Xue Qinghe's probing of Oscar's attitude today was to decide how to deal with the Sword Sect later. Although he greatly admired Oscar, if Oscar ever blocked his path, he would show no mercy.
Moreover, sinceAilan was now closely connected with the Pope in Spirit City, it wasn't impossible that after removing Oscar,Ailan could be raised to power.
However, this matter required careful planning. Under no circumstances could the Sword Sect catch even a hint of their intentions. If Oscar's death were linked to the Spirit Hall, the Sword Sect's retaliation would be disastrous.
The Sword Sect's strength was far greater than anyone had expected.
There were five known elders and a sect master who had never shown himself , at least six Titled Douluo in total.
Xue Qinghe turned to the Thornfish Douluo. "Have you investigated the matter regarding Tianshui Academy?"
The Douluo replied, "I have been acting in secret, and I did uncover something."
"Tell me."
The Thornfish Douluo reported, "At first, I thought this trip would be fruitless, but then two mysterious people left Tianshui Academy. I followed them in secret.
After confirming that the two were at most Contra level, I struck and captured them. From their mouths, I learned certain secrets."
After capturing Xu Kun and Xue Qingfeng, the Douluo told Xue Qinghe everything he had learned from them.
"So, the Sword Sect has formed a grudge with the Xuanming Sect?" Xue Qinghe's brows relaxed slightly.
He had been wondering who could take the blame for upcoming events, but now it seemed someone had conveniently delivered themselves.
"Where are those two now?"
"They've had their spirit power sealed and are being kept in the Spirit Hall under Bishop Salas's personal watch."
Xue Qinghe smiled. "You handled this well. Come, let's visit the Grand Elder of that reclusive sect. I have some matters to discuss with him.
After all, it's only a sect master's seat. If they're willing to serve Spirit Hall, there's no harm in helping them obtain it."
Star Dou Great Forest
Spirit Douluo Lingyuan followed the information Bibi Dong had given her to the forest but didn't find Yu Xiaogang where she expected. Instead, she encountered him at the outskirts.
It wasn't that Lingyuan found him , it was Yu Xiaogang who recognized her first.
Lingyuan Douluo could hardly believe her eyes.
The Yu Xiaogang she remembered was a Spirit Elder in his thirties, plain-looking and proud.
But the man before her was completely different. Though his features still bore traces of his old appearance, his aura and power had transformed completely.
Most astonishing of all, when he called out to Lingyuan, he was not walking on the ground but standing atop a ten-meter-long purple-golden dragon.
As a Titled Douluo, Lingyuan had seen much, and though she guessed at what might have happened, she didn't ask questions.
She brought Yu Xiaogang secretly back to Spirit Hall. When Bibi Dong saw him, she was overwhelmed with emotion , only she knew what kind of suffering Yu Xiaogang had endured to reach this state.
In the great secret chamber beneath the Pope's Hall, both Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong sat naked within a pool of dark violet liquid, meditating.
At that moment, veins bulged on Yu Xiaogang's forehead, and sweat dripped down his face. Bibi Dong's whole body was tense; she didn't dare relax.
Even Bibi Dong hadn't anticipated Yu Xiaogang's transformation. The Divine Disciple Secret Art was something she was using for the first time.
She had only expected to enhance his talent slightly, but unexpectedly it had brought Yu Xiaogang an incredible fortune.
Not only had his spirit evolved, but Yu Xiaogang had directly become an eighty-first level Contra.
When Bibi Dong later shared Yu Xiaogang's memories through the secret art, she finally understood the reason for his sudden breakthrough.
The Divine Disciple Secret Art could rebuild the disciple's foundation and establish a shared devotion to the same god.
The disciple could receive blessings from their master, and the stronger the disciple became, the stronger the master's divine foundation would be.
When Bibi Dong eventually inherited the Rakshasa God's position, Yu Xiaogang would receive divine feedback as her disciple and ascend as a divine priest.
During the ritual, the art absorbed all surrounding life and spirit energy , and as fate would have it, Lord Diyala had died beside Yu Xiaogang. The art absorbed all of Diyala's energy and gave it to Yu Xiaogang, elevating him to Contra level.
The eighty-eighth level Diyala had thus become Yu Xiaogang's greatest benefactor , Yu Xiaogang had effectively inherited his spirit rings.
However, since Yu Xiaogang had originally been only a level thirty-five Spirit Elder, he couldn't yet fully control the surge of power.
Bibi Dong now helped him refine and stabilize this strength to prevent his body from collapsing under the pressure.
Once his power stabilized, Bibi Dong collapsed, exhausted, behind him.
Feeling her soft skin against his back, Yu Xiaogang's mind wavered , but he had no energy for distractions. All his focus was on mastering his newfound strength.
When they finally dressed again, the atmosphere between them had grown much more intimate.
Bibi Dong said, "Since your appearance has changed and your spirit has evolved, it's best you abandon your old identity."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Alright. With a new name, no one will suspect anything."
Bibi Dong smiled. "I've already thought of one , Master of Dragon Control. I'll say you're one of my personally trained subordinates. You'll start as a bishop. With your talent, and once I equip you with several spirit bones, you'll reach Titled Douluo level within five years.
Then, with the two of us joining forces, the entire continent will be ours. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan that cast you out, and that ungrateful brat Tang San , they'll all pay the price.
As for Oscar, I'll leave him to you. What do you say?"
