Chapter 116: Changes in Shrek Academy and the Breaking Clan

A year ago, ever since Yang Podi acquired the Man-Faced Demon Spider's spirit bone, subtle changes seemed to have occurred among the Shrek Seven Devils.

When the Shrek Seven Devils entered the Spirit Hunting Forest to obtain spirit rings, they also encountered the Titan Giant Ape. Similarly, Xiao Wu was taken away by the Titan Giant Ape, and Tang San still desperately chased after her.

However, this time, luck was not on their side. They didn't encounter the injured Man-Faced Demon Spider. In the end, Tang San chose an ordinary spider-type spirit beast. His spirit ability remained Web Restraint, and his spirit power increased to rank 31. There seemed to be no significant changes.

The only difference was that Tang San lacked the priceless Eight Spider Lances.

Following this, Yu Xiaogang arrived at Shrek Academy. The Shrek students began their devilish training, which was grueling for everyone. However, the results were quite satisfactory, and everyone improved to some extent.

What came next was a rather tricky plotline. The Shrek students went to the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City and achieved numerous victories, eventually earning the Silver Spirit Badge.

As expected, they encountered Qin Ming, who led the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team to participate in a team spirit battle. The result of the battle was similar to the original storyline. After Xiao Wu was injured, Tang San unleashed his ultimate skill.

Countless hidden weapons were thrown at the opposing team members, and these hidden weapons gleamed with a blue light, clearly coated with poison.

The outcome was a hard-fought victory for Shrek Academy, but the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team suffered heavy losses. Several team members were injured by the hidden weapons, and some even showed signs of poisoning.

This outcome caused a great deal of trouble. The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team didn't have Dugu Yan or Ye Lingling, so there was no one to provide immediate treatment to the injured from both sides. As a result, Shrek Academy members suffered severe injuries, while several Heaven Dou Imperial Academy members were poisoned, with some on the verge of death.

Fortunately, the Great Spirit Arena had high-level healing spirit masters on standby. Otherwise, this battle could have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries on both sides.

However, Qin Ming himself was unaffected and, just like in the original storyline, invited the Shrek students to study at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy as an exchange.

This decision was understandable. Given the Shrek students' current strength, they might not have had the time or opportunity to participate in this year's Spirit Master Tournament. Since they were still young, they could always participate in the next tournament. This could be seen as an attempt to secure talent for the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy in advance.

But Yu Xiaogang and his group didn't see it this way. They knew the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had two competition slots, but they didn't know one of those slots had already been secured by Yang Podi.

Because of this information gap, the two sides reached an agreement for the Shrek students to study at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. At the time, Qin Ming was merely a team leader, while Yu Xiaogang was far from Heaven Dou City and unaware of the academy's specific situation. This misunderstanding led to an unspoken agreement.

Since the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team didn't have Dugu Yan, the incident with Dugu Bo seeking revenge didn't occur.

However, Ning Rongrong, the little troublemaker, had a peculiar expression on her face. She often visited the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and was well aware of its internal affairs, including the academy's second team. She knew that even with Qin Ming's efforts, securing a spot on the second team would be nearly impossible. After all, the royal family wouldn't want to offend the Breaking and Defense Clans, which both had two Title Douluos.

At this time, Ning Rongrong's relationship with the other six Shrek members wasn't as close as in the original storyline. At least until Tang San shared and sold his hidden weapons, their camaraderie hadn't fully developed.

Thus, after some negotiation, both parties achieved a mutually satisfactory outcome.

Qin Ming repaid his alma mater by introducing all the Shrek students to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. This was both a gesture of gratitude and a way to secure a better future for his junior brothers and sisters. It was also an opportunity for the academy to attract new talent—a win-win situation.

Yu Xiaogang and his group, on the other hand, viewed it as an opportunity to benefit from the academy's superior resources, including advanced mimicry environments, financial support, and access to valuable information. To them, it seemed like a deal with no downsides.

If Yang Podi had known Yu Xiaogang's thoughts, he would have laughed in his face. While the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy did offer free resources such as food, advanced mimicry environments, and expensive training grounds, everything came with a hidden price tag.

At the academy, students would face various temptations, including wealth, power, and influence. Those without strong willpower would easily fall prey to noble enticements.

Judging by the Shrek students' demeanor, none of them appeared particularly steadfast. Even Ma Hongjun and Oscar, who had never experienced luxury or temptation, might not remain loyal to Shrek Academy.

Meanwhile, the Breaking Clan had undergone significant changes in the past three years, mostly positive ones.

