"Who was that senior? Why had Ning never heard that senior's name anywhere on the continent?"
Ning Fengzhi froze. He had never known that a Rank 99 Limit Douluo still existed on the continent, and the idea of forging ties with that senior and her faction arose in his heart, so they could stand together against Spirit Hall.
Tang Xiao said, "That senior is named Bo Saixi, and she resides on Sea God Island. Sea God Island is not on the continent, but on a small island ten thousand li away from Douluo Continent."
Ning Fengzhi revealed a disappointed expression. A small island ten thousand li away meant that senior's faction was not on the continent at all. Sea God Island did not involve itself in the continent's factional conflicts, so what was the point of standing together?
"Sect Master Ning, no words can repay such kindness. I, Tang Xiao, will remember the favor you have shown Clear Sky Sect. No words can repay such kindness—I owe you. I must depart for Sea God Island and seek Senior Bo Saixi, making preparations for Clear Sky Sect's future reconstruction."
Naturally, Tang Xiao could not remain at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect forever. He knew Ning Fengzhi, that old fox and smiling tiger, very well. Though he looked warm and amiable, every one of his actions was driven by profit.
He still carried Clear Sky Sect's inherited Soul Bones, as well as the precious Soul Bones his father had left behind. He was already crippled. Even if Clear Sky Sect could truly be rebuilt as Ning Fengzhi claimed, the role he could play would be limited.
If he stayed at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi might one day entertain thoughts of killing him and seizing his bones. Rather than dying gloriously at Spirit Hall's hands, Tang Xiao might simply vanish from the world here at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Sea God Island was safer. It had eight islands, each no smaller than Spirit City. There, he was less likely to be watched. Besides, he and Tang Hao had visited Sea God Island before, and Sea God Island had not harmed either brother. The danger was far lower. He might even be able to borrow Bo Saixi's strength to help Tang Hao rebuild Clear Sky Sect in the future.
No matter how he looked at it, going to Sea God Island was better than staying at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi said, "Brother Tang Xiao, is there any way Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can assist you?"
Tang Xiao waved a hand. "No need. Thank you for your kindness, Sect Master Ning, but the fewer targets there are, the better."
"Brother Tang Xiao, may your journey be smooth."
Tang Xiao cupped his hands and left Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He did not ask Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to announce to the Spirit Master World just how sinister Spirit Hall was, having nearly exterminated all of Clear Sky Sect.
Over the past few days, he had learned just how foul Clear Sky Sect's reputation was in the Spirit Master World. Even if Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect informed the Spirit Master World, most factions would likely applaud Spirit Hall's destruction of Clear Sky Sect, marvel at Spirit Hall's strength, and give Spirit Hall another boost in prestige.
Besides, even if Tang Xiao asked Ning Fengzhi, whether Ning Fengzhi would make such an announcement was another question. Ning Fengzhi had truly been frightened by Qian Daoliu's ruthless methods and Dugu Bo's terrifying wide-range attacks that ignored terrain and could wipe out an entire sect in one wave. He had no desire to provoke Spirit Hall.
A moment later, Bone Douluo spoke. "Fengzhi, why didn't you let this old man kill Tang Xiao? Perhaps we could have obtained Clear Sky Sect's inheritance and strengthened Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. Though his smile was gentle, his words were cold to the extreme. "If not for this Bo Saixi, I truly would have wanted Tang Xiao to disappear."
"Uncle Bone, Spirit Hall is overwhelmingly powerful now, and they have recruited Dugu Bo, a weapon made for exterminating enemies. That means that below the highest-level combatants, ordinary sect disciples can play an almost negligible role."
"If Tang Xiao can invite Bo Saixi and Clear Sky Sect is rebuilt, adding high-level combat power to fight Spirit Hall together, the benefits to Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will outweigh the drawbacks."
"Of course, this may also be a lie Tang Xiao fabricated after sensing our intentions. Uncle Bone, please follow Tang Xiao. Sword Douluo and I will not leave Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect during this time. Yue E is about to give birth."
Of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two guardian Douluo, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, unless some major event occurred on the continent that drew the strongest experts of most factions together, one of the two would generally remain at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to guard against attacks on the sect.
"I hope it's a daughter. Fengzhi, you have so many sons but not a single daughter. If she is a girl, this old man will finally have a granddaughter."
After saying that, Bone Douluo also vanished from the cultivation chamber and went after Tang Xiao.
Spirit Hall, Worship Hall.
Qian Daoliu stood before the Six Great Elders and explained the method of condensing a Soul Core to them.
"Did everyone understand?"
"We understood, Grand Pontiff."
The Six Great Elders answered in unison.
Qian Daoliu's voice sank slightly. "A Soul Core is a solid mass of Soul Power condensed in the dantian by compressing Soul Power there. A Soul Core can increase the density of our Soul Power and actively circulate the Soul Power within our bodies, accelerating both our Soul Power output and recovery."
"Remember this well: the dantian is the foundation where Soul Masters store Soul Power, and it is extremely fragile. It must not be damaged. If there are any signs of Soul Power losing control during compression, immediately stop, disperse the Soul Power, and start again."
"Understood, Grand Pontiff."
The Six Great Elders were all eager to try. At their level, making a breakthrough was extraordinarily difficult, yet without one, they could not significantly increase their strength. Now that they had obtained this miraculous Soul Core method, they naturally wanted to try it at once.
Qian Daoliu clasped his hands behind his back and said, "Everyone, I have a new idea."
Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship, asked, "What is your idea, Grand Pontiff?"
"I intend to have Ji'er establish an academy in Spirit City for children between three and six years old who have not yet awakened their Martial Souls. Like Soul Master Academy, it will be divided into grades and taught by Soul Master teachers. Starting after next year's Martial Soul Awakening Day, all children in Spirit City from three to five years old, including those from our Soul Master families, must enroll."
"Children should stay with children."
What Qian Daoliu meant was essentially building a kindergarten, strengthening the cohesion among Spirit City's Soul Master descendants and giving the little ones a healthier environment in which to grow up.
Take Qian Renxue, for example. If she had been able to happily play in kindergarten as a child and gain emotions known as friendship, the psychological problems that made her so unhinged would probably have been far less severe when she grew up.
For instance, after Qian Renxue went undercover in Heaven Dou Empire, she doted mindlessly on Xue Ke. Wasn't that because she lacked love too deeply, felt lonely and isolated, and needed to find emotional support?
Of course, that was the long-term view. Qian Daoliu's short-term goal was actually to assemble a Spirit Hall team around Tang San's age, one that could properly play with Tang San and expose the psychological issues of that nouveau riche—his inferiority complex and extreme arrogance.
He already had three candidates for the seven-person team. One was Bai Chenxiang, Bai He's granddaughter, who would be born soon. The other two would be selected from the Attack Clan and the Speed Clan, one child from each.
Having the descendants of families that Clear Sky Sect once treated as servants beat Tang San senseless in the future would maximize the humiliation Tang San felt—at least, according to his own prideful heart.
The Six Great Elders had no objections and agreed. Having a place for the children at home to stay together would save their parents plenty of headaches. As the Grand Pontiff said, children should stay with children. In any case, none of these little ones had awakened their Martial Souls yet, so there was no need to distinguish between talented and untalented children.
Even if they opposed it inwardly, could they really bring themselves to say so after the Grand Pontiff had just taught them the Soul Core method?
Before you continue