Upon hearing this, Tang Qing's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, a smile full of mockery.
"I am not trying to bargain with you."
Zhu Zhuqing's cool voice rang out immediately. She stood tall and straight, her jade-like legs, which looked exceptionally long in the moonlight, were taut and straight.
"This is the prince's order."
Xiao Wu covered her face, her red rabbit eyes glaring fiercely at Tang Qing on horseback.
It's all because of him!
It's all because of that damned Blue Silver King that her third brother hit her!
Old and new grudges surged into her heart, and she could no longer hold back.
"Blue Silver King! Aren't you going too far! You bastard! What kind of skill is it to bully people!"
"How dare you!"
Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face turned fierce as she sternly rebuked him.
"How dare you disrespect His Highness the Blue Silver King!"
Her soul power surged, as if she were ready to teach this arrogant girl a lesson at any moment.
"Zhu Qing".
Tang Qing spoke calmly, stopping her.
Seeing this, Tang San's tense nerves relaxed.
The first time, Tang Qing glanced at Xiao Wu but did not react.
The second time, Tang Qing only ordered the academy to be demolished; he did not target her directly.
This is the third time in a row.
A huge weight was finally lifted from Tang San's heart.
It seems he couldn't tell that Xiao Wu was a soul beast.
Indeed, Xiao Wu's disguise was flawless, and the herbs concealed her aura. Unless a Title Douluo carefully examined her face-to-face, there was absolutely no way she could see through it.
All my previous anxiety was just me scaring myself.
However, just as Tang San was finally at ease, a casual remark made his blood freeze instantly.
Tang Qing's gaze finally fell on Xiao Wu again. His eyes were as calm as a deep pool of water, yet they made the person being watched feel completely exposed.
He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet it resonated clearly deep within everyone's soul.
"I should call you Xiao Wu..."
He paused, giving everyone a moment to catch their breath, before uttering the words that were enough to overturn everything.
"Or is it a 100,000-year-old Soft-Boned Rabbit?"
Upon hearing this, the sounds of wind, fire, and breathing seemed to vanish in that instant.
The entire venue was deathly silent.
...
The northern border, the Ironwall Mountains.
Surrounded by clouds and mist, the cliffs rise thousands of feet high.
This is a forbidden place that ordinary people can never reach in their lifetime, and it is also the location of the mountain gate of the Haotian Sect, a name that resounds throughout the Soul Master world.
Inside the mountain gate, in the sect's council hall.
The hall is built of black rock, simple and majestic. The huge stone pillars are carved with coiled dragons and fierce tigers, silently telling the story of the sect's past glory and dominance.
However, the atmosphere in this solemn hall today was somewhat heavy and anxious.
The four imposing middle-aged men sat upright, but the worry between their brows was impossible to conceal.
They were the patriarchs of the four major affiliated sects under the Haotian Sect.
Titan of the Power Clan, Niu Gao of the Defense Clan, Bai He of the Agility Clan, and Yang Wudi of the Destruction Clan.
They had originally withdrawn from the Haotian Sect, but because of Tang Qing, the Northern Territory was unified, and the Haotian Sect once again subdued them by force.
Such a large number of Title Douluos.
The four major families naturally and obediently offered their loyalty.
"Sect Master, Blue Silver King's remarks have caused quite a stir within our sect."
The one who spoke was Titan, the patriarch of the Power Clan. His voice was booming, and his physique was as imposing as a mountain, but his face was full of worry.
"At the banquet, the Blue Silver King openly named us and said he would deal with us. When the news spread, the clan was in a state of panic. Many clansmen were worried that we... were in deep trouble."
"Yes, Sect Master," Bai He, the patriarch of the Min clan, chimed in. He was thin and had a gaunt face. "Now everyone is saying that His Highness the Blue Silver King is incredibly powerful and domineering. Even the Star Luo Empire suffered a great loss at his hands. We… really don't know what to do."
Seated in the main seat was a tall, middle-aged man with a resolute face.
He wore a simple gray robe, his long hair cascading down his shoulders, and his eyes exuded an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger.
He is none other than Tang Xiao, the current sect master of the Haotian Sect and the Howling Sky Douluo.
Listening to the complaints of the four clan leaders, Tang Xiao remained calm and composed. He slightly raised his hand, signaling them to calm down.
"I am aware of this matter."
His gaze swept across both sides of the hall, where seven elderly men with profound and imposing presence sat.
They are the pillars of the Haotian Sect, the seven elders.
"Elders, you must be aware of the whole story."
Tang Xiao's voice was steady and resonated in the empty hall.
"Tang Qing, the Blue Silver King, hosted a banquet in Blue Silver City, inviting all the powerful and influential figures of the Northern Territory. Our Haotian Sect has closed its gates and has not sent anyone to attend. This move must have offended this newly appointed ruler of the Northern Territory."
He paused, then continued.
"At the banquet, he openly stated that he would deal with us; this was both a warning and a test."
"Now, he has announced that he will establish an academy called 'Holy Court' in the North, to recruit talents from all over the world."
Tang Xiao's gaze deepened.
"I have gathered you all here to discuss whether our Haotian Sect should send a few outstanding disciples down the mountain to enter his academy."
"Firstly, it allows us to investigate this person's true strength. Secondly, we might also take this opportunity to show goodwill and ease tensions between us."
After all, although the Haotian Sect is powerful, it is still in a semi-retired state and it is not yet time for it to truly emerge from seclusion.
As soon as Tang Xiao finished speaking, a red-haired old man sitting at the end of the elders' seat slammed his hand on the armrest, making a muffled sound.
"Sect Master, you are mistaken!"
The old man's voice was like thunder, and he had a fiery temper. He was none other than the Seventh Elder, the Blazing Sun Douluo.
"To ease tensions? My Haotian Sect needs to curry favor with a mere child?"
He stood up, looked around at everyone, his eyes full of disdain.
"That Blue Silver King only gained some fame by chance through a few fortuitous encounters, and he doesn't know his own limitations, daring to challenge the majesty of my Haotian Sect!"
"He's just talking big and bluffing!"
Lieyang Douluo almost spat out his saliva.
"My Clear Sky Sect commands over a thousand Soul Masters, and within the sect alone, there are eight Title Douluo! Such immense power, who on the entire continent can match it? Even the Spirit Hall would have to think twice!"
"What makes him, a mere Blue Silver King, think he can stand against us? We'd give him ten times the courage!"
"Seventh Brother is right!"
Another elder, whose hair and beard were both crimson and whose face was even more arrogant, also spoke. His voice was hoarse and domineering, full of scorching heat.
"What Blue Silver King? He's nothing but a brat, arrogant and unruly!"
The Second Elder, Blazing Sun Douluo, snorted coldly, his eyes filled with utter contempt.
"Sect Master, in my opinion, there's no need to pay any attention to him. If he really dares to come knocking, I will personally take action and make him run for his life, letting him know what true power is!"
"Ha ha ha ha..."
"Second Brother is right! Kill him until he's pissing his pants!"
"A mere brat dares to talk back to my Haotian Sect? What a joke!"
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(End of chapter)