Chapter 278: Tang San Deceived Again? Two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beasts!
Upon hearing this, Tang San forced himself to sit up, his eyes filled with vigilance and stubbornness. He shook his head, his voice hoarse, and said,
"No! I must see my uncle and aunt with my own eyes!"
"There are only the two of us here now. Words are not enough. If you go back on your word, who can I complain to? I will never hand over the Ring-Exploding Secret Technique without seeing them!"
Hearing this, the fake Seventh Elder's face flashed with a hint of displeasure and trouble. He frowned, seemingly weighing his options, and finally, as if forced to compromise to obtain the secret technique as soon as possible, he snorted heavily and said,
"Hmph! You're quite suspicious, kid! Fine, I'll grant your request this time! You wait here, I'll go and call the Sect Master and Yuehua over!"
After saying this, the fake Seventh Elder did not linger, turned around and walked out of the stone chamber, slamming the stone door shut behind him.
As soon as he stepped out of the stone chamber and out of Tang San's sight, the impatient expression on the face of the Seventh Elder, who was actually Tang Chuan, vanished instantly, replaced by a sneer of triumph.
He then swiftly flashed to a secluded corner, his soul power fluctuating slightly.
The next moment, his blood-red second soul ring lit up!
Second Soul Skill, Blue Silver Clone!
In a flash of light, two figures identical to the Seventh Elder's original body, even sharing the same aura, instantly separated from him and stood silently to the side.
Then, before the aura fluctuations of these two clones could stabilize, Tang Chuan's own red first soul ring lit up, simulating the activation of his soul skill!
He raised his hand and pointed at the two clones.
Instantly, an invisible, profound power enveloped them.
The next second, the two clones began to twist and deform violently, like reflections in water. Their outlines changed rapidly; height, physique, face, even clothing and subtle temperament were adjusted at lightning speed…
In the blink of an eye!
Standing before Tang Chuan were no longer the two Seventh Elders, but the imposing and resolute Sect Master Tang Xiao, and the elegant and graceful Tang Yuehua!
Their appearance, demeanor, and even the faint fluctuations of their soul power were indistinguishable from the real people, flawless!
Looking at his creation, Tang Chuan nodded in satisfaction.
Then, he nodded slightly to Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua.
Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua returned the glance simultaneously, the three seemingly sharing a telepathic understanding.
A few minutes later, Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua, simulated by Tang Chuan's clones, solemnly pushed open the stone door and once again entered the stone chamber where Tang San was imprisoned.
Inside the stone chamber, Tang San, who had been anxiously waiting, finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart when he saw his uncle and aunt arrive together. His guard immediately lowered.
The stone door opened again.
The fake Seventh Elder entered first, his face still gloomy, but his eyes seemed to hold a restrained sense of prioritizing the greater good.
The fake Tang Xiao's face was solemn, exuding an imposing aura without anger. When his gaze fell on Tang San, it carried a complex and unspeakable sorrow and heaviness.
Tang Yuehua's eyes were slightly red, her face filled with worry and heartache. She quickly walked to Tang San's side and said softly, "Little San, you've suffered..."
Seeing his beloved uncle and aunt finally appear, especially Tang Yuehua's genuine emotional outpouring, Tang San's tense heartstrings instantly relaxed. The grievances, pain, and fear of the past few days seemed to find an outlet. His nose tingled, and he almost shed tears.
"Uncle…Aunt…"
The fake Tang Xiao sighed, his voice low and authoritative, saying,
"Little San, things have come to this point, you must understand that the sect rules cannot be trampled upon. Your father's unauthorized teaching of the Ring-Exploding Technique is already a serious crime. You've ruined the Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul… in that state, which can be considered a great disgrace to the sect!"
Just then, the fake Seventh Elder snorted coldly, adding fuel to the fire,
"Hmph! If it weren't for the sect leader and Yuehua repeatedly pleading for you and protecting your life, in my opinion, you should have been dealt with directly according to the sect rules, and your Martial Soul should have been crippled as a warning to others!"
These words were like ice water poured over Tang San's head, instantly extinguishing any warmth that had just risen in his heart, and his face became even paler.
"Seventh Uncle!" Hearing this, Tang Yuehua immediately spoke up, with a hint of reproach, saying, "Please say less! Little San knows he was wrong."
Saying this, she turned to look at Tang San, her tone full of earnestness and guidance.
