"Hey!"
Across the arena, a member of the Bloodlust Team growled impatiently—
"You brats don't even have all your baby teeth, and you think you can take us on? Even if you're from Tang Sect, we won't hold back!"
At the forefront, Xiao Wu grinned.
"That's the best part!"
Seeing this, Dudu, the announcer, decisively declared—
"Soul Battle—BEGIN!"
The Bloodlust Team erupted with light, unleashing an array of soul skills.
But the First Blood Team—
Their storage rings flashed simultaneously.
A row of Vulcan Cannons appeared in their arms.
Then—
They pulled the triggers, unleashing a storm of death!
"DADADADADA—"
"DADADADADA—"
"DADADADADA—"
A barrage of metal bullets engulfed the entire Bloodlust Team.
All seven beast martial souls, with zero defense-type members,
Were instantly shredded into minced meat, blood mist filling the air.
The once roaring arena—
Fell into dead silence.
Every spectator gawked in disbelief, their minds unable to process what had just happened.
That was it?
The infamous Bloodlust Team—just gone?!
Right before the world's eyes—
Tang Sect's firearms unveiled their terrifying might!
And with it—
Countless gamblers lost their fortunes.
"F*ck! Rigged match! I want my money back!"
"FAKE! THIS IS FAKE!"
"They cheated! This is cheating!"
"I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THIS!"
"Waaah—"
Amidst the sea of anguished wails,
A few lucky gamblers who bet on the underdog screamed in ecstasy.
But none of this concerned Tang Sect.
Xiao Wu and the others walked off the stage, pale-faced.
They hadn't vomited—
But they needed time to compose themselves.
After all—
For many of them, this was their first time killing.
Tang Lan, ever considerate, waved a hand—
"Let's go!"
"Time for dinner—barbecue!"
The group, who had been holding it together—
"Blergh—"
"Ughhh—"
"Cough cough—"
A symphony of retching filled the air.
They glared at Tang Lan, their eyes full of betrayal.
He did that on purpose!
Absolutely on purpose!
Tang Lan chuckled mischievously.
No real reason—
He just felt like messing with them.
"Alright, just teasing." He grinned. "We're going to Heaven Dou Auction House—on my tab. Spend as much as you want."
Oscar wiped his mouth, eyes gleaming—
"For real? Sect Master, you sure about that?"
"Brothers, we're clearing out the auction tonight!" Dai Mubai laughed.
"Rare opportunity—Sect Master's wallet is wide open!" Shui Yue'er cheered.
As the group hyped each other up,
Tang Lan simply smiled.
They knew he was serious.
"Hell yeah!"
"Let's go!"
"Hope there's an 80,000-year soul bone up for grabs!"
"Oi, Oscar, don't push it!"
"I call dibs on an attack-type one!"
This playful exchange—
Unknowingly bridged the gap caused by their growing power differences.
Tang Sect Headquarters
Ning Rongrong's private mimicry cultivation chamber.
This place overflowed with gems and diamonds,
All personally funded by Ning Fengzhi for his daughter.
Under the protection of Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi,
Ning Rongrong successfully absorbed her soul bone.
When she opened her eyes,
The two elders immediately approached with concern.
"Rongrong, how do you feel?"
"My spiritual power increased by about 60%," she frowned. "The soul bone skill, 'Obsidian Shield,' can block all energy-based attacks—elemental, mental, and even negative status effects."
Ning Fengzhi nodded repeatedly.
This gemstone-type soul bone was a perfect match for Rongrong.
Even compared to his own amplification-type soul bones,
Its benefits were more ideal.
Especially—
The Obsidian Shield.
Can it really block mental attacks and negative status effects?
With this, combined with the exquisite movement of Ghostly Steps, Ning Rongrong's survivability as a support had increased by several magnitudes.
But—
"This is a good thing, isn't it? Rongrong, why do you look so down?" Gu Rong asked, puzzled.
Only then did Ning Fengzhi notice her unhappy expression.
"Rongrong, did someone bully you?"
Ning Rongrong hesitated.
Then, she shook her head.
"I just haven't been feeling well these past few days. It's nothing."
Since it might be a girl's personal matter, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong didn't press further.
After a bit of casual conversation, they left.
Ning Rongrong gazed out the window, eyes filled with deep worry.
She knew about the core disciples' situation.
Back in Sunset Forest, she had accompanied the team, so she never felt anything was off.
But this time…
The scheduled exchange battle between Team One and Team Two had been suddenly canceled.
No doubt—
It was because Zhu Zhuqing and the other core disciples were being given soul bones.
The gemstone-type soul bone she had just received—
It was handed to her by Ning Fengzhi, not Tang Lan himself.
That meant she owed a favor.
In other words—
To Tang Lan, she wasn't truly "one of them."
This feeling of exclusion from the inner circle left her feeling powerless.
As the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, her future was predetermined—
She would inherit the sect.
She couldn't dedicate her life to Tang Lan.
'Maybe…'
'This is why he's never truly accepted me?'
'But if I give up that identity…'
Her eyes flickered with determination.
Then—
She made up her mind.
'Father is still young—he can have more children!'
"Sorry, Daddy!"
'For my happiness, I have to be selfish this one last time!'
With a firm gaze, Ning Rongrong stood up and walked out.
At the same time—
She opened her communication soul tool and flipped to Xiao Wu's number.
——She would make one final attempt!
Meanwhile…
The group, having returned victorious from the Soul Arena, had already calmed down.
Everyone scattered to study their gains.
Only Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing remained, staring at Tang Lan with a trace of fear.
Wait…
Was he planning to… again… tonight?!
"What's with those looks?" Tang Lan rolled his eyes. "I'm not a damn dog—I don't just think about that all the time."
Then, he grinned.
"Xiao Wu, Zhuqing—I have a surprise for you!"
"Follow me."
Leading them outside Tang Sect Academy, they arrived at a row of taverns and restaurants.
Even before getting close—
The aroma of food drifted toward them.
Xiao Wu, who barely ate at dinner, instantly started drooling.
Tang Lan stood under the signboard—
"Wu Qing Gourmet Street."
Then, he gestured to Xiao Wu.
"During our travels, didn't you always complain that there weren't enough street snacks?"
"So I researched a bunch of snack recipes and had Old Zhao find people to build this entire food street."
"Your Highness, please inspect your domain!"
Xiao Wu: (ω)
"WAAAH—"
"BIG BROTHER!"
"YOU'RE THE BEST BROTHER IN THE WHOLE WORLD!"
She cheered and sprinted toward him.
Tang Lan opened his arms, ready to embrace the impact—
Only for Xiao Wu to dash right past him—
Straight to the first food stall—Malatang!
That's right.
This entire food street was a recreation of his past-life street snacks.
But Tang Lan never expected…
The pull of food was greater than himself?!
Luckily—
Zhu Zhuqing, seeing Tang Lan "abandoned," took the initiative to step forward and snuggle into his embrace.
(t/n: IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME NOT HIM!!!)
——A true sweetheart!
(End of Chapter)