Yu Xiaogang learned of martial soul evolution, demanded it with threats, and was beaten nearly to death; Ning Fengzhi arrived in Suotuo with a Titled Douluo

Yu Xiaogang had never imagined Tang San would refuse outright without even passing on his request.

True, how precious was martial soul evolution theory? It was only natural that Li Sen would not want to give it away.

But...

He would hand it over whether he wanted to or not!

Yu Xiaogang made no effort to hide his greed, his eyes wild.

He threatened, "Tang San, do you know what martial soul evolution theory means to Soul Masters?"

"This is a way for everyone to advance together. For the countless people of the Douluo Continent, Li Sen must hand it over!"

Whoosh!

Tang San sprang to his feet, murderous intent bursting from him.

"Yu Xiaogang, you're courting death!"

Blue Silver King vines lashed out, trussed Yu Xiaogang up tightly, and hurled him out the door.

Boom!

The blue silver grass exploded, instantly leaving Yu Xiaogang a bloody mess, lying on the ground at death's door.

The street erupted into commotion, countless people screaming frantically, "Murder!"

In the crowd, Flender's expression changed dramatically. He rushed forward and scooped Yu Xiaogang up.

"Xiaogang, are you all right?"

"Hold on!"

"I'll take you to a healing-type Soul Master!"

As Flender left, Tang San followed him outside.

So what if there was a pope?

So what if there was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?

Anyone who dared insult or disrespect his master had to be taught a lesson. If they died, they deserved it.

He swept his gaze around and, finding no trace of Yu Xiaogang, paid it no further mind.

Looking at the chaotic crowd, Tang San reassured them, "Everyone, don't panic. Someone disrespected my master just now, so I taught him a lesson."

His master had said that the people were the foundation. Without a conflict of interests or malicious intent, he should not be too harsh on them.

Tang San did not understand, but he obeyed.

The hotel owner ran out, pain in his eyes. Rather than demand payment, however, he looked at Tang San and spoke.

"Lord Soul Master, the hotel will be repaired very soon. Our security was inadequate. Please don't move to another establishment."

He had no choice. Tang San and his companions staying there had sent his room rates soaring a hundredfold, from one silver soul coin to a gold coin.

Fame and money had both come pouring in. By hiring a few weaker Soul Masters, he could make the entire hotel several times fresher in just a day or two.

Tang San nodded indifferently.

At the Spirit Hall Suotuo City Branch, a squad captain reported, "Deacon, another Soul Master has fought in Suotuo City!"

The deacon in charge said impatiently, "If the Soul Master involved is stronger than a Soul Emperor, leave it alone."

The squad captain said, "Sir, the attacker is a Soul Ancestor without a fourth soul ring."

Still impatient, the deacon replied, "If he beat up an ordinary person, leave it alone."

The squad captain continued, "Sir, the victim is apparently named Yu Xiaogang, a grandmaster of martial soul theory."

Bang!

The deacon slammed the table, putting on an angry expression. "How dare he! Fighting inside the city—he clearly has no respect for the Spirit Hall overseeing it!"

If he remembered correctly, that fame-stealing fraud Yu Xiaogang belonged to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. He could administer a little lesson and profit from it.

With that in mind, the deacon feigned outrage. "Gather our men! I'll show everyone that Suotuo City is not a lawless place!"

The squad captain stayed where he was and said awkwardly, "Sir, the attacker was Thousand-Hand Asura. Just yesterday, you sent a letter to the main hall asking them to send someone important to recruit him."

The deacon froze, the corner of his mouth twitching.

If he remembered correctly, Thousand-Hand Asura's master was not merely an expert in theory. Rumor had it that he was a Titled Douluo.

Yu Xiaogang had the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect behind him, with a level 95 Titled Douluo.

He could not afford to offend either side. Was this squad captain dragging out his report because he wanted to send him to his death?

The next moment, the furious deacon summoned his martial soul, flashed in front of the squad captain, and kicked him.

Bang!

The squad captain flew backward, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

The deacon snapped, "What do you mean someone fought in Suotuo City? They were having a friendly spar!"

In Suotuo City, Ning Rongrong idly played with a cup in a restaurant near the Master Hotel.

Suddenly, the space beside her twisted, and an elderly man and a middle-aged man appeared.

They were Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.

