Chapter 230: How Can One See a Rainbow Without Weathering the Storm?
With the matter of Ah Yin in the past and the encounter in Shi Nian's illusion later, Tang San quickly completed a logical loop in his mind.
That damned calamity clearly wanted to repeat his old tricks, just as he had plotted against his gentle and kind mother back then, using Spirit Hall's blade to force Xiao Wu to sacrifice herself, greedily seeking to seize a 100,000-year soul ring and Soul Bone once again!
Amidst his anger, a deep sense of doubt uncontrollably rose in Tang San's heart.
There was one point he still hadn't figured out.
That old thief Tang Hao was already at the Titled Douluo level, and he surely didn't lack for Soul Bone configurations; what exactly was he after by going to such lengths to plot against a Hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast?
Furthermore, according to the messages from the Tang Sect intelligence network, the current relationship between Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect could be described as like fire and water, with all contact long since severed.
Since it was impossible for him to offer the 100,000-year soul ring and Soul Bone to that group of equally evil Tang Family members, who would ultimately benefit from him going in such a large circle?
Tang San pondered deeply in his mind for a long time, yet he still couldn't find a single clue.
"Master, that calamity Tang Hao has no reason to join forces with Spirit Hall to move against Xiao Wu, right?"
Tang San furrowed his brows and asked the greatest doubt in his heart.
And this point happened to be exactly what Jiang Li hadn't fully seen through yet.
"Little San, to tell you the truth, I don't have a definitive lead on this for the time being." Jiang Li shook his head slightly, his gaze gentle but showing a bit of concern. "However, for the sake of both your safety, I suggest... why don't you let your journey in the Soul Master Tournament end here?"
He paused, his tone remaining calm and broad-minded: "Of course, if you insist on continuing to compete, I will certainly do my utmost to find a way to keep you safe."
Listening to Jiang Li's thoughtful words that considered them in every way, and then thinking of Tang Hao lurking in the shadows with ill intent, the contrast caused Tang San's killing intent toward Tang Hao to almost solidify, frantically labeling that old thief with the tag of seeking ones own death in his heart.
'Alas, it's a pity that the one Mother first met back then wasn't a true gentleman as pure as ice and as clear as the moon like Master, but that naturally evil, despicable, and shameless Tang Hao!"
Tang San couldn't help but lament with grief and indignation in his heart.
If Mother had followed Master back then, how could she have ended up in such a miserable state?
Taking a deep breath, Tang San's gaze gradually became firm.
Over these years, Master's care and cultivation of him had already been more than enough.
Now that they had arrived in Spirit City and fought their way to the finals, there was absolutely no reason to retreat.
He also had to try to face those hidden dangers; he couldn't always be like a fledgling, hiding comfortably under Master's broad and majestic wings!
"Master, how can one see a rainbow without weathering the storm?"
Tang San looked up, his eyes shining brightly, his voice resonant and powerful: "The hardships we face now are but a bit of wind and frost! Little San has grown up and will surely protect himself, and will absolutely protect Xiao Wu!"
Speaking to this point, a thick killing intent flashed in his eyes: "Those villains who attempt to harm Xiao Wu and covet her Soul Ring and Soul Bone... whether it's Spirit Hall or those born-evil Tang Family members, I, Tang San, will not let a single one of them go!"
Seeing Tang San's righteous and awe-inspiring look of swearing to protect her to the death, a barely perceptible flash of satisfaction passed through Jiang Li's eyes.
On the surface, he didn't say anything more, only nodding with a bit of gratification, which counted as agreeing to his disciple's decision.
...
The subsequent matches could be said to have no suspense.
Even though the reorganized New Element Academy had several gifted dark horse students like Shui Binger and Huo Wu, under Spirit Hall's bottomless behind-the-scenes manipulation and targeted scheduling, they ultimately fell frustrated at the threshold of the semifinals.
In the end, the three spots standing at the Peak of the continent's young Soul Masters fell upon three teams without any surprise: the Shrek Team, the Royal Fighting Team, and the Spirit Hall Team.
Three days later, the semifinals officially kicked off.
In the early morning, the rising sun ascended slowly.
The warm and bright morning light poured down, reflecting off the majestic buildings atop the Supreme Pontiff Mountain, casting an awe-inspiring and solemn glow, like a fairyland on earth transcending the mortal world.
In front of the The Pope's Palace, two rows of fully armed Temple Knights stood like a Great Wall of steel, extending from the foot of the mountain along the high white jade stone steps all the way to the entrance of the The Pope's Palace.
The brilliant golden heavy armor gleamed in the sunlight, and the sharp, heavy knight spears pointed straight at the sky, making the atmosphere of the entire Supreme Pontiff Mountain even more dignified and grand.
As for those teams eliminated in the early stages, they had already left the scene dejectedly.
Spirit Hall's rules had always been cold and ruthless—losers didn't even have the qualification to stay and watch the final Peak duel.
Only true Prodigies, the teams that entered the final three, were worthy of stepping onto this The Pope's Palace square, which symbolized the highest power in the Soul Master World.
And during these three days of truce, Tang Hao, lurking in the shadows, was suffering.
It wasn't that he hadn't tried to make a move in secret to forcibly strip the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone that should have belonged to him from Tang San's right leg, and while he was at it, recapture Xiao Wu, the transformed hundred thousand year Soft Bones Rabbit, to keep her in captivity again.
But the Royal Fighting Team's side was guarded closely by Jiang Li and a host of top experts from the Tang Sect, so he simply couldn't find any opportunity to strike.
As for the matter of Dai Weisi paying a great price to ask him to find an opportunity to get rid of that calamity Dai Mubai, Tang Hao was also in no hurry to follow through.
As an old fox who had been hiding in the gutters for years, Tang Hao understood the current undercurrents all too well.
Spirit Hall, or more accurately, Bibi Dong and the people from Shrek Academy had an ambiguous relationship.
If he were to act directly within Spirit City, he would inevitably become a target for everyone.
All he needed to do now was one word—"Wait"!
Wait for the moment Pope Bibi Dong could no longer suppress her greed and moved against that Transformed Soul Beast!
At that time, the experts of Spirit Hall would surely erupt into a life-and-death struggle with Jiang Li and the others.
As long as the various factions fought with real fury and the scene spiraled completely out of control, he, Tang Hao, would not hesitate to explode all nine rings!
Using the Great Sumeru Hammer to smash open a bloody path and fishing in troubled waters, he would seize the 100,000-year soul ring and Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone all at once!
In this way, his Son, Tang Bufan, could completely clear the path to becoming a powerhouse!
Tang Hao was even fantasizing about whether to use that rebellious son Tang San's life to force the hundred thousand year transformed Soft Bones Rabbit to sacrifice herself directly to his Son, Tang Bufan.
A hundred thousand year first Soul Ring, plus a hundred thousand year Soul Bone—Tang Hao felt that with such a configuration combined with the talent he inherited, his son might even reach heights that even his own grandfather had not achieved!
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