Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 124: External Turmoil

Seeing his teammates visibly anxious and unsettled, Yang Potian considered how to address the current situation.

Even Teachers Li Xiang and An Ya seemed affected, though they'd developed close ties with the team over the past six years. Li Xiang, in particular, had tirelessly supported them, even advancing himself; through diligent training, he had reached the Soul Emperor rank, currently at level 63. Meanwhile, Teacher An Ya, though still a high-ranking Soul King with level 58 power, provided essential support as a healing-type Soul Master.

Yang Potian addressed everyone directly: "I know there's been a lot of news from the outside lately, and everyone seems distracted. I'm not sure what each of you is thinking."

"When I first formed this team, it wasn't just for next year's Soul Master Tournament; more than that, it was about advancing the four single-attribute clans and developing our own potential."

"After years of effort, most of you have reached the Soul Ancestor level, or higher. You've grown in strength, combat experience, and resilience in ways that would have been impossible without these years of training. Without it, could any of you have achieved your current skill level?"

"If this was only about winning a championship, I could have recruited more naturally talented, obedient, and dedicated people from Heaven Dou Academy's roster. There's no shortage of prodigies here. But I chose each of you because you're part of the single-attribute clans—because we share a connection, and we're stronger together."

"I don't care what rumors are swirling, or what decisions the academy might make. This team is my creation, and I make the final calls. If anyone tries to bring in a new leader, alter our training, or change the team's direction, I'll disband the team if necessary, even if it means leaving Heaven Dou Academy altogether. There's no problem that can't be solved."

"You've probably heard about the championship prizes, but I'm not interested. What are a few spirit bones compared to our teamwork, our friendships, and each person's growth?"

He looked around at each of them, gauging their reactions and considering how to proceed. With his current strength, winning the tournament would be straightforward. Even the prize, a high-value head spirit bone, no longer held much appeal.

However, competing in the Soul Master Tournament remained important for a few reasons: establishing a non-hostile stance for the Yang Clan and the Yu Clan, and sending a clear message of unity and allegiance. His grandfather Yang Wudi and his maternal grandfather Niu Gao would soon go to Spirit Hall to receive official titles. It was too early for him to provoke Spirit Hall without greater strength.

He also wanted to prevent Tang San's Shrek team from winning easily, given the Yang Clan's longstanding tensions with the Clear Sky Clan. Finally, he hoped to manage his relationship with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe; while he'd rather not cross him openly, he knew the prince's grudge-holding tendencies.

Looking back at his team, Potian noticed Tai Long seemed especially uneasy, as if wrestling with an internal dilemma. Yang Potian knew he'd have to observe Tai Long's attitude closely. If Tai Long and Bai Xiaofei's loyalties ultimately diverged from the team, he'd have to reconsider their future role, especially with confidential matters ahead.

After Yang Potian's speech, the tension in the room visibly eased, though Tai Long's expression remained conflicted.

The most carefree among them was none other than Dugu Yan. Given the close ties between the Dugu Clan and the Yang Clan, she was confident in her place and knew she wouldn't be abandoned.

Yang Potian decided to modify their training. After years of intense physical conditioning, their bodies were approaching their limits. It was time to switch focus.

"From now on," he announced, "we'll stop the physical endurance training. Everyone has built up sufficient strength. Instead, our priority is meditation in the simulated training environment. Let's increase everyone's spirit power as much as possible."

"Tai Long, Bai Xiaofei, both of you need to break through to Soul Ancestor soon. After that, we'll move on to the next phase of training."

He turned to Li Xiang. "Teacher Li, only Tianyue will continue the obstacle course training. The rest should focus on meditation. I'd appreciate your help in monitoring their progress."

Li Xiang and An Ya exchanged a look and agreed. With only Tianyue continuing the physical exercises, their workload would be more manageable.

The training in the Great Spirit Arena no longer seemed necessary. Since achieving the Soul Elder level, they'd spent considerable time in both solo and pair matches. All members now held Silver Spirit Fighter badges, and their combat experience was robust. What they lacked was experience in life-or-death scenarios, so Yang Potian planned to take them to Sunset Forest for real combat training soon.

With his own abilities and strength, he too had little need for physical training now. Though only a level 63 Soul Emperor, Yang Potian was confident he could face a Soul Sage head-on and even hold his own against weaker Soul Douluo.

Meanwhile, outside news concerning the Soul Master Tournament stirred the spirit master world.

The first major development involved Spirit Hall's so-called "Golden Generation," a group of talented disciples handpicked and nurtured by Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong. Though little was known of their exact capabilities, the Golden Generation was rumored to be highly skilled.

The second notable change concerned next year's Soul Master Tournament. This year, Spirit Hall was set to host the finals in Spirit City, rather than a neutral location as in the past. Initially, the two empires protested this change, but Spirit Hall's offer of three high-quality, thirty-thousand-year-old spirit bones as championship prizes won them over. With such unparalleled rewards, the two empires had little choice but to accept.

These spirit bones, especially at such high age levels, were nearly priceless treasures. News of Spirit Hall's prize stirred up fervor across the empire.

It was widely assumed that Spirit Hall intended these prizes to bolster their Golden Generation. Nonetheless, the allure of such powerful rewards led to an overwhelming response from potential participants.

The third announcement shook the community even further. The Yang Clan and the Yu Clan declared that their respective clan leaders, Yang Wudi and Niu Gao, would travel to Spirit City for their formal recognition as Titled Douluo. This was unexpected. After all, the Clear Sky Clan's past conflict with Spirit Hall left the single-attribute clans with deep-seated grievances. Many saw them as natural allies in opposing Spirit Hall.

Spirit Hall seized upon the announcement, portraying it as a gesture of reconciliation. Chrysanthemum Douluo personally visited the clans to discuss the ceremony, while Spirit Hall issued titles for the two: "Break Soul Douluo" for Yang Wudi and "Armor Douluo" for Niu Gao, inspired by their respective weapons, the Break Soul Spear and the Armored Giant Rhinoceros.

In addressing the history of enmity, both Yang Wudi and Niu Gao maintained that the official titles were customary within the spirit master community. Their grievances, they stated, were with specific individuals, and they extended an open challenge to Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.

This declaration left the public bewildered about the true stance of the Yang and Yu clans. Reporters approached the two other single-attribute clans for comment. The Min and Li clans acknowledged their past grievances but refrained from any statement regarding Yang Wudi and Niu Gao's decisions.

As people processed this unexpected turn, the upcoming Soul Master Tournament began to draw heightened attention, with rumors of potential conflicts and rivalries stoking the excitement. Heaven Dou Academy's second team, composed primarily of single-attribute clan members, promised to be a spectacle. Many expected fierce competition in a tournament setting that hadn't seen such drama in over a decade.

In contrast to the buzz surrounding the tournament, Spirit Hall's leaders barely registered Heaven Dou's second team as a threat. Confident in their own preparation, Spirit Hall knew that their team would be exceptionally powerful this year.

The tournament hadn't even started, but heated discussions and strategic maneuvering were already well underway. Compared to Spirit Hall's highly publicized roster, Heaven Dou Academy's second team remained shrouded in mystery. The team had been quiet, with no public appearances to reveal their strength, leaving other factions guessing about their true capabilities.

(End of Chapter)

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 15 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1