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The members of Shrek Academy were left reeling.
They had originally thought they would enjoy their youth and cultivation in such a prestigious academy, but now they were forced to flee instead.
After leaving the Tian Dou Imperial Academy, Flender wanted to ask Yu Xiaogang why they had to leave, but a single glance from Yu Xiaogang silenced him, and they both fell into a heavy silence.
Back at their lodgings—a courtyard in a rural village near Tian Dou City—even this modest accommodation came with an exorbitant rent, causing Flender no small amount of distress.
"Come in."
With mixed feelings, the members of Shrek Academy returned to their rooms, but Yu Xiaogang and the three Soul Sage teachers heard a voice summoning them.
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened.
What did Tang Hao want now? His unpredictable behavior was infuriating.
But might makes right, and as a mere lowly Soul Emperor, he couldn't resist Tang Hao—whether for his own sake or for the sake of his clan.
Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Shao Xin were all familiar with each other. When Zhao Wují had been injured and treated, Shao Xin had lent a hand and thus learned of Tang Hao's identity.
With complicated emotions, the four entered the largest room in the courtyard.
Though all four were men—and Zhao Wuji, in particular, disliked bathing—the stench emanating from Tang Hao's body made their own odors seem trivial by comparison.
"Pay respects to His Excellency," the four said with deep bows.
Tang Hao glanced at them indifferently. Though they were nominally his son's teachers, he held no respect for them.
Mere Soul Sages.
"Yu Xiaogang, send Xiao San to study at Thunderclap Academy."
Yu Xiaogang, who had initially thought Tang Hao might send Tang San to the Plant Academy and felt indifferent about it, suddenly changed expressions and blurted out instinctively,
"No."
Tang Hao's brow furrowed slightly, and a faint pressure emanated from his body.
Yu Xiaogang froze in place. Though he inwardly despised both Tang Hao and his son, he feigned seriousness and said,
"Lord Hao Tian, Xiao San has a plant-type martial soul. How can he study at Thunderclap Academy? You know Master Ye Wen's theory of essence—it's completely unsuitable."
At this, Tang Hao withdrew his oppressive aura and said calmly, "I have my reasons. Xiao San's Green Vine martial soul is not as simple as it appears.
His martial soul inherited part of his mother's power, though it hasn't fully awakened yet. If Xiao San trains in Thunderclap Academy's simulated lightning environment, it should activate the hidden potential of his Green Vine martial soul.
Given your connections, I'm sure you can ensure Xiao San's admission to Thunderclap Academy."
Under Tang Hao's emotionless gaze, Yu Xiaogang broke into a cold sweat.
Damn it! Was Tang Hao really so determined to tie the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to the Hao Tian Sect? Once Tang San enrolled in Thunderclap Academy, the clan would essentially be bound to the Hao Tian Sect forever.
What to do, what to do, what to do… Yu Xiaogang's mind raced like ants on a hot pan, but he couldn't think of a way to refute Tang Hao's proposal.
Ever since killing Qian Xunji, Tang Hao's life had undergone a dramatic change.
The sect's seclusion, his remorse over his lost love, and his helplessness against the Spirit Hall—all these factors plunged Tang Hao into a life of drunken stupor. Though his cultivation rendered cheap ale harmless, those six years thoroughly numbed his thinking.
But upon learning that Tang San possessed twin martial souls, Tang Hao saw hope. He began reflecting, recalling faint memories of his past with Ah Yu.
Anyone with common sense on the Douluo Continent knew that unless a child's martial soul underwent a mutation, they would most likely inherit the stronger martial soul of their parents.
This meant that Yu Xiaogang's suspicion about Tang San having twin martial souls due to his full innate soul power but mismatched martial soul quality was incorrect.
However, twin martial souls were exceedingly rare, with few recorded cases even in the upper three sects' archives. Yu Xiaogang's mistake was understandable.
But Tang Hao knew that Tang San's Green Vine martial soul represented the Thunderclap Nether Vine, a super martial soul no less powerful than his own Hao Tian Hammer.
Reflecting further, Tang San's impoverished childhood—going hungry and lacking warmth—contrasted sharply with Tang Hao's luxurious upbringing in the Hao Tian Sect. It wasn't impossible for one martial soul's quality to diminish under such circumstances.
During the six years Tang San trained, Tang Hao also "borrowed" numerous works written by Ye Wen from bookstores.
Reviewing the soul rings Yu Xiaogang had chosen for Tang San, if his martial soul were just an ordinary Green Vine, transitioning to the Hao Tian Hammer later would still be viable. But if it were the Thunderclap Nether Vine, the gap would be immense.
Fortunately, the soul rings were still within the thousand-year range, leaving room for future ten-thousand-year soul rings to supplement its essence. If Tang San's Green Vine could awaken its lightning attribute and evolve into the Thunderclap Nether Vine, the combined amplification of eighteen soul rings from dual martial souls would far exceed initial expectations.
After all, Tang San had dual tool-type martial souls, not beast-type ones, granting him the advantage of simultaneous summoning.
The image of nine ten-thousand-year soul rings wrapped around a Hao Tian Hammer crackling with thunder from the Thunderclap Nether Vine, combined with the Hao Tian Nine Absolutes, ring explosions, and the Great Sumeru Hammer technique—just imagining it made Tang Hao giddy with excitement.
By the time Tang San reached level 95, he might even stand a chance against a level 99 Limit Douluo.
Thankfully, Ye Wen remained unaware of these thoughts; otherwise, he'd surely call Tang Hao absurd. How did this blacksmith hammer-head suddenly become so clever?
But this was partly Ye Wen's fault. The abundance of brilliant theories he propagated significantly raised the overall quality of soul masters. Under such influence, Tang Hao naturally sought to understand more.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang was mentally exhausted, racking his brain for ways to refuse but finding none. Finally, he said bitterly,
"It… should be possible. However, Xiao San's identity is sensitive, and the stakes are high. I must return to consult my father. Please forgive me, Lord Hao Tian."
Tang Hao had always been aware of Yu Xiaogang's petty schemes, but seeing some remaining utility in him—and knowing how easily he could be manipulated—Tang Hao had let him be.
"I hope you don't disappoint me, Dr. Yu. If I lose my temper, your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan won't survive the consequences.
Remember, don't keep Xiao San waiting too long. This is his golden period for cultivation.
And you three—" Tang Hao turned to Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Shao Xin, "—remember to support my son well. When he grows strong, you'll reap your rewards."
With that, Tang Hao vanished into a shadow and departed.
The four in the room exchanged glances. Soon, Flender and the others looked at Yu Xiaogang with pity.
As Yu Xiaogang's closest friend, Flender silently patted his shoulder before leaving with Zhao Wuji and the others.
Being part of a top-tier faction had its perks, but when one person could threaten the entire faction, it became a massive headache.
The advantage of civilian soul masters like Flender was that they had no family ties to worry about. If push came to shove, they could simply run and live incognito. Zhao Wuji was a prime example—he was a wanted fugitive of the Spirit Hall, yet he lived comfortably now.
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