Tang San couldn't help but feel somewhat resigned. What was going on with him? Just after entering the academy, he encountered Qian Renxue in disguise, who took the initiative to strike up a conversation. Then, Meng Yiran blocked his path at his doorstep, asking about Tang Sect Hidden Weapons. And now, the Chrysanthemum Douluo was waiting in his dorm room.
These people seemed like they were handing out quests, triggering dungeon scenarios one after another!
"Giggle, giggle~ Xiao San-San, you look so exhausted~ I just saw you coming out of little Meng Yiran's dorm. Tsk tsk, so young and already getting along so intimately with a female classmate right after enrollment~" Yue Guan covered his mouth with slender fingers, giggling mischievously. The moment he opened his mouth, it was pure slander!
Tang San had no intention of explaining himself and simply asked, "Chrysanthemum Douluo, if you have something to say, just say it. I still have things to do."
Yue Guan, his delicate fingers still covering his lips, narrowed his eyes—more beautiful than any woman's—and with a soft bo sound, his entire body shattered into scattered chrysanthemum petals. In the next second, he inexplicably appeared behind Tang San, pressing an icy fingertip against the back of his neck.
"Xiao San-San~ A mere 37th-ranked Soul Elder dares to speak to me like that? The last Soul Douluo who talked to me that way has already become fertilizer in my garden~" Yue Guan's voice was melodious, but the threat within was bone-chilling.
Tang San's expression remained unchanged, utterly unfazed as he replied, "Yue Guan, since I chose to enroll in Spirit Academy, I know my personal safety won't be an issue. Though the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall are no longer as friendly as they once were, on the surface, you are a righteous faction that worships the Angel God. If I were to die in Spirit Academy, the ones who'd be most troubled would be you."
Tang San turned around, locking eyes with the Chrysanthemum Douluo, and said, "Trading my life for yours—or even adding the lives of countless Spirit Hall clergy across Douluo Continent—would be a terrible bargain, no matter how you calculate it."
Yue Guan couldn't help but chuckle. "As expected of the son of the Clear Sky Douluo. You do have some courage."
"You're right. It's a terrible deal—no matter how you look at it. No faction or empire could withstand the Clear Sky Douluo's frenzied retaliation, not even our Spirit Hall."
"So even if you were to die, it couldn't happen during these three years at Spirit Academy—and certainly not within Spirit Hall City."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo found himself both amused and exasperated. This seemingly harmless young man was like a ticking Soul Guidance Device—if anything happened to him, countless people would be dragged down with him!
"Since your father, the Clear Sky Douluo, is an outsider with a sensitive status, he can't move freely within Spirit Hall City. Therefore, during your time at Spirit Academy, I will personally ensure your safety."
This was the arrangement Tang Hao and Qian Xun Ji had agreed upon. After all, Spirit Hall couldn't allow Tang Hao to roam unchecked within the city—some secrets had to be kept from him, and there was always the fear that he might attempt a suicidal assassination on the Pope. Thus, the responsibility of protecting Tang San fell to the Chrysanthemum Douluo.
With that, the Chrysanthemum Douluo handed over the Pope Token—the one that should have been given to Tang San when he was six years old—once again.
Chrysanthemum Douluo said, "The Pope Token commands the same authority as a Spirit Hall Elder. While it grants you certain privileges of an elder, its true value lies in the chrysanthemum petal embedded within. Should you encounter danger, crush this petal, and I shall come to your aid immediately."
Tang San examined the Pope Token in his hand. It bore six intricate patterns, one of which was a chrysanthemum. Unlike the others, this flower appeared remarkably lifelike, as if it were real.
This token now served as Tang San's protective talisman. While the Spirit Hall had no intention of letting him perish within the city walls, other factions might think differently—they'd relish seeing the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall locked in mortal combat.
"Then I am deeply indebted to Your Excellency Chrysanthemum Douluo," Tang San replied courteously as he stored the token away.
"Hmph, you brat." Chrysanthemum Douluo shot Tang San a coquettish glance, his eyes brimming with such exaggerated femininity that it triggered an instinctive discomfort in Tang San. Though biologically male, Chrysanthemum Douluo identified wholly as female.
Only after seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo off did Tang San finally find peace, allowing him to focus on his cultivation undisturbed.
He entered a training chamber in the dormitory. Though Spirit Academy boasted numerous simulated training fields, access wasn't unlimited—students needed merit points, as each field had limited capacity. This system ensured fair distribution to those most in need.
For now, Tang San had no need for these fields. Having recently mastered the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique to perfection, he'd reached the threshold to begin practicing the Clear Sky Sect's supreme inherited spirit ability—the Clear Sky Nine Absolute Heavens Techniques!
The Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique comprised eighty-one strikes across nine layers, corresponding directly to the Nine Absolute Heavens. While combat-applicable, its power capped at that of a thousand-year spirit skill.
Only by refining the hammer technique to its ultimate form—"Eighty-One Returning to One"—while developing a physique capable of bearing the Nine Absolute Heavens' demands could one unleash its true might.
Fifteen days passed in a flash.
"Containment and Resonance. The Void Principle!"
Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer lightly tapped a bamboo leaf on the table. The first eight strikes severed every vein, but the ninth hesitated slightly—the leaf exploded with a soft "pop."
"Power must penetrate without breaking form, like dew suspended on a spiderweb. Impossible!" Collapsing onto the floor, Tang San sheathed his hammer, drenched in sweat and gasping for air. "After so many attempts, only one success!"
This technique seemed inhumanly difficult. Thanks to consuming Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng since his Spirit Awakening, Tang San's physique met the requirements for the first of the Nine Absolute Heavens. Yet mastering what came so naturally with the Chaotic Cloak Hammer now felt insurmountable—the gulf between techniques was staggering.
Wiping his brow, Tang San muttered, "The Nine Absolute Heavens drain both soul power and physical stamina. My endurance should suffice... Am I training incorrectly? Perhaps simulated combat would help?"
No sooner had the thought formed than he acted. Changing into fresh clothes, he headed for the training fields—only to encounter several panicked youths rushing toward him the moment he stepped outside.
Tang San recognized them as the lackeys Tailong had befriended over the past half month—all ordinary Soul Masters from the Branch Academy who had acknowledged Tailong as their leader.
The moment they saw Tang San, it was as if they'd spotted a savior. They hurriedly exclaimed, "Bad news, bad news, Third Young Master! Big Brother Tailong is in serious trouble!"
Seeing them in such a flustered state, barely able to speak clearly, Tang San said calmly, "Calm down. The sky hasn't fallen yet."
"There's no time—we'll explain on the way!" They immediately grabbed Tang San and dragged him out of the academy, their urgency unmistakable.
"What kind of trouble?"
One of the youths blurted, "Big Brother Tailong was taken to the Martial Soul Battle Arena—they said it's for a Life-and-Death Soul Duel!"
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes narrowed slightly. "So those guys finally couldn't hold back after waiting half a month."
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