Chapter 98: After the War

Compared to ordinary spectators, whether the teachers of the Soul Master Academy or those genius onlookers, they clearly sensed a great many different things through this battle.

Compared with the shock of Tang San brandishing the Clear Sky Hammer, they seemed more focused on the Defense System Soul Master named Yang Xiong, especially within the Five Element Academies.

Captains of several teams—Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, and Shui Bing'er—gathered together, their expressions unusually solemn.

Feng Xiaotian spoke first: "Huo Wushuang, what proportion of strength do you think Shrek's team actually displayed when you defeated them last time?"

Huo Wushuang was also unusually solemn at this moment: "Feng Xiaotian, I'm not sure about that. On that day, Yang Xiong was clearly not as formidable as he is now. My strength is comparable to Yu Tianxin's, yet he managed to completely suppress Yu Tianxin, even fully blocking multiple opponents. That's not something an ordinary Defense System Soul Master can do; up to now, even when losing a match, no one has ever witnessed any of his soul skills."

Feng Xiaotian nodded: "I actually think it's a bit like meeting a peer; those Self-Created Soul Skills of Yang Xiong are quite impressive. Perhaps I could discuss the process of developing Self-Created Soul Skills with him."

Beside them, Huo Wu showed a hint of disdain: "Feng Xiaotian, your Broken Swift Wind Demon Wolf Thirty‑Six Slash is far too convoluted. I think Yang Xiong's Self-Created Soul Skills are simple and direct, especially that final move that defeated Yu Tianxin; purely in terms of power, it may already have reached the level of a top‑tier Thousand-Year Soul Technique."

"At first I was puzzled; he actually managed to hard‑stand my Fire Wu Radiance technique, probably by using the same counter to Yu Tianxin's soul skill."

Feng Xiaotian quickly replied: "Sister Huo Wu, don't worry. I'll defeat Yang Xiong with my own hands and avenge you then."

The others stared at Feng Xiaotian with unusual eyes; Huo Wu had only said a casual line, yet why did this person seem so sensitive?

Meanwhile, Shui Bing'er smiled and said: "Let's not say too much; the Shrek team's Soul Power Level is far too low, especially since Blue Silver Grass, as a Control System Soul Master, is easily countered. Perhaps that's why they lost to the blazing fire."

Huo Wu snorted coldly: "Just a mere Blue Silver Grass; under my flames it will turn to ash."

The few of them are geniuses and direct rivals, so it's easy to spot the Shrek team's shortcomings.

After a round of treatment, everyone attended a grand banquet, hosted personally by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. All Three Education Commissioners were present, and Ning Fengzhi and Gu Douluo also attended. The level of attention given to the guests was such that even Flanders felt a bit overwhelmed by the favor.

Xue Qinghe kept raising his cup throughout the banquet, clearly showing a strong desire to win over Tang San and Dai Mubai, the captain and deputy captain, especially toward Tang San; it was evident that both Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe placed great importance on Tang San.

After all, the twin martial souls are said to be peerless in talent, and especially Tang San's Second Martial Soul, the Clear Sky Hammer, is highly valued.

In contrast, Xue Qinghe was unusually indifferent toward Yang Xiong, seeming to hold a slight grudge.

Since the last meeting with Xue Qinghe, Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong, under Ning Fengzhi's guidance, have spent many times with Xue Qinghe, especially Ning Rongrong, whose relationship with Xue Qinghe is very close.

However, each time they meet, Yang Xiong especially likes to tease Xue Qinghe about being of such an age yet still unmarried, and Ning Fengzhi, as Xue Qinghe's teacher, even intends to arrange a match for him, leaving Xue Qinghe extremely embarrassed.

Normally, at Xue Qinghe's age, combined with the lofty status of being the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, an heir is a matter of utmost importance, yet Xue Qinghe completely disregards it, not even a hint of scandal, which is highly abnormal.

Even if Xue Qinghe has minor objections to Yang Xiong's words, Yang Xiong still brings them up each meeting; after all, the two families are openly too familiar, one could say overly close. Xue Qinghe, as Ning Fengzhi's direct disciple, is almost like a half‑son, so they can't become enemies over such a trivial matter.

At the banquet, Xue Qinghe kept raising his cup to everyone, and when he met Yang Xiong again, his previously smiling face seemed to pause a bit.

Yang Xiong spoke first: "Brother Qinghe, we've become like old friends at first sight; we're all family, so there's no reason to be distant, right?"

Ning Rongrong spat at Yang Xiong: "Xiao Xiongzi, what are you thinking? How could Crown Prince brother be distant? Do you think everyone is as petty as you?"

Yang Xiong pretended to be clueless: "Brother Qinghe, I hope you don't mind. By the way, Brother Qinghe, how was the suggestion I gave last time?"

Xue Qinghe instantly looked extremely embarrassed, yet still smiled: "I've been thinking about it lately, so I won't trouble you, Brother Yang, with it. You're still young; you should focus on cultivation and not constantly dwell on matters between men and women."

……

The two exchanged a few soft barbs, yet to outsiders they appeared as brothers and respectful friends, especially Ning Fengzhi, who seemed quite pleased.

What a phony Xue Qinghe you are; I'd like to see how long you can keep pretending.

However, when Yang Xiong returned to his dormitory, someone knocked on the door, and the visitors turned out to be Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.

Yang Xiong invited the two into the living room and casually poured them tea, saying the saying "One does not enter the Three Treasures Hall without cause." Though he and Dai Mubai are teammates, they are not close, and he wondered what business they had.

"Dai Mubai, you're not training at a time like this; how do you have time to come find me?"