Upon receiving the news about martial soul evolution, Ning Fengzhi had rushed over without stopping, bringing the sect's fastest Titled Douluo and teleporting repeatedly along the way.

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up when she saw them. She called warmly, "Grandpa Bone, Dad, you're finally here!"

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Rongrong has grown up. You actually found the sect a path to martial soul evolution."

Looking embarrassed, Ning Rongrong turned and hugged Bone Douluo Gu Rong. "Grandpa Bone, I missed you so much!"

Ning Fengzhi frowned, his heart sinking.

He knew his daughter. Even the smallest contribution made her immensely proud. Why would she deliberately change the subject?

With no time for catching up, Ning Fengzhi immediately pressed her.

"Rongrong, is the information you sent about martial soul evolution true or false?"

Ning Rongrong immediately bristled at his doubts and puffed out her chest, facing Ning Fengzhi head-on.

"Dad, what are you saying? Would I, Ning Rongrong, joke about martial soul evolution?"

"His name is Tang San, and his martial soul is blue silver grass. A few days ago, he publicly displayed his evolved martial soul, the blue silver king, at the Soul Fighting Arena."

"Practically everyone in Suotuo City knows. Just ask around, and you can confirm it!"

Ning Fengzhi was not reassured by a few words. He demanded sternly, "Then why did you change the subject just now? What are you feeling guilty about?"

"Did you offend them?"

His voice was stern and cold.

Martial soul evolution concerned the sect's future.

For its sake, everything else could be set aside.

The foremost reason Ning Rongrong was so favored was that, among the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's descendants, and even across its generations, she had the greatest talent and the best chance of evolving her martial soul.

The doting affection of the two Titled Douluo came second.

In truth, although both Titled Douluo adored Ning Rongrong, they still put the sect first.

If this daughter jeopardized the sect's future, Ning Fengzhi might well abandon her.

Of course, that depended on whether the person who possessed martial soul evolution was someone they could not afford to offend.

Ning Rongrong could no longer keep her composure.

What... was she supposed to do when two questions had coaxed her secret out of her?

Her face full of embarrassment, she shuffled her little feet and explained quietly under Ning Fengzhi's questioning.

"I called Tang San's master scum and fell out with him."

"Apparently, his martial soul evolution was his master's doing."

Ning Fengzhi fell silent upon hearing that.

Fine. Fine. Fine.

This daughter certainly hadn't disappointed him.

As arrogant as ever, and still ruining things whenever she acted.

Seeing things turn sour, Bone Douluo hurriedly tried to smooth matters over. "Fengzhi, Rongrong is still young. She's only twelve."

"She's our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's little princess. It's only natural for her to be a little willful."

Ning Fengzhi suppressed his anger. "Uncle Bone, you don't need to speak up for Rongrong.

"She's twelve already. In an ordinary family, she would be getting married and having children."

"We let her come out this time precisely to temper her disposition. I never expected her to remain like this."

As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Uncle Bone, let's go."

Bone Douluo had nothing more to say. He gave Ning Rongrong a helpless look and followed him away.

The two first gathered information in Suotuo City.

They soon confirmed that martial soul evolution was real and learned the broad details about Tang San.

He had a master suspected of being a Titled Douluo, soul power at level 40, and a millennium second soul ring that exceeded the age limit.

A sharp gleam flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

One Titled Douluo—the situation was not too bad.

Martial soul evolution was far too important to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and breaking the limits on soul ring age was no small prize either.

If negotiations failed and there was no salvaging a deal, they would use force.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two level 95 Super Douluo, bolstered by his support, could contend with a level 98 Super Douluo. They were confident they could prevent an escape.

Gu Rong followed behind Ning Fengzhi, his expression somewhat dark.

Besides confirming the information about martial soul evolution,

He had also discovered that Ning Rongrong had nearly been killed.

Someone had bullied Rongrong, whom he doted on most and regarded as his own granddaughter. He would teach them a lesson in return.

If Tang San and his companions failed to demonstrate their worth or refused to see reason, he would strike to kill.

Although Li Sen was rumored to rival a Titled Douluo, he was too young.

Once cultivation reached level 90, accumulating soul power became less important. What mattered was insight into one's martial soul and the world.

Cultivation would slow down.

In Gu Rong's eyes, Li Sen had, at most, only just obtained a soul ring and broken through level 90. He was nothing to fear.