Tang Xiao revealed a profound gaze.
He looked toward the direction of Heaven Dou City, "Rest assured, this time I will invite Ning Zongzhu, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo to jointly protect Xiao San. If that Evil Soul Master dares to come again, we'll definitely make him pay the price!"
Yu Xiaogang immediately showed delight: "With the assistance of the Heaven Dou Empire's army, plus Ning Zongzhu's intelligence amplification, and Sword Douluo, no one in the world can match this combination!"
However, Tang Hao showed a puzzled expression, saying: "I'm afraid this will put us in debt to the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Might they have some demands?"
Tang Hao wasn't that naive.
Although during this period, Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi, and the Clear Sky Sect had been in close contact.
Last time at Blue Tyrant Academy, the three parties had also established a united front.
But that was a united front against the Spirit Hall.
Just for his son to absorb the sixth Spirit Ring, making such a big commotion might make the other parties think they were making a fuss over nothing.
Tang Xiao calmly said: "It's fine, Ning Fengzhi's perspective isn't that narrow. Helping us is helping the Heaven Dou side.
And Xue Qinghe has already had Titan hint at his conditions to us!"
At these words, both Tang San and Tang Hao felt displeased.
Tang San recalled how Xue Qinghe had previously tried to recruit him through Ning Fengzhi. Now it was just about protecting him while he absorbed the sixth Spirit Ring, yet there were still conditions?
Tang Hao was even more angry. Aren't we the world's number one sect?
Without our protection, could your Heaven Dou Empire even exist?
The Spirit Hall would have destroyed you long ago, yet you dare to set conditions?
"Haha!"
Tang Xiao laughed heartily: "Don't be tense, he's the one who needs something from us."
Under the gazes of Yu Xiaogang, Tang Hao, and Tang San, Tang Xiao finally explained: "Xue Qinghe has great ambitions. He wants to mobilize troops against Star Luo and hopes we remain neutral if conflict arises between the two countries.
This crown prince is no ordinary person. He also mentioned Xiao San, saying he clearly understands Xiao San's relationship with Star Luo Empire's crown prince Dai Mubai, and won't put us in a difficult position.
He only requires our neutrality. For so many years, our clansmen have relied on the Heaven Dou royal family's Soul Hunting Forest to absorb Spirit Rings. His request isn't excessive!"
Only then did Tang Hao and Tang San's expressions ease.
"The Spirit Hall is powerful, and Star Luo Empire's military strength is actually stronger than Heaven Dou's. Their Spirit Master World is more unified too, plus the Star Luo emperor is a Titled Douluo.
Where does Xue Qinghe get such confidence from?
If the two countries fight and both suffer losses, won't it only benefit the Spirit Hall!"
Yu Xiaogang frowned deeply.
Although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family had defected to the Spirit Hall after his father's death.
Yu Xiaogang simply didn't believe that Tang Hao and Tang Xiao had killed Yu Yuanzhen.
At that time, he had been with Tang Hao and Tang Xiao.
They hadn't left Blue Tyrant Academy at all.
Therefore, Yu Yuanzhen's death must have been either caused by Bibi Dong or by the hidden Evil Soul Master.
When he received the news back then, Yu Xiaogang was extremely distressed.
His father had actually died.
He didn't even have the courage to confront Bibi Dong.
He didn't dare to imagine - if it really was Bibi Dong who killed Yu Yuanzhen, would he go mad?
So during that period, he could only channel all his energy into focusing on Tang San.
Nurturing Tang San had become his sole spiritual pillar.
Up until now, he had grown accustomed to considering matters from Tang San's perspective.
And Tang San's greatest enemy in this life was undoubtedly the Spirit Hall.
He was unwilling to see the Spirit Hall gain advantages effortlessly.
Tang Xiao sighed: "You haven't frequently interacted with the outside world, so you don't know Xue Qinghe's methods.
