Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 130: New Recruits for the Second Team

Yang Potian sat alone in his room, holding the priceless hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone. He gazed at it, tempted, but eventually resisted the urge to absorb it.

Though exceptional, the spirit bone didn't suit Yang Potian. He had a second martial spirit and likely wouldn't lack for powerful spirit bones in the future. Furthermore, the leg bone's two abilities weren't ideal for him: one was a flight skill, slower than his wings, and the other was a recovery ability—"Unyielding Wildfire, Born Anew with the Spring Breeze." Although useful, his own body martial spirit provided him with formidable healing abilities, so there was no need to waste such a rare bone.

In his mind, a speed-type spirit bone would better complement his current strengths, enhancing his overall agility.

After much deliberation, he decided to hide the spirit bone in his room's secret chamber, concealed within a special storage-type soul tool. The spirit bone's value and the risks it carried were too great. If Tang Hao discovered it, there would be no end to the trouble. For now, neither he nor the Potian Clan wanted to confront Tang Hao head-on.

The bone, in his estimation, was best suited for Ye Lingling. With her Nine Heart Begonia martial spirit and her plant-based abilities, the spirit bone would greatly enhance her healing capabilities and even grant her a life-saving flight ability.

The next morning, everyone returned to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, ready to begin the next round of training.

As they gathered, the instructors noticed the absence of Tai Long and Bai Xiaofei.

Yang Potian addressed them directly, "Teacher Li Xiang, Tai Long and Bai Xiaofei have left the second team. Let's not worry about them anymore—I'll find replacements."

Teacher Li Xiang looked disappointed. "That's a shame. They were about to reach the Spirit Ancestor level, and Bai Xiaofei was our only agility-type spirit master and only flyer."

"Don't worry, Teacher Li Xiang. Yang Ping'an and I may be power-attack types, but we're fast enough to fill an agility-type role if needed."

Currently, the second team consisted of six members: Yang Potian, Yang Ping'an, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yang Tianyue, and Niu Meng—one member short of the seven needed for the tournament. Since Yang Potian didn't plan to participate in the preliminary or qualifying matches, they needed two additional members.

Strength wasn't an issue. Even without Yang Potian, Yang Ping'an, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling could handle the competition. Moreover, the preliminaries would serve as good combat practice, helping each team member gain valuable experience.

Yang Potian turned to Niu Meng. "Does the Yu Clan have any Spirit Elders or Spirit Ancestors under twenty-five?"

Niu Meng thought for a moment. "I have a cousin, twenty-two years old, but he's only Rank 35."

"Twenty-two and Rank 35? He'll do. Inform your grandfather to have him report to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy tomorrow."

Then Yang Potian turned to Yang Tianyue and Yang Ping'an. "If I remember correctly, the Third Elder's grandson is also twenty-two and at Rank 35, right?"

Yang Tianyue, who knew the clan members well, nodded. "Brother, you're right. The Third Elder's grandson is Rank 36. Should I call him over?"

"Good. Have him report tomorrow."

Teacher Li Xiang asked, "Potian, a normal team consists of seven main members and four substitutes. Even with these two new members, we'll have only eight. Should we recruit more?"

"Heaven Dou Academy has plenty of high-level Spirit Elders, and we could use additional auxiliary, agility, or control types to enhance our tactics."

Yang Potian shook his head. "For the preliminaries and qualifiers, I want everyone to participate in as many matches as possible to build experience."

"With Ye Lingling and Teacher Anya on our team, we can handle the tournament's intensity."

Yang Potian continued, "Teacher Li Xiang, once the new recruits arrive tomorrow, we'll begin the next phase of training."

"What's your plan for this next phase?" asked Teacher Li Xiang, surprised.

"A trial by fire," said Yang Potian. "Ordinary training won't help them improve anymore, and even meditation isn't enough. I intend to take everyone to the Sunset Forest for combat training."

Teacher Li Xiang was shocked. "But they're only Spirit Ancestors. Isn't Sunset Forest too dangerous? Regular fights in the Heaven Dou Arena would be enough for training."

Yang Potian shook his head. "The Heaven Dou Arena doesn't have high-level Spirit Ancestor teams, and winning there doesn't provide real experience. A trip to Sunset Forest will show them blood, real life-or-death combat, and build trust and teamwork."