"Xiao San, the only way to save you now is to return the Ring-Breaking Technique intact to the sect. This is your only chance to redeem yourself! As long as you hand over the technique, your uncle, aunt, and all the elders will surely show leniency towards you, considering your repentance and return of the sect's treasure. At least... at least you can save your martial spirit and your life!"
Tang Xiao nodded, his tone softening slightly.
"That's right. Handing over the Ring-Breaking Technique is your only option right now, and it's also your responsibility to the sect as a descendant of the Tang family. As long as you sincerely repent and hand over the technique, I promise, in the name of the sect leader, that I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety, and any subsequent punishment will be considered accordingly."
One played the good cop, the other the bad cop; one appealed to emotion, the other reasoned with reason.
Coupled with severe threats and the only hope for survival...
under this triple attack, Tang San, whose mind was already fragile and whose will to survive was extremely strong, had his psychological defenses completely shattered. He glanced at his somber uncle, then at his tearful aunt, and finally, remembering the undisguised killing intent in the Seventh Elder's eyes, he completely gave up struggling.
After all, what could be more important than survival right now?
A moment later, Tang San raised his head, his eyes dim, and said weakly,
"Uncle, it's not that I'm unwilling to teach, but when Father taught me the Secret Technique of the Ring Explosion, I only grasped the basics and didn't memorize all the incantations and mental techniques..."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed, and the Seventh Elder angrily shouted,
"Boy, you dare to play tricks?!"
Tang San quickly shook his head, laboriously raising his hand to touch the Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moon at his waist. A faint light flashed, and an old-looking, dark yellow parchment appeared in his hand.
"Father only gave me this parchment containing the complete secret technique of exploding rings," Tang San said, handing it forward. "The secret technique of exploding rings... is right here. I will now... return it to the sect."
Seeing this, Tang Xiao's gaze sharpened, and he quickly stepped forward to take the parchment.
It felt slightly heavy in his hand, the leather was smooth, and it was covered with densely packed characters and some simple qi diagrams written in ancient ink, exuding an aura of vicissitude and antiquity.
...…
Meanwhile, inside the council hall of the Haotian Sect.
After a series of detailed discussions, the alliance between the Haotian Sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Heaven Dou Empire was finally preliminarily agreed upon.
Both sides agreed that within a month, with the support of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Clear Sky Sect would officially announce the reopening of its gates and dispatch elite disciples to the mortal realm to coordinate with the imperial army and the remaining forces of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to jointly resist the expansion of the Spirit Hall.
A few minutes later, Ning Fengzhi, with a gentle smile, solemnly bid farewell to Tang Xiao and the elders.
He would carry this weighty alliance agreement with him, leaving the Clear Sky Sect with Bone Douluo, and then return to Heaven Dou City to report to Emperor Xue Ye.
Watching Ning Fengzhi and his group disappear into the misty mountain path, the Second Elder stroked his long beard, his brows furrowed, and said in a deep voice,
"Sect Master, the Spirit Hall is powerful and its influence is at its peak. Our Clear Sky Sect has been in seclusion for many years, and although its foundation remains, choosing to emerge now and directly confront them is perhaps... not a wise move. Isn't this choice a bit too hasty?"
Hearing this, Tang Xiao slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the elders, his face showing unprecedented solemnity and determination, and said seriously,
"Second Elder, I understand your concerns. But the situation is different now. The destruction of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan serves as a warning; the Spirit Hall's wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious!"
"Don't you all understand the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'?"
"If we cling to wishful thinking and remain content with our corner of the world, waiting to be trampled by the Spirit Hall, the next sect to be crushed will surely be our Clear Sky Sect! Rather than passively taking a beating, we should take the initiative, unite all forces that can be united, and there is still a glimmer of hope!"
His words were powerful and resolute, carrying a do-or-die determination.
Upon hearing this, the elders, though their expressions remained grave, knew that what Tang Xiao said was true, and silently nodded, no longer objecting.
Just then, the Seventh Elder spoke impatiently, directly steering the conversation back to internal affairs, saying:
"Sect Master, now that the alliance has been decided, shouldn't we deal with that little beast? The Ring-Exploding Secret Technique must be reclaimed from the sect as soon as possible, and Tang San... should also pay the price for defiling the sect's spirit!"
