"There's actually a way to improve like this? If you hadn't mentioned it, Little Lan, I never would have thought of it!"
"Once I get back, I'll have Fengzhi purchase a large stock of high-year Yang-attribute herbs!"
"I'll send some your way as well, hahahaha—!"
Chen Xin laughed heartily, clearly in high spirits.
No doubt, he was already thinking about boosting his power… and then beating Gu Rong into the ground.
The Seven Kill Sword suddenly accelerated, transforming into a streak of light as it shot toward Heaven Dou City.
Arrival at Heaven Dou City
In less than ten minutes,
They had already reached the city gates.
"Heaven Dou City has special regulations—Title Douluo aren't allowed to fly directly inside."
"Rongrong, Little Lan, you'll have to walk from here."
"I'll take my leave now. See you in three days."
After giving a brief farewell,
Chen Xin soared into the sky and disappeared beyond the horizon.
Clearly, he couldn't wait any longer.
Tang Lan silently mourned for Gu Rong for half a second.
—Who told him to have an attribute incompatible with Nine Yang Divine Skill?
"Grandpa Bone is about to have a rough time," Ning Rongrong laughed gleefully. "Then again, maybe this is for the best. If they keep being evenly matched, they'll never acknowledge each other's strength, and their Martial Soul Fusion won't even be possible."
Tang Lan chuckled.
If Gu Rong knew that his beloved little princess thought this way…
He'd probably be heartbroken.
Ignoring the curious stares from passersby,
Tang Lan headed into the city, with Ning Rongrong following close behind.
"You go back to Tang Sect Academy first," Tang Lan said casually. "I'm heading to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace."
First things first—
He needed to meet Qian Renxue and get the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Ning Rongrong simply smiled without responding.
Tang Lan didn't think much of it.
Since he didn't want to draw too much attention in the capital,
He decided to walk instead of using a carriage.
But before he could get far—
A massive crowd suddenly blocked his path.
Dozens of spirit masters were gathered, each radiating soul power fluctuations.
Even in Heaven Dou City, this wasn't normal.
But Ning Rongrong seemed completely unsurprised.
As Tang Lan was still trying to figure it out,
The crowd surged forward, clearing out rapidly.
His natural curiosity kicked in—
He followed the crowd.
—Qian Renxue had already waited a month. A few more minutes wouldn't matter.
After a short distance,
He saw rows of armored guards standing in formation, their sharp gazes scanning the area—a clear sign of high-level elite soldiers.
Tang Lan suddenly had a guess.
This wouldn't happen to be…
A few steps further,
He spotted some familiar faces—
Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang!
Liu Erlong was maintaining order, while Yu Xiaogang was reviewing documents, efficiently sorting the applicants into two categories—
Academy studentsOuter sect disciples
As for Inner Sect disciples—
That required Tang Lan's personal approval.
"Next group!" Liu Erlong shouted.
The people in front of Tang Lanstepped forward,
Leaving him standing awkwardly alone.
—It wouldn't make sense for him to "apply" to his own sect.
Just as he was about to turn around and leave—
A fiery-tempered voice suddenly snapped at him.
"Hey! You're a grown man—why are you hesitating like an idiot?!"
The voice was young and aggressive.
Tang Lan turned toward the source.
She looked familiar.
A short-haired beauty with fiery red hair,
Flawless white skin, and sharp, exquisite features—
A fierce and commanding presence.
And a temper as explosive as her figure.
"What are you staring at?" She glared. "Either step forward or get lost! Stop blocking the way!"
The commotion immediately caught the attention of the nearby Imperial Guards.
A squad of soldiers quickly marched over.
"What's going on here?! Don't obstruct the recruitment process! Step aside immediately!"
Tang Lan: "…"
Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, was grinning.
She had zero intention of stepping in.
—Seeing the Sect Master of Tang Sect getting scolded at his own recruitment event?
Now, this was entertainment!
"Why should I leave?!" the short-haired girl snapped back. "I worked hard to get here! This guy is the one blocking the line—just kick him out!"
But before she could finish her rant—
"CLANK—!"
The squad leader suddenly kneeled down!
"Forgive us for not recognizing Sect Master Tang sooner! We are at fault!"
