Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 26 Purpose
As the sun set, a day of combat training came to a close. The Imperial Dou people's impression of Shrek had changed—at least in Yu Tianheng's opinion, this group was far superior to the dandy young men of the Tiandou Royal Academy's second team. Especially when Yu Xiaogang introduced Oscar, this innately full-strength food-type spirit master truly earned Flender's respect.

Everyone was bathed in the golden afterglow and preparing to disperse. Ma Hongjun sneakily nudged Dai Mubai with his elbow and winked at him. However, Dai Mubai pushed his arm away with a stern face, pretending not to notice.

"In the entire Soto City, you, Master Dai, are the most extravagant." Ma Hongjun muttered to himself, but his eyes were suddenly drawn to a scene not far away. Feng Yao's slender fingers were still moving across the strings, as if isolated from the outside world. Ma Hongjun couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Oh my god, he can't really be playing here all day, right?"

"That's right, a full six hours, excluding meals." Flanders appeared behind him at some point, his eyes narrowed behind his glasses. "If you had half his focus, you would have broken through to level 30 long ago."

Ma Hongjun immediately put on a flattering smile: "Teacher, you are right." Seeing his disciple's look, Flanders couldn't bear to criticize him any more.

Sensing that the time was almost up, Feng Yao stopped as usual.

The students scattered across the playground gathered in groups of two or three to chat. Flanders pushed his glasses up as he watched the scene. Thinking of Yu Xiaogang's words that day, a look of disappointment crossed his face. He feared he would never see such a scene again. Then, Flanders waved to Dai Mubai.

"Mubai, take the Royal Fighting Team students to the cafeteria. We'll have an extra meal tonight." Flender said, then turned to Yu Tianheng and the others. "You've worked hard in training. I hope Shrek's simple meals won't disappoint you."

Dai Mubai nodded, walked to the front of the Royal Fighting Team, and made a gesture of invitation: "Everyone, please come this way."

Yu Tianheng clasped his fists in return. Feng Yao also came over, holding his zither and bowing. "Excuse me." The tassels on his zither case swayed slightly with his movements, and a wisp of pine fragrance wafted through his whispers to Dugu Yan. "How do you feel?"

"It's more interesting than I expected." Dugu Yan tangled her hair with her fingertips. "It's that master. He's too obsessed with the team members' coordination, even nitpicking."

Feng Yao nodded and pretended to be surprised, "Really?"

Ma Hongjun, who was walking at the back of the team, came over immediately after hearing this and said, "Of course! Although our Shrek is a small place, we train elites! Of course we have to be picky." As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling in the team.

Before Dugu Yan could roll her eyes or show disgust, Dai Mubai grabbed Ma Hongjun by the back of his collar and pulled him back to his side: "Don't embarrass yourself."

Ma Hongjun struggled slightly and curled his lips, muttering something under his breath.

Everyone soon arrived at the simple cafeteria. Dai Mubai looked at the people in the Royal Fighting Hall and said, "Everyone, I will arrange accommodation for you after dinner. Shrek's conditions are limited, so please forgive me."

"You're welcome." Yu Tianheng responded politely.

Enticing aromas wafted from the cafeteria. Though Shrek's cafeteria was simple, it was evident that tonight's meal was exceptionally sumptuous. The long table was filled with a variety of dishes, and in the center even a golden roasted whole lamb.

"Wow!" Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up and he immediately rushed in. "I'm in for a treat today!"

Dai Mubai shook his head helplessly and explained to the Royal Fighters, "It's not usually this sumptuous. Today I prepared it especially for you."

Feng Yao smiled slightly: "It seems we have arrived at the right time."

After three rounds of drinks, Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng's conversation suddenly paused subtly. "You and Dugu Yan work well together. Are you..." the blond youth asked as he cut into the barbecue, only to see the other person shake his head and smile wryly, "It's not what you think." Not far away, Ma Hongjun was enthusiastically recommending braised pork to Ye Lingling, but the young woman simply pursed her lips, like a snow lotus untouched by dust.

Dinner was proceeding in a pleasant atmosphere. When the last dessert was served, Flanders stood up and cleared his throat. "Everyone, welcome to the Royal Fighting Team. I hope that these few days of communication will be helpful to both sides."

Everyone applauded, and Qin Ming stood up on behalf of the Royal Fighting Team to express his gratitude: "Thank you for Shrek Academy's warm hospitality. We have benefited greatly from it."

Moonlight had crept up the window lattice. Qin Ming's return toast made a crisp clinking sound, reflecting the various expressions on everyone's faces.

After dinner, Dai Mubai led the Royal Fighting Team to the dormitory area. Shrek's dormitory was a few rows of simple wooden houses. Although not luxurious, they were clean and tidy.

