Soul Land V: Rebirth of Tang San

"What is it, Xiao Tang?" Elder Mao asked with a smile.

Tang San said, "The mayor has instructed me to take care of some matters in five days, which might require me to be away for a few days. Do you think I could work continuously for the next few days? After I\'m done with the mayor\'s task, I\'ll come back and continue working."

After pondering for a moment, Elder Mao replied, "That should be fine. Just make sure to clean up the area around the square a bit more, and I\'ll have someone cover for you later. Do you know how many days you\'ll be gone?"

Tang San shook his head, "I\'m not certain yet. I have to follow the mayor\'s instructions, but I don\'t think it will be more than ten days at the most."

"Alright, that\'s fine. Let me know once you have a confirmed schedule," Elder Mao nodded in agreement.

After thanking Elder Mao, Tang San headed back to the town of the academy.

He didn\'t return to Redemption Academy but went straight to the mayor\'s residence.

"Teacher, I think we should head out for training again."

When Zhang Haoxuan heard Tang San\'s words, his first reaction was a bit of a headache. While the results of the last training were indeed astonishing, it was precisely because of the last training that Du Bai and Gu Li both advanced through their great monster evolutions, which was certainly great news for the academy. But it also made these two students\' positions even more important. To risk another training expedition out there? What if they encountered danger?

Seeing his hesitation, Tang San quickly said, "Teacher, it won\'t be a problem. Last time was an accident, and didn\'t we turn the tides in our favor? This time it will be different. Brother Du Bai\'s Heavenly Fox Transformation has already reached the Fourth Stage state; a Fourth Stage Sky Fox Transformation is more than enough to control our fate and ensure our actions are smooth. Moreover, everyone has improved in strength, which will make this time even easier than the last. The others have been saying our team just got lucky, but as you know, it wasn\'t just luck. Didn\'t we all gain something from the first round? Shouldn\'t we give it another try in the second round? Just think, if we can help Brother Du Bai and Senior Brother Gu Li advance to higher levels sooner, wouldn\'t that be even better for the organization?"

Zhang Haoxuan, with a sense of resignation, said, "You really have a way with words. But if you all want to go out for training again, I doubt anyone would object this time. However, you must promise there will be no risks this time."

Tang San forced a smile, "We didn\'t take any risks last time either! It was just that we had just arrived at the edge of the Winged Tiger Habitat when we encountered the Winged Tiger, that\'s not our fault, right?"

Zhang Haoxuan\'s mouth twitched, "Three at once, and with a Ninth Stage among them, is that the kind of luck brought by the Heavenly Fox Eye?"

"Cough, cough. That definitely won\'t happen this time," Tang San said with a grin.

After some thought, Zhang Haoxuan said, "Okay then. You proved with your actions last time the benefits of training and your ability to adapt. You\'re right about the other groups; they didn\'t gain as much as you did, and command ability played a big role. If this training yields the same results, then you\'ll have further proven your command capabilities, which we value highly after comprehensive analysis. You seem to have a natural talent for leadership. If you achieve good results again, next time, I will suggest that all sixteen of you act together, and I want you to take command."

Acting together with sixteen people? Though internally reluctant because the more people there are, the harder it is to command and take care of, Tang San had no reason to refuse since Zhang Haoxuan had suggested it. He could only say, "Alright, I\'ll follow your arrangements. For this trip, I\'d appreciate if you could secretly provide us with protection again. I\'m worried that if we encounter a strong enemy and I have to use my other abilities, it wouldn\'t be good if they were discovered."

"Naturally, if you go out for training, I\'ll be the one secretly guarding you. Do I even need to say it?" Zhang Haoxuan was quite helpless; of course, his most important concern was his own disciple. The Time Variation Seal from Gu Li, the Heavenly Fox Transformation from Du Bai—this kid knew them both; he truly was an extraordinary figure, even seen by Zhang Haoxuan as the real future of the Redemption Organization!

"Oh, by the way, teacher, just to let you know, my Heavenly Fox Eye is also at the Fourth Stage now," Tang San mentioned with a smile.

"..."

Back at the academy, after having dinner, Tang San immediately sought out Wu Bingji and shared the news of the upcoming training with his big brother.

Wu Bingji had been engrossed in cultivating the second explosion of his ice needles recently and had gained some insights. Feeling a significant increase in his power, he readily agreed when Tang San proposed another training expedition.

"Are we going to the Winged Tiger Habitat again? What if we run into the King of Winged Tigers? We do have a vendetta of killing his mate and offspring against us, you know!" Wu Bingji couldn\'t help but feel speechless upon hearing Tang San\'s destination.

Tang San chuckled and said, "No worries, the teacher will be with us this time. With the teacher present, we don\'t need to be afraid even if we run into the King of Winged Tigers. I think our squad should be able to handle a normal Seventh Stage Winged Tiger by now, right?"

Wu Bingji nodded. They had indeed taken down a Seventh Stage creature at its peak last time, and although luck had played a significant part, their strength had certainly improved. Facing a Seventh Stage Winged Tiger again might not necessarily be a cause for fear.

"Then it\'s settled. Let the seniors know tomorrow morning. I\'ll have to take a leave of absence for the expedition, so I\'ll likely be working over at Jiali Academy these next few days."

Wu Bingji asked, "How has observing their work been these many days? Any insights?"

Tang San grinned again, "Definitely. You\'ll see what I mean after this training trip."

"Okay," Wu Bingji trusted Tang San a great deal. He was currently obsessed with his research on the ice needles. Although creating the Mother-Son Soul-Chasing Ball was still a distant dream, just the ice needles alone had significantly boosted his attack power.

After wrapping things up with Wu Bingji, Tang San didn\'t return to his room to rest but went back to the academy town and straight to the blacksmith shop. Since he had to go on an expedition and carry the important task of monitoring his "rival," Tang San was sure to prepare thoroughly.

This time, he was extraordinarily serious and even a bit excited.

It was his first opportunity to actively seek out Pretty Girl, to track her movements, and to silently guard her from the shadows.

The next day, he went to work at Jiali Academy as usual, diligently cleaning while even more carefully studying the Alarm Formation with Spirit Rhinoceros Eye. Time was pressing; the next stage of action would start tonight!

While Tang San was busy making preparations, Pretty Girl returned to the milk tea shop after school.

"Mom, I\'ll help you." Pretty Girl changed into the shop\'s uniform, joined Su Qin at her side, and started to make milk tea, taking over the cup in her mother\'s hand.

"Why did you come back today?" asked Su Qin as she looked at her daughter.

Pretty Girl replied, "Song Junhou wants me to join the squad on an expedition to the Winged Tiger Habitat in Jiali Mountains."

Su Qin frowned slightly and said, "He just wants to get close to you. You should stay away from these Golden Bloodline Family heirs as much as possible, and be careful."

"Mhm, I know. But according to the rules of Jiali Academy, I really do need to participate in expeditions, and I\'ve already declined several times. This time I\'ve agreed."

"Then go, but be careful, and make sure to protect yourself," said Su Qin as she gently stroked her daughter\'s long hair.

"Mhm, don\'t worry," Pretty Girl said with a smile, a smile that was reserved only for her mother.

It\'s a pity Tang San couldn\'t see her at that moment; otherwise, he would have witnessed a burst of blossoming flowers.