They had finally realized who he was.
Tang Lan sighed and waved them off.
"It's fine. Get back to your posts."
—They had never seen him before, so recognizing him this quickly was impressive enough.
Then, using his height advantage,
He looked down at the short-haired girl.
At this point,
He had already recognized her.
Huo Wu—a student from Blazing Academy, one of Heaven Dou Empire's Five Elemental Academies.
Daughter of the Blazing Academy's Headmaster.
Future leader of the Blazing Academy Team, and a control-type spirit master.
So why was she here, trying to apply for Tang Sect?
Huo Wu, now realizing who he was,
Didn't seem intimidated in the slightest.
She simply adjusted her attitude slightly, keeping her usual confident stance.
"You're the Tang Sect Master, Tang Lan?"
Huo Wu got straight to the point—
"I want to join Tang Sect, but I won't enroll in Tang Sect Academy. Can we make a deal?"
As she spoke,
Three soul rings appeared beneath her—Yellow, Yellow, Purple.
A clear display of her talent—Rank 30.
Tang Lan immediately understood.
This girl was here for Nine Yang Divine Skill.
—The sheer yang power of Nine Yang Divine Skill was an irresistible temptation for any fire-type martial soul.
If she hadn't known about it, that would be one thing.
But since Tang Lan had published the first level of Nine Yang Divine Skill in the Tang Sect Encyclopedia,
Anyone with a fire-type martial soul would quickly realize its benefits, and the technique would spread like wildfire.
But this girl…
Did she really think things would be that easy?
She wanted the cultivation technique, yet refused to leave Blazing Academy?
She wanted both?
Even though sects usually didn't restrict members from attending other academies,
Tang Sect Academy was clearly built to compete in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
And Blazing Academy, one of Heaven Dou Empire's Five Elemental Academies,
Would be one of their opponents in the future.
Did she think he was just handing out benefits for free?
"Don't be so quick to refuse!"
Huo Wu raised her voice confidently—
"I have a unique innate ability—Ring Fusion!"
"It allows me to combine the maximum output of all my soul rings into a single ring, unleashing a soul skill beyond its usual limit."
"Most high-level martial souls have the potential to develop this ability—I can teach you how to master it."
"How about it?"
At least she wasn't an idiot.
She had come prepared.
Unfortunately…
"Ahem."
Ning Rongrong raised her hand playfully—
"Sorry, but I also have the Ring Fusion ability. If Uncle Tang wants to learn, I can just teach him~"
Huo Wu's expression instantly darkened!
She turned to take a good look at Ning Rongrong, as if she were trying to memorize her face—
Or perhaps, she had just realized who she was dealing with.
"Hmph!"
"Fine! I'll remember this!"
"I'll repay this debt sooner or later!"
With that,
Huo Wu flipped her hair and stormed off without hesitation.
Tang Lan chuckled.
This girl had both talent and pride.
Just like Ning Rongrong, she had grown up pampered and admired.
She was arrogant, headstrong, hot-tempered, and forceful.
Did she really think she could throw a tantrum at Tang Sect's recruitment event and walk away unharmed?
"Guards, stop her."
"Clang! Clang! Clang—"
The imperial guards, who had been keeping a close watch, moved in immediately, surrounding Huo Wu in a tight formation.
Huo Wu was stunned.
What the hell was this?
Her expression darkened, and she immediately activated her martial soul—
Her own shadow enveloped her body.
Three soul rings lit up once more, and an intense pressure radiated from her.
The imperial guards, despite being ordinary people, felt the crushing weight of her spirit power.
But—
Not a single one of them backed down.
Huo Wu didn't dare attack, either—
She was hotheaded, but not stupid.
This was Heaven Dou City's elite imperial guard.
If she raised a hand against them,
It wouldn't matter whether she was in the right or not—the consequences would be severe.
She turned her furious gaze toward Tang Lan.
"You're a Sect Master, and you hide behind ordinary soldiers?"
Tang Lan sighed, exasperated.
He glanced at Ning Rongrong, who was barely holding in her laughter, and muttered—
"Don't you think she reminds you of someone?"
Ning Rongrong paused—
And then…