Tang San's Challenge! True Martial Seven Intercept Formation!

Ning Rongrong: "I choose Dragon Grasping Hand!"

Huh?

"You're not choosing the Undying Imprint Technique?" Tang Lan asked in surprise.

"I'm not a Battle Soul Master. What would I choose that for?" Ning Rongrong had a clear understanding of herself. "Dragon Grasping Hand may look like a support technique, but it can remotely help restrain people, save people, and even snatch weapons. It might have unexpected effects."

Such a unique insight truly befitted the little Princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Your choice is very correct." Tang Lan praised, "Though the Undying Imprint Technique is powerful, its threshold is equally high. You might not even be able to get started with it."

He deftly formed a Spiritual Light Ball and pressed it against Ning Rongrong's forehead.

Without bothering with his dazed grandniece, he turned and headed for the cafeteria.

By the time he arrived, Xiao Wu had already gotten their food and was waving at Tang Lan with a grin.

She had completely forgotten the ambiguous moment from earlier.

After all, they had shared a bed for six years. They had done things even more ambiguous than that.

Her adaptability was extremely strong.

After eating, Tang Lan came to the training ground, where Zhu Zhuqing was already practicing Lingbo Microstep.

One moment she skimmed close to the ground, the next she leapt over obstacles, and then she twisted her body.

Her ample assets warped in all sorts of ways under gravity.

Tang Lan's mouth went a little dry.

—She was absolutely top-tier!

What man wouldn't love that?

Before long, Ning Rongrong and the others arrived one after another.

Zhu Zhuqing also stopped at the right moment, adjusting herself to prepare for the upcoming training.

She stood beside Tang Lan.

"Sect Master," Zhu Zhuqing greeted him first.

For someone as aloof as her, that was no easy feat.

Tang Lan took out a Storage Ring and handed it to her along with a long robe.

"Don't dress so lightly when you're training."

"If you sweat and the wind blows on you, it'll be easy to catch a cold."

—It always felt like a loss if other boys got to see this scenery!

There was some confusion in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, but she still put on the robe—she did not understand, but she listened.

Paired with her frosty, unapproachable temperament, it made Tang Lan's heart skip a beat!

Who could withstand that contrast?

When Xiao Wu saw this from the side, her lips puckered so much they could have held an oil bottle.

But she did not throw another tantrum.

She had already proven that Brother simply did not know how to coax people.

—Why hadn't I noticed before that Brother was such a flirt?

Then she looked at Zhu Zhuqing again.

Beneath that cold, beautiful face were proud curves that even the long robe could not conceal.

She seemed to understand something.

—At Notting Junior Academy before, there simply hadn't been any women who could make Brother's heart flutter!

Zhao Wuji and the other also arrived.

Flender swept his gaze around, his brows furrowing.

Just as he was about to say something, Ma Hongjun came running over in a hurry, the fat on his body jiggling wildly.

Flender's brow twitched along with it.

You brat, you're the last one again?

"Ma Hongjun! Add another 100 jin to your load!!!"

Ma Hongjun's face immediately turned green.

"No way, Dean!"

"I only ate a few extra bites. It's not like I was late!"

"They just got here too early."

Flender glared at him, looking utterly disappointed.

And you were blaming others for working too hard?

Ma Hongjun shrank his neck and dared not say another word.

Tang Lan could only shake his head at the sight.

Ma Hongjun was far too lazy by nature and unable to endure hardship.

In the future, he would also be arrogant and excessively self-confident.

That was why he missed out on the divine position of a First Class God and became merely a second-class god, the Phoenix God.

Only First Class Gods and above were qualified to bring others into the God Realm.

It was only after he and Xiangxiang were separated by life and death that he went to Tang God King for help, only to be refused because he "lacked the necessary authority."

In the end, he could only watch helplessly as Xiangxiang died of old age.

Who could he blame but himself?

Still, Ma Hongjun did possess the potential to become a god, so he was worth recruiting.

There was no need to invest too much attention in him, though.

This was another reason Tang Lan had come to Shrek—to build a foundation in the God Realm.

