"For the match against the Seven Treasures team, let's just surrender."
After saying this, Yu Xiaogang collapsed into his chair, his eyes losing their usual luster.
The Seven Treasures team had two Soul Kings and a martial soul fusion technique with strength comparable to a high-level Soul King. With such a lineup, they could practically lock in the tournament championship in advance.
There was absolutely no need to clash head-on with them during the preliminaries.
Suddenly, Tang San raised his head and said firmly, "No, we don't need to surrender outright. First, we'll step onto the stage. As long as Yu Die and Cai Die don't appear together, we'll keep fighting."
"Xiao San, do we even have a chance of winning?" Dai Mubai wasn't optimistic about his suggestion.
Tang San shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "We can't win. But we can use this opportunity to assess the Seven Treasures team's strength, which will help us deal with them later!"
Ma Hongjun whined, "It's a guaranteed loss—why bother stepping up? Look at what happened to the Thunderbolt Academy. Are we going to follow in their footsteps?"
Tang San remained silent.
If they didn't figure out the Seven Treasures team's strength during the preliminaries, there would be no way to defeat them in the finals.
After a long while, he suddenly spoke, "Teacher, I have something I want to discuss with you privately."
Yu Xiaogang guessed Tang San's thoughts, sighed, and walked out of the rest area with him.
Finding an inconspicuous corner, Yu Xiaogang spoke first. "Xiao San, the Hao Tian Hammer is the continent's number one weapon-type martial soul—it truly has the power to defeat the Seven Kill Sword. But you have dual martial souls. Do you remember what I told you about the fate of the first dual martial soul master?"
Tang San nodded.
Yu Xiaogang continued, "Ning Tianchen has been under the guidance of Sword Douluo since childhood and has a deep understanding of the Seven Kill Sword martial soul. On the other hand, you've hardly ever trained with the Hao Tian Hammer."
"Even if you were to add soul rings to the Hao Tian Hammer and successfully break through to become a Soul King, there's still a chance you wouldn't be able to defeat Ning Tianchen."
Tang San didn't agree with his words and countered, "Teacher, my father taught me the Chaotic Windsplitting Hammer Technique. If I use the Hao Tian Hammer martial soul, I'm confident I can defeat Ning Tianchen."
Yu Xiaogang naturally understood that if Tang San didn't train with the Hao Tian Hammer in this tournament, they would have no chance of winning.
Moreover, having not seen the seven-in-one martial soul fusion technique of the Canghui Academy, Yu Xiaogang never expected that seven people could form a martial soul fusion technique. This indirectly cost them a major trump card.
After some thought, he asked, "Xiao San, I previously said that our goal for this tournament was simply to reach the finals and gain experience. What are your thoughts now?"
Tang San, unwilling to settle for second place, clenched his fists and said gravely, "If there's a chance, I want to fight for the championship."
Yu Xiaogang was deeply moved.
He had already explained the drawbacks and potential issues of training with dual martial souls to Tang San. Since Tang San still insisted on cultivating the Hao Tian Hammer, Yu Xiaogang couldn't bring himself to stop him.
Besides, better results for the Shrek Academy in the Soul Master Tournament would also reflect well on him.
"This matter isn't mine to decide. Wait until your father returns, and discuss it with him," Yu Xiaogang patted his shoulder. At the same time, he began considering traveling to Spirit City.
He knew that Bibi Dong was the second person on the continent to possess dual martial souls. If he could obtain her methods for cultivating dual martial souls, it would greatly benefit Tang San's future.
Tang San couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, where has my father gone? I haven't been able to find him these past few days."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "Since Lord Hao Tian has already come to Tiandou City, I doubt he'll leave you again. Just wait a little longer—there's still plenty of time before the finals."
---
The next day
As expected, all members of the Thunderclap Academy were injured and forced to forfeit their match against the Godwind Team.
After the match ended, the opponents the Godwind Team faced afterward weren't very strong. As long as they avoided losing, they had a good chance of advancing.
For the Thunderclap Academy members, there was at least one piece of good news.
The healing-type soul masters summoned by the Seven Treasures team had returned, and they could hire them as long as they paid.
"Damn Seven Treasures team—they're clearly targeting us on purpose!" Lei Tian, dragging his injured body, lay on the sofa in the rest area and cursed loudly.
Yu Tianxin's injuries were the most severe. Although he had regained consciousness, he had almost completely lost the ability to move.
It was foreseeable that even if he received treatment now, he wouldn't be able to compete in the matches over the next few days.
Currently, the Thunderclap Academy had lost three matches, against the Celestial Water Team, the Seven Treasures Team, and the Godwind Team.
To ensure advancement, they had to win at least one of their upcoming matches against the Shrek Academy or the Blazing Academy.
The coach arranged with a bitter smile, "The match against the Blazing Academy is in two days. Tianxin needs to recover, so Lei Tian will lead the team. Try your best to secure a victory."
"If you're outmatched, you can surrender directly. Once Tianxin recovers, we'll face the Shrek Academy in a decisive battle!"
"If we beat the Shrek Academy, our win-loss record will tie with the Godwind Academy. At that point, we'll have a rematch to wash away this humiliation!"
Yu Tianxin remained silent.
Yesterday's match—if it weren't for his stubbornness, the team wouldn't have ended up in such a dire situation.
If their failure to advance was due to his actions, he would bear primary responsibility.
---
Within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's ancestral hall
Yu Yuanzhen, who was in seclusion within the family's shrine, received the letter sent by the Thunderclap Academy.
"What could possibly be wrong with the Thunderclap Academy! Ordinary matters should be handled by Elder Luo!" Yu Yuanzhen was irritated.
The messenger quickly added, "Patriarch, the academy's coach says this matter involves the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Young Master Yu Tianxin."
Yu Yuanzhen's expression softened slightly. He waved his hand to dismiss the messenger, then opened the letter.
With a Title Douluo's mental strength, he could read the contents of the letter in a single glance.
Yu Yuanzhen immediately furrowed his brow. "Why is the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect targeting us?"
The friction between the two sects in business dealings had been resolved long ago. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had no reason to continue holding a grudge.
Moreover, the current Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family posed no threat to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's status—why go to such lengths?
If it wasn't the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, then it must be the Seven Treasures team seeking personal revenge.
Yu Yuanzhen didn't know who on the Thunderbolt Academy team might have offended them, nor did he care to inquire.
Yu Tianxin was only injured and would recover after treatment.
He didn't care about the squabbles of the younger generation.
Casually setting the letter aside, he stopped thinking about it and returned to his seclusion.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family only had one Title Douluo—himself—and his strength had been stuck at level 95 for a long time. If he broke through because of this, not only would his lifespan increase, but it would also enhance the family's influence.
---
At night, Ning Tianchen was meditating in his hotel room when a figure suddenly appeared outside the window.
The Seven Kill Sword materialized in his hand, and with a swift motion, he hurled it toward the window.
"Young Master Ning, it's me," said Zhang Erhe.
Reacting quickly, he dodged the attack from the Seven Kill Sword.
Ning Tianchen adjusted his collar and snapped, "Can't you use the front door?!"
What kind of normal person climbs through windows?
Zhang Erhe awkwardly replied, "The matter is urgent. Besides, without Principal Ke's permission, I can't even access the floor you're staying on."
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