Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 119: Yu Xiaogang Arrives

When the group reached Training Hall No. 3, they found the doors shut, though the sounds from within suggested training was underway. Without any hesitation, Ning Rongrong went straight up and knocked.

Upon seeing Ning Rongrong, Teacher Li Xiang opened the door but appeared puzzled by the crowd, especially with Qin Ming among them, whom he recognized.

"Miss Rongrong, Teacher Qin Ming, what brings you all here?" he asked.

"Teacher Li Xiang, these are our academy's new students, and they wanted to observe the second team's training," replied Qin Ming.

"But our training sessions are typically confidential."

Ning Rongrong shrugged. "What's there to keep confidential? It's not like I haven't seen it before."

After a moment of thought, Li Xiang allowed them in, reasoning that as long as it didn't involve any sensitive information, it should be fine.

As the Shrek group entered Training Hall No. 3, they were stunned by the sight. The formerly open training area had been transformed into a series of challenging obstacles—pools, pits, wire nets, and high walls.

Eight students were training rigorously, each with weights strapped to them. The complexity of their drills was a significant step up from Yu Xiaogang's usual training regimen, which had been limited to basic exercises like carrying stones while running. Here, the second team's drills were reminiscent of extreme field training, pushing each person to their limits in this demanding environment.

Amid the group, a familiar figure caught their eye—the very same man they'd encountered at the edge of the Star Dou Forest, who had effortlessly overpowered a Soul King.

Yu Xiaogang turned to Li Xiang, curiosity getting the best of him. "Teacher Li, is this the intensity of their regular training? How long do they keep this up?"

Li Xiang looked at him, wondering who he was to ask such blunt questions about other people's training.

Qin Ming quickly stepped in, sensing the tension. "Teacher Li Xiang, this is our new instructor for the first team. He's just intrigued by the second team's approach."

"Yes, is this the regular regimen for the second team?" Qin Ming asked.

"Every afternoon, the second team trains like this," Li Xiang answered.

"Every afternoon?" Yu Xiaogang pressed on. "How long does each session last?"

"Until they can no longer continue. Each person pushes themselves to their limit."

Yu Xiaogang was clearly impressed. The second team's routine mirrored his own training philosophy, yet was far more refined. "Did you devise this training plan, Teacher Li?"

Li Xiang shook his head. "I'm only here to assist. The training regimen for the second team is fully designed by their captain."

Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up with excitement. "Their captain? They don't have a supervising teacher?"

"Our team captain doubles as the lead teacher, and I assist him with management. He was the one who initially assembled the entire second team."

Eager to meet this person, Yu Xiaogang continued, "Teacher Li, would you introduce me to your team captain? I'd like to discuss a few ideas with him."

Though Li Xiang was initially hesitant, he noticed Ning Rongrong looking on with anticipation and eventually agreed to make the introduction. When he informed Yang Potian, who was in the middle of his workout, of their unexpected visitors, Yang Potian couldn't help but recognize them—Shrek Academy's students from the original story! What could they be doing here at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?

Although his initial impulse was to avoid unnecessary interactions, curiosity got the better of him, and he agreed to meet them to find out more about Shrek's intentions.

When Yang Potian stepped forward, he looked at Qin Ming directly. "Teacher Qin Ming, who are these people, and why are they in our training hall?"

Qin Ming seemed a bit uneasy. "They're new teachers and students for the first team. They just wanted a chance to connect with you."

Yu Xiaogang spoke up. "Hello, I'm Yu Xiaogang from Shrek Academy. In the Soul Master world, I'm also known as 'Grandmaster.' I've now joined Heaven Dou as a teacher for the first team. I understand that your team doesn't have a supervising instructor. I could be that instructor and lead you into the tournament."

Yang Potian shook his head politely. "I appreciate your offer, Teacher Yu Xiaogang, but I'm already the supervising teacher for the second team, and we don't need additional instructors at the moment."

Yu Xiaogang pressed on, his tone hinting at frustration. "But you'll be competing in the tournament, too. It would be a lot more convenient to have an experienced teacher to manage things on the sidelines. I believe my knowledge could help secure a great outcome for your team."

Ignoring him, Yang Potian turned to Qin Ming. "Teacher Qin, our second team currently doesn't require any additional oversight. I'd appreciate it if the first team refrains from interfering with our training."

As Qin Ming tried to defuse the situation, embarrassment filled the air. He hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to make such a presumptuous request. Eventually, the groups parted on strained terms, with Yu Xiaogang leaving disappointed. Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong was already arranging an outing with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.

