"Yes." The Great Master's thoughts aligned perfectly with
Retracting the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San put his shirt back on.
The Great Master sighed. "Xiao San, don't torture yourself over
Tang San thought for a moment. "Teacher, from the looks of things, Spirit Hall is most likely plotting to rule the entire continent — to further strengthen their voice and eliminate every sound that could oppose them. Whether it's you or me, neither of us can reverse this alone. You chose to ally with the Tian Dou Empire. But I don't want to go that route."
"Oh? Then what do you intend to do?" The Great Master had come specifically to have a thorough talk with Tang San. He had originally planned to persuade Tang San to help him serve the Tian Dou Empire together. After all, the resources of an entire empire were immense. If used properly, it would be a shortcut to standing against Spirit Hall.
Tang San furrowed his brow slightly. "Teacher, leveraging the Tian Dou Empire's strength is certainly a viable approach. But I believe the situation within the imperial family is far too complicated. I don't have the time, nor do I want to get entangled in those messy power struggles. It would have too great an impact on my cultivation and future development. Before coming to the academy, I met Senior
With that, Tang San recounted in detail everything Dugu Bo had told him to the Great Master.
"...Senior Dugu Bo may not know everything, and I don't believe that
After hearing Tang San's words, the Great Master's expression had already darkened. These past days, he had been consumed by hatred, and his choice to enter a closer alliance with the Tian Dou Empire had barely been subject to careful deliberation. Now, listening to his disciple's analysis, he was gradually coming to his senses.
"So it seems this Xue Qinghe is far from simple. Not just us — even Clan Master Ning was likely kept in the dark. But where did he obtain that mixed poison? Could there be a Soul Master even more skilled with poison than the Poison Dou Luo?"
Tang San shook his head. "I don't know either. But if I were to speculate, it's not impossible that there exists a poison-using Soul Master stronger than the Poison Dou Luo. Yet such an outstanding Soul Master has never appeared anywhere on the continent — and yet one serves Xue Qinghe. That can only prove one thing: this Soul Master must have powerful backing. And judging from the state of Emperor
The Great Master's expression shifted. "You mean — it could be the Xing Luo Empire?"
Tang San shook his head. "No. My greatest fear is that the force behind this is Spirit Hall."
The room fell into sudden silence. Master and disciple both sank into brief, heavy thought. After hearing Tang San's concise analysis, a heavy weight settled over the Great Master's heart. If things truly were as Tang San described, then what was the point of all those days he had spent training these Soul Masters?
"Teacher, here's what I'm thinking. I plan to establish my own sect. But I want to shelter under a larger power's umbrella while developing slowly. That way, I'll have ample time to build up, and the strength I accumulate will truly be my own. No matter how we deal with Spirit Hall in the future, having a sect as a foundation means we can advance to attack and retreat to defend. We'll have much more room to maneuver."
The Great Master said, "You want me to come help you?"
Tang San shook his head. "Right now, Emperor Xue Ye trusts you completely — you can't leave. Although the internal affairs of the Tian Dou Empire's royal family are labyrinthine, we can't abandon them entirely either. Once things stabilize, I believe conflict between the Tian Dou Empire and Spirit Hall will be inevitable. They're using you to train Soul Masters for them — why can't we turn around and use them to deal with Spirit Hall?"
A glimmer of gratified light suddenly surfaced in the Great Master's eyes. "Xiao San, you've truly grown up. It seems there are many things you no longer need your teacher's guidance for — you can handle them well on your own. Tell me your plan in detail. Whatever I can do to help, I won't hold back."
Tang San allowed himself a slight smile. Over the past few days he had reorganized his thoughts and formed a rough blueprint.
Pressing his voice into a thin thread, Tang San began laying out his plan to the Great Master in meticulous detail. The two of them discussed in the room for a full two hours. When the Great Master finally left Tang San's room, the chill in his eyes had faded considerably. Beyond the sense of gratification, the smile on his previously rigid face did not disappear with his departure.
