Even though Ning Fengzhi had decided not to get too involved, he wasn't about to cut ties completely.
—After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Tang Sect were already seen as a unified front by outsiders.
So, as Tang Lan was preparing to leave, Ning Fengzhi hurried after him.
"Lan, you've gone too far this time!"
"For the sake of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I can't openly support you."
"But privately, I will try to persuade some nobles to remain neutral, to reduce the pressure on you."
"Additionally, I will personally contribute funding to the Tang Sect Academy project."
"And I will provide 10,000 communication soul tools to help with internal coordination."
Ning Fengzhi spoke honestly and sincerely.
He made no effort to hide his hesitation.
But at the same time, he offered real support.
—It wasn't an all-in commitment, but compared to his complete withdrawal from the Spirit Transmission Tower project, it was a huge step forward.
Ning Fengzhi's goal was clear—
Stay neutral. Offend no one.
Tang Lan smiled.
"Brother Ning, you're too kind."
"My dream of 'a world where everyone is like a dragon' is my own ambition."
"Naturally, I will see it through myself."
A world where everyone is like a dragon…
A flicker of guilt passed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
—If he weren't bound by the responsibilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, perhaps he would have joined Tang Lan without hesitation.
But…
He was the sect master.
He had to put his people first.
"Sigh—"
"Heaven Dou City is my domain."
"Before you return from the Spirit Hall tournament, I will ensure that Tang Sect remains unharmed."
"Use this time wisely. Go all out!"
Ning Fengzhi patted Tang Lan's shoulder heavily before parting ways.
Tang Lan watched Ning Fengzhi walk away, a little surprised.
—This was practically taking a bullet for him.
And this wasn't just any city.
This was Heaven Dou City—the capital!
The most powerful noble families lived right here.
Even if Ning Fengzhi claimed this was his personal decision—
If Tang Lan failed, his position as sect master would become untenable.
'Huh… maybe I have a talent for persuasion?'
Or…
'Did Ning Fengzhi catch wind of something?'
That didn't seem likely.
Not even Tang San and the others knew the full extent of Tang Lan's backup plans.
Shaking his head, Tang Lan decided he didn't care to investigate further.
With Ning Fengzhi covering the rear, things would be much smoother.
"Then let's… make some real noise!"
🔥 Tang Li Newspaper spread like wildfire across the Douluo Continent!
In every town, every village, and every city, passionate readers shouted in excitement!
"Tang Master has declared war on the nobles for our sake!"
"He wants this continent to be a land where everyone is like a dragon!"
"Tang Master is cultivating young geniuses, strengthening the Heaven Dou Empire's core power!"
"Tang Master even wrote a declaration for all Heaven Dou citizens—it's called… 'The Youth's Declaration!'"
One reader cleared his throat, his voice trembling with emotion.
Then—
He shouted with all his might—
"A wise youth makes a wise nation!"
"A wealthy youth makes a wealthy nation!"
"A strong youth makes a strong nation!"
"An independent youth makes an independent nation!"
"A free youth makes a free nation!"
"A progressive youth makes a progressive nation!"
🔥 "The sun rises, its light shining across the land!"
🔥 "Rivers burst forth, their currents surging!"
🔥 "A hidden dragon soars, its claws gleaming!"
🔥 "A young tiger roars, shaking the mountains!"
🔥 "An eagle spreads its wings, soaring through the storms!"
🔥 "A magnificent flower blooms, dazzling in its brilliance!"
🔥 "A newly sharpened sword gleams, ready for battle!"
🔥 "The heavens stand above, the earth lies below!"
🔥 "Through the ages, across the lands!"
🔥 "The future is boundless, the road stretches long!"
🔥 "Glorious is our Heaven Dou Empire, as eternal as the sky!"
🔥 "Mighty are our Heaven Dou youths, as limitless as the land!"
Through every word, people felt Tang Lan's deep emotions—
💥 His desire for Heaven Dou's strength!
💥 His longing for Heaven Dou's prosperity!
💥 His dream of Heaven Dou's unmatched greatness!
Instantly—
🔥 "The Youth's Declaration" swept through every street, every alley!
🔥 It was passed down from mouth to mouth, learned by heart!
🔥 Even the elderly farmers in the fields could recite a few lines!