Tang God King's future prospects up there were not all that great either.

As he pondered, Tang Lan suddenly felt a heavy weight settle onto him. Zhao Wuji had activated his Gravity Soul Skill.

Two days passed.

Everyone had found their own training methods and busied themselves.

Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong stepped through set positions as they practiced the Lingbo Microstep.

Xiao Wu hesitated for a moment, greeted Tang Lan, and joined the two girls.

Tang San swung his hammer and began forging.

Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun had a comparatively primitive training method.

—Running laps around Zhao Wuji.

Compared to the other four, their efficiency was undoubtedly much lower.

So their gazes drifted toward Tang Lan from time to time.

They probably had something on their minds.

Tang Lan pretended not to notice.

He was not their nanny. Did they expect him to beg them to learn his cultivation techniques?

If they wanted to grow stronger, they had to show the proper attitude when asking for help.

He took out a forging table and began hammering.

He even felt that the pressure was not quite enough, so he called out for Zhao Wuji to increase his Soul Power output.

However, Zhao Wuji's Soul Skill could not adjust the gravity for specific individuals, so everyone was forced to bear the increased weight along with him.

Ma Hongjun was just about to complain.

"Cough, cough!"

Flender coughed heavily. From behind his glasses, he shot Ma Hongjun and Oscar a stern glare.

What were you two still hesitating for?

Receiving the signal, Oscar and Ma Hongjun exchanged a look, then cast apologetic glances at Dai Mubai—Dai-laoda, sorry, brothers.

They walked side by side toward Tang Lan, drawing everyone's attention.

But after only one glance, the others looked away again.

Tang Lan's Self-Created Soul Skills were simply too tempting!

For those two to have held out this long was already impressive.

"Hehe, Lan-ge." Ma Hongjun grinned. "Could you let Xiao Ao and me join your Tang Sect too?"

"Lan-ge, give us a chance." Oscar echoed.

Tang Lan stopped the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and glanced at the two of them.

Ma Hongjun wore a broad smile, but his attitude was casual.

He looked utterly confident of victory.

Oscar seemed somewhat embarrassed, yet his gaze was firm and sincere.

"You can join," Tang Lan said. "But four first-generation disciples are enough. I can't be bothered to take in any more. Go find them and ask them to accept you as disciples."

You acted all high and mighty, and only came now.

Go be second-generation disciples instead.

Ma Hongjun, who had thought this was merely a formality, froze with his smile still on his face!

What did that mean?

The two of them were seniors!

Tang Lan was impressive enough that calling him Lan-ge was no big deal.

But—

Become disciples of Xiao Wu and the others?

Did they have no shame?

Oscar, however, fell silent for several seconds before solemnly cupping his hands toward Tang Lan.

"Then I'll go first."

He dragged Ma Hongjun away.

His gaze moved between Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.

He immediately ruled out Ning Rongrong in his heart—everyone had a temper, and he had no desire to be a dog again.

Zhu Zhuqing.

She was trouble too. Best to stay away from her.

That left—

Tang San was Tang Lan's younger brother, so he was an option.

Anyone with eyes could tell that Xiao Wu was Tang Lan's "good little sister," so she was also a decent choice.

Just as he was hesitating over whom to ask—

Ma Hongjun suddenly said unhappily, "Why is it different when it comes to us? Mmph mmph mmph—"

Oscar clamped a hand tightly over Ma Hongjun's mouth, his eyes issuing a warning!

You damn fatso, you chose now to act up?

Couldn't you see that even Flender and Zhao Wuji wanted to join the Tang Sect?

And you still dared to complain? Did you really not want things to get better for yourself?

"Oscar!" Flender rebuked. "Let him go and let him fend for himself!"

Oscar opened his mouth, still wanting to say a few words on Ma Hongjun's behalf.

But when he met Flender's stern gaze, he shut up and lowered his hand.

After giving Ma Hongjun a look that said, Good luck to you, he resolutely walked toward Tang San.

This time, Flender was truly furious!

Ma Hongjun might have talent.

