Tang Sect Annihilation

Two days later, the group arrived at Heaven Dou City.

This was the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire ten thousand years ago, and it remains the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire today.

Within the Heaven Dou Empire, this city is the undisputed center of politics, economy, and culture.

The permanent population alone numbers in the millions, with a maximum capacity of ten to twenty million.

However, because the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament is about to be held here, this super-city is currently feeling somewhat crowded.

Every hotel is fully booked, and even some private residences and official mansions have been opened up to tourists as temporary lodging.

Of course, for the competing academies, there is no need to scramble for a place to stay like these tourists.

The Heaven Dou Empire has specifically cleared out a Royal Hotel for them to reside in.

As the number one academy on the continent, the members of Shrek Academy were naturally arranged in the most luxurious rooms on the top floor, even being provided with a fully equipped private conference room.

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was solemn.

Yan Shaozhe sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the young faces representing the future of the academy, as he spoke in a deep voice:

"We are now holding the final plenary meeting before the tournament.

I trust everyone has already memorized the basic procedures and rules of the competition?"

Everyone nodded in unison, even the youngest among them, Xia Ming, was no exception.

"..."

Yan Shaozhe then emphasized in detail matters such as team coordination, on-the-spot adaptability, taboos regarding the use of soul skills, and tactical points for facing different opponents.

"Very well," he finally stood up, his voice filled with unquestionable confidence, "Remember, we are Shrek. As long as we display our true strength and remain united, victory will never slip through our fingers!"

After the meeting concluded, Xia Ming took the initiative to walk over to Zhang Lexuan, looking up as he suggested:

"Sister Lexuan, it's rare that we've come to Heaven Dou City. Since it's still early, why don't we go out for a stroll?

I've heard there are many ten-thousand-year-old historical sites in the city; you must introduce them to me."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's eyes softened into a gentle curve, and she readily agreed: "Alright, it has been a long time since I've had a good look at this city myself."

Thus, the two walked out of the hotel together and wandered through the streets of Heaven Dou City.

Compared to the Sun Moon Empire, where soul tool technology changes with each passing day, or even the inclusive Shrek City, the Heaven Dou Empire's exclusionary attitude toward soul tools is particularly evident.

Walking along the streets, as far as the eye could see, daily facilities like soul tool lamps and soul tool vehicles were few and far between.

There were far more traditional buildings and transportation relying on human or animal power.

If it weren't for their deep-rooted foundation in traditional soul masters, they likely would have been wiped out by the Sun Moon Empire long ago.

Of course, the number of soul master talents they have produced is indeed vast, not to mention the well-known Body Sect.

Even the Dragon Emperor Douluo, Long Xiaoyao, is a native of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Zhang Lexuan introduced various famous landmarks of Heaven Dou City, while Xia Ming listened from the side, nodding from time to time.

The two soon arrived at their next destination.

"Not far ahead is where the Tang Sect is located." Zhang Lexuan pointed toward a somewhat quiet street, her tone carrying a hint of respect and emotion, "The Tang Sect shares the same lineage as our Shrek Academy, both possessing a ten-thousand-year heritage.

Although it has long since declined, that historical foundation still remains."

However, when the two walked up to the gate of that mansion, they both stopped in their tracks.

The plaque hanging on the gatehouse did not read "Tang Sect," but rather the three characters for "Iron Blood Sect."

Has it already happened? Xia Ming's heart sank.

The original work mentioned that the Iron Blood Sect bribed the city defense forces, launched a surprise raid on the Tang Sect overnight to wipe them out, and seized their property.

In the end, only Tang Ya managed to escape with her life.

Although it is unknown how the Tang Sect declined to such a degree that they could be wiped out by one Soul Emperor and two Soul Kings, this was the reality.

Thinking about it carefully, Bei Bei is now ten years old, and Tang Ya should be around the same age.

The time of the massacre should indeed have been before this.

Unlike the clear-headed Xia Ming, Zhang Lexuan was stunned.

She took a few quick steps to intercept an old man passing by and asked urgently:

"Elder, may I ask, wasn't this originally the residence of the Tang Sect? Why has it become the 'Iron Blood Sect'?"

The old man looked at the plaque, then at Zhang Lexuan's anxious expression, sighed, and lowered his voice:

"Are you from out of town, miss? About a month ago, something major happened here!

The original Tang Sect didn't know who they had offended, but they were wiped out overnight; they say it was quite tragic.

The very next day, the people from this Iron Blood Sect moved in with great fanfare and hung up their sign."

