Chapter 269: Opposing Decisions
The Tang siblings talked for a long time, and no one knew exactly what was said. However, when Tang Hao left Moon Pavilion, he no longer carried the same hesitation. Even his clothes and appearance had been tidied up. Though his long standing gloom still made him seem somewhat despondent, at least he wouldn't be refused entry to formal establishments anymore.
Meanwhile, after watching her brother leave, Tang Yuehua immediately sent a secret letter to the Clear Sky Clan through a special channel she shared with Tang Xiao. She was eager to share this information after more than ten years, they finally had news of their second brother. Surely, her eldest brother would be happy too, right?
As for sending this intelligence directly back to the clan, she wouldn't take that risk.
The Clear Sky Clan had been secluded for years, and as time passed, they found themselves in an awkward situation between generations. The older elders, stubborn and rigid, seemed determined to pin all past mistakes solely on Tang Hao.
And this year's Soul Master Tournament…
Tang Yuehua rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. According to the information she had gathered, this tournament had produced some of the most outstanding talents in recent years both in quality and quantity. Yet, the Clear Sky Clan remained in seclusion…
She had been holding onto this intelligence and had yet to report it to the clan.
She hoped that once her brother received the letter, he would come quickly. With Tang San's talent, plus the secret technique Tang Hao mentioned, and the fact that the Spirit Hall was no longer paying special attention to the Clear Sky Clan, perhaps this could be the perfect opportunity for them to reemerge.
Recalling what Tang Hao had told her, she thought of her nephew, Tang San. Her gaze flickered she couldn't meet him directly yet, but after so many years in Heaven Dou City, she had built many connections.
Perhaps using noble circles and the power of Heaven Dou Empire to test Spirit Hall's reaction wouldn't be a bad idea. And if it succeeded?
But she needed her eldest brother's presence. Without the Clear Sky Clan's backing, it was impossible.
Big Brother, you must come! Tang Yuehua had never missed Tang Xiao more than she did now.
In Heaven Dou Imperial City, within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's residence, Ning Fengzhi had been staying longer than in his own sect due to the tournament.
He and Sword Douluo had just returned from Heaven Dou Royal Academy after visiting Ning Rongrong and delivering supplements for her and her teammates.
Recalling what he had once again confirmed with Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi turned to Chen Xin.
"Sword Uncle, do you think what Han Li said about fixing the flaw of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is credible?"
Sword Douluo hesitated for a moment before carefully recalling the details.
"I can't guarantee whether it's true or not, but I can confirm that when he told me about it, he was completely confident."
Ning Fengzhi nodded.
Despite his appearance in the stands seeming as if he completely trusted Han Li's words the truth was, he didn't believe them at all.
As the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had to think further ahead.
In his assessment, Zhu Zhuqing was of only average talent. Even if she fit Han Li's aesthetic preferences and her background was sensitive enough for Spirit Hall to use her for some purpose, the fact remained: her rapid increase in power was simply too unnatural.
Even if Han Li's explanation about her finding some miraculous treasure was true…
No!
Suddenly, something clicked in Ning Fengzhi's mind. His eyes widened as he turned to Sword Douluo, urgently asking:
"Sword Uncle, when Tang San first revealed his ten thousand year fourth ring, what was the reaction of the Spirit Hall people? No what was Salas's reaction?"
As he pieced everything together, he realized something wasn't right.
Han Li's presence had drawn all his attention, causing him to overlook Salas's reaction completely.
Even if Spirit Hall wanted to build closer ties with Heaven Dou Empire, their attitude was too unnatural. They hadn't shown any hostility toward Tang San at all.
Han Li might have been extremely adept at concealing his emotions, but Salas? That man was impulsive. After years of dealing with him, Ning Fengzhi knew him well.
Sword Douluo furrowed his brows. Salas had been right beside him, but he hadn't paid much attention either. He took a moment to recall the scene.
After a pause, he said uncertainly: "I don't remember clearly, but I don't think he had any particular reaction. Even if he did, it wasn't obvious."
"That's not right, Fengzhi."
Sword Douluo also realized the issue.
They knew Tang San's true identity, and even they felt a strong urge to eliminate him the moment he revealed his ten thousand year spirit ring.
So why didn't Spirit Hall react at all?
Spirit Hall had always been the leading authority on martial spirits, spirit rings, and spirit beasts. They should have been extremely interested in Tang San's case certainly more than Heaven Dou Empire. They would never ignore something so groundbreaking just to maintain political alliances.
If anything, Spirit Hall should have demanded Tang San outright.
If Salas had directly asked Xue Ye for Tang San, it would have been a normal move. Even if Xue Ye was reluctant, he would have no choice but to comply and he wouldn't dare sour relations with Spirit Hall over it.
