Chapter 43: The Education Committee's Test? Just a Self-Inflicted Humiliation
Yu Xiaogang knew all too well—the moment Tang San watched Xiao Wu die tragically in Ghost Douluo's hands, his heart had been torn apart. That pain, that hatred, had cut deep into his soul. It left a scar that would never fade.
Yet, Tang San had not been broken by grief. Instead, he turned that sorrow and hatred into strength. After returning, he became calmer, deeper, and far more powerful than before.
"Xiao San, where have you been these past two years? Have you been doing well?"
"I spent a year and a half training in the City of Slaughter," Tang San replied evenly. "After that, Father and I went to the Star Dou Forest to obtain my fifth soul ring. I came to see you right after."
"The City of Slaughter? The fifth soul ring?!"
Yu Xiaogang was stunned and overjoyed at once. He had never imagined that his prized disciple, Tang San, would not only survive the hellish City of Slaughter but also return with a fifth soul ring.
Fourteen years old—and already a Soul King with five rings! That was a monstrous level of talent.
As Tang San's teacher, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help feeling a surge of pride. His own theories, his own disciple—both validated in one stroke.
Unable to contain his excitement, he quickly invited Tang San inside.
"Xiao San, are you saying you've already obtained your fifth soul ring?"
Tang San nodded slightly.
"Teacher, please take a look."
As he spoke, he extended his right hand.
Soul power surged from within him, and a dark, black-blue vine unfurled in the air.
The Blue Silver Grass no longer shone with the gentle azure light Yu Xiaogang remembered. Instead, it glowed faintly with an ominous dark blue radiance, emanating an icy chill that made the air itself tremble.
It seemed to swallow the very light in the room—an evolution that reeked of endless malice and death.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in disbelief.
With decades of research behind him, he could tell instantly—Tang San's martial soul had mutated, evolving into something far tougher and more potent: the Dark Blue Silver Grass.
Before he could even voice his thoughts, Tang San released his soul rings.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—
Five soul rings rose in sequence from beneath his feet, each one gleaming brilliantly and lighting up the entire room.
"Ten-thousand-year fifth ring! Truly remarkable!"
Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled with awe and excitement. The last time they met, Tang San's soul power had only just broken through rank 33. Now—barely two years later—he had surpassed rank 50.
An increase of nearly twenty ranks in such a short span… it was simply terrifying.
Yu Xiaogang had hoped Tang San would return before the Soul Master Tournament to lead the team. Now, not only had he returned—he had returned reborn.
Among all the competitors, those above rank 50 could be counted on one hand.
And Tang San would stand among them.
For Yu Xiaogang, this was an enormous surprise. With Tang San's strength, he would surely shine brilliantly in the upcoming tournament—perhaps even become the brightest new star of the entire generation.
And if Tang San led the team to victory, Yu Xiaogang's own reputation as the "Grandmaster" would finally be solidified.
"Xiao San, tell me everything. What have you experienced these past two years?"
Tang San nodded, then began recounting the events of his journey—his battles, his growth, and the ordeals that shaped him.
Only then did Yu Xiaogang realize just how far Tang San had come. His qualitative leap in power stemmed largely from two sources—the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone and the devouring ability born from his evolved martial soul.
Yu Xiaogang's heart swelled with satisfaction.
"Xiao San, it seems my theories were correct after all. When I first suggested you attach soul rings with poison attributes to your Blue Silver Grass, I suspected it might evolve. Now, it's far beyond an ordinary martial soul."
"Teacher, I'm grateful for your guidance," Tang San said sincerely. "Without it, my martial soul would never have evolved into Dark Blue Silver Grass. But… there's something else I'd like to ask."
"Oh? What is it? Speak freely."
"How is it possible," Tang San asked, his expression grave, "for a soul ring I've already absorbed to change its age limit—from ten thousand years… to a hundred thousand years?"
At that, Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed deeply.
"Xiao San, have you ever seen something like this before?"
"Yes," Tang San replied with a serious expression.
He then recounted everything that had happened in the Star Dou Great Forest—his encounter with Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo in detail.
