Negotiation and Joining the Tang Sect

Early the next morning, Li Hong, Fan Yihuang, and the other seven arrived at Shrek Academy.

After yesterday, the Four Elements Academy students had been arranged to return temporarily to the Four Elements Academy under Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er's lead. Only the seven of them had come today.

Although He Qiang, Zheng Bei, and Wang Haochen were not members of the Four Elements Academy, they had not come solely as representatives of the Four Elements Academy. More importantly, they had come to negotiate with Tang San and the others as the Seven Sages.

At the entrance to Shrek Academy, Little Fatty had already been waiting for a long time. He immediately led them toward a wooden cabin.

They arrived in a huge room, where Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar had long been waiting.

"Third Brother, I've brought them," Little Fatty said.

After everyone entered the cabin and took their seats, He Qiang said, "We came to see you this time mainly for two matters. One concerns the Four Elements Academy."

"The Four Elements Academy intends to merge into Shrek Academy. That was why we came yesterday." Li Hong paused before continuing, "As for the specifics, we should discuss them with Headmaster Flender after he returns. Let's put this matter aside for now."

"The other matter is that we hope to join the Tang Sect," He Qiang said. "If I'm not mistaken, your Tang Sect is preparing to establish five halls."

Tang San nodded slightly. Though he had never mentioned this to anyone, since He Qiang and the others had once said they knew the Great Prophecy Art, there was nothing surprising about it.

"You want to join the Tang Sect? What is your purpose?" Oscar asked.

"Of course we have a purpose," Chen Long said. "Let's not beat around the bush. We hope to learn the Tang Sect Ultimate Arts, the Six Profound Arts of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. We have coveted them for a long time. Naturally, we will not learn the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record for nothing. In exchange, we are willing to join the Tang Sect and lend you our strength."

So they really came for the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. Tang San kept his expression calm as he said, "Brother Yu, you should understand clearly that the Tang Sect Ultimate Arts are secrets not passed on to outsiders. Even if you are willing to join the Tang Sect, it is impossible for us to teach you all the Tang Sect Ultimate Arts at once. As for how much we teach you, that will depend on your contributions to the Tang Sect."

Tang San knew very well that the only reason these people before him wanted to join the Tang Sect was for the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. If he taught them the entire Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, then even if they declared their withdrawal from the Tang Sect on the spot, there would likely be nothing he could do to them.

"Tang San, you still don't trust us. Fine, I would make the same decision in your place," He Qiang said. "Our cooperation will be long-term. As for now, whether or not you intend to pass down the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, we are still willing to join the Tang Sect and will never betray it within ten thousand years."

He Qiang did not make an absolute promise. To others, not betraying the Tang Sect within ten thousand years might as well mean never betraying it. After all, ten thousand years was simply too long, at least for most people.

But it was different for them. After ten thousand years, they would most likely have to participate in the next round of the game. By then, having learned the Six Profound Arts of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, they would not necessarily need to remain in the declining Tang Sect. They could choose the Body Sect, the Heavenly Dragon Gate, or even the Holy Spirit Cult...

"Alright." Tang San nodded. "From today onward, you will be official disciples of the Tang Sect. Once the Tang Sect's five halls have been properly divided, you will join the Martial Hall led by Ma Hongjun."

Upon hearing this, Little Fatty gave them a disdainful smile, but Qi Xiaomin and the others simply ignored him.

"If there is nothing else, we'll take our leave," He Qiang said. The seven of them turned and departed.

In an unnoticed alley somewhere within Heaven Dou City, they gathered once more.

"Although we failed to make Tang San directly teach us the Six Profound Arts of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, that was within our expectations," He Qiang said. "At least we have joined the Tang Sect. Later, we can use this opportunity to travel with them to Sea God Island. Also, Li Hong, in a few days, I'll have to trouble you to speak properly with Flender about the Four Elements Academy."

Li Hong nodded.

Whether the Four Elements Academy would ultimately be absorbed by Shrek Academy was completely irrelevant to them. Drawing closer to Shrek Academy was far more meaningful.

"Now that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has lost more than half its strength, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has less than a tenth remaining, even with our warning, the strongest survivor is only a Soul Douluo. There are only a few Soul Sages as well," Chen Long said. "It will probably still be rather difficult to deal with Spirit Hall next. After all, the storyline we're experiencing seems to be the hard version."

"Don't worry, isn't Spirit Hall under my control?" Lin Bo's voice sounded within their minds. "Once I become a god, Spirit Hall will be completely under my control. Even Bibi Dong—I'm confident I can suppress her, so long as she does not become a god before me."

"When the Heaven Dou Palace Change happens, you'd better show some restraint. Just perform normally. Don't actually kill Tang San," Wang Haochen reminded him.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Lin Bo's voice replied. "Spirit Hall is still only assigning me the same two Title Douluo as before."

"After the Heaven Dou Palace Change ends, it will be about time for us to meet up with Tang San and the others," He Qiang said. "Then we can spar with them and familiarize ourselves with each other's soul skills. That way, even if something unexpected happens on the journey to Sea God Island, we will be able to handle it."

After chatting for a while, they went their separate ways.

Inside the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial palace.

"Perform normally? Hehehehe!" Lin Bo sneered. "So what if I perform normally? With my current strength, could I possibly fail to kill Tang San? This Heaven Dou Palace Change will involve more than just two Title Douluo!"

Then Lin Bo sat on his bed, his expression cold. "It's just a pity that Bibi Dong is too determined. She insists on launching it now. Even when I threatened to die, she refused to back down or slow things down, merely sending me additional manpower... Bibi Dong, hmph! Once I deal with Tang San, you'll be next! Spirit Hall will become my Spirit Hall! The Spirit Hall Empire will rule the entire Douluo Continent! And I will become the sole ruler of this world!"

As Lin Bo imagined himself trampling Tang San beneath his feet, he could not help but burst into laughter.