Chapter 76: As Wise as Ancestor Tang San

As the last student entered Class One's classroom, a few seats remained empty.

Naturally, these belonged to the unlucky few whom Zhou Yi had expelled immediately upon their enrollment.

Tang San, aside from a slightly darkened expression, showed no sign of previous anger. He found a seat and sat down, and as he regained his composure, his mind began to whirl with thoughts.

No wonder Huo Yuhao didn't join Class One as he did in his previous life; Tang San should have anticipated this. But who was the silver-haired girl beside him? Why did she seem so unfamiliar?

Forget it—it wasn't important.

Though Huo Yuhao being reborn too surprised him, on further thought, it could actually work in his favor. Since a reborn Huo Yuhao was destined to oppose the Tang San of the God Realm, he would not face his former self alone, even though he and Huo Yuhao were unlikely to join forces.

One question still puzzled him, though.

Why hadn't Huo Yuhao struck at him just now? Just as Tang San held a deep grudge against him, he was certain Huo Yuhao would not let him off so easily.

Was it because it wasn't convenient to act within the academy? Or was it... had Huo Yuhao sensed something about him that even Tang San had yet to discover?

As he considered this, he cast a sidelong glance at Wang Dong'er, who had enrolled without even trying to disguise herself. A peculiar feeling surfaced, and he frowned slightly.

Before he could continue mulling it over, Zhou Yi re-entered the classroom. Glancing at the few empty seats, she gave a slight nod.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's officially begin the lesson."

She turned to the blackboard and, under everyone's watchful gaze, wrote two large words: Attack and Defense.

"Today, we'll discuss the basics of soul master combat—attack and defense."

Her gaze fell squarely on Tang San, who seemed lost in thought. Bluntly, she called out to him.

"Tang San, stand up and answer my question. Among the soul master types—Power Attack, Agility Attack, Defense, Control, and so forth—which types are more attack-oriented, and which focus more on defense or support?"

Initially stunned, Tang San quickly recovered. As the former disciple of a renowned master on the continent, such a straightforward question wouldn't stump him.

After thinking for a moment, he smiled and replied, "Teacher Zhou, I believe we can find the answer in the example of Tang San, the great ancestor from ten thousand years ago."

"Oh?" Zhou Yi raised her brow with interest. "Go on, explain."

Tang San cleared his throat and continued with a smile.

"Although the ancestor Tang San possessed twin martial souls, in his weaker years, he rarely used his Power Attack martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer."

"With the Blue Silver Grass, a Control-Type martial soul lacking attack power, the astonishing ancestor Tang San devised other means to compensate for his shortcomings. Using wisdom beyond common understanding, he invented hidden weapons to bridge his attack gap, and created unique soul skills that granted him the agility of an Agility Attack Type and strength rivaling that of a Power Attack Type. Eventually, he founded the Tang Sect, passing down his teachings and benefiting countless soul masters."

"Thanks to these hidden weapons, even Ning Rongrong, the auxiliary soul master of the first generation of Shrek's Seven Devils, wielded significant combat power."

After pausing briefly, Tang San delivered his conclusion.

"Therefore, I believe that a soul master's approach to attack and defense cannot be simply represented by fixed classifications."

"Very good. It seems you've done your research on ancestor Tang San; you do have some intelligence there. Sit down."

Zhou Yi nodded, surveying the class.

"Tang San's theory is accurate, but his example is somewhat flawed. While ancestor Tang San's hidden weapons did grant auxiliary soul masters attack power, they also had numerous drawbacks. That's evident in how the Tang Sect he founded has declined to its current state."

Tang San's face froze as a shadow passed over his eyes.

He had always admired the Tang Sect from his first life, which had taken him in. Reincarnation after reincarnation, he remained loyal to the Tang Sect, never forgetting its teachings. How could he swallow his anger now when someone disparaged the Sect's hidden weapons and techniques in front of him?

