Su Ming said, "Old Monster, let me think. Since they've been forced to leave Heaven Dou City, they wouldn't just join any random academy."
"They chose to come to Blue Tyrant Academy because Liu Erlong is part of the Golden Iron Triangle, so they had a connection there. That way, it would be easier to arrange for their teachers and students."
"Following this line of thinking, Flender might not have any more connections, but Yu Xiaogang does!"
"Old Monster, don't forget, Yu Xiaogang is from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Even though he hasn't returned to the clan for over ten years, due to what happened recently, he will definitely return now!"
Dugu Bo, understanding Su Ming's hint, said, "Little monster, are you saying Thunderclap Academy?"
Su Ming nodded, "Exactly. It's very likely that under Yu Xiaogang's guidance, along with Yu Tianheng, they've joined Thunderclap Academy. We can go there and see. If they aren't there, we might have to abandon the plan to take the spirit bone for now."
"Old Monster, do you know where Thunderclap Academy is?"
Dugu Bo nodded, "I know. Thunderclap Academy isn't too far from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. I'll take you there."
After a day of nonstop travel, they arrived at Thunderclap Academy by the evening of the next day.
They had been racing against time because every day they delayed, Tang San's fusion with the Eight Spider Lances spirit bone deepened.
Su Ming didn't waste time and immediately used his spiritual power to scan the area. Since Thunderclap Academy was one of the Four Elemental Academies, it was bound to have strong spirit masters.
So, Su Ming was careful not to rush things. He focused on finding Yu Xiaogang, Ma Hongjun, or Dai Mubai. Once he located them, it would confirm that Tang San and the others were there as well, and they could proceed with their plan.
As expected, Su Ming quickly found traces of those three. Expanding his search around them, he discovered that Tang San was indeed in the academy, currently training in a certain area.
Su Ming wasn't sure when they had joined, especially since Thunderclap Academy was known for accepting only spirit masters with lightning-type martial souls. It seemed they had made an exception for Tang San's group, perhaps due to something Yu Xiaogang had said.
"Old Monster, here. Wear this night suit and mask. We're going in," Su Ming said, handing over the disguise.
The two donned the suits and masks. To be even more cautious, Su Ming used a disguise talisman on Dugu Bo, altering his aura.
"Little Monster, what is this?" Dugu Bo asked, noticing the change in his energy.
"Old Monster, you'll understand later. I have many strange things with me. Just remember to change your voice and start your spirit pressure at the Spirit King level. Once Tang San can't take it anymore, his Eight Spider Lances will reveal themselves, and we'll act shocked, like it was unexpected."
"Relax, and don't resist."
Dugu Bo trusted Su Ming, so he didn't resist as Su Ming used Kamui to absorb him into the space. Su Ming himself followed shortly after.
"Little monster, I didn't expect you to have such a powerful space-type spirit ability. You're getting more mysterious by the day!" Dugu Bo chuckled.
Su Ming ignored the comment. "Alright, let's find Tang San and pull him in. Then it's all up to you."
In Thunderclap Academy, Tang San was focused on his training, unaware of the approaching danger. His only thought was to become stronger and defeat Su Ming in the future. Su Ming had become a kind of obsession, a hurdle that Tang San felt he must overcome to find peace.
Suddenly, the space around Tang San warped, and before he could react, he was pulled into Kamui's dimension. A powerful force pressed down on him, causing his Blue Silver Grass to activate defensively.
Dugu Bo, his voice disguised and raspy, spoke, "You must be Tang San?"
Tang San struggled to lift his head. He saw two figures in black night suits and masks standing before him. Su Ming had changed his mask to fully cover his face, remembering that Tang San had previously seen his eyes.
"Who are you? Why did you capture me? Where is this place?" Tang San asked, barely able to breathe under the spirit pressure. His face was turning red and purple from the strain.
Within him, the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul stirred, but Tang San suppressed it with all his might. He couldn't afford to reveal his second martial soul, knowing these two figures had bad intentions.
But by suppressing the Clear Sky Hammer, Tang San lost control of the Eight Spider Lances, which suddenly burst out from his back.
Before Dugu Bo could speak as planned, Su Ming acted surprised. "Whoa! Look at that! I didn't expect Tang Hao's son to have an external spirit bone!"
"This is quite the unexpected bonus! What do you think? If we take his spirit bone, wouldn't Tang Hao be furious?"
Dugu Bo was momentarily confused—the script had changed—but he quickly recovered. "Yes, quite the surprise! We couldn't find Tang Hao, so we thought we'd mess with his son. Now we've found an extra reward!"
Hearing this, Su Ming wanted to applaud Dugu Bo's quick thinking. He had just thought of this idea—to let Tang San know about Tang Hao's involvement and force Tang Hao into action sooner.
After all, there was still a ten-thousand-year spirit bone hidden in Holy Spirit Village, meant for Tang San. If Tang San waited until after the Spirit Master tournament to absorb it, the talisman's effect would wear off, turning it into a regular hundred-year spirit bone.
And if Tang Hao grew suspicious, he might move the spirit bone, making it impossible for Su Ming to act.
However, knowing Tang Hao's temperament, if he discovered the bone after Tang San absorbed it, he might take drastic action against the villagers. Su Ming had to make sure to move the spirit bone before then.