For Bibi Dong, she was unwilling to forcibly separate Hu Liena and Yin Zhang, because she saw shadows of her past self and Yu Xiaogang in them.
In her heart, Bibi Dong still harbored deep misgivings toward Yin Zhang. She believed that everything he showed on the surface was nothing more than an act. As long as their relationship remained confined to the academy, she could tolerate it.
"Are you still planning to follow them now?"
Naturally, Bibi Dong refused outright, citing the fact that Hu Liena was not a participant in the Elite Tournament.
Qiangu Yunying nodded. "That's true. Her teacher seems strongly opposed to you being together with her. Why is that?"
Yin Zhang scratched his head. "She just doesn't like me."
"Doesn't like you?" Qiangu Yunying frowned. "Why would the Supreme Pontiff feel that way?"
Seeing Qiangu Yunying clearly intent on getting to the bottom of things, Yin Zhang gave a helpless smile and replied casually,
"Maybe her brain got caught in a door?"
"Huh?"
That day, after packing their belongings, Yin Zhang and the other students of Elite Class One stayed one more night before preparing to leave Spirit City for Heaven Dou City, the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, to prove the strength of Spirit Hall Academy to the entire Douluo Continent.
Although it was widely acknowledged across the continent that Spirit Hall Academy possessed terrifying faculty and top-tier students, most people lacked a clear understanding of just how strong it truly was.
Instead, they simply grouped Spirit Hall Academy together with the Heaven Dou Empire Royal Academy and the Star Luo Empire Royal Academy, calling them the three greatest advanced Spirit Master academies on the continent.
This Elite Tournament was precisely the stage Spirit Hall Academy needed to prove its true standing to the entire Douluo Continent.
That night, Yin Zhang returned to his residence in Spirit City.
"Your spirit power is already approaching Rank 39," Golden Crocodile said calmly. "It shouldn't take more than a few days to break through. If you reach Rank 40 by the time you arrive in Heaven Dou City, you can assess the situation and hunt for a spirit ring, as long as it doesn't affect your participation in the Elite Tournament."
Golden Crocodile truly lived up to his reputation as a wise elder, offering earnest advice.
"Also, once you arrive there, aside from shining during the tournament itself, remember to keep a low profile at other times. That won't be Spirit City—you won't always have us watching over you."
Yin Zhang nodded seriously. "Understood, Teacher. You know me—I've always kept a low profile at the academy."
Golden Crocodile's mouth twitched.
Ever since Yin Zhang entered Elite Class One, he had been practically inseparable from Qiangu Yunying. Though they hadn't officially announced anything, every time Yin Zhang came to the Hall of Worship, he called Qian Jun and Jiang Mo "Great-Uncle" with shameless familiarity.
He was so close to them that even Golden Crocodile felt a twinge of jealousy.
In short, Yin Zhang now had three powerful backers within the Hall of Worship. If those three ever joined forces, they could even drag Qian Daoliu into it—though in reality, there was no need.
Golden Crocodile hesitated, then sighed.
"One of my juniors has just broken through to Titled Douluo. I'll have him lead the team. If you run into any trouble in Heaven Dou, you can ask him for help."
"A Titled Douluo?"
Yin Zhang froze.
Golden Crocodile had left Spirit City for half a month recently, and Yin Zhang had been wondering why.
So it turned out he had gone to hunt a spirit beast for this junior of his.
"Teacher, may I ask who this junior is?"
"There's no harm in telling you," Golden Crocodile replied. "He's the former dean of Spirit Hall Academy."
"The former dean?"
Yin Zhang was stunned.
"No wonder Uncle Qian Gu suddenly became the dean half a month ago. So that's because the previous dean broke through to Titled Douluo and stepped down."
"Teacher, could you tell me more about this senior?"
Golden Crocodile nodded.
"He's something of a late bloomer. His innate spirit power was only Rank 8, but he encountered opportunities early in life and steadily cultivated his way up."
"Barring accidents, his limit should be around Rank 92."
"His name is Tang Zhen. His spirit is the Dragon-Patterned Armored Turtle, famous for its defense and endurance. His title is Dragon Turtle Douluo."
"He's always immersed himself in cultivation and never sought fame, so he's largely unknown on the continent. But if he were to face that Elephant Armored Academy, no one could rival him in pure defense."
"Not to mention his terrifying endurance. If you were at the same rank as him, you wouldn't even be able to crack his shell. And even if you somehow did, your spirit power would be exhausted, and you'd be defeated immediately afterward."
Golden Crocodile shook his head.
"Now that he's become a Titled Douluo, he wants to go out and see the world. When he escorts you to Heaven Dou City, don't hesitate to ask him for help."
"Thank you, Teacher," Yin Zhang said sincerely.
For Yin Zhang, although he could still seek out Dugu Bo after arriving in Heaven Dou City, having a Titled Douluo bodyguard for free was obviously too good to pass up.
The next day, Yin Zhang finally met Tang Zhen.
Over the past year, Tang Zhen had been something of a mystery to him. Yin Zhang had never once seen him before.
Tang Zhen appeared middle-aged, with gray hair and a massive, muscular build. He was extremely tall—despite Yin Zhang already being 1.82 meters, he still had to look up to meet his gaze.
'At least 1.9 meters tall,' Yin Zhang thought in shock.
Tang Zhen smiled gently.
"Yin Zhang, I know who you are. You are the greatest genius Spirit Hall Academy has produced since its founding."
"My name is Tang Zhen. Just call me Uncle Tang. The Second Consecrator sent me to ensure your safety on this trip to Heaven Dou City, and I won't dare neglect that duty."
"Hello, Uncle Tang," Yin Zhang replied respectfully.
He then turned toward Qiangu Yunying, Zhou Wu, and the others.
After a year of cultivation, Qiangu Yunying's spirit power had risen from Rank 53 to Rank 56.
As for Zhou Wu, after the day Yin Zhang defeated Qiangu Yunying, he immediately went to hunt a spirit ring. One year later, his spirit power had reached Rank 54. Excluding the one rank gained from the spirit ring itself, advancing three ranks in a year was considered fairly good. Yin Zhang had heard that Zhou Wu, like himself, was on the verge of another breakthrough.
Just as Yin Zhang walked over, Zhou Wu leaned in, winked, and whispered,
"Yin Zhang, are you really close with Elder Tang Zhen?"
"Huh? Not really."
"Come on," Zhou Wu said. "I saw it. Elder Tang Zhen was clearly very friendly with you just now. Spill it—what's your relationship?"
Yin Zhang smiled helplessly. "There really isn't one. Today's the first time I've ever met him. He used to be the academy's dean, and my teacher sent him to look after us. That's all."
Zhou Wu fell silent.
Envy was tearing him apart.
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