Chapter 202: Illusion Realm, Return to the Past Life, The Place Where Dreams Begin
After Flender left, Oscar also stood up.
"I'm heading back too, you guys talk."
Without waiting for a response, he went upstairs and disappeared into his room.
Ma Hongjun originally planned to slip away with Oscar, but under the combined gaze of Tang San and Dai Mubai, the pressure he had felt for years made him give up the idea. He awkwardly sat back down.
"Xiao Wu, go rest. You've had a long day."
Tang San turned to her, his expression as gentle as ever.
"Then… Brother, you should rest early too."
Xiao Wu hesitated, glancing at the others. To her, everything that happened today was overwhelming.
"Alright, go on."
Tang San, still smiling as usual, gently urged her on.
"Mm."
With a soft response, Xiao Wu quickened her pace and disappeared upstairs.
At the table, only four people remained.
Though the room was well lit, the atmosphere felt dark.
"That wretch must die."
A loud thud echoed as Dai Mubai slammed his fist into the table, leaving a deep dent. His expression was twisted in rage.
"We can't even find her right now. You heard what Flender said it's as if she vanished into thin air."
"For someone to just disappear like that, in Tian Dou Imperial Academy, don't you think that's a bit suspicious?"
Tang San, his voice calm, glanced at Dai Mubai, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
It was only afterward that he realized something.
If Zhu Zhuqing had merely been driven by rage and willing to die in defiance, that was one thing. But the moment Flender showed up, her actions became questionable.
After all, in that situation, Flender could have killed her outright in a fit of anger.
So what was her real plan?
Even if she resented Flender's favoritism, why go that far? If she truly wanted mutual destruction, wouldn't pretending to agree and then killing Ma Hongjun or himself have been her best choice?
So in Tang San's mind, there was only one explanation Zhu Zhuqing had someone backing her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have had such confidence.
Hearing this, Dai Mubai froze for a moment before shaking his head bitterly.
"Impossible. I know our families well neither side would ever send someone to protect us."
"If there was even a slim chance for me, then for her, it's completely out of the question. Even if she had secretly joined Davis, my father would never allow it."
Tang San frowned had he miscalculated?
Was there really no one behind Zhu Zhuqing?
Then, he noticed the slight grin forming on Yu Xiaogang's face, as if he had just figured something out.
The next second, Yu Xiaogang spoke.
"Tang San, Mubai… we don't need to search anymore. She's probably already dead."
Though he said "probably", his tone made it clear he was certain Zhu Zhuqing was already gone.
"There are some things you don't need to ask about. When the time comes, you'll know. Just remember she's dead."
Yu Xiaogang, back to his usual arrogance, exuded confidence once again.
Back in Soto City, Flender had told him about Tang Hao's brief appearance to warn Zhao Wuji.
Now, Zhu Zhuqing's sudden disappearance, right after humiliating Tang San, was perfectly logical.
To silently erase someone within Tian Dou Imperial Academy, where three Contra level powerhouses resided, would require a Title Douluo's strength.
And at present, the only Title Douluo close enough to intervene was Tang Hao.
Clearly, the legendary Clear Sky Douluo had been watching over his son all along, and Zhu Zhuqing's death proved that he approved of Tang San's actions.
Though it was a shame that the Martial Soul Fusion Technique was no longer an option, Yu Xiaogang had new plans.
Yes, perhaps it was time to help Tang San enter the Royal Battle Team.
That way, both he and Tang San could prove their worth.
He needed to reconnect with his nephew, Yu Tianheng, and also use Qin Ming as a stepping stone.
As for Flender, well…
His bias this time was unacceptable.
He would make sure Flender compensated them.
Tang San observed his teacher's expression, deep in thought.
Fine. He would let him do as he pleased.
But if he failed again…
Then don't blame him.
Because even now, his hands were still throbbing in pain.
Damn it.
That healer from earlier he had forgotten to ask them to treat his hands too.
"Alright, let's all get some rest."
Yu Xiaogang looked at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, clearly addressing them.
Dai Mubai wanted to ask about his source of information, but seeing his demeanor, and then glancing at Tang San, he decided against it.
Weary in both body and mind, he chose to leave.
As for Ma Hongjun, he immediately shot up, practically fleeing upstairs.
Though he had been forced to stay, he had barely spoken.
However, what he failed to notice was that, as he turned his back, both Dai Mubai and Tang San watched him with cold, dangerous eyes.
To both of them, Ma Hongjun had already betrayed them.
After all, he had chosen a side but did absolutely nothing.
That, in itself, was a form of betrayal.
And while they suffered humiliation and setbacks, he walked away completely unscathed, even trying to distance himself.
That alone was enough to make them resent him.
Dai Mubai completely lost the mood to talk. Without saying a word, he turned and headed upstairs.
