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Chapter 131: Training in Sunset Forest
🕑 Added 2024-12-25 17:57:53 +0000 UTCYang Podi looked at Xue Qinghe's elegant face and said, "Your Highness, you wouldn't have called me over just for this, would you? In that case, thank you for your concern for the second team."
"Not at all. Mainly, Master Yu Xiaogang, the leader of the first team, has something he'd like to discuss with you."
Yang Podi glanced at Yu Xiaogang with some curiosity. "Master Yu Xiaogang, may I know what you wish to discuss with me?"
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang seemed full of spring-like cheer and confidence. "Student Yang Podi, your second team seems to be experiencing a decline in strength. How about merging the first and second teams? Don't worry; you can still remain the captain."
Yang Podi looked at Yu Xiaogang speechlessly. "Master Yu Xiaogang, I apologize, but I have great confidence in the second team. There's no need to merge with the first team."
The smile on Yu Xiaogang's face immediately began to fade. "Your second team has several Soul Elders, and you won't achieve anything noteworthy anyway. Why not let them join the first team instead? This way, our strength will be greater, and I might even have confidence in winning the championship."
Yang Podi stared at Yu Xiaogang silently, thinking, This guy must be delusional. Even with a full lineup of Soul Ancestors, where does his confidence come from?
"Master Yu Xiaogang, there's no need. As I mentioned last time, the matters of the second team are up to me."
"You're being unreasonable! Haven't you considered the bigger picture?"
Yang Podi simply smiled. "Master Yu Xiaogang, if you truly want this, you can personally try to recruit my team members. See if they're willing to join the first team."
"Moreover, if you intend to poach my team's members, you'd better notify the three instructors of the second team first. Otherwise, I fear something unpleasant might happen."
Before Yu Xiaogang could respond, Liu Erlong spoke up from the side, "Kid, what do you mean by that? It's just poaching a few members. What could possibly happen? Besides, it's for their own good."
Ignoring Liu Erlong's comment, Yang Podi turned to look at the three Education Committee members.
Meng Shenji, one of the Education Committee members, finally spoke, "Master Yu Xiaogang, please proceed cautiously. If severe consequences arise, we won't be able to stop them. Currently, the second team's leader is Yang Podi, and they recently added two vice-captains: Teacher Li Xiang from Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. So, unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to poach anyone from the second team."
The room fell silent upon hearing this. Nobody had expected Yang Podi to bring in the old monster Dugu Bo to the second team. Xue Qinghe, on the other hand, wore an amused expression, as if mocking someone.
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened further. Dugu Bo was known for his erratic behavior and ruthlessness, especially his mastery of poison, which even the top three sects feared. He dared not approach Dugu Bo for anything.
However, Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment and spoke again, "Student Yang Podi, could we perhaps exchange roles for the first and second teams? Let the first team participate in the qualifiers and the second team go directly to the finals."
Yang Podi looked at Yu Xiaogang in disbelief. "Master Yu Xiaogang, do you know why I specifically chose the second team's slot instead of the first team's slot back then?"
"You wanted to use the qualifiers to hone the second team? You thought this far ahead?"
Ning Fengzhi, observing Yu Xiaogang's embarrassment, tried to mediate. "Student Yang Podi, I've heard about the internal conflicts among the single-attribute clans. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is willing to help mediate these disputes."
Yang Podi looked at Ning Fengzhi, the old fox, and replied, "Thank you, Sect Master Ning. However, there's a saying: 'If paths differ, they cannot work together.' The single-attribute clans merely share good relations. Each clan has its own development goals and doesn't need to forcibly unite. It wouldn't benefit anyone."
"But you've only been able to face enemies and develop together by working as one for so many years," Ning Fengzhi countered.
Yang Podi shook his head. "The Breaking Clan thrives on self-reliance. We don't want to depend on anyone, let alone act as anyone's dog."
After bowing to everyone, Yang Podi left without a second thought, unwilling to deal with the crowd of scheming individuals.
Lately, Yang Podi had heard that Yu Xiaogang had altered the first team's training regimen, essentially copying the second team's methods. He even increased the intensity for all members, seemingly to compete with the second team.
