"The reason I repeatedly warned you not to rush into absorbing a Soul Bone after obtaining one was precisely for this reason. Although this Soul Bone isn't suitable for you, it will be suitable for someone else. Ideally, you could trade it for a Soul Bone that fits you. So even though the Soul Bone you obtained isn't directly usable for you, it serves as capital that can be exchanged for what you need. As long as the opportunity is seized properly, the benefits to you are unquestionable."
Tang San couldn't help but ask, "Then what kind of Soul Bone would suit me?"
The Great Master answered without hesitation, "Power-type Soul Bones and Plant-type Soul Bones."
Tang San was stunned. He could understand the Plant-type Soul Bones, but why power-type ones?
Having been Tang San's teacher for many years, the Great Master naturally saw the confusion in his mind. "The benefits of Plant-type Soul Bones to you are self-evident. As for power-type Soul Bones, the greatest advantage is the enhancement to your own body. At the same time, it also prepares you for your second Martial Soul in the future. Your Haotian Sect's Clear Sky Hammer follows a power-based path—one of the most overbearing power paths there is. Do you remember what I once told you about the greatest difficulty of a Twin Martial Soul? It's that the body cannot endure too many additional attributes from Soul Rings. Power-type Soul Bones will further transform your body, allowing you to withstand even greater pressure."
"So that's how it is." Only then did Tang San understand the Great Master's earnest intentions. "Then when should I go exchange this Soul Bone?"
The Great Master thought for a moment and said, "Don't rush. This isn't something you can accomplish alone. Soul Bones are far too sensitive a matter in the Soul Master world. If you don't have sufficient power backing you up, not only will you fail to get a Soul Bone that suits you, you could even bring a fatal calamity upon yourself. Wait a few more years. If you happen to encounter your father, then the matter could be moved up. With him around, no one would dare touch you. Alternatively, if you can return to the Haotian Sect and gain its support…"
"For now, don't participate in today's competition. The enormous drain you've suffered makes you unsuitable to fight today. Your opponents today aren't that strong—your companions should be able to handle things on their own. As for your teammates, just tell them that you had a sudden breakthrough yesterday, went outside the city to cultivate, nearly suffered a deviation, and that's why you've completely drained your Soul Power. I'll help cover for you."
Although Tang San was somewhat unconvinced by the Great Master's caution, he wouldn't go against his teacher's wishes. His teacher was doing this for his own good. Besides, there was no harm in being a little careful.
The preliminary rounds continued, and after the tenth round concluded, the various teams competing in the Heavenly Dou City preliminaries had begun to separate themselves in the standings.
Shrek Academy, with a perfect record of ten wins in ten matches, rightfully claimed first place.
Several other teams shared the same record—specifically, the four remaining schools among the Five Elements Academies, excluding the Elephant Armor Academy.
Strangely enough, aside from their initial encounter with the Elephant Armor Academy, Shrek Academy had not faced any of the other Five Elements Academy teams.
Meanwhile, the Elephant Armor Academy ran into the other four schools one after another—and without exception, they lost every single time. Their defenses seemed to have become completely useless.
Thus, Shrek Academy and the other four elemental schools claimed the top five spots in the preliminary rounds, all with undefeated records.
The Elephant Armor Academy, on the other hand, was in a miserable state—five wins and five losses in ten matches, languishing in the middle of the rankings. Not even the Elephant Armor Academy itself had anticipated this, let alone the tournament organizers.
This development had clearly separated the competing teams in the preliminaries, with the top five forming a dominant first tier.
However, the upcoming matches would no longer be easy. Shrek Academy's eleventh-round opponent was the Blazing Fire Academy from the Five Elements Academies—a formidable team composed entirely of fire-attribute Soul Masters.
The clash between Shrek Academy and Blazing Fire Academy, drawn from the top five, was undoubtedly the biggest highlight of this round, and they were predictably assigned to the center arena.
Before the match even began, the spectator stands were already a scene of lively bustle. At least a third of the audience wore green uniforms symbolizing Shrek Academy.
Although the Five Elements Academies were equally powerful, Shrek Academy's underdog origins resonated far more with the crowd. Their eccentric appearances, in particular, had set off a wave of green throughout the city of Heavenly Dou.
It was still far too early for enrollment registration, yet Shrek Academy had already received application forms as numerous as snowflakes. The extent of fame the Shrek team had brought to the academy was plain for all to see.
Flandre was raking in money hand over fist, brimming with unspeakable satisfaction.
The Great Master held a detailed briefing on the Blazing Fire Academy in his hands, his expression visibly grave. He had been researching the relative strengths of the Five Elements Academies these past few days, and had only just begun to grasp some of the underlying patterns.