"My husband..."
Sensing Dai Yao's complicated feelings, Feng Wutong came to Dai Yao's side, held Dai Yao's hand tightly, and smiled softly.
Dai Yao chuckled lightly, composed himself, looked at Feng Wutong, and teased:
"So you're finally willing to call me husband now?"
Feng Wutong lowered her head slightly, a blush rising on her pretty face. Only when the two of them were together would she address Dai Yao as her husband. Now, the two of them happened to be out alone, and Feng Wutong was secretly delighted.
Seeing that Feng Wutong was so shy, Dai Yao did not tease her too much.
Upon arriving at the gate of Wuguan, the two men, both wearing black hoods that completely concealed their figures, attracted the attention of the gate guards.
Dai Yao knew very well that Feng Wutong's appearance would inevitably cause trouble.
Therefore, he took out a token of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School from his soul tool and showed it to the many guards.
Upon seeing the token of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the guards, who had been somewhat wary and arrogant, immediately fell silent and made way for them.
Let's go.
Holding Feng Wutong's hand, Dai Yao and Feng Wutong slowly walked into the Wuguan Pass amidst the respectful gazes of numerous guards and the bewildered stares of many commoners.
After entering Wuguan, Dai Yao immediately found a carriage and headed towards Longxing City.
Longxing City is located in the north of the Star Luo Empire, less than two hundred miles from Wuguan Pass, making it a true border city.
However, it did not belong to the Star Luo Empire, but rather to a kingdom under its jurisdiction. Due to border trade, the city was extremely prosperous.
The two boarded the carriage, drew the curtain, and separated themselves from the coachman before removing their hoods.
Looking at Dai Yao's face, which was filled with reminiscence, Feng Wutong smiled faintly. After a long while, when Dai Yao gradually came back to his senses, she asked:
"Husband, we brought 500,000 gold coins this time. Is that a bit too much to establish a sect?"
Dai Yao sighed softly and said, "Five hundred thousand gold coins is indeed not enough. But these gold coins are all the wealth I have left after deducting the reward from the Spirit Hall."
"If I want to establish a sect with a neutral stance, I must try my best to sever ties with the Spirit Hall."
"Therefore, I must wait for Yan Yan's arrival and, with the help of the Bi Lin lineage's manpower and wealth, establish the sect."
Feng Wutong nodded thoughtfully, her jade-like hands clenching tightly on her lap, a hint of sadness flashing in her phoenix eyes. She couldn't help Dai Yao much in establishing a sect…
Dai Yao took Feng Wutong's tightly clenched hand, stared into her phoenix eyes, and smiled as he comforted her:
"What's there to be sad about? Having you by my side is the best help I can receive."
Feng Wutong bit her red lips lightly, her phoenix eyes seeming to drip with tears, and nodded heavily.
The carriage sped along, heading towards Longxing City.
······
Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City, Shrek Academy.
Beside the playground.
"Mistress! You're back."
Looking at his disciple, Yu Xiaogang's cold expression softened a bit, and he was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
Tang San nodded and turned to look at the group of Soul Masters who were dissatisfied with Yu Xiaogang's training.
"I will train with you on behalf of the master. I will double the amount of training you do. No one has ever been able to figure out the limits of human potential. I am the master's disciple, and I will prove to you that the master's theories are absolutely true."
His face was as cold as ice, and his killing intent was overflowing from his entire body. The chilling feeling made the many dissatisfied soul masters suddenly quiet down.
Ever since Xiao Wu died before his eyes, he felt as if he had returned to the state he was in during the Killing City, and the murderous intent surging in his heart was becoming uncontrollable.
After running twenty laps, announcing his level and age, and successfully showing off, Tang San followed Yu Xiaogang and slowly left the sports field amidst the incredulous and shocked gazes of many Soul Masters.
"What's wrong with you, mistress?"
In the woods, looking at Tang San's cold expression, Liu Erlong felt a deep fear and asked somewhat timidly.
Tang San paused slightly, forced a smile, and recounted his experiences after entering the Star Dou Great Forest in detail. When he spoke of Xiao Wu's sacrifice, Liu Erlong broke down in tears.
Seeing Liu Erlong's reaction, Tang San sighed inwardly and told her about Dai Yao taking Xiao Wu away to sacrifice herself.
