Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 145: Bringing Shi Nian to Heel

During the intense training period, Yang Potian led the Heaven Dou Second Team in rigorous exercises, and other teams followed suit, each preparing fiercely. Among them, the Heaven Dou First Team had the hardest time, as they faced the ruthless and fiery Liu Erlong, known as the "Slaughter Horn" of the Golden Iron Triangle. Her relentless aggression and unyielding nature made their training especially brutal.

Meanwhile, Tang San was deep in seclusion, contemplating his future path. Although he shone as the captain of the Heaven Dou First Team during the tournament and his combat prowess had won him admiration, his Blue Silver Grass Spirit increasingly showed its limitations, particularly against fire-based opponents. By the latter half of the matches, nearly every team had started deploying fire-attribute spirit masters to target Tang San, disrupting the Heaven Dou First Team's strategy. This shift in opponents' tactics made each victory more hard-fought, and Tang San often relied on his Clear Sky Hammer and the powerful abilities of his teammates to scrape through.

In solo battles against teams like the Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy, Tang San's Tang Sect skills and the power of the Clear Sky Hammer were what kept them afloat. Yet, he knew that his Blue Silver Grass had proven increasingly vulnerable, its weaknesses exploited repeatedly by fire-attribute attacks, forcing him to rethink his entire approach.

One day, as he was meditating within a field of Blue Silver Grass in a mimicry environment, Tang San sensed a presence. It was his father, Tang Hao, emerging from the shadows, looking worn and battered.

"Dad! What brings you here?" Tang San asked, worried. "How are your injuries?"

Tang Hao shook his head. "Don't worry about me. But what about you? What's weighing on your mind? I've been gone a long time, and you don't seem to have made much progress."

Tang San hesitated, his face reflecting inner turmoil. "Dad, I feel that my Blue Silver Grass is holding me back. I want to focus on the Clear Sky Hammer and start adding spirit rings to it. I believe that if I reach the Spirit King level, I'll not only be able to handle Yang Ping'an but could even stand a chance against the Spirit Hall's three Spirit Kings."

Tang Hao frowned. "Do you understand why your teacher and I have forbidden you from adding spirit rings to your Clear Sky Hammer?"

Tang San thought carefully before replying, "You both want me to push my Blue Silver Grass Spirit to its limits, ideally to the Title Douluo level. That way, when I finally add spirit rings to the Clear Sky Hammer, it'll maximize its power."

Tang Hao nodded. "That's part of it. But there are two additional reasons. If you reach Title Douluo with the Blue Silver Grass, your Clear Sky Hammer will be able to absorb fifty-thousand-year spirit rings, exponentially increasing its strength. Right now, you'd be limited to thousand-year rings, which are far weaker."

He paused before continuing, "The second reason is that after a spirit master reaches the Title Douluo stage, further advancement slows dramatically. But with twin spirits, you'll be able to quickly gain levels by adding rings to the Clear Sky Hammer, allowing you to approach Limit Douluo level faster. This is the true advantage of twin spirits. The third reason is crucial: in the past, twin-spirit masters who rushed to add rings to both spirits faced disastrous consequences. The opposing energies caused them to explode."

Hearing this, Tang San's face turned pale. "Dad, how can twin-spirit masters prevent this kind of mutual repulsion?"

Tang Hao shook his head grimly. "I don't know. Throughout history, few twin-spirit masters have existed, and only one ever succeeded."

Tang San's curiosity flared. "Who was this person? I've never heard of them."

Tang Hao's gaze hardened. "The one person to succeed was none other than Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong. She's the only spirit master known to have mastered twin spirits, and even I tread carefully around her."

Hearing this, Tang San's expression grew dark, knowing all too well the bitter enmity between the Clear Sky Clan and Spirit Hall. He realized that someone like Bibi Dong would never share her knowledge.

Tang Hao continued, "For now, set aside these thoughts. Your teacher and I will find a way to help you with the twin-spirit cultivation. Right now, the Blue Silver Grass is your primary focus. Your spirit may seem ordinary, but it's fundamentally different from other Blue Silver Grass spirits. Once you reach the Spirit King level, you'll begin to see a profound transformation."

"Can a spirit really change?" Tang San wondered aloud. "Teacher never mentioned that possibility."

"Your teacher is knowledgeable, but he's limited by his own level. There are things he simply hasn't encountered and can't research," Tang Hao said. "Remember this well: the hammer in your left hand is meant to protect the Blue Silver Grass in your right hand. That's my only request of you. Though it may look like ordinary Blue Silver Grass, there's a fundamental difference. This is something you'll need to discover on your own."

Resolving to delve deeper into his Blue Silver Grass Spirit, Tang San promised his father he would cultivate it with full commitment and use the Clear Sky Hammer to guard it. As he meditated, he found a newfound connection with the Blue Silver Grass around him, sensing a deeper vitality.

Tang Hao, observing in the shadows, nodded approvingly. His son's potential was evident, and he knew that Tang San's future was boundless.