First, Yang Podi's father, Yang Zhentian, had finally broken through to Title Douluo rank two years ago. This meant he had achieved this milestone while Yang Podi was still training in the Slaughter City. With the guidance of his two grandfathers, he obtained an exceptional spirit ring from the Star Dou Forest—a Ghost Tiger with an estimated age of 86,000 years. This greatly enhanced his offensive capabilities.

Second, Yang Podi's mother had recently advanced to Title Douluo, making her the Breaking Clan's fourth Title Douluo. She only needed a spirit ring, which the family planned to acquire from the Star Dou Forest soon. With Yang Podi already at rank 60, the plan was adjusted to include him in the hunt.

Lastly, Yang Podi's younger sister, Yang Tianyue, had reached the age of 12 and was ready to begin her studies.

Yang Tianyue, with her innate full spirit power, had reached rank 33 by the age of 12 without consuming any immortal herbs.

Each of her spirit rings was personally obtained under the guidance of her grandfather, Yang Wudi, in the Sunset Forest. Following the Breaking Clan's training methods, all her spirit rings were offensive-type, with optimal ages and excellent spirit beasts chosen.

Initially, the plan was for Yang Tianyue to study within the Breaking Clan. However, her strong-willed personality led her to insist on attending the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Despite their reluctance, her grandfather and father eventually agreed.

Yang Podi also discussed with Yang Tianyue and decided that after her admission to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, she would join the academy's second team for rigorous training. This would expose her to the outside world.

They also made numerous agreements, including a strict prohibition on romantic relationships. At only 12 years old, Yang Podi feared she might fall victim to deceitful young nobles.

Yang Podi planned for her to study at the academy for only one year. Afterward, she would graduate alongside the second team, ensuring that neither the royal family nor the academy had any objections.

Internally, the Breaking Clan's strength had grown significantly. All six elders had broken through to Spirit Douluo rank, compared to four Spirit Saints before Yang Podi's departure for the Slaughter City.

The Breaking Clan had also expanded its membership to 800 spirit masters, surpassing its numbers before the Clear Sky Sect's great battle. This was achieved through intermarriage with civilian spirit masters and recruitment of new members.

Externally, the Breaking Clan maintained a low profile, avoiding involvement in spirit master disputes and appearing more like a merchant family.

Their expertise in pharmaceuticals had made the Breaking Clan renowned across the Douluo Continent. Their products were widely distributed, even to the Star Luo Empire and Spirit Hall.

Similarly, the Defense Clan had focused on construction, becoming the continent's largest construction company.

Yang Wudi, ever since his breakthrough to Title Douluo, spent less time cultivating and more on refining poisons and pills. This attracted frequent visits from Dugu Bo, and the two often spent days in the alchemy room, possibly researching new toxins.

After Yang Podi casually mentioned an idea, Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo developed a method to transfer toxins into spirit bones, effectively eliminating the toxin-related flaws of the Dugu Clan's Jade Phosphor Snake spirit.

The 40,000-year-old Unicorn Dragon spirit bone was absorbed by Dugu Bo's son, Dugu Xin. This not only healed his injuries and removed his spirit's flaws but also enhanced his cultivation speed.

Unfortunately, the damage from his previous setbacks meant his current rank was only Spirit Saint. He was now focused on recovering his foundation to break through to higher levels in the future.

As Yang Podi reflected on the Breaking Clan's current situation, he realized their strength was adequate. With a fourth Title Douluo on the horizon, their high-end combat power already surpassed that of the so-called Upper Three Sects.

Additionally, with his maternal grandfather, Niu Gao, and Dugu Bo as allies, neither the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect nor the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan dared to provoke the Breaking Clan.

However, this strength was insufficient when facing Spirit Hall. Should Spirit Hall launch a hunting operation involving the Breaking Clan, their multiple Title Douluos might fend off the attack, but the clan would still suffer heavy losses.

After discussions with Yang Wudi and Niu Gao, they decided to accept Spirit Hall's invitation to be conferred official titles during the finals of the upcoming Spirit Master Tournament in Spirit City. This gesture was intended as a signal of reconciliation.

Following Yang Podi's analysis, the two elders no longer harbored deep resentment toward Spirit Hall, at least publicly. They decided to avoid antagonizing the powerful organization.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Heaven Dou Empire were dissatisfied with this decision but refrained from openly criticizing it. After all, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Yu Yuanzhen were all conferred their titles by Spirit Hall, with two of them even serving as honorary elders.

They couldn't risk pushing such a formidable force toward Spirit Hall over a minor disagreement.