Liu Erlong, who had been crying, suddenly flew into a rage. Red flames rose from her body, veins bulged on her beautiful face, and she clenched her fists, angrily saying:
"What? I should have killed this beast long ago! He's so despicable! Spirit Hall, Dai Yao, I'll kill you!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and left.
Tang San quickly stepped forward and stopped Liu Erlong, saying urgently, "Teacher Erlong, please don't be impulsive!"
Liu Erlong abruptly shook off Tang San's hand: "Impulsive? How can I not be impulsive? Tang San, if you're still a man, come with me to the Spirit Hall. Even if it means death, I'll make a complete mess of things."
"Enough!"
Yu Xiaogang roared.
"What good will it do you go? Now that Dai Yao has obtained a 100,000-year spirit ring, even you might not be his match! Not to mention the experts from the Spirit Hall!"
"You will only sacrifice yourselves in vain!"
Liu Erlong clenched her teeth, her lips trembling. Now, her goddaughter had died tragically, her body never found; her heart felt like it was clenching.
After a long pause, Yu Xiaogang said in a deep voice:
"Mistress, what are your plans now?"
Tang San said in a deep voice, "Teacher, I am now planning to establish a sect. The Spirit Hall has a large number of spirit masters, and it is not a wise choice to confront them head-on."
Yu Xiaogang's heart stirred:
"You mean you want to use your weapons to establish a sect?"
Upon hearing this, Tang San, who had always been aloof, finally revealed a faint smile. Restoring the glory of the Tang Sect in this world was his second wish, besides Xiao Wu's.
With Xiao Wu gone, what he wants to do most now is to establish a Tang Sect.
Yu Xiaogang laughed and said, "Your hidden weapons are indeed quite good. They can greatly narrow the gap between ordinary people and Soul Masters. If you really establish a sect and equip the Empire's army with these hidden weapons, it will surely be a great achievement."
Tang San nodded smugly. He did indeed have such an idea, but Tang Sect's items couldn't be sold cheaply. He had to set the price higher, just like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Yu Xiaogang seemed to remember something, turned his head and smiled:
"Xiao San, since you want to establish a sect, there are people who can help you."
"who?"
Tang San asked curiously.
"Of the original Shrek Seven Devils, although Ning Rongrong left, there are still six remaining. Mu Bai and his wife returned to the Star Luo Empire and have now been appointed as crown princes, so they cannot come to help you."
"However, Hong Jun and Oscar are still in Tian Dou City."
Yu Xiaogang explained.
"Now, due to his own evil fire, Hong Jun's desire for women has become increasingly strong as his soul power has increased. Therefore, on my advice, he joined the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Hongjun's talent was appreciated by Emperor Xueye, so he is never short of women now."
"And Oscar, just like you guys before you went to Shrek Academy, also joined the Heaven Dou Empire and hung out with Hong Jun."
"The two of them even earned a resounding nickname in the most famous brothel in Tiandou City."
At this point, Yu Xiaogang shook his head with a hint of disappointment. That nickname was even more difficult to utter.
Although he didn't say it aloud, Tang San already understood that the nickname wasn't a good one. He couldn't help but chuckle; these two guys hadn't changed at all.
Without the miraculous encounter with the Yin-Yang Well, Ma Hongjun's internal fire problem couldn't be cured, and he could only alleviate it by using women. Meanwhile, after Ning Rongrong left Shrek Academy, Oscar seemed to be drowning his sorrows in alcohol, spending his days surrounded by women.
However, despite their dissolute lifestyle, the two did not neglect their cultivation of soul power.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar both have a soul power level of 56.
"Teacher, will they really help me?"
Tang San asked with some doubt.
"Then I'll call them over, and you can ask them yourself."
Yu Xiaogang laughed.
······
"What? Third Brother wants to establish a sect? How can I stand by and watch?"
A huge, fat man, with his arm around a pair of twins, said angrily.
Beside him, a middle-aged man with a thick beard said disdainfully:
"You fatso, you're always hanging around women these days. I don't even know if you'll ever amount to anything. And you're even helping mistresses? I'm afraid you'll just make things worse!"
The fat man immediately became enraged, released his grip on the twins, and stood up, shouting angrily:
"You sausage seller, what do you think you are? Look at yourself, if someone didn't know you, they'd think you were forty! You say I can't fly? Then why don't you fight me?!"