Yu Xiaogang smiled. "As you command, Your Majesty."
Bibi Dong frowned. "Your Majesty?"
Yu Xiaogang drew her into his arms. "Dong'er, my dear Dong'er."
His recent experiences had driven him to madness, and under the influence of the Divine Disciple ritual, he had also inherited some of Bibi Dong's madness. Now the two truly were a pair of lunatics.
Yu Xiaogang's subconscious now desired only to fulfill Bibi Dong's every wish.
With his power stabilized, he had to fully master his new Contra-level strength.
Once a mere Spirit Elder with no combat power, he now needed rigorous training to wield his power effectively.
And Bibi Dong became his teacher. As the most gifted spirit master of her generation and one who had survived the Slaughter City, she was undoubtedly the best mentor Yu Xiaogang could have.
All of this happened in secret. Soon, a Contra named Master of Dragon Control began to rise within Spirit Hall.
Rumor had it he was one of the Pope's most trusted aides, equal in status to Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo.
…
Moli City
Two months had passed since returning from Tianshui Academy. Oscar had devoted himself fully to preparing his teacher's wedding, and nothing unexpected had occurred.
A week before the ceremony, Haote finally arrived at the Sword Sect and mentioned the name Ao Rong.
To Haote's surprise, the sect disciples immediately led him to see Oscar.
Only then did Haote realize Ao Rong's influence. Just a name had been enough to grant him an audience with the sect's young master, without anyone questioning his background.
In the tea room, Oscar looked at the slightly nervous Haote and couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Haote had no idea that Ao Rong was merely one of Oscar's avatars, and even the young master before him was just a clone.
"O'Rong has already sent me word about you. Since he recommended you, I won't treat you unfairly," Oscar said.
"He said you're honest and upright. How about becoming a commander in the Law Enforcement Hall?"
Haote was overjoyed. To enter one of the sect's most important departments so easily , and as a commander at that , was the kind of opportunity only someone with powerful backing could get.
Haote clasped his fists. "Thank you, Young Master. I will devote the rest of my life to serving the sect faithfully."
Oscar waved his hand. "The larger the sect, the more problems arise. The Law Enforcement Hall must be fair and incorruptible. Can you promise to uphold justice?"
Haote bowed. "I swear to fulfill my duty without fail."
Oscar smiled. "Good. Go familiarize yourself with the place; someone will guide you."
After Haote left, Oscar picked up the list again. The invitations had all been sent, and with only a week before his teacher's wedding, there could be no mistakes.
Watching Haote's departing figure, Oscar smiled. With that man overseeing the Law Enforcement Hall, there was little left to worry about , especially since the hall's members had already been carefully chosen.
That afternoon, Oscar visited Tang Hao's courtyard, where Tang San and Xiao Wu were also present, having returned from the Star Dou Forest a month and a half earlier.
Ye Haitang had arrived a month later to treat Tang Hao's injuries, but even with her skill, his recovery would take at least a year.
For now, Tang Hao would remain in the Sword Sect for treatment.
Although resting, Tang Hao had not stopped training Tang San. After their emotional reunion, it took less than two hours before Tang Hao resumed his strict fatherly demeanor.
He sealed Tang San's spirit power using a unique Haotian Sect method and began teaching him the Clear Sky Hammer techniques.
To his surprise, Tang San had already nearly mastered the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique. There was little left for Tang Hao to teach.
This delighted and amazed Tang Hao , such talent was extraordinary.
When Tang San explained that it was thanks to Oscar's instruction, Tang Hao felt both grateful and astonished.
Oscar wasn't from the Haotian Sect, yet he had taught Tang San to this level , that spoke volumes.
At only seventeen, Oscar was not only a prodigy but a true master. Tang Hao could hardly believe how much progress Tang San had made under his guidance.
Since Tang San had already perfected the hammer technique, Tang Hao began teaching him the Haotian Nine Arts, the sect's most profound and powerful legacy skill.
In the courtyard, Tang San was training under his father's guidance while Xiao Wu served tea happily.
Though Tang Hao couldn't fight due to his injuries, teaching his temporarily powerless son was no problem.
Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer, though not yet spirit-enhanced, already weighed eight hundred jin. Without Oscar's physical training methods and his powerful spirit rings and bones, Tang San couldn't even have lifted it.
When Oscar arrived, Tang Hao and Tang San paused their practice. Xiao Wu brought him tea. "Senior."
Tang San smiled. "Senior, you're here."
Tang Hao also smiled. "Little Ao, it's been half a month since I last saw you."
Oscar chuckled helplessly. "Uncle Tang, you know my teacher's wedding is near. He can't show himself, so it's up to me to handle everything."
"I've been swamped, but now that I have a break, I came right over."
Tang Hao laughed. "Sit, sit. Do you need help from me or these two kids?"
Oscar thought for a moment. "Not for now. I mainly came to chat with San and Xiao Wu. The other young disciples here barely dare talk to me. Only San can hold a proper conversation."
Tang San smiled. "As long as you need me, Senior, I'll be there."
Knowing how much Oscar had done for his father, Tang San's gratitude ran deep.
Over the years, Oscar's help had far exceeded what words could repay, and Tang San now regarded him not merely as a friend but as a true mentor.
Follow me on my patreon for 60 Advanced chapters and 3 chapter daily updates pat*eon.com/GodofTranslation889