Chapter 361: The Gaze of Shi Nian – Have Tang San and His Team Been Targeted?
As Xiao Wu felt Tang San's gaze, she shuddered with disgust and glared at him. "Tang San, what are you staring at? Don't tell me you still have feelings for me?"
Ignoring her, Tang San turned his focus to Su Ming. Reflecting on his past encounters with him, Tang San felt deeply wronged. He believed many things that should have belonged to him had somehow ended up with Su Ming, even Xiao Wu. With his past-life memories and knowledge of martial arts, wasn't he supposed to be the chosen one in this world?
But Su Ming's strength had likely reached the level of a Soul King, while he remained a Soul Ancestor. He needed to bide his time. "Su Ming, word is that you're already a Soul King. But don't get too comfortable; I may be weaker now, but that won't last. Just wait and see."
Su Ming caught a hint of something unusual in Tang San's voice. If Tang San had guessed he was a Soul King, where did he get his confidence? Did he have some new trick up his sleeve? Or was it simply Yu Xiaogang's strategies that made Tang San believe he could overcome stronger opponents?
Su Ming shook his head. "I don't know where you got that confidence, but it's fine. I was just worried you'd fail to pass the qualifiers, so I thought I'd remind you. We, Heaven Dou Team One, don't need to participate in the qualifiers, you know…"
Before Su Ming could finish, Dugu Yan shot a frosty look at Yu Tianheng, who was avoiding her gaze. "Yu Tianheng! I can't believe I had feelings for you once. I must've been blind. You better hope we don't meet in the finals, or I'll make sure you regret it. We have some things to settle."
Her words resonated with the other former members of the Royal Battle Team. "After all, he was our captain," they grumbled, "and he almost got us killed!"
Yu Tianxin, the current leader of Thunder Academy, stepped forward confidently. "Su Ming, I know you have unresolved issues with some of our team members. But we'll settle this another time. Thunder Academy will definitely advance from the qualifiers, and we'll be ready to face Heaven Dou Team One."
Su Ming waved his hand dismissively and led his team away, not taking Yu Tianxin's words seriously. Although Yu Tianxin showed promise, he doubted he could even handle Shui Bing'er.
Yu Xiaogang placed a hand on Yu Tianxin's shoulder, encouraging calm. "Stay focused; don't let this affect your performance in the qualifiers. We'll find other ways to handle this."
"Let's head to the opening ceremony. Afterward, there'll be the first match of the qualifiers, though it's unlikely we'll draw Team Two. Let's just watch," he said.
Privately, Tang San hoped that Team Two would draw Thunder Academy. If they couldn't compete with Su Ming's team yet, a clash with Team Two would be a good start to even the score. Leaning over, he whispered to Dai Mubai, "Boss Dai, don't go all out in the qualifiers. Use this time to increase your strength as much as you can."
Dai Mubai nodded, knowing that Tang San's instructions were intended to buy him more time to train. Meanwhile, the Thunder Academy team waited in the main arena's rest area, watching the start of the competition.
Su Ming's team, along with Heaven Dou Team Two, also settled nearby. Su Ming scanned the crowd, noting several familiar faces from other academies, including the Tianshui, Blazing Fire, Godwind, and Sky Azure Academies. When Shui Bing'er noticed him looking her way, she offered a slight smile, while Shui Yue'er gave a cheerful wave.
However, Su Ming's attention turned to Shi Nian, the teacher from Sky Azure Academy. The spirit bone with the Mirage attribute was still in his possession. Perhaps he'd find an opportunity to acquire it. However, he decided to hold off for now. Besides, he realized that Sky Azure Academy had recently spotted Tang San's team, and judging by their expressions, something had been said.
Sky Azure Academy's members had already shared something with Shi Nian, who now cast an ominous look at Tang San's team. Su Ming's lips curved into a knowing smile. It seemed Tang San had drawn the attention of Shi Nian. If Shi Nian could manage to eliminate Tang San, it would be ideal—though he doubted that, given Tang Hao's presence. But seeing Tang San suffer a little would be worth it.
After a lengthy ceremony, it was finally time for Heaven Dou Team Two's captain to step up for the first draw. Su Ming watched with interest, wondering who their opponent would be.
The captain's expression changed drastically—from confidence to dismay—as he read the result.