20+ Advance chapters on Patreon
Tang San stumbled back to the hotel, his body weak and trembling, supported by Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. The past ten hours had been a nightmare of exhaustion, barely eased by Oscar's sausages and a fresh set of clothes. Physically, he was starting to recover, but his heart felt like it was being crushed.
He couldn't stop replaying the moment; standing at the opening ceremony of the Spirit Master Tournament prelims, surrounded by Heaven Dou Empire's elite, only to lose control mid-air and spray filth for all to see. The memory burned. The crowd's mocking shouts still rang in his ears: "Feces Man," "Shit King," "Dung Machine," "Feces Spirit Master." Each name stabbed deeper, but the worst pain came from knowing Xiao Wu had witnessed it all. The shining image he'd worked so hard to build in her eyes was gone, smeared in shame.
And it was all Yu Xiaogang's fault.
Locking the door behind him, Tang San curled up inside the wardrobe, his knees pulled tight to his chest. Silent tears soaked his face as waves of despair washed over him. He couldn't face Xiao Wu, couldn't face anyone. All he wanted was to stay hidden, wait for Yu Xiaogang to return, kill him, and let everything fade away.
"Is this how you give up?"
The voice was rough and familiar, slicing through the darkness. Tang Hao's tone carried the weight of a man who'd seen too much but refused to bend.
Tang San peeked out, blinking through blurry eyes. His father stood there, hunched and weathered, his presence filling the room. "Dad," he whispered, voice cracking.
"Get out here," Tang Hao said, his words sharp and final.
Tang San scrambled to his feet, stepping forward, only to reel back as Tang Hao's hand cracked across his face. The sting flared hot on his cheek. "Don't call me Dad," Tang Hao snapped, his eyes hard. "I didn't raise a son who falls apart at the first stumble. You're young….face your problems, or you'll never be worth anything."
Tang San pressed a hand to his swelling cheek, hurt and anger churning inside him. "But Dad, today—"
"I know," Tang Hao cut in, his gaze steady and unyielding. "That's why I'm here."
A spark of hope lit Tang San's chest. "You've got a way to fix it?"
Tang Hao nodded slowly. "I've found a method to stop those side effects and make your Clear Sky Hammer stronger. But it'll cost your Blue Silver Grass spirit."
"Do it," Tang San said, his voice firm despite the ache in his heart. "I'd give anything to get rid of this curse. Tell me what to do."
"Add a power-type soul ring to your Blue Silver Grass," Tang Hao explained, his tone measured. "We've seen how power rings on your Clear Sky Hammer held back the poison's effects. Do the same for Blue Silver Grass. It'll get awkward to use, but it'll lighten the side effects and boost your strength. That power will carry over to the hammer."
Tang San thought it over, his mind racing. It wasn't perfect, but it was a lifeline. "Who told you this?" he asked, curiosity tinged with suspicion.
"Ning Tian," Tang Hao replied, his voice flat. He briefly mentioned reaching out through Ning Fengzhi, his trust in the information clear.
Tang San's hands balled into fists, his nails digging into his palms as fury surged. "That snake," he spat. "He knew this all along and hid it. When I asked Master Zhu Qing, he said nothing. If I'd known, I wouldn't have taken that Earth Demon Spider for my fourth ring. Yesterday wouldn't have happened. He wanted to humiliate me."
Tang Hao paused, surprised by the venom in his son's words. The logic was twisted, but it held a thread of truth. Still, he shook his head. With Spirit Hall's shadow looming, they couldn't afford to burn bridges. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Heaven Dou Empire were vital, and Ning Tian was tied to both. "We can't move against him yet," he said, his voice heavy with a choice he already sensed might haunt him.
"Why not?" Tang San's eyes blazed, his frustration spilling over. "After what he's done to me?"
"Your real enemies are bigger," Tang Hao said, his tone darkening. "To avenge your mother, we need the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Heaven Dou Empire…..maybe even Ning Tian. We can't kill him…as of now."
