Yu Xiaogang continued, "The vice-captain will be Yu Tianheng. He's now at Spirit Power level 43. Initially, he intended to be the team leader, but I suggested he take the vice-captain role to avoid potential discord, especially since he joined midway and his cousin Yu Tianxin was already the leader. Some of the team members might not fully accept him, and he wasn't entirely pleased with this arrangement."
"Additionally, there are three more Spirit Elders. Lei Dong, a control-type Spirit Elder with a Thunder Spider spirit, also at level 43. Tang San, since your third and fourth rings are from spider-type spirits, observing his combat style might provide some insights."
"Two other Spirit Elders, Lei Tian and Lei Mie, are at levels 42 and 41, respectively."
"With this, there are already five core members, all of them Spirit Elders. Dai Mubai, who is now a level 42 Battle Spirit Elder, naturally qualifies as a primary member. The final spot is reserved for you, Tang San!"
"Though there was some opposition to this arrangement, I assured everyone that you would return as a Spirit Elder. You didn't let me down, Tang San."
"Thus, we have our seven main players, all Spirit Elders. Ma Hongjun and Oscar, along with others, will be substitutes who can step in if needed, especially for tactical changes in the preliminary rounds. Revealing our full strength too soon would be unwise."
Reflecting on Heaven Dou Academy's strength, Yu Xiaogang sighed. In previous tournaments, a team with all Spirit Elders would have almost certainly secured a place in the top rankings, and even the best of the Five Elemental Academies would struggle against Thunderclap Academy's power. As for Tianshui Academy, while their captain's strength at level 46 was impressive, Yu Xiaogang believed it wouldn't be a significant threat; with solid teamwork, any slight gap in power could be bridged.
Tang Hao, however, frowned slightly. "Master, do you know how they've managed to progress so quickly? This rate of improvement doesn't seem normal."
He regretted his earlier decision not to intervene with Su Ming back in Saint Spirit Village. Initially, he considered Su Ming, with his innate rank seven spirit power, as merely an adequate ally for Tang San, an innate full spirit power user with twin spirits. He never anticipated Su Ming would break away from Tang San, let alone steal his son's beloved. Once the tournament ends, he planned to resolve things once and for all. With Tang San now set to wield the Clear Sky Hammer in the competition, Tang Hao would remain hidden to protect him from Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo threats.
Su Ming, upon overhearing this, was incredulous. "Since when did I 'steal' Xiao Wu from Tang San? She never liked him to begin with! Given Tang Hao's temperament, if he finds out Xiao Wu is a 100,000-year-old spirit transformed into a human, he'd probably force her to become Tang San's spirit ring and spirit bone!"
Meanwhile, Oscar couldn't hide his disappointment. Ning Rongrong had participated in the friendly match against Tianshui Academy, and rumors were circulating that she was now a level 47 Spirit Elder. In comparison, despite his rigorous training, he had only reached level 36. A year ago, their spirit power levels hadn't been so far apart, but now the difference was staggering. Oscar couldn't help but wonder if Su Ming had helped Ning Rongrong achieve such rapid progress.
That night, in his dorm room, Tang San's mind was heavy with frustration. Su Ming's growth was overwhelming, leaving Tang San struggling to keep up, especially with only half a month left until the tournament. He considered his options and wondered if there might be any way to increase his power quickly. Suddenly, he remembered the final chapter of his Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, a section containing forbidden techniques to use only as a last resort.
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Tang San, are you awake?"
It was Dai Mubai, unexpectedly visiting so late. Letting him in, Tang San asked, "Boss Dai, what brings you here at this hour?"
Dai Mubai looked troubled, hesitating before he spoke. "Xiao San, do you know any way to increase power quickly? You can't imagine how hopeless I felt when I heard Zhu Zhuqing's current level. She's three years younger than I am, and when she joined Shrek Academy, her spirit power level was below mine. But now, she's already level 49!"
As he spoke, Dai Mubai's voice became strained, his frustration evident. "Xiao San, I can't stand it anymore! I don't want to be left behind. I refuse to watch her surpass me like this. And I'm sure you don't want to be powerless against Su Ming and Xiao Wu in the tournament, right? You like Xiao Wu, don't you? And we both know Xiao Wu's likely already a Spirit King. Why does she prefer Su Ming? Because he's strong!"
Xiao Wu's thoughts: Not only is Su Ming strong, but he's also incredibly handsome! I must have been blind in my past life to fall for someone so shallow!
Tang San found himself wavering, considering the possibility. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try? I'm still young, and as a twin spirit user with innate full spirit power, sacrificing a bit of potential now shouldn't harm me in the long run, right? Besides, once his strength reached a certain level, his father would help him undergo a bloodline awakening, enhancing his Blue Silver Grass into the Blue Silver Emperor. That boost should compensate for any loss.