But if he himself refused to work hard, no one could help him cultivate!

Ma Hongjun shrank his head back, looking a little cowardly.

His eyes darted around, and he too headed toward Tang San.

Oscar, who had arrived first, did not mention becoming a disciple.

Instead, he helped Tang San, removing the hammered iron ingots and putting new ones in their place.

The moment Ma Hongjun arrived—

He said carelessly, "Little San, take me in, will you?"

Tang San stopped his Iron Hammer and frowned at Ma Hongjun.

Unlike Tang Lan—

Tang San, who held the old-fashioned belief that "the law must not be passed on lightly," was especially strict in his requirements for disciples.

Talent aside, one's character had to be good.

In the original story—

The Ji Xiang he accepted had only innate Soul Power of rank 0, yet Ji Xiang had saved his life and treated countless people as a physician.

As for Ma Hongjun and Oscar...

The former was lazy, while the latter simply did not understand yet.

He did not want to take them on.

But they were classmates after all, so he could not refuse outright.

He took two iron hammers from his Storage Ring and tossed them down.

Thud—

Thud—

Judging by the dull sounds, they were probably quite heavy.

"If you can swing these hammers ten thousand times within seven days under Teacher Zhao's gravity, without using Soul Power..."

"I'll take you on as disciples."

Ma Hongjun and Oscar both froze!

Ten thousand times in seven days?

1,428 times a day?

And they were not allowed to use Soul Power?

"That's impossible!" Ma Hongjun immediately refused. "If you don't want to take us, then don't! Was there any need to make things this difficult?"

He turned to leave in a huff, only to find that he could not pull Oscar along.

"Xiao Ao?"

"I want to give it a try." Oscar pushed Ma Hongjun's hand away. "Even if it's impossible, I can treat it as physical training."

Ma Hongjun stared at him in disbelief!

After all these years of brotherhood, you were actually stabbing me in the back?

"Fine, fine, fine!"

"If you want to suffer, I won't stop you!"

He stormed off in anger.

He had originally planned to continue running laps with Dai Mubai, but Dai Mubai unexpectedly walked toward Tang Lan.

"Dai-laoda!" Ma Hongjun cried in disbelief. "Even you too—"

Dai Mubai ignored him.

Before, he had shirked responsibility because he could see no hope.

But now...

He saw a possibility!

What man would admit that he was incapable?

He wanted to try again.

"Lan... Tang Lan, if I want to join the sect, what do I need to do?" Dai Mubai asked in a humble tone.

Although he had not managed to call him Lan-ge, for someone as proud as him, this attitude was already rare enough.

At the same time, it was also an indirect declaration that he was willing to completely hand Shrek's leadership over to Tang Lan.

The host has obtained leadership of Shrek and seized a moderate amount of Tang San's Luck!

Reward: "True Martial Seven Intercept Formation"!

Oh!

There was even an Unexpected Harvest?

After carefully reading its contents, Tang Lan was quite pleasantly surprised.

The True Martial Seven Intercept Formation had been created by Zhang Sanfeng, an existence who cultivated immortality in a world of martial arts.

It consisted of seven different cultivation techniques, with no distinction between primary and secondary. Each possessed its own mysteries.

They could be used individually or in coordination with others.

At least two people were needed to activate it.

With two people, its power doubled!

With three people, it quadrupled!

With four people, it increased eightfold!

With five people, sixteenfold!

With six people, thirty-twofold!

If all seven formed the complete True Martial Seven Intercept Formation, its power would increase by a full sixty-four times!!!

Good heavens!

If seven Soul Douluo mastered it, they could probably kill a Titled Douluo, right?

As expected of something from the worlds of martial arts and immortal cultivation—absolutely fierce!

Tang Lan was in a great mood, and Dai Mubai suddenly looked much more pleasing to the eye.

"Mubai, of course I welcome you if you wish to join."

"But your identity is special, and the Tang Sect is in the Heaven Dou Empire."

"How about I give you the status of an outer sect disciple?"

Dai Mubai gave a bitter smile.

