If all of Shrek Academy's vice-captains and official team members participated, their overall strength would undoubtedly leave the world astonished.
Tang San's hand, which was holding the Clear Sky Hammer, trembled slightly.
Was it over just like that?
It was good that the opponent conceded, but conceding mid-battle—what was that supposed to mean?
This was Tang San's debut match! To ensure his performance, even Dai Mubai and Dugu Yan had refrained from taking action, limiting themselves to merely protecting the support members.
For his debut, Tang San had been frozen twice, repelled once by an Ice Ring, and had spent the entire fight getting pummeled. Just as he was about to counterattack, the opponent conceded?!
A win was still a win, but Tang San felt utterly frustrated.
How was this Clear Sky Hammer any different from before it acquired a spirit ring? The pattern seemed to be the same: endure beatings, then claim victory.
Retracting his martial spirit, Tang San's face darkened, and he said nothing.
"First match of the 20th round of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament qualifiers: Tianshui Academy versus Shrek Academy. Tianshui Academy concedes, Shrek Academy wins!"
With the announcer's declaration, everyone stepped off the stage and returned to the waiting area.
"Xiao San, come with me," Yu Xiaogang said with a dark expression, signaling Tang San to follow him to a corner.
Yu Xiaogang wasn't even officially affiliated with Shrek Academy anymore. He had been dismissed by Flender earlier, and Liu Erlong had remained silent about it. The only reason he was in the Shrek Academy waiting area now was purely due to his shamelessness.
Tang San didn't need to guess to know what Yu Xiaogang wanted to talk about—it was undoubtedly about his second martial spirit.
Why would Tang San have consulted Yu Xiaogang about this in advance? If he had, would Yu Xiaogang have allowed him to hunt spirit beasts and obtain spirit rings for the Clear Sky Hammer?
Besides, this time, Tang San had acquired two spirit bones during the hunt. Even Tang Hao considered the trade worthwhile.
The only issue was that the spirit rings' years of cultivation were too low. But what could be done? Dai Mubai was only a Spirit King; how could they expect him to single-handedly hunt down spirit beasts of 7,000-8,000 years, let alone 10,000 years?
That was an unrealistic expectation. Dai Mubai was, after all, just a Spirit King!
"Who would've thought Tang San had twin martial spirits," Huang Yuan muttered as he watched Tang San walk away with Yu Xiaogang.
Twin martial spirits were a gift from the heavens. It wasn't something anyone could simply acquire.
"This isn't just any ordinary twin martial spirit," Zhao Wuji said with a shake of his head and a chuckle. "Tang San's second martial spirit is the Clear Sky Hammer. Think about that."
Zhao Wuji couldn't possibly forget the appearance of the Clear Sky Hammer, not after being thoroughly beaten by Tang Hao in the past.
"The Clear Sky Hammer? The legendary martial spirit of the mysterious Clear Sky Clan, hailed as the strongest sect in the world?" Ning Rongrong's face changed dramatically. Though she was reluctant to admit it, even as a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she knew the Clear Sky Clan held an edge over them.
Even with two Titled Douluos above level 95, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was still overshadowed by the Clear Sky Clan.
Ning Fengzhi rarely spoke to Ning Rongrong about the Clear Sky Clan, so her knowledge was limited.
The other team members' expressions also shifted. None of them had expected Tang San to possess such a profound background.
At this moment, Dai Mubai, who had been silent, suddenly heard a voice in his ear. It was Zhao Wuji's sound transmission—a technique only possible with high spirit power. Even a Titled Douluo wouldn't be able to overhear it from afar.
"Xiao Bai, you helped Tang San obtain the spirit rings for his second martial spirit, didn't you? Nicely done!" Zhao Wuji said with a laugh. "But for now, stay close to me. Tang San's father, Tang Hao, is a vindictive man. Just in case…"
Zhao Wuji paused before continuing. "I may not be able to beat him, but I can at least ensure your escape."
Dai Mubai glanced at Zhao Wuji's serious expression and couldn't help but feel touched. Zhao Wuji wasn't the type for sentimental speeches, but his meaning was clear: if worst came to worst, he'd stay behind to cover Dai Mubai's retreat.
Knowing full well that Tang Hao was a Titled Douluo, armed with a 100,000-year spirit ring, Zhao Wuji was still willing to step up. It reminded Dai Mubai of the time he faced the White Tiger—a moment that had similarly stirred his emotions.
"With Zhao Wuji's current talent, achieving godhood is entirely possible. If anyone tries to stop him…"
"We'll make them agree through force!" Dai Mubai thought to himself resolutely.
"Don't worry, Zhao. I don't think Tang Hao will hold a grudge against a junior like me. Besides, I am the prince of the Star Luo Empire. At most, he might rough me up a bit, but he wouldn't dare kill me openly," Dai Mubai transmitted back confidently.
Zhao Wuji: "???"
Wait a minute. Something isn't right here.
Dai Mubai wasn't just off—he was downright suspicious. Spirit power transmission? At his level as a mere Spirit King?
Without the foundational power of a Spirit Sage, how could he even…
Zhao Wuji's mouth opened slightly, words on the tip of his tongue but ultimately unspoken.
Dai Mubai, noticing Zhao Wuji's expression, froze momentarily. What's wrong with him? Does he not believe what I'm saying?
Unbeknownst to Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai had long since ceased being an ordinary Spirit King. As the inheritor of the Death God Hadina's legacy, how could he possibly fall short?
Even if Tang Hao were to attack him now, could Tang Hao really defeat the current Dai Mubai? Tang Hao's old injuries were severe. With Dai Mubai's mastery of the Diamond Invulnerability, he could outlast Tang Hao purely by endurance!
"Relax, Zhao. It's no big deal!" Dai Mubai said confidently via sound transmission, only to see Zhao Wuji's expression grow even more peculiar.
"???"
"Xiao Bai, be honest—what's your actual level of strength?" Zhao Wuji finally couldn't hold back and asked outright.
Spirit power transmission at Dai Mubai's level? What a joke!
Hearing this, Dai Mubai paused, then suddenly realized something.
Oh, right. He'd completely forgotten! Spirit power transmission—he was supposed to be a mere Spirit King. How could he possibly know such a technique?
After a brief moment of contemplation, Dai Mubai finally responded.
"Level 76."
Zhao Wuji: "..."
The two stared at each other in silence for a long time.
Eventually, Zhao Wuji snapped out of his shock and said, "I don't know how you're concealing it, but for now, you're just a freshly advanced Spirit King at level 50. Remember that. Spirit power transmission is only possible for Spirit Sages and above!"
For a 17-year-old to reach Spirit King was already an extraordinary feat. To claim Spirit Sage—level 76, no less—was pure absurdity. A genius of that level would be a once-in-a-millennium monster. No major power would allow such an anomaly to exist, prince or not.
Dai Mubai nodded, understanding Zhao Wuji's caution.
Seventeen years old and already a Spirit Sage? That kind of prodigy would have the potential to ascend to godhood within a decade, threatening the balance of the entire Douluo Continent.
Zhao Wuji felt a wave of numbness. Two and a half years ago, Dai Mubai had been at level 37. In just over two years, he had jumped to level 76. Such a progression was utterly unimaginable.
(End of Chapter)