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"Your Excellency, I truly had no idea," Yu Xiaogang continued to feign ignorance.
He even summoned his martial soul, Luo Sanpao, and said, "Your Excellency, does my martial soul look like it has any lightning attributes? Since I was young, I've been deemed unsuitable for training in a simulated lightning environment. I really don't understand the intricacies of it.
If it weren't for Master Ye Wen's guidance, I'd still be stuck at level 29—a complete waste."
Tang Hao glanced at Luo Sanpao on the ground, who looked somewhat pitiful.
'Could it be that I've truly misunderstood Yu Xiaogang?' he thought inwardly.
Well, at least no major harm had been done, and the problem had been caught in time. Tang Hao coldly stated,
"Since the issue has been identified, assist Xiao San with your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's methods. You should be capable of that, right?"
Yu Xiaogang hastily bowed obsequiously and said, "No problem, no problem! Since Your Excellency has spoken, I'll immediately arrange it for Xiao San."
"Hmph!" Tang Hao let out an irritated snort before leaving.
In the silent office, Yu Xiaogang's expression twitched slightly, his eyes darkening.
'Damn you, Tang Hao.'
Not only Tang San but also the other teachers and students of Shrek Academy had joined Thunderclap Academy. After all, if they were separated, who knew what ruthless moves the hidden Hao Tian Sect elder might make?
Fortunately, Thunderclap Academy was large enough to accommodate everyone, and suitable training grounds were available. The group settled in without much trouble.
However, as Thunderclap Academy was predominantly composed of members from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Shrek group felt somewhat out of place. Aside from Tang San, the others often felt uneasy.
During this period, Tang San endured immense hardship. The scene of his defeat by Ye Tianshui constantly replayed in his mind.
"Not enough! Not enough! I must grow stronger! This pain is merely a stumbling block on my path to success!"
Tang San sat cross-legged on his bed, cultivating the Xuantian Technique. His entire body was covered in dense, swollen red streaks. His already unremarkable features had turned ashen black, resembling a lump of charcoal.
(A/N: Prolonged exposure to electricity can indeed darken the skin, and high currents passing through the body can leave tree-like scars. This is factual. Tang San's reckless behavior has left him with very noticeable injuries.)
But Tang San paid no heed to his appearance. To him, things like old husbands with young wives or ugly men with beautiful women were common occurrences. What mattered most for a man was strength.
Relying on the Xuantian Technique's ability to heal wounds, Tang San subjected himself to relentless self-torture during this time. However, over time, he began to feel increasingly unstable. Yet, as he gradually descended into madness, he dismissed these concerns.
Had any of the orthodox sects from his past life seen Tang San's current state, they would undoubtedly have declared him to be suffering from qi deviation.
From the shadows, Tang Hao's gaze grew somber. Things seemed to be slipping out of his control. He could only hope that the medicinal baths of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would prove effective.
In the world of Douluo, where medicine was just beginning to advance due to Ye Wen's influence, the secret recipes of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—regardless of the rarity of the ingredients—represented an invaluable heritage.
Thankfully, even someone as thick-headed as Tang Hao understood the importance of such knowledge and hadn't forcibly demanded it, otherwise a fierce battle would have erupted.
Watching Tang San's body gradually improve under the medicinal baths, the once ghastly electric burns began to fade, though some scars remained. Tang Hao didn't care as long as Tang San could continue his cultivation normally.
In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
Tang San had completely transformed into a "charcoal head." (ω)
But this wasn't without reward.
Summoning his Green Vine martial soul, tendrils of electricity now coursed across its surface.
Tang San flashed his white teeth, which stood out starkly against his darkened skin.
"Teacher, look! My father was right—my martial soul has evolved!"
Yu Xiaogang gazed at Tang San with a complex expression. If not for the enmity between Tang Hao and his clan, a disciple like this would surely immortalize his legacy.
However, adding lightning attributes to a plant-type martial soul wasn't particularly rare—it was one of the greatest differences between humans and spirit beasts.
A hundred-thousand-year spirit beast reincarnated as a human needed to gradually digest its former power, meaning its martial soul's nature was extremely stable and wouldn't undergo mutations.
On the other hand, human martial souls could gain different enhancements with each new soul ring absorbed.
For instance, a common lizard-type martial soul could evolve dramatically after absorbing a high-level dragon-type spirit beast's soul ring. This concept had been clearly explained in Ye Wen's Theory of Essence.
Still, Yu Xiaogang put on a show of satisfaction, smiling warmly.
"Congratulations, Xiao San."
While at it, he decided to throw in another subtle jab. In the simulated lightning environment, not only had Tang San's martial soul gained lightning attributes, but his cultivation speed had also increased significantly compared to before.
By now, Tang San had reached level 37. For a top-tier genius at his age, even a three-level increase in a year was considered remarkable.
"Xiao San, cultivation requires balance. Training day and night isn't sustainable. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament is about to begin—let's go watch and enjoy the excitement," Yu Xiaogang suggested enthusiastically.
Tang San paused for a moment. The relentless training had indeed left him feeling a sense of monotony.
This stirred something within him.
The figure of his dreams reappeared in his mind.
"Mm, alright, Teacher."
Yu Xiaogang's smile widened. 'Ah, he's still just a young lad.'
Proud of himself, Yu Xiaogang momentarily forgot his own past—such was the arrogance of small-minded triumph.
According to the original storyline, this tournament was supposed to be Tang San's stage to showcase his talents and those of Shrek Academy after obtaining the celestial herbs. But now, at only level 37, he could only remain a spectator.
Though Tang San kept telling himself that appearance didn't matter, looking at his coal-black reflection in the mirror, he couldn't help but feel a subconscious sense of inferiority.
Wearing a mask and cloak, he followed Yu Xiaogang to watch the tournament he envied so much.
That captivating figure still shone brilliantly.
A string of sevens, a pair dominating the crowd, effortlessly crushing opponents, freely dominating the battlefield—what was meant to be a stage for young soul masters to display their talents had become a solo performance by Ye Tianshui and her peers.
"So strong…" Tang San muttered.
Even after increasing his cultivation by five levels, gaining lightning attributes for his martial soul, and successfully crafting the Zhuge Crossbow, Tang San still didn't believe he stood a chance against her.
Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San's shoulder consolingly.
"Xiao San, don't compare yourself excessively. There will always be geniuses in this world who defy logic—it's normal."
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