Having consulted with his teacher, Tang San's plan had become far more complete. After seeing the Great Master off, he went straight to the courtyard, extended his spiritual sense, and probed toward the room where
Ma Hongjun seemed to have just finished his session — Tang San's spiritual fluctuations condensed and lightly tapped his consciousness, calling him outside. Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, was still deep in meditation. These past days had dealt her more than a few heavy blows. Her heart ached constantly for
Normally, as the next heir to the clan, she shouldn't have been running away like this. But the
"Third Brother, what do you want?" The Fatty stretched his stocky body vigorously, his small eyes squeezed nearly shut by the fat on his face, though the occasional glimpse of his eyeballs revealed a sharp, gleaming light.
Ma Hongjun was arguably the most carefree of the Shrek Seven Devils, but also the happiest. With nothing weighing on his mind, he had nothing to fear.
Between brothers there was no need for beating around the bush. Tang San looked at Ma Hongjun and said, "Fatty, I want to establish a sect. I hope you'll help me."
Ma Hongjun blinked in surprise. "Establish a sect? Third Brother, you're not joking, are you?"
A flash of light passed through Tang San's eyes. "Isn't Spirit Hall planning to reorganize the Seven Great Sects through a tournament in a year? Then let's give them something to really worry about."
The Fatty let out a hearty chuckle. "Cause trouble? Now that's something I like! Maybe during that Seven Great Sects tournament, my heroic exploits will attract some innocent young ladies into my arms."
Tang San gave him an exasperated look. "Is there anything in your head besides women?"
The Fatty laughed bitterly. "I can't help it! That evil fire I was affected with since childhood got me used to the scent of women. If I go a few days without one, I just can't sit still. All six of you have your partners. I'm the only one left on my own — if I don't find some enjoyment, I'd go stir-crazy."
At the mention of partners, Tang San's gaze dimmed considerably. He looked down at Xiao Wu cradled in his arms and fell silent.
Ma Hongjun naturally noticed the shadow that crossed Tang San's face and quickly said, "Look at my mouth — running off again. Third Brother, don't mind me. So what kind of sect are you starting? I'll definitely help. We're brothers — do you even need to ask? Tell me the name first, and I'll help you brainstorm. We've got to come up with something cool."
A fierce gleam blazed in Tang San's eyes. "I've already thought of the name. It will be called: the
"The Tang Sect? Sounds a bit odd." Ma Hongjun looked at Tang San with puzzlement.
Tang San took a deep breath. The Tang Sect — the home where he had lived for nearly thirty years. This was the only way he could honor its memory.
Ever since arriving in this world as a small child, Tang San had dreamed of establishing a Tang Sect, of bringing the Tang Sect's supreme arts to glory across the Soul Land continent. Now he was about to make that dream a reality — but it could never be as simple as he had imagined in his youth.
Ma Hongjun said, "Third Brother, aren't you from the Clear Sky Sect? If you start your own sect, won't the Clear Sky Sect take issue with it?"
Tang San smiled faintly. "The Clear Sky Sect has sealed itself away. Although I've formally acknowledged my lineage, the Tang Sect and the Clear Sky Sect are not in conflict. In the future, we could have a relationship of mutual support. As for what comes after, that depends on what our Tang Sect grows into."
Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Third Brother, I'm only just realizing — you're truly a man of vision. Well, I'm following you, no question about it. Right now the Tang Sect is just the two of us, right? You're the Sect Master, and I'll be the Vice Sect Master — how about that?"
Tang San couldn't help but laugh. "The sect hasn't even been established yet and you're already jockeying for a title. I've already worked out the details of how we'll set it up. We'll start the preparations in the next few days. If you want to be Vice Sect Master, then Vice Sect Master it is. I need to head out for a bit to take care of something. If Rongrong wakes from cultivation, have her wait for me — I have something to discuss with her."
Before Ma Hongjun could even reply, Ning Rongrong's voice already drifted from the room. "Third Brother, whatever you have to say, just say it now. I've finished cultivating."
The door opened and Ning Rongrong stepped out. The girl who had once been spirited and lively now carried an additional weight of composure; there was even a touch of world-weariness on her delicate features.
Her gaze fell gently on Xiao Wu in Tang San's arms, and Ning Rongrong carefully kept her own sorrow from showing, not wanting to infect Tang San with her grief.
Tang San said, "Rongrong, how are things with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan right now?"
Ning Rongrong sighed. "What do you think? When we first arrived in Tian Dou City, we stayed at the academy for a while. Later, at Emperor Xue Ye's invitation, Father moved the clan into the imperial palace. The emperor set aside a special area within the palace grounds just for us."