Even Grandmaster from his previous life had praised his hidden weapons and Tang Sect techniques. Despite his anger, he remained silent, and Zhou Yi, apparently unaware of his inner turmoil, continued.

"Now, let's discuss soul tools, the main focus of today's lesson. Unlike Tang Sect techniques, which require extensive practice to develop Power Attack-level strength or Agility Attack-level speed, soul tools offer even more diverse attack options than ancestor Tang San's hidden weapons."

"The most crucial thing is that soul tools allow soul masters who lack defensive abilities to achieve defense comparable to that of Defense-Type soul masters—something ancestor Tang San could never do. Do you have a question, Tang San?"

Zhou Yi's brows furrowed as Tang San raised his hand midway through her lecture. However, she still acknowledged him, given his previous response.

"Teacher Zhou, while soul tools indeed offer convenience, a soul master should focus on their own cultivation. External support is still just external; relying too heavily on soul tools will foster dependency. Should they lose their soul tools, their combat abilities would be greatly reduced."

Zhou Yi chuckled.

"That's a typical response from a secluded sect—a backward way of thinking. Do you think we haven't considered that? Unlike the soul masters from the Sun Moon Empire who only pursue soul power, here at Shrek, even our Soul Tool Department emphasizes physical training and synergy with soul skills."

"And let me ask you this: the auxiliary soul masters Ning Rongrong and Oscar of the first generation Shrek Seven Devils also saw a significant decrease in strength without hidden weapons. Does that mean they shouldn't have used them?"

Tang San's face remained impassive; he had anticipated this response. Calmly, he replied.

"Hidden weapons don't drain soul power."

"Grandmaster once said, after years of research, that the optimal path for soul master teams is individual specialization with group balance. Every member fully maximizing their strength, complementing each other—that's a successful team."

"A soul master's power is limited. If an auxiliary-type soul master exhausts their soul power operating defensive or offensive soul tools, it would shorten the duration of support soul skills. What then?"

The classroom fell silent. No one expected Tang San to so openly challenge Zhou Yi's statement. Although his argument seemed reasonable at first glance, it couldn't stand up to scrutiny. Zhou Yi glanced at him dismissively and responded.

"Even if what you say could happen, an auxiliary-type soul master's soul power expenditure is offset elsewhere.

"For example, a defensive soul tool may free combat-type soul masters from needing to guard, saving them several soul skills and soul power. An offensive soul tool adds an extra attacker, accelerating combat's conclusion."

"So tell me, if the battle ends early, why would we still need those support skills?"

Tang San choked back a response. Before he could argue, Zhou Yi sighed.

"I thought you were intelligent, but it seems I overestimated you. This was a foolish question. I've heard of your Clear Sky Clan's disdain for soul tools, but here, curb that outdated, arrogant mindset."

"This time, I'll let it pass. But defy me again, and you can leave. Understood?"

At the final words, Zhou Yi's expression darkened, her imposing soul power filling the air. Feeling the pressure, Tang San clenched his fists.

When had he, hailed as a genius by Grandmaster, ever been called foolish? His Tang Sect techniques embodied the wisdom of his ancestors, a legacy he held dear.

In his past life, he had even wounded a God of Angels using his Sect's secret technique. If he were stronger now, Zhou Yi would see just how formidable his Tang Sect skills truly were.

But, he knew he couldn't defy her yet. It wasn't only her Soul Emperor status—her position as a Shrek teacher far outweighed his status as a student.

After a long pause, he finally exhaled, gritting his response through clenched teeth.

"Understood."

Zhou Yi's expression softened a bit as she remarked coolly.

"Just because you possess a martial soul and hidden weapon skills like ancestor Tang San, don't get complacent. In the past ten thousand years, Shrek has seen countless talents whose martial souls were stronger than ancestor Tang San's. Yet, not one has achieved his accomplishments."

She surveyed the silent students.

"Not only for him, but for each of you as well: to match ancestor Tang San's success, you need not just talent and effort, but the same wisdom he possessed! Understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am!"

(End of Chapter)