Chapter 234: The Current State of the Shrek Seven Monsters

The news of Yang Podi's grand battle against the Clear Sky Twin Stars spread rapidly across the entire Douluo Continent, with various speculations surrounding the details.

Some claimed that Yang Podi had already become the strongest expert in the world. After all, he had nearly annihilated the Clear Sky Twin Stars single-handedly. His astounding level 98 soul power and soul ring configuration captured the attention of countless people since experts of such caliber rarely roamed freely on the continent.

Others provided detailed descriptions of the reasons behind the battle, particularly pointing out that Tang San's secret infiltration into Heavenly Academy, where he was captured, was the direct cause. This event seemed to have tarnished the reputation of the Clear Sky Sect significantly, and the public no longer revered it as the number one sect on the continent as they had before.

Many more said that Heavenly Academy was now the true number one sect. Not only did the academy have the unparalleled Yang Podi, but it also boasted four Title Douluo, far surpassing the Clear Sky Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in strength.

...

In short, opinions varied, and different factions had different reactions.

First, the Clear Sky Sect. After learning the reason behind the battle, the three elders of the sect seemed extremely angry with Tang San. Tang San's reckless actions had caused Tang Xiao and Tang Hao to sustain serious injuries and made the Clear Sky Sect a laughingstock in the eyes of the world. However, due to Tang Hao and Tang Xiao's influence, the elders refrained from taking any measures. Tang Lie, however, couldn't help but sneer and mock Tang San, making the internal atmosphere of the sect tense.

Meanwhile, countless small and medium-sized forces expressed their desire to ally with Heavenly Academy. Given that the strength of the three upper sects had been severely damaged and that the soul master world was full of unrest, Heavenly Academy appeared to be a very reliable refuge.

However, Heavenly Academy rejected all these offers. Principal Yang Wudi himself publicly declared: "Heavenly Academy is just an ordinary soul master academy. If students wish to enroll or if teachers wish to join, they are most welcome. However, the academy has distanced itself from the conflicts of the soul master world and will no longer accept any sects into its fold."

Furthermore, Yang Wudi made it clear that anyone joining the academy, whether as a student or a teacher, was prohibited from participating in any soul master conflicts or having any affiliation with sect disputes. Anyone found in violation of this rule would not be accepted.

In short, the academy's stance was simple: those who wished to join could only do so as teachers or students, and they would have to live a reclusive life afterward.

For those who joined, Yang Wudi presented a thick rulebook. For a soul master who longed to make their mark in the world, being forced into reclusion felt worse than death.

Even so, a significant number of free soul masters joined the academy, and the number of students enrolling was even higher.

Now, let's talk about the Shrek Seven Monsters. Compared to the original story, their development differed greatly in terms of strength and other aspects—not just because of the absence of Immortal herbs.

First, Tang San's situation had the smallest deviation. His current soul power level of 66 was not far from where it was in the original timeline, following Xiao Wu's sacrifice.

However, his overall strength lagged behind significantly. Tang San lacked the Killing God Domain and the second awakening of his Blue Silver Emperor martial soul. In the original story, he had also consumed three celestial herbs—Eight-Petal Immortal Ice Grass, Infernal Delicate Apricot, and Autumn Dew Tear. These herbs laid the foundation for his eventual godhood.

But now, Tang San had only used the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, which provided a greater boost to his soul power but left his physical and spiritual qualities much weaker. Tang San remained at the Clear Sky Sect, preparing to journey to Sea God Island for training.

Xiao Wu's changes were the most dramatic. In the original, she had already become a soul ring, but now she was merely a Soul Emperor.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had also undergone significant changes. The two had neither returned to the Star Luo Empire nor assumed the roles of crown prince and princess consort. Instead, both were now Soul Kings, a result of years of diligent cultivation.

They had no way of returning to the Star Luo Empire. With Davis already the crown prince and Zhu Zhuyun as his princess consort, the empire had no place for them.

Perhaps due to some communication between the Star Luo Emperor and Heaven Dou Emperor, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing remained at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy as ordinary students. It appeared likely they would become teachers at the academy in the future, providing them with a modest source of stability.