He had already seized control of Heaven Dou's authority a year ago, and has always placed great importance on the Spirit Master World.
Some Spirit Master Academies that originally stayed out of politics, along with neutral spirit masters, have gradually begun cooperating with him.
The most prominent example is the relocation of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy—they've moved inside Heaven Dou City.
Three Soul Douluo-level Education Committee Members have taken positions as Guest Ministers in the Royal Soul Master Legion.
Furthermore, the Dugu Family, Wind Sword Sect, and Ge Family in Heaven Dou City all staunchly support Xue Qinghe.
With such a foundation and being newly enthroned, how could he not make major moves!
I've communicated with Ning Zongzhu—we can't stop this. We can only let the two empires fight it out first.
If both sides truly fight to a stalemate, mutually weakening each other, our two sects will certainly need to mediate.
If one side gains overwhelming advantage, it would just facilitate the unification of the two great empires, consolidating strength to better resist the Spirit Hall!"
Tang Xiao felt conflicted internally—he didn't want them to deplete their strength too much, yet he also hoped the two nations would truly unify to gather greater power against the Spirit Hall.
Yu Xiaogang remained frowning. Tang Hao and Tang San understood the continent's situation even less clearly than he did.
Having spent considerable time in the Spirit Hall before, he knew its strength best.
And he understood Bibi Dong.
He always felt things wouldn't develop as Tang Xiao hoped.
Once two nations go to war and breed hatred, how easily can the situation be controlled? Moreover, Bibi Dong wouldn't just stand by watching.
But this wasn't something he could decide.
He only hoped Tang San would quickly absorb the Spirit Ring and grow stronger as soon as possible.
Tang San showed no interest in the war whatsoever. After briefly worrying about Dai Mubai, he refocused on his cultivation.
And also on the upcoming reunion with the Shrek group.
Most importantly—Xiao Wu.
At the thought of Xiao Wu, Tang San's heart couldn't help but tremble.
Nearly four years!
Four years had passed!
The image of Xiao Wu in his heart hadn't faded—instead, it had grown clearer.
When the Shrek Seven Devils were together before, he only thought his feelings for Xiao Wu were sibling affection.
Moreover, absorbed in cultivation, he never considered romantic feelings.
But now, after these years, Tang San was one hundred percent certain of his own heart.
Xiao Wu, what I feel for you is love!
Xiao Wu, would you be my beloved!
As for the other Shrek Seven Devils, Dai Mubai, being the crown prince, definitely wouldn't come to the Star Luo Empire.
The others—Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, Oscar—were all geniuses. He wanted to see how his former companions' strength had progressed.
These people would all be comrades in future revenge against the Spirit Hall.
"Xiao San, have you decided which Spirit Beast to absorb?" Tang Xiao suddenly asked.
"Man-faced Demon Spider!"
Tang San answered without hesitation.
Tang Xiao and Tang Hao immediately looked at each other in surprise—still absorbing the Man-faced Demon Spider?
This showed Tang San hadn't given up.
He wanted to say that while something might happen once or twice, it doesn't necessarily mean it will happen a third time.
Getting External Soul Bones the first two times was already exceptionally fortunate, even though those External Soul Bones were stolen!
If it appeared a third time, he would be tempted to have someone from the sect absorb the Man-faced Demon Spider.
The Man-faced Demon Spider wasn't something only Xiao San had absorbed.
Other Soul Masters had absorbed it too, but there were no records of an External Soul Bone appearing.
He really wanted to comfort Tang San, to tell him not to get his hopes up too high.
But seeing the determined looks in Tang San and Yu Xiaogang's eyes, the words on the tip of his tongue turned into: "Alright, Xiao San, let's give it one more try!"
With the four of them having decided on the Spirit Beast, they resolutely headed down the mountain.
First, they would attend Xue Qinghe's coronation ceremony in Heaven Dou City, and then absorb the Spirit Ring.
(End of Chapter)