Douluo Continent: Long Live the Spirit Hall

The chubby Tuoba Hong, who was eating with his mouth full of grease, looked up when he heard the voice, still looking rather confused. "Ah, boss, academy, what academy?"

"Aren't you still a student at the Advanced Soul Master Academy? Have you graduated?"

Yan was speechless. This underling was incredibly stupid and a real jerk. He didn't know how to cooperate at all. Yan really wanted to chop him up with an axe.

"The advanced academy... I haven't been there in ages. The mimicry training there is too basic. The teachers don't even know as much as you, boss. I mostly train in the Elder Hall's training room now, and I rarely go back. Uh..."

The chubby boy let out a burp as he spoke, clearly feeling quite full. However, when Yan asked him about something, he thought back carefully and finally found something. "Boss, it seems there really is something."

"Isn't the third All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament just a few months away? I've heard that this year's academy teams are a bit weak, and their chances of winning seem slim."

"This year's teams are relatively weak. What's going on? Tell me about it."

Yan recalled the situation of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. This was an event that the former Pope Qian Xunji started during his lifetime, and it was considered a top-level competition that influenced the entire younger generation of the continent.

The two great empires and the Spirit Hall of Douluo Continent joined forces with various advanced spirit master academies to host a continent-wide tournament. All participating academies were advanced spirit master academies certified by the two great empires or the Spirit Hall; those not certified were not qualified at all.

In the original story, Shrek Academy was a lousy academy, not even a mid-level academy, and had no qualifications to run a school. It was only after obtaining the qualification of Blue Tyrant Academy that it was able to step onto that stage.

If Yan remembers correctly, this tournament was held four times during the first season of Douluo Continent, with the Spirit Hall team winning twice. According to the chubby boy, the Spirit Hall team won the previous two tournaments, but this year's team is weaker, making it difficult to defend their title, resulting in morale issues and a poor situation.

After listening to Tuoba Hong recount the whole story, Yan thought for a moment and then turned to Bibi Dong to ask, "The Spirit Hall should know about what happened at the academy, right?"

"I do know something about this. There aren't many talented players in this generation of teams. In order to stop the Spirit Hall from winning the championship again, both the Heaven Dou and Star Luo royal academy teams have sent extremely strong elite teams, especially the Star Luo Royal Team."

Bibi Dong nodded upon hearing this, and then said calmly, "But this is not a big deal. If the academy's team members are not up to the task, we can just replace them."

I plan to have Xue'er go there after she emerges from seclusion. With her strength, the academy teams from the two great empires have no chance of winning.”

"Isn't this a bit unfair?"

Yan's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this. He had forgotten that although Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue in this world still had a somewhat tense relationship, they could at least talk to each other. The latter would also consider the overall situation and would probably be willing to represent the Spirit Hall in the battle.

This is too much of a bullying tactic. Qian Renxue is a six-ring Soul Emperor, whose combat power is higher than that of a typical power-attack type Soul Saint.

If she were to go to the Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, it wouldn't just be frying fish; it would blow up the entire fishpond, causing the young powerhouses of the two great empires to despair.

"Xue'er is only in her early twenties."

Bibi Dong wasn't embarrassed at all. She took a bite of the dessert, struck a pose like a little girl, and playfully replied to Yan.

"Well... let me think about it. I also need to consider whether Sister Xue'er has time."

Yan didn't know what to say. The Bibi Dong in front of him was still the Pope he knew. She was acting like a girl, acting coquettishly, and also like a witch, trying to trick people. This must be an illusion.

The conversation stalled, so Yan could only eat in silence. Of the four people at the table, apart from the chubby boy, the other three were somewhat distracted. Fortunately, nothing came of it and a dramatic scene ensued. The meal ended in this strange atmosphere.

Chapter 177 A Natural Success

"Sister Liya, I also brought you a gift this time. I hope you will like it."

Liya was enjoying the gentle warmth in Yan's arms when she heard this. She looked up in surprise, then shook her head. "Little Yan, today's Source of Life is already very precious. No need for any other gifts."

"This item was originally prepared for you. You obtained the Emerald Swan's soul ring and soul bone, which gives you the highest affinity with the life element."

As Yan spoke, he raised his hand, and a flash of light appeared in the soul tool beside him. A green leaf appeared in his palm, as translucent as jade, with an emerald luster, and an immense life force that was even more concentrated than the source of life.

"It is called the Core of Life, a token of a special race called the Forest Fairy. I gained their friendship and received this gift."

