You should know, although Tang San's Soul Power reached the sixty-sixth rank, he was still a Battle Soul Master. Advancing was somewhat easier for Battle Soul Masters than for Tool Soul Masters. And among Tool Soul Masters, the most difficult to cultivate were Food Type Tool Soul Masters. For Oscar to reach the sixty-plus rank, the level of a Soul Emperor, at an age that appeared to be just over twenty, one could only imagine what kind of genius he was. Therefore, the four clan heads all returned his bow.
Tang San's second introduction was for Ning Rongrong. "Ning Rongrong, a sixty-first rank Support-type Tool Soul Master. I think I only need to introduce her Martial Soul, and the clan heads will have some understanding of her. Rongrong hails from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. She is the only daughter of the current Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan Master, Ning Fengzhi, and the future inheritor of the clan. By joining our Tang Sect, besides being responsible for the sect's future financial affairs, she also bears the important duty of liaising with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. We're all on the same side, so I have nothing to hide. The establishment of the Tang Sect has had the strong support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan behind it. This is what gives us ample funding."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, formerly the second of the Upper Three Sects, second only to the Clear Sky School—the clan heads of the four Single Attribute Clans were naturally very familiar with it. Ning Rongrong's status as the inheritor of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan alone was enough to command their respect, not to mention that she looked even younger than Tang San, yet had already broken through to the sixty-plus rank. No one from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had ever reached the eightieth rank, but even at the seventies, Ning Fengzhi was already the most powerful Tool Soul Master on the entire continent. The capabilities represented by Ning Rongrong at the sixty-first rank were beyond question.
Ning Rongrong also stood and bowed respectfully to the four clan heads. Her arrogant disposition had long since disappeared after being tempered when she first joined Shrek Academy, and over the years, she had been diligently cultivating. Although she had just turned twenty, she already possessed a certain bearing reminiscent of her father.
Tang San's gaze turned to Ma Hongjun, the last person seated at his right. "Ma Hongjun, a fifty-eighth rank Strength-type Battle Soul Master. His Martial Soul is the Fire Phoenix. He is also slightly younger than me, ranking fourth in age among our Shrek Seven Devils. His Martial Soul dictates his greatest strength lies in combat. For now, I have decided to have him oversee the Tang Sect's future combat operations. He will specifically select the most combat-proficient disciples from within our ranks to form the Martial Hall. All external operations for our sect from now on will be the responsibility of the Martial Hall."
Finally, Tang San's gaze fell upon Xiao Wu. "I think it's time for the elders to know her identity. Xiao Wu was once a member of our Shrek Seven Devils, ranked fifth. She is also my beloved. However, due to persecution by Spirit Hall, her soul left her body. Though her body lives, she has lost consciousness, possessing only a sliver of instinct. I won't hide this from you, elders. Xiao Wu, like my mother, was originally not human, but a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast."
The moment these words left his mouth, the four clan heads and the Divine Craftsman Lou Gao were all greatly shocked. The looks in their eyes as they regarded Xiao Wu immediately became peculiar.
Tang San seemed not to notice the change in their expressions and continued, "The elders have all seen my sixth Soul Ring. The reason I could possess a hundred-thousand-year level ring at the sixth stage was not due to my own ability, nor was it because I could break the limits of the Soul Master world. It was because of Xiao Wu. To save me, Xiao Wu chose to sacrifice herself, offering her Soul Ring to me. It is precisely because of this that she became as she is now. If not for a rare herb called the Lovesickness Heartbreak Red back then, she would have already truly died."
"The Lovesickness Heartbreak Red?" Yang Wudi exclaimed.
Tang San nodded. "The Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng Great-Uncle gave me was also fed to Xiao Wu. She is the little rabbit I was holding in my arms earlier. It was with the help of these two rare treasures that Xiao Wu completely shed her beast form and became human. However, she still has no consciousness or soul. Her soul merged with my sixth Soul Ring long ago through that sacrifice."
Although Tang San's narration was calm, the atmosphere in the Tang Sect Master's Manor's council hall carried a faint trace of sadness. Looking at Xiao Wu, reverence showed in the eyes of all five elders, including Lou Gao. To sacrifice oneself for one's beloved. So what if she was a Soul Beast? How many people could do such a thing? The only thought that came to their minds was a simple four-character phrase: humans are inferior to beasts.