Once both of them were gone, Yu Xiaogang turned back to Tang San.
"Tang San, don't worry. I have other solutions. Since this team can no longer help you, why not try switching to another one?"
"I'll talk to Tianheng and have Flender reach out to Qin Ming. The two of us still hold some influence. If all goes well, you might even be able to join the first team directly, increasing your chances."
"You don't need to do anything just wait for my good news."
Sensing Tang San's distrust, Yu Xiaogang was especially eager to prove himself.
"Then I'll trouble you with this, teacher."
Tang San felt tempted, his dissatisfaction with Yu Xiaogang easing slightly, though he remained cautious. At least this time, he wouldn't have to personally take action and risk any unexpected losses.
"Alright, go get some rest. Remember, short term gains and losses don't matter only those who endure to the end are the true winners."
Yu Xiaogang reminded him once more, fearing that a rift might form between them.
"Understood, teacher."
Tang San chose to trust him one more time.
After all, if Yu Xiaogang succeeded, it would bring him great benefits.
But if he failed heh… then there would be no need to endure anymore.
On the surface, the two seemed to have returned to their harmonious teacher student relationship.
But what they didn't know was that Han Li had been watching from above the entire time, seeing every reaction.
"So Zhu Zhuqing has been 'killed' off? Yu Xiaogang thinks Tang Hao did it? Fine, let him bask in his delusions for a few days. I wonder how he'll react when Tang Hao returns and they compare notes."
Han Li recalled how just earlier, he had sensed Tang Hao wandering in the Sunset Forest, about a hundred kilometers away, and a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
Seeing Tang San bid farewell to Yu Xiaogang and head upstairs to his room, Han Li silently descended, perching on the rooftop.
The night was still young.
He had plenty of time to play.
Inside the Room
Tang San did not immediately begin cultivating upon returning. Instead, he sat in silence.
His gaze fell on his still aching hands, seemingly checking his injuries.
But the occasional flicker of killing intent in his eyes showed that he was far from calm.
He sat at the table for a long time before finally getting into bed and entering a meditative state.
Meanwhile, Han Li had already tampered with the spiritual field, blocking Tang San's luck aura, before enhancing his own mental power to cover the entire villa.
The moment Tang San's soul power began flowing through his Mysterious Heaven Skill pathways, Han Li mirrored the process, initiating a simultaneous trial run.
After syncing for two full cycles, he finally recorded the complete technique to perfection.
Upon a quick test, he found that, while the method improved cultivation, the boost wasn't significant at least not for him.
After all, Han Li had already undergone Ice Fire tempering, unlocked his true potential, and fully unblocked his meridians.
But for others, the effects would be drastic.
"Alright, the basic cultivation technique is settled. The rest… is best tested inside an illusion realm."
With that thought, Han Li intensified his spiritual output, weaving an illusory dream world to trap everyone inside.
For insurance, he dragged them all in together.
Inside the Dream
Tang San's soul power circulation slowed, eventually coming to a stop.
He appeared to have fallen asleep.
"Tang San, wake up! Time to eat! If you're late, there'll be no food left, and today's workload is heavy."
A familiar voice called out.
His consciousness was hazy.
"Oh… alright."
Instinctively, he responded and opened his eyes.
What he saw left him stunned.
A traditional wooden room, simple yet elegant.
It felt strangely familiar yet completely foreign.
Wait… wasn't I just meditating?
No, what meditation? There was work to be done.
If he didn't finish, the elders would be furious.
His thoughts clashed.
One part of him insisted that something was wrong while another part urged him to hurry.
Watching the figure leave, he quickly followed.
A Full Day of Work
By the end of the day, Tang San dragged his exhausted body back to his room.
Despite the strange thoughts lingering in his mind, he had completed his tasks effortlessly, as if this life was second nature to him.
Even the constant nagging voice in his head felt less intrusive.
And after spending the entire day in this world, he had pieced things together.
He was a disciple of the Outer Hall of the Tang Sect in Sichuan.
"If only we could enter the Inner Hall and learn martial arts… then we wouldn't have to work so hard every day."
The same familiar voice from this morning sighed, before falling into deep sleep.
Tang San, however, sat at his desk, his expression unreadable.
Yes… if he learned martial arts, he wouldn't have to suffer anymore.
Wait no!
He shook his head.
He already knew martial arts.
In fact, he had already planned to sneak into the sect's library.
Yes, that was right he had prepared for this long ago.
The two conflicting thoughts clashed in his mind, making it impossible to think straight.
As his head throbbed, both halves of his consciousness settled on a single conclusion
"I need to go to the Library Pavilion. There, I'll find all the answers."
Yes.
The Library. Martial Arts. The Inner Hall.
I must go.
Unable to suppress his restlessness, Tang San left his room and rushed toward the Library Pavilion, following the memories ingrained within him.
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