This wasn't just a speech.
This wasn't just a poem.
This was a movement!
💥 This was a rising tide of revolution! 💥
The voices of the people shook every corner of the empire, echoing endlessly.
And from these shouts of hope and belief—
🌟 Faith Power condensed once more, forming golden rivers that surged toward Tang Lan!
Within the depths of Spirit Hall, Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong's gaze turned ice cold.
Her fingers tightened around the armrest of her throne, her nails nearly digging into the wood.
"Tang Lan…"
"You've overstepped."
"Far too much."
Her killing intent surged like a tidal wave, filling the hall with an oppressive, suffocating aura.
🔥 "This world does not need another power that can rival Spirit Hall."
🔥 "And it certainly does not need… another god standing in my way."
Her golden pupils gleamed with murderous light.
🔥 "Since you seek to control the people's faith—"
🔥 "Then let me show you… the price of opposing a god!"
The Seagod's Light within Tang Lan's Hanhai Divine Eye was surging uncontrollably.
Every passing second, an overwhelming tide of Faith Power poured in.
Tang Lan was grinning from ear to ear.
He had a strong hunch—
After this one wave,
His collected Faith Power alone might be enough to directly ascend to godhood!
—Even if he had no existing god position, he could probably just forge one himself!
The only issue?
At best, he'd probably be a mere Third-Class God.
So—
Tang Lan wasn't in a hurry.
He didn't use a single drop.
Instead, he stored all of it away.
Why?
Because he was preparing for the inevitable backlash.
And at the top of that list of enemies—
🔥 Spirit Hall! 🔥
Spirit Hall—Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Bibi Dong sat at the throne, placing her newspaper down calmly.
Before her, Chrysanthemum Douluo (Yue Guan) and Ghost Douluo (Gui Mei) were also frowning at the newspaper in their hands.
"Your Holiness!" Yue Guan's sharp voice broke the silence.
"This Tang Lan… first, it was the Spirit Transmission Tower. Now, he's introducing this 'Tang Sect Academy.'"
"Does he intend to compete with Spirit Hall for faith?!"
Gui Mei nodded in agreement.
Everyone knew—
Spirit Hall's faith was built around worshiping the Angel God.
But with Tang Lan's movement, the common people—those who should have belonged to Spirit Hall—
Had already abandoned that belief.
However—
Bibi Dong wasn't concerned about faith at all.
🔥 Faith?
That so-called Angel God hadn't shown up in ages.
And as for her own godly path—
🔥 Her Rakshasa God was the eternal enemy of the Angel God anyway!
The faith of mortals meant nothing to her!
But—
🔥 What she couldn't ignore—was that Tang Lan was stealing her foundation!
Her ambitions were grand.
She planned to create the Spirit Empire, uniting the continent under her rule for all eternity.
And the core of that empire?
🔥 The support of commoner soul masters.
Tang Lan wasn't just competing with her—
🔥 He was digging up the very roots of her power!
This—
🔥 Was absolutely unforgivable!
🔥 A dark, murderous aura burst forth!
The sheer force of her unrestrained killing intent sent Yue Guan and Gui Mei trembling.
Both Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were powerful Titled Douluos, yet they could feel—
🔥 Bibi Dong had surpassed them.
A hint of shock flickered across their eyes.
🔥 Had Her Holiness already reached an even greater level?!
"Yue Guan, Gui Mei!"
Bibi Dong's voice rang out with unquestionable authority.
"Gather 100 high-level soul masters."
"Lie in ambush along the route that the Heaven Dou tournament teams will travel."
"Confront Tang Lan directly—give him one last chance."
"Ask him if he is willing to serve Spirit Hall."
🔥 "If his answer is vague—kill him."
🔥 "Then, move on to the Tang Sect."
🔥 "Capture every high-ranking member alive!"
🔥 "The method of breaking through Rank 0 is secondary.
🔥 "The method of artificially cultivating innate full soul power—MUST be obtained!"
🔥 "Do you understand?"
For the first time, Yue Guan's expression turned hesitant.
🔥 "Your Holiness…" Yue Guan spoke carefully.
🔥 "We are confident in handling the Tang Sect's Second Elder, Wang Dali, and Third Elder, Dugu Bo."
🔥 "But—"
(End of Chapter)