This was simply outrageous—even a novel wouldn't dare write something so wild. Tang San had advanced by two levels in just two days! Ma Hongjun also managed to reach level 40 at the last moment, and Oscar was now level 39, close to the breakthrough.
Under Tang Hao's guidance, Tang San left Heaven Dou City directly for the ancestral land of the Blue Silver Grass. Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun and Oscar were taken by Flender and Zhao Wuji to the Sunset Forest.
The rapid progress of Ma Hongjun and Oscar shocked everyone in the group, who immediately demanded an explanation. Learning about Tang San's methods, they could only marvel at his ingenuity. Dai Mubai, too, had revealed his level: 47!
The group was stunned once again, realizing that Tang San had kept Dai Mubai as a hidden ace to allow him more time to absorb the medicinal effects of his training.
Yet no one noticed the faint, whitening strand in Dai Mubai's otherwise golden hair.
At the Gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy
Ning Fengzhi walked alongside Chen Xin and Su Ming for a farewell.
"Su Ming, while I'm away, I entrust my daughter to you. Please keep her safe; things are bound to get a bit turbulent," Ning Fengzhi said, casting a wary look toward the local Spirit Hall branch.
The blueprint Su Ming had given him was too valuable and required Ning Fengzhi's personal attention in Gengxin City, the renowned city of blacksmiths. Moreover, Su Ming had requested that Lou Gao, the master craftsman, forge high-quality throwing knives, likely for Ning Rongrong's self-defense, which was even more reason to act swiftly.
Returning to his dormitory, Su Ming picked up his journal and began to write.
[Today, the preliminary rounds have officially concluded. Curiously, since their loss to Skywater Academy, Tang San and his teammates haven't reappeared, claiming they were recuperating. I'm suspicious, though. The healing spirit master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan should be quite skilled; their injuries should've healed by now.]
[Also, Ning Fengzhi came to bid me farewell. He and Sword Douluo are heading to Gengxin City to find Lou Gao, hoping he'll craft some throwing knives and, most importantly, produce soul tools.]
[However, despite Lou Gao's talents, soul tool development is still rudimentary in this era. Even with the blueprints I provided, it will likely take significant time to produce a finished product.]
[Speaking of Gengxin City, I must mention the Spirit Hall branch there. It's rife with corruption from top to bottom, and the branch master is notorious for exploiting the local blacksmiths and preying on innocent women.]
Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue, upon reading this, both wore severe expressions. Bibi Dong immediately summoned a subordinate to investigate the situation at the Gengxin City branch. Due to its remote location and lack of strong spirit masters, she hadn't paid much attention to it. Over time, she had forgotten about it, and her subordinates hadn't reported any issues.
If Su Ming noted it with such emphasis, then it was worth looking into. Bibi Dong had been given command of the Elder Hall, allowing her to mobilize its resources without interference from Qian Daoliu, who had willingly ceded authority for the betterment of Spirit Hall and the harmony between her and Qian Renxue.
Now, with ample personnel, Bibi Dong intended to clean up the corruption within Spirit Hall, starting with the Gengxin City branch.
Soon, the investigative report came in, revealing numerous appalling abuses within the branch. The branch master, emboldened by the lack of oversight, had colluded with local nobles, oppressing the city's commoners.
"Outrageous!" Bibi Dong fumed. She had been reviewing Spirit Hall branches daily, yet due to Gengxin's remote location, it had taken until now to uncover the truth.
Since Su Ming mentioned it, she would make an example out of Gengxin City's Spirit Hall branch.