Two Tang Sects

At the mention of the Tang Sect, Huo Yuhao jolted.

The name had echoed across the continent for ten thousand years. Though the sect had declined, its reputation remained immense.

Tang Ya caught his reaction and straightened at once. "Bei Bei and I are both members of the Tang Sect." Then her gaze shifted to Gu Mingyuan. "But he says he is too. How come I've never heard of him?"

Huo Yuhao looked from one face to another, bewildered by the sudden tension. He quietly asked the two "guests" in his mind what they thought.

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm yawned. "I spent those years asleep. I don't know anything about this Tang Sect. Let's hear what they have to say."

Yu Xiaogang snorted from his corner. "Hmph! It's just the sect that wretched disciple of mine founded. What's all the fuss?"

In the real world, Gu Mingyuan stepped forward.

"It's only natural you haven't met me," Gu Mingyuan said calmly.

"My family comes from a branch of the Tang Sect in the Star Luo Empire. My ancestors left the sect for certain reasons, and we ended up here. As for proof of who I am..."

Before he finished, light flashed in Gu Mingyuan's eyes. He raised his hands, and his palms instantly took on a warm jade hue, intricate golden patterns flowing across them.

He shifted his feet and assumed a textbook Hidden Weapons throwing stance, though there was something subtly different about it.

Tang Ya and Bei Bei's eyes widened at the same time.

"Bei Bei..." Tang Ya pointed at Gu Mingyuan's hands, stunned.

"I'm seeing that right, aren't I? Why does his Mysterious Jade Hands have golden patterns?"

Bei Bei studied Gu Mingyuan for several seconds before answering gravely, "You're right. It is different."

And not just his Mysterious Jade Hands. The light in Gu Mingyuan's eyes and his throwing stance also differed from the Tang Sect techniques they knew.

"You really are from the Tang Sect..." Tang Ya's eyes reddened. "I'm not the only one left..."

Her voice caught. Bei Bei drew her into his arms and gently patted her back, then turned an inquisitive gaze on Gu Mingyuan. "Junior Gu, why are your techniques so different from our records?"

"Perhaps it's because of my Martial Soul." Gu Mingyuan smiled.

The next instant, he activated his Golden Jade Body!

The skin of his neck, arms, and every other exposed part of his body visibly turned jade-colored, threaded with gold.

It would come to light sooner or later. There was no point hiding it when he could use it to his advantage.

Tang Ya broke free of Bei Bei's embrace and hurried over to Gu Mingyuan, leaning in to examine his arm.

"Mysterious Jade Hands across your whole body? And—and golden patterns!" Her face lit up.

Bei Bei gave an awkward cough when Tang Ya nearly pressed herself against Gu Mingyuan. But he could not contain his own astonishment and stepped forward to take a closer look.

Being surrounded and inspected like a rare curiosity made Gu Mingyuan uncomfortable. He stepped back and released his Martial Soul Possession. His skin returned to its original fair complexion.

"My Martial Soul is called Golden Jade Body. It's a mutated Body Martial Soul," Gu Mingyuan said evenly. "Its nature has altered my Mysterious Jade Hands and the other techniques."

When in doubt, blame a Martial Soul mutation.

Only then did Tang Ya realize how carried away she had gotten. Her cheeks reddened. "You have to join my Tang Sect!"

Huo Yuhao was completely lost. Wasn't there only one Tang Sect? How could there be two?

In his mind, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm suddenly turned serious. He remembered that Gu Mingyuan's aura had been different before. "Yuhao, keep an eye on this kid. There's more to him than meets the eye. He has Twin Martial Souls too."

Twin Martial Souls?

Huo Yuhao's heart jolted. He looked at Gu Mingyuan with new interest.

Despite Tang Ya's eager invitation, Gu Mingyuan shook his head and took another step back. "Sorry. I refuse."

The light in Tang Ya's eyes dimmed. To her, all Tang Sect members belonged together.

Bei Bei patted her shoulder. Sensing that Gu Mingyuan intended to remain independent, he said gently, "Come on, Xiao Ya. At least we know another branch of the Tang Sect's legacy survived. That's enough."

After comforting her, Bei Bei turned to Huo Yuhao with a smile. "What do you say, little Yuhao? Want to join our Tang Sect? We happen to have one place at Shrek Academy available this year."

Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up. "Brother Bei, I accept! I want to join the Tang Sect!"

Within his spiritual sea, Yu Xiaogang ignored everything else. The words "Shrek Academy" alone had him itching with excitement.

Shrek Academy, was it?

Once I get there, I'll find a chance to show them a glimpse of the God-Teacher and make a grand impression. If I can take on a few more geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power, my return to the pinnacle of the continent will be just around the corner!

Outside, Bei Bei and Tang Ya solemnly explained the Tang Sect's rules and current situation to Huo Yuhao, then reminded him of the debt he owed them.

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, bent both knees, and dropped to the ground before Tang Ya. "Disciple Huo Yuhao greets his teacher!"

The instant his forehead touched the ground, Yu Xiaogang's furious roar exploded in his mind. "What wild girl thinks she can be your teacher?!

"With my seniority, I could be her grandmaster's teacher! Yuhao, listen to me! I'll take you as a nominal disciple for now. Make her call you Grandmaster!"

Huo Yuhao could not hold it in and burst out laughing.

Caught up in the joy of gaining a disciple, Tang Ya assumed Huo Yuhao was simply happy and helped him up with a smile. But she had not given up. She turned to Gu Mingyuan again and offered what she considered her greatest bargaining chip. "What do you say, Junior Gu? If you join my Tang Sect, I'll make an exception. You won't have to become my disciple—you can address me as an equal!"

Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao both froze.

An equal?

Wouldn't that make Gu Mingyuan their martial uncle?

They'd both drop a generation!

Gu Mingyuan refused again.

He laughed inwardly. What would I gain by joining you? I know all those incomplete techniques of yours, plus Hidden Weapons methods and techniques you don't know.

"I'm sorry, Senior Tang Ya. I really won't join." His tone was firm, but before she could sink into disappointment, he added, "There is, however, something I need your help with. Sorry for the trouble."

Tang Ya perked up. A request was better than none. As long as they stayed in contact, she was certain she could eventually bring this lost Tang Sect member back into the fold.

"Of course!" Tang Ya agreed at once. "What do you need?"

"Help me hunt down my second Soul Ring!"