The Reverse Scale Reappears, the Fate of the Whale Rubber! (Two-in-One)

The back of Black Dragon Mountain.

This was the most forbidden place in the Black Dragon Sect, the core area of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Di Tian opened his eyes from cultivation.

Although he was only five years old, his spiritual power was in excellent condition. He immediately noticed someone approaching: Tuo Ba Yun.

Tuo Ba Yun bowed respectfully.

"What happened?"

At Tuo Ba Yun's sudden interruption,

Di Tian did not immediately rebuke him. Tuo Ba Yun bore a Slave Seal and was absolutely loyal to him, so he must have come with urgent business.

As Di Tian expected, Tuo Ba Yun began to explain how the Upper Three Sects and Spirit Hall had joined forces against the Black Dragon Sect.

They would arrive at Black Dragon Mountain in a little over ten minutes.

Tuo Ba Yun also told Di Tian their reason for coming: the matter of the Whale Rubber.

Finally, Tuo Ba Yun said gravely, "Master, I believe my cultivation has been exposed. Otherwise, they wouldn't have come with such fanfare."

A maturity beyond his years appeared on Di Tian's small face. He glanced at Tuo Ba Yun. "No, you haven't been exposed. If you had, that brat Tang Chen would have come knocking long ago. He certainly wouldn't have joined forces with the other sects."

"Really?

Master, what should I do now?"

"Don't panic. Their goal isn't the Whale Rubber, but a chance to compete fairly.

After all, with so many sects involved, distributing the resources would be a major issue if the Whale Rubber were brought out on the spot."

"What do you mean, Master?" Tuo Ba Yun was somewhat puzzled and pressed Di Tian to explain.

Di Tian did not answer. Instead, he ran into the depths of the forest around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and retrieved a black reverse scale from a patch of grass. It was another reverse scale he had set aside against the unexpected.

"I didn't expect to need it again so soon. Tang Chen, if I get the chance in the future, I certainly won't let you off easily."

Di Tian held the black reverse scale, extremely reluctant to part with it.

But this was a moment of crisis.

If it failed to weather this calamity, it would have no future, so Di Tian had no choice.

A little over ten minutes later, Di Tian returned.

He gave Tuo Ba Yun the reverse scale and warned him, "This reverse scale will first conceal your cultivation and second serve as protection.

Whatever you do, don't force yourself to use its power, or you'll die. You no longer have any life force to give it."

Hearing Di Tian stress the warning again and again, Tuo Ba Yun looked moved. He had not expected his ancestor to care so much about him.

Then Di Tian began to explain what he should do when the time came...

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Black Dragon Sect in Sunset Forest,

Tang Chen arrived with a group of people.

"Haha, brothers of the Black Dragon Sect, I, Tang Chen, have come to visit again! It's been a long time!"

As Tang Chen laughed, his Soul Power fluctuated, wisps of killing intent unfurled, and the pressure of a level ninety-nine Limit Douluo leaked out.

The Black Dragon Sect's gate guards were all Soul Douluo, a formidable lineup, but today they faced Tang Chen, a Limit Douluo.

Their faces were grave, and their legs felt as though they were filled with lead. They were about to fall to their knees.

Thinking of their sect's honor, each of them gripped a weapon and struggled to hold on.

But when Tang Chen released another wave of pressure, the guards could no longer withstand it.

They fell with a thud, beads of cold sweat dripping from their foreheads.

They watched as the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Spirit Hall, and a host of minor sects walked straight into the Black Dragon Sect.

They had just entered the Black Dragon Sect

when a powerful voice rang out. "Brother Tang Chen, what is the meaning of this?"

The speaker was Tuo Ba Yun. His voice was strong and full of vigor, neither servile nor overbearing.

He strode forward with the bearing of a dragon and the gait of a tiger. Waves of dark Soul Power emerged, dispelling the blood-red pressure and Soul Power of this top-tier Douluo.

That terrifying dark Soul Power came from Di Tian's second reverse scale.