Yan placed the leaf in front of Liya and then explained its origin and function to her, "The Core of Life contains extremely pure life energy. Sister Liya, if you carry it with you, it will have the effect of prolonging life."

If you are injured, simply place it on the wound, and it will help you heal quickly with minimal side effects.

"Xiao Yan, this is too precious. I'm not in any danger in Wuhun City, but you're always traveling around. You should keep it for yourself."

Upon hearing that the Core of Life had such effects, Liya was naturally unwilling to accept it and repeatedly shook her head, indicating that Yan should take the item back.

"Sister Liya, you know I like you. You promised to help me take care of Xiao Xiaoyan in the future, so you can't go back on your word."

Yan spoke softly and continued to explain, "Sister Liya, you should understand that a treasure can only play its greatest role when it is in the right person."

Of all the people I know, only you possess healing skills with life attributes, so this life-attribute treasure is naturally for you. Besides, I don't need it anymore. It's useless to me; you'll see."

As Yan spoke, he stretched out his left hand, and then the fingertips of his right hand flashed with golden light. He gently drew a line on his left hand, and instantly, a red line appeared in his palm.

However, something surprising happened to Liya. Before the bright red blood had even left the wound, wisps of flame ignited at the wound site, and then it healed rapidly in her astonished gaze.

Yan explained calmly, "This time when I broke through to the Soul King realm, not only did my strength increase significantly, but I also gained some special abilities. This elemental body allows me to be immune to a lot of physical damage, and even if I get injured, I can heal quickly."

With my current regenerative abilities, the healing effects of this Core of Life are useless against me. Even if I were to suffer a fatal injury, it wouldn't be able to help me…”

"Xiao Yan, you're not allowed to talk nonsense."

Before he could finish speaking, Liya suddenly turned around and covered his mouth with her hand.

"Let me put it on for you myself, Sister Liya."

This time, Liya didn't refuse. Yan's palm touched her skin, and a faint blush appeared on her face. There was a bright green thread on the Core of Life. Yan gently unfolded the thread and then hung the Core of Life around Liya's beautiful and slender neck.

"Sister Liya is so beautiful."

Yan exclaimed in admiration again, while Liya, who was wrapped in a towel in the bath, lowered her head shyly. Perhaps sensing that Yan's gaze was becoming increasingly intense, she was about to get up, feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

"Xiao Yan, I... I'll go back and rest now."

Liya whispered, then prepared to leave the bath, but before she could even stand up properly, an arm reached out and picked her up.

……

Early in the morning, while Yan was doing his morning exercise in the courtyard of the small building, Liya was fast asleep in bed. Mainly because her mischievous younger brother had done some naughty things half the night before, and the gentle older sister, who only knew how to cooperate and not how to refuse, couldn't resist.

"Boss, Boss Yan."

As Yan was warming up, he heard the chubby Tuoba Hong calling from outside the courtyard. Looking out through the fence, he could see a plump figure jogging over.

"You've arrived."

Yan twisted his head and loosened his muscles. Looking at the ruddy-faced Tuoba Hong in front of him, he thought that although this subordinate could be a bit unreliable at times, he could basically carry out the orders given to him meticulously, which was good.

It's not that I'm afraid of teammates who are uneducated or lack talent, it's that I'm afraid of teammates who are idiots who deceive their superiors. Those kinds of guys who never listen will drag you down even if you're a god-like teammate. Fortunately, so far he's encountered mostly decent teammates. The fat guy in front of him is just lazy and needs to be pushed.

"Boss, what kind of special training are we going to do today?"

Tuoba Hong ran up to Yan and said expectantly, "Over the years, Yan has designed a lot of training for him, and every single one of them has been very effective."

His innate soul power and talent were not outstanding among his peers, and he also had a bunch of bad habits such as being lazy and gluttonous. However, during training, he basically completed all of them because of the encouragement he received, and the results were quite pleasing.

Because of the obvious results and significant improvement in strength, which meant that every effort would be rewarded, he naturally trusted his boss even more.

At the end of yesterday's meal, Yan told him to have his clan collect some things after he returned, saying he was going to give him special training. Who could refuse to improve their strength? He also had a dream of suppressing his peers, so he started preparing after returning home, and came over early this morning.

"Let's go to the Papal Palace first. We'll run there, is that alright?"

Yan glanced indifferently at the fatso. He had tricked him yesterday, and if he didn't increase the training for him today, the boss would be irresponsible.

"No, boss, wait for me..."

