The Far North Tang Sect: Completely taken in

Tang Hao's brow eased slightly. The other man's reasoning made sense.

If Tang San really could join the Tang Sect, the matter of secretly learning its techniques would be resolved completely, and he could get Ah Yin back too.

This was already the best possible outcome under the circumstances.

Tang Hao looked at Cheng Ran's strikingly handsome face, hesitated, then spoke anyway. "Senior Tang Laoya."

Cheng Ran raised an eyebrow. "Any other questions?"

Tang Hao's tone was tentative and cautious. "I have traveled all over the continent, yet I have never heard of a sect called the Tang Sect."

With his hands behind his back, Cheng Ran spoke unhurriedly. "It's perfectly normal that you haven't heard of us, because the Tang Sect is in the Far North."

Tang Hao froze. "The Far North?"

Cheng Ran's tone was calm. "Yes. Beyond the thousand-li ice plains along the Heaven Dou Empire's northern border, another three thousand li north lies an Ice Sea swept by snowstorms all year round. At the end of the Ice Sea lies the Far North Core."

He paused. "The Tang Sect was founded in the Far North ten thousand years ago. Outsiders know only its bitter cold, not the hidden world within the ice plains."

Tang Hao nodded slightly.

He knew the Far North did exist, and that it was indeed rarely visited.

Never mind venturing deep inside-even the Heaven Dou Empire's and Star Luo Empire's expedition teams had only circled its outskirts a few times before turning back.

It was said to be frozen year-round, with frigid winds capable of tearing through the defensive barriers of Soul Masters below level seventy. Even Titled Douluos would suffer frost damage to their soul veins unless they defended themselves with all their strength.

"A secluded sect?" Tang Hao pressed. "Then how many members does the Tang Sect have?"

Cheng Ran smiled faintly. "Our sect has seven Titled Douluos. Among them are three Super Douluos above level ninety-five and two Level 99 Limit Douluos."

The air inside the stone chamber seemed to freeze.

Tang Hao's breath caught.

The recorded Limit Douluos across the entire continent could be counted on one hand, and every one of them was a legendary figure.

Yet now this man was telling him that a secluded sect he had never even heard of actually had two?

Watching Tang Hao's expression change, Cheng Ran secretly reveled in it.

He continued unhurriedly, driving the point home. "I rank seventh among the Tang Sect's elders. In other words, there are six others ahead of me."

Seventh-ranked, and a Titled Douluo.

That meant every one of the Tang Sect's seven Titled Douluos was stronger than him.

Standing nearby, Tang San was equally stunned. As expected of the sect I'm about to join. Only a sect with foundations like these is worthy of me.

His perspective broadened. The Tang Sect predecessors who had transmigrated to this world had combined the sect's techniques with soul power cultivation. After another ten thousand years of development, it was entirely possible for them to have reached this scale.

Tang San found it very reasonable, and most of the doubts in his heart dissipated.

What he did not know was that Cheng Ran was desperately holding back his laughter.

Qian Renxue silently snarked, Lord Evil God, aren't you afraid you'll choke on those outrageous lies?

Cheng Ran replied, Xiao Xue, you don't understand. Tang Hao has been holed up in Holy Soul Village for six years. He's practically cut off from the world. He might not even know how many elders Spirit Hall has replaced.

Tang Hao was silent for a long time.

Seven Titled Douluos, three Super Douluos, and two Limit Douluos.

With such foundations, even Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect at their prime would have to give them a wide berth.

Suddenly, he felt that raising his Clear Sky Hammer earlier had been a little presumptuous.

Tang Hao's Adam's apple bobbed. In an instant, something else occurred to him.

He knew his circumstances over the years better than anyone.

Expelled from his sect, hunted by Spirit Hall, and with his wife gone, he could only hole up in this lousy place doing a little craftwork to barely scrape by.

If the Tang Sect really was this powerful...

"Senior." Tang Hao suddenly lowered his voice, sounding a little more cautious and tentative. "Does the Tang Sect accept older disciples?"

Cheng Ran nearly lost his composure.

