The two soul bones that Tang Hao voluntarily shed were returned to him after deliberation by the five elders and Tang Xiao. This was intended as a gesture of sincerity to retain Tang San and Tang Sui, hoping to lessen their alienation from the Clear Sky School.
Tang San looked at his uncle Tang Xiao's sincere expression, then turned his gaze to Hei Mian, who was still wearing his black haori.
Four days had passed. His sister had not yet returned to her original state today; the ill-tempered other personality, Tang Mo, was still in control.
Hei Mian was indifferent to the sincerity offered by the Clear Sky School, adopting a laid-back attitude of "whatever you think is fine." Seeing Hei Mian's lack of reaction, the Clear Sky School naturally focused their attention on Tang San.
Tang San, bearing all the pressure: "..."
He swallowed the bitterness of exhaustion and used the soul skill of the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone, "Spring Wind Blows Again," to reattach one leg and one arm to Tang Hao. During this process, Tang Hao's soul power, which was at the bottleneck of level ninety-five, even showed signs of loosening.
Hei Mian stood with his arms crossed, calmly watching Tang San busy himself. When Tang Xiao sorrowfully presented Lou Gao's final work, which was to be a sacrifice, Hei Mian's expression flickered slightly.
They had arrived too late; Lou Gao's soul aura had long since dissipated and could not be revived by Qing Nü Fang. She would likely regret it if she knew.
With a sigh, the day before they were to leave after settling A Yin and Tang Hao, Hei Mian released his suppression on Tang Sui's consciousness. The moment Tang Sui, draped in a white haori, materialized from the void, he dissolved into black mist and vanished from the room.
Tang Sui, who opened her eyes after receiving the memories of the past few days: "..."
The corners of her mouth involuntarily curved upwards. She gently thanked Hei Mian, tidied up the room, and then walked off to find Tang San.
The trivial matters of the Clear Sky School had been settled. Tang San, who was preparing to leave the next day, was surprised to see his sister emerge from the room. The heavy stone that had been weighing on his heart lifted, but he couldn't help but wonder if she had done it on purpose.
She only returned after everything was handled... Tang San, who had been under pressure for days, was conflicted.
Although he had wanted to shield his sister and be her rock from the beginning, he sighed, "It's fine as long as she's back."
After bidding farewell to their parents, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Tang Sui set off back to the Tang Sect's stronghold in Heaven Dou City.
Compared to the Tang Sect, which had been newly established just five years ago, it had now become a formidable power in the hearts of Heaven Dou City's citizens.
This was due to the increasingly sharp demeanor of the Tang Sect disciples and their contributions on the battlefield against the Spirit Empire.
After the gatekeepers reported to the high command of the Diligent Hall, soon after, Tai Long's father, Tai Nuo, hurried out. Upon seeing Tang San and the others, he quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Tai Nuo welcomes the Sect Master and Vice Sect Master back to the sect!"
Tang San raised his hand, and his gentle soul power lifted Tai Nuo from his kneeling position: "Uncle Tai Nuo, there's no need for such formality. I wish to see Elder Tai Tan; do you know where he is?"
Tai Nuo's expression turned grim: "Elder Tai Tan and several other elders are not in the sect. Only I am here at the moment; everyone else has followed the Heaven Dou army to the front lines."
"To the front lines?!"
The three of them stiffened, and Tang San's brow furrowed even deeper: "It's only been a little over half a month, and the Heaven Dou Empire has already directly engaged the Spirit Empire in war?"
Tai Nuo nodded: "Ten days ago, His Majesty Xue Beng of the Heaven Dou Empire personally led the imperial expedition, commanding a million-strong army and over six thousand imperial soul masters to the front lines. Besides our sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the experts from Shrek Academy also went. Father asked me to inform you that if you have returned, you should also proceed to the front lines as soon as possible to provide support. The fighting on the front lines... is not optimistic."
"It seems that while we were on our way to the Clear Sky School, Heaven Dou and Star Luo discussed their strategies against the Spirit Empire and decided to take the initiative to strike back before the Spirit Empire's situation stabilized," Tang Sui said, looking at Tang San. Tang San, understanding the gravity of the situation, knitted his brows and began to outline their plans after their departure.
Three days later, the trio, who had been traveling, finally saw the Heaven Dou army marching towards the front lines.
Like worker ants swarming from an anthill, they were densely spread across the vast land, holding the flag of Heaven Dou high. The crowds stretched as far as the eye could see, yet they were orderly, with no end in sight.
The vanguard, composed of every soldier and horse, was clad in heavy armor.
These were the empire's sharpest edge—the Imperial Heavy Cavalry. Flanking them were heavily armored infantry battalions composed of soldiers with formidable physical capabilities, soaring like eagles, menacingly converging towards the front lines.
Behind the army, a massive logistical supply train followed. As far as the eye could see, it was a sea of heads. Just by using their spiritual power, the number of people perceived was no less than three hundred thousand.
Adding the million-strong army in front, Tang Sui dared to say that with Xue Beng personally leading the expedition, eighty percent of the Heaven Dou Empire's forces had been deployed.
Just as the three of them were observing the army, several other unusually swift soul power fluctuations caught Tang San and Tang Sui's attention.
The siblings turned their heads in unison. Several ethereal figures shot out like arrows from different directions. In the blink of an eye, they unfurled their light wings and, each holding an improved Zhuge Crossbow, aimed their bolts at the three of them, locking onto their targets.
Almost simultaneously with being surrounded, another clear and sharp cry, like that of a bird, rang out. A purplish-red flare rocketed into the sky, exploding into a firework amidst the clouds.
This was the signal for an abnormal alert.
Seeing the people who had surrounded them, Tang San recognized them as disciples of the Swift Hall, possessing the pointed-tailed swift martial soul. His heart warmed, and a smile spread across his face. Amidst the cold questioning of one of the Swift Hall disciples with profound aura, he said, "I am Tang San, the Sect Master of the Tang Sect, here to rendezvous with the army."
The Tang Sect Master?!
As disciples of the Tang Sect, yet having seen Tang San only a few times, the Swift Hall disciples looked at the man draped in black, with only his face revealed, who was exceptionally young, with disbelief.
"The Tang Sect has over two thousand disciples; how could the Sect Master be this young? If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. For instance, it would be more plausible to disguise yourself as a woman pretending to be our Vice Sect Master. Surrender immediately, or don't blame us for being impolite!"
Tang San, who had been questioned: "..."
He never expected that his reputation as Sect Master was not as well-known as Sui Sui's reputation as Vice Sect Master. Truly...
Tang Sui, unable to bear Tang San's helpless expression, pulled down her cloak and hood, revealing her delicate and fair face. Her pair of clear blue eyes looked at the six-ringed Soul Emperor disciple of the Swift Hall and said, "I am Vice Sect Master Tang Sui. He is indeed my elder brother, Tang San, and also an elder of the Tang Sect. Now take us to see the Tang Sect elders, or the National Preceptor."
The Soul Emperor disciple who had seen Tang Sui before during the Battle of Gengxin City: "?!"
He looked at the young and handsome blue-haired man in astonishment, his face filled with shock.
So, was this person truly their Tang Sect Master?!