The middle-aged man quickly moved from one end of the sofa to the other, and said somewhat fearfully:
"You, a power-attack type Soul Master, dare to fight me, a support type Soul Master, one-on-one? Have you no shame?! Besides, I just haven't finished off my opponent yet. Once I've finished off my opponent, I'll be amazed at how cool I am!"
Without Ning Rongrong's affections, Oscar lost his motivation and thus failed to obtain the Mirror Beast, thus missing the opportunity to copy other people's abilities.
Although they were bickering, neither of them was actually angry. During their five years in Heaven Dou City, they had become kindred spirits countless times.
Perhaps because of the trauma of Dai Mubai having twins back then, Ma Hongjun now has a strong liking for women with multiple births.
Looking at the two of them, Yu Xiaogang rubbed his head, feeling a bit of a headache.
Hearing that the two were willing to help him establish a sect, Tang San was overjoyed. However, although someone was coming to help him, he still lacked one crucial thing: funds.
"Little San, what are you thinking?! With us brothers here, we can definitely get the sect up and running!"
Oscar said nonchalantly.
Tang San smiled wryly and said, "We have enough manpower, but we lack funds. The sect I want to establish is not a small sect, and the funding gap is too big."
"Although I have the funds that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has used to purchase hidden weapons over the years, it is still a drop in the ocean when it comes to establishing a sect."
Yu Xiaogang interjected:
"Xiao San, why don't you ask Rongrong to borrow some money? Rongrong is now the young sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and she's incredibly wealthy. Besides, you're good friends, so she'll probably agree to lend you some."
Tang San's face immediately darkened. Back then, when he took out the Zhuge Crossbow to kill Dai Yao during the competition, Ning Rongrong refused to use it. Therefore, after their defeat, everyone at Shrek Academy subtly ostracized Ning Rongrong.
Now, asking him to ask Ning Rongrong for some funds would be a slap in the face.
Upon hearing the name Ning Rongrong, Oscar's heart skipped a beat. He stroked his thick beard and had the idea of taking better care of himself.
"Xiao San, if you are unwilling to accept the royal family's funding, then only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School on the continent can afford the expenses of establishing your sect. Rongrong is, after all, our teammate. Even if there were some conflicts in the past, so much time has passed that the conflicts should no longer matter."
Oscar offered words of comfort.
After a long silence, Tang San sighed and said, "Oscar, you're right. I was too petty."
One day later.
Tang San, accompanied by the handsome Oscar, arrived at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. After meeting Ning Fengzhi, Tang San suggested that he meet Ning Rongrong.
Ning Fengzhi smiled elegantly, leaning on his jade cane, and said:
"Mistress, what a coincidence, Rongrong just left and is about to leave the Heaven Dou Empire. If you have something to say, you can talk to me."
Tang San was lost in thought for a moment before refusing, "Since Rongrong has already left, then we don't need to bother her any further."
For a moment, both Tang San and Oscar felt a little lost.
Gazing at the magnificent gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Tang San sighed:
"Is fate playing such a cruel trick on me? I wanted to see Ning Rongrong, but she just left. Oh well, I'll go to the Power Clan first; maybe I can get their help..."
Upon arriving at the Power Clan, Tang San's display of hidden weapon blueprints immediately caught Titan's attention. Titan then suggested going to Dragon Rising City to meet the former four single-attribute clans.
Tang San was deeply moved.
If a sect were established based on the four single-attribute clans, then the newly established Tang Sect would be able to leapfrog into becoming a top power on the continent!
A line of carriages drove out of Tiandou City and sped towards Longxing City of the Star Luo Empire.
······
Where did Ning Rongrong go after leaving Tiandou City?
Inside a horse-drawn carriage.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's carriages were incredibly luxurious, moving as smoothly as if on flat ground; sitting in the carriage, one felt no vibration whatsoever.
A beautiful woman gazed at the fleeting scenery outside the window, but her eyes were unfocused, her thoughts drifting back to several days ago.
"Ning Rongrong, do you want to see Dai Yao?"
Inside the boudoir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
This was the first time Ning Rongrong had ever seen such a beautiful woman, whose appearance surpassed even her own, as if she did not exist in this world.
Her brows furrowed slightly; she noticed a familiar quality in the woman's features. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she exclaimed in surprise:
"You are... Dugu Yan?!"
