Oscar held nothing back—after all, in his heart, Ning Fengzhi was his future father-in-law.
"My sixth Soul Skill was obtained by hunting a twenty-thousand-year Mirror Shadow Beast. Its effect is replication. As long as I have a single drop of a Soul Master's blood, I can use my Soul Skill to create a Replication Mirror Sausage. Anyone who eats it will be able to wield Soul Skills at seventy percent of the power of the blood provider for three minutes. If the user's Soul Power rank is lower than that of the blood provider, they can only replicate Soul Skills up to their own rank. In other words, if Little San is at rank seventy and I'm at rank sixty, I'd only be able to access ranked Soul Skills up to sixty within the replication effect, and wouldn't be able to use the seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul True Body. You weren't mistaken—I've already obtained a soul bone. Very lucky, this soul bone also came from that Mirror Shadow Beast. It grants the skill Mirror Image Clone, and the clone possesses eighty percent of my abilities at the time of use. At the same time, this soul bone enhances the Replication Mirror Sausage's effect by ten percent. The replication power goes from seventy percent up to eighty."
Whether it was Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, or Tang San, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong, everyone listened with rapt attention. After hearing Oscar's explanation, Ning Fengzhi let out a long breath. "Luck always favors those who are prepared. This is far more than simple luck. I can imagine what you've put in over these five years. Oscar, I'll give you a choice now. Little San told me he plans to establish a sect called the Tang Sect. But I don't want you to join it—come back with me to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The Clan needs talent like you. As long as you come with me, I'll approve your relationship with Rongrong."
"Dad—" Ning Rongrong protested petulantly.
Ning Fengzhi's expression immediately turned serious. "Girl, this concerns the rise and fall of our Clan. The old Oscar didn't have the strength to protect you, but now that he does, I intend to cultivate him further. Let him join the Clan and contribute his strength. This way, the two of you will face far less resistance."
Oscar was stunned by Ning Fengzhi's words. He was a clever man and understood perfectly—Ning Fengzhi was asking him to choose between his brotherhood with Tang San and his feelings for Ning Rongrong.
At that moment, Tang San's faint voice sounded in Oscar's ear, transmitted through a private technique. "Hurry up and agree to Uncle Ning's terms. This is your best opportunity. You spent five years training abroad—all that effort, for what? Even if you're in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, we're still brothers."
Oscar glanced toward Tang San and saw him signaling with his eyes. He knew that Tang San had used voice transmission to remind him, and that the reason he hadn't said it openly was so that Oscar would earn Ning Fengzhi's approval more fully.
Oscar turned his gaze to Ning Rongrong's lovely face. Her expression was complicated, tinged with confusion. Of course she wanted to be with Oscar, but she absolutely did not want their relationship to strain the bonds between the Shrek Seven Devils.
Oscar's gaze finally returned to Ning Fengzhi's face. He shook his head calmly. "I'm sorry, Clan Master Ning. I can't agree to your request."
"Little Ao—" Tang San called out anxiously.
Oscar raised a hand toward Tang San, stopping him from persuading further, then addressed Ning Fengzhi. "Uncle Ning, I love Rongrong. I'm willing to give everything I have to love her. But Tang San is my brother. He may be a once-in-a-generation genius, and I know I can't compare. Right now, though, is when he needs help the most—when he needs his brothers. Whether it's getting revenge against Spirit Hall or reviving Xiao Wu, neither will be easy. If I chose to leave him for Rongrong's sake at a time like this, I fear I could never forgive myself for the rest of my life. But I won't give up on Rongrong either. I will win you over in my own way, and one day you will agree to let Rongrong be with me."
Ning Fengzhi fixed Oscar with a sharp, penetrating stare. Oscar met his gaze with open composure. Having spoken those words, he felt an immense sense of relief. Brothers and the woman he loved were equally important. He would not abandon either.
Gradually, Ning Fengzhi's gaze softened, and he smiled faintly. "Oscar, though your answer is rather cunning, I have to admit it's the most perfect answer I could have hoped for. A man who would abandon his companions for a woman is not worthy of trust. You've moved me. Help Little San well. I hope to see your Shrek Seven Devils achieve greatness once again."
