Niu Gao Joins
Before Tang Hao and his companion could recover from their silence, Niu Gao continued aggressively:
"Moreover, what you two have said is only your side of the story!"
"Besides, what you're talking about is ultimately your own Clear Sky Sect and your Tang family's business!"
His voice grew louder and louder, each word like a hammer blow:
"If what you're saying is truly the truth, you shouldn't be complaining to us!"
"Instead, we'll fight like real men against the Clear Sky Sect!"
He stared intently at Tang Hao and said, word by word:
"As for what you said about Tang Cheng and Tang Lie, do you really think they were capable of doing such a thing?"
"Stop deceiving yourself, Tang Hao!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he snorted coldly, slammed his hand on the table, and stood up abruptly.
He glanced at Tang Hao one last time, then at Ah Yin, a complex light flashing in his eyes, before turning and striding towards the door.
Tai Tan was startled, then stood up and said urgently:
"Old Rhino! Don't be in such a hurry..."
"Never mind, Tai Tan."
Tang Hao's deep voice interrupted him:
"Let him go. What he said... is true."
Tai Tan opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately said nothing.
He simply sighed heavily and slumped back into his chair.
Niu Gao also strode out of the door.
--
Outside the council chamber, the sun shone brightly.
Fu Shiyan and Tang San were standing under the eaves talking about something.
Seeing Niu Gao come out, Fu Shiyan smiled slightly and looked at him calmly.
Niu Gao took a deep breath, suppressing the remaining anger on his face, and walked over to the two men.
He bowed deeply to Fu Shiyan and said sincerely:
"Your His Excellency Tianqing, I'm sorry to have troubled you this time."
Fu Shiyan shook her head, her tone gentle:
"It's alright."
He paused, then asked:
"How did the talks go?"
Upon hearing this, Niu Gao first glanced at Tang San, who was standing beside Fu Shiyan, with a complicated expression, then looked at Fu Shiyan and sighed:
"Although we learned the truth about what happened back then from Tang Hao, it was of no use."
His voice was low, tinged with self-deprecation:
"I understood the true nature of the Clear Sky Sect after it abandoned our Four Single-Attribute Clans."
"This conversation has only deepened my hatred for the Clear Sky Sect."
He paused, then added:
"As for Tang Hao... he's just a fool."
Upon hearing this, Tang San's brow twitched slightly, but he remained silent.
Niu Gao clearly had no intention of continuing the discussion about Tang Hao. He changed the subject, looking at Fu Shiyan with a hint of eagerness in his expression:
"By the way, Your His Excellency Tianqing, what are the admission requirements for your Beichen Academy? When does it begin accepting applications?"
Fu Shiyan smiled slightly and said:
"Once it's completed, we'll start preparing for student recruitment."
He paused, then continued:
"As for the requirements... the Academy's admissions are divided into the Inner Academy and Outer Academy. The requirements for the Outer Academy are not very high; as long as Soul Power reaches level ten before the age of twelve, that's sufficient."
Upon hearing this, Niu Gao's face lit up with joy, and he quickly asked:
"What about the Inner Academy?"
"The Inner Academy requires students to be at least level 25 in Soul Power before the age of twelve. This requirement can be relaxed to level 22 for Support System Soul Master."
After Fu Shiyan finished speaking, she looked at Niu Gao.
Niu Gao looked troubled, hesitated for a moment, and then stammered, "..."
"What if someone is over twelve years old?"
Fu Shiyan looked at him, a knowing smile flashing in her eyes, and asked in return:
"Chief Niu, do you have any recommendations?"
Having his thoughts exposed, Niu Gao chuckled somewhat sheepishly.
"Haha... Isn't this old man also a grandson? He's fourteen years old now, and recently broke through to Soul Elder, now at level thirty-one. His talent... is quite decent. Um..."
He hesitated, too embarrassed to voice his request.
Fu Shiyan interrupted him with a smile:
"Your grandson has exceptional talent; he is naturally qualified to join the inner academy."
