On the night after the end of the freshman assessment, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan were called out to the outer courtyard by Tang Ya to celebrate with Huo Yuhao and the others. Although it was called a celebration, in reality, it was just Huo Yuhao grilling fish for everyone to eat. It was only then that Zhu Ziyang realized the new student Ma Xiaotao had mentioned—who was selling grilled fish at the academy gate—was actually Huo Yuhao.
He had to admit, Huo Yuhao's skill in grilling fish was indeed impressive.
Everyone chatted happily while eating the grilled fish.
"Xiao Xiao, you see, Yuhao and Wang Dong have both joined our Tang Sect. What about you? Do you want to join us too?" Tang Ya asked with a coaxing smile, looking like she was trying to lure in a young girl.
"Tang Sect?" Xiao Xiao blinked in confusion.
"That's right, the Tang Sect!" Tang Ya grinned. "We've got so many secret techniques. I'm sure you've already seen some from Yuhao. And there's one particular technique that's perfect for your martial soul. So, what do you say? Want to join us?"
"Alright." Xiao Xiao thought for a moment and nodded. "Senior Sister Tang Ya, I want to learn Yuhao's footwork technique."
"Hehe, no problem!" Tang Ya was overjoyed. She made a triumphant fist-pump gesture toward Zhu Ziyang and the others. In her eyes, Xiao Xiao was a twin martial soul holder—a talent that came once in a century. With her joining the Tang Sect, it was surely a tremendous addition!
"Senior Zhu, is there something on my face? Why do you keep looking at me?" Wang Dong looked at Zhu Ziyang curiously.
"No, I'm just curious." Zhu Ziyang smiled. "You and Yuhao didn't know each other before entering the academy, right? Yet in just three months, you've become so close that you can use a martial soul fusion skill. That's really hard to believe."
"Exactly!" Xiao Xiao chimed in with agreement. "Whenever I'm with you two, I always feel like the third wheel."
"Hehe, maybe we're just fated. Destined to be brothers!" Huo Yuhao scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.
"That's actually true," Beibei added. "Take Xu Sanshi and me. We've shared a dorm for three years, and still haven't shown any sign of being able to use a martial soul fusion skill."
"Get lost!" Xu Sanshi, who was focused on the grilled fish, immediately objected. "Who wants to form fusion feelings with you? If anyone, it should be with my Weiwei!"
"Eat your grilled fish!" Xue Wewei blushed slightly, shoved a grilled fish into Xu Sanshi's mouth, and scolded him.
"All jokes aside, Yuhao and Wang Dong really are incredibly lucky," Jiang Nannan sighed.
"Yeah!" everyone else nodded in agreement.
Zhu Ziyang smiled faintly and didn't comment further. He silently chewed on his grilled fish, but his mind was still caught on Electrolux's earlier words.
"Teacher, are you sure that Wang Dong carries divinity within him?"
"I'm certain! The divinity on that child is very similar to that of the robust man you met outside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. They are likely of the same origin."
"If that's true, doesn't it imply there's a connection between Wang Dong and that man?"
"Most likely. The divine presence on Wang Dong is incredibly well-hidden. If it hadn't briefly appeared when he performed the martial soul fusion with Huo Yuhao, I wouldn't have noticed it at all."
"I see. Perhaps this ties together the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the mysterious man, Wang Dong, Tang Sect, Huo Yuhao, and that god hidden behind the scenes!"
After ending his reflection and connecting the dots, Zhu Ziyang began to piece together a line of reasoning.
Wang Dong and the mysterious man were both from the Clear Sky Sect, and both the Clear Sky Sect and Tang Sect were under the influence of the Sea God, Tang San. With the decline of Tang Sect and the Clear Sky Sect going into seclusion, the divine position of the Sea God—a god dependent on faith—could no longer draw in belief from the Douluo Continent. So, Tang San, unable to remain idle, decided to take action.
