After several days of discussions with Ning Fengzhi and Tang Xiao, the three great sects had essentially finalized their specific cooperative arrangements.
Judging by Tang Xiao's attitude, he clearly regarded the Body Sect as the reincarnation of the former Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Together with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Hao Tian Sect, these three sects now formed a new iteration of the original "Three Great Upper Sects."
The three sects would continue to cooperate and share intelligence as the original upper sects did, jointly resisting the Spirit Empire. If the Spirit Empire attacked any one of them, the other two were obligated to send reinforcements.
On the final day, Tang Xiao revealed the true purpose of his visit to the Body Sect.
"Yang Xiong, there is one more matter I need your help with. This issue may truly determine the survival or destruction of our three sects."
Yang Xiong's expression turned serious: "Lord Tang, please speak freely. I will do my best to assist if it's within my power."
Tang Xiao fell silent for a moment before speaking: "Sect Leader Yang, I hope you can journey to Slaughter City. If you can rescue my grandfather, we will surely be able to suppress Qian Daoliu, greatly increasing our chances of victory."
A trace of helplessness flickered in Yang Xiong's eyes: "You overestimate me, Senior. Tang Chen is a Limit Douluo at Level 99. If even you and Tang Hao cannot save him, then I am powerless as well."
Tang Xiao quickly responded: "We don't expect you to fight my grandfather directly. What we want is your domain—it might be able to counter the Slaughter King."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "There is a secret about Slaughter City. If one masters the Killing God Domain, they can use soul skills within its confines."
"But the Killing God Domain also varies in strength. The Slaughter King has already pushed his Killing God Domain to its peak, evolving it into the Slaughter Domain. I'm not sure if I can suppress the Slaughter King through domains alone."
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao were both surprised. They hadn't expected the Killing God Domain to have such effects. If that were true, the two brothers could venture into Slaughter City together. With their combined strength, they might be able to overpower Tang Chen, who couldn't use soul skills.
However, reviving Tang Chen wouldn't be easy. Controlled by the Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King, only the purest divine power could awaken him. In this world, only Qian Daoliu, Bo Saixi, or someone wielding the Sea God's Trident could achieve this.
Tang Yuehua, being more meticulous than the others, spoke up: "Sect Leader Yang, please state your conditions. As long as our Hao Tian Sect can fulfill them, we will do so—anything to rescue my grandfather."
Yang Xiong smiled: "Slaughter City is perilous. If I am to accompany you there, I have two small requests. I hope Lord Tang Xiao will grant them."
Tang Xiao hesitated briefly before replying: "Speak your requests. Nothing in this world is more important to me than my grandfather."
Yang Xiong nodded: "Then I'll be direct. There is a sword in Slaughter City, likely kept close by the Slaughter King. I want this sword."
Tang Xiao nodded: "Agreed. It's just a sword. If we can save my grandfather, the sword is yours."
Yang Xiong continued: "This matter is of great importance. Aside from myself, my teacher, Sword Elder, and Yang Wudi must accompany us to Slaughter City. Once inside, everyone must follow my instructions. This will increase our chances of success."
Tang Xiao was silent for a moment before responding: "Fine. My grandfather is indeed extremely powerful. More people mean a better chance of success."
Yang Xiong immediately turned to Sword Elder: "Teacher, I may need to trouble you to accompany me to Slaughter City."
Sword Elder gave a slight nod: "I've heard Slaughter City is the most treacherous place in the world. I'd like to see what it's really like, given how much it terrifies people."
Yang Xiong nodded: "In half a month, we'll depart from Thunderclap Canyon and head to Slaughter City together."
…
After seeing off Ning Fengzhi and Tang Xiao, Yang Wudi voiced his confusion: "Sect Leader, why do you want me to accompany you to Slaughter City? I wanted to settle scores with the Spirit Empire in Qian County."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "Old Goat, you've spent your entire life studying offensive techniques. Slaughter City is the place with the densest killing intent in the world. Your Soul-Breaking Spear might benefit greatly from it, and you may even encounter unexpected opportunities."
In truth, Yang Xiong had initially planned to go to Slaughter City alone. However, he reconsidered. Aside from the Slaughter King, Slaughter City housed many enforcers, some of whom were Title Douluos.
Fighting the Slaughter King alone would already be extremely taxing. Encountering multiple Title Douluos at once would make things far more complicated.
Moreover, accompanying Tang Hao and Tang Xiao to Slaughter City posed its own risks. Even if they defeated the Slaughter King, if Tang Hao and Tang Xiao turned against him, Yang Xiong wasn't confident in simultaneously fighting the Twin Stars of Hao Tian. Not to mention the awakened Tang Chen.
It had been years since Yang Xiong last visited Slaughter City. Given its current situation, its population should have recovered. Sword Elder and Yang Wudi might find other opportunities there, or perhaps even acquire the Killing God Domain anew.
