After Xu Sheng left, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong also arrived outside the room...
"Qing He, are you awake?"
After reactivating the soul bone ability, Xue Qinghe calmly spoke, "Teacher, Bone Douluo, please come in!"
Only then did they push the door open and enter...
Upon entering, Ning Fengzhi was surprised and said, "Such a familiar Soul Power Aura, it should be Xu Sheng, right? Qing He, he just came to see you."
Xue Qinghe nodded in confirmation, "Yes, I haven't seen Xu Sheng for some time, so he came to catch up."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, not thinking much more of it, "I see."
However, the nearby Gu Rong said in a deep voice, "Speaking of which, Crown Prince, why did you seem so off yesterday at the Pope Hall Academy?"
According to Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe and Xu Sheng are very good friends, but upon seeing them yesterday, it didn't seem so!
Naturally, Xue Qinghe couldn't reveal the reason and ambiguously replied, "It's nothing, just some small disputes. We've just cleared it up."
Gu Rong did not press further, "I see, but no matter what, Xu Sheng is the Saint Heir of Martial Soul Hall. If you have any dispute with him, Crown Prince, it might affect our cooperation!"
Ning Fengzhi interjected, "Don't worry, Uncle Bone. Qing He knows his boundaries. Since they've clarified things, it shouldn't happen again!"
Xue Qinghe coughed a bit, "Earlier, I indeed was a bit reckless. This kind of thing won't happen again!"
Seeing Hulena directly hugging Xu Sheng, she almost wanted to reprimand the former!
Though she held back at the time, the feeling was unspeakably unpleasant!
Ning Fengzhi noticed the situation and changed the subject, "Qing He, please prepare. We will be meeting Bi Bidong shortly, who should have received the response from the Worship Hall."
Xue Qinghe frowned, "Teacher, isn't it a bit early to go now?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, "I can't say I know Bi Bidong well, but based on her past conduct, the person she sent to the Worship Hall must have returned by now!"
"Discussing cooperation matters early will also bring peace of mind sooner!"
Xue Qinghe recalled Xu Sheng's previous words and suddenly cautioned, "Teacher, the strength of abyssal creatures might not be resolved by simply cooperating."
Ning Fengzhi's expression didn't change as he replied, "But Qing He, without cooperation, it will remain unresolved. At the very least, we must take the initiative before the abyssal creatures make a move!"
Humans are already at a disadvantage in the battle against abyssal creatures, and now, before the war formally begins, we must plan ahead!
Xue Qinghe's eyes flickered, "I understand, Teacher."
It seems the teacher doesn't believe human Soul Masters can defeat abyssal creatures in direct confrontation either!
Ning Fengzhi nodded, refraining from wasting further words, "In that case, let's go!"
...
Hao Tian Clan!
Inside the Council Hall!
Tang Xiao looked gravely at the Hao Tian Sect Elders before him, "Esteemed Elders, just recently, I uncovered something!"
"Sect Master Ning and Bone Douluo, while en route to the Pope Hall with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, were attacked by abyssal creatures, their fates unknown!"
However, after he spoke, all the elders were left in a daze...
This reaction left Tang Xiao a bit aggravated, and he immediately rebuked, "Esteemed Elders, don't you feel any concern? If Sect Master Ning encounters trouble, our Hao Tian Clan will be affected as well!"
The expressions of the elders turned odd upon hearing this, yet they still chose silence...
One elder swallowed and spoke, "Sect Master, there's something I don't know whether I should mention."
Tang Xiao impatiently said, "Speak whatever is on your mind, remember what this place is for!"
He coughed, explaining, "Sect Master, the incident you mentioned, where Sect Master Ning and others were attacked, is already news from several days ago."
"The latest news is that Sect Master Ning and the others are still alive, but all accompanying royal soldiers perished under the abyssal creatures' attack!"
"Afterward, the royal household dispatched new troops to escort them to Martial Soul City."
In an instant, Tang Xiao's entire expression stiffened...
Turns out, I'm the only one who had outdated news?
What a shameful blunder!
Yet, at times like this, I must exhibit the demeanor of a Sect Master!
With this thought, he immediately questioned, "Esteemed Elders, since you had advance notice of this news, why didn't you report to me immediately??"
"Does this mean I am not regarded as your Sect Master?"
But in the next second, beside him, Tang Yuehua's mouth twitched slightly, and she whispered, "Brother, that's enough. You didn't understand the situation properly, which led to the current mess in the meeting."
Tang Xiao felt a bit awkward, had to cover his mouth and cough, "Cough, cough, let this be, be mindful next time!"
The other elders were somewhat speechless, and began to complain...
"Sect Master, was there nothing else you gathered us here for?"
"If it's only about this matter, I don't think there's much to discuss, right?"
"Sect Master Ning seems fine, you're overthinking this, should we all disperse if there's nothing else?"
They thought the reason for the sudden gathering was urgent matters!
Tang Xiao obviously couldn't let the meeting end like this, and said in a deep voice, "Esteemed Elders, just not long ago, Tang Hao has left the Hao Tian Clan, his whereabouts unknown!"
Upon hearing the name Tang Hao, the elders' expressions changed drastically...
"Tang Hao? Well, he left, as he wasn't part of Hao Tian Clan to begin with, what's the point of staying!"
"Exactly, Tang Hao probably has no face to stay, considering his son Tang San has joined Martial Soul Hall!"
"Hmph, perhaps Tang Hao intends to join Martial Soul Hall after leaving, a traitor, both father and son to Hao Tian Clan!"
"Thinking about this angers me. We shouldn't have risked so much to save Tang San, costing us a lot of Sect disciples!"
These remarks made Tang Xiao a bit too emotional, and he defended, "Esteemed Elders, Brother Hao is not that kind of person; he would never join Martial Soul Hall!"
The most senior Hao Tian Sect Elder couldn't help but chastise, "Sect Master, don't overestimate Tang Hao. When teaching a child, the fault lies with the father. His son, knowing his mother was killed by Martial Soul Hall's pursuit, should be cultivating to avenge her!"
"But that ungrateful child still chose to join Martial Soul Hall, doesn't that say enough?"
They don't trust Tang Hao!
Tang Yuehua sighed and reminded, "Brother, at times like this, you should avoid discussing Brother Hao, and instead talk about other matters."
Knowing the elders' aversion to Brother Hao, such things shouldn't be brought up before them!
After all, Tang San's incident didn't happen that long ago!
...