As the competition came to an end, each team returned to their respective academies under the guidance of their teachers.
There were very few spectators during the finals of the Spirit Master Grand Competition.
In order to ensure that the strength of these young elite spirit masters is not overly exposed, the audience has been restricted since the first round of elimination matches.
All eliminated teams had no chance to continue watching the subsequent matches.
By the time of the final showdown, only the people from the Martial Soul Temple and the students and teachers of another participating team, the Tian Dou Royal Academy, were allowed to watch.
Because many academy teams had already been eliminated and couldn't continue watching the matches, many students and teachers from other academies had already left the Martial Soul City.
Only academies like the Heaven Water Academy and the Divine Wind Academy, who had been eliminated but had students being "borrowed" by the Tian Dou Royal Academy team, didn't rush to leave.
On the way back, the expression of Xue Beng, the Crown Prince of the Tian Dou Empire, was somewhat heavy.
He also went to watch the final match as a representative of the Tian Dou Royal Academy.
Although the academy had achieved quite impressive results in this competition, and even produced a rare genius spirit master like Su Cheng.
Even if it weren't for the fact that the average cultivation level of the Martial Soul Temple academy team was too high, Su Cheng could have won against the Martial Soul Temple Spirit Saint who had a hundred thousand-year spirit ring.
But now, these factors only increased the pressure on him even further.
Su Cheng joined the Martial Soul Temple, the only titled Douluo of the Tian Dou Royal Family, Dugu Bo, also joined the Martial Soul Temple, and even his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, also joined the Martial Soul Temple.
He couldn't help feeling resentful that he didn't gain anything good from this trip and instead lost three people. How could he not feel resentful?
"Damn it, they are ungrateful wolves."
Xue Beng's face was gloomy, but he had no idea how to explain to his father when he returned.
The scene before Xue Ye Emperor's departure, where he solemnly instructed him to get close to these young talents as much as possible and try to win them over, was still vivid in his mind, making it even more difficult for him to approach Su Cheng, who didn't give him much opportunity to talk all the way.
In the carriage of the Star Luo Royal Academy, the atmosphere was similarly silent, or rather, awkward.
Whether it was the participants or the several teachers leading the teams, at this moment, they all had different expressions and distracted thoughts.
The reason for this scene naturally stemmed from the appearance of Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul, the Hell White Tiger, in the battle a few days ago.
Many days had passed since the incident occurred.
By now, many people had already come to their senses from the shock and confusion of the time.
The reputation of the Star Luo Royal Family's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the Hell White Tiger, was well-known, even if others didn't know much about it, these people were all too clear about it.
The Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the Hell White Tiger, was the fundamental reason why the two major noble families of the Star Luo Empire, the Dai Family and the Zhu Family, had been able to stand tall for countless years.
But who among the upper-class nobles didn't know that the Zhu Family was actually just a vassal of the Dai Family?
Without the Hell Civet, the White Tiger Martial Soul was still a top-tier beast martial soul comparable to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon on the continent. Every once in a while, a genius with innate soul power above level nine could appear in the family.
But without the White Tiger Martial Soul, the Hell Civet would only be considered a good high-level beast martial soul at best, far from reaching the current heights.
However, from now on, everything was likely to change.
That Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the Hell White Tiger, had unexpectedly become Zhu Zhuqing's own Martial Soul.
Why would such a situation occur, they had no way of knowing.
After all, for countless years, the two families had intermarried for generations, but in such a long time, no one had ever experienced a similar situation, not even a twin Martial Soul.
The generation and awakening of Martial Souls, or mutations, were inherently mysterious, and few people on this continent could touch upon their essence.
But were those things important?
Not important.
At least not important to these people.
The moment the Hell White Tiger Martial Soul appeared, everything was already self-evident.
Descendants of the Zhu Family had produced a super Martial Soul surpassing the White Tiger Martial Soul, and from now on, it might even be unnecessary for the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the Hell White Tiger, to continue to exist.
Because Martial Souls could be inherited, this was common knowledge.
Dai Weisi's expression was slightly gloomy, his eyes dark and uncertain, lost in thought all the way back.
Zhu Zhuyun sat not too far from him in the carriage, avoiding each other's gaze.