Completely unaware of the truth, Tang Chen marveled inwardly.

I didn't expect this old thing to still be so strong after all these years.

Could it be that he didn't suffer comparable injuries in that battle?

I already have the Slaughter Domain, and I'm a Limit Douluo, yet he can still lock horns with me?

Though astonishment churned in his heart, Tang Chen still wore a harmless smile.

"Haha, Sect Master Tuo Ba, you've spent many years recuperating, but you're still as hale as ever!"

"Sorry to have troubled you, Sect Master Tang. My health has always been like this."

And so the two traded words, probing each other with their Soul Power while exchanging empty pleasantries.

To the other ordinary Titled Douluo watching, the whole scene was utterly baffling.

His Holiness the Pope, Qian Xunji, was one of them.

Displeasure showed on his face, and he was even more furious at Tang Chen's behavior.

"You old thing, you said you'd lead us here to demand justice, so what the hell are you dawdling for?"

A little over ten minutes later, under Qian Xunji's displeased gaze, Tang Chen finally gave him a signal.

He understood. It was time to act.

Qian Xunji stepped forward, his long golden hair falling naturally about him.

He said in a clear voice, "To be frank, Sect Master Tuo Ba, Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and a number of sects have come here today to discuss an important matter."

Qian Xunji's voice was loud, and Tuo Ba Yun looked toward it.

"Oh? And who are you?"

Tuo Ba Yun's words were still icy cold.

He did not care who had come.

Even though he knew the man's identity, he showed no mercy with his words.

A number of the Black Dragon Sect's elders fell into thought. This scene seemed somehow familiar.

"Our sect master's bearing hasn't diminished since those days."

"That's right!"

The Black Dragon Sect disciples secretly praised their sect master's imposing manner.

They had already made up their minds: if a great calamity befell them today, they would fight to the death for the sect without retreating.

Unlike the smiling Black Dragon Sect members, Qian Xunji's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

As Pope, what greater insult could there be than to be ignored?

This old thief Tuo Ba was far too arrogant.

But then Qian Xunji remembered that the old man was strong enough to thrash his father.

He had no choice but to swallow the insult, however unwillingly.

For the greater good... for the greater good!

He repeated it to himself.

He squeezed out a few words through his teeth. "I am Qian Xunji, the New Pope."

"Oh, so you're the new Pope. I'm an old man who hasn't left the mountain in a long time, so I wasn't aware. I hope you'll forgive me, Your Holiness. What important business brings you here with so many sects?"

"We chiefly wish to ask you, Sect Master Tuo Ba, where the continent's Whale Rubber has gone."

"Hmm? How would I know?"

Tuo Ba Yun simply played dumb. If he could give them the cold shoulder, he would never answer anyone's questions directly.

And at that moment, Snow Spirit Emperor—

even the Heaven Dou Emperor could no longer hold back.

"Sect Master Tuo Ba, you're being far too shameless. You and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have monopolized the Whale Rubber market, leaving every Soul Master on the continent without Whale Rubber to use and bringing their cultivation to a standstill. Do you admit to such selfish conduct?"

The old man spoke every word clearly, his voice ringing like thunder, standing firmly on the moral high ground.

Unfortunately for him, that approach did not work on Sect Master Tuo Ba.

Tuo Ba Yun fixed his viper-like gaze on the aged emperor.

"Snow Spirit Emperor, are you questioning me?"

"So what if I am?"

At this point, Snow Spirit Emperor had not yet spoken.

The disciples of the minor sects, the Clear Sky Twin Stars, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon disciples all stepped forward together.

Their feet struck the ground with a thud.

At the same time, dragon Martial Souls roared, the purple light of Clear Sky Hammers flashed, and all manner of Martial Souls burst forth together.

So many black Soul Rings appeared that the whole of Sunset Forest seemed to change color.

If the two sides had still been exchanging pleasantries before, they were laying their cards on the table now.

Seeing this, the Black Dragon Sect cared nothing for any of that.

