Spirit Hall...
Had I appeared in Douluo Continent again because of That River, or some other reason?
However, he had once stood at the summit of this world, a God King who had weathered countless storms.
Though he was utterly taken aback inside, not a trace of surprise showed on his face. Instead, he wore an expression of excited, grateful disbelief.
The stiffness lasted only an instant.
The next second, Tang San had perfect control of his facial muscles. He deftly transformed his sudden shock into confusion and curiosity about the name Spirit Hall.
He slowly raised his head, a perfectly measured hint of puzzlement in his blue eyes.
"Teacher, what is Spirit Hall...?"
His acting was flawless.
Tang San knew that his current identity was simply that of an ordinary, twelve-year-old Genius. It was only natural that he knew nothing about an ancient organization that had been destroyed ten thousand years ago.
Taking advantage of the question, he discreetly studied Xuan Zi's expression, trying to dig out more useful information from his teacher's face.
At Tang San's question, Righteous Qi Xuan Zi's face lit up with almost fanatical pride.
His clear eyes shone.
"You don't need to know too much."
Righteous Qi Xuan Zi spoke.
"Just remember that Spirit Hall is the ultimate guardian of justice and order on this continent!"
"Our strength is far beyond your imagination."
"We will eradicate every evil in the world and bring light and justice once more to this continent, long since consumed by darkness!"
Righteous Qi Xuan Zi spoke with force and conviction, his words admitting no doubt.
Yet to Tang San, they sounded laughable.
Tang San let out a scornful snicker inside.
Light and justice?
Ten thousand years ago, Spirit Hall had two God-level powerhouses, Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, and I still destroyed it with my own hands!
This so-called new Spirit Hall probably has no greater strength than Righteous Qi Xuan Zi, whose power is merely decent.
How pitiful. How ridiculous.
Once I've made use of you and wrung every last bit of value from you, I'll strike at Spirit Hall again! I'll wipe out the true scourge of Douluo Continent!
I'll personally erase you impostors, along with your hypocritical justice!
This world needs only one messenger of justice: Tang San.
As for everyone else...
You're nothing but a bunch of sanctimonious hypocrites!
Though his thoughts raced, Tang San's face brimmed with admiration and longing.
He nodded firmly and replied with heartfelt sincerity:
"Yes! You're right, Teacher!"
"I'll follow your teachings from now on and devote everything I have to Spirit Hall's great cause!"
His flattery sounded so sincere that even he almost believed it.
Seeing Tang San's "sincere" expression, Righteous Qi Xuan Zi nodded in satisfaction.
A peerless talent, steady in character, and able to read the situation. He didn't care what the boy truly thought. As long as he showed the right attitude, that was enough.
"Enough."
Righteous Qi Xuan Zi changed the subject, his gaze settling on Tang San once more.
"Tell me, why were you alone in this forest?"
In Righteous Qi Xuan Zi's view, Tang San had good talent. If he meant to hunt for a Soul Ring, he ought to have had an elder from his family accompany him.
No matter how worthless Sunset Forest was, it was no place for a Two Rings Soul Master to venture lightly.
Unless he was an orphan who had to enter Sunset Forest alone to hunt for a Soul Ring, or... he was searching for something.
Here it comes.
Alarm bells rang in Tang San's mind.
Of course, he had no intention of revealing his true reason for coming to Sunset Forest: to find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Are you kidding?
That's my greatest opportunity!
The Immortal Herbs there could give this frail clone the best possible foundation. They're also essential materials for crafting the Tang Sect's top Hidden Weapons!
If I tell him, won't all of it end up belonging to Spirit Hall?
No way!
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well can only belong to me!
Tang San's mind raced, and in an instant he came up with a plausible excuse.
A sheepish, embarrassed look appeared on his face. He scratched his head and spoke like an innocent boy.
"To be honest, Teacher, I heard from a man in my village that a powerful Soul Master died here many years ago. He left behind a precious Soul Bone, buried somewhere nearby."
"I... I wanted to try my luck."
When he finished, he lowered his head guiltily, acting the part of an inexperienced young treasure hunter to perfection.
At this explanation, Righteous Qi Xuan Zi first paused, then let out a snort of laughter.
There was undisguised contempt in the sound.
He looked at Tang San as if he were a hopelessly foolish child.
"A Soul Bone?"
Righteous Qi Xuan Zi shook his head, his voice tinged with mockery.
"Child, don't believe every wild story you hear from strangers."
"Do you think this world is full of great bargains just waiting for you to find them?"
That look...
It was like a needle, stabbing straight into Tang San's pride as a God King.
This was infuriating.
Tang San was absolutely furious!
How dare a mere mortal from the lower realm look at me like that?
His fist clenched inside his sleeve, but he kept the awkward, embarrassed expression of someone whose lie had been exposed.
Endure it!
I have to endure it!
No matter what, I mustn't reveal the location of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!
As long as I keep it secret, what does a little humiliation matter?
"Then what brings you here, Teacher?"
Tang San turned the tables and asked Righteous Qi Xuan Zi about his purpose.
Righteous Qi Xuan Zi's mocking expression faded, replaced by a serious one.
"I came here for one reason."
He paused, then said each word deliberately:
"To find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!"
Tang San froze.
His mind ground to a complete halt.
How could Righteous Qi Xuan Zi know about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?!
That's impossible!
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was a secret belonging only to Tang San. No one else could possibly know about it!
I'd kept all information about it within the Tang Sect so I could use it to manipulate the Child of Destiny—to let the Child of Destiny learn of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. As for everyone else, they had no idea it existed.
Otherwise... Forget Old Mu En and the others. Even Jing Hongchen of the Sun Moon Empire, with his powerful Soul Tools, would have no trouble getting into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
No. I can't let Righteous Qi Xuan Zi find it!
Tang San forcibly suppressed his shock. He managed an awkward smile that looked worse than a grimace and hurriedly waved his hands.
"Teacher, you just told me not to believe stories from strangers."
"This... Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well might be just like the Soul Bone I heard about. It might not even exist."
He tried to use Righteous Qi Xuan Zi's own words against him, muddying the waters.
But Righteous Qi Xuan Zi paid no attention to his argument.
"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is real. It's nothing like that Soul Bone you heard about."
"Or are you actually looking for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, rather than a Soul Bone?"
Righteous Qi Xuan Zi changed tack, fixing his gaze on Tang San.
Damn it, why is this old man so sure?
Tang San cursed inwardly.
But his expression remained unchanged.
"This disciple has no idea what the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is."
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