Chapter 93: Tang Hao Meets Xiao Wu
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Half a year later, at Spirit Hall.
Qian Renhan sat on the Pope's throne, looking down at the seven figures standing before him. These seven individuals were the core members representing Spirit Hall in the upcoming Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament.
- Kuang Xiao, spirit: Blazing Flame Lion; spirit rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black; Level 54 Assault System Spirit King. He was the grandson of the Fourth Worshipper and only 22 years old.
- Qiangu Yuntian, spirit: Coiling Dragon Staff; spirit rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black; Level 53 Assault System Spirit King.
- Yan, spirit: Flame Lord; spirit rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black; Level 52 Assault System Spirit King.
- Xie Yue, spirit: Moon Blade; spirit rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black; Level 52 Assault System Spirit King.
- Tian Yao, spirit: Golden Crocodile King; spirit rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple; Level 49 Assault System Spirit Ancestor.
- Hu Liena, spirit: Celestial Fox; spirit rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple; Level 49 Control System Spirit Ancestor.
- Ye Lingling, spirit: Moon Spirit Begonia; spirit rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple; Level 46 Healing System Spirit Ancestor.
As for Hu Liena, Qian Renhan completely disregarded her, following a principle of indifference. He had no interest in dealing with an insignificant insect—just as he had no interest in anyone from Shrek other than Tang San and Xiao Wu. She was thrown into Spirit Hall Academy, left to train alongside Xie Yue and Yan. As for any so-called "Saintess-level resources," she could only dream of them.
As long as she behaved, he wouldn't interfere. But if she ever turned into a lovestruck fool and betrayed Spirit Hall, then he would have the entire city's Spirit Masters gather in the square to witness her execution. (Spoiler.)
Apart from Ye Lingling, whom Qian Renhan had personally selected, the other three geniuses—excluding the Golden Trio—were sent by the Worship Hall and the Pope's Hall as a gesture of goodwill. The three Worshippers wanted their descendants to undergo some real-world training. As for the Third Worshipper, Qingluan Douluo, he was naturally aloof and completely dedicated to cultivation, which was why the Qingluan Divine Bird Spirit had never been passed down. Similarly, the Fifth Worshipper, Guangling Douluo, was indifferent to beauty and had no interest in romance.
As for Yan, he remained Hu Liena's devoted follower, neglecting his own cultivation. Qian Renhan ignored him completely. After all, if he could seal Qian Xunji's spirit power and throw him into Spirit Hall's dungeon for two years, then dealing with an outsider's cultivation issues was hardly a concern.
Qian Renhan spoke coldly, "You must win this tournament. Losing is not an option. You all understand what that means, don't you?"
The rewards for this year's tournament were exceptionally valuable: two rare medicinal herbs that could strengthen one's foundation and essence—Nine-Petal Purple Ganoderma and Sunflame Sunflower—along with three spirit bones: the Wisdom Head Spirit Bone, which enhanced mental focus, the Flaming Right Arm Explosion Spirit Bone, and the Wind-Chasing Speed Leg Bone.
The foundation-strengthening herbs were meant for Kuang Xiao and Qiangu Yuntian, as Tian Yao and Ye Lingling had already consumed immortal herbs. The spirit bones were allocated to Ye Lingling and Tian Yao, while the remaining one would be given to whoever proved their worth. However, with Xie Yue's obsession with protecting his sister and Yan's blind devotion, there was an 80% chance that the spirit bone would end up in Hu Liena's hands. But one thing was certain—betrayal meant death. The herbs were consumed and gone, but spirit bones could always be retrieved from a corpse.
"Understood, Your Holiness!" Six voices rang out in unison, with only Hu Liena remaining silent.
Hu Liena's beautiful eyes flickered with suppressed fury as she gazed at Qian Renhan on the throne. After extensive investigation, she had learned that her revered teacher, Bibi Dong, had been crippled and expelled from Spirit City by him. No one even knew where she was now. The title of Saintess, the endless resources she once had—everything was gone.
She would dedicate herself to cultivation, break through to Titled Douluo, find her teacher, and defeat Qian Renxue to reclaim her rightful place as Spirit Hall's Saintess!
---
Night.
The moon hung in the sky like a silver disc, accompanied by a sea of twinkling stars.