However, as a god, he couldn't interfere directly and needed a proxy. That was when Huo Yuhao, the Child of Destiny, entered his sights. Tang San planned to revive Tang Sect through Yuhao and connect it with the Clear Sky Sect by having Wang Dong join as well.
The divinity within Wang Dong was most likely deliberately bestowed by Tang San, to influence the relationship between him and Yuhao—helping them build a deep rapport quickly. Otherwise, how else could one explain how two people with completely different identities, talents, and personalities formed a martial soul fusion in just three months?
As for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, remembering how the Laurel Immortal Tea constantly brought it up, Zhu Ziyang could now be 90% certain—it was a blessing left by Sea God Tang San for Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong!
'What a meticulous plan,' Zhu Ziyang thought. His eyes grew brighter as he realized he might be entangled in a god's scheme. Yet, rather than retreat in fear, a flame of unprecedented determination rose in his heart. He wanted to see exactly how such divine schemes would unfold. As the saying goes: battling the heavens, battling the earth, and battling gods—there's no greater thrill!
What Zhu Ziyang deduced was only a small piece of a grand plan. The true heart of Tang San's scheme was far more terrifying, far more insidious—a sinister plan to usurp another's place entirely.
——
In a mysterious palace of unknown distance, a blue-haired man sat on a throne, his eyes half-closed, fingers gently tapping the throne's armrest, with a calm and distant smile on his face.
He was none other than the Sea God—Tang San.
"…It seems Xiao Qi has already come into contact with the Child of Destiny…" Tang San muttered. "Not bad, not bad… The current master of the Tang Sect no longer has the Blue Silver Grass martial soul. No wonder my connection to the Tang Sect suddenly disappeared. A minor variable, but nothing serious…"
"…Let's see just how great this Child of Destiny's fortune truly is…" He opened his eyes, and a blue-gold light burst forth. This light seemed to pierce through stars and the abyss, traversing the walls of many worlds and falling upon beings on the continent.
"…Trying to stop me? Now that the Child of Destiny is linked with my Tang Sect, what can you do? At most, you'll only blur my vision slightly."
"…A million-year soul beast? The Ice Silk Worm?" Tang San murmured. "As expected of the Child of Destiny, to gain such a powerful ally. Excellent, excellent!"
He burst out in cheerful laughter. To him, the more blessings the Child of Destiny gained, the richer and more bountiful the harvest he would eventually reap.
"…He's attracting quite a few talents around him as well…" Tang San continued mumbling. "…Oh? More variables with altered fates, closely entangled with the Child of Destiny. This must be his influence. Very good, very good! Two Soul Kings at the age of fourteen… Perhaps I'll spare a couple divine positions for them in the future—they're valuable talents from my Douluo Continent after all!"
"…Alright, I'll let the Child of Destiny grow for now," Tang San said. "I won't interfere with the lower realm for a while. The backlash from 'Him' should be arriving soon… and as for Destruction… heh, go ahead and be arrogant for a bit longer!"
His expression suddenly turned sinister. Tang San chuckled darkly and disappeared from the palace.
——
Unaware that he had already caught the attention of Sea God Tang San due to Huo Yuhao, Zhu Ziyang was currently on his way home.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, he and Jiang Nannan were now fifteen years old. This marked their fourth year at Shrek Academy, and they had just begun their fourth vacation.
On the second day of their break, they departed for Anyang City without stopping in any city along the way.
"Brother, should we go visit Zhenzhen now or wait until our return?" asked Jiang Nannan, whose soul power had now reached Rank 54.
"Let's go now. I think Yang Zhenzhen has probably reached Rank 10 by now. Helping her get her soul ring sooner means she can resume cultivation earlier too," Zhu Ziyang replied. His own soul power had reached Rank 56. Though his cultivation speed had slowed, he didn't mind. After all, soul power wasn't the only measure of a soul master's strength.
"Alright, let's hurry then," Jiang Nannan agreed and picked up the pace.
Before long, the two of them arrived at Zhangyang Village—for the fifth time.
(End of Chapter)
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