Yang Potian had originally planned a trip to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for his next spirit ring. Given his high standards for ring quality—and with his mother also in need of her ninth ring—he would need to prepare well. This journey would take him into the Star Dou Forest's inner region, with his father, Yang Zhentian, his second great-uncle, Yang Wushuang, and Dugu Bo joining him, alongside his mother, Niu Jinfeng, while his grandfather stayed back to guard the family.

Dugu Bo hadn't been part of the initial plan, but upon hearing the trip was for Yang Potian's spirit ring, he volunteered eagerly. With three Titled Douluo accompanying them, Yang Potian was optimistic about finding a powerful ring.

After their exit, Yu Xiaogang approached Qin Ming. "Qin Ming, is it really normal at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy for the team captain to also be their supervising teacher?"

Looking a bit awkward, Qin Ming finally responded. "The captain you met is named Yang Potian, from the Yang family, which is well-known for their exceptional prowess. He joined the academy six years ago, when he was only twelve but had already reached level 35."

"Six years ago, upon enrollment, he formed and trained Heaven Dou's second team himself," Qin Ming continued. "Every member was personally recruited and trained by him from the very beginning."

Yu Xiaogang and the others looked visibly shaken. "Level 35 at the age of twelve? How is that possible?" he muttered. "Even with innate full spirit power, reaching level 35 at that age is unheard of."

The others around him shared his incredulity; such a feat defied anything they'd ever known in the world of soul masters.

Qin Ming let out a small, resigned laugh. "Believe me, I questioned it myself. But he was tested when he enrolled, and both the crown prince and the three academy deans met with him personally. It's impossible for such records to have been falsified."

"Plus, I couldn't even sense his spirit power level just now; he must have some kind of artifact concealing it. As for his true strength, well...no one knows for certain."

Yu Xiaogang murmured almost to himself, "Such a talent appearing within the Yang family... what a pity."

Initially, Yu Xiaogang had hoped to lead the second team, bringing Tang San along with him. He believed that, with his own knowledge, Tang San's abilities, and the second team's composition, they could achieve outstanding results and make a name for themselves. But now, things weren't going as he'd planned.

Tang San, curious, asked, "What is the Yang clan exactly? I haven't heard of them before."

Flander explained, "The Yang clan is one of the Four Single-Attribute Clans. The four include the Yang clan, the Power Clan, the Speed Clan, and the Defense Clan. Originally, they were all affiliated with the world-renowned Clear Sky Sect. However, after the Clear Sky Sect clashed with the Spirit Hall and eventually withdrew from the world, the Four Single-Attribute Clans went their separate ways."

"Each clan has chosen spirit rings focused on a single attribute. The Yang clan's spirit, the Soulbreaker Spear, is all about offense, unmatched in its level of aggression. The Power Clan wields the Giant Strength Ape, with purely strength-based rings, while the Defense Clan's Iron-Armored Rhinoceros provides the ultimate in defense. Finally, the Speed Clan's Swift-Tailed Swallow is known for speed that's unrivaled."

"In recent years, the Yang clan's leader, Yang Wudi, has even broken through to Titled Douluo status. No one in the Heaven Dou Empire dares to provoke him now."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang was visibly stunned. "The head of the Yang clan became a Titled Douluo? How is that possible?"

Spending so much time in the rural environment of Nuoding Academy had kept him out of the loop, and although he came from the prestigious Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he knew well how difficult it was to break through to the Titled Douluo level. It was a surprise that anyone from the Yang clan had managed to do so.

Flander, observing Yu Xiaogang's expression, sought to comfort him. "Xiaogang, our Shrek Seven are all highly gifted and powerful in their own right. I have no doubt they'll become champions at the next Soul Master Tournament."

But Yu Xiaogang remained unsettled. It was as if he'd stumbled upon a clear and promising path, only to realize it was inaccessible to him. Glancing at Tang San, he sighed and shook his head, a trace of bitterness in his expression.

Meanwhile, Yang Potian wasn't concerned with Yu Xiaogang's frustrations. He was awaiting word from his great-uncle and Dugu Bo. As soon as they confirmed, he'd be ready to depart for the Star Dou Forest.

It did strike him as peculiar, however, that Shrek Academy had actually joined Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. He couldn't help but wonder what might happen if Sword Douluo encountered Xiao Wu and discovered her secret as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast. That would certainly stir things up.

As for Yu Xiaogang himself, Yang Potian was hardly interested in him. After all, their first meeting had involved Yu Xiaogang trying to impose himself as the second team's new leader. What gave him the confidence to even make such a proposal?

For the next few days, Yang Potian continued his own training while waiting for word from his family.

At the same time, Shrek's Seven Devils seemed to be having a harder time adjusting to life at Heaven Dou Academy. While the academy was a paradise for some, for others, it could feel like a nightmare—a place that harbored endless pitfalls and insurmountable obstacles.

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