After Yang Podi left the Education Committee building, the whole place fell silent.
After a while, Ning Fengzhi spoke, "Uncle Jian, is there something about Yang Podi that concerns you?"
Sword Douluo opened his eyes and looked at the people around him. "Yang Podi has quite an ambition. As we all know, all members of the Breaking Clan only absorb offensive soul rings, focusing intensely on attack power. When facing an opponent, they attack without hesitation and are willing to risk everything in battle.
"But this Yang Podi has absorbed only strength-based soul rings, and all are from top-quality soul beasts, each exceeding the limit for soul ring absorption."
"Those of you who are soul masters know the pain and danger that comes with exceeding soul ring limits. For him to have done this with every ring he's absorbed shows a remarkable physical strength, and the fact that he always carries such heavy weights means his physical training must be rigorous. I'd guess that very few at his level would be his match, and his claim about lacking battle experience may just be an excuse."
"Moreover, the three soul beasts he has absorbed are quite unusual. The Force Ant is perfect for strength-based soul masters; an 800-year-old Purple-Eyed Demon Tiger is rare and hard to come by, and a two-thousand-year-old Golden Crocodile King is nearly legendary. Few have ever seen such a beast in the soul master world, so he has clearly put much effort into acquiring these rings."
"I even felt a faint sword aura from him. His Breaking Soul Spear is sharper than any other I've seen, almost as if it could be wielded like a sword. If his martial soul were a sword, I would have considered taking him as a disciple."
Hearing Sword Douluo's words, everyone in the room swallowed hard. Even though they had already estimated Yang Podi's potential to be high, it seemed they had still underestimated him.
Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi each had their own thoughts. Yang Podi, being a direct descendant of Yang Wudi, the Breaking Clan patriarch, hailed from a clan with over 400 soul masters and three soul Douluos. The Breaking Clan was quite a force in itself and was known for its skill with poison, making most people hesitant to provoke them.
Moreover, Yang Podi's maternal grandfather was Niu Gao, the patriarch of the Defense Clan, making that clan his ally as well. Currently, the four single-attribute clans had formed an alliance, with over a thousand soul masters combined. Although they lacked a titled Douluo, their strength was nearly comparable to half of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Additionally, according to rumors, the Breaking Clan was on good terms with Dugu Bo, who had reportedly healed the injuries of Dugu Xin, Dugu Bo's son. Therefore, anyone targeting Yang Podi might end up facing Dugu Bo, which would be quite troublesome.
The three Education Committee members, however, looked pleased. With a talent like Yang Podi joining Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, their chances in future tournaments were greatly improved. Based on the Crown Prince's suggestion, they'd already approved Yang Podi to lead the academy's second team in the next tournament.
Ning Rongrong was perhaps the only one there who didn't pay these details much attention, being just a playful seven-year-old.
As Yang Podi left the Education Committee building, his face was a little dark. He hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo to be so difficult to deal with and ended up revealing far more information than he'd wanted. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan may appear noble, but Yang Podi saw them as a self-interested sect more than anything else.
He sighed to himself, "No choice but to take it one step at a time. At least within the Academy, I should be safe for now. Nobody would openly challenge the wrath of the Four Single-Attribute Clans."
Meanwhile, back in the Education Committee building, after a few final exchanges, everyone dispersed.
Xue Qinghe returned to the Prince's Mansion with his guards, while Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Ning Rongrong left Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to head back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. The Education Committee members resumed their duties.
Inside the carriage on the way back, Ning Fengzhi asked again, "Uncle Jian, is Yang Podi's talent truly that impressive?"
Sword Douluo shook his head slightly. "This Yang Podi may be even more extraordinary than I said. If a tool soul master were to focus entirely on strength-based soul rings, then his Breaking Soul Spear would become increasingly heavy as he progressed. Judging by his demeanor, it seems he can already handle the weight. The only question left is his speed."
"If he can maintain speed to match, combined with the Breaking Clan's spear techniques, he may have no equal within his rank."
"From the looks of his training plans, he's probably going to keep adding strength-based soul rings, all surpassing the absorption limit. By the time he reaches the eighth soul ring, his Breaking Soul Spear will likely be immensely heavy. In this world, only one sect's tool soul masters would follow such a path."
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment. "The Clear Sky Clan."
"Yes. Based on his approach, he may be trying to emulate the Clear Sky Clan's path. Too bad the Breaking Soul Spear isn't the Clear Sky Hammer; it's a pity."
Nearby, Ning Rongrong added with a bit of naivete, "Dad, Grandpa Jian, I don't think Yang Podi is all that great. I'll be stronger than him one day!"
Ning Fengzhi affectionately patted her head, while Sword Douluo smiled.
Meanwhile, back in the Prince's Mansion, Snake Spear Douluo suddenly appeared beside Xue Qinghe. "Young Master, with such talent, should we eliminate Yang Podi now? The Breaking Clan does hold a grudge against our Spirit Hall."
Xue Qinghe seemed untroubled. "Not yet. I hear that woman has taken a direct disciple with great talent, and our Spirit Hall has plenty of promising geniuses as well. I'm curious to see, seven years from now, who will truly be the greatest talent in the tournament."
Snake Spear Douluo simply stood there, saying nothing, as if he hadn't heard a thing. Such matters were beyond his rank to comment on.
After returning to his dormitory, Yang Podi began revising his training plans.
For a tool soul master, creating a simulated environment was difficult, even at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Simulated environments suited to the Breaking Soul Spear were scarce, and true battlefield conditions were ideal. Yet Yang Podi had no intention of joining an actual battle just yet, so the Academy's environments would have to suffice for now.
In the end, he decided to train in the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena, where real combat would best hone his abilities. As for his daily weight training, he would seek a mountainous simulated environment within the academy grounds.
If none of this worked, he could devise new methods. After all, countless methods had been devised back in his home world, and some might prove effective here as well.
In any case, the priority was combat. Only through battle could he truly grow stronger.