Oscar stared at Ning Fengzhi blankly, only then realizing that his words had been a test all along.
"Clan Master Ning—so does that mean you approve of Rongrong and me?"
Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brow slightly. "Are you still going to call me Clan Master Ning?"
Perhaps from sheer excitement, Oscar's reaction was a little too quick—the two words burst out before he could stop them. "Father-in-law."
Seeing Oscar's eager expression, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but laugh. "That might be a touch too soon. Why don't you address me as Little San does for now?"
Oscar scratched his head awkwardly and sheepishly called out "Uncle Ning." When he had blurted out "father-in-law," Ning Rongrong had already spun around and fled in embarrassment, her face burning red. Her relationship with Oscar had finally received her father's genuine approval—there was nothing left to worry about.
Ning Fengzhi did not let Tang San and the others see him off. By the time his and Gu Rong's figures disappeared among the trees, Oscar was still wearing a dopey grin.
"All right, keep smiling like that and your mouth's going to split to your ears," Ma Hongjun said with no small amount of jealousy.
Oscar snapped out of it. Five years had passed, and it had been a long time since he'd felt this light-hearted. He chuckled and said, "Go ahead and be jealous. Your brother can finally be with Rongrong openly and honestly. Tonight's my treat—we're drinking until we can't stand. Oh, and invite Dean Flandre, the Great Master, Teacher Erlong, Teacher Zhao, and the rest. It's been five years since I've seen them. I really miss them."
As night fell, Tang San lay quietly in bed, a faint smile on his face.
He was reluctantly using his internal energy to dispel the pleasant buzz of wine. Tonight, the Shrek Seven Devils had reunited—five of them, at least—and everyone had drunk a great deal. Oscar had shared many stories from his time in the north. His safe return had everyone in high spirits.
But after the excitement faded, Tang San returned to his room with Xiao Wu in his arms, and an irrepressible melancholy settled over him. He blessed Oscar and Ning Rongrong's happiness, yet the more he saw the couple's joy, the more he was reminded of the moment Xiao Wu had sacrificed herself to save him.
He pressed his face against Xiao Wu's soft fur, breathing in her faint, delicate scent, and his heart trembled violently.
The rabbit-form Xiao Wu nuzzled against his head, savoring the closeness. That night, Tang San did not cultivate—an extraordinary rarity for him. But in his dreams, there was only the girl with the long scorpion braid.
The next morning, Tang San left Shrek Academy early. There was something he hadn't been able to do yesterday because of Oscar's return, and he intended to finish it today. Once he had made up his mind, he seized every moment to act.
Leaving Shrek Academy, Tang San walked south through Tiandou City. He wasn't worried about being recognized—even Spirit Hall had only a handful of people who had seen his new appearance. Even if wanted posters had been drawn, they wouldn't have reached Tiandou City this quickly.
South side of the city. Tang San stopped before a grand estate.
From the outside, the estate was enormous. The thick, towering courtyard walls rose over four meters high. Even ordinary nobles were not permitted to build walls that tall.
The gate tower stood even higher—over six meters—and what was somewhat comical were the two stone sculptures flanking the entrance. They were shaped like gorillas, like miniature versions of the Tyrant Giant Ape, Er Ming.
Standing before the main gate were two burly men, each well over two meters tall. Their tight-fitting black garments could do nothing to conceal their powerful muscles. They stood like a pair of guardian gods, imposing and proud, looking down upon the passersby on the street below.
Above the gate hung a plaque bearing a single character: Strength.
This was Tang San's first visit to this place. He strode forward and stopped just before the main gate.
"I'd be grateful if you could relay a message to Elder Titan—an old acquaintance has come to visit."
The two burly men regarded Tang San with expressionless faces, looking him up and down. One of them spoke in a gruff, deep voice. "Wait a moment." Then he turned, pushed open the gate, and went inside.
As the gate swung open, Tang San saw that its thickness was at least two chi—extremely heavy. He couldn't help but marvel to himself. Truly worthy of the Strength Clan—without sufficient strength, one probably couldn't even push the gate open.
Indeed, the clan Tang San had come to seek was the Strength Clan, bearers of the Giant Ape Martial Soul. Once one of the four subordinate clans of the Clear Sky School, and Tang Hao's direct clan.