Meanwhile, back at the clan, Yang Potian faced another dilemma—Shi Nian had awakened. Although he valued Shi Nian's abilities, he was cautious of Shi Nian's cunning and knew he'd need to find a way to keep him in check. Without some form of restraint, Shi Nian could turn from a valuable tool into a dangerous liability.

When Yang Potian entered the secret chamber with his father, Yang Zhentian, and his grandfather, Yang Wudi, they found Shi Nian awake, recovering slowly but surely thanks to the elixir he had been given. His spirit power, however, had been sealed, leaving him no different than an ordinary person.

Upon seeing Yang Potian, Shi Nian's face contorted with anger. He could hardly contain himself, saying, "In my lifetime, I've killed more than a few young upstarts, but I never thought I'd be bested by a freak like you."

Yang Potian merely chuckled. "Teacher Shi Nian, didn't it occur to you to wonder why I said what I did in the Arena?"

Shi Nian's face darkened as realization dawned. "You baited me into attacking you, didn't you? Not bad for someone so young—quite the deep thinker. But tell me, how did you know I possessed a spirit bone?"

Yang Potian replied calmly, "From what I've learned, that head spirit bone of yours came from a Platinum Bishop in Spirit Hall, whom you killed to obtain it. It's still considered an unsolved case."

Shi Nian's face twitched, but he kept his composure. After a moment's pause, he said, "So, you mean to use this against me? I may not be a good man, but I won't be blackmailed."

Yang Potian remained calm. "A true hero, Teacher Shi Nian. However, you first stole a spirit bone from Spirit Hall and then assaulted me. The way I see it, I have two options: I could kill you and take your spirit bone for myself, or turn you over to Spirit Hall, where I'd likely receive at least two spirit bones in reward."

Then, with a slight smile, he added, "So, what do you think we should do?"

Shi Nian seemed to slowly regain his composure. Finally, he said, "Just what do you want from me? If you planned to kill me, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Surely a mere spirit bone like mine isn't enough to interest you."

At this, Yang Potian's expression turned serious. "A spirit bone is a fine thing, but it pales in comparison to having a powerful Spirit Sage like you as an ally. I intend to make you an Elder of the Yang Clan. This way, we'll be on the same side, and the past can remain in the past."

Yang Wudi and Yang Zhentian exchanged glances, surprised at this unexpected offer but saying nothing.

Without waiting for Shi Nian's response, Yang Potian took out a jade box from his spirit storage device. Inside was a pale purple flower, faintly shimmering as if it weren't quite real—a mesmerizing sight that drew Shi Nian's gaze.

"This Ten-Thousand-Year Illusion Spirit Flower is something I acquired by chance. With it, your Nightmarish Phantom spirit should grow considerably stronger, even giving you the chance to reach Title Douluo."

Shi Nian's eyes were fixed on the flower, his throat visibly swallowing. But after a moment, he forced himself to remain calm. "Are you suggesting that you'd give me something so valuable just to become your clan's Elder? What if I take the flower and simply walk away?"

Yang Potian chuckled coldly, then produced a list from his sleeve. "Teacher Shi Nian, these are a collection of infamous figures—villains whose crimes are as numerous as the stars. I believe they'd be excellent targets for someone of your skills."

Shi Nian's face twisted as he looked at the list. Yang Potian was right: these individuals were widely known for their nefarious deeds, ranging from high-ranking Spirit Hall officials to influential nobles of Heaven Dou Empire, along with side branches of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, even a noble from Star Luo Empire. Killing these figures would leave him a wanted man across the entire continent, hunted even to the remote corners of the world.

Yang Wudi and Yang Zhentian exchanged uneasy glances, realizing this was why Yang Potian had them research these figures recently. At the time, they'd assumed it was for his own purposes, but now it was clear that he'd been preparing this list for Shi Nian.

Shi Nian's face reflected a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anger, and perhaps even reluctant admiration. Eventually, he gritted his teeth and said, "These men have committed countless atrocities. Someone ought to rid the world of them. Very well, give me a month, and I'll make sure they're eliminated."

Yang Potian smiled and nodded. "Then congratulations, Teacher Shi Nian, on your new calling. We eagerly await the results."

At that, Yang Zhentian reached out and removed the seal from Shi Nian's spirit power, which made Shi Nian's eyes widen in shock. He had been under the impression that only a Titled Douluo could have placed such a powerful seal. This meant Yang Zhentian had also reached Title Douluo rank.

The realization dawned on Shi Nian: with Yang Wudi and Yang Zhentian, the Yang Clan had not one but two Titled Douluos. Their strength alone rivaled the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and with the additional strength of the Bull Clan's Niu Gao, they posed a threat even to the strongest clans.

Swallowing his shock, Shi Nian quickly made his exit from the Yang Clan. Yang Wudi, watching him leave, stepped out of the chamber and whispered instructions to an Elder, who silently followed Shi Nian, ready to strike if he showed any signs of betrayal.

(Chapter Ends)

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