Taking a deep breath, Tang San calmed his emotions and turned to the five elders. "For the four Single Attribute Clans, I plan the following arrangements. Since we are a sect, having clan titles alongside it isn't quite appropriate. I propose we simply rename the four Single Attribute Clans. The Strength Clan shall henceforth be called the Strength Hall, primarily responsible for forging Hidden Weapons for the sect. This will also be the main source of our future profits. Elder Titan will concurrently hold the position of Hall Master. The Defense Clan shall be renamed the Defense Hall, responsible for the sect's defense as well as various construction duties. Elder Niu Gao will concurrently hold the position of Hall Master. The Agility Clan shall be renamed the Agility Hall, responsible for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and message collection. Elder Bai He will concurrently hold the position of Hall Master. The Medicinal Clan shall be renamed the Medicinal Hall. While also sharing responsibility for the sect's defense with the Defense Hall, its primary focus will be medicine refining. Medicines will mainly be divided into healing and poison categories. I will discuss the specific details with Elder Yang Wudi. Elder Yang Wudi will concurrently hold the position of Medicinal Hall Master."
"Currently, this is all I can think of. At the same time, the present elders, along with myself, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and Elder Lou Gao—nine people in total—will form the Council Hall. For any major matters concerning the sect, we will deliberate together and vote to decide. One vote per person. Do the elders have any opinions?"
The members of the Shrek Seven Devils naturally had no objections to Tang San's proposals. Tang San had only come up with this initial framework for the Tang Sect. The rest was open for discussion.
As the foremost among the five elders, Titan was the first to speak. The look in his eyes as he gazed at Tang San was clearly filled with approval. "I have no objections. Sect Master, your arrangements are very systematic. If I have one suggestion... I feel the Sect Master's power is rather limited. I propose that the Sect Master's voting power be increased to two votes. Consider it adding Miss Xiao Wu's vote. Also, the Sect Master should possess a single veto vote."
Not just Titan, but the other elders nodded simultaneously. Although Tang San's arrangements had renamed the four Single Attribute Clans, he had distributed all power equally, with no intention of monopolizing authority. This greatly impressed the four elders. But they were also intelligent people and could see the boundless future achievements of the Shrek Seven Devils before them. If they were merely greedy for a little power now, the future of the four Single Attribute Clans might suffer. That was not something they wished to see. Moreover, as the Sect Master, Tang San should rightfully possess greater power.
Lou Gao spoke up. "Sect Master, now they all have responsibilities, but what about me?"
Tang San said, "Elder Lou Gao, you yourself should belong to the Strength Hall. However, I do not wish for you to hold a position within it. Elder Titan is responsible for the overall production of Hidden Weapons for the Tang Sect. I hope you will be responsible for the creation of all our advanced, top-tier Hidden Weapons. Once the two blacksmith grandmasters, Si Yu and Si Kai, arrive, the three of you will take on this responsibility together. I will provide you with all the blueprints and required materials for the Tang Sect's most elite Hidden Weapons. I believe that in the future, any Tang Sect product bearing the name Lou Gao will be of artifact-level quality."
Hearing that Tang San would provide him with blueprints and materials, Lou Gao's eyes lit up immediately. He hurriedly said, "Deal. That's settled then, I have no more objections."
The Tang Sect's first high-level meeting concluded smoothly, without any discordant voices. The overall structure and division of labor for the Tang Sect had been clarified, and this newly established sect immediately began to operate.
After the five elders departed, only the five Shrek Devils remained in the council hall.
Oscar said, "Xiao San, is it a bit hasty for me to be in charge of logistics? I don't have much experience in that area."
Tang San smiled faintly. "This was always meant to be a shared duty between you and Rongrong. Anyway, Rongrong is our financial backbone, and your logistical work needs her support. Given your relationship, I can't think of anyone more suitable for this job. Don't you believe in your own abilities? You have plenty to do. Later, you and Rongrong need to go to the warehouse to inventory the metal we purchased this time, then provide it to the Strength Hall. We must accelerate our development. The date for the Seven Sects Re-election Conference is drawing ever closer."
Oscar smiled helplessly. "Fine. You're really pushing me into this. By the way, shouldn't we head back to the academy first? I wonder how things are with the Four Elements Academy."
Tang San nodded. "We should go back. Rongrong has been away for so long, she should go see Uncle Ning. How about this: Xiao Ao, you and Rongrong go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan together. The Fatty and I will make a trip to the academy. Teacher and the others should be back too. After you visit the clan, meet up with us at the academy."