Before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament had begun, the Titan, known as the Divine Strength, had invited Tang San to visit the Strength Clan. But back then, Tang San had been busy training and never found the time. Now, if he wanted to establish the Tang Sect, he needed forces of his own—and the Strength Clan was unquestionably one of the most trustworthy choices.
The members of the Strength Clan had simple, straightforward personalities and excelled in raw power. Used properly, they would be an immense asset. In Tang San's plan, the two things he needed to accomplish first were gaining the Strength Clan's support and finding a foothold for the Tang Sect.
Shrek Academy had decent grounds, but it was still an academy, and the Tiandou Empire's imperial family had eyes everywhere. Tang San couldn't keep occupying the academy to develop his own sect indefinitely. He needed to find a suitable location for the Tang Sect's growth.
Over the years, Tang San had accumulated some savings and wouldn't face a financial crisis anytime soon. Moreover, he had gained the support of Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Though the Clan's base had been destroyed, the wealth they had amassed over many years remained intact because they had repelled their enemies. With their backing, Tang San had no concerns about resources for now.
After a short wait, the Strength Clan's estate gate opened once more, and a middle-aged man emerged.
The most distinctive trait of the Strength Clan was their tall, imposing builds, and this middle-aged man was no exception. Tang San had never met him before. The man looked at Tang San, and a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.
"Young man, what business do you have with our Clan Leader?"
Tang San had anticipated that meeting a clan leader wouldn't be so simple, and he had come prepared. His left hand flipped over, and in a surge of black light, the Clear Sky Hammer materialized in his grasp.
This time, Tang San made no effort to suppress the aura emanating from the Clear Sky Hammer. Immediately, a domineering pressure radiated outward, and under his control, heavy waves of energy spread across several meters around the gate.
"Do you recognize my Martial Soul?"
"The Clear Sky Hammer?" The middle-aged man's eyes went wide with shock. Though there wasn't a single Soul Ring on Tang San's hammer, it was undeniably the Clear Sky Hammer! His expression turned tense at once. "Young brother, please come inside."
Though the Strength Clan had separated from the Clear Sky School because of Tang Hao's affairs, they had once been a vassal clan. Seeing the Clear Sky Hammer, the middle-aged man didn't dare show the slightest discourtesy and hurriedly ushered Tang San inside.
"Young brother, are you from the Clear Sky School?" the man asked as he led Tang San through the interior, probing cautiously.
Tang San replied, "You could say that. Is Elder Titan in the clan?"
The man said quickly, "The Clan Leader is here. Please wait in the council hall—I'll go fetch him right away."
Once inside the estate, Tang San was struck by a sense of spacious grandeur. The grounds were even larger than he had imagined—while they couldn't compare to Shrek Academy with its urban forest, they were at least half its size. The overall impression was one of imposing magnificence. Everything looked tall and robust, unrefined but powerful.
Tang San took a seat in the council hall and waited quietly. He hadn't left Xiao Wu at the academy; he carried her with him inside the Myriad Treasure Pouch. When he had woken that morning, she was still sound asleep in her rabbit form.
Before long, Tang San's keen spiritual sense detected the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. The middle-aged man led three people into the hall.
Seeing them, Tang San couldn't help but smile. All three generations of the Strength Clan's leadership had arrived. There was the vigorous and spirited Divine Strength Titan, his son Tai Nuo, and Tang San's former classmate, Tai Long, all following the middle-aged man into the council hall.
The moment they entered, the gazes of the three-generation trio locked onto Tang San. Titan immediately turned to the middle-aged man beside him. "Tai Xing, is this the one you said came from the school?"
Tai Xing nodded hastily. "Clan Leader, this young brother just showed us his Clear Sky Hammer. There are no Soul Rings, but the aura of the Clear Sky Hammer is unmistakable."
Titan and his kin naturally didn't recognize Tang San in his changed appearance. After looking him up and down, Titan spoke in a deep voice. "The school has been sealed for a long time now. Boy, where did you come from?"
Tang San smiled faintly. "Elder Titan, you're as robust as ever. I'm Tang San."