When leading the way to the dormitory, Dai Mubai pointed to the most secluded wooden house and said, "Brother Feng Yao lives alone here, so playing the piano won't disturb others."

"Thank you." Feng Yao said with a smile.

"Yu Tianheng, you and Osro will live in this room; Yufeng and the Shi brothers will live next door; Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling will live in the innermost room, which is quieter." Dai Mubai arranged them one by one.

"Thank you." Dugu Yan nodded slightly.

Ye Lingling stood behind her, her eyes sweeping across the surroundings as she softly said, "It's much better than I imagined."

Dai Mubai smiled and said, "Although Shrek is simple, it has everything you need. The hot water is ready, everyone can wash up and rest. Meet at the training ground at 7 o'clock tomorrow morning. I won't disturb your rest."

As the night deepened, only a single, dim oil lamp flickered in the wooden house. Feng Yao sat cross-legged, the "Fuxi" instrument resting horizontally across his knees, his fingertips gently stroking the strings of the zither, but without plucking them. His gaze fell on a crystal-clear jade box on the table. Inside, a herb lay emerald green. Strangely, in its center, three snow-white leaves lay, each containing a few drops of water, like lingering dewdrops from the morning, emitting faint fluctuations of soul energy.

Feng Yao originally planned to absorb the two immortal products and then calm down for a while, then return to the academy to consider absorbing the next immortal product, but Yu Xiaogang's exchange and learning disrupted Feng Yao's plan. But it was also a good thing, there was something he had to try, which was why he took the risk to absorb the Wangchuanqiushui Dew in Shrek.

"Looking forward to it... I don't know if it can make me reach that level..." Feng Yao said secretly in his heart.

Feng Yao took a deep breath and carefully removed the Longing Dew from the box. Under his control, the dewdrop slowly slid down and landed in his mouth, like a star falling into the deep sea. He closed his eyes and concentrated, his soul power flowing, and his palms heated slightly. In an instant, the dewdrop transformed into a wisp of cold current, and a sense of coldness exploded in his mind.

Instantly, he shuddered, as if he were in a icy abyss, the chill biting yet strangely clear. His mental power, as if manipulated by an invisible hand, suddenly widened his vision—even with his eyes closed, he could "see" the night wind sweeping through the grass outside, the faint fluctuations of the spirit power of the spirit masters in the distant dormitories, and even... those subtle yet powerful auras deep within Shrek Academy. "My mental power has greatly increased..." Feng Yao's heart trembled slightly, his mental perception amplified several times. However, just as he was immersed in this wonderful state, he regained consciousness and discovered that his mental power was slightly out of control.

"Oh no... If this goes on, and my mental power continues to spread, my spiritual sea will collapse before my body!" Feng Yao gritted his teeth and growled, suddenly plucking the strings of the zither. A clear sound of the zither echoed in the house, and the sound waves spread like ripples, actually forcibly gathering some of the out-of-control mental power.

An unknown amount of time passed, his robes soaked with sweat, and Feng Yao's breathing gradually steadied. He slowly opened his eyes, a faint blue light flashing before fading. He looked down at his palms, where a faint trace of water remained on his skin, yet his mental strength was more concentrated than before.

"This Longing Autumn Water Dew is indeed extraordinary, but... absorbing it hastily without experience using mental power is still somewhat dangerous." Feng Yao thought to himself, turning his gaze to the window. The night was deep, the stars were shining, and the faint chirping of insects could be heard in the distance.

Thinking of this, Feng Yao no longer hesitated. He put the "Fuxi" guqin in his arms, sat cross-legged, and soon entered a state of meditation.

The next morning, just as the first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, Feng Yao woke naturally. Without even bothering to wash up, he eagerly took out his guqin and lightly touched the strings with his fingertips. "Let's try this idea," he muttered to himself.

As the melodious zither music flowed, Feng Yao slowly closed his eyes, his powerful mental energy spreading out like ripples. Wherever the zither music reached, the subtle fluctuations of soul power in the air, the rhythm of growing plants, and even the breathing rhythm of the students in the distance were all clearly reflected in his perception.

"As expected!" Feng Yao suddenly opened his eyes, a gleam of light in them. Using music as a medium, combined with his spiritual perception, he could actually discern so many mysteries that ordinary people couldn't perceive. This discovery delighted him immensely.

Thinking of this, Feng Yao couldn't wait to pick up "Fuxi" and walked towards the cafeteria following the fragrance.

Stepping into the cafeteria, Feng Yao couldn't help but smile when he saw a wide variety of exquisite pastries and snacks - it seemed that Dean Flanders had really invested a lot of money.

At this moment, a dark figure quietly approached. "Good morning, Miss Zhuqing," Feng Yao greeted with a smile.