In these days, there were no shortage of ambitious people who contacted Zhu Zhuyun in secret, and both of them understood each other without saying a word.
She propped her chin with her hand, her eyelids drooping, hiding the waves of joy in her beautiful eyes.
"What the future holds, who can say for sure?"
Ning Rongrong did not return to Tian Dou City with the team but walked with Ning Fengzhi and others, preparing to go directly back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After this competition ended, she had already decided not to stay in the Tian Dou Royal Academy anymore.
Looking at Ning Rongrong's gloomy expression, Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi silently exchanged glances, sighing inwardly.
But this was inevitable; parting ways was the norm between people.
But fortunately, she was still young, and things should be better after some time.
Chen Xin took out a stack of manuscripts from his arms and handed them to Ning Fengzhi. "Fengzhi, Cheng'er gave me this when we parted ways. You should take a look first."
He took it and, after a quick glance, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, looking up at the other person, his voice trembling slightly, "Is this...?"
"This is the secret method he researched to enhance the basic qualities of spirit masters."
Ning Fengzhi pursed his lips and carefully read through it again.
"Crossing the year limit to absorb spirit rings, the foundation laying formula for the medicine bath, and drugs that can enhance spiritual power..."
He gently flipped through the manuscript, his movements slow, as if the paper in his hand was not just paper but a priceless treasure, "With this, the strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be increased by at least thirty percent in the future. This child is truly..."
After a long time, he sighed, various emotions surging in his heart, his expression becoming even more complex.
"Fengzhi, you'd better consider how to deal with the Tian Dou Empire in the future and how to view the Martial Soul Temple."
Ning Fengzhi was taken aback by the words, then reacted.
Now that the strength of the Martial Soul Temple had been revealed, with Peak Douluo Pope Bibi Dong, who had a hundred thousand-year ninth spirit ring but was only fifty years old;
With the genius Spirit Saint Qian Renxue, who had a hundred thousand-year seventh spirit ring at just over twenty years old;
With the Limit Douluo Qian Dao Liu, who had reached the ninety-ninth level of cultivation;
Several young Spirit Kings under twenty-five years old;
As well as Su Cheng and Dugu Bo, who had just joined the Martial Soul Temple;
And many other titled Douluo elders whose numbers were unknown...
"Uncle Sword, what do you mean?"
"I don't mean anything by it; I'm just reminding you," Chen Xin said lightly. "You're the Sect Master; these matters shouldn't be my concern."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi fell silent immediately, nodding solemnly.
The deans and teachers of the major elemental academies also learned about everything that happened in this Soul Master Grand Competition as their respective teams returned.
Although the members of the Blaze Academy were eliminated in the fourth round of battles and missed the chance to watch the final match, their academy had always had good relations with the Godwind Academy and the Heavenwater Academy. Through the returning Feng Qingyu, Shui Bing'er, and Xue Wu, they learned about the situation at the time.
They also learned that Feng Qingyu and Shui Bing'er intended to go to the Soul City to exchange and learn at the Soul Palace Academy. These two individuals had high status in the academy, not only with exceptional talents but also as direct blood relatives of their respective academy deans. Their attitudes and thoughts would naturally greatly influence the final decisions of their elders.
However, in contrast, the attitudes of the other two major elemental academies were quite clear.
The Thunderclap Academy team did not perform well in this competition and missed the opportunity to watch the last two rounds of matches, unaware of the specific situation. Furthermore, their academy was backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. There were still many unresolved conflicts within the clan, and many clan elders had always held themselves in high regard. The entire sect had been secluded for a long time, so naturally, they didn't have many thoughts.
On the other hand, the Earthdragon Academy was completely different from the Thunderclap Academy.
Their Earthdragon Sect had long been allied with the Soul Palace. In this competition, their team member Hu Yanli followed Su Cheng into the finals, performing far better than expected. With the foundation of the Earthdragon Sect, they could serve as an external force for the Soul Palace, which was already the limit. They never had the chance to reach the core level, as their sect master was only at the level of a Soul Douluo.
However, after the finals, with Pope Bibi Dong's personal recruitment, Hu Yanli also had the opportunity to go to the Soul Palace Academy, which was a significant gain.
