Tang Ya, Greetings to the Tang Sect Master

"First, Ultimate Defense!"

"The defensive power of this molted shell is immense. When fully activated, even a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast like the Ice Empress in her prime would be unable to break free if trapped within."

"Second, Strategic-Level Control!"

"My molted shell can coordinate with spiritual power to launch a Spiritual Cage. Once trapped, even an existence like the Ice Empress would have to obediently listen until I finish speaking."

"Third, Survival Assistance!"

"This shell is impervious to water and fire, possesses extreme resilience, and once worn, can withstand the bitter cold of the Far North while masking one's aura to evade detection by soul beasts."

"It's practically a multi-functional cheat!"

Tang An's eyes lit up.

This thing might even be forged and evolved into a divine artifact later on.

"Then manifest it into a pair of transparent ice-silk invisible gloves and wear them on my left hand."

"No problem, Master!"

Tian Meng immediately channeled his origin power.

The transparent ice cocoon transformed into strands of ice silk, coiling around the fingers of Tang An's left hand until they became a pair of nearly invisible, thin gloves that clung to his skin without the slightest discomfort.

A faint groan suddenly came from the ground nearby.

The group turned to look and saw the small, thin "youth" slowly opening his eyes.

The moment he opened his eyes, he met Tang An's gaze.

With one look, Huo Yuhao was stunned.

The youth before him looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in white with a tall, upright posture. With sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, his gaze was as deep as the starry sky, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

Huo Yuhao had never seen anyone so handsome.

He remained dazed for a long while before coming back to his senses, recalling what had just happened. It was this handsome big brother who had smashed the Wind Baboon to death with a hammer and saved her life.

"Thank you, big brother, for saving me," Huo Yuhao bowed respectfully, "I will definitely repay you."

Tang An looked at her, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

When he used Life Perception Resonance earlier, Tang An had already seen through her disguise—Huo Yuhao was a girl dressed as a boy.

A daughter of destiny, and a little beauty in the making; taking her into his fold would be just right.

"Don't mention it, it was just a simple matter." Tang An smiled gently.

"My name is Tang An, what is your name? Did you come to the Star Dou Forest to obtain a soul ring?"

Huo Yuhao nodded, her expression somewhat dejected: "My name is Huo Yuhao. I did come here for my first soul ring. If it weren't for you stepping in, Brother Tang An, I'm afraid I would have already..."

"What is your martial soul?" Tang An asked.

Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment, but looking into Tang An's deep eyes, a sense of trust inexplicably welled up in her heart.

Besides, he had just saved her life; it would be too ungrateful not to answer.

"My martial soul is my eyes."

As Huo Yuhao spoke, a faint blue light lit up in her eyes, "A spiritual attribute, called Spirit Eyes."

"Spirit Eyes, a spiritual attribute body-type martial soul—that is quite rare." Tang An feigned surprise, "It happens to be very compatible with my sect's cultivation methods. Are you currently part of any faction?"

Huo Yuhao shook her head, a flash of hatred appearing in her eyes: "No, I... I just want to become stronger now."

"Then would you like to join the Tang Sect?"

"I am currently in the process of reviving the Tang Sect. The sect possesses the most suitable cultivation techniques for spiritual attribute soul masters. As long as you join, I will definitely help you become very strong."

Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up instantly.

Yuhao had been worrying about having nowhere to go and no path for cultivation.

Being able to join a sect with such a powerful big brother was like a pie falling from the sky!

"I will, I am willing to join the Tang Sect!" Huo Yuhao nodded hurriedly, fearing that Tang An might change his mind.

Tang An smiled, just about to say he would take her to obtain a soul ring, when the sound of footsteps approached from afar.

"Yuhao, Yuhao, are you alright?"

A crisp female voice and a steady male voice rang out simultaneously.

A man and a woman ran over quickly.

The girl wore a blue tight-fitting outfit and was beautiful in appearance, while the man had an elegant temperament; they were none other than Tang Ya and Beibei.

"Sister Tang Ya, Brother Beibei!" Huo Yuhao waved her hand happily.

"You scared us to death, we thought something had happened to you." Tang Ya let out a sigh of relief, then looked warily at Tang An and his group.

"Sister Tang Ya, Brother Beibei, this is Brother Tang An—he's the one who saved me!"

Huo Yuhao hurriedly introduced, "Brother Tang An, this is Sister Tang Ya and Senior Brother Beibei. They are both students of Shrek Academy."