Ma Hongjun and Oscar experienced the most drastic changes. Both were deeply immersed in romantic entanglements, having dated numerous girls at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. It seemed they would likely marry into noble families after graduation.

Despite Flender's strict management, his training for Ma Hongjun and Oscar was nothing extraordinary. Regarding their personal lives, Flender saw these relationships as potentially beneficial for their future development. For commoner soul masters, this was perhaps the best outcome they could hope for.

Under these circumstances, it was unlikely for the original pairings of Ma Hongjun and Bai Chenxiang or Oscar and Ning Rongrong to materialize.

While Ma Hongjun still met Bai Chenxiang through Tang San, his reputation at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, though bolstered by his talent and soul power, made both Bai He and Bai Chenxiang look down on him.

As for Oscar, though he still harbored feelings for Ning Rongrong, the latter was far more clear-headed than in the original story. Having encountered many other geniuses, how could she possibly develop feelings for the flirtatious Oscar? Furthermore, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo actively intervened, and Oscar's identity as a food-type soul master only solidified the impossibility of their union.

Finally, Ning Rongrong herself. While her strength barely reached the level of Soul King, she had gained some combat ability by practicing the Tang Sect techniques disseminated by Yang Podi. However, she remained primarily a support-type soul master.

The dramatic changes experienced by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had also matured her significantly, and she now truly carried herself like a little princess.

Aside from the Shrek Seven, others had also undergone various transformations.

On the day of the Heavenly Academy battle, Yu Xiaogang observed from a distance—not because he didn't want to help but because his strength was simply too insignificant. At such a high level of battle, even getting close would have turned him into cannon fodder.

The outcome left him deeply disappointed. The Clear Sky Twin Stars, whom he had revered, were utterly defeated by Yang Podi, nearly losing their lives in the process.

Later, the rescue of the Clear Sky Twin Stars and Tang San brought him some relief. However, subsequent news devastated him even further. Tang Hao lost an arm, Tang Xiao was gravely injured, and the Clear Sky Sect's reputation plummeted. Even Tang San was widely regarded as the sect's disgrace.

Yu Xiaogang initially considered speaking out in Tang San's defense, but his strength and status rendered his voice irrelevant.

Since the destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the respect Yu Xiaogang had received had greatly diminished. Without the backing of the clan's former patriarch, who was also his father, no one feared him as a mere rank-29 Grandmaster.

Were it not for Flender, Liu Erlong, and Qin Ming, Yu Xiaogang would likely have been replaced as the leader of Heaven Dou Academy's first team long ago. Among the academy's many teachers, he was the sole anomaly.

After learning that Tang San had returned to the Clear Sky Sect, Yu Xiaogang quickly headed there as well.

However, the state of the Clear Sky Sect deeply disappointed him. Tang San had become more ruthless and despondent, while his status within the sect seemed to have diminished. Tang Hao, having lost an arm, remained unconscious despite numerous attempts to stabilize his condition.

As for Ye Renxin, the old man disappeared with his medical kit and some attendants (who were experts) after hearing about the Heavenly Academy battle. He seemed unwilling to involve himself in the Clear Sky Sect's affairs.

Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, however, took the matter seriously, each dispatching two healing-type Soul Sages to treat Tang Hao and Tang Xiao. Unfortunately, the results were minimal. According to the healers, it would take several months of continuous treatment for Tang Hao to regain consciousness. Tang Xiao, while showing some improvement, would likely require one or two years to fully recover.

Yu Xiaogang and Tang San primarily discussed plans to travel to Sea God Island. Yu Xiaogang proposed that, since the Soul Master Competition was no longer happening, Tang San should lead Heaven Dou's first team to Sea God Island for training. After all, the competition was unlikely to be held again, and the team needed to desperately enhance their strength to become the backbone of future resistance against Spirit Hall.

However, when Yu Xiaogang presented this plan to Ning Fengzhi, both Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo exchanged glances. "Rongrong hasn't even returned from Heavenly Academy; how could she possibly go to Sea God Island? Moreover, the island is fraught with dangers. For a support-type soul master like Rongrong, it would be incredibly difficult. It's better for her not to go at all."