He had thought that by lowering his pride, he might secure a chance at survival.

But—

It was still better than nothing!

"Mubai pays respects to the Sect Master!" Dai Mubai clasped his fists and bowed.

Tang Lan expertly pinched up a Spiritual Light Ball and pushed it toward Dai Mubai.

It contained the first three levels of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and one part of the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation's cultivation method.

The former would elevate Dai Mubai's Soul Power, transforming it into the supremely rigid, supremely yang internal energy of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and enhancing his strength in every aspect.

As for the latter, there was no need to explain—it would remain useful even after reaching the God Realm.

Dai Mubai absorbed the Spiritual Light Ball and immediately understood its value.

His previously despondent mood instantly soared with excitement!

There was no need to mention the Nine Yang Divine Skill. It suited him perfectly—Ning Rongrong had wanted to learn it, yet she had been refused.

The True Martial Seven Intercept Formation was even more outrageous. It could combine the strength of seven people and amplify it sixty-fourfold?

Was this really the treatment given to an outer sect disciple?

Tang Lan must have used the outer sect disciple title merely as a cover because of the conflict between the Two Great Empires, right?

Dai Mubai clasped his fists and bent at the waist, speaking solemnly—

"Once I enter the Tang Sect, I shall be a Tang Sect disciple for life."

"No matter what becomes of Mubai in the future, should you have any command, I will brave fire and water without hesitation!"

What he meant was that—

Even if Dai Mubai reclaimed the throne, he would not forget where he came from.

But Tang Lan did not care in the slightest.

Once Dai Mubai had hope of becoming a god, why would he still care about some Star Luo Empire?

He could just obediently follow this young master to the God Realm and serve as both an accessory and extra combat power.

With a wave of his hand, he sent Dai Mubai off to practice on his own.

Tang Lan continued swinging his hammer.

He paid no attention to Ma Hongjun's resentful gaze from afar.

Nearby, Flender had no choice but to watch Tang Lan target him like this.

Ma Hongjun had already offended Tang Lan. Even with Flender trying to mediate, his first impression had been terrible.

On top of that, he was lazy and unwilling to endure hardship. Now that he had hit a wall, he simply gave up.

If Ma Hongjun had shown even a little more backbone, Flender could have swallowed his pride and begged on his behalf.

But now—

"Ah..."

Unlike Flender's troubled expression, Zhao Wuji did not have so many thoughts.

Seeing that six out of the eight students had joined the Tang Sect, he could no longer hold himself back and approached Tang Lan.

"Ahem! Well, I want to join the Tang Sect too. What's the process?" Zhao Wuji went straight to the point.

He was not worried about being rejected at all.

At fifty years old, he understood people's hearts better.

Tang Lan's ambitions were obvious.

His potential as the Immovable Bright King had not yet been exhausted, and reaching Soul Douluo in the end would not be much of a problem.

Nor did he have Ma Hongjun's bad habits.

There was no way he would be rejected. It was merely a matter of status.

"Teacher Zhao wants to join as well?" Tang Lan pretended to hesitate. "But what about the Dean?"

"Ha! I'm just a teacher at Shrek, not sold to Flender for life," Zhao Wuji said carelessly.

With things having reached this point, Tang Lan stopped putting on an act.

"With Teacher Zhao's strength, becoming a Disciple would definitely be inappropriate."

"Then let's establish a Martial Hall, focused on combat. You can serve as its Martial Hall Master for now. How does that sound?"

Zhao Wuji nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

Although the Tang Sect was still small, as a Seven-Ring Soul Sage, he should by rights at least be an elder.

But Tang Lan's father was the Clear Sky Douluo!

For a Seven-Ring Soul Sage like him, becoming a hall master was already quite good.

"In the future, Sect Master can just call me Zhao Wuji, Lao Zhao, or Wuji," Zhao Wuji said tactfully.

Who would've thought? This rough-looking fellow was actually quite perceptive.

Tang Lan had originally only planned to give him the Undying Imprint Technique.

But now...

He would also give him the first layer of the Nine Yang Divine Skill.