The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Ning Fengzhi's hand shone without cease, its radiance still enveloping Tang San's body, pouring into him in waves like rings of light.
At this moment, Tang San felt as though he had passed from hell into heaven. A warm, gentle energy was soothing his physical strength, agility, stamina, spirit, and a number of things even Tang San himself could not name, all restoring at an astonishing rate.
The hollow emptiness that had filled his body, the injuries brought about by the immense pressure—all of it was gradually vanishing within that gentle energy. The Mysterious Heaven Skill within him seemed to grow stronger under its nourishment as well, surging through his meridians in vigorous circulation. The cracks in his Yang Linking Meridian widened further under the powerful rush of the Mysterious Heaven Skill, gradually clearing.
Tang San had not seen who had helped him. Immersed in that seven-colored radiance, what he had lost was gradually restored—he even felt stronger than before. The Blue Silver Grass, which had lost its luster, blazed with renewed brilliance. The red-and-white glow atop the Eight Spider Lances shone with precious intensity, and even the small black hammer in his left hand now gleamed with dark radiance.
The title of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda as the number-one auxiliary Martial Soul was no empty boast. As the Clan Master, Ning Fengzhi wielded this supreme auxiliary Martial Soul of the clan with godlike mastery.
In just a few short minutes, when Tang San opened his eyes once more, his spirit was fully restored and his vigor complete—as though he had been reborn. Were it not for his tattered clothes and the sweat that had not yet dried, he would have looked as though he had never endured that grueling contest.
"Third Brother, how are you?" Ning Rongrong asked with concern.
Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar had already rushed to Tang San's side.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun had also squeezed through the crowd, surrounding Tang San in their midst.
"I'm fine now." As he spoke, Tang San's gaze drifted toward the source of that seven-colored radiance, meeting Ning Fengzhi's eyes directly.
Ning Fengzhi wore a gentle smile. The light of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in his hand faded, and as he lowered his palm, that miraculous Martial Soul vanished along with it.
"How is it you?" Tang San blurted in surprise.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "It is indeed you. It seems our fates are truly intertwined."
Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes. "Dad, you two know each other?"
In truth, even without Ning Rongrong's prompting, Tang San had already vaguely guessed Ning Fengzhi's identity. How many people in the world could display all seven treasures of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda simultaneously? He hurried forward a few steps and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Clan Master Ning."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and raised a hand to help Tang San straighten. "Since you are Rongrong's friend, and she calls you Third Brother, you should call me Uncle Ning. I would much rather hear you address me that way."
Ning Fengzhi's words amounted to an open display of goodwill. Given his stature, he was a figure who could make the entire Soul Land tremble with a single footstep—even imperial princes like Xuexing dared not show him the slightest offense upon meeting.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan not only possessed formidable strength, with two Titled Douluo among their ranks, but their wealth was also consistently ranked first among the seven great clans.
To earn the acknowledgment of Clan Master Ning Fengzhi was, for the vast majority of Soul Masters, an extraordinary stroke of fortune.
Tang San's composure did not shift upon learning Ning Fengzhi's identity. He simply bowed once more. "Greetings, Uncle Ning."
Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily. "Good, good. We can talk more later—let us handle what's in front of us first."
Tang San's expression turned solemn. From the standpoint of the wager, although he had not fallen, he knew in his heart that it would be extremely difficult to withstand Tai Titan's next round of pressure before the incense finished burning.
The incense on the door had burned out, but his heart felt heavy.
Tang San was absolutely a man who kept his word, but he also understood that with his current strength, resisting the pressure Tai Titan could release was simply too difficult. He did not know how much pressure Tai Titan had unleashed earlier, but that final sudden surge made it clear that the Titan had not been going all out from the start.
His gaze shifted slowly until it settled on Tai Titan, not far away. The Titan Douluo was looking at him as well. Seeing Tang San's gaze, Tai Titan waved a hand and strode forward with his son and grandson to stand before Tang San. His face was filled with emotion.
"I'm sorry, Senior—our wager was interrupted, but we can do it again." The clearing of his Yang Linking Meridian had further increased Tang San's ability to endure pressure. As long as he did not actually collapse before his opponent, he would never concede easily.
What Tang San had not expected was for Tai Titan to fix him with a solemn gaze and ask, "Your name is Tang San. What is your father's name? Is it Tang Hao?"
Tang San stared at the pure-power Soul Master before him in astonishment. "How did you know?" His words were, in effect, an admission that Tai Titan was correct.