Most importantly, Slaughter City boasted numerous members, many of whom were soul masters. Several were even Title Douluos. In theory, its strength rivaled, or even surpassed, one of the Three Great Upper Sects.
In the following days, Yang Xiong made extensive arrangements for the sect. Niu Gao had already led two hundred soul masters away from the sect. These included members from various families and some graduates of the Body Academy, primarily to train under Niu Gao.
After years of cultivation and actively recruiting students with Body-type martial souls, the Body Sect now had over sixty individuals with Body-type martial souls. The earliest batch of students had begun to graduate.
Though these students had relatively average aptitude, Lin Gong placed great emphasis on them and imposed strict requirements. After systematic training at the Body Sect, their strength was no weaker than that of ordinary martial soul students, and their rate of improvement was comparable.
These students particularly focused on physical conditioning, overseen personally by Niu Gao. Some had already reached the Soul Ancestor level.
Though still weak, under the Body Sect's guidance, they would undoubtedly become the sect's mid-level backbone in time.
Yang Xiong devoted considerable effort to nurturing these Body-type martial soul users. Unfortunately, time was short. If given decades, the Body Sect could undoubtedly become the continent's foremost sect.
After returning to the sect, Huo Wu neither taught at the Body Academy nor returned to the Huo family. Instead, she resided at the main peak of Thunderclap Nine Peaks, managing and educating all Body-type martial soul practitioners.
After years of training on the Sea God Island and learning about physical conditioning, Huo Wu had become highly knowledgeable in body cultivation.
As the only person in the Body Sect besides Yang Xiong to undergo a second awakening of her martial soul, Huo Wu had gained valuable experience. She spent most of her time honing the students, pushing them to break through their limits.
Meanwhile, on the Sea God Island, over a month after Yang Xiong's departure, Tang San and Xiao Wu finally completed the sixth trial with great difficulty. Xiao Wu had finished all her trials, while Tang San had only the final trial remaining.
Tang San had now reached Level 84, and his soul rings had transformed into four purple and four black.
Xiao Wu's soul power had reached Level 85, surpassing Tang San by one level. This was due to the additional two levels of soul power awarded after completing the Black-Level Six Trials, along with a divine-bestowed soul ring.
However, Tang San's expression was grim. The seventh trial proved far more difficult than anticipated.
His seventh trial was Shark Sea Survival: enduring an hour of relentless attacks from the entire tribe of Demon Soul Great White Sharks in their territory.
Surviving for an hour meant passing the trial. Failure meant death.
This trial was exceedingly dangerous. Especially since Bai Xiao, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, would also participate.
Enduring an hour under the coordinated attacks of hundreds of Demon Soul Great White Sharks, led by Bai Xiao, was an almost impossible feat—even many Title Douluos couldn't achieve it.
Nevertheless, Tang San didn't hesitate. After careful consideration, he decided to undertake the trial immediately.
With Tang San's current strength, even a year of further cultivation would yield, at most, a one- or two-level increase in soul power—not nearly enough to significantly boost his strength.
Under Bo Saixi's supervision, Tang San entered a vast expanse of seawater. Apart from the Demon Soul Great White Sharks, no other soul beasts remained in the area.
As the trial began, countless Demon Soul Great White Sharks surged toward Tang San like arrows. Their speed was astonishing, and their coordination impeccable. Their massive teeth tore at him, as if attempting to rip him apart.
Sharks were among the fiercest creatures of the sea, and the Demon Soul Great White Sharks were considered the pinnacle of oceanic soul beasts. Each one was incredibly powerful.
Upon entering the water, Tang San immediately summoned his Blue Silver Grass. Countless strands shot out from his body, spreading nearly a hundred meters around him, acting as protective tendrils.
But the Demon Soul Great White Sharks were ferocious. Their sharp teeth shredded the Blue Silver Grass, and their powerful charges slammed directly into Tang San's body.
No matter how agile Tang San was, underwater combat restricted his movements. He couldn't use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps or other Tang Sect techniques like Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon.
However, the Sea God's Trial didn't restrict his soul skills. Tang San unleashed his seventh soul skill: Blue Silver True Body—Devouring Golden Threads.
His seventh soul ring's ability mirrored the original work: a True Body technique with Devouring Golden Threads.
The Devouring Golden Threads could absorb an opponent's soul power, vitality, and even large numbers of living beings.
For ten-thousand-year soul beasts, however, the Devouring Golden Threads' power was insufficient. Many high-level Demon Soul Great White Sharks were unafraid of Tang San's attack. Their massive teeth easily shattered the threads.
Seeing his martial soul countered, Tang San immediately pulled out several Zhuge Divine Crossbows. Ignoring accuracy, he fired indiscriminately at the surrounding sharks.
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