After Tang San's group arrived in Vast Sea City, they found the entire city had been transformed into a military stronghold.
Strict security checkpoints were set up everywhere, especially along the coastline, where inspections were exceptionally rigorous.
Even sea spirit masters were completely prohibited from setting foot on land.
Furthermore, multiple Titled Douluo-level experts were stationed in Vast Sea City, making a direct assault impossible.
However, Tang San's group was highly flexible.
The coastline was vast, and since the Speed Clan could fly, finding an unguarded entry point was relatively easy.
After locating a gap in the defenses to the north, the group quietly infiltrated the mainland.
Their destination was Almo Mountain—the only region in the north currently not under Spirit Empire's control.
It was also the prearranged rendezvous point where Tang San and Yu Xiaogang's groups had agreed to meet.
Meanwhile, Tang San and Xiao Wu chose to split off from the main group.
Their plan was to make a brief visit to the Star Dou Forest.
On one hand, Xiao Wu missed the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python, whom she regarded as brothers.
On the other hand, Tang San had other important matters to attend to.
Although Tang San's spirit power had already reached Level 88, his overall strength was still far below the true powerhouses.
Not to mention Yang Podi, Bibi Dong, and Qian Daoliu, even facing a Level 95 Titled Douluo would be a serious challenge.
As for Bai He and the rest of the Speed Clan, they continued their northward journey, aiming to reunite with Yu Xiaogang's group as soon as possible before figuring out their next move.
At present, their overall strength was still too weak.
Among them, not a single person had reached Titled Douluo level.
The strongest members were Tang San, Xiao Wu, Liu Erlong, and Bai He.
Despite the harsh trials on Sea God Island, only Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and Oscar had seen significant improvements.
Among them, Tang San and Xiao Wu had reached Spirit Douluo level.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai and Oscar were both undergoing the Black-Level Four Trials.
Even after passing, they would only reach high-rank Spirit Sage level—still short of Spirit Douluo.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, Tai Long, and Bai Xiaofei, they were only at Spirit Emperor level.
Since their Sea God Trials were below Black Level, their growth on Sea God Island was relatively limited.
At the same time,Heavenly Academy had fallen into an unusual silence.
Even the newly established Soul Tool Research Academy and the Body Sect Academy remained completely hidden, with no information leaking out.
With Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo personally patrolling the area, not even a single fly could escape undetected.
Meanwhile, Yang Podi and Qian Renxue's relationship had rapidly progressed.
Since the two had already spent time together in the illusion, they now felt a growing sense of familiarity with each other.
After exchanging letters over time, Bibi Dong's attitude toward Qian Renxue seemed to have cooled down.
Occasionally, she would send a reply, but while the contents were distant and vague, Qian Renxue still felt inexplicably excited whenever she received a letter.
At the same time, Yang Podi and Qian Renxue's interactions had begun to mirror their time in the illusion.
They started spending their days together, transitioning from offering comfort to gradually living as a couple.
Eventually, they even took the final step in their relationship.
However, a major issue arose—they were now caught in a three-person dynamic.
Qian Renxue was exceptionally proud and arrogant, whereas Ye Lingling was gentle and reserved.
Although the two had not fought directly, the situation remained highly chaotic.
Meanwhile, Yang Podi's mother, Niu Jinfeng, was utterly speechless.
She had long hoped for her son to settle down and start a family, wishing for him to give her grandchildren as soon as possible.
For years, her son had been completely devoted to Ye Lingling, and although the two had been together for a long time, they had never married or had children.
Now, just when he finally found another romantic partner, it turned out to be a daughter of the Qian Clan from the Spirit Empire.
And judging by Qian Renxue's personality, she too seemed uninterested in marriage or children—at least for now.
This left Niu Jinfeng and Yang Zhentian feeling anxious.
Even both grandfathers were growing concerned.
They wanted to persuade the couple, but the situation was complicated.
After all, these two women were far from ordinary.
One was the inheritor of the Angel God, and the other was the continent's only healing-type Titled Douluo.
At this point, Yang Podi himself was getting a headache.
In terms of historical context, Douluo Continent should belong to the feudal era, where a man having multiple wives was considered normal.
But the problem was—his two women were anything but ordinary.
Whenever he visited Ye Lingling, she never mocked or ridiculed him, and he always felt relaxed and at ease.
However, she had become more distant and serious.
On the other hand, being with Qian Renxue was a completely different experience.
With her queen-like demeanor, she was extremely competitive.
More often than not, their conversations turned into sparring matches.
Even when she lost, she remained unwilling to accept defeat, constantly looking for a chance to regain the upper hand.
One day, his grandfather, Yang Wudi, suddenly summoned him for a meeting.
This left Yang Podi confused—he had not been involved with the academy's affairs for a long time.
Why was he being called in now?
However, when Yang Podi arrived at the conference room, he immediately understood.
Seated inside were not just Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, Dugu Bo, and other senior members of Heavenly Academy, but also several outsiders.
Among them were Flender and Zhao Wuji from the original novel, as well as Tai Nuo from the Power Clan, a group that had once been as close as family.
Yang Podi immediately guessed the purpose of the meeting.
Without greeting anyone, he simply found a seat, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.
He had no interest in such trivial matters.
At that moment, Yang Wudi spoke up.
"Podi, Dean Flender and Tai Nuo wish to join Heavenly Academy.
Do you have any objections?"
Yang Podi opened his eyes, thought for a moment, and replied:
"Grandfather, there are rules for outsiders joining Heavenly Academy.
As long as you follow the rules, it doesn't matter what they say or do—they won't be able to cause any major trouble."
At these words, Niu Gao and Dugu Bo couldn't help but twitch their mouths.
From Yang Podi's tone, it was clear that Heavenly Academy had no intention of accepting outsiders.
Especially those from external factions.
Flender's group had spent years at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, while Tai Nuo's clan had been fighting against the Spirit Empire.
Both were effectively barred from entering Heavenly Academy.
After some thought, Yang Wudi continued:
"Podi, allowing them to join does go against our rules.
However, if they are genuinely willing to be part of our academy, I believe that as long as they meet the requirements in the future, it should not be a problem."
At this, Niu Gao quickly added:
"Podi, we do have some ties with these people.
We can't just completely abandon them.
See if you can make an exception."
Even though everyone present was a Titled Douluo, they understood just how powerful the Spirit Empire had become.
If Yang Podi refused, no one else could make the final decision.
Moreover, Heavenly Academy was already extremely saturated.
They had no shortage of teachers or students—even high-level spirit masters were plentiful.
At present, the academy had dozens of Spirit Douluo-level experts, and the number of Spirit Sages and below was even greater.
All of this was thanks to the vast resources provided by Yang Podi, which allowed both students and teachers to rapidly advance in strength.