Dugu Yan smiled slightly, elegantly crossed her legs, stared at Ning Rongrong, and solemnly said, "It's me. I'll ask you one more time, do you want to see Dai Yao?"
Ning Rongrong bit her red lips, her eyes sparkling.
She really wanted to see Dai Yao, and she also knew that Dugu Yan seemed to have a very close relationship with Dai Yao. If Dugu Yan said she could let her see Dai Yao, there might actually be a chance.
However, the Bilin family has never had a good reputation. Can she trust Dugu Yan?
She gritted her teeth and said, "Tell me, where is he?"
Dugu Yan laughed:
"Star Luo Empire, Dragon Rising City..."
A hint of confusion flashed in Ning Rongrong's starry eyes; the name Longxing City was indeed unfamiliar. However, she quickly located the location of Longxing City in her mind.
As the young sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, she was familiar with most of the well-known trading cities on the continent. She was puzzled: what was Dai Yao doing in Dragon Rising City?
But what's even more puzzling is why Dugu Yan told her this?
Ning Rongrong stared intently at Dugu Yan, frowning as she asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"
Dugu Yan smiled mysteriously, and a green mist rose. Ning Rongrong retreated warily. When the green mist disappeared, Dugu Yan's figure had vanished without a trace...
"Rongrong, are you still thinking about that matter?"
A deep voice rang out, waking Ning Rongrong from her thoughts. A man dressed in hemp clothing sat cross-legged, an ancient longsword resting on his lap. His silver hair was neatly combed.
It was none other than Sword Douluo Chen Xin, one of the two pillars of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Ning Rongrong nodded.
Chen Xin smiled and said, "Now that we have a clue, let's go. With Grandpa by our side, there will be no danger."
If he hadn't learned about Dai Yao's reasoned argument for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School at the Spirit Hall, would he have agreed to let Ning Rongrong go out to find Dai Yao?
It would be good enough if Dai Yao wasn't killed alive.
Seeing his beloved granddaughter so attached to a man, even the most composed Sword Douluo couldn't help but feel a surge of hostility towards Dai Yao.
"When I see Dai Yao, I'm going to teach him a lesson!"
Sword Douluo made up his mind and thought silently.
Ning Rongrong clenched her delicate hands.
Back then, her decision to run away from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and join Shrek Academy was, in a sense, a spur-of-the-moment decision. But this time, leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to find Dai Yao is a testament to her longing and relentless pursuit of the person she misses.
"It's been five years, Dai Yao. How have you been?"
······
The eye of ice and fire.
Dugu Yan sat by the icy spring, gazing at the herbs scattered around her, and smiled gently. A touch of melancholy crossed her mind.
"Old Dai, I've already sent Ning Rongrong over to you. I'll set off again in a few days. If you haven't won Ning Rongrong over by the time I arrive, then I'll have to look down on you..."
Dai Yao wanted to establish a neutral sect, but relying solely on the Bi Lin lineage was insufficient. Although the Poison Douluo had a great reputation, he was far inferior to the truly powerful figures.
Once war breaks out, the Azure Scale Clan, with its limited strength, has no right to remain neutral. It must side with one side, or it will face joint annihilation from both.
Dugu Yan knew this well, and she also learned about Ning Rongrong's feelings through Feng Qianli. Therefore, she took advantage of Dai Yao's establishment of the sect to create opportunities for Ning Rongrong.
Once Dai Yao wins over Ning Rongrong, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will inevitably side with him. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's help, the sect established by Dai Yao can truly stand firm.
At the same time, she also concealed her own selfish motives.
Dai Yao had been staying at the Spirit Hall for a long time, spending most of his time with Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, which caused his relationship with her to become somewhat distant.
But she knew that Ning Rongrong was Dai Yao's deepest regret. As long as she helped the two of them get together, she would ask for nothing in return, but given Dai Yao's personality, he would only feel more guilty towards her.
Gazing at the shimmering water, she sighed softly.
If it weren't for the cruel twist of fate, why would she have given a woman to her man? How could she possibly feel good about it?
······
The Heavenly Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and various parts of the continent.
The Min clan, the Li clan, the Po clan, Dai Yao, Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan, each with their own purposes, all headed towards the same place.
Dragon Rising City! (End of Chapter)