The shopkeeper was now prostrate on the ground, trembling in fear. Of all people to offend, he had to offend the Clear Sky Sect!
Bai Chenxiang glared coldly at the cowering shopkeeper and said sharply, "A dishonest profiteer, daring to charge four times the price!"
!!?
Her words turned the shopkeeper's face deathly pale, as if he might faint at any moment.
Seeing this, Tang San nearly rolled his eyes. Bai Chenxiang probably thought he hadn't bargained because he was being sarcastic or implying something.
"Shopkeeper, you've misunderstood. This Crystal Slab is inherently valuable and extremely rare. I didn't haggle over the two thousand gold coins not because of my status, but because I genuinely believe it's worth that much."
Hearing Tang San's calm tone, the shopkeeper finally dared to lift his head, gulped, and tentatively said, "Young Master of the Clear Sky Sect, five hundred gold coins will suffice. I'll return the remaining fifteen hundred to you."
Tang San waved his hand. "You earned those fifteen hundred gold coins because of your discernment. Though you didn't know the origins of this crystal, you still recognized it as a treasure. Your keen eye earned you that profit. If I were to disregard your effort and experience, wouldn't that be tantamount to forced purchase?"
"Our Clear Sky Sect doesn't engage in such practices. Chenxiang, pay him the full two thousand gold coins."
Fifteen hundred gold coins wasn't much to Tang San. Now that he was representing the Clear Sky Sect, being too petty might tarnish the sect's reputation—hardly worth the loss.
"Thank you, thank you! Young Master, your magnanimity is extraordinary." The shopkeeper accepted the payment slip with both hands and bowed deeply as he saw Tang San off.
"Let's head to the residence first. It's getting late." After leaving the shop, Tang San noted the fading daylight.
"So, Young Sect Master, what exactly is this Crystal Slab? Is it really a treasure?" Bai Chenxiang was curious about the crystal Tang San had bought. Being around the same age and his cousin's daughter, she had known him since childhood and knew he wouldn't spend so much gold without reason.
Hearing this, Tang San took out the crystal and pointed at the cloudy areas inside. "The real value lies within. These are called Soul Filaments—highly sensitive to Soul Power. With even a trace of Soul Power, they straighten and become incredibly rigid, curling back up when the energy is withdrawn. Originally, they were used for Hidden Weapons, but that would be a waste. I've studied some Soul Guidance Devices, and special metals like these, which react to Soul Power, are crucial for crafting their cores."
Tang San examined the crystal in his hand. Even the Clear Sky Sect had no records of such a thing, but it was documented in the Tang Sect's treasured archives.
He even suspected that the decline of Soul Guidance Devices might be due to the loss of knowledge about these special metals, making their production impossible. Soul Guidance Devices were tools that transformed when infused with Soul Power, and these Soul Filaments exhibited the same properties. With proper application, perhaps even simple Soul Guidance Devices could be recreated.
Bai Chenxiang tilted her head, wide-eyed, completely lost in this sea of technical knowledge.
When Tang San and Bai Chenxiang returned to the Clear Sky Sect's residence, they found an unfamiliar carriage parked at the entrance, guarded by several armored soldiers.
Seeing Tang San return, the carriage driver lifted the cloth curtain, revealing a single occupant inside. The man appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Though not exceptionally handsome, he had a straight nose and well-proportioned features, wearing a clean blue cloth robe that gave off a refreshing aura. His long black hair was neatly tied with a blue cloth ribbon, hanging orderly behind his head.
The young man stepped down from the carriage with proper etiquette and politely addressed Tang San, "You must be Tang San, son of the Clear Sky Douluo. I am Xue Qinghe. I've long admired your reputation."
Hearing the surname, Tang San took a closer look at the person before him and asked, "Xue? The Heaven Dou Imperial Family?"
Xue Qinghe nodded courteously, "By my father's grace, I've been honored with the title of Crown Prince."
!?
Tang San suddenly understood, "Ah, so you're the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Since you're here, please come in for some humble tea."
"Very well, I'll trouble the Young Sect Master then," Xue Qinghe naturally accepted. After waiting so long, meeting Tang San was precisely his goal.
Bai Chenxiang was quite perceptive and quickly poured fragrant tea for Xue Qinghe and Tang San. Even without drinking, just the aroma alone was refreshing to the soul.
After taking a sip, Tang San asked, "What brings the Crown Prince here so late at night?"
The Crown Prince drank a mouthful before slowly setting down his cup, "Upon learning of Young Sect Master Tang's arrival in the Heaven Dou Imperial City, I wished to fulfill my duties as host and show you the beautiful sights of the capital."
"I've long heard of Young Sect Master Tang's extraordinary talents. Recently, you joined the Spirit Academy, and coincidentally, our Heaven Dou Academy is also within the imperial city. The Heaven Dou Academy team has just returned from their training journey. I was hoping you might offer them some guidance."
Tang San glanced at Xue Qinghe with a knowing smile. He was no naive child—holding a high position meant understanding political affairs. He was well aware of many things.
Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire had four sons. Though Xue Qinghe had obtained the crown prince position with Ning Fengzhi's support, his hold wasn't entirely secure. The empire's only Titled Douluo, Poison Douluo, supported the fourth prince, Xue Beng.
This was because Xue Ye's younger brother, Prince Xue Xing, backed the fourth prince.
Thus, the imperial family was effectively divided into two factions: reformists and conservatives. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe advocated reforms, seeking deeper cooperation—even complete integration—with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to utilize sect strength in reclaiming territories from subordinate kingdoms and duchies, achieving full unification.
The fourth prince opposed this, believing cooperation with outsiders was like making a pact with tigers—they would only be devoured by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. After all, with only Poison Douluo's strength, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family was no match for the sect.
Naturally, Xue Qinghe's reformist approach aligned perfectly with his strategy to win over the Clear Sky Sect. In truth, he sought alliances with all seven great sects, even hoping to unite them against the Spirit Hall and conquer the Star Luo Empire.
Since Heaven Dou Academy fell under Prince Xue Xing's jurisdiction, Xue Qinghe's invitation for Tang San to "guide" their team was essentially a provocation—stepping onto their turf!
Seeing Tang San show no reaction and appearing rather disinterested, Xue Qinghe had already anticipated this and continued, "The seven most elite Soul Masters selected by our Heaven Dou Academy were defeated by another academy during training. However, it's not too shameful, considering the opposing academy team had Ning Rongrong, the daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's master. Losing to them was only natural."
At these words, Tang San actually became somewhat interested. Setting down his teacup, he asked, "Ning Rongrong? She didn't join your Heaven Dou Academy?"
Tang San had always assumed Ning Rongrong would inevitably join Heaven Dou Academy!
Noticing Tang San's interest, Xue Qinghe understood immediatel
y and said, "No, she joined an academy called Shrek."
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