It was clear that Ning Fengzhi's trust in Tang San was far less than in the original story. In the original, Ning Rongrong had evolved into the rare Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, gaining significantly more strength and combat experience.

Additionally, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo had no desire to let Ning Rongrong get involved with Oscar in any way. Oscar now was nowhere near as outstanding as he was in the original story.

As for the other six members of the Heaven Dou Team, Ma Hongjun declined the trip to Sea God Island after much thought. His Evil Fire was still uncontrollable and needed to be vented regularly. On Sea God Island, there wouldn't be any outlet for him to release it, which could end up costing him his life if the Evil Fire acted up.

The other five members agreed to go. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were unwilling to spend their entire lives in the Heaven Dou Empire and wanted to take a chance to change their fate. Tai Long and Bai Shanxiang, being loyal to Tang San, would follow him no matter what. As for Oscar, after contemplating for a long time, he also decided to join the trip, hoping that the trials on Sea God Island might bring a turning point for food-type spirit masters.

Yang Podi, on the other hand, paid little attention to external affairs and focused solely on his cultivation. Danger could come at any time, and Yang Podi was especially cautious as he awaited Spirit Hall's next move.

Regarding Bibi Dong, Yang Podi still held deep apprehension. Theoretically, Bibi Dong was the closest to becoming a god. Currently, only she and Yang Tianyue were true Divine Trial candidates. If she were to go all out and start hunting spirit rings, who knows how quickly she could ascend to godhood?

It's worth mentioning that in the original story, Sea God, Angel God, and Rakshasa God all had unique circumstances. Unlike Tang San and Qian Renxue, who received tremendous help from their godly trials, Rakshasa God gave Bibi Dong no assistance at all. She became a god purely through her own efforts.

This reveals that, in terms of talent, Bibi Dong might even surpass Tang San and Qian Renxue.

One day, after finishing his cultivation, Yang Podi intended to talk to Ye Lingling about Ye Renxin's situation. Now that Heavenly Academy was at odds with Clear Sky Clan, Ye Renxin's presence in Heaven Dou City might pose a danger. The people of Clear Sky Clan were reckless and vindictive; after suffering such a major defeat, who knows what desperate measures they might take?

To his surprise, he saw several girls cultivating together, including Ning Rongrong among them.

Yang Podi couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Rongrong, I remember that Sect Master Ning and Sword Douluo have already left. Why are you still here?"

Ning Rongrong, appearing to have regained her mischievous, spirited demeanor, replied, "My dad and Grandpa Sword have already gone. I'm just staying here to hang out with Lingling and Yan Yan. It doesn't interfere with their cultivation."

Yang Podi frowned and asked suspiciously, "Doesn't Sect Master Ning or Sword Douluo worry about your safety?"

Ning Rongrong snorted in disdain, "What place in the world is safer than Heavenly Academy? Right now, I'm just an ordinary student here."

Internally, Yang Podi scoffed: Who allowed this little troublemaker to stay at Heavenly Academy? And besides, what 'ordinary student' lives at the mountaintop quarters?

But after noticing the expressions of Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and Yang Tianyue nearby, Yang Podi decided not to say more.

He quickly sought out his grandfather, Yang Wudi, only to find him just as conflicted. "During the battle with Clear Sky Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect provided considerable assistance. Without them, we'd have lost many clan members. Now that Sect Master Ning has asked for this favor, it's hard to refuse," Yang Wudi explained.

"Besides, she's just a little girl. She shouldn't cause any problems."

Yang Podi was incredulous. "Grandfather, is she an ordinary little girl? She's the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's heiress! Since we've distanced ourselves from the sect, shouldn't we avoid unnecessary entanglements? What if this leads to a conflict with Spirit Hall?"

Yang Wudi deliberated for a long time before finally responding, "The real reason is that the four girls get along well together. Even Tianyue and Yan Yan came to ask me to let her stay."

Yang Podi was speechless: …