From every direction, the presences of more than thirty Titled Douluo suddenly appeared.

Roar!

Roar!

Roar!!!

The Hell Demon Dragon, Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, Devouring Void Ao, and Golden-Eyed Black Dragon, all top-tier Martial Souls, appeared together.

Bang, bang~!!

Suddenly, a number of golden, iron-armored beasts stepped forward. They were the Golden Xuanwu Martial Souls of one of the Lower Four Sects.

They had a full seven Titled Douluo among them.

Their sect master had even reached level ninety-seven, becoming a Super Douluo.

As Beast Martial Souls with the strongest defense, they took their places at the very front as soon as they appeared.

Yet even with such a lavish lineup, it did not stop there.

In midair, rays of jade-green light came rushing in. They were Emerald Swan Martial Souls.

Though they were at the very back of the formation, their three attributes of life, healing, and light overlapped, making the jade-green radiance dazzling.

More than a dozen ice-blue pagodas rose into the air. All the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Titled Douluo had arrived!

Three seconds later,

the presences of the Black Dragon Sect's Titled Douluo pressed down on them together.

This time, it was the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, Spirit Hall, and the Upper Three Sects who found themselves in an awkward position.

Looking at the terrifying, magnificent lineup and the twice-as-numerous Titled Douluo, their composure crumbled.

We can't fight this!

Qian Xunji froze, his mouth hanging wide open, at a loss for words.

As the instigator of this battle, the old Heaven Dou emperor took a step back, placing everyone in front of him for protection.

If things went badly, this old man would certainly be the first to run.

Faced with such overwhelming suppression,

Qian Xunji and the other sect masters all looked at Tang Chen, the strongest among them.

They could only hope the Limit Douluo would restore their dignity, and that the old geezer Tuo Ba Yun had not yet reached the Limit Douluo level.

Tang Chen also understood what everyone was thinking.

Maintaining his unruly air, he laughed, walked forward, and patted Tuo Ba Yun directly on the shoulder.

"Brother Tuo Ba Yun, what's all this for?

Spirit Hall is thinking of the continent's future too. There's no need for us to cross swords; everything can be discussed."

Seeing Tang Chen back down, Tuo Ba Yun smiled contemptuously. Everything was just as his ancestor had predicted.

Now he should go along with the situation and could not continue to be so forceful.

If his Soul Saint cultivation were exposed, matters would not end peacefully today.

Shoulder to shoulder, the two walked into the hall. On the way, Tuo Ba Yun instructed the kitchen to prepare a grand feast.

In next to no time, everyone had entered the hall.

Tables, chairs, and stools were neatly arranged, and dish after dish of exquisite food was brought out.

With everyone watching, Tang Chen and Tuo Ba Yun began chatting cheerfully.

Cup after cup of strong liquor went down.

Their faces flushed, the two linked arms and leaned shoulder to shoulder like blood brothers.

The sight left everyone dumbstruck. There was a reason they were sect masters, after all.

They truly spoke like men to men and like ghosts to ghosts, changing faces faster than one could turn the pages of a book.

"Brother Tang Chen, you do me far too much honor.

I... my Black Dragon Sect is nothing but a newly risen little sect. How could we do something like monopolize Whale Rubber?

It's just that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and I were the first to discover the wonders of this Whale Rubber. We experimented for years and had only just seen results when you caught wind of it and came running, thinking my Black Dragon Sect wanted to keep it all for ourselves. You've truly put me in an awkward position, and you've chilled your brother Tuo Ba's heart!!"

Tuo Ba Yun slurred his words, heavily drunk as he reproached Tang Chen.

Tang Chen drained a cup of liquor in one gulp. "I'll drink one as punishment first, Brother Tuo Ba. We didn't give this matter proper thought. You discovered the wonderful use of Whale Rubber first, so you should use it first. We were in the wrong."

With that, Tang Chen drained another cup.

And so the two drank cup after cup, cup after cup, finishing a full three to five jars of liquor.

