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Chapter 125: Trouble Comes
🕑 Added 2024-12-25 17:54:00 +0000 UTCThis morning, while Yang Podi was meditating in his dormitory, the academy suddenly sent someone to inform him that His Highness the Crown Prince had summoned him.
After thinking it over, Yang Podi believed the Crown Prince's summons might be related to recent events outside. Deciding to see the Crown Prince to understand his attitude, he left for the meeting.
Upon arriving at the Academic Committee Building, Yang Podi found many people present.
Sitting at the head was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Beside him were Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, Bone Douluo, and Ning Rongrong.
On the left below sat the three academic committee members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. On the right sat Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
Yang Podi was puzzled. Why were all these people gathered here? Judging by the scene, their intentions didn't seem friendly.
Yang Podi saluted them, saying, "Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince, Sect Master Ning, Senior Bone Douluo, and the three committee members!"
As for Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, standing to the side, they were merely a teacher and a student. Yang Podi paid them no mind.
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe nodded with a smile. "Yang Podi, have a seat."
Yang Podi casually found a spot to sit. "Your Highness, may I ask why you summoned me? I've been busy with my cultivation lately."
Xue Qinghe maintained his gentle smile. "Yang Podi, have you heard about the Spirit Hall team?"
"I've heard a little. It's said that Spirit Hall has produced a Golden Generation with formidable strength. But this shouldn't have much to do with us, right?"
Xue Qinghe pondered for a moment before replying, "Recently, Spirit Hall has been in the spotlight, especially with their extensive promotion of the Golden Generation. They are said to be extraordinarily talented. According to our investigations, in next year's Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, Spirit Hall's team will likely field several Spirit Kings, making them exceptionally powerful. Are you prepared for this?"
Yang Podi thought for a moment before responding, "Your Highness, it's just a few Spirit Kings. By next year, our second team should also have two Spirit Kings, so we are not afraid to compete."
Hearing Yang Podi's words, everyone present was shocked. Spirit Kings had appeared in the tournament's history, but usually only one at most. No one had expected the second team to produce two Spirit Kings next year, far exceeding their expectations.
Xue Qinghe shook his head. "Even with two Spirit Kings, it might not be enough. Our information indicates that Spirit Hall's team will have at least two Spirit Kings, possibly even three."
"Your Highness, this can't be helped. The tournament stipulates that all participants must be under 25 years old. Spirit Kings under 25 are extremely rare. I fear that Heaven Dou Empire won't have many Spirit Kings left to rely on."
As Yang Podi stated, the entire Heaven Dou Empire likely wouldn't have more Spirit Kings, and the Star Luo Empire might not have even one.
"This year's tournament finals will be held in Spirit City, and Spirit Hall has offered three top-grade spirit bones as prizes, clearly determined to win. Yang Podi, do you have any thoughts on this?"
Yang Podi smiled faintly and shook his head. "Spirit Hall's offering of three top-grade spirit bones shows their determination to win the championship. Spirit bones are indeed precious, but one must have the strength to claim them."
Xue Qinghe appeared slightly more serious. "Yang Podi, this is Yu Xiaogang, one of the leaders of the first team of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
Yang Podi glanced at Yu Xiaogang with some curiosity. "Greetings, Teacher Yu."
Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly in return.
Xue Qinghe continued, "Teacher Yu has a suggestion: combining the first and second teams of Heaven Dou Academy, selecting all the elite disciples to participate. This would greatly enhance the team's strength and increase the chances of winning the championship."
Yang Podi shook his head. "Your Highness, Teacher Yu's suggestion might be good, but our second team has its arrangements and sees no need to merge with the first team. Every member of the second team has been training diligently for years to achieve great results in the tournament."
Yu Xiaogang suddenly interjected, "Yang Podi, my suggestion is for the team's benefit. Your second team still has two Spirit Elders, while the first team's Yu Tianheng is already a Spirit Ancestor with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, an exceptional martial soul. Additionally, Ning Heng of the first team, with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, will likely reach Spirit Ancestor level before the tournament."
"If the first and second teams were combined, we would have the powerful attack of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and the supreme support of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. With me leading, I'm confident we can defeat Spirit Hall's team."
Yang Podi remained silent for a moment before speaking, "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda are indeed powerful, but our team already has its support system. In terms of attack and defense, we have no issues."
At this point, Ning Fengzhi spoke suddenly, "Yang Podi, our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is the number one support martial soul in the continent. With its support, the team's strength would significantly increase. What do you think?"
Although Ning Fengzhi's words were unexpected, his smile remained gentle, albeit with a hint of authority that left little room for refusal.
Yang Podi reluctantly replied, "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is undeniably the number one support martial soul, and I have never doubted its amplifying effects. Rongrong often plays with our second team, and we share some camaraderie."