Although the Tang Sect was newly established, it now possessed many unique advantages. First was its location within Tian Dou City. Even if Spirit Hall discovered the Tang Sect's existence, they could not easily take action against them. Furthermore, the Tang Sect had the support of Shrek Academy, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and even the Tian Dou Imperial Family behind it. As long as they didn't take a wrong path, Tang San was confident he could develop the Tang Sect into a great power on the Soul Land continent.
The four of them left the Tang Sect almost simultaneously, parting ways. Tang San held Xiao Wu's hand and walked with Ma Hongjun towards Shrek Academy.
As they were walking forward, they suddenly encountered a cavalry unit of about a hundred riders approaching head-on. They were galloping rapidly right down the street, much like the group accompanying the Fourth Prince Xue Beng that Tang San had encountered last time. Since he had Xiao Wu with him and didn't want her startled, he and the Fatty moved aside to the edge of the street to let them pass.
Although the cavalry moved fast, their horsemanship was superb, and they carried an air of grim severity.
Tang San felt a slight stir in his heart, sensing something vaguely amiss, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why. He had been away from Tian Dou City for some time and hadn't had a chance to exchange much with Elder Bai He, who was in charge of intelligence. But his intuition was always accurate. He wrapped his arm around Xiao Wu's slender waist and said to Ma Hongjun, "Fatty, let's walk faster. Something might be happening in Tian Dou City."
Ma Hongjun was taken aback. "I doubt it. Everything looks normal to me! Besides, if anything was up, why didn't Elder Bai He tell us just now?"
Tang San shook his head. "I don't know either. It's just that cavalry unit was strange. None of them were dressed as nobles. To dare ride like that through the streets, there's only one other possibility—they're on a mission. But what urgent mission could there be in Tian Dou City? Let's head to the academy first. Whatever the situation should become clear then."
Soon, the three arrived at Shrek Academy. The moment they stepped inside, the slight sense of unease Tang San had felt because of the knights faded significantly. At least on the surface, the academy seemed unchanged. Everything appeared normal. It was already after class hours. Students came and went in a steady stream.
These students naturally recognized Ma Hongjun and Tang San. Seeing them, they all stepped aside, standing at the roadside and watching them walk into the academy with admiration. Although Tang San and Ma Hongjun were no longer technically part of the academy, their status within Shrek Academy was no lower than that of the teachers—they could even be considered the spiritual symbol of the academy.
Arriving at the teaching building, the three went straight to Flandre's office. The Fatty went up and knocked.
Flandre's familiar voice came from inside the room. "Come in."
The Fatty smiled at Tang San, making a gesture indicating all was normal, and pushed the door open.
Flandre was leaning leisurely back in his office chair. Seeing that the visitor was Ma Hongjun, he immediately smiled. "Hongjun, so you're back..."
His sentence stopped abruptly. He shot up from behind his desk, his eyes filled with shock, because he had now seen Tang San and Xiao Wu, who had followed Ma Hongjun inside.
And just as Tang San and Xiao Wu stepped through the door, another familiar voice came from outside.
"Flandre, you good-for-nothing, you don't manage anything at all! Er Long said you're shirking your duties again?"
A rigid, familiar figure appeared in the still-open doorway. Tang San respectfully turned around. "Teacher."
It was indeed the Great Master. However, at this moment, he seemed not to have heard Tang San's voice. His expression was nearly identical to Flandre's—he stood gaping, staring at Xiao Wu beside Tang San, dressed in white, her scorpion braid hanging over her chest.
Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Surprised, right? Xiao Wu has come back to life."
"This... Xiao San, what's going on?" Xiao Wu's appearance had completely exceeded the Great Master's comprehension. With all his research into Martial Souls and Soul Beasts, he couldn't understand how Xiao Wu could have regained her human form in such a short time.
Tang San looked at Xiao Wu with deep tenderness, tightened his arm around her waist, and briefly recounted the process of her resurrection.
Listening to Tang San's account, both Flandre and the Great Master revealed a knowing smile on their faces.
"That's good. With her body restored, the rest can surely be figured out," Flandre sighed softly.
Ma Hongjun said, "Teacher, while we were away, did anything major happen in Tian Dou City?"
Flandre blinked. "Nothing happened! Everything's normal. Oh, right. You all handled that Four Elements Academy matter very well last time. They have now officially merged into our Shrek Academy. In terms of academy strength alone, our Shrek Academy can absolutely be called the continent's number one."
"What?" This time, even Tang San was surprised. "The Four Elements Academy merged with Shrek Academy?"