscar, when did you all return?"

Yang Wei laughed heartily: "We just got back last night; I didn't disturb you while you were in seclusion training."

"Little Bear, you've changed a lot these years, now taller than me, and your strength is even more unfathomable."

Yang Xiong quickly replied: "Brother, you've also grown a lot these years; it seems training outside has been quite good."

Yang Xiong didn't hesitate; the three of them started drinking openly in broad daylight.

Yang Xiong glanced around: "Oscar, why don't we see Qin Shuang? Didn't she go training with you?"

Oscar laughed: "Qin Shuang is a sect disciple; she went early this morning to pay respects to Sect Leader Ning and hasn't returned yet."

The three of them raised their cups and drained the wine in one gulp; brothers reunited after many years, with countless things to say.

Brother Yang Wei seemed to have endless things to say: "Little Bear, these years I have seen a lot outside, basically traveling across the entire Douluo Continent."

"The far north, we went to the Extreme North; it was truly freezing—I almost froze solid. The far south we went to the Star Luo Empire; its culture and daily habits differ greatly from ours. I have truly witnessed the vastness of this world and realized that staying within the sect limited my perspective."

Seizing the moment, the three of them each recounted their experiences over the years.

Yang Wei and Oscar have, over these years, endured countless hardships, battling various people, fighting Soul Beasts, encountering all sorts of dangers, meeting all kinds of people, martial souls, and even Soul Beasts across the continent; they even spent a stint in a mercenary corps.

In short, they have traversed the entire continent, experiencing all sorts of lives and perils, many times narrowly escaping disaster.

Of course, over these years the three have improved greatly; when they first left the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, they were all at level 41, just after obtaining the Fourth Soul Ring.

But after a full five years, Oscar astonishingly reached level 62; his soul power increase was extraordinarily rapid, perhaps making him the highest soul power level among the original seven Shrek members.

Oscar's talent is indeed outstanding; especially after taking Immortal Herb, his growth speed was very fast, truly a genius with Innate Full Soul Power.

In comparison, brother Yang Wei and Qin Shuang lag behind; both are now at level 59 in soul power and seem close to reaching the Soul Emperor Realm soon.

These two never underwent the training at Shrek Academy in Suotuo City; especially brother Yang Wei, who never experienced extremely rigorous high-intensity physical training, and even after taking premium Immortal Herb, his talent remains limited.

However, when they heard Yang Xiong had reached level 69, each looked unusually surprised, feeling as if everyone's gap was widening.

While the three were drinking, Ning Rongrong and Qin Shuang held hands and arrived at Yang Xiong's home, and, without any formality, poured themselves wine.

Especially when Ning Rongrong saw Oscar, she was unusually delighted: "Big Sausage Uncle, long time no see! I told you Shuangshuang would be back; how could you possibly not have returned?"

Oscar was at a loss for words upon hearing this, their face showing a hint of awkwardness, while Qin Shuang covered their mouth and laughed silently.

In the past, Qin Shuang also liked to follow Ning Rongrong in calling Oscar "Big Sausage Uncle"; after being away for these few years, who could have known about their relationship, now they simply call him "Little Oscar", and it is clear that the two are very close.

After everyone had their fill of drink, Yang Xiong laughed: "Oscar, you all trained very well on this outing; it seems that both in combat and in other aspects you have improved a great deal, so I am relieved."

Oscar quickly replied: "Xiong Ge, all of this is thanks to the plan you gave me back then; my trip to Extreme North yielded a huge gain."

Yang Xiong said: "Could it be that you have found the Mirror Shadow Beast I mentioned before?"

Oscar nodded: "Of course. I not only obtained the sixth Soul Ring, but also acquired something good. Now, as you said, I truly have combat power and am no longer a powerless Food System Soul Grandmaster."

But Ning Rongrong snorted: "Big Sausage Uncle, didn't you just advance to a Level 62 Soul Emperor? I am now a Level 63 Soul Emperor, yet I have a level of soul power higher than yours."

Everyone's mouths twitched at this; as for Ning Rongrong's increase in soul power, it is probably faster than that of those Battle Soul Grandmasters.

It should be noted that Ning Rongrong is only 19 years old, a full three years younger than Oscar; a 19‑year‑old Soul Emperor is historically rare, let alone being a support‑type Soul Emperor.

(End of Chapter)