He paused, then changed the subject:
"Speaking of which, has Chief Niu ever considered joining the Academy?"
The first part of the sentence was, of course, just a polite formality.
At fourteen years old and thirty-one levels of Soul Elder, his talent is indeed impressive, but it's far from meeting the Inner Academy's strict standards. However, rules are rules, but people are flexible. As long as Niu Gao is willing to be taken in, these are not problems.
Fu Shiyan's real purpose was the second half of the sentence.
The Defense Clan excels in construction and is also top-tier in defensive attributes. He naturally had no reason to let such talent slip by.
Upon hearing this, Niu Gao was taken aback, then abruptly raised his head, a gleam of undisguised joy flashing in his eyes:
"Your His Excellency Tianqing, do you mean... my grandson can join our Inner Academy? And me... I can join as well?"
Fu Shiyan nodded with a smile:
"That's just how it is."
He paused, then continued:
"The Bull Clan Chief's expertise in defensive attributes is among the best in the entire Douluo Continent. It would be ideal if you were to teach the students of defensive martial Martial Soul within the Academy."
Upon hearing this, Niu Gao's face lit up with joy. He nodded repeatedly, excitedly saying:
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty! I will do my utmost and will never fail Your Majesty's trust!"
He paused, then, as if remembering something, quickly said:
"By the way, Your Majesty! I can also recommend a few students with good talent! They are all promising prospects from our Four Single-Attribute Clans!"
He counted on his fingers:
"The Speed Clan has a girl with exceptional talent, but she's a bit too young. There's also that boy from the Breaking Clan, Yang Wudi's family, and from the Li Strength Clan..."
Fu Shiyan listened and nodded slightly:
"In that case, Chief Niu can bring them along when the Academy is completed."
Niu Gao responded repeatedly, unable to suppress the smile on his face.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Niu Gao got up to take his leave.
After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Tang San, who had been standing quietly to the side.
His gaze lingered on Tang San's face for a moment before he asked:
"Hey kid, what's your name?"
Tang San, who had been listening intently to his master's conversation with Niu Gao, was suddenly called upon. He was startled for a moment, but quickly recovered and respectfully replied:
"Junior, Tang San."
"Tang San..."
Niu Gao murmured the name and then asked:
"How old are you this year? What level is your Soul Power?"
Tang San glanced at Fu Shiyan, and seeing his master nod slightly, he respectfully replied:
"Grandpa Niu, I am nine years old this year, and my Soul Power has just reached level forty-four."
"How... how much?!"
Niu Gao could hardly believe his ears; his eyes widened like copper bells, and his voice trembled.
"Nine years old... level 44?!"
He looked the boy up and down, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Tang San nodded honestly and repeated:
"This junior is nine years old this year, and my Soul Power is level forty-four."
Seeing that there was no one else around besides the three of them, he simply raised his right hand, and blue-gold light surged forth—
The Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul appeared behind him!
Beneath him, four Spirit Ring— yellow, purple, black, and purple—slowly rotated, emitting a chilling light!
Niu Gao's mouth was so wide open it could fit an egg.
He looked at the four Spirit Ring, then at Tang San's youthful face, and then at the four Spirit Ring again, completely dumbfounded.
The second ring of the millennium.
The fourth ring of ten thousand years.
Nine years old, level 44 Soul Ancestor.
What kind of monster is this?!
He abruptly turned his head towards the council chamber, his eyes filled with a complex light.
Tang Hao...
How did that kid even have a son?!
He couldn't help but curse inwardly:
"Tang Hao's luck is off the charts! His son's talent is so freakish, and he's even become a disciple of His Excellency Tianqing! What merits does Tang Hao possess?!"
"What gives him the right?"
Niu Gao took a deep breath, suppressing the Jingtao in his heart, and first nodded calmly to Tang San, saying:
"Hmm, not bad, much better than your father!"
Then, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Fu Shiyan before turning to leave.