Chapter 337: The Escape of Yu Xiaogang and Company
With the fall of Hanhai City, Yu Xiaogang and his group managed to secure two boats and fled toward the open sea. In the cabin, a heavy silence filled the air. Their future seemed bleak, with no path in sight.
Scores of soul masters had fled overseas. Bai He, hearing news of Hanhai's fall, joined up with Titan and the others. But when he learned of the recent tragedies that had befallen the Min Clan and the destruction of the Clear Sky Clan, he nearly collapsed with grief.
For these soul masters fleeing to the sea, there were essentially only two options. The first was to head to Sea God Island and attempt to join its ranks. While Sea God Island, being sacred to the sea soul masters, might accept them, the trials to become part of it were notoriously difficult. For land-based soul masters, it was nearly impossible. Even those familiar with the Sea God trials knew that land soul masters had only one year to complete them, and for someone like Yu Xiaogang — a mere Rank 29 Spirit Grandmaster — the odds of passing were almost zero.
The second option was to claim an island and become self-sufficient, which many sea soul masters had already chosen. But this path had its own challenges. Living as rulers of an isolated island essentially meant turning into pirates. Without a steady supply of resources, sustaining their cultivation would be nearly impossible. For land-based soul masters, survival would be even tougher; they were hopeless at fishing and foraging at sea, and asking them to live off the ocean might end with the fish devouring them instead.
With no viable path forward, Yu Xiaogang and the others were struck by the harsh reality — escaping to the sea was simply a slower death. Initially, they had planned to regroup with Tang San once he returned from Sea God Island, but now it felt as if there was no safe haven left for him, even if he managed to return.
As for surrendering to the Wuhun Empire, that was equally impossible. Even if it were feasible for the former members of Shrek Academy, it would be hopeless for the Strength and Min Clans, who had long been on Wuhun Empire's kill list. Both clans had been loyal to the Clear Sky Clan, and given their fiery nature, they'd rather die than submit to the Wuhun Empire.
The group studied a large map spread on the table, but no part of it seemed to offer refuge. Finally, Tai Nuo spoke up. "Father, I believe the only option left is to seek refuge at Tianxing Academy. It's the only place on the continent that has resisted the Wuhun Empire and might stand a chance against them."
Titan roared in anger. "What nonsense are you spouting? We single-attribute clans severed ties long ago! I have no brotherly bonds with Yang Wudi or Niu Gao. You think I'd go crawling back to them, begging for mercy? I'd rather die!"
But Tai Nuo faced his father's fury with resolve, his expression filled with indignation. "Father, what are you still clinging to? The Upper Three Sects are finished! Even Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan has joined Tianxing Academy. And look at what we've gained from our allegiance to the Clear Sky Clan! Our clan, once numbering over five hundred soul masters, has been reduced to fewer than fifty because of your loyalty to the Clear Sky Clan. Would you rather see our entire clan wiped out?"
"You've devoted everything to protecting the Clear Sky Clan, treating them as our masters, but what have they given us in return? All they brought us was endless bloodshed."
After this outburst, Tai Nuo's face twisted with anger, as if his father were the very source of his suffering.
Titan, struck by his son's words, sank into his chair, feeling his strength drain away. But Tai Nuo continued, undeterred. "Since leaving the Clear Sky Clan, it's been a mere two decades, yet both the Broken Clan and the Armor Clan have produced Titled Douluo. Even the Wuhun Empire hesitates to confront them. Meanwhile, we've deteriorated. The gap between us only grows wider with each generation."
"If things go on like this, our clan will vanish within twenty years. Can you really ignore the future of our people?"
Hearing this, Titan spat up blood, his voice quivering as he muttered, "We may be in dire straits now, but our young master possesses twin spirits, unparalleled talent. Given time, he'll lead us to greatness in the soul master world."
Tai Nuo's face was a mask of desperation. "Father, wake up! Even if Tang San has twin spirits, how can he hope to surpass Yang Potian, who is already a Rank 99? Yang Potian defeated Qian Daoliu himself and has surpassed Tang Chen in strength. Can Tang San truly match him?"
The group murmured in somber agreement. With his reputation and strength, Yang Potian was indeed the strongest soul master on the continent, a force even the Wuhun Empire dared not provoke.
When the single-attribute clans split from the Clear Sky Clan, they had been like brothers. Yet in just a decade, two clans had flourished, while the other two were on the brink of collapse.
Finally, Bai He broke the silence. "Tai Nuo, even if we tried, do you think Tianxing Academy would accept us?"
Tai Nuo fell silent. It was true that Tianxing Academy had set stringent requirements for new recruits. Many other groups had sought refuge with the academy, but it came with strict conditions.
To join, all members were required to swear on their spirits never to interfere in any soul master conflicts. Violating this oath would bring severe consequences, ranging from stunted spirit power growth to lifelong pursuit by Tianxing's Contra and Titled Douluo.
The message was clear: joining was difficult, and leaving would be even harder.
Yu Xiaogang then asked Bai He, "Clan Leader Bai He, do we have any updates on Tang San's situation at Sea God Island?"
Bai He shook his head. "Ever since we split from the young master, we haven't heard anything. Communication with Sea God Island is completely cut off."
A heavy silence fell over the group once more. They had all pinned their hopes on Tang San, yet with him unreachable and their enemies likely closing in, the situation was dire.
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