After spending the entire day immersed in affectionate moments with Tang San, Xiao Wu returned to her room, filled with joy. Yet, as she lay on her bed, deep anxiety crept into her heart.
Her cultivation had reached Level 38, keeping pace with Tang San, making her a formidable force within the Shrek team. However, she knew she couldn't participate in the Spirit Master Tournament. There was a high chance that Contra-level, or even Titled Douluo-level, experts would be present. The most likely candidate was the "Sword Grandpa" that Ning Rongrong had mentioned. If she encountered a Titled Douluo, she would be exposed instantly.
But without her strength in the team, Shrek, which was already struggling to reach the finals, would face an even greater challenge.
She didn't want to see Tang San, once full of confidence, fall into despair again—like when they lost to the Emperor Battle Team.
Just as she was caught in deep thought—
"You have quite the nerve. A transformed soul beast that hasn't even reached full maturity… yet you dare to wander into Heaven Dou City, the very heart of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
A low, chilling voice suddenly echoed in her ear.
"San-ge—!"
Xiao Wu screamed instinctively, calling out for Tang San to save her.
For someone to instantly see through her identity as a transformed soul beast, they had to be at least a Contra-level expert. She should have called for Flender or Liu Erlong—but in her panic, as a hopeless romantic, the first person that came to mind was Tang San.
"San-ge—!"
"Stop shouting. The space around this room has already been sealed by my spirit power. Your voice won't reach anyone. But even if it could, the outcome wouldn't change."
The deep voice echoed once more.
"Who… who are you?" Despair surfaced in Xiao Wu's eyes. Sealing space—this was something even a Contra couldn't do. That meant this person was undoubtedly a Titled Douluo-level expert. She hadn't even had the chance to be with Tang San properly yet. She hadn't avenged Da Ming, Er Ming, or her mother. How could she die here?
"Tang San's father, Tang Hao."
A tall figure suddenly appeared before her, clad in a leather coat with bronze-toned skin.
As the man turned around, Xiao Wu finally saw his face. He looked to be in his fifties, his beard was shaved clean, and his eyes radiated an overwhelming presence—sharp and domineering, like an ancient war god. However, his wild, bird's nest-like hair somewhat ruined his imposing image.
During his time at the Clear Sky Clan, aside from gathering resources and healing his injuries, Tang Hao had also been forced to clean himself up. Under the insistence of Tang Xiao and several elders, he had shaved, changed his clothes, and tidied up his appearance—if only to avoid tarnishing the reputation of the "Clear Sky Douluo."
Of course, being yelled at by his elders and younger sister to take a bath and shave had already cost him most of his dignity.
"Tang San's father? That's impossible! His father is just an ordinary blacksmith!" Xiao Wu's anxiety spiked once more.
Tang Hao didn't bother explaining further. Instead, he slowly released his spirit rings.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black… Red!
The moment her eyes landed on that dazzling hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, Xiao Wu collapsed to the ground.
"A Titled Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring…"
"Do you still think I need to lie to you?" Tang Hao retracted his spirit rings as he spoke in a calm yet oppressive tone.
Xiao Wu's voice trembled. "Since you've discovered my identity, Uncle Tang… what do you plan to do with me?"
Fear still filled her eyes. The presence of that hundred-thousand-year spirit ring was too overwhelming. If anyone knew the significance of such a ring, it would be Tang Hao himself.
"As a Spirit Master, I should capture you and keep you alive until Tang San is strong enough to kill you and take your spirit ring." Tang Hao's voice was low and emotionless. But then, he sighed and continued, "But as a father… I will allow you to stay by his side and will ensure your safety."
"Why?" Xiao Wu's expression was filled with confusion. In this world, were there really humans who didn't covet a hundred-thousand-year transformed spirit beast? She couldn't understand it at all.
Pain flickered in Tang Hao's eyes, and for the briefest moment, his gaze turned misty. "Because… just like you, Tang San's mother was also a transformed spirit beast. But unlike you, she had already reached full maturity."
Xiao Wu's breath hitched. "Tang San's mother… was a transformed spirit beast?!"
No wonder. No wonder she had felt drawn to Tang San from the very beginning. No wonder she had chosen to be close to the poorest, most ragged-looking, shortest boy in Nuoding Academy—rather than the group of fawning admirers constantly chasing after her.
(End of Chapter.)