When using Soul Skills in a place like this, the first thing to consider wasn't hurting the enemy, but one's own safety. The fact that Tang San dared to choose such a battlefield against the Seventh Elder, who was thoroughly familiar with the iron chain bridge, clearly showed he was brimming with confidence.
If it weren't for his overwhelming victory over Tang Hu just moments ago, everyone would have thought him arrogant. But now the Seventh Elder had declared he would only use forty percent of his Soul Power in this fight.
So perhaps Tang San really did stand a chance.
"Seventh Elder, if I lose this match, I will leave the Clear Sky School immediately and never return. If you lose, I hope you will take back the insults you directed at my late mother, and also support my recognition into the family. What do you say?" Tang San looked the Seventh Elder straight in the eye, his gaze clear and sincere.
The Seventh Elder snorted coldly. "If you lose, not only must you never return to the school — you must also return the Martial Soul passed down from our school's heritage."
Tang San's expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to speak, the school master Tang Xiao, who had remained silent until now, spoke in a deep voice: "Seventh Elder, he is only a third-generation disciple. Whether or not to reclaim his Martial Soul is not a decision for you and him alone to make."
The Seventh Elder shot Tang Xiao a cold look. "Then what does the school master suggest?"
Tang Xiao spoke gravely: "How about this. If Tang San wins this match, then I ask all the elders to stop obstructing his recognition into the family. I believe you have all witnessed Tang San's talent. He is only twenty years old this year, with a future beyond measure. Moreover, he is wholeheartedly devoted to serving the school, and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on its future development. If he loses, we simply drive him out of the school for life and forbid him from ever using the Clear Sky Hammer. As for reclaiming his Martial Soul, there's no need. After all, his kind of talent is exceedingly rare — once in a century, at least. If stripping him of a Martial Soul were to shatter his current strength and destroy his talent, is that truly what the elders wish to see? No matter what, the blood of our Clear Sky School flows in his veins. That is a fact none of the elders can deny."
Tang Xiao had held his tongue until now, but his words came at precisely the right moment. Although the elders could block his efforts to have Tang San recognized, as the school master his authority within the sect was beyond question. Even the five elders had to give him a measure of respect.
The Seventh Elder turned his head to look at the Second Elder, who stood at the head of the group. The Second Elder said mildly: "Let it be as the school master says. However, if Tang San truly can defeat Old Seven, I have three additional requests. Rest assured, school master, these three requests can only be raised after his recognition into the family. They will not be excessive. Everything is for the school."
Tang Xiao was no ordinary man. A glance at the Second Elder's tranquil gaze told him that although the elders differed with him on certain matters, they all had the school's best interests at heart. He nodded immediately. "Very well, so be it. Before the match begins, there is one more thing I wish to announce."
As he spoke, Tang Xiao drew from his personal Soul Guide the long black case Tang San had handed him. His expression was solemn as he said: "When Tang Hao left the school and took two of its treasured Soul Bones with him, it brought great pain to us all. Now he has sent Tang San to be recognized into the family, and with him he has returned these two Soul Bones. I believe this is sufficient proof of his remorse. Otherwise, he could have kept both Soul Bones for himself, or bestowed them upon Tang San."
As he spoke, Tang Xiao slowly opened the long black case before him. A dense wave of Soul Power rippled outward, and amid its wild, domineering aura, two Soul Bones materialized before the eyes of every elder and disciple present.
Seeing those two Soul Bones, the elders were visibly taken aback, the anger that had filled their eyes gradually fading.
The Second Elder sighed. "Though he left the school, he is still the old master's son. It seems he has not forgotten us." Returning Soul Bones proved far more than words ever could. Under normal circumstances, separating a Soul Bone from one's body meant death.
Even with Tang Hao's level of cultivation, the elders understood that for these two Soul Bones to appear, Tang Hao must have become at least partially crippled, his strength drastically reduced.
Though the elders remained furious over the trouble Tang Hao had once brought to the school, his killing of the Supreme Pontiff had also demonstrated the Clear Sky School's formidable power. Among the younger generation of disciples, there were still many who regarded Tang Hao as their idol. The Clear Sky School's twin Dou Luo were indisputably heroes of their era. But now Tang Hao had sacrificed his own immense power for the school's sake. Just as the school master Tang Xiao's eyes glistened faintly red as he spoke, Tang Hao's actions were more than enough to prove his sincerity.
Tang Xiao strode forward and placed the case into the Second Elder's hands. "These two Soul Bones are among the school's greatest treasures. Let them be kept by the elders. Once a successor to the school master has been determined, or a disciple who has made outstanding contributions to the school has been identified, these two Soul Bones may then be bestowed."
The Second Elder nodded slowly. He understood — this was Tang Xiao giving the elders face.
Otherwise, with his authority as school master, there would have been nothing wrong with keeping the two Soul Bones himself. He could even have merged them into his body immediately to bolster his strength.
Their eyes met, and the Second Elder sighed inwardly, then nodded slowly at Tang Xiao.
On the surface, Tang Xiao had agreed to what seemed an almost impossible task on Tang San's behalf — challenging the Seventh Elder who would be using forty percent of his Soul Power. But having done so, he immediately used the two Soul Bones Tang Hao had returned to build momentum for Tang San. The goal was to win the elders' approval of his recognition into the family.
He gave the elders face, and the elders would naturally reciprocate.
Handing the two Soul Bones to the Second Elder was tantamount to entrusting the decision over their fate to them. In doing so, he had invisibly elevated the elders' standing within the school.