After saying this, the old man shook his head and hurried away from this place of trouble.

"Exterminated? The Tang Sect has been exterminated?" Zhang Lexuan looked as if she had been struck by lightning, murmuring the words repeatedly as all color drained from her beautiful face.

That was the Tang Sect! Even if it was no longer what it once was, it was still a prestigious sect with ten thousand years of heritage that had once led the entire spirit master world!

How could it have fallen into such a silent, helpless state where everyone kicked it while it was down?

"Sister Lexuan!" Xia Ming pulled on her sleeve at the right moment, his young face appropriately showing shock and unease.

"This matter is too big! We must hurry back and tell Senior Brother Yan!"

Zhang Lexuan snapped back to her senses, nodding forcefully, her eyes filled with a mix of shock and fury.

"Yes, we must report this to Dean Yan immediately!"

The Tang Sect had deep roots with Shrek Academy; now that it had suffered such a catastrophe, both reason and sentiment dictated that the academy could not sit idly by.

This matter was far beyond what two students could handle; it required a decision from their team leader, Yan Shaozhe.

The two no longer had any interest in shopping, hurrying back to the Royal Hotel and heading straight for Yan Shaozhe's room to recount everything they had seen and heard in urgent detail.

"The Tang Sect has been wiped out?" Even with Yan Shaozhe's composure, his pupils constricted upon hearing the news, his face sinking like water.

He stood up abruptly. "Wait here; I will go investigate personally!"

Before his words had even faded, his figure vanished from the spot like a wisp of smoke.

By evening, Yan Shaozhe's figure reappeared in the hotel conference room.

Returning with him was a little girl of about ten years old, her eyes filled with terror and sorrow.

"Her name is Tang Ya, the sole survivor of the Tang Sect."

Yan Shaozhe's voice was grave as he announced this to the team members gathering in the room.

"From today on, she will be under the protection and care of our Shrek Academy."

"A survivor?"

"The Tang Sect is gone?!"

Except for Zhang Lexuan and Xia Ming, who already knew, the other team members were all struck with horror.

Dai Yueheng, in particular, and Ning Feng from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, were shocked beyond measure.

"You do not need to delve into the specific details for now."

Yan Shaozhe did not explain the tragedy further, turning instead to look at Zhang Lexuan with a softened tone.

"Lexuan, this child will stay with you for the time being. Once the tournament ends, she will return to the academy with us."

"Yes, Dean." Zhang Lexuan agreed solemnly.

Looking at Tang Ya's timid eyes, filled with unease and pain, She seemed to see herself from many years ago—lost, helpless, and having lost everything—and a strong sense of pity and protectiveness welled up in her heart.

She stepped forward slowly and crouched down in front of Tang Ya, meeting her gaze at eye level, her voice as soft as a spring breeze.

"Tang Ya, will you stay with me for a while? I will take care of you."

Tang Ya raised her tear-filled eyes, looking at Zhang Lexuan's gentle face, then at the concerned people around them.

Finally, she nodded slightly and replied in a voice as thin as a mosquito's hum, "...Okay."

"Good girl." Zhang Lexuan took her cold little hand.

"Let me take you to see your room first and get you familiar with the environment."

With that, she led Tang Ya out of the conference room.

The remaining members, their hearts heavy, dispersed one after another.

In the end, only Yan Shaozhe and Xia Ming remained in the conference room.

Yan Shaozhe walked to the window, looking out at the night view of Heaven Dou City as the lights began to flicker on. After a moment of silence, he said slowly:

"For now, the best the academy can do is protect this last bloodline and provide her with the cultivation she deserves.

For the sake of ten thousand years of shared history, we will give her a future."

"I understand, Senior Brother." Xia Ming nodded with a well-behaved expression, though he sighed inwardly.

It would not be easy to cultivate a Blue Silver Grass that had gone down the wrong path into a true talent.

However, Tang Ya's spirit, while appearing to be ordinary Blue Silver Grass, actually hid a little-known devouring characteristic.

If cultivated through conventional methods, given the innate limitations of her spirit and her current state of mind, it was unlikely she would achieve greatness.

It was even highly probable that, driven by a desperate craving for power, she would go astray and fall into becoming an evil spirit master.

Therefore, she could never be left to her own devices; someone had to keep a close eye on her.

As for the candidate, Xia Ming glanced at his senior brother.

One had to admit that when it came to cultivating spirits with evil tendencies, the man was indeed highly experienced.