Though Tang San's attack meant nothing to Tang Lan—
That was only because of who his opponent was.
Under normal circumstances—
"This fifth spirit ability is actually quite good."
Tang Lan praised him—
"It gives your Blue Silver Grass high mobility. Now, your two 100,000-year fourth spirit skills won't have to worry about missing their target."
"Plus, with the added Thunder Attribute's paralysis effect, your control-type abilities are becoming more refined."
That being said…
Tang San looked at Tang Lan—who was completely unfazed—and felt a deep sense of frustration.
Was he still not strong enough?
Seeing this, Tang Lan chuckled.
"Xiao San, did you forget? I'm already Rank 76."
"And not just any Rank 76."
"Not to mention, I possess Extreme Thunder, Extreme Ice, and Extreme Soul Attributes."
"Even an ordinary Titled Douluo wouldn't be able to injure me."
"If you could hurt me, now that would be strange."
Tang San: "…"
Why did it sound like—
Tang Lan was his natural counter?
Everything about him seemed to restrain Tang San.
But after thinking for a moment—
Tang San realized that all his achievements so far were because Tang Lan had sacrificed his own resources to nurture him.
It made sense that his attributes would somewhat resemble Tang Lan's, but were still far inferior.
That's why it felt like Tang Lan was his natural predator.
Adjusting his mindset—
Tang San confidently asked, "Brother, at this level… I count as a genius in the Tang Sect, right?"
The sky had cleared, the rain had stopped.
Little Tang San was feeling confident again.
Tang Lan smiled and nodded.
This was good.
A motivated Tang San would be more proactive in seizing opportunities.
And that meant Tang Lan could manipulate things behind the scenes to farm even more rewards.
"It's time to go." Tang Lan said. "Let's head back to Sea God Island and complete the First Trial."
"I had some unexpected gains in the Slaughter City."
"If everything goes as planned, it won't be long before I can bring you all to farm the Killing God Domain together."
Tang San's eyes lit up!
"Brother! You mean… we can farm the Killing God Domain in a group?!"
"What, you don't believe me?"
"Of course I do!" Tang San quickly said. "It's just… this sounds unbelievable. I…"
"Have I ever done anything ordinary?" Tang Lan countered.
Tang San thought for a moment…
That was true.
Whenever Tang Lan acted, it was always something unprecedented and earth-shattering.
"Then Brother, is there anything I can do to help?" Tang San asked eagerly. "I'm Rank 51 now, I can do a lot!"
Hmm…
Seeing Tang San so enthusiastic, Tang Lan almost didn't have the heart to discourage him.
Forget Rank 51—
Even a Soul Douluo was nothing in Tang Lan's eyes.
At the very least, a Titled Douluo was needed to even qualify for a conversation.
With Tang San's current strength…
"For now, your top priority should be to train hard and prepare for the Elite Tournament."**
Tang Lan said as gently as possible—
"Winning the Elite Tournament for Tang Sect Academy will help establish its reputation."
"It'll also set the stage for future plans."
"Perform well, and I'll let you be the team leader."
Hearing this, Tang San was instantly pumped!
"Brother! Just watch me!"
Tang Lan nodded in satisfaction.
He sealed Tang San into the Vast Sea Soul Seal and stored him in the Blue King.
Just as he was about to leave—
He suddenly froze!
A message had just reached him from Qian Palace—the place that had awakened his Blue Silver King Lineage.
He pulled out his Soul Communicator.
It immediately began vibrating.
He answered.
A white-haired elder from Qian Palace appeared.
"Your Majesty! We've finally contacted you!"
The elder hurriedly reported—
"Vice Sect Master Zhao has sent urgent news—
Three days ago, the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Beng, was assassinated."
"Third Elder was present at the time, but the attackers were two Titled Douluo—one of whom had abilities that directly countered Third Elder's poison."
"Fortunately, Third Elder had a battle breakthrough to Rank 95 mid-fight, barely managing to hold them off until Second Elder arrived."
"However… Prince Xue Beng was caught in the aftermath and sent flying.
"He has remained unconscious ever since."
"The medical diagnosis states that his soul has suffered severe damage…
"He may never wake up again."
"Vice Sect Master Zhao wishes to know—how should Tang Sect respond?"
Tang Lan's "private relationship" with Qian Renxue was known to very few people.
To the outside world—
Tang Sect had severed ties with the Crown Prince, siding with Fourth Prince Xue Beng, becoming a pillar of his faction.
That was why Xue Beng had Dugu Bo by his side in Heaven Dou City.
But now…
Two Titled Douluo had carried out the assassination attempt—one of whom countered Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison.
Now, this was interesting.
—No need to guess. This was definitely the work of the Spirit Hall!
Qian Renxue was getting impatient.
This grand gift—he'd gladly accept it!
"I understand the situation." Tang Lan said. "Tell Elder Zhao that the Tang Sect doesn't need to make any statement. Just focus on doing what needs to be done until I return."
Qian Palace acknowledged the order.
"Your Majesty, there are a few more matters to report."
Qian Palace continued—
"In two months, the Elite Tournament will begin."
"Vice Sect Master Zhao has already submitted the names of you and the other core disciples as the guaranteed seed team."
"That period also coincides with the annual Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony across the continent."
"Vice Sect Master Zhao has followed your orders and cultivated a group of highly gifted children.
He wishes to know—should we wait for your return before awakening their Martial Souls?"
Oh, that.
Tang Lan casually replied, "If I'm not back by then, just have Bai He broadcast it live across the entire continent."
"Understood!"
With nothing else to discuss—
Tang Lan ended the call and soared westward as a streak of blood-red light.
—He landed precisely at the base of the Sea God's Stairway.
Releasing Tang San, he also unsealed the Sea God's Mark from the Vast Sea Soul Seal.
"Zhu Rong."
On the stairway, Zhu Rong—who had been meditating—
Immediately ended his cultivation.
With a swift leap, he landed firmly in front of Tang Lan.
"Sect Master, you called for me?"
"Wake them up." Tang Lan instructed. "Proceed as we did before."
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Tang Lan walked past Zhu Rong—
Striding up the steps without disturbing the cultivators along the way.
With only his physical strength, he sprinted up to the 200th step.
His speed only slightly decelerated—
Yet his steps remained steady as he ascended past the 250th step.
Finally, he stopped at the 298th step.
Only 35 steps away from completing the first trial of 333 steps.
Up to this point—
Tang Lan had used nothing but his body.
No spiritual power, soul bones, soul skills, or domains—not a single one.
What did this mean?
He could complete the first trial anytime he wanted.
But Tang Lan was in no hurry.
Seating himself cross-legged on the 298th step, he activated the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art, absorbing the energy of heaven and earth.
A notable detail—
The Sea God's Light on these steps wasn't the original divine light.
It was an array formation's simulation.
And to power the formation—
It required energy.
As a result—
The energy density on the stairway was far greater than the outside world.
The Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art, being extremely domineering, directly plundered the energy sustaining the Sea God's Light—
To accelerate his own cultivation.
At this point, he wasn't just "milking" resources—
He was straight-up robbing them!
(End of Chapter.)
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have already finished douluo 1 arc and even quite a great deal of douluo 2 arc