Tang San glanced at the tray Feng Yang was holding with both hands, which contained several exquisite masks.
Wearing a mask could not only conceal one's identity but also add an air of mystery. Given Tang San's current status, changing his name when participating in battles was completely feasible.
However, to Feng Yang's surprise, Tang San shook his head and refused, saying, "Hiding one's identity is not the way of our Clear Sky Sect disciples, nor is it what I desire."
Hearing Tang San's words, cold sweat broke out on Feng Yang's back, and beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead. He quickly fawned, "The young master is absolutely right. It was foolish of me, entirely my fault. The young master is upright and honorable."
Tang San waved his hand and said, "I'm not blaming you. I imagine many people are waiting for me to participate in the Soul Duel Arena, hoping to defeat me and rise to fame by stepping over me."
!!!
Hearing this, Feng Yang gasped inwardly, his mind screaming: Oh my god, how am I supposed to respond to that?!
"Th-that couldn't be! Young Master Tang San is the son of the Clear Sky Douluo. Everyone looks up to you as their leader. If the young master requires it, this humble servant will make the arrangements immediately." Feng Yang had made it quite clear—if Tang San wanted, he could arrange fixed matches.
Tang San stopped him, saying, "That won't be necessary. You know the sect strictly punishes anyone who manipulates the outcomes of the Soul Duel Arena, right? Anyone caught fixing matches, whether willingly or coerced, will be expelled from the sect. This applies to all members, including elders, without exception."
For the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect, the Clear Sky Soul Arena was equivalent to the college entrance exams. Performing well in the arena directly determined one's standing in the sect, as well as access to better resources and positions. Thus, the Clear Sky Sect had always been extremely strict to ensure fairness.
Of course, this so-called fairness was only relative. For instance, Tang San, born into privilege with a Titled Douluo as his father, naturally had access to more resources and advanced faster. But such was the world—absolute fairness was impossible, and relative fairness was the best one could hope for.
Unless it was a life-or-death battle, killing was prohibited in the Soul Duel Arena. Referees and healing-type Soul Masters were present at the sidelines to ensure safety. Therefore, for Soul Masters across the continent, defeating the son of the Clear Sky Douluo in the arena would undoubtedly bring both fame and fortune.
This was precisely why Feng Yang had brought out the masks—it was genuinely for Tang San's benefit. Many were eagerly waiting to step over the son of the Clear Sky Douluo to elevate themselves.
After all, no one would die; at worst, they'd suffer some injuries. But if they won, the rewards would be immense. Just like how Tang San had absorbed a thousand-year Soul Ring—why not give it a try? Failure carried no real consequences.
Seeing the determination in Tang San's eyes, Feng Yang stopped flattering him. Over the years, he had come to realize that this young master, despite his youth, was as stubborn as an ox. Once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.
"Tang San! The son of the Clear Sky Douluo has finally registered for the Soul Duel Arena!"
"Four years... so he's just over ten years old now. Reaching the level of a Great Soul Master at this age is a bit slow, considering he has Innate Full Spirit Power."
When Tang San's name appeared on the waiting list for the duel, the news spread like a storm through the Clear Sky Soul Arena and even the Clear Sky Sect. The news first emerged from the Soul Duel Arena, and over the next long period, it eventually reached the Tian Dou Imperial Family.
The main reason was that when Tang San awakened his Martial Soul, the news had spread too widely. Innate Full Spirit Power, a mutated Clear Sky Hammer, and being the son of the Clear Sky Douluo—these titles combined ensured that Tang San would attract the attention of various factions.
Various sects and clans within the Tian Dou Empire, including the Upper Three Sects, were the first to receive the news.
Naturally, this news also reached the ears of the Spirit Hall.
The Spirit City was located at the border between the Tian Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, one of the most prosperous cities on the Douluo Continent. Built in a hexagonal structure around a hill, the city was divided into outer and inner districts, with the core area housing the three major power institutions: the Papal Hall, the Elders Hall, and the Douluo Hall.
At this moment, in the Papal Hall, a middle-aged man sat solemnly on the throne of this ancient temple, holding a scepter. The one seated here could only be the highest authority of the Spirit Hall—Pope Qian Xun Ji!
Above him, the stained-glass dome depicted a Six-Winged Angel spreading its wings in protection. On either side of the Papal Hall stood rows of elders clad in red robes, each with unfathomable strength, their golden radiance making it seem like a world of gods. In such a divine hall, any Soul Master would tremble and prostrate themselves under the divine light of the angel.
Upon hearing his subordinate's report, a flash of golden light flickered in Qian Xun Ji's eyes, exuding boundless divine majesty.
Learning that after four years, the once-sensational figure with Full Spirit Power was finally about to participate in the Soul Duel Arena and showcase his strength, Qian Xun Ji sneered, "Hah, he's finally emerged. Innate Full Spirit Power with the Clear Sky Hammer Spirit—interesting. Back then, even his father, Tang Hao, only had Innate Ninth-Level Spirit Power, falling short of Full Spirit Power."
Below, a red-robed elder dismissed it indifferently, "It's just an Innate Full Spirit Power Clear Sky Hammer. Even that Tang Hao is nothing special. The so-called 'fastest to reach Titled Douluo'—I think it was just a stroke of luck."
Hearing this, the Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, curled his lips into a delicate smile, lifting a strand of hair with his orchid-like fingers. "Oh my, Elder Mo, you, a mere Soul Douluo who hasn't even reached Titled Douluo status—how dare you mock a Titled Douluo?"
Provoked by Yue Guan, Elder Mo, stuck at the 89th rank, flushed red with embarrassment. "Yue Guan! Surely you don't think Tang Hao's strength can compare to His Holiness the Pope! With the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, His Holiness is undoubtedly superior to Tang Hao. Forget Tang Hao—even his son is no match for the young lady."
Though Yue Guan looked down on Elder Mo, he wouldn't dare disrespect Qian Xun Ji. He knew all too well the terror of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. If one were to compare, the Six-Winged Angel was likely the most powerful Martial Soul in the world today.
Normally speaking, advancing even a single level after reaching the Titled Douluo rank was extremely difficult, taking at least ten years, or even twenty to thirty years in most cases. He couldn't understand how Qian Xun Ji had not only become a Titled Douluo at fifty years old—his appearance growing increasingly youthful as if surrounded by an aura—but also continued to improve his cultivation rapidly even after reaching that rank. Now, Tang Hao could no longer even guess Qian Xun Ji's current Soul Power level.
"Tang Hao... The Clear Sky Sect cannot remain. The existence of the Upper Three Sects and the two great empires will hinder our Spirit Hall's grand plans." Hearing Tang Hao's name, Qian Xun Ji felt deeply displeased.
Originally, he had been the youngest and fastest Soul Master to reach the Titled Douluo rank. Becoming a Titled Douluo at fifty had once been a legend—until Tang Hao shattered it by breaking through at forty-three.
With a whoosh, Qian Xun Ji swung his scepter and said coldly, "Keep a close watch on that Tang San. I will not allow anyone to threaten Ren Xue's position."