Tang San froze too, looking at his father in disbelief.

Avoiding his son's gaze, Tang Hao looked at Cheng Ran and continued, "I know I'm getting on in years, but I am still a Titled Douluo. Though I've lived in seclusion in the countryside these past years, I haven't neglected my cultivation. If the Tang Sect needs people, I am willing to serve."

He spoke very seriously, with a touch of earnestness that came from setting aside his pride.

The Clear Sky Sect's youngest Titled Douluo, the formidable man whose hammer had once shaken Spirit Hall's Pope, was now volunteering to join a sect he had first heard of only three days ago.

Cheng Ran nearly laughed aloud. Well, look at that. Buy one, get one free?

Qian Renxue was dumbfounded too. Tang Hao wants to join as well? Not only is he not taking revenge, he wants to join?

Cheng Ran put on a thoughtful expression and paced a couple of steps with his hands behind his back. "You want to join the Tang Sect too?"

Tang Hao nodded, his gaze sincere.

"Well..." Cheng Ran rubbed his chin, looking troubled. "That isn't for me to decide. But you are a Titled Douluo, after all, as well as Tang San's father. It shouldn't be much of a problem. I can report this to the sect master as well."

Tang Hao drew a deep breath. "Thank you, Senior. Then we will await your reply."

Cheng Ran said, Hear that, Xiao Xue? The Evil God abducted his wife, and he still has to thank us.

Qian Renxue: *...*

Cheng Ran waved a hand and turned to Tang San, his gaze meaningful. "Tang San, there's one last thing I'll tell you. Do you know how I discovered you?"

Tang San's heartbeat quickened.

He had practiced the Mysterious Heaven Skill in this world for six years without ever exposing it. Why had someone from the Tang Sect suddenly shown up at his door? He had a guess, but he was not certain.

"I don't know, Senior."

"The Tang Sect has a secret method that can sense those practicing the Mysterious Heaven Skill. But there is one prerequisite: only after their martial soul awakens and the soul power within their body begins circulating can the fluctuations of the Mysterious Heaven Skill be sensed."

Tang San's pupils widened. It was exactly as he had guessed!

He had been wondering why the Tang Sect had failed to find him for the past six years, only to turn up right after his martial soul awakened.

Now the answer had been revealed.

Excitement surged through Tang San, and he nearly failed to control his expression.

Just as I thought! I really am a genius!

A sense of satisfaction welled up within him.

Tang San forcibly suppressed the smile tugging at his lips and put on an expression of sudden understanding. "So that's it! I've been wondering how the Tang Sect discovered that I had secretly learned the Tang Sect Secret Arts. So that's how."

He acted humble and grateful, but secretly gloated inside. These people really are Tang Sect members who transmigrated to the Douluo Continent before me.

They don't know I'm a transmigrator. They merely detected someone practicing the Mysterious Heaven Skill through their secret sensing method and followed the trail to my door.

Everything fit.

All he needed to do now was join the Tang Sect, then reveal his identity as a Tang Sect disciple from his previous life at the right moment.

Once they recognized each other as fellow disciples, every problem would resolve itself.

The more Tang San thought about it, the brighter his future seemed. He wished he could pack his bags and leave with the other man right now.

"All right, that's it for today. I'll give you an answer within ten days." Cheng Ran said no more and turned toward the cave entrance.

He walked at an unhurried pace with his hands behind his back, the duck martial soul waddling after him on its short little legs.

"Farewell, Elder Tang!" Under the respectful gazes of Tang Hao and his son, Cheng Ran passed through the curtain of water and left the cave.

Cheng Ran used his Flight Skill to fly several dozen li. Only after confirming that he was beyond Tang Hao's sensing range did he head toward Spirit City.

"Lord Evil God, when do you think Tang Hao and his son will realize they've been tricked?"

"I don't know, but by the time they find out, the Tang Sect Secret Arts will already have been adapted into angel versions, the Blue Silver Emperor's true body will already have taken root in the Medicine Garden, and we'll already be farming monsters in Slaughter City."