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Whether or not Tang San had integrated any spirit bones into his body was something an ordinary Spirit Master might find impossible to discern. However, with her immense mental strength, Bibi Dong could confirm with absolute certainty: Tang San did not possess a single spirit bone.
She did not believe for a moment that Tang San would obtain a 100,000-year spirit bone and simply choose not to absorb it. Furthermore, Tang Hao was not so foolish as to leave such a precious treasure elsewhere rather than keeping it on his person for safekeeping. Therefore, she deduced that the 100,000-year spirit bone was most likely being held at the Clear Sky Clan.
For the past month, she had been deploying additional personnel to keep a close watch on the Clear Sky Clan. The moment they showed any signs of re-emerging into the world, she would lead the Title Douluos of Spirit Hall to their doorstep. This would serve both as official business to settle the long-standing blood feud between their factions and as a perfect opportunity to handle her private agendas.
"There has been no movement whatsoever from the Clear Sky Clan's side," a subordinate reported.
Although the Clear Sky Clan claimed to be living in total seclusion, Spirit Hall was still capable of uncovering their general location. It was simply that they had avoided sending anyone there for a long time, maintaining a fragile state of mutual non-interference.
Hearing the report, Bibi Dong narrowed her long, elegant eyes. No movement?
"The Clear Sky Clan is even more enduring than we anticipated..." she murmured. Tang Hao had been killed and his spirit bones forcibly extracted, yet the Clear Sky Clan hadn't so much as uttered a single word of protest?
Even in seclusion, with an event as monumental as the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, the few scouts the Clear Sky Clan left in the outside world would have undoubtedly gathered the news. A month had passed, yet there was nothing but silence.
"Send Tang Hao's remains back to the Clear Sky Clan," Bibi Dong ordered coldly.
"This... understood."
Remembering the state of that pile of shredded meat, Ju Douluo felt a wave of nausea. At the time, Su Wen had performed a "dissection" from a distance to extract the spirit bones, using his wind blades to slice through flesh and bone at all six major points to ensure every piece was retrieved.
Once the matters regarding the Clear Sky Clan were settled, Bibi Dong shifted her focus to the progress of other projects. "How is the construction of the Academies progressing?" she inquired.
"Currently, the construction of the Academies in various medium and large cities is largely complete, thanks to the coordination of our many Spirit Hall branches and cathedrals," Ju Douluo replied. "Personnel from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan have also moved in to begin establishing the administrative order and logistical arrangements."
"However," Ju Douluo continued, his expression turning strange, "according to the reports from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Academies have not yet truly taken shape. To be fully functional and open to the public, they still require Su Wen himself to manifest the 'Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning' and install several other key facilities."
Bibi Dong noticed the change in Ju Douluo's countenance and let out a soft sound of inquiry. "Hmm?"
Ju Douluo explained, "I was skeptical myself, so a few days ago, I personally visited the newly completed Academy headquarters in Heaven Dou City." He paused, a look of genuine admiration crossing his face.
"The 'Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning' is far more advanced than the inheritance crystals Su Wen presented previously. It is as if he has completely opened and solidified a localized illusionary realm. Any Spirit Master can enter this realm to study the knowledge stored within. It utilizes a method similar to the inheritance crystals—a direct mental infusion—allowing a person to receive information rapidly. All the learner needs to do is focus on comprehending and internalizing it. Currently, many Spirit Masters are flocking to the Heaven Dou City headquarters to join the Academy just for the chance to study those materials."
This was not even the most shocking part for Ju Douluo. What truly stunned him was the sheer value of the knowledge contained within that "Mountain and Sea."
"Compared to the basic common sense found in the 'Ten Core Competencies,' the knowledge Su Wen left behind is highly categorized and offers very specific guidance. His theories on the development paths of Spirit Masters and the cultivation directions of various Martial Souls are entirely different from our existing doctrines in Spirit Hall. His perspective is incredibly novel. While it may seem like an elaboration on the 'there are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Spirit Masters' theory, it is more of a practical, detailed application of that concept, providing genuine direction for the development of all types of Martial Souls."
Ju Douluo sighed in admiration as he spoke. "According to the members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan who have joined the Academy, if a Spirit Master encounters a problem they cannot find an answer to within the Mountain or Sea, they can leave a query. Once a sufficient number of scholars have gathered, they will hold regular sessions to resolve the outstanding questions left at the Academy."
It was a movement dedicated entirely to accelerating the progress of all Spirit Masters. This was even more thorough than Spirit Hall's own efforts to push the development of the spirit world.
A brilliant light flickered in Bibi Dong's eyes. "Su Wen is a man of extraordinary talent!" That much she had to admit. "However, these Academies are too scattered. If this is truly a selfless contribution without a unified hierarchy of management between the branches, it will easily collapse under its own weight."
This was the crux of the issue. While the Academies could exert unparalleled influence and push the spirit world forward for a time, maintaining that momentum was another matter entirely.
"Is that why Su Wen sought to bring both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Spirit Hall into the fold? Was he anticipating this problem?" Ju Douluo speculated. By using the existing framework of Spirit Hall, he could ensure the stability of the Academy system. However, in doing so, the Academies would eventually be assimilated and become a part of Spirit Hall.
To this end, both Ju Douluo and Bibi Dong were filled with anticipation.
Three hundred kilometers east of Heaven Dou City, nestled within a range of sprawling mountains, lay a small, secluded village. Wisps of cooking smoke rose lazily from the various houses, painting a picture of a tranquil, pastoral life. However, the atmosphere in this village recently had been exceptionally heavy.
This was the hidden location of the Clear Sky Clan, once renowned as the "Number One Sect under Heaven."
The breakthrough in cultivation theories and the massive shift in Spirit Master cultivation, combined with the establishment of the Academies, had ushered the spirit world into a new era. These changes alone had given the reclusive Clear Sky Clan a sense of urgency. But even more explosive news had reached them following the conclusion of the tournament.
'Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo, was solo-killed by a Spirit King from the Academy!'
Although Su Wen had tried to keep a low profile by crediting Ning Rongrong's support, the rumors circulating through the spirit world insisted that Su Wen had killed the Clear Sky Douluo single-handedly. Within just one month, Su Wen had practically been deified, becoming a figure of worship for countless Spirit Masters. To them, the idea of a Spirit King slaying a Title Douluo was not only true but perfectly natural given Su Wen's genius.
But this sentiment did not extend to the people of the Clear Sky Clan.
On a precipitous peak among the mountains behind the village stood the Great Hall of the Clear Sky Clan. Inside, a group of elders with powerful spirit power fluctuations had gathered. At the head of the hall sat a middle-aged man whose spirit power was equally formidable. Upon closer inspection, his facial features bore a fifty-percent resemblance to Tang Hao.
He was the current Sect Master of the Clear Sky Clan, Tang Hao's elder brother: the Sky-Howling Douluo, Tang Xiao.
The atmosphere in the hall was suffocatingly heavy. Even the usually composed Tang Xiao was currently experiencing tremors in his spirit power, which showed signs of becoming uncontrollable. Beside Tang Xiao sat a beautiful woman of exceptional grace. Though she naturally exuded a serene aura, her current expression was at odds with her temperament. Her face was etched with grief, and her eyes burned with a mixture of hatred and resentment.
"Tang Xiao," the Second Elder spoke, his voice breaking the silence. "Do you still insist on ending our seclusion!?"
(End of Chapter)