In the mountainous border of the Tian dou Empire, there was a hidden valley.
On one side of the valley, a waterfall about twenty meters wide hung high above the cliff like a jade belt, continuously crashing into the pool below, making a roaring sound.
Surrounded by mountains, the rare and beautiful scenery displayed the grandeur of creation.
Here, it was where Tang Hao had hidden Ah Yin's soul bone.
Tang San couldn't remember how many times he had been washed down into the pool by the huge waterfall.
Tang Hao's requirement for him was to wield the forging hammer in the turbulent waterfall without using soul power and strike eighty-one times with the Disorderly Wind Hammering Method.
The waterfall pouring down from a height of two hundred meters was so powerful that it was difficult to describe in words.
With Tang San's soul power sealed, not to mention practicing hammering in the waterfall, it was even difficult for him to climb onto the huge round rock.
Three whole days had passed, and he hadn't even stood steadily on the smooth rock, let alone swung a hammer.
Every day, he would only barely climb ashore exhausted and rest, only to return to the bottom of the waterfall when his energy recovered.
But he didn't complain at all.
The scene of Xiao Wu's death replayed in his mind constantly, alleviating some of the mental pressure from the physical pain.
Tang Hao sat beside him, his face numb as he stared at the waterfall. Occasionally, he would glance at the figure falling down repeatedly, his eyes showing some fluctuations.
Until now, he hadn't figured out the reason for the series of changes a few days ago and where he had lost.
That Su Cheng, a mere Soul King, could break through the suppression field created by his Great Haotian Hammer and ignore his Deathgod Domain.
As for Qian Renxue, it seemed like she had been prepared long ago, lurking aside and killing Xiao Wu at a critical moment.
But what puzzled him the most was Ah Yin's attitude.
When she said those words, he knew Ah Yin still remembered him and remembered everything that had happened before.
But if that were the case, why would she choose not to leave with him, and why would she say that Tang San wasn't her son?
Tang Hao didn't believe that Ah Yin's actions were of her own will; she must have been controlled by that damn thief.
For him, Ah Yin was willing to sacrifice herself and give up her own immortality to save the lives of the two of them.
Now, how could she possibly choose to leave him behind?
"Damn bastard, if you die from your injuries, it's fine, but if you're lucky enough to survive, I'll make you regret it for the rest of your life."
Tang Hao's gaze turned to Tang San.
This son was his hope for the future.
He was not only the hope for revenge but also the hope to save Ah Yin from her suffering.
As for the reason why Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor martial soul couldn't awaken, he already had a clue. It was probably related to Ah Yin's resurrection.
Thinking of this, he felt a bit conflicted.
But even without the Blue Silver Emperor, this son's talent was still unparalleled.
Tang Hao was already outstanding enough, being the strongest of his generation, the youngest Title Douluo in the world.
And Tang San's talent was even better than his, with a more mature and tenacious will.
"If all else fails, we'll return to the Tang Sect. With Big Brother's temperament, after learning about Ah Yin's situation, he'll definitely be willing to cultivate Little San and help us."
"Whoosh—"
At this moment, a loud splash of water reached his ears, startling him from his contemplation.
Looking up, he saw Tang San falling down from the rocks again.
"Little San, stay here and focus on practicing with me for two years. After two years, I'll take you to a place where you can completely control the use of killing intent."
Although Tang San's mental strength was stronger than ordinary people's now, he was still far from being able to withstand the invasion of killing intent in the City of Slaughter.
Having walked the Hell Road before, he was very familiar with that place and knew that with Tang San's current strength, he had no chance of success.
Tang San didn't speak at the words, just nodded silently. However, he had other thoughts in his mind.
"Dad, for revenge, relying solely on my own strength is not enough. Although those classmates from Shrek Academy may not have outstanding talents, they are much stronger than ordinary people. If used properly, they are also excellent forces.
"Moreover, the world has long been suffering from the tyranny of the Soul Palace. As long as we unite with the major sects and academies, as well as the imperial royal families and many nobles, we can surely cause chaos in the Soul Palace's rule.
"Furthermore, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing are both from noble families; they are also excellent choices for allies..."