Within Martial Soul City, inside the Elder Hall.
Qian Daoliu's furious roar echoed through the vast chamber.
"How can Tang Chen's descendants be this brain-dead?!"
"What is the Slaughter City? Do they even understand? That place is the filthiest cesspit on the entire Douluo Continent!"
He slammed his palm against the armrest of his chair, veins bulging on his forehead.
"It was already enough for Tang San to obtain the Asura God's Domain from there, but he destroyed the Slaughter City entirely! What kind of idiocy is that?!"
"It's no different than dropping a cannonball into a public latrine, then leaving it to splatter across the entire street! Do they think it's funny?!"
Qian Daoliu's anger was palpable, his voice practically shaking the hall.
"That cesspool was a natural prison, a cage that ensured countless evil soul masters were trapped forever. And now? That prison was blown to pieces! Does that brat Tang San have his head stuffed with dung?!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo stepped forward, equally troubled, though his voice carried more restraint.
"Grand Worship, all the soul masters we can mobilize have already been sent out. But these evil soul masters aren't fools. Many scattered and hid themselves once they were released. Our eradication efforts in the last two days have produced little results."
His frustration was also brimming over. These last forty-eight hours, he'd been endlessly marching and striking, with hardly any rest. And all because of the sheer chaos Tang Hao and his son had unleashed on the continent. It wasn't just reckless—it was blasphemous, outrageous beyond measure!
"Then contact the Clear Sky Sect!" Qian Daoliu barked.
"This pile of shit was created by their people. Tang Hao and Tang San were both from Clear Sky. Since their bastards tore down the sewer of Douluo Continent, they should be the ones to shovel it back up!"
He slammed his cane against the ground, his voice echoing like thunder.
"Tell them to drive all their people out from that mountain nest of theirs, and make them take responsibility!"
"Yes, I'll see to it immediately," Golden Crocodile Douluo replied quickly, letting out a long breath.
This scourge of evil soul masters exploding across Douluo Continent had left him busier than ever. Now, even Qian Daoliu's fury only added more pressure on his aging shoulders.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Inside the sect's main hall, Gu Rong was practically in high spirits.
"Fengzhi, things on the continent have been really lively these past days."
He chuckled, tapping his cane against the floor.
"Just two days ago, I even caught two evil soul masters lurking under Mount Qibao! Not only that—have you heard the rumors? Martial Soul Hall actually declared Lu Yuan an evil soul master!"
He scoffed before breaking into laughter.
"Ridiculous! If you ask me, the biggest evil soul master of all is that little bastard Tang San!"
Every word seemed to energize him more.
"Don't forget, Tang Hao's dog of a son even dared to target our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect back then. And now? Ha! He's been branded a public enemy of the entire continent! Destroying the Slaughter City, releasing countless evil soul masters—tell me, is that something a human could do?"
Ning Fengzhi frowned, though not without a slight sigh of helplessness.
"Uncle Bone, stop gloating. Evil soul masters running rampant across Douluo is bad for all of us. Just yesterday, Martial Soul Hall sent us an invitation to jointly eradicate them."
Gu Rong kept smirking, but Chen Xin's voice cut in, sharp and cold.
"What is there to discuss? Most of our sect's soul masters specialize in support. They're not suited for chasing down evil soul masters in the wild. This so-called 'invitation' is nothing more than Martial Soul Hall's excuse to wear down our sect's strength."
"I know, Uncle Jian." Fengzhi nodded seriously.
"But think—every sect on the continent is doing their part. If we stay idle while others shed blood, it will damage our status, both in reputation and in alliances. We must show at least some willingness to act."
He paused, his eyes calculating.
"We'll send three hundred Outer Sect disciples. That's enough to display our support, without leaving the sect defenceless."
Chen Xin frowned. "Our outer disciples are already guarding the sect, and with evil soul masters everywhere, who's to say someone won't set their eyes on us? Sending too many away isn't wise."