Tang San's frame trembled, shock and confusion mixing with his anger. "Avenge Mom? Is she…?"
"Not yet," Tang Hao interrupted, his voice like stone. "Alright, these are not what you should know now. The most important thing is for you to focus on growing stronger and hit level fifty, and you might solve your spirit troubles."
Tang San bit back his questions, sensing the wall his father had put up. Fine, if Ning Tian was untouchable, there was still one name he could target. "Then let's kill Yu Xiaogang," he said, his voice low and fierce. "He's the one who broke me."
"No," Tang Hao replied, shaking his head again.
"Why?" Tang San's brows furrowed, his patience fraying. Ning Tian had allies, but Yu Xiaogang? He was nothing but a washed-up failure.
"Twin spirits aren't just about stacking rings," Tang Hao said, his voice softening slightly, as if teaching a hard-earned lesson. "Mixing attributes wrong can tear you apart. That's why I stopped you after two rings on your hammer; your body couldn't handle more."
"And Yu Xiaogang can fix that?" Tang San's tone dripped with doubt, his lip curling.
"Not him," Tang Hao said, his eyes narrowing. "But someone who's done it. Yu Xiaogang's gone to find them. When he brings back a way to handle twin spirit backlash, he'll answer for what he's put you through."
A flicker of cold promise gleamed in Tang Hao's gaze, and Tang San felt it too; a shared hunger for justice, delayed but certain.
Tang San's eyes widened in shock. "There's someone else with twin spirits?"
"Yes," Tang Hao confirmed, his voice steady but heavy with unspoken weight.
"Who?" Tang San pressed, his curiosity piqued.
"The Pope of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong," Tang Hao replied, his tone flat, as if the name alone carried a storm of memories.
Tang San fell silent, the gravity of the revelation sinking in. His father said nothing more, but the implication was clear. Now, Tang San understood why his father had said he couldn't face their enemies alone. The foe they were up against was likely Spirit Hall itself. A Pope with twin spirits, already at the Titled Douluo level, was daunting enough. Add to that Spirit Hall's legion of powerful elders and the vast soul master army that even the two great empires feared, and the odds seemed insurmountable.
His thoughts spiraled, resentment bubbling up again. 'It's all Yu Xiaogang's fault.' If not for him, Tang San wouldn't have absorbed those three poison soul rings, and wouldn't be in this wretched state. And now, he was forced to consider allying with Ning Tian; the very person who'd hurt Xiao Wu and, in his eyes, deserved death. But Yu Xiaogang… he was the root of it all. 'He's the one who truly deserves to die.'
...….
Meanwhile, atop the majestic Pope Mountain, a peak that pierced the heavens like a divine sword, stood the resplendent Pope Hall. Inside its grand council chamber, a woman of breathtaking beauty reclined on a golden throne. Her legs were crossed elegantly, left over right, her right hand cradling her chin as she leaned against the armrest. In her left hand, she gripped the Angel Scepter, her eyes half-closed, her features flawless.
Below her, a red-robed cardinal stood, ready to report. "Your Holiness, Bishop Salas of Heaven Dou City's Spirit Temple has sent two important updates."
"Proceed," Bibi Dong said, her voice a soft, commanding murmur.
The cardinal bowed his head. "In the Heaven Dou City division of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, a prodigy has emerged. Here are the details."
Name: Ning Tian
Spirit: Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Sword
Age: Fourteen
Soul Power: Level 48
Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black
"He possesses an unconventional second ring of a thousand years and a fourth ring of ten thousand years. His ten-thousand-year soul skill is exceptionally powerful; during yesterday's opening ceremony, he defeated three Spirit Ancestors and four near-level 40 from the Elephant Armor Sect in a single strike."
Bibi Dong's eyes fluttered open, revealing deep, crimson-tinged irises. "Fourteen years old, level 48, with a thousand-year second ring and a ten-thousand-year fourth ring…impressive indeed. Does Spirit Hall have any records on him? Who is his teacher?"
