"What a pity. Only Tang Hao learned the strongest technique, the Great Sumeru Hammer."
Jin Peng had originally hoped to use the Great Sumeru Hammer as a reference to develop a modified Ring Detonation secret technique suited to Body Martial Souls. Now there was no hope of that in the short term.
"If I'd known, I wouldn't have sworn on my Martial Soul..."
Jin Peng muttered, then looked at Tang Xiao.
"Then hand over the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes and the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer first. You should have transcribed copies, right?"
"We do."
Tang Xiao's lips moved.
"The copies are in a secret chamber. I need to retrieve them personally."
"Go get them."
Jin Peng waved a hand. "Old Qian, go with him."
"Sure thing."
Elder Qian nodded in agreement, then turned and followed Tang Xiao into the Clear Sky Sect.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, Elder Qian and Tang Xiao emerged again, carrying two beast-hide scrolls.
Tang Xiao walked up to Jin Peng, his voice hoarse.
"One contains the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, and the other the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. Both are secrets our Clear Sky Sect never shares with outsiders. I hope your sect will not pass them on."
"That's none of your concern."
Jin Peng glanced at him.
"Ah..."
Tang Xiao heaved a deep sigh, feeling he had let down all his ancestors.
Jin Peng took the scrolls from Elder Qian, unrolled one and skimmed it, then rolled it back up and nodded in satisfaction.
"Keep these safe. We'll study them carefully when we get back."
Jin Peng handed them to Elder Chen, then turned back to Tang Xiao.
"Second, starting today, the Clear Sky Sect will deploy all its forces to search the continent for Tang Hao.