How could he not take advantage of this?
"Half the empire isn't necessary."
Tang Lan grinned—
"But if Your Highness can offer something more valuable…"
"For example, an external soul bone, a 100,000-year soul bone, or even a 100,000-year soul ring…"
"Then serving you wouldn't be out of the question."
By addressing her as "Your Highness,"
Tang Lan implied loyalty to the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou Empire—Xue Qinghe.
And if, in the future, Xue Qinghe suddenly became "Qian Renxue"…
Well, that was just unfortunate for her.
He'd already taken the benefits—why would he return the favor?
But Qian Renxue didn't catch the hidden meaning.
—How could she?
She had no idea that Tang Lan already knew her true identity.
So, she seriously considered his request.
Tang Lan's invention of firearms, combined with his monstrous talent,
Made him a strategic asset that Spirit Hall had to control.
If she could fully recruit him,
He would become the undisputed leader of Spirit Hall's new generation!
Forget Hu Liena.
Forget the Golden Generation.
They'd all be sidelined.
But…
External Soul Bones?No way.The only one she knew of was part of her Seraphim Soul Bone Set.Giving it to Tang Lan wasn't an option.100,000-year soul rings?The Tang Sect Encyclopedia mentioned two in Star Dou Forest.Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python.But even Spirit Hall's full forces might not be enough to take them down.Unless she convinced her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, to act…?100,000-year soul bones?Actually… she had a lead on one!The Second Worshipper of Spirit Hall, Golden Crocodile Douluo, had a 100,000-year soul ring.But he had never been rumored to own a 100,000-year soul bone.Which meant… he might have one he hadn't absorbed.
'I'll send word to my grandfather to investigate.'
'Once he starts training in Nine Yang Divine Skill, he'll realize Tang Lan's importance!'
A smile appeared on her lips.
"Then I'll see what I can do."
"If I manage to obtain them, you won't back out, right?"
Tang Lan's smile grew even wider.
"A man of honor never breaks his word."
"Once I make a promise, even four galloping horses couldn't chase it down!"
Qian Renxue felt a brief moment of admiration.
His confidence. His eloquence.
For just a second,
She almost forgot she was supposed to be manipulating him.
But she quickly snapped back to reality.
"Truly impressive, Little Lan!"
"You really are the genius who wrote the Tang Sect Encyclopedia!"
Tang Lan humbly accepted the praise.
Then, before she could think too much,
Qian Renxue hurried away—
Clearly eager to report her findings.
As she left,
Tang Lan couldn't stop smiling.
He was actually looking forward to seeing what she would bring him!
"Damn, I should've asked for more!"
"A few 50,000-year soul bones wouldn't hurt either."
'I'll find a way to squeeze more out of her later.'
After sending a message to the Blue Silver Grass Network,
Tang Lan headed to the Inner Sect Training Grounds.
There, he saw Zhao Wuji and Zhu Zhuqing training.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed him immediately.
Before he could react,
She blurred into motion—
A shadowy streak flashing across the field,
Throwing herself straight into his arms!
Tang Lan quickly caught her,
A bit surprised.
"Wow, is this what happens when an ice queen melts?"
"It's only been a month… and she's already so… affectionate?"
But before he could enjoy the moment—
Zhu Zhuqing grabbed his collar, her voice urgent—
"Hurry! Give it to me!"
"Your Nine Yang Divine Skill Internal Energy!"
Tang Lan: "…?"
Oh.
So that's what this was about.
For a moment, he had thought too much.
Still, seeing how desperate she was,
Tang Lan didn't hesitate.
A surge of Nine Yang Divine Skill's pure energy rushed into her body,
Filling her up completely.
Zhu Zhuqing wrapped herself around him like an octopus,
Maximizing contact area—
Trying to absorb as much as possible.
Zhu Zhuqing's body greedily absorbed the energy, her aura steadily rising.
At first, Oscar and the others chuckled—
But then, they realized something was off.
Wait…
Was she…?!
"Crack—"
A faint shattering sound echoed.
Zhu Zhuqing's soul power surged past a bottleneck—
She had reached Rank 30!
In her excitement, she immediately turned and kissed Tang Lan on the cheek!
"Mua—!"
Tang Lan froze for a second.
So bold today?!
"Ehhh—" Oscar teased loudly.
"We're all standing right here, and you're already kissing?!"
Tang San gave a thumbs-up.
"Brother, respect."
Dai Mubai didn't say anything, just smiled with quiet blessing.
But—
"Unacceptable! Stop right there!"
A green blur rushed over, glaring at Zhu Zhuqing.
It was Meng Yiran.
Since Tang Lan had personally approved her,
She had automatically joined the Inner Sect—no need for additional screening.
And from the very beginning,
She had made it clear she liked Tang Lan.
She had joined Tang Sect for him!
And now, she was watching another woman claim him?!
How could she not be furious?!
Tang Lan suddenly understood.
No wonder Zhu Zhuqing was so eager today.
Breaking through was one reason…
But more importantly, she was staking her claim.
Smirking,
Tang Lan wrapped an arm around Zhu Zhuqing's waist,
Turning to face everyone.
"I'm back."
"Three days until the Academy Exchange Battle—are you all ready?"
"Don't worry, Sect Master!"
Dai Mubai spoke with confidence.
"I've been waiting for this!"
Oscar flexed his muscles.
"Just imagine their faces when they realize a support-type Soul Master can fight on the front lines!"
Tang San grinned.
"Brother, we got this!"
The team thumped their chests—utterly confident.
At that moment,
Ning Rongrong approached from a distance.
She had received Tang Lan's message through the Blue Silver Grass Network.
Tang Lan reached into his storage ring…
And pulled out a second soul bone.
The entire training field fell silent.
Everyone's eyes locked onto the soul bone.
Another Soul Bone?!
"Brother!" Tang San exclaimed.
"That's not the Tiger-Eagle Left Arm Bone! This is a new one?!"
Everyone's eyes shone with anticipation as they looked at Tang Lan.
"That's right," Tang Lan said with a smile.
"This is a personal reward from Crown Prince Xue Qinghe."
"A 6,000-year-old Feilian Silver Fox Right Leg Bone—a soul beast known for its incredible speed."
"Its soul bone skill will likely boost speed, agility, or evasion. In other words, everyone here could use it."
"Same rules—whoever performs the best in the upcoming match gets it."
For a moment,
Everyone was stunned.
Then—
"Sect Master is amazing!"
Oscar cheered.
"Without you, why would the Crown Prince ever care about us? Sect Master, you're incredible!!"
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
He could actually compete for this one!
The Tiger-Eagle Arm Bone was out of his reach,
But 6,000 years?
That was possible!
"Tang Uncle is too generous!" Ning Rongrong's eyes gleamed.
"Two soul bones?! Most people wouldn't even share one!"
Soul bones were incredibly rare.
Usually, when a team found one,
They'd fight over it—not offer it up for fair competition!
"Sect Master, I can't wait!" Dai Mubai's fighting spirit surged.
At first,
He had hoped for the Tiger-Eagle Arm Bone.
But…
He knew his competition was Zhu Zhuqing and Tang San.
His chances were slim.
He would need to perform exceptionally to even have a shot.
But now—
With a second soul bone on the line, his chances doubled!
At the very least,
Tang Lan wouldn't just favor his own people.
Currently, the divisions were clear—
Tang San vs. Zhu Zhuqing for the Tiger-Eagle Arm Bone.Everyone else for the Feilian Silver Fox Leg Bone.
But—
Not everyone was happy.
Tang San's expression darkened slightly.
"Why does Brother always make us compete for these things?"