Chapter 190: Tang Hao's Loyal Old Dog
After Xie Yue and Hu Liena returned to Spirit Hall, the two exchanged glances, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.
Xie Yue said, "Our current strength is still too weak—only at the Soul Ancestor level. Going to Slaughter City would be suicide."
Hu Liena nodded. "The teacher said to wait until we reach Soul King before going. We must cultivate diligently during this time and not hold back, Second Brother!"
Meanwhile, Hu Bai returned to his room, took off his coat, and lay on the soft bed.
The continuous battles and breakthroughs had kept his mind taut, and now that he relaxed, he felt a bit drowsy.
"I really need to rest. My cultivation has improved too quickly, so I need to solidify my foundation."
He adjusted his breathing and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's deliberation hall, Yu Yuanzhen was checking the items prepared for their trip to Spirit Hall when a disciple rushed in. "Sect Master, the Clear Sky Sect's Sect Master is here!"
Yu Yuanzhen was slightly taken aback, thinking, 'Didn't Tang Xiao return to the Clear Sky Sect to continue sealing the mountain? Why is he looking for me?'
"I know. I'll go out now."
Tang Xiao, dressed in a black robe, strode in, followed by two Clear Sky Sect disciples.
"Yu Yuanzhen, long time no see."
"Sect Master Tang, what brings you here?" Yu Yuanzhen motioned for a disciple to serve tea.
Tang Xiao picked up the teacup but didn't drink. "I heard you went to Spirit Hall a few days ago. What was the purpose?"
Yu Yuanzhen didn't hide anything. "I went to Spirit Hall to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills."
"Foundation Establishment Pills?" A hint of surprise flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes. "What is that?"
Yu Yuanzhen briefly explained. "This is a medicinal pill that can increase a Soul Master's innate soul power. It's suitable for all Soul Masters; even Soul Masters with innate level seven or higher have a high probability of increasing their soul power by half a level after taking it!"
"I'm currently preparing to exchange some soul bones that our sect doesn't need for a few more. Would you like to come along?" Yu Yuanzhen extended an invitation and explained the conditions for exchanging Foundation Establishment Pills.
"When I went last time, I wasn't prepared enough. I originally thought a six-thousand-year soul bone could be exchanged for several Foundation Establishment Pills, but Qian Daoliu only gave me one."
"Because of this one Foundation Establishment Pill, my younger brother Yu Luomian's cultivation, which had been stagnant for years, actually broke through after taking it! He's now at eighty-eight ranks, and in a few days, he'll likely become a Titled Douluo!" Yu Yuanzhen said happily.
Tang Xiao was silent for a moment. "This matter is of great importance. I need to go back and discuss it with the elders."
Within his Clear Sky Sect, there were indeed many Soul Douluo powerhouses.
If they exchanged for these Foundation Establishment Pills, the sect could gain several more Titled Douluo powerhouses!
He paused, then brought up the real reason for his visit. "I came this time to ask if our two sects can ally. As you know, among the Seven Great Sects, only our two haven't been absorbed by Spirit Hall."
Yu Yuanzhen thought for a moment and agreed. Then he continued, "You can bring out those low-year soul bones from your sect. With the Clear Sky Sect's long-standing foundation, you should have quite a few, right?"
Tang Xiao nodded. "I'll consider it. Oh, did Emperor Xue Ye send anyone to find you about sending troops to conquer Tianshui City?"
"Yes, he did."
Yu Yuanzhen said, "But I didn't agree. We currently have something to ask of Spirit Hall, so we can't openly offend them. However, the Clear Sky Sect can let the Strength Clan help."
Yu Yuanzhen revealed a sly smile.
Tang Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Strength Clan? Are you sure? The Strength Clan has already left the Clear Sky Sect for several years."
"Precisely."
Yu Yuanzhen laughed. "Letting them participate in the war means that even if Spirit Hall investigates afterward, it won't be blamed on the Clear Sky Sect. You just need to spread the news that Tang Hao was captured by Spirit Hall and suffered a lot of torture. With Tai Tan, that old orangutan's temperament, he'll definitely agree."
A hint of mockery flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes. "Tai Tan, that old dog, is indeed very loyal to Tang Hao."
He instructed a disciple behind him. "Go to Heaven Dou City and spread the news."
The disciple acknowledged the order and left.
Tang Xiao looked at Yu Yuanzhen and smiled. "This way, we neither offend the Heaven Dou Empire nor Spirit Hall. It's the best of both worlds."
"The situation is unclear; we cannot openly take sides."
Yu Yuanzhen said, "Only when the power of the two great empires has been significantly weakened can we step forward and gain the greatest benefits."
Spirit Hall: 'At that time, we'll wipe out both of your sects. And you still want benefits?'
Tang Xiao nodded. "You're right. I'll go back to the sect to inventory the soul bones first. In a few days, we'll set a time to go to Spirit Hall together. With two Titled Douluo like us there, perhaps we can exchange for a few more medicinal pills."
"Good." Yu Yuanzhen stood up to see him off.
Tang Xiao returned to the Clear Sky Sect and immediately summoned the elders for a discussion.
In the deliberation hall, ten elders sat on both sides, their expressions solemn.
"Elders, Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan proposed that our two sects unite and use thousand-year soul bones to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills at Spirit Hall."
Tang Xiao said, "I think this is feasible. What do you all think?"
Then he explained the so-called Foundation Establishment Pills again.
The second elder stood up. "Foundation Establishment Pills can increase innate soul power, which greatly benefits the younger generation of the sect. I agree. There are still some thousand-year soul bones in the sect's treasury; why not bring them all out to see?"
Soon, ten soul bones were placed on the stone table in the center of the hall.
These soul bones were dark in color, emitting faint energy fluctuations. The highest was only six thousand five hundred years old, and the lowest was only three thousand years old.
"Alas, it's a pity there are no ten-thousand-year soul bones," an elder sighed.
Tang Xiao's eyes flickered. "During the closed sect period, my father's soul bones were all disassembled by us, and combined with the few original ones in the treasury, they have all been distributed to you, which allowed all of you to break through to Titled Douluo."
Although disassembling the body of the deceased old sect master was somewhat cruel, this was the fate of every clansman who possessed a soul bone.
When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. They couldn't possibly bury these soul bones with the deceased; instead, they would dig them out and leave them for those who needed them—to make the sect even stronger!
The second elder said, "Although these thousand-year soul bones are not high in age, there are quite a few of them. They should be able to be exchanged for several foundation establishment pills. I think we can agree to Yu Yuanzhen's proposal."
The other elders nodded in agreement.
Tang Xiao said, "Since everyone agrees, it's settled. In three days, I'll go to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan again."
After the meeting, Tang Xiao returned to his study, looked at the sky outside the window, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Spirit Empire, Heaven Dou Empire—the fiercer you fight, the better. When you both suffer heavy losses, the Dominator of this continent will eventually be our Clear Sky Sect!"
Three days later, Tang Xiao arrived at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as agreed.
As soon as he stepped into the sect's territory, he felt an unusually solemn atmosphere. The patrolling disciples looked tense.
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End of Chapter