Chapter 355: Return and Shock

Meanwhile, at Thunderclap Academy, with only half a month left until the tournament, Tang Hao finally returned with Tang San. They made it just in time.

Though there wasn't much time, the remaining days would allow for some team practice, which Tang San, as a control-type spirit master, felt confident would be enough.

In Flender's office:

The moment Yu Xiaogang heard of Tang San's return, he gathered everyone together. Dai Mubai couldn't help but give Tang San a hearty hug, exclaiming, "Xiao San, you're finally back! We missed you so much!"

After hugging each of his friends, Tang San said warmly, "Brothers, I'm back!"

Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San's shoulder with a look of relief. "Good to have you back, Xiao San! So, what level have you reached with all your recent training?"

Tang San proudly replied, "Teacher, with all this training, I've reached level 44, and my fourth spirit ring is from an 8,000-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider!"

After enduring Tang Hao's relentless training and exercises like waterfall body forging, Tang San's physical resilience improved significantly. Although he didn't undergo the Ice and Fire tempering as he had in the original story, he could now absorb spirit rings up to about 2,000 years over his level.

But, since his fourth spirit ring wasn't a ten-thousand-year ring, it wasn't a group control skill but rather a single-target one.

Yu Xiaogang, although surprised, was impressed. "That's already quite an accomplishment, Xiao San. An 8,000-year Man-Faced Demon Spider is a solid choice."

Having his third and fourth rings from Man-Faced Demon Spiders meant Tang San's two spirit skills had naturally leveled up as well.

Yu Xiaogang then turned to Tang Hao. "Your Excellency Haotian, how has Xiao San's progress been with his second spirit?"

Tang Hao removed his cloak, a look of pride on his face. "Xiao San has been working diligently. He's mastered most of the Clear Sky Hammer techniques from the Clear Sky Clan. With Thunderclap Academy, reaching the finals shouldn't be an issue."

Despite Tang Hao's confidence, Yu Xiaogang sighed. "Your Excellency Haotian, perhaps you're unaware that not long ago, Heaven Dou Royal Academy held a friendly match with Tianshui Academy."

At this, Dai Mubai and Oscar exchanged troubled glances, their faces reflecting frustration.

Sensing the change in the room's mood, Tang San asked, "Teacher, what happened with the Tianshui and Heaven Dou Royal match? Why does everyone look so down?"

Dai Mubai spoke first. "Xiao San, with our current strength, we may get through the preliminary rounds, but there's no way we'll be able to beat Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The gap is just too wide."

Oscar added, "It's true, Xiao San. From what we heard, Su Ming and Xiao Wu didn't even participate in the match against Tianshui Academy, but Heaven Dou Royal Academy still won. It was… impressive. And apparently, Su Ming is now the team captain, which isn't surprising, but here's the real kicker: Dugu Yan, his vice-captain, is now a Spirit King. Su Ming and Xiao Wu stayed out of the match, likely to hide their real strength. And that means… well, you can guess what that implies, right?"

Tang San and Tang Hao were stunned. Tang San's pride vanished as he stared in disbelief. "Impossible! Dugu Yan was only a Spirit Elder when we fought her a year ago in Soto City. How could she have become a Spirit King in just a year?"

Tang San's face darkened. He had trained relentlessly, enduring sleepless nights and substituting rest with meditation, all to match up to Su Ming in the tournament. Even absorbing the 8,000-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider spirit ring had been a gamble, given the risks of exceeding his physical limits.

The fourth ring was again a Man-Faced Demon Spider, not only due to his teacher's advice but also because Tang San hoped it might yield another spirit bone. But the heavens hadn't favored him; he had gained nothing extra, not even an ordinary spirit bone.

His disappointment was hard to miss. He had once possessed the Eight Spider Lances, a precious external spirit bone, only to have it forcibly taken by Spirit Hall.

Ma Hongjun chimed in, "Third brother, it's not just Dugu Yan. All her teammates are Spirit Elders or higher. Aside from Boss Dai, who's a level 42 Spirit Elder, Oscar and I are still only Spirit Experts."

Oscar continued, "Right. I've been training as hard as possible, but I'm only level 36. And Fatty here… well, maybe losing his evil fire has helped him. He's actually gained levels faster, so he's now at level 37."

At the mention of his "evil fire," Ma Hongjun's expression darkened, and he sighed. He would rather have advanced slower if it meant regaining… certain other functions.

Yu Xiaogang then reassured them, "Thunderclap Academy is quite strong, so making it to the finals should be achievable. Su Ming's team is in Heaven Dou Royal's first team and won't need to go through the preliminaries. Unless we make it to the final rounds, we won't face them directly."

Tang San felt a glimmer of hope. "Teacher, do we know who's on Thunderclap Academy's team?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "The captain is Yu Tianxin, Yu Tianheng's cousin. His spirit is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and he's level 43."

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