Lost in thought, Tang San silently justified his reasoning, convincing himself to push forward.
Tang San contemplated the potential of his twin spirits, realizing that if he used a secret technique to temporarily sacrifice a bit of his innate strength, he could enhance his power substantially. With his Mysterious Heaven Technique, he was confident he could quickly reach the level of Spirit Sage (Spirit Power level 70). Once there, he could add rings to his Clear Sky Hammer, ideally each over 50,000 years, which would allow him to reach Spirit Douluo level (80+). Even Su Ming likely couldn't achieve that.
With his resolve firm, Tang San glanced at Dai Mubai, who had been silently waiting, his face reflecting both hope and hesitation.
After a moment, Tang San took a deep breath and spoke seriously, "Boss Dai, I do have a method to quickly boost our power, but there are risks. It could damage our foundation and lifespan—in other words, it's like trading years of life for strength."
Dai Mubai's expression changed slightly. "Tang San, this method sounds suspiciously like something an Evil Spirit Master would use. Will using it make us bloodthirsty or unstable, like those Evil Masters? And more importantly, will it corrupt our spirits, causing them to darken?"
What surprised Tang San was Dai Mubai's priorities—he was more concerned about becoming violent or having his spirit turn dark than he was about risking his health or lifespan. For him, gaining power in exchange for years of life seemed worthwhile. After all, in the upcoming tournament, he would face his brother, Davis, in a battle that could shape his destiny. Losing could mean exile or even death.
Only by defeating Davis and Zhu Zhuyun in the tournament—who, with their fusion spirit, Nether White Tiger, were formidable foes—could he stand a chance of securing his future and pressuring the Zhu family into a favorable marriage with Zhu Zhuqing.
Tang San reassured him, "Boss Dai, I know of Evil Spirit Masters and can assure you this technique won't have those effects. It only reduces lifespan and affects your foundation. But, Boss Dai, you realize that a damaged foundation can lead to issues down the road…"
Before he could finish, Dai Mubai cut him off, determined. "Tang San, I understand. As a member of the Star Luo royal family, I must compete with my brother Davis in the tournament. If I lose, I'll either be exiled to a remote post or worse, killed. I have no choice but to push myself beyond my limits. Lifespan doesn't concern me; I'm still young and can always extend it as I grow stronger."
Seeing Dai Mubai's unwavering resolve, Tang San relented, though he omitted one detail: the technique could cause one's cultivation level to become unstable, requiring prolonged focus to solidify it later. But in this world, he thought, it might not matter as much—after all, there were Evil Spirit Masters who used similar rapid-boosting techniques, even if they often had shorter lives.
"All right, Boss Dai. I'll teach you the technique. For optimal results, you'll need to take specific medicinal herbs as well. I'll prepare these within three days," Tang San promised.
Dai Mubai nodded before asking casually, "Do you think we should let Fatty and Oscar in on this? Both are still Spirit Elders, so they'll likely only have chances to compete early on, with Oscar maybe joining us for team battles. But Fatty…"
Tang San considered this. While both were close friends, neither faced personal vendettas in the tournament, unlike himself and Dai Mubai. Fatty was often lazy, and while he'd become more focused recently, he might lack the drive. As for Oscar, his feelings for Ning Rongrong were known, but even if he enhanced his power with this technique, it likely wouldn't matter in the eyes of her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Still, it couldn't hurt to ask. "Let's talk to them tomorrow and see if they're interested," Tang San said. "They don't have personal stakes like we do, but maybe they'll decide to join us."
Dai Mubai smirked, thinking to himself. Oscar and Fatty both had confrontations with Su Ming before. Oscar's chances with Ning Rongrong might improve with more power, and as for Fatty, well… Su Ming gave him quite a shock in Star Dou Forest.
The next day, Tang San set off to gather the medicinal ingredients specified in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record for the concoction. Fortunately, his stock was already quite extensive, so he didn't need much effort to find what he needed.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai headed to Oscar's dormitory to explain the plan.
Oscar looked doubtful after hearing everything and voiced his concerns. "Boss Dai, Tang San's technique sounds dangerously close to those used by Evil Spirit Masters. If Spirit Hall discovers us using it, won't they label us as Evil Spirit Masters?"
Ma Hongjun chimed in, "Yeah, Boss Dai, we understand the pressures you're facing, but we could just train hard together. Don't forget we already have seven Spirit Elders. Even Star Luo Academy doesn't match that, right?"
Dai Mubai chuckled. "You're too naive, Fatty. Even if our power surpasses Star Luo Academy's, Davis and Zhu Zhuyun can use their fusion spirit, Nether White Tiger, which no one under the Spirit King level can counter. My competition with Davis goes beyond the tournament—if I lose to him, it's game over for me, regardless of the tournament's outcome."
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