As she spoke, she rose and gazed out the window, her thoughts drifting to a younger Yu Xiaogang. 'Could he be your disciple, Xiaogang?'
"His teacher is the recently renowned Master Zhu Qing from Heaven Dou City," the cardinal replied. "The Young Master holds her in high regard and has recommended her to Emperor Xue Ye as the Chief Instructor of the Heaven Dou Empire's soul master legion. Through this, the Young Master has also secured command over the legion. However…"
At the mention of "Young Master," Bibi Dong's calm gaze flickered, a ripple of emotion breaking her composure. Hearing that Ning Tian wasn't Yu Xiaogang's disciple brought a pang of disappointment. She turned her back to the cardinal, her voice cool. "However?"
The cardinal hesitated. "Initially, the deacon who registered Ning Tian's spirit awakening noted his innate soul power as half-level, with a mere Bamboo Sword spirit. According to Bishop Salas, it was Master Zhu Qing's teachings that propelled his rapid growth, earning her widespread acclaim in the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Half-level innate soul power," Bibi Dong echoed, her thoughts circling back to Yu Xiaogang. Both started with half-level innate soul power and seemingly weak spirits, yet under Master Zhu Qing's guidance, Ning Tian had soared to heights that even she found astonishing at just fourteen.
'This Master Zhu Qing must be exceptional,' she mused, her heart quickening with a mix of excitement and urgency. 'If Xiaogang could learn from her theories, perhaps he could break through his own limits.'
She steadied herself, her voice measured. "Instruct her to do everything possible to recruit Master Zhu Qing. Her theories could be invaluable to Spirit Hall. Even if recruitment fails, secure her soul master theories at all costs."
"Yes, Your Holiness," the cardinal nodded, continuing his report. "Ning Tian's ten-thousand-year soul skill is a formidable lightning-attribute attack. Considering the elemental advantage in his battle against the Elephant Armor Academy, his strength is estimated to be on par with a high-level Spirit King."
"However, if he continues to compete, he might pose a threat to the Spirit Hall Academy team. Bishop Salas mentioned that the Young Master has a close relationship with Ning Tianand is already working to recruit him. The Young Master's 'suggestion' is to leave him be for now."
The word "suggestion" was a polite cover; Bibi Dong knew it was more of a warning from Qian Renxue. She could almost hear her daughter's voice, firm and unyielding. After a moment's silence, she said, "If that's her plan, we'll follow it. Proceed with the next report."
"The other matter concerns Tang Hao's son, Tang San, spotted in Heaven Dou City. He seems to have inherited his mother's spirit and has taken that 'Great Master' as his teacher." The cardinal's lips twitched with barely concealed amusement.
But Bibi Dong's reaction was anything but amused. Her body tensed, a whisper escaping her lips, too soft for anyone but herself to hear: "Xiaogang…"
The cardinal pressed on, oblivious. "Under the Great Master's guidance, Tang San absorbed three poison-attribute soul rings, which turned his skin unnaturally dark and caused a side effect—frequent diarrhea. At the tournament's opening ceremony, he… well, he had an incident in front of the entire Heaven Dou elite. Now, the city calls him the Feces Man, his team Shrek is dubbed Shitrek, and his teammates are the Shit Squad."
A sharp crack echoed through the hall as Bibi Dong's Angel Scepter struck the floor, splintering the tiles beneath it. She gritted her teeth and asked "What about the Great Master?"
The cardinal flinched, startled by her sudden fury. "He's been expelled from Heaven Dou Royal Academy by Emperor Xue Ye and banned for life from leading any team in the tournament. The city now calls him a fraud, a disgrace to his students."
"Summon Elder Yue Guan and Elder Gui Mei," Bibi Dong commanded, her voice trembling with barely contained rage.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━━━━━━
patreon.com/DUKE3500 for advance chapters for all the novels i translate for 2$