"Good morning." Zhu Zhuqing responded briefly, her voice as cold as frost.

The two of them had breakfast quietly. Not long after, Huang Dou and the Shrek group arrived one after another, and the originally quiet cafeteria suddenly became lively.

When Xiao Wu appeared, supporting Tang San, Feng Yao immediately stood up to greet them. As the two approached, he bowed solemnly, "Tang, I apologize for any offense we caused in the fighting arena the other day."

Tang San looked at the gentle young man in front of him with a complicated expression. Thinking of his teacher's teachings last night, his heart couldn't help but waver - maybe he really took the wrong path?
Feng Yao considerately pulled out a chair for Tang San, his every move displaying aristocratic grace. Even Xiao Wu's hostility faded somewhat upon seeing this.

During the banquet, Feng Yao ate calmly, his mind clear as a mirror: at this moment, he was not only right, but also polite. Even someone as eccentric as Dugu Bo, or Tang Hao who might be observing secretly, could not find any fault with him.

Etiquette is a set of rules, and rules can both restrain oneself and check opponents. As long as Tang Hao still uses the name "Haotian", he must care about the glory of the sect - being called a martial soul is the highest honor in the sect.

Dugu Yan looked at Feng Yao thoughtfully, a knowing smile curling up at the corner of her lips. Her intuition was almost certain: Feng Yao's real target on this trip was Tang San.

Soon, Yu Xiaogang and the Shrek teachers arrived at the cafeteria. Seeing the sumptuous meal on the table, they rubbed their eyes. Just as they were about to ask, Flanders coughed softly, interrupting them. The teachers suddenly realized what was going on and exchanged glances.

After breakfast, the assembly bell rang on time. Everyone gathered in the playground. Yu Xiaogang walked over to Feng Yao and said gently, "We are about to start practical training. Feng, I'll leave Xiao San in your care."

"It's my job." Feng Yao bowed slightly with a humble smile.

Yu Xiaogang nodded with satisfaction. As his eyes swept over Tang San, he thought to himself, "A blessing in disguise. If Shrek can truly be incorporated into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, there will be many more opportunities like this."

Feng Yao brought Tang San to the secluded place where he played the piano yesterday. The mottled sunlight under the ancient tree sprinkled on their shoulders.

"Classmate Feng, can we chat before practicing?" Tang San's voice was a little hesitant.

Feng Yao was slightly surprised, then nodded gently: "Of course, communication and exchange is the purpose of this trip."

Tang San was silent for a moment, then finally asked the question that confused him: "In your opinion, are hidden weapons really useless?"

"So your Dao heart is unstable and you're doubting life." Feng Yao understood, still smiling faintly. "Tang, the name of this hidden weapon is well chosen. Although the method is exquisite, it is still..." He casually picked up a pebble, "It's just a method after all."

With a slight exhalation of soul power, the stone flew through the air like a meteor and embedded itself deeply in a tree trunk ten feet away.

"The skills can be practiced at any time, but the spirit master's training." Feng Yao turned and looked directly at Tang San, his eyes as sharp as a torch. "The golden period is only a short ten years. Brother Tang is greedy and wants to be perfect, but he has lost sight of the main goal."

Feng Yao's fingertips gently stroked the strings of the zither, and he continued, "With a strong soul power as a foundation, supplemented by Tang's exquisite technique, why worry about not being able to defeat the enemy with one strike?" The zither paused slightly. "Besides, with Tang's hidden weapon skills, a moving target is nothing to worry about. Why does he have to stick to the control system of Blue Silver Grass?"

Tang San was also lost in thought at this time. What Feng Yao said was indeed very reasonable. So what direction should he develop in?

"Then, according to Mr. Feng, what should I do? A spirit like Blue Silver Grass seems to have no other use except to control it."

Feng Yao shook his head and chuckled. "In my opinion, Tang is more suited to the extreme path than I am." He pointed to the towering ancient trees in the distance. "Most plant-type soul beasts have tremendous soul power. If Ye Tang and I were on the same development path, combined with the advantages of hidden weapons, the outcome is still uncertain."

Changing the subject, "This method, relying solely on the advantages of hidden weapons, will harm Tang's reputation. It's best to use it sparingly unless absolutely necessary. With a strong soul force, the Blue Silver Grass can unleash its most fundamental characteristic, which is its incomparably powerful vitality. Tang, you need to understand—" He looked at Tang San meaningfully, "What suits you is the best. Now that you've finalized your plan, the path Master has mapped out for you is a wise choice."

The blueprint drawn by Feng Yao appeared in Tang San's mind. For a moment, he not only began to doubt himself, but even began to doubt his own teacher.
(End of this chapter)