Shortly afterward, Yang Podi followed Teacher Li to the Education Committee building. Inside, quite a few people were already seated, including Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi—the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—Sword Douluo, Ning Rongrong, and even the three committee members of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
When Yang Podi entered the committee building, he greeted everyone, "Yang Podi of the Breaking Clan greets His Highness the Crown Prince, Clan Leader Ning, Senior Sword Douluo, and the honorable committee members."
Among the people present, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi, and the three committee members nodded with a smile. Ning Rongrong sat in her seat with an innocent, carefree expression, while Sword Douluo kept his eyes slightly closed, seemingly indifferent to the outside world.
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe smiled and spoke, "Student Yang Podi, we meet again. Take a seat, make yourself at home as you would at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
Yang Podi glanced around and found a seat. He then asked, "May I ask why His Highness summoned me?"
Xue Qinghe, still calm and gentle, replied, "Student Yang Podi, I've heard that you've reached level 35 at such a young age, and you already qualify to participate in the Soul Master Tournament in two years. Why are you unwilling to take part?"
Yang Podi responded straightforwardly, "Your Highness, I've been training within my clan and lack combat experience. I believe I am not yet prepared to join the tournament in two years. However, I assure you, in seven years, I will lead the second team of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy in the Soul Master Tournament, and I will not disappoint Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you being a bit too modest? With your age and spirit power level, you're arguably the greatest prodigy in the Heaven Dou Empire. The requests you made to the three committee members—I can fully support them. You'll be allowed to organize a team for the tournament in seven years, with complete freedom in selecting team members, and no interference from others."
"Thank you for your support, Your Highness."
"Student Yang Podi, may I ask you a question?"
"Your Highness, please ask. I will answer to the best of my knowledge."
"Could you share some insights into your cultivation? At the age of 12, you've already reached spirit power level 35, making you the fastest to reach the Soul Elder rank. At your current pace, you might also be the fastest to achieve the Soul Ancestor rank."
Yang Podi pretended to ponder for a moment before replying, "Your Highness, my training is quite simple. Each morning, I practice my spear skills. I spend my mornings studying in my clan's classes, while in the afternoons, I do activities like mountain runs with weights. Every night, I engage in cultivation after a herbal bath to enhance the training effect."
"This is the usual method within our clan. It's not much different from what others do."
Xue Qinghe seemed curious, "Is it really that simple, Student Yang Podi?"
"Your Highness, that's really all it is. Perhaps I'm just diligent. I hardly ever take breaks, training and meditating almost daily throughout the year."
Xue Qinghe nodded, "Student Yang Podi, you possess not only outstanding talent but also remarkable perseverance. You are truly a cultivation prodigy."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi, seeing that the prince had finished, also spoke, "Student Yang Podi, I am Ning Fengzhi, head of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. This is my daughter, Ning Rongrong. Based on what you've shared, it seems you are extremely dedicated, which has accelerated your cultivation. However, given your innate spirit power of level eight, your progress should not have been so rapid, correct?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Podi internally thought, "Ning Fengzhi, you sly fox."
After a brief moment of thought, Yang Podi responded, "Clan Leader Ning, to be honest, I possess natural strength. Since awakening my martial soul and obtaining my first spirit ring, I've trained under constant weight. Except for the herbal baths, I rarely remove my weights, which now total 130 kilograms."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's expression changed slightly, as did those of Xue Qinghe and the three committee members. Carrying such heavy weights at his age—didn't he worry about damaging his body?
Ning Fengzhi resumed, "Student Yang Podi, you have incredible perseverance for someone so young. You will undoubtedly have a bright future. Could you share why you work so hard in your cultivation?"
Yang Podi closed his eyes in contemplation before responding resolutely, "Clan Leader Ning, as a direct descendant of the Breaking Clan, my sole purpose is to restore and elevate our clan's legacy. I will not rest until I achieve this."
Ning Fengzhi smiled, "Student Yang Podi, with your talent and determination, I'm confident you will fulfill that goal one day."
"Thank you, Clan Leader Ning."
Yang Podi then bowed once again to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi, "Your Highness, Clan Leader Ning, I take my leave."
Just as Yang Podi was about to exit, Sword Douluo suddenly opened his eyes, "Student Yang Podi, please wait a moment."
Yang Podi respectfully turned, "Greetings, Senior Sword Douluo. May I ask what advice you have for me?"
Amid Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe's curiosity, Sword Douluo spoke again, "Would you mind showing me your martial soul and spirit rings?"
Yang Podi's expression shifted slightly before he summoned his Breaking Soul Spear, revealing two yellow and one purple spirit rings.
Sword Douluo examined the spear and rings closely before commenting, "Impressive. Your Breaking Soul Spear is quite remarkable."
"Could you tell me the spirit beasts and ages for each of your spirit rings?"
Yang Podi's face changed once again but eventually responded, "Senior Sword Douluo, my first ring is from a Thousand-Jin Ant, aged 500 years. My second ring is from a Violet-Eyed Devil Tiger, aged 800 years. My third ring is from a Golden Crocodile King, aged 2,000 years. These are the spirit rings I have absorbed so far."
Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe, and the three committee members were visibly astonished. As experts in martial souls and spirit rings, they understood the challenges involved in absorbing these spirit rings.
Sword Douluo's expression shifted slightly as well, "A Thousand-Jin Ant, Violet-Eyed Devil Tiger, Golden Crocodile King—these are all strength-based spirit beasts, and each is an extraordinary ring, exceeding typical absorption limits. No wonder your Breaking Soul Spear is so powerful. It's a shame your martial soul isn't a sword."
With these words, Sword Douluo closed his eyes once more as if nothing had happened.
Yang Podi bowed again, "Senior Sword Douluo, I bid you farewell."
At this point, Ning Fengzhi spoke once more, "Student Yang Podi, if you ever have time, feel free to visit my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Our doors are always open to you."
"Thank you, Clan Leader Ning. I will take my leave."
With that, Yang Podi left the committee building.