When Yu Xiaogang finished listening, he was utterly stunned. Even with all his years of research, he had never heard of such a bizarre occurrence—let alone one involving Ghost Douluo, of all people.
"Xiao San, I can't say for sure why this happened," Yu Xiaogang said after a long silence. "Ghost Douluo must have experienced some extraordinary transformation. Only that could make his ninth soul ring evolve into a hundred-thousand-year level. He and Chrysanthemum Douluo have both grown terrifyingly strong. Fortunately, you've also received protection from some mysterious power."
"Teacher, even you don't know where that power inside me comes from?" Tang San asked quietly.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head.
"The world is vast, full of mysteries beyond comprehension. What happened to you—it's nothing short of a miracle. My guess is that this power comes from the City of Slaughter, a remnant of what you endured there. Don't rush for answers, Xiao San. The truth will reveal itself in time."
He paused before asking,
"Now that you're back, what are your plans? You'll be staying at Shrek Academy, right?"
"Yes," Tang San nodded. "But first, I'll spend two months training at Moon Pavilion to suppress and control the killing intent within me. After that, I'll return to Shrek and rejoin Mubai and the others for the Continental Soul Master Tournament."
"Good," Yu Xiaogang said with approval. "Follow your own plan. You and the others already share strong teamwork. There's still time to synchronize your strength during the competition itself."
Yu Xiaogang's heart was filled with joy.
Tang San's return was like a long-awaited rain after a drought.
He immediately gathered Flender, Liu Erlong, Dai Mubai, and the others to celebrate Tang San's homecoming.
When they saw Tang San again and learned of his incredible progress, everyone was elated. The group talked late into the night, sharing their experiences and setting a common goal—to claim the championship title of the Soul Master Tournament.
Afterward, Tang San returned to Moon Pavilion, dedicating himself completely to training and refining his spirit.
---
Meanwhile…
Gui Mei and Dugu Bo arrived at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
The academy sat twenty li outside Heaven Dou City, nestled against the mountains with a tranquil and beautiful environment.
Its faculty, facilities, and simulated combat fields were all first-rate.
Unfortunately, its students—mostly pampered nobles—were mediocre at best.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was, after all, a direct extension of the royal family.
The principal was Emperor Xue Ye himself, while the actual administration was handled by three members of the Education Committee.
Anyone wishing to represent the academy in the Soul Master Tournament first needed to obtain their approval.
Dugu Bo led Gui Mei straight to the committee's office.
These three committee members were all affiliated with Spirit Hall, personally invited by Emperor Xue Ye to oversee the academy's affairs.
Gui Mei recognized them immediately.
The frail-looking, white-haired elder with a healthy glow was Meng Shenji, the chief committee member—an eighty-fifth rank Control-type Soul Douluo with the Black Goblin martial soul.
To his left stood a round, rotund man—Bai Baoshan, an eighty-fourth rank Defense-type Soul Douluo with the Heaven Star Furnace martial soul.
The last one was of average build and ordinary appearance—Zhi Lin, the third committee member, an eighty-second rank Control-type Soul Douluo with the Sky Azure Vine martial soul.
Without any preamble, Dugu Bo stated his purpose plainly:
"This young soul master possesses extraordinary strength. He's more than qualified to represent your first or second team in this year's Soul Master Tournament."
"?!"
All three committee members turned toward Gui Mei in surprise, their eyes narrowing as they carefully sized up the sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth before them.
Zhi Lin snorted coldly.
"The tournament is right around the corner. Both academy teams represent the Heaven Dou Royal Family, and their rosters have long been finalized. Do you take this for a playground where positions can be swapped at will? Every student must undergo a formal assessment—especially one who dares to claim a tournament seat!"
Dugu Bo chuckled disdainfully.
"Ignorant fools. This young man is a once-in-a-generation genius. If you miss this opportunity, none of you can bear the consequences! But if you insist on testing his strength—by all means, go ahead."
His smile turned razor-sharp.
"Just don't say I didn't warn you. Don't end up humiliating yourselves."
"Oh? Is that so?" Zhi Lin sneered. "Then let me see for myself just how much this so-called genius is truly worth!"
—
End of Chapter