"Shrek Academy?" Tang An raised an eyebrow.

"As it happens, I am also planning to study at Shrek Academy. My name is Tang An, and I come from the Clear Sky Sect."

"Clear Sky Sect?!"

Tang Ya and Beibei's expressions changed simultaneously, their gazes toward Tang An instantly becoming complex.

The Clear Sky Sect was the number one hidden sect, possessing an incomparably lofty status and deep historical ties to them.

Beibei was the first to recover, cupping his hands in a salute, "So you are a high disciple of the Clear Sky Sect. Forgive my lack of manners, and thank you, Brother Tang An, for saving Yuhao."

"You are too kind." Tang An waved his hand.

"Since you are here, there is something I must inform you of."

Tang An looked at Tang Ya, "You are the current Sect Master of the Tang Sect, correct?"

Tang Ya was stunned. She nodded, her expression turning somewhat dejected, "Yes... but the Tang Sect has fallen into decline; now, only Beibei and I remain."

"A minor issue," Tang An waved his hand dismissively.

"I left the Clear Sky Sect this time under the instructions of the Sea God Tang San. I am to temporarily assume the position of Tang Sect Master and restore the glory of the Tang Sect."

As soon as these words were spoken, both Tang Ya and Beibei were dumbfounded.

Beibei frowned, just about to ask about the Sea God, when he saw Tang An flip his hand and reveal a token.

The token was pitch black, with a Buddha Fury Tang Lotus carved on the front and a vigorous "Tang" character on the back. It radiated an aura of vast and majestic power.

The moment Tang Ya saw this token, she trembled as if struck by lightning.

"This... this is the First Generation Sect Master Token?!"

Tang Ya's voice trembled, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Tang Ya had grown up reading the records of the Tang Sect; she was far too familiar with the appearance of this token.

It was the Sect Master Token personally forged by the ancestor Tang San ten thousand years ago. It had vanished after Tang San ascended to the God Realm, and all subsequent versions were mere imitations.

Yet, the aura emanating from the token before her was identical to the Sea God's Light described in the records. It could not possibly be a fake!

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

Without a second thought, Tang Ya knelt on one knee.

Tang Ya turned her head and, seeing Beibei still standing there in a daze, hurriedly tugged at his pant leg, "Beibei, aren't you also a member of the Tang Sect? Hurry and pay your respects to the Sect Master!"

Beibei finally snapped back to reality. That was true; in order to pursue Tang Ya, he had long since joined the Tang Sect.

He hurriedly followed suit, kneeling on one knee and cupping his hands, "Beibei pays respects to the Sect Master!"

Tang An put the token away and reached out to help them up, "Rise, both of you."

He looked at Tang Ya, "The Tang Sect is currently in ruins. Having just taken over, I need someone familiar with the sect to assist me. Tang Ya, from today on, you shall serve as the acting assistant to the Sect Master, helping me revitalize the Tang Sect."

"Yes, Sect Master!" Tang Ya stood up. Her eyes were still red, but her face was filled with excitement.

Beibei watched from the side, feeling a mix of shock and complexity.

Huo Yuhao had been listening the entire time and couldn't help but speak up, "Sect Master, then what about me?"

"You are already a disciple of the Tang Sect." Tang An smiled at him.

"Let's go. I'll help you all obtain your spirit rings first; we can discuss other matters on the way."

The group set off, heading deep into the Star Dou Forest to help Tang Ya find her spirit ring.

On the way, Tang Ya stated her requirements, "I am currently at rank thirty spirit power. I want a poison-type plant spirit beast for my third spirit ring, around a thousand years old."

Hearing this, Tang An's footsteps paused slightly.

Tang An remembered very clearly that in the original story, Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass possessed an innate dark attribute.

It was only because Tang Ya dared not face herself, lacked proper guidance, and suffered from the decline of the Tang Sect that this dark attribute talent remained suppressed, eventually leading to Tang Ya's fall into becoming an evil spirit master.

This was the perfect time to bring Tang Ya under his command and guide her to become his top-tier asset in the future.

"A poison-type plant spirit beast?" Tang An stopped walking and turned to look at Tang Ya, his gaze filled with a hint of scrutiny and amusement.

Under Tang An's gaze, Tang Ya felt inexplicably nervous, "Sect Master, is there a problem?"