Gathering at Shrek, Can the Tang Sect Rise?

What had originally been nothing more than a simple complaint made the man in charge of delivering orders change expression the moment he heard it.

He glared at the bald man who had complained and barked, "Shut up."

"If you can't control your mouth or your desires, I don't mind helping you control them right now."

The bald man had not expected him to suddenly turn hostile and openly embarrass him in front of so many people. His expression instantly darkened as well.

"You're fucking threatening me? I—"

Before the bald man could finish retorting, a blood-red dagger had already appeared in the messenger's hand.

A fierce killing intent instantly spread through the area.

"This operation is personally overseen by His Highness the Holy Son."

"Anyone who dares sabotage His Highness's plan won't need Shrek Academy to deal with them. The elders of the Hall of Worship will dispose of them first."

"You should know the consequences of defying orders."

At the words "His Highness the Holy Son," the bald man's expression shifted slightly.

In the end, he chose to keep his mouth shut.

He might not have cared about ordinary disciples, but the Holy Spirit Cult's Hall of Worship was not something he could afford to provoke.

Not to mention that the Holy Son had the Dragon Emperor Douluo and the Supreme Cult Master standing behind him.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, the messenger put away his token and gave one final reminder. "Remember, we're only the first batch."

"There are at least twenty more teams nearby awaiting orders."

"Without instructions from the headquarters, no one is to approach within a hundred li of Shrek City."

Similar scenes were playing out throughout the Star Dou Great Forest.

Soul beast hunting squads, mercenary groups, merchant caravans, wandering soul masters.

Large numbers of Holy Spirit Cult followers concealed their identities and converged on the vicinity of Shrek City from different directions.

They did not gather in one place. Instead, they hid in forests, towns, and along major roads.

No one deliberately stirred up trouble, and no one exposed their identity.

The entire region still appeared as peaceful as ever.

Yet beneath that calm, a vast net aimed at Shrek Academy was silently spreading.

Shrek Academy.

Compared to the undercurrents outside, the academy remained as lively as ever.

After the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament ended, news of the Shrek team's championship had already spread throughout the academy.

Every day, countless students gathered in the outer courtyard plaza to discuss the competition.

In particular, the scene of Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong unleashing their martial soul fusion skill had become a legend on the lips of countless students.

At the same time, news that the Tang Sect had resumed recruiting disciples gradually spread through the academy.

"Have you heard? The Tang Sect is recruiting new members."

"The Tang Sect? Which Tang Sect? I've never heard of it. You mean that fallen little sect?"

"Your information is seriously outdated."

"The Tang Sect isn't the same anymore. Shrek geniuses like Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong all have ties to the Tang Sect."

"I heard that if you join the Tang Sect, you'll not only get the chance to learn soul tools, but you might even receive soul tools personally made by champion Huo Yuhao. Soul tools aren't cheap—free stuff is free stuff!"

"Really?"

As the discussions spread, more and more students gathered at the temporary recruitment point established by the Tang Sect.

Beibei, who was in charge of recruitment, was already swamped.

The table in front of him was piled with registration forms, while a large crowd of students surrounded him with questions.

"Please don't crowd together."

"When the Tang Sect recruits disciples, what we value is whether you recognize the Tang Sect's ideals and are willing to stay for the long term."

"If you only want resources but are unwilling to shoulder responsibility, you can leave now."

One student could not help asking, "Senior Beibei, can we really learn soul tools for free after joining the Tang Sect?"

Beibei smiled faintly and began explaining.

"You can learn them, but it won't be free."

The student froze, then asked in confusion, "Do we have to pay?"

Everyone came because it was free. If they had to pay to join, who would come to a tiny sect like this?

Fortunately, Beibei noticed their reactions and shook his head with a smile.

"It isn't free, but you don't need to pay either."

He picked up a registration form and said seriously, "You need to invest time and effort. More importantly, you need to truly regard the Tang Sect as your own sect."

"The Tang Sect will never accept people who only want benefits but are unwilling to bear responsibility."

Quite a few students around them fell into thought after hearing that.

Wang Dong, who stood farther back, could not help curling his lip.

"If we didn't say we were giving away soul tools, probably no one would be willing to join."

"Every last one of them is here because of Huo Yuhao's reputation and his soul tools."

Beibei turned and shot him a glare.

"Junior Brother Wang Dong."

"Watch your words."

"This is the Tang Sect's recruitment site. Don't spout nonsense."

Wang Dong gave a soft snort and did not argue further. He merely turned around and continued organizing the registration materials on the table.

Huo Yuhao sat behind another table, carefully inspecting several soul tools he had just completed.

As the Tang Sect reopened recruitment, the number of people joining gradually increased.

This should have been something worth celebrating.

Yet Huo Yuhao knew clearly that the Tang Sect was still far from true revival.

The Tang Sect of old had been renowned throughout the continent for its hidden weapons, possessing deep foundations and countless powerful experts.

But what about now?

They lacked a foundation, lacked top-tier combat power, and lacked the stable resources needed to support the sect's development.

Aside from a few core members, the current Tang Sect consisted mostly of young students interested in the Tang Sect.

They possessed passion, and perhaps they also possessed the conviction to restore the Tang Sect.

But that alone was far from enough.

If the Tang Sect truly wanted to stand at the peak of the continent once more, it had to possess a power system of its own.

Soul tools might be one direction for the future.

"Yuhao."

A voice pulled Huo Yuhao out of his thoughts.

Beibei walked over to his side and lightly tapped the table.

"What are you thinking about? You're so absorbed that you didn't react even after I called you several times."

Huo Yuhao came back to himself and set down the soul tool in his hand.

"Ah, sorry, Eldest Senior Brother. I was thinking about the exchange program at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy."

Beibei raised a brow and smiled. "What? You haven't even left yet, and you're already nervous?"

"It's not nerves."

Huo Yuhao shook his head, his gaze gradually turning serious.

"I just feel that this opportunity is rare."

"The Sun Moon Empire's development of soul tools has already far surpassed ours. If the Tang Sect wants to rise again, we can't remain trapped in the old hidden weapon system."

"Only by truly understanding the direction of soul tool development can we find a path for the Tang Sect's future."

Beibei looked at the young man before him, who had grown more mature than before, and a trace of gratification appeared on his face.

He reached out and patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder.

"Go for it."

"I've got things covered on the Tang Sect's side."

"Elder Mu will make arrangements for you on the academy's side as well."