Yang Podi found this ridiculous. Though Yu Xiaogang carried the title of "Master," this so-called expertise seemed hollow. Blindly mimicking the second team's training without understanding it? Did he not fear ruining his team? If Yu Tianheng and Ning Rongrong ended up harmed, the situation would get very interesting.
Five days later, the group set off by carriage for training in the Sunset Forest.
For this training session, Yang Podi made ample preparations. Poison Douluo Dugu Bo and Yang Wuju were secretly assigned to protect them, and supplies were well-stocked.
The Sunset Forest, rich in soul beasts, even had many ten-thousand-year beasts. It was ideal for cultivating teamwork, testing responses to danger, and training combat skills against powerful soul beasts.
This was especially important for Yang Tianyue, a twelve-year-old girl with limited life and combat experience.
Yang Podi demanded that when encountering soul beasts under thirty thousand years, the group must fight together and avoid showing fear or fleeing.
Nighttime in the Sunset Forest was even more perilous, filled with hidden dangers. These harsh conditions were especially grueling for the team.
In just over ten days, everyone had grown visibly thinner. The initial excitement of entering the forest had long since vanished, replaced by vigilant gazes.
When the team first encountered a ten-thousand-year soul beast, Yang Podi refrained from intervening, leaving it to the seven members to handle.
At first, their lack of coordination was glaring, with a disorganized formation and no clear strategy. Some girls even turned to flee, shedding their previous confidence.
After each battle, Yang Podi would analyze their performance, discussing strategies and long-term combat plans.
Time flew by, and six months passed. The team underwent a remarkable transformation.
The once-immature group had shed their naivety. Having repeatedly faced bloodshed and fought soul beasts, their combat abilities improved significantly.
Now, with their teamwork, they could confront a twenty-thousand-year soul beast, possibly even driving it away.
Yang Tianyue, in particular, had grown rapidly. Although still a Soul Elder, her combat prowess rivaled that of an average Soul Ancestors.
After six months of training, the team's synchronization was seamless. Yang Podi believed they could achieve at least a top-three finish in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
When they finally left the Sunset Forest, their eyes gleamed with ferocity, like wild beasts.
While the second team trained in the Sunset Forest, problems arose within the first team.
Long-term overtraining, coupled with mere basic medicinal baths, had left many members with hidden injuries despite their apparent rapid soul power growth.
This was less of an issue for beast spirit masters but posed significant risks for tool spirit masters and auxiliary spirit masters.
The first to notice something amiss was Ning Rongrong. Though resilient, she felt increasingly unwell after overtraining, her constitution seemingly deteriorating.
When Ning Rongrong returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo personally examined her. They discovered numerous hidden injuries.
Alarmed, Ning Fengzhi investigated further, finding that these injuries resulted from prolonged overtraining and insufficient recovery measures.
He silently cursed Yu Xiaogang, disappointed in the so-called "Master's" incompetence.
Bone Douluo was perplexed. "Fengzhi, Yu Xiaogang's methods mimic the second team's training. Why is the second team unharmed after such rigorous training?"
After some thought, Ning Fengzhi replied, "The second team likely has a method to counteract the effects of overtraining. Yang Podi must be using a specialized medicinal bath formula from the Breaking Clan."
Bone Douluo was furious. "I'll confront Yu Xiaogang and Yang Podi. They've harmed Rongrong!"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Yu Xiaogang is the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patriarch. Confronting him risks damaging our alliance with their clan.
"As for Yang Podi, this has nothing to do with him. The training regimen was designed for his team. Yu Xiaogang merely copied it poorly."
Bone Douluo remained concerned. "What should we do now? Rongrong's injuries can't be ignored."
Ning Fengzhi decided, "I'll take Rongrong to Heaven Dou City to seek treatment from Elder Ye Renxin. Additionally, I'll arrange for Rongrong to join the second team for training. It will be better for her development."
Bone Douluo hesitated. "Fengzhi, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San seem unreliable. Why do you support them?"
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "You're right. The so-called theories Yu Xiaogang promotes are redundant for established clans.
"As for Tang San, while our clan has supported him, he's only interested in profiting from us, showing no willingness to reciprocate.
"However, Tang San is backed by the Clear Sky Clan, and Yu Xiaogang by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. To counter Spirit Hall, we must align with them. As an auxiliary clan, we cannot afford to act alone."
