The Continental Elite Spirit Master Tournament (Advanced Academy Division) had ended.
As expected, Lin Yang obtained the three champion spirit bones amid the envious, jealous, and hateful gazes of everyone.
After returning to their base in Spirit City, the Shi brothers gathered around the three spirit bones together with the others, examining them carefully with curious and envious eyes.
This was basically the first time they had ever seen spirit bones so closely.
However, they were well aware that they were completely unqualified to claim any of them.
Even without Xiao Wu and her two companions, the captain alone leading six pigs could have easily taken the championship.
They had already reached an agreement on this matter.
Yet because they were still a small team that had worked together for many years, Lin Yang did not want to cause a scene over a few spirit bones and damage their past relationships.
He took a spirit bone out of his storage bracelet and placed it in front of everyone.
The moment the four Shi brothers saw this spirit bone, their eyes froze.
"Boss… you… still have more spirit bones?"
"This is the reward I received from the previous Spirit Master Elite Tournament. It's called the Iron Wall Left Arm Bone," Lin Yang said in a calm tone.
In reality, this spirit bone was only a little over ten thousand years old.
Not only was it inferior to these three, it could even be considered rather crude among Lin Yang's collection of spirit bones.
It was the kind of food that tasted bland when eaten yet felt wasteful to throw away.
Among the three girls beside him, Ye Lingling had already transplanted the Nine-Bend Vine Bone into her left arm, while Xiao Wu and Sister Yan did not particularly like it.
In other words, this spirit bone had simply been gathering dust inside the storage bracelet.
Even he himself had almost forgotten about it and only remembered it today.
Lin Yang looked around, then tossed the spirit bone to the Shi brothers.
"Whoever takes the burden is fine, but a portion of the reward must be given to Osler and Yu Feng as compensation."
This time they had won the championship as representatives of Heaven Dou. The Heaven Dou imperial family would surely reward them again.
The Shi brothers were initially stunned, then their faces lit up with joy.
"Thank you, Boss!"
They would gladly give up even a portion of the reward, let alone the entire amount.
This was a spirit bone.
Osler and Yu Feng felt somewhat disappointed, but receiving the compensation improved their mood a little.
Lin Yang did not have many options regarding this. After all, it was impossible for him alone to take care of everyone.
Afterwards, inside Infinite Space, Lin Yang presented the Wisdom Skull formed by spiritual condensation to Ye Lingling.
Ye Lingling accepted it silently.
Given their current relationship, cutting ties would only seem like putting distance between them.
In the worst case, she would simply change into a few different "outfits" at night and pose shyly.
As for the remaining two spirit bones… either the attributes were unsuitable or the spirit skills overlapped.
After discussion, Lin Yang, Xiao Wu, and Sister Yan decided to temporarily store the two spirit bones and find a way to exchange them later.
Oh, right — the Phantom Wisdom Skull obtained from Shi Nian could also be traded.
However, that would depend on the specific situation. In any case, market demand for spirit bones was endless.
...
Meanwhile, at the Shrek base…
The defeat in the tournament had left the entire team dejected.
They might have been indifferent to the championship at first, but as they kept winning and their ranking rose, a ray of hope had begun to light up in everyone's hearts.
Yet they had failed at the final stage just when success was within reach.
A failure like this was enough to drive anyone mad with anger!
Just then, Flender appeared in the hall with two people.
"Father? Grandpa Sword?"
The moment Ning Fengzhi appeared, Ning Rongrong cried out and ran over.
With an affectionate expression, he gently stroked Ning Rongrong's head.
"You're already a proper adult. Can't you be a little more refined?"
Ning Rongrong pouted, snorted softly, then quickly left Ning Fengzhi's side and turned toward Chen Xin.
"I'm glad Grandpa Sword looks happy."
"Haha, that's right." Chen Xin laughed loudly.
"My little princess can of course do whatever she likes. Grandpa Sword will support her."
Ning Fengzhi helplessly shook his head, then turned toward Flender.
"I'm sorry for causing Dean Flender to lose face."
Flender quickly shook his head and said with a smile, "Rongrong has a pure heart and has brought a lot of joy to my academy."
After a brief pause, Flender continued.
"Sect Master Ning, have you come to take Rongrong away?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded and said, "That's right. Rongrong has already been away from home for many days. It's about time she returned."
"Rongrong's performance has far exceeded my expectations. I am also very grateful for Dean Flender's guidance."
"No, no."
Flender waved his hand modestly, yet his thoughts were already written on his face.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly, then turned toward the other students of Shrek Academy.
"Students, all of you are Rongrong's friends. Your talents are obvious to everyone. If any of you hope to enter the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in the future, we will warmly welcome you."
Hearing this, a faint interest appeared in the eyes of several people.
It was an "offer" from one of the Three Upper Sects — the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Aside from the very few who already possessed powerful backgrounds, who could resist the temptation?
By observing everyone's expressions, Ning Fengzhi roughly understood the situation.
Then he turned toward Tang San, who was still lost in thought, and said in a low voice,
"Young Master, please come outside with me for a moment."
Tang San turned around, quietly stood up, and followed Ning Fengzhi out of the hall.
The two of them walked through a small courtyard behind the camp. Ning Fengzhi was the first to break the silence.
"Young Master, the competition has ended. Where do you plan to go next?"
Tang San raised his head. His eyes were filled with confusion.
Honestly speaking, even he himself did not know what he should do from now on.
Should he continue training at the academy?
Or travel across the mainland?
He was like a lost lamb. He appeared to be surrounded by vast space, yet there was no direction he should aim for.
Moreover, Spirit Hall was also secretly monitoring him.
Why had his father still not appeared?
Did they intend to leave him like this?
Ning Fengzhi naturally saw the confusion in Tang San's eyes. After a period of silence, he said,
"If you truly don't know where to go, why not come with me to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? Perhaps I can help you contact someone from the Clear Sky Sect."
Tang San was momentarily stunned, then firmly shook his head.
"Uncle Ning, thank you for your kindness. But I would like to hear my father's intentions first."
Ning Fengzhi frowned almost imperceptibly.
Honestly speaking, he was not even certain whether Tang Hao truly cared about his own son.
After all, the last time Tang San was attacked by Spirit Hall, he had not appeared from beginning to end.
If Uncle Jian had not lost his temper last time and intervened early, Tang San might already have lost his life under Spirit Hall's siege.
It could not be said that the battle more than ten years ago had destroyed Tang Hao's spirit.
Or… was Tang Hao already… dead?
The moment this ridiculous thought surfaced, Ning Fengzhi quickly shook it off.
That was Clear Sky Douluo. How could he have died so quietly?
Perhaps he was secretly observing from somewhere.
Ning Fengzhi shifted the topic of conversation to Tang San's hidden weapons. That had been the main purpose of this trip.
....