Even after a long while, neither of them used Soul Power to dispel the effects of the alcohol.

Tang Chen was delighted with how things were going.

He stole glances at the old thing again and again, but did not find the slightest trace of Soul Power leaking from him.

That left Tang Chen even less certain. He felt that, for Tuo Ba Yun to conceal his strength so well,

he definitely had what it took to fight him.

After all, just before arriving at Black Dragon Mountain, Tuo Ba Yun had used his Soul Power to withstand Tang Chen's Slaughter Domain.

He seemed completely unaffected. It looked like Tang Chen could only rely on his wits today.

With that thought, Tang Chen brought over several more jars of wine and set them down on the table with a clatter.

"Come, Brother Tuo Ba, let's drink a few more rounds."

"No, no, that's enough, Brother Tang Chen. To tell you the truth, I already have a plan for the Whale Rubber you mentioned."

How could Tuo Ba Yun not know what little schemes Tang Chen and the others had in mind?

Didn't they just want some Whale Rubber?

Hearing this, Tang Chen hurriedly asked,

"What plan? Sect Master Tuo Ba, you mustn't shortchange the brothers of the Black Dragon Sect."

"Ah—hehe, naturally. This plan of mine will definitely satisfy everyone."

Hearing this, the drunken Tuo Ba Yun laughed heartily and spoke with a slur.

As soon as he said that, everyone at the banquet sobered up. No longer drunk, they pricked up their ears.

What plan?

What plan could it be?

They had finally gotten to the point.

Qian Xunji, Yu Yuanzhen, and the sect masters of the smaller sects all held their breath and concentrated.

The hall, noisy just a moment ago, fell deathly silent in an instant.

They waited for Tuo Ba Yun, seated in the central place of honor, to speak.

"I've already finished discussing it with Ning Meilan, the former Seven Treasure Sect master. We've decided to offer thirty tons of Whale Rubber as a reward for everyone."

Thirty tons.

Hiss—!

Sure enough, the rumors that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was rich enough to rival a nation were true.

Everyone present marveled at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealth.

But then they began to think.

What did he mean by rewarding everyone?

How would thirty tons be handed out among so many sects?

A huge question mark hung in everyone's mind.

Qian Xunji swept his gaze over the smaller sects, already making calculations in his heart.

My Spirit Hall ought to get at least twenty tons, right?

Plenty of people thought the same way he did. Tang Chen couldn't possibly back down, and Yu Yuanzhen wouldn't give way either.

And the sect masters of the other small sects?

They were already feeling somewhat bitter, believing they had come for nothing.

As everyone's thoughts raced, Tang Chen raised his bowl.

Bang!

First, he clinked bowls with Tuo Ba Yun and drank.

After drinking heartily, he said, "Sect Master Tuo Ba, how exactly will you be handing out this Whale Rubber as a reward?"

"Brother Tang, you've hit the nail on the head. I'll tell everyone about the reward plan.

"As everyone knows, the younger someone is when they absorb Whale Rubber, the better the effect.

"Under these circumstances, Meilan and I believe the Whale Rubber should go to the children.

"So Meilan and I decided to divide these thirty tons of Whale Rubber into three portions, offering ten tons each year as rewards for the National Soul Master Tournament. We also encourage the Soul Master Tournament to be held every year!"

After Tuo Ba Yun revealed the plan,

The banquet fell deathly silent for a time as everyone pondered what the plan meant for their own sect.

No one knew who was the first to shout, "Good!"

Then came one cry after another: "Good! Sect Master Tuo Ba is wise! It should be used as a reward for the Soul Master Tournament! The children are in luck!"

"My Spirit Hall votes for this proposal."

"If the Spirit Hall agrees, so do I."

One voice followed another. The small sects were the first to react: this distribution plan was already as favorable to them as it could be. They had to support it!

As for the Spirit Hall?

Qian Xunji was dumbfounded. He hadn't agreed to it.

Who the fuck had said that?

He looked around for the culprit.