Dai Mubai looked unusually serious: "Yang Xiong, I'd like to discuss something about the Soul Master Competition with you."

Yang Xiong was a bit puzzled: "What's there to discuss? We should be able to compete normally, and we still have a decent chance in the qualifying rounds."

Dai Mubai said: "Yang Xiong, I know you haven't given your all from start to finish. I hope you can help me, and also help Zhu Qing."

Yang Xiong smiled: "From where does that come? If you truly have any trouble, feel free to bring it up; we'll all help solve it together."

After a pause, Dai Mubai spoke: "You should already know the backgrounds of me and Zhu Qing. This Soul Master Competition concerns our futures, so I must win, and even must shine brilliantly in the finals."

Yang Xiong sipped his tea: "I've heard of some matters concerning the Star Luo Empire, but I think whether in the competition or elsewhere, I've done my part and have tried my best to contribute to the team."

Dai Mubai said: "Yang Xiong, have you heard that the champion's reward is three soul bones? I can do without anything; I just want us to do our best to defeat the Star Luo Royal Academy."

Yang Xiong smiled: "Soul bones are indeed valuable, but one must have the fate to obtain them. As for the team, I'll do my best, yet for us, both vying for the championship and the Star Luo Royal Academy team are far beyond reach."

Seeing Yang Xiong's clearly perfunctory reply, Dai Mubai felt helpless: "Yang Xiong, we've been teammates for years. I know your strength better than anyone. Even if Xiao San and I team up now, I'm not confident I can beat you, especially since you've never used a Soul Ring skill."

Yang Xiong said outright: "I think I've told you why I don't use Soul Ring skills. Have you considered why, as a prince of the Star Luo Empire, you can appear in the Heaven Dou Royal Academy? It can't be that simple."

After some discussion, Dai Mubai left with Zhu Zhuqing, and Yang Xiong couldn't help shaking his head at their departing figures.

Yang Xiong knew very well that, as a prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai likely still intends to return to the Star Luo Empire to vie for the throne, and that foundation requires him to defeat Dai Weisi, who is already at level 49—far beyond Dai Mubai's capability.

Especially without the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, Dai Mubai's combat power is far weaker than in the original work, and Zhu Zhuqing lacks the Water Lily Jade Muscle Bones; the Soul Power Level gap is huge, and compared to the combination of Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, the disparity is even greater.

However, right after Dai Mubai left, a group arrived: Ning Fengzhi, Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San, of course accompanied by Gu Douluo.

After the banquet, Tang San met privately with Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi; evidently they discussed the origin of the Clear Sky Hammer and the situation of Tang Hao, but Yang Xiong didn't care about any of that.

Yang Xiong saw Ning Fengzhi and quickly said: "Sect Leader, how did you find time to come to me? Rong Rong is in the building next door."

Ning Fengzhi's face darkened: "Xiao Xiong, don't be so nervous; we just have something to discuss."

Yang Xiong, puzzled, thought that if it were a sect matter, they could just come to me directly; why bring Yu Xiaogang and Tang San along?

Ning Fengzhi paused before speaking: "Xiao Xiong, do you know the significance of this Soul Master Competition, especially the champion's significance?"

Yang Xiong thought for a moment then said: "I heard the champion's reward this time is three soul bones; I'm afraid those three soul bones aren't simple prizes."

Ning Fengzhi nodded: "The Spirit Hall has brought out three soul bones this time because they have absolute confidence in their team. According to my information, this Spirit Hall team is called the Golden Generation, with three Soul Kings, and all other members are above level 45."

Yang Xiong was silent for a while: "Sect Leader, I've heard that too. With our team's current strength, the gap with the Spirit Hall team is still too great; there's essentially no hope of winning."

Ning Fengzhi sighed: "I know the gap between the two sides is huge, and I'm even clearer about the Spirit Hall's purpose this time. They want to achieve a crushing victory to push their reputation to the extreme, which will further solidify their standing in the Soul Master World, and that will trouble the status of our top three sects."

Yang Xiong showed a hint of doubt: "Sect Leader, are you exaggerating a bit? Though the Spirit Hall is powerful, our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has close ties with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, so we're not afraid of them."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head: "The current Pope of the Spirit Hall is exceptionally strong and ambitious; in recent years they've rapidly expanded with an iron‑fist approach, scooping up most of the promising youngsters in the Soul Master World. Their strength may be stronger than I imagined."

"Especially the current Pope Bibidong, who is not only ruthless in handling matters but also extremely strict internally; I fear she will eventually make trouble for us, and then our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect may find itself unable to stand on its own."

Yang Xiong also felt helpless: "Sect Leader, I think there's nothing I can do either. I'm only a Soul Elder now; if another five years pass, I might have the confidence to face them in battle."

"Besides, what does this have to do with Tang San and the Master?"

Ning Fengzhi laughed and said, "Of course it's fine; Master Yu Xiaogang was born into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Tang San was born into the Clear Sky Sect, and this time you three also count as cooperation among the three top sects, which is equivalent to our three families jointly opposing the Spirit Hall. Yu Yuanzhen has already written to me, and we have even been in contact with the Clear Sky Sect."

Yang Xiong heard this and was speechless for a moment; Ning Fengzhi, the one who sticks his neck out, seemed rather pleased—does he not fear being targeted by the Spirit Hall in the future? One should know that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon has long withdrawn, the Clear Sky Sect has even gone into seclusion, and only the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect remains relatively active.

"Sect Leader, even if the three top sects cooperate further, we probably cannot defeat the three Soul Kings on the other side; at least I cannot think of any way."

(End of Chapter)