"But Sunset Forest is extremely dangerous," Li Xiang said, concerned. "One wrong move, and…"

"Don't worry, Teacher Li Xiang. You and Teacher Anya will be there to guide them. I'll also arrange for someone to protect us in secret."

Teacher Li Xiang felt somewhat reassured upon hearing this.

The next day, two young men from the Potian and Yu Clans arrived at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Both were around twenty-two and ready to graduate, though confused about why their elders had sent them there.

Since Teacher Li Xiang had arranged their admission, they were able to enroll without any issues. Once enrolled, they headed to Training Ground Three, where they met the rest of the team.

The Potian Clan recruit was Yang Yuxuan, grandson of the Third Elder Yang Wuju. His martial spirit was the Soul-Piercing Spear, and he was a twenty-two-year-old, Rank 35 Spirit Elder.

The Yu Clan recruit was Niu Kui, grandson of an elder in the Yu Clan. His martial spirit was the Armored Giant Rhino, and he was twenty-two, also at Rank 35. With his towering 2.2-meter frame and formidable muscles, Niu Kui looked older than his age.

Yang Potian addressed the newcomers. "Yang Yuxuan, Niu Kui—welcome to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team. Our goal is simple: to win next year's Spirit Master Tournament. Over the next few days, you'll train with the team to get a feel for things. In five days, we'll head to the Sunset Forest for combat training."

Without further discussion, Yang Yuxuan joined Yang Ping'an, and Niu Kui joined Niu Meng to familiarize themselves with the academy's environment and the team's training regimen.

Yang Potian also instructed Dugu Yan to invite Dugu Bo to join them. A Title Douluo like Dugu Bo would provide essential protection, especially in case of ambushes.

Meanwhile, the first team, led by Yu Xiaogang, celebrated Tai Long and Bai Xiaofei's arrival. This brought the team's total to sixteen: the original seven first-team members, seven Shrek students, plus Tai Long and Bai Xiaofei.

With these additions, their team's strength had increased significantly. For the Spirit Master Tournament, they expected to have at least five Spirit Ancestors, including Yu Tianheng, Ning Heng, and Dai Mubai, with Tai Long and Bai Xiaofei close to breaking through as well. With Tang San and the others training hard, a full Spirit Ancestor lineup wasn't impossible.

That afternoon, as Yang Potian was preparing for the upcoming training, Teacher Li Xiang informed him that the Crown Prince requested his presence.

Yang Potian was exasperated. What is this "little angel" up to? Why does he keep coming to Heaven Dou Academy? Doesn't he have anything else to do?

Upon reaching the administrative building, Yang Potian was surprised to see not only Crown Prince Xue Qinghe but also the three administrative elders, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Ning Rongrong, Tang San, and Yu Xiaogang. Yu Xiaogang looked especially smug, and sitting next to him was a beautiful middle-aged woman—presumably Liu Erlong, according to the original story.

What's Liu Erlong doing here? Isn't she the head of Blue Tyrant Academy?

Yang Potian ignored Yu Xiaogang's group, bowed to the Crown Prince, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo, and then took a seat.

"Your Highness, what can I do for you?" he asked.

Xue Qinghe smiled. "Oh, it's nothing serious. I heard some things about Heaven Dou Academy's second team and wanted to check in."

Yang Potian noticed the amusement in Xue Qinghe's expression and merely smiled back. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The second team did encounter some minor issues, but they're resolved now. Nothing will hinder us in the tournament."

"But I heard you lost two talented members," Xue Qinghe said. "Won't that affect your performance?"

"Two members left for personal reasons, but we've already recruited replacements. If anything, our team is stronger now."

Xue Qinghe seemed unconvinced. "But I heard those two were close to reaching the Spirit Ancestor level, while your replacements are only Spirit Elders. I'm concerned this might put you at a disadvantage in the tournament."

Yang Potian was growing irritated. This "little angel" clearly wants to stir up trouble.

"Your Highness, Spirit Ancestors aren't necessarily stronger than Spirit Elders. When I was a Spirit Elder, I defeated Spirit Ancestors. I believe our team is now in an ideal configuration and stronger than before. We'll let the tournament results speak for themselves."

(End of Chapter)

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