Dark Night Assassination Targets Tang San, Fiery Red Lips Settle the Wager in Heaven Dou City, Spirit Hall

Heaven Dou City, Spirit Hall.

The sanctuary was still brightly lit in the dead of night, yet the air was thick with a suffocating sense of oppression.

Platinum Bishop Salas sat in his large, high-backed chair, the two iron balls in his hands clicking and clacking as he squeezed them. On the desk before him lay a top-secret file that had just been compiled.

The cover of the file bore two striking characters: Tang San.

"Graduated from Nuoding City Junior Spirit Master Academy... disciple of Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang... father is a blacksmith named Tang Hao..."

As Salas read through the information, the cold light in his eyes grew increasingly intense, eventually coalescing into naked killing intent.

"Tang Hao... Clear Sky Hammer... twin spirits..."

"Good, this is truly very good!"

Salas slammed the file onto the table, his voice as cold and venomous as a serpent. "The Clear Sky Douluo, who has been missing for so many years, actually hid his bastard in a place like this! And he even possesses the talent of twin spirits!"

What did twin spirits mean?

It meant that as long as Tang San grew up, combined with the Clear Sky Sect's Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique and that terrifying Ring Detonation skill, the Spirit Hall would face a nightmare even more fearsome than Tang Hao!

"Your Excellency Bishop."

A black-clad deacon knelt on the ground, trembling. "We have verified that although that Tang San exposed the Clear Sky Hammer, he has not received protection from the Clear Sky Sect. The Clear Sky Sect remains in a state of mountain closure."

"Mountain closure? Hmph, that's just because they are too afraid to come out!"

Salas stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the pitch-black night in the distance.

"Since there is no sect protection, he is nothing but a rootless weed."

"Pass on my order."

Salas pulled a golden token from his robes and tossed it in front of the black-clad deacon.

"Mobilize all experts above the Spirit Emperor level within the sanctuary, and furthermore, go and summon 'those few' titled elders."

"On the road to the Royal Enclosure for the qualifying tournament, I want to see Tang San's head."

"Remember, do it cleanly and efficiently. If you fail... bring me your own heads!"

"Yes!" The black-clad deacon snatched up the token, his figure instantly vanishing into the darkness.

Salas looked out the window, a cruel arc forming at the corner of his mouth.

"A genius? A genius who hasn't grown up yet is nothing more than a corpse."

Meanwhile, in the slums of Heaven Dou City.

Inside the dilapidated courtyard rented by Shrek Academy, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt as if it could drip water.

Tang San sat on a hard wooden bed, using his Mysterious Heaven Skill to heal his injuries. His face was pale, not only from the wounds inflicted by Yu Tianxin's lightning earlier that day but also from the deep-seated unease in his heart.

"San, how are you feeling?"

Grandmaster walked in carrying a bowl of inferior medicinal soup, his already rigid face looking particularly bleak and worried.

"Teacher, I am fine."

Tang San took the soup and downed it in one gulp, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his eyes. "It is just a pity that I exposed the Clear Sky Hammer and still couldn't win..."

"Winning or losing is no longer important."

Flender adjusted his glasses, pacing the room restlessly. "San, do you know what it means that you exposed the Clear Sky Hammer today? The look in that old ghost Salas's eyes—he looked like he wanted to swallow you alive!"

"The hatred between the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect is irreconcilable."

"We have already been targeted."

Grandmaster sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. "It is my fault... if only I had stopped you sooner..."

"It is not Teacher's fault."

Tang San clenched his fists. "It was Yu Tianyu! He was the one who ordered Thunder Academy to force my hand! If it weren't for that Yu Tianxin pushing me step by step, I wouldn't have..."

At the mention of Yu Tianyu, the hatred in Tang San's eyes nearly erupted.

The mastermind behind all of this was that high-and-mighty captain of Heaven Dou!

"It is useless to talk about this now."

Zhao Wuji said in a muffled voice, "We need to find a way to save our lives. How about we withdraw from the tournament? Just run away?"

"No!"

Grandmaster suddenly looked up, firmly opposed. "The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is the highest honor in the spirit master world, and it is the best opportunity for San to make a name for himself. If we run now, San will carry the stigma of a 'deserter' for the rest of his life, his path of cultivation damaged—how could he ever improve in the future?"

"Moreover, once we enter the qualifying tournament, we will be in the Heaven Dou Empire's Royal Enclosure. With Emperor Xue Ye and the Royal Knights presiding, the Spirit Hall will not dare to act openly."

"What about on the road?" Flender countered. "What do we do on the way to the enclosure?"

Grandmaster fell silent.

After a long while, he gritted his teeth, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

"I will go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Sect Master Ning Fengzhi has always cherished talent, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is also at odds with the Spirit Hall. As long as Sect Master Ning is willing to offer protection, we still have a glimmer of hope!"

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, luxury dormitory area.

Compared to the bleak and miserable conditions at Shrek, this place was a completely different scene.