"Three hundred," Ning Fengzhi repeated firmly.
"That number strikes the balance. Our core will be safe, yet our gesture will not go unnoticed by others."
Gu Rong chuckled, shaking his head.
"You both think far too mechanically. Consider it from Lu Yuan's perspective—what would he do in this situation?"
His words left Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanging skeptical glances.
Clear Sky Sect
Inside the Clear Sky Mountain stronghold, tension filled the air.
The Chief Elder's voice was heavy as he addressed Tang Xiao, the current Sect Leader.
"Sect Leader, you must make a stand now. Tang Hao and Tang San's actions have already brought catastrophe to our sect. The entire continent is in uproar, and if we do not respond, our sect will be condemned alongside them."
The atmosphere grew hot as Seven Elder rose, slamming his palm down onto the table.
"Enough evasion! Those two dog bastards, Tang Hao and his wretched son, must be captured and dragged back here. That will be our explanation—to both the continent, and to our ancestors! I've said it before—Tang San is a plague! He never should have been allowed to tie himself to our sect!"
His anger was venomous, his voice cracking as he pointed an accusing finger at Tang Xiao.
"From the start, Tang Hao destroyed our reputation. Then his son came and stole secret techniques of our sect. And now he consorts with evil soul masters, throwing the entire Douluo Continent into chaos! Every step they take sullies the name of Clear Sky. Tell me, how much longer must we drown in their filth?!"
"I agree with what Seven Elder said!"
Third Elder stood fiercely, his tone reinforcing the clamoring atmosphere.
"Those two must be brought back. Before, we held back out of fear of retaliation from Martial Soul Hall. But look around now! If we don't act, not just Martial Soul Hall, but every sect on the continent will despise us. By the time we try to re-emerge, will anyone even allow us a foothold?"
One by one, elders began voicing their agreement, until the chamber thundered as their voices aligned.
Tang Xiao's expression hardened.
"Very well. As Sect Leader, I will personally lead Elder Second, along with five hundred disciples down the mountain. Our purpose: first to join the continent's forces against the evil soul masters, and second, to bring Tang Hao and his son back to the sect. Alive or dead!"
But before his words finished ringing out, Seven Elder once again stood abruptly.
"Sect Leader, are you seriously going down with just two elders? Tang Hao inherited the old Sect Leader's teachings. He's mastered the secret techniques of our Clear Sky Clan. Do you truly think you can bring him back with only two?"
"You fool," another elder retorted hotly.
"Dragging every last one of us would only expose our strength to Martial Soul Hall! Hiding our true power is worth more than boys like Tang Hao!"
Tang Xiao clenched his fists.
"Rest assured. Should I meet Tang Hao and Tang San, I have my methods. No matter what, I will bring them back."
The hall fell into heavy silence, broken only by the flickering torches.
Shrek Academy
Outside Shrek Academy's worn gates, Yu Xiaogang stood quietly, his shoulders weighed down with grief. Behind him, the academy grounds were desolate—empty corridors, closed classrooms, silent training fields.
Only weeks ago, with Flender's support, he had barely managed to pick himself up again. He even wrote an announcement at the academy gates, advertising himself as the teacher of a genius disciple like Tang San—hoping to attract new talent.
But fate dealt a cruel slap.
Only two days after the announcement went out, the entire continent learned the truth: Tang San was branded as an evil soul master.
It was a fatal blow.
"No longer students… not even new ones willing to come…"
His lips trembled bitterly. The few disciples who had clung on until now also left, terrified of the stigma tied to Tang San's name.
Shrek Academy had collapsed entirely.
Now he had no face left to remain here, where every corner reminded him of his failures.
With a faint sigh, he turned and walked away, the tattered banner of Shrek fluttering weakly in the wind behind him.
"As for the future… one step at a time."
And with that quiet whisper, Yu Xiaogang disappeared into the distance.
--
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