The group continued advancing.
Ever since the ambush, the atmosphere within the team had clearly become tense.
The teachers and students from the various academies had long since lost the leisurely mood they had at the start of the journey. Everyone wore solemn expressions, like birds startled by the sound of a bowstring.
They were afraid the other side would launch another surprise attack!
After having their injuries treated, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang accepted Ning Fengzhi's invitation and boarded the carriage he was riding in.
Besides Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, there was one more person in the carriage — Crown Prince Xue Beng.
Instead of returning to his own carriage, he had found an excuse to stay there, clinging tightly to Ning Fengzhi and refusing to leave.
After all, having a Titled Douluo by one's side was far more reassuring than being escorted by five hundred Royal Knights.
"Uncle Ning, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Tang San lightly bowed his head.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "Little San, Teacher, please don't stand on ceremony. Have a seat!"
After a brief exchange of greetings, Ning Fengzhi stopped beating around the bush.
He stated clearly that the mastermind behind this ambush was Spirit Hall.
Even if he had not said it out loud, everyone would have known the truth.
Looking across the entire continent, who else but Spirit Hall could mobilize so many high-level soul masters?
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang fell silent. A faint sadness and powerlessness appeared in his eyes.
That woman… didn't she know that Tang San was his disciple?
Did they really not care about their past relationship at all?
A cold light flashed in Tang San's eyes as the tone of his voice dropped.
"Uncle Ning, did Spirit Hall attack me because of my father?"
"More than that."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head and looked at him with deep eyes.
"Your father has long held a grudge against Spirit Hall. In addition, they fear that you, who possess rare twin martial souls, will fully mature and threaten Spirit Hall's position."
Tang San's eyes lit up.
"What about Lin Yang? He shouldn't have any grudge against Spirit Hall, right?"
Clearly, he had also noticed the scene of a Titled Douluo attacking Lin Yang.
Ning Fengzhi paused for a moment before speaking with a slightly puzzled expression.
"I believe… he was involved."
Involved?
Tang San was confused.
Ning Fengzhi explained, "You've heard of Poison Douluo and Crimson Flame Douluo, haven't you?"
Tang San nodded.
Because he had always wanted to completely defeat Lin Yang and wash away the humiliation of the past, he naturally paid attention to the surrounding forces.
"Ye Xuanyin once refused Spirit Hall's recruitment, and Dugu Bo has an old grudge against Chrysanthemum Douluo of Spirit Hall."
Ning Fengzhi's tone carried a faint note of weariness.
"Moreover… a few years ago, I heard that Dugu Bo severely injured Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, who has still not fully recovered."
"Otherwise, there would have been multiple Titled Douluo here today."
Tang San pressed further. "Then who exactly was that black figure who appeared today…?"
"Ghost Douluo," Yu Xiaogang said in a low voice. "His martial soul is extremely special — it's called Ghost Illusion. Ordinary physical attacks find it difficult to deal with him. He is undoubtedly one of the most troublesome among the Titled Douluo."
"Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo are always together."
"Not bad," Ning Fengzhi nodded.
"In addition, the two of them also possess a martial soul fusion skill. If they were to use it, even Uncle Jian would not be able to lower his guard."
A Titled-level martial soul fusion skill?
Tang San felt a chill run down his spine.
"Little San, I'm telling you this so you can prepare yourself mentally. The feud between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect has a long history. It cannot be explained in just a few words."
Ning Fengzhi's tone was solemn.
"Going to Spirit Hall this time carries a high risk of danger. Although they failed in this assassination attempt, next time they will definitely try to kill you openly."
Ning Fengzhi suggested that Tang San go to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, saying that he could serve as a bridge for Tang San to contact the people of the Clear Sky Sect.
However, Tang San refused. And his reasons were perfectly justified.
He did not want his personal matters to affect his teammates' performance. Their goal this time was to win the championship, so there was no way he could give up halfway.
Most importantly… the spirit bones.
Yet Ning Fengzhi shook his head inwardly and was not particularly optimistic about them.
Needless to say, this year's Heaven Dou team had produced an extraordinary talent like Lin Yang, while Spirit Hall's team had earned the title of the "Golden Generation."
The chances of Shrek Academy winning the championship were low.
However, he would never say such a thing to someone's face.
"Alright. Since you've made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you any further." Ning Fengzhi's voice softened.
"These three sects share the same bloodline. Since you call me Uncle, I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety."
Coming from Ning Fengzhi, the sect master, these words carried considerable weight.
"Uncle Ning, thank you. As long as I live, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will always be my friend."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, then seemed to remember something and said,
"By the way, I heard from Rongrong that you and Lin Yang were classmates, yet you had a falling out? If it wasn't a life-and-death struggle…"
"Madam, conflicts are better resolved than left to fester and worsen!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression changed slightly.
Tang San lowered his eyes as if he did not understand Ning Fengzhi's intention and spoke in a somewhat flat voice. "Uncle Ning, I don't intend to trouble you with the dispute between Lin Yang and myself. I will resolve it on my own."
He recalled the sparring match he had fought at Notting College many years ago.
At that time, he had just enrolled and had not yet obtained a spirit ring, yet he had been completely defeated by Lin Yang and was subsequently isolated by the entire group of academy work-study students.
After arriving at Shrek Academy, Lin Yang had once again severely injured him with a single strike.
He would never forget this humiliation and sense of powerlessness for the rest of his life.
In order to defeat Lin Yang and reclaim his dignity, he had trained desperately and had even switched to the Clear Sky Hammer.
Thinking of this, Tang San took a deep breath.
He suppressed the resentment he felt toward Lin Yang, as well as the slight jealousy he was unwilling to admit even to himself.
His previous failures had simply been because Blue Silver Grass was nullified by a blade martial soul.
Now that he had switched to cultivating the "Number One Weapon Soul in the World" — the Clear Sky Hammer — even if his cultivation level was insufficient, he would never be defeated so easily again.
Thinking this way, Tang San couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.
Two or three years ago, Lin Yang's cultivation level had already reached level 55, and he would only grow stronger from here.
Tang San had only recently reached level 40. Just in terms of soul power level alone, there was already an insurmountable gap.
Was there any way to help him bridge this difference in cultivation level?
Even after getting off Ning Fengzhi's carriage, Tang San continued pondering this question.
At that moment, driven by an instinctive impulse, he suddenly stopped.
He had not noticed it before, but now he realized that he had changed a little.
He… found the people around him… delicious?
Tang San was shocked by the sudden thought that had flashed through his mind.
Delicious?
How could he possibly find humans delicious?
He shook his head vigorously, trying to drive the ridiculous idea out of his mind.
However, that longing remained in his heart like a stubborn, incurable disease that refused to be shaken off.
They must have just finished a major battle and were exhausted.
Tang San took a deep breath and quietly comforted himself in his heart.
He suppressed the strange sensation in his mind and hurried back to the carriage without saying a word.
Meanwhile, inside the Heaven Dou Academy's carriage, Lin Yang supported his head with one hand and wore a meaningful smile.
The seed had been planted. Whether it would take root and sprout depended on whether Tang San could resist the temptation.
….