Yu Tianyu had just finished bathing and was wearing a loose silk robe, sitting in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, swirling a glass of crimson red wine in his hand.

He was waiting.

Waiting for a proud fire phoenix to throw herself into the net.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A light and slightly hesitant knocking sound echoed.

The corners of Yu Tianyu's mouth curled up slightly as he set down his wine glass.

"The door isn't locked, come in."

The doorknob turned, the door was pushed open a crack, and then a red figure slipped inside, quickly closing the door behind her.

It was none other than Huo Wu.

Tonight, she had clearly dressed with great care.

She wasn't wearing her fiery red team uniform, but had changed into a dark red, tight-fitting long dress. The slit of the skirt was extremely high, revealing a pair of long, straight, and supple legs. Her usually sharp short hair had been styled to be exceptionally smooth, and she wore light makeup, adding a touch of allure to her naturally wild temperament.

However, her expression remained stubborn, and her eyes held a trace of unwillingness and shame.

"I'm here."

Huo Wu stood by the door, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her dress, as if trying to maintain her final shred of dignity.

"The people of Blazing Fire Academy honor their bets."

Yu Tianyu turned his chair around, examining her with great interest.

"Dressed so beautifully, is this to fulfill the wager?"

"Or are you trying to seduce me so I'll let you off the hook?"

"Don't flatter yourself!"

Huo Wu bristled instantly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "I, Huo Wu, keep my word! Since I lost, I accept it! Speak, what do you want? Kill me or carve me up, do whatever you want!"

"Kill you? Carve you up?"

Yu Tianyu stood up and walked toward Huo Wu step by step.

As he approached, that dragon pressure that made Huo Wu's soul tremble began to faintly radiate once more.

Huo Wu retreated subconsciously until her back hit the cold door panel.

"I remember our bet was..."

Yu Tianyu braced one hand against the door, leaning down to look at her, their noses almost touching.

"What are you supposed to call me when you see me from now on?"

Huo Wu's face turned beet red instantly, like a ripe apple. That shameful title swirled in her throat, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.

"What? Trying to welch on the deal?" Yu Tianyu's eyes turned cold.

"N-no!"

Huo Wu took a deep breath and closed her eyes, as if she had given up all pretense.

"Ma... Master."

Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's, trembling.

"I can't hear you."

Yu Tianyu said coldly.

"MASTER!!"

Huo Wu opened her eyes wide and shouted, her eyes already brimming with tears. It was a mix of grievance and shame.

As a proud daughter of heaven, when had she ever suffered such humiliation?

"Very good."

Yu Tianyu nodded with satisfaction, his fingers lightly tracing her burning cheek before finally pinching her delicate chin.

"This is only the first step."

"Huo Wu, I know you aren't convinced. You think you only lost to me because of elemental suppression."

"You think if I weren't immune to fire, your Fire Dance Shining Sun would have blown me away, right?"

Having her thoughts exposed, Huo Wu bit her lip and turned her head away, refusing to speak.

"How foolish."

Yu Tianyu scoffed.

"It seems I need to make you understand that even without fire immunity, you are still the weaker one."

As soon as the words fell.

Yu Tianyu suddenly grabbed Huo Wu's wrist, and a surge of incredibly pure spirit power instantly rushed into her body, forcibly guiding the circulation path of her own spirit power.

"Do you feel it?"

"Although your flames are explosive, they are too scattered."

"True fire does not explode; it condenses."

Yu Tianyu's voice rang in her ear, carrying an irresistible magic.

Under his guidance, the spirit power within Huo Wu began to undergo a qualitative change. The originally manic and restless fire elements were actually compressed into a single thread, and the temperature instantly soared several times over!

"This... this is..."

Huo Wu widened her eyes, feeling the changes within her body in disbelief.

This level of control over fire was nothing short of a divine skill!

"This is the first lesson I am going to teach you."

Yu Tianyu let go of her hand and looked at the shocked Huo Wu.

"Be my maid for a month, and it won't just be about serving tea and water."

"I will let you know that by following me, you can gain far more than you ever could at that trash Blazing Fire Academy."

"Of course, in exchange..."

Yu Tianyu leaned in close again, his lips brushing against her ear as he blew a soft breath.

"Your entire being, including your soul, must be branded with my mark."

"Tonight, let's collect a bit of tuition first."

Before Huo Wu could react.

Yu Tianyu kissed her domineeringly.

"Mmph!!"

Huo Wu's eyes went wide, her mind turning into a blank slate.

That was her first kiss!

She instinctively wanted to push him away, but her body went limp and powerless under that overbearing dragon aura. Even more terrifyingly, along with the kiss, a warm current that made her spirit soul rejoice flooded into her body once more, making her unable to help but crave more.

A wild horse, in the end, must be tamed by its rider.

And this night had only just begun.

The next morning.

Yu Tianyu walked out of the dormitory, feeling refreshed. Inside the room, Huo Wu was fast asleep wrapped in a quilt, the flush on her face yet to fade, with tear stains at the corners of her eyes, yet a hint of satisfaction seemed to linger on her lips.

