Chapter 176: Qian Renxue: A Pleasant Surprise
Ning Fengzhi, accompanied by Chen Xin, first went to the palace.
He intended to inform Emperor Xue Ye of the news that Tang San had returned.
Tang San arrived at the back garden and saw Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu chatting happily about something.
"Rongrong, I heard from Mubai that after the Soul Master Competition ended, Oscar went to your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Does he know I'm back? Why didn't he come to the academy with you?"
Ning Rongrong's expression changed, and a hint of imperceptible sorrow appeared in her eyes.
Xiao Wu quickly said:
"Brother, Oscar left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a long time ago. He went out to gain experience, and I only just found out myself."
Tang San nodded slightly and looked at Ning Rongrong.
"I'm sorry, Rongrong, I didn't know about this."
"It's okay. I think if he and Fatty knew you had returned to the academy, they would definitely rush back."
"Mm. I wonder where the two of them went. I hope our Shrek Seven Devils can reunite soon."
A forced smile appeared on Ning Rongrong's face.
"By the way, I heard from Xiao Wu that you've already reached level fifty. That's amazing."
"It's nothing; Mubai is now a five-ring Battle Soul King as well."
"You've improved so quickly; I need to Cultivate harder."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On the other side.
Ning Fengzhi, accompanied by Chen Xin, arrived at the palace and informed Emperor Xue Ye of the news of Tang San's return.
Qian Renxue, disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, happened to be there as well.
Learning that Tang San had returned to Shrek Academy, both were somewhat surprised.
Emperor Xue Ye smiled and said:
"Sect Master Ning, this is truly good news. Once Tang San returns, he will be able to show his talents at the Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue felt very uncomfortable.
She knew that after Tang San returned, he would be entrusted with important responsibilities by Emperor Xue Ye, and might even be given charge of the entire Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau to mass-produce weapons with immense destructive power.
With those weapons, not only the Heaven Dou Empire's army but also the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would greatly increase its combat power.
In recent years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had developed rapidly and had become a thorn in the side of Spirit Hall.
Qian Renxue did not want to see them become stronger, which would affect Spirit Hall's plan to unify Douluo Continent.
She had been sending people to secretly investigate Tang San's whereabouts, but had achieved nothing.
Unexpectedly, Tang San had returned to Heaven Dou City quietly.
Xue Qinghe feigned calmness and said:
"Congratulations, Your Majesty; we will soon be able to form a well-equipped elite force."
"Haha~ This day is finally coming."
Thinking about being able to mass-produce those Hidden Weapon with immense destructive power again, Emperor Xue Ye was overjoyed.
"Sect Master Ning, bring Tang San to see Me soon; I want to have a good talk with him."
Ning Fengzhi's expression suddenly became solemn.
"Your Majesty, there is also bad news I must report to you."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye suddenly frowned.
"Sect Master Ning, has something happened to Tang San?"
"Your Majesty, it is not Tang San who has met with misfortune, but his father, Clear Sky Douluo."
"Clear Sky Douluo? Tang Hao? What happened to him?"
"Clear Sky Douluo... he may have already died in the Star Dou Great Forest."
"What?!"
Hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye and Xue Qinghe looked at each other, feeling incredulous.
Emperor Xue Ye asked hurriedly:
"Sect Master Ning, is this true? Clear Sky Douluo is one of the top experts on the continent; how could he die in the Star Dou Great Forest?!"
"Your Majesty, I also find it inconceivable, and perhaps he did not die. However, he encountered a siege by Long Chen and Dugu Bo, and in his injured state, he detonated his own Soul Ring; I fear he is in grave danger."
Subsequently, Ning Fengzhi told Emperor Xue Ye and Xue Qinghe everything Tang San had told him.
After hearing this, both were even more shocked.
They never expected that Long Chen's strength had actually reached such a level, possessing two one-hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings.
One must know that he is only eighteen years old, yet he is already an eight-ring Spirit Douluo.
A flash of imperceptible, complex emotion flickered in Qian Renxue's eyes.
Her father, Qian Xunji, died not long after being heavily injured by Tang Hao.
She had always regarded Tang Hao as the enemy who killed her father.
She had also secretly sworn in her heart that one day she would kill Tang Hao to avenge her father.
Unexpectedly, the arrogant Tang Hao had died so early, and at the hands of the young Soul Master Long Chen.
Although there was some regret that she could not kill Tang Hao with her own hands, this was still tremendous good news and counted as a pleasant surprise.
Xue Qinghe said:
"Teacher, according to what you said, Tang San did not witness Clear Sky Douluo's death with his own eyes, so he might still be alive."
"I hope so. I plan to accompany Tang San to the forest center to search for traces of Clear Sky Douluo."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded slightly.
"If he is alive, I want to see him; if he is dead, I want to see the corpse. It is good that you are going. However, before you go, bring Tang San to see Me first; I want to reward him and send some people to go with you."
"Yes."
Ning Fengzhi was secretly pleased.
With Emperor Xue Ye's reward, Tang San would possess a noble title from the Heaven Dou Empire and receive the Empire's protection.
If Long Chen or the people of Spirit Hall dealt with Tang San, it would be an act of hostility against the Heaven Dou Empire.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Crown Prince's bedchamber.
Qian Renxue summoned Snake Spear Douluo.
"Uncle She, has there been any news from Wuhun City recently?"
"No. Young Miss, has something happened?"
"There is bad news: Tang San has returned to Heaven Dou City. There is also good news: Tang Hao may already be dead."
Upon hearing this, Snake Spear Douluo could not help but widen his eyes, feeling it unbelievable.
Subsequently, Qian Renxue explained it to him.
"Young Miss, is that Long Chen really so strong? Even Tang Hao is no match for them?"
"I do not know either. It is a pity that he is unyielding and unruly; I could not recruit him under my command."
Recalling Long Chen, a wave of regret washed over Qian Renxue's heart.
"Young Miss, judging by the things Long Chen has done, it seems it will not affect our Spirit Hall's plans."
"Indeed, he has not yet become an enemy of Spirit Hall. However, Bibi Dong cannot tolerate experts like him."
"Indeed. As far as I know, the Pope has planted many spies in the Star Dou Great Forest. Long Chen and Dugu Bo hunted a one-hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, and also besieged Tang Hao; the battle between them must have been earth-shattering and will definitely attract the attention of those spies. I think the Pope should know this news very soon."
Qian Renxue nodded, secretly pleased.
She also knew that Bibi Dong had personally led Elders Ju and Gui, along with many experts from Spirit Hall, to the center of the Star Dou Great Forest to search for Xiao Wu and Azure Bull Python, but had found nothing.
If Bibi Dong knew that the one-hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast she coveted had been killed by Long Chen and had become Long Chen's eighth Soul Ring, she would definitely go crazy.
"Uncle She, Tang San, Ning Fengzhi, and Chen Xin are preparing to go to the center of the Star Dou Forest to confirm whether Tang Hao really died there. If they encounter Long Chen and Dugu Bo, an inevitable battle will occur. At that time, you should secretly follow them and find an opportunity to kill Tang San."