Mentioning Tang San, the Seventh Elder's eyes still flashed with cold light, his killing intent undisguised.
Taking a deep breath, Tang Xiao suppressed the complex emotions in his heart, nodded, and said, "In that case, let's go. Seventh Elder, Second Elder, let's go together."
With that, Tang Xiao took the lead, followed closely by the Seventh Elder, Second Elder, and several other elders. Their faces were solemn as they headed towards the secret chamber where Tang San was imprisoned in the back mountain. A tense, oppressive atmosphere, like the impending storm, filled the air.
They all thought this trip was to receive the sect's most precious treasure and decide the fate of a cursed child. Little did they know, an even greater surprise awaited them in that secret chamber.
...
Meanwhile, in the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Ancient trees towered, vines entwined, and a primal and dangerous aura permeated the area; ordinary soul masters dared not set foot here.
Yet, at this moment, a suffocatingly terrifying pressure enveloped this region.
Led by Bibi Dong, nearly ten Title Douluo-level powerhouses moved through the dense forest like ghosts. Their auras were concealed, but the occasional glimpse of their soul power was enough to terrify the surrounding ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts, causing them to flee in terror.
"Yue Guan! Are you sure those two hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts live nearby?" Bibi Dong's deep purple eyes swept across the dark surroundings, a hint of impatience in her voice as she coldly asked.
Upon hearing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully in response. His voice was filled with certainty as he said, "Your Majesty, based on our years of investigation and the cross-referencing of clues found in the lairs of some high-level soul beasts, the lair of the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python is highly likely to be near this lake. Their activity has been observed here multiple times."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
The next second, she slowly closed her eyes.
A terrifying spiritual force, vast and boundless, far surpassing that of ordinary Title Douluos, spread rapidly and silently from her center, like mercury spilling onto the ground!
Under Bibi Dong's vast and meticulously scanned spiritual force, nothing could escape her notice. The energy flow around the lake, the life force of the vegetation, and even some soul beasts lurking in the depths of the lake were clearly reflected in her sea of consciousness.
Soon, her spiritual force locked onto two colossal creatures.
One was hidden behind a towering ancient tree that would require dozens of people to encircle.
It seemed to sense Bibi Dong's probing and was trying its best to conceal its aura, but the soul power fluctuations, like those of the core of the earth, could not be completely hidden.
The other was lurking in the deepest part of the seemingly calm lakebed.
Its aura was even longer and deeper, carrying the vastness and coldness of water, like a lurking ancient dragon—it was the Azure Bull Python!
Its concealment methods were even more sophisticated, almost blending into the life force of the entire lake. If it weren't for Bibi Dong's extraordinary mental strength, it would have been nearly impossible to detect.
"Target spotted! The Titan Ape is behind the giant tree in the northeast, and the Azure Bull Python is lurking at the bottom of the lake!" Bibi Dong's tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open, a flash of purple-gold light passing by. She pointed her scepter forward, her voice chilling.
"Everyone, listen up! Proceed according to plan! Divide the battlefield and finish this quickly!"
"Attack!"
The command resounded like thunder!
Several Title Douluos, already poised for action, shot out like arrows released from a bow! Their spirit rings suddenly lit up, illuminating the dark forest as if it were daytime!
Several figures rushed towards the towering ancient tree in the northeast, unleashing a barrage of spirit skills like a storm, relentlessly bombarding the area behind the giant tree, forcing it to reveal itself!
Meanwhile, several other Title Douluos skilled in naval combat or possessing special abilities transformed into streaks of light without hesitation, carrying an incomparably fierce momentum, directly crashing through the lake's surface and plunging into the water, their target the Azure Bull Python at the bottom!
"Roar—!!!"
"Moo—!!!"
Almost simultaneously with the attack, two earth-shattering roars erupted!
The Titan Giant Ape's massive, mountain-like body smashed through the ancient tree where it was hiding, its thick arms pounding its chest, emitting an angry roar. Its dark golden fur shimmered with a metallic luster under the light of its soul skill, and it punched towards the incoming attack!
The surface of the Lake of Life instantly exploded.
A gigantic figure with a bull's head and a snake's body, covered in bluish-black scales, burst from the water. Its enormous bull eyes burned with fury, and it unleashed a breath containing extreme thunder and destructive power, spraying it towards the Title Douluos who had entered the lake!
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(End of Chapter)