The supposedly harmonious meeting ended. As Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Tianlin left the palace, none of the officials who had planned to curry favor with them showed up. Instead, they all flocked to the Grandmaster.
Indeed, to be an official, you must know how to be a weather vane.
The Grandmaster was Tang San's teacher and the son of Yu Yuanzhen, patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. He was connected to both major clans. Xue Ye's move was meant to win both over.
Even the fact that the Grandmaster had been disowned by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect didn't matter. Xue Ye knew Yu Yuanzhen's personality—he couldn't really let go of his son. As long as Yu Xiaogang had enough value in the Heaven Dou Empire, Yu Yuanzhen would persuade the sect elders to take him back, just like the Clear Sky Sect grudgingly accepted Tang San.
For big powers, interests trump all else.
"Xiao Tian, what did Xue Beng call you over to talk about just now?" Ning Fengzhi asked on the way back.
"Just a really stupid request!" Tianlin told Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin everything about his conversation with Xue Beng and Tang San.
Chen Xin was furious after hearing it. "Hmph, a toad wishing to eat swan meat! With Xue Beng's behavior, does he deserve our precious Rongrong?"
Ning Fengzhi suddenly understood. "Oh, that explains why Emperor Xue Ye kept introducing his son and daughter but never got to the point."
"He was waiting for Xue Beng's answer. If Xue Beng nodded, he'd propose marriage in public, and I'd get the Imperial Tutor post. But Xue Beng shook his head, so to save face, the marriage proposal was dropped. He had no sincerity. Even if Xiao Tian and Rongrong had no engagement, I wouldn't marry off my daughter!"
A mere Imperial Tutor post meant nothing to Ning Fengzhi. Since Tianlin had agreed to his plan, the two had begun their preparations. Once Spirit Hall started the continental war, a powerful new nation centered on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would suddenly appear, catching all the other forces off guard.
The three planned to leave—the atmosphere in Heaven Dou City really didn't appeal to them. Just as they were about to board their carriage, an anxious voice called from behind, "Wait, Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, Young Master Tianlin, please wait!"
They turned to see a middle-aged man—Tianlin recognized him. It was Oslo's father, an imperial official named Ao Siqin.
When they were at the academy, Oslo had invited Tianlin to his house a few times; they'd met before.
"Uncle Ao, what's the matter?" Tianlin asked.
"Young Master Tianlin, please help us! My Oslo has been missing for four months. You're his brother—please, help us find him!" Ao Siqin looked miserable, almost kneeling.
"What, Oslo is missing?" Tianlin quickly helped him up. "Uncle Ao, please tell me everything you know. Where was Oslo last seen?"
"Four months ago, Oslo broke through level sixty and went to Star Dou Forest to hunt soul beasts for his advancement. For safety, I even hired a Soul Sage to protect him. Over a month passed and he hadn't returned. I wasn't too worried—it's not strange to spend a month or two in the forest searching for the right soul beast."
"But another month passed, and still no news. I panicked. What soul beast hunt takes nearly three months? I sent many people to Star Dou Forest to search for him. Not only did they find nothing, they ran into a beast tide. Few made it back. Now it's been four months—I fear the worst for Oslo." Ao Siqin wept. Oslo was the pride of the Ao family, their future Title Douluo—nothing could happen to him.
"Ah, I remember now!" the Skydream Iceworm suddenly exclaimed. "Xiao Tian, didn't I just say that one of the three soul bones on Tang Hao felt very familiar? It's the Swift Wind Left Leg Bone. I saw it once at the academy tournament."
"The Swift Wind Left Leg Bone!" Tianlin was shocked. Oslo had already absorbed that soul bone, and with his strength, he couldn't have removed it himself. If it was taken out, there was only one possibility: Oslo was dead!
"Tang Hao!" Tianlin's eyes turned blood-red as he roared and charged back toward the palace.
"Xiao Tian!" Ning Fengzhi tried to grab him, but the furious Tianlin was too fast, even using his soul bone's teleportation skill. As a support-type soul master, he couldn't hold Tianlin back. "Uncle Sword, let's catch up. Xiao Tian just mentioned Tang Hao—he must think Tang Hao killed Oslo and is going to confront him."
"Let's go!" Chen Xin grabbed Ao Siqin and Ning Fengzhi and quickly gave chase.
…
Inside the room, Tang San was spoon-feeding medicine to Tang Hao. He was ruthless to others, but very filial to his father.
Even though Tang Hao hadn't cared for him as a child, Tang San didn't mind. He had no fault when it came to filial piety.
Suddenly, the world shook and a massive demon sword slashed down toward the house.
"Tang Hao, get out here!" Tianlin roared. This strike was powerful enough to kill a Soul Douluo—even some newly advanced Title Douluo.
"Clear Sky Hammer, Disorder Wind Splitting Hammer!"
Inside, a heavy hammer grew larger, clashing with the demon sword. The whole house was annihilated, but most of the force was dispersed. Tang Hao and Tang San were unharmed.
Tianlin was knocked back—the difference in raw power between him and the strength-type super Title Douluo Tang Hao was evident.
But Tang Hao suffered too. Though his retreat was shorter, his serious injuries flared up, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Father, are you alright?" Tang San helped Tang Hao up and angrily shouted at Tianlin, "Jun Tianlin, what do you mean by this? Attacking us for no reason—does your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect want to go to war with my Clear Sky Sect?"
"Shut up! This has nothing to do with our sects. I'm here for Tang Hao as an individual." Tianlin stared at Tang Hao, his demon sword pointed at him. "Tang Hao, answer me honestly—where's Oslo?"