Just as he reached the academy gate, he saw a familiar carriage.

The emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi was already waiting there. But his expression at this moment was somewhat grave.

"Uncle Ning, so early?"

Yu Tianyu walked over, asking a question he already knew the answer to, "Are you here to see Rongrong?"

"Nephew Tianyu."

Ning Fengzhi looked at Yu Tianyu and gave a wry smile, "I wouldn't visit without a reason. Last night, Grandmaster and Flender paid me a visit in the middle of the night."

"Oh?"

Yu Tianyu raised an eyebrow, "Are those stray dogs looking to beg Uncle Ning to save their lives?"

"My nephew is indeed sharp."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, "Tang San exposed the Clear Sky Hammer, and Spirit Hall will surely kill him. Grandmaster hopes that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will step forward to protect Tang San on the way to the qualifying tournament."

Having said this, Ning Fengzhi paused, observing Yu Tianyu's expression.

"Tianyu, I won't hide it from you; I value talent. Tang San possesses twin spirits and is the son of Tang Hao. If I could do him a favor..."

"Uncle Ning."

Yu Tianyu interrupted him directly, the smile on his face vanishing instantly, replaced by an absolute coldness.

"A favor? Selling one to a person destined to die is a losing business."

"I only want to ask Uncle Ning one question."

Yu Tianyu stepped forward, his burning gaze fixed on Ning Fengzhi, "Will you stake the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect on that Tang San who is still wet behind the ears, or on me, Yu Tianyu?"

"If you want to protect Tang San, that means going against Spirit Hall. I won't stop you."

"But you must be clear."

"If you protect Tang San, you are also going against me."

"Because... I want him dead."

Boom!

This sentence immediately killed the conversation.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Yu Tianyu in shock. He had not expected that Yu Tianyu's murderous intent toward Tang San would be so resolute, to the point of threatening the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over it!

On one side was Yu Tianyu, who possessed the secret of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, wielded unfathomable strength, and was backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan (and possibly hidden forces).

On the other side was Tang San, who was being hunted by Spirit Hall and, despite his extraordinary talent, could perish at any moment.

As a qualified sect master, this multiple-choice question was not difficult to answer.

After a long silence.

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath and shook his head helplessly.

"I understand."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect... will remain neutral."

"I will tell Grandmaster that the sect is busy with affairs and unable to spare experts for an escort."

Yu Tianyu smiled, a very brilliant smile.

"Uncle Ning is indeed a smart man."

"In return, during the qualifying tournament, I will let Rongrong shine brilliantly, making the reputation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect resound throughout the continent."

Three days later.

The preliminary rounds ended, and the qualifying tournament was about to be held at the Royal Enclosure.

Fifteen teams, including the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Shrek Academy, and the Five Element Academies, left Heaven Dou City in a grand procession under the escort of the Heaven Dou Empire Royal Knights.

The line stretched for several miles.

At the very front of the procession was the extremely luxurious carriage of the crown prince, where Xue Qinghe sat with eyes closed, resting.

Following closely behind was the World Burial Team led by Yu Tianyu. They rode tall horses, looking majestic and imposing. Huo Wu was also riding a horse beside Yu Tianyu; although she still wore that haughty expression, the look in her eyes as she gazed at Yu Tianyu clearly held a hint of complexity and... submission.

And at the very back of the procession.

The Shrek Academy carriage trailed behind, lonely and isolated.

Tang San sat inside the carriage, looking through the gap in the curtains at the high-spirited Yu Tianyu in front, his teeth nearly grinding to pieces.

"Teacher, did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really refuse?" Tang San asked, unwilling to give up.

Grandmaster nodded with a gray, defeated expression: "Sect Master Ning said... it is inconvenient for him to intervene."

"Damn it! They are all snobs!"

Tang San's heart was filled with resentment and poison.

Since the whole world has failed me, then don't blame me for being ruthless!

"San, watch out!"

Suddenly, the agility-type Flender opened his eyes wide and looked toward the steep canyons on both sides of the road.

"There is killing intent!"

Before the words had even faded.

Rumble!!

Countless massive boulders rolled down from both sides of the canyon, accompanied by a sky-filling rain of arrows, instantly cutting off the entire convoy.

Thousands of assassins dressed in black and wearing masks rushed down from the cliffs like locusts.

Their target was very clear—

It was not robbery, nor was it aimed at the Royal Academy.

It was a direct charge toward Shrek Academy at the back of the line!

"Where is Tang San?!"

"Kill! Leave no one alive!"

A terrifying pressure from a Title Douluo (Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan) faintly emerged above the canyon.

At this very moment.

Yu Tianyu, positioned at the front, pulled on his reins and looked back at the soaring flames and shouts of battle behind him.

He took a grape from his pocket and fed it to the Huo Wu beside him.

"Time to watch the show."

"This is a funeral... specially prepared for the so-called 'Child of Destiny'."