The fact that neither the Spirit Hall's Holy Son nor the Platinum Bishop showed any reaction to Tang San's ten thousand year fourth ring, not even attempting to recruit him, was simply too strange.
Ning Fengzhi's expression was grim. There was only one possible explanation: Spirit Hall didn't care about Tang San's ten thousand year fourth ring or rather, they had already mastered the method and weren't surprised by it at all.
That meant the rumors from Spirit City about the Spirit Hall Academy's team members possessing ten thousand year fourth rings were likely true.
Then what about Han Li and the others? Did they all have the same spirit ring configuration?
None of them had ever revealed their strength or displayed their spirit rings. Assuming Zhu Zhuqing was the weakest among them no, there was no need to assume. If nothing else, just judging by Han Li's attitude, he was definitely stronger than Zhu Zhuqing.
Which meant… he was a fifteen year old Spirit Emperor?
Ning Fengzhi didn't even dare to consider the possibility of him being a Spirit Sage that was beyond his imagination.
Due to Han Li's age and the fact that Spirit Masters could conceal their aura, estimating their levels was already difficult especially for Tool Spirit Masters. And considering Han Li's status, with Spirit Hall's vast resources, he could easily possess spirit bones or techniques to hide his true power.
Because of that, Ning Fengzhi had never paid much attention to his cultivation. In his mind, geniuses of this caliber usually didn't enter the spotlight until they were at least thirty.
But now… he was starting to feel uneasy.
Spirit Hall was already powerful and had kept a low profile for years. If they had truly mastered a method to enhance spirit rings… in a few decades, the entire world would be completely different.
Even if this method couldn't give everyone a ten thousand year ring, just increasing the limit of spirit rings was already terrifying. If Spirit Masters could break through limits that once held them back, Spirit Hall's already vast army of Spirit Masters would become even stronger.
Even if only one in a hundred benefited from this method, the power shift would be devastating.
More importantly, as time passed, the gap in top tier combat strength would only grow larger. The fragile balance they had barely managed to maintain would shatter completely.
No! This cannot be ignored! Ning Fengzhi suddenly stood up.
"Fengzhi, what's wrong? Where are you going?"
Sword Douluo looked at Ning Fengzhi's tense expression and then at the darkening sky, confused by his reaction.
Yes… where could he go? Ning Fengzhi froze in place. Who could he even talk to about this?
Even if someone believed him, what could they actually do?
Go to Emperor Xue Ye?
Heaven Dou Empire didn't even have a single Title Douluo and needed to rely on both Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall to contend with Star Luo Empire. What could Xue Ye do?
Go to Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?
They were even weaker than Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Maintaining their neutrality was already difficult enough.
Go to Star Luo Empire or the reclusive Clear Sky Clan?
Clear Sky Clan used to be their greatest ally against Spirit Hall, their strongest force. Even now, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wasn't as strong as Clear Sky Clan had been.
But where were they now?
After Clear Sky Clan sealed itself away, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been forced to step up as the new leader.
Even if Ning Fengzhi had the ability to unite all the factions, what then?
Demand that Spirit Hall hand over their method? Declare war?
If that was the case, it would be more practical to just kidnap Tang Hao and Tang San at least then they'd gain something.
Ning Fengzhi stood there in shock for a long time before finally sitting back down.
At that moment, he began recalculating the power dynamics between the factions.
Recalling his years of political maneuvering against Bibi Dong, remembering every precaution taken against Spirit Hall, a bitter realization settled in.
They never had a real chance at winning.
The so called advantageous position they thought they had… was nothing more than an illusion Spirit Hall had allowed them to believe in.
"I lost my composure, Sword Uncle."
Ning Fengzhi formally bowed to Chen Xin.
Sword Douluo shook his head dismissively. To be honest, he still had no idea what was going on.
But it didn't matter he knew Ning Fengzhi would explain later.
In the now silent hall, Ning Fengzhi tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table, his expression shifting as he contemplated his next move.
After a long time, he finally seemed to come to a decision.
He turned to Sword Douluo.
"Sword Uncle, what do you think about letting Rongrong get closer to Han Li?"
"What?!"
Sword Douluo's eyes widened in shock, staring at Ning Fengzhi.
Seeing his instinctive reaction, Ning Fengzhi sighed internally. Years of hostility toward Spirit Hall had left deep scars on the sect.
If even Sword Douluo reacted this way, the rest of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would definitely resist even more.
Perhaps… their relationship with Spirit Hall needed to change.
And Sword Douluo… would be the first and greatest obstacle.
Because, unlike others, his hatred for the Grand Priest of Spirit Hall was personal.
His father's death lay between them like an unbridgeable chasm.
Even though they all knew the truth even though they knew Spirit Hall wasn't truly responsible it was still a bitter pill to swallow for Chen Xin.
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