As soon as Yan finished speaking, he started running. Tuoba Hong had no chance to refuse and could only follow with his short, fat legs. He was not good at speed and could only barely keep up with Yan's pace with all his might.

Unfortunately, Yan would suddenly accelerate every now and then during the run, making it even more difficult for him who was already gritting his teeth and trying his best. By the time he had run through half of the southern part of Wuhun City and reached the city center, he was covered in sweat and panting heavily.

"Fatty, you're a bit weak. You can't even handle this little bit of exercise? What will you do when you meet a girl you like...?"

Yan walked up to Tuoba Hong, looked him up and down with a malicious gaze, and said something that made the chubby boy in front of him blush instantly.

"Boss, I didn't, you can't do this..."

"If not, then follow along."

Before the chubby boy could finish his boastful words, Yan stepped onto the steps leading to the Papal Palace and continued walking forward. The hill where the Papal Palace was located was not high, and it was nothing in the past, but at this moment, in Tuoba Hong's eyes, it was as high as a mountain that was difficult to climb.

However, the fat man showed remarkable resilience at this moment. Instead of yelling that he couldn't go on and stopping, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and gritted his teeth to keep up with Yan's pace.

Halfway up the mountain to the Papal Palace, at the entrance directly opposite the steps, Bibi Dong looked down and handed Yan a clean towel as he climbed the last step.

"I never expected that this gluttonous and lazy little guy would have such resilience."

Bibi Dong looked at Tuoba Hong, who was running towards her from below, and was quite surprised. After glancing at him, she said, "But Xiao Yan, aren't you just torturing him by doing this?"

"Uh, I'm doing this for his own good."

Yan was speechless for a moment. Could he really say something like that directly? But he was quick-witted. "However, it's true that everyone has their own unique strengths. But those who are obsessed with certain things and live only in their own world are an exception."

"Boss, I, I, I'm up here."

While Yan was talking to Bibi Dong, Tuoba Hong, covered in sweat, finally ran up. He was soaked to the bone as if he had been pulled out of the water. He was extremely uncomfortable and exhausted, but his spirits were completely awake.

"Good, let's have breakfast and rest for a while, then we'll continue with the second round of training."

Yan nodded to the chubby boy, and then a priest from the Spirit Hall stepped forward to treat the boy and provide him with food.

On the platform square in front of the Papal Palace, Yan took the milk and breakfast handed to him by Bibi Dong, ate quickly, and then asked, "Teacher, the White Armored Earth Dragon Clan should have already delivered the necessary items, right?"

"Ah."

Bibi Dong took the empty cup from Yan's hand, then gently and carefully wiped the corner of his mouth. After doing this, she continued, her tone quite puzzled, "But why did you have them prepare so much yellow crystal sand?"

"I'm going to test the effect and see if certain treasures can be cultivated to the extreme attributes from time to time in this world."

Yan glanced at the chubby boy behind her, who was engaged in a lively fight with a group of priests and nuns, and a rather eerie smile appeared on his lips. Bibi Dong didn't ask any further questions, but her eyes were also full of curiosity.

The priests of the Spirit Hall are mostly support and healing-type Soul Masters. However, due to someone's wicked taste, the current church priests are mostly gentle and beautiful girls. Tuoba Hong, this chubby boy, had never experienced such a scene before, so he quickly put on a lecherous face.

"Have you rested enough? Come over when you're ready."

Yan watched Tuoba Hong's performance from the side and shook his head repeatedly. This shameful fellow was supposed to be his underling? It was truly...

"Boss, I'm here, I'm here."

Tuoba Hong ran over amidst the laughter of a group of girls, his embarrassed appearance truly reminiscent of certain unpleasant scenes of youth; who hasn't been naive in their past? Of course, Yan dared to say that he absolutely hadn't, not in this lifetime, and as for his past life, who knows?

"Boss, what does this have to do with training?"

The back mountain of the Spirit Hall is a sand dune area with soft soil suitable for digging and filling pits. When he arrived here, Tuoba Hong subconsciously shivered and had an ominous premonition, so he quietly asked Yan.

Isn't this it?

Yan pointed to the uneven, yellowish-brown sand in front of him, and then said to Tuoba Hong, "Your elemental control has significant problems in the details. I need you to do better."

"Boss, you're not asking me to dig a hole, are you?"

Tuoba Hong looked at the uneven ground and, recalling some things Yan had said to him before, couldn't help but swallow.

Chapter 178 Burying Little Fatty Alive