"However, I personally believe that coordination among team members is the key to success. Our second team has been training together day and night for six years, achieving a level of synergy that fully unleashes our potential."
Before Ning Fengzhi could respond, Yu Xiaogang interjected again, "There's still a year left before the tournament. If you allow me to train the team, I guarantee I can cultivate a high level of synergy among the members."
Yang Podi remained silent, choosing not to respond to Yu Xiaogang's words, leaving the atmosphere awkwardly quiet.
Seeing that no one was speaking, Yu Xiaogang felt at a loss, as if the others present were deliberately ignoring him.
Finally, Xue Qinghe broke the silence. "Yang Podi, what do you think of Teacher Yu's suggestion? Do you find it inappropriate in any way?"
Yang Podi pondered for a moment before replying, "I don't know how others lead their teams, but my approach differs slightly."
"In my team, I have the final say in everything. No matter who it is, there is no room for dissent. Even our current coach, Li Xiang, at most, gives occasional suggestions. Whether to implement them depends entirely on my judgment."
"My first requirement for all team members is absolute obedience. Whatever I command, they execute without hesitation, even if I order them to their deaths. No one flinches."
"My team members may not have the best talent, and many have average aptitude. But I demand they train to their limits every afternoon. No one dares to slack off, not even my family members."
"For instance, if we win the championship and earn three spirit bones, I would take all three. None of my team members would dare complain."
"Lastly, if my team cannot operate according to my demands, I would rather withdraw from the tournament entirely."
Yang Podi's firm and resolute statement echoed with determination, exuding a defiant spirit.
The room fell silent again as everyone understood Yang Podi's stance. True to the Breaking Clan's nature, he would rather break than bend.
Xue Qinghe couldn't help but praise, "Admirable! Truly admirable! To think you possess such insight at such a young age—it is eye-opening."
Yang Podi shook his head. "It's just a small idea for team-building, Your Highness. You're being too kind."
Ning Fengzhi spoke again, "Your team-building approach is impressive, but sometimes, greater goals must take precedence."
Yang Podi looked at Ning Fengzhi with some confusion. "Sect Master Ning, what greater goals are you referring to? Personally, I believe the current lineup is already optimal. If Sect Master Ning is truly interested, perhaps Rongrong could join our second team, though she might have to serve as a substitute."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "What I meant by greater goals isn't this. I'm referring to the alliance of the Upper Three Sects against Spirit Hall."
Yang Podi sneered inwardly. What do the affairs of the Upper Three Sects have to do with the Breaking Clan? You just want to drag us into your mess.
Yang Podi shook his head. "Sect Master Ning, you must be joking. The main members of the second team come from the Four Single Attribute Clans. As for the Upper Three Sects, their influence far exceeds ours. We are unworthy of such connections."
Yu Xiaogang, seemingly provoked, spoke again. "How could the Breaking Clan have no relation to the Upper Three Sects? Don't forget that you were once a vassal clan of the Clear Sky Sect."
Yang Podi coldly retorted, "Teacher Yu, are you mistaken, or have you forgotten something?"
"Back then, during the Clear Sky Sect's battle, our Breaking Clan was abandoned by the Clear Sky Sect. Over half of our clan perished. At that time, we severed all ties with the Clear Sky Sect."
"For over a decade, our Breaking Clan has recovered its vitality through independent development. Should we now, after one word from the Clear Sky Sect, serve them again?"
"I, Yang Podi, stand proudly as a member of the Breaking Clan. From this day forward, neither I nor my clan will serve anyone else."
Yu Xiaogang, visibly agitated, exclaimed, "The events of the past were the fault of Spirit Hall! Have you forgotten that Spirit Hall killed many members of the Breaking Clan?"
Yang Podi scoffed, "I don't care whose fault it was back then—whether the Clear Sky Sect or Spirit Hall. None of it has anything to do with us now. As for Spirit Hall, my grandfather and my maternal grandfather have already challenged Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. The outcome of that battle will determine everything."
Standing beside him, Tang San quickly held back the agitated Yu Xiaogang, coldly stating, "Yang Podi, I hope you show some respect to my teacher!"
Yang Podi sneered, "From beginning to end, I have not uttered a single disrespectful word to your teacher. Whether it concerns Spirit Hall or the Clear Sky Sect, I will not tolerate interference from outsiders."
Tang San spoke again, "Regarding my teacher's suggestion to form a unified Heaven Dou Academy team, I hope you respect his decision."
Yang Podi, utterly indifferent, ignored Tang San and directly addressed Xue Qinghe. "Your Highness, regarding the second team of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, I hope we can proceed according to our initial agreement. I will lead the team to strive for excellent results."
"If any changes are truly necessary, I am already of age to graduate. I will apply for early graduation if it comes to that."
As for Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, Yang Podi had no intention of paying any further attention to the teacher-student duo. They could develop on their own if they had the ability. It had nothing to do with him.