Tang San said, "I'd like to meet with Uncle Ning, but not at the Tian Dou Empire's palace — too many prying ears and loose tongues. I have matters to discuss with your uncle. Rongrong, could you ask him to come here?"
By protocol, it should have been Tang San going to pay respects, but Ning Rongrong could read from the gravity in his expression that her Third Brother had something important to discuss with her father. Without a moment's hesitation she nodded. "Of course. I'll go find Father right away. Tonight — would that work?"
Tang San smiled. "That's fine. I'll trouble you then. But aside from Uncle Ning, don't let anyone else know I've returned. Especially not anyone from the Tian Dou royal family. Give my exact words to Uncle Ning, and he'll understand my reasons."
Ning Rongrong's face broke into a bright smile. "Don't be silly. Do we really need to say things like that between us? Don't worry. Father will definitely want to see you. It's been five years — if I hadn't told him, he might not even recognize you."
Ma Hongjun couldn't help but laugh from the side. "Now that sounds awfully suggestive. If anyone overheard, they'd think something was going on between you two."
Ning Rongrong shot him a glare. "Shut up, you fat oaf. Don't talk nonsense in front of Xiao Wu. I'm leaving."
Tang San said, "Let's go together. I need to head out as well." His decision to establish the Tang Sect was no whim. It had been thoroughly considered. A sect couldn't survive with just him and Ma Hongjun.
After leaving Shrek Academy, Ning Rongrong bid Tang San farewell with a smile and headed in the direction of the imperial palace.
Just as Tang San was about to set off toward his own destination, his spiritual sense flickered faintly. The sensation of being watched sharply heightened his alertness.
Although he hadn't activated his Blue Silver Domain, with his enhanced spiritual power there was naturally a field of mental energy surrounding him even without deliberate control. It wasn't large in scope, but if someone targeted him with distinct spiritual fluctuations, he could detect it immediately.
He was standing right at the gates of Shrek Academy, so Tang San wasn't worried about any danger. His gaze hardened, and a bone-piercing killing intent surged from his body, thrusting like a blade toward the direction of the hidden observer.
From around the corner, a figure clad entirely in grey emerged. The person exuded an elusive, unpredictable aura, and without activating his Killer God Domain, Tang San was surprised to find that he couldn't lock on to the other's presence at all.
This person's aura felt somewhat similar to Ghost Dou Luo's — though far less powerful, the energy fluctuations radiating from him sent a chill down Tang San's spine. The killing intent in his eyes blazed fiercely.
Ghost Dou Luo and Chrysanthemum Dou Luo had led Spirit Hall's elites to hunt down Xiao Wu. They were among Tang San's most deeply hated enemies. The appearance of someone with an aura reminiscent of Ghost Dou Luo, spying on him, instantly ignited the flames of vengeance in his chest.
The grey-clad figure wore not only grey robes but also a wide bamboo hat. A strip of grey gauze hung a full foot from the brim, concealing his face entirely.
"Who are you?" Tang San asked coldly.
An equally piercing killing intent now unfurled from the other person as well — icy, drenched in the scent of blood. Though not as dense as Tang San's Killer God Domain, the killing intent alone was enough for Tang San to judge that this was no ordinary academy-trained Soul Master, but someone truly baptized in blood. Moreover, the other's hostility toward him was unmistakable.
Someone sent by Spirit Hall? That was Tang San's first thought. He stepped forward, advancing toward the figure with measured steps. With each stride, the pressure radiating from him grew more intense. He didn't want to reveal his Martial Soul so easily — after all, that crimson hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring was far too conspicuous.
To avoid putting Xiao Wu in unnecessary danger, Tang San placed her inside his Myriad Treasure Pouch. The killing intent around him surged once more. If the opponent turned out to be from Spirit Hall, he would show absolutely no mercy.
The grey-clad figure suddenly clasped both hands behind his back. A faint series of metallic clinks sounded from behind him.
At the sound, Tang San froze for an instant — because he recognized that sound. It was deeply familiar to him. His mind stirred and he halted in his tracks. Fixing his gaze on the figure, he asked once more, "Who are you?"
The grey-clad figure showed no trace of retreat under the crushing pressure Tang San released, nor did any visible emotional fluctuation appear on his body — proving that his Soul Power level was not far below Tang San's own.