"Tang Sect?"
Having read so many books along the way, Huo Yuhao naturally knew about the Tang Sect.
As a sect founded ten thousand years ago, the Tang Sect had once enjoyed a standing far above other sects.
He had heard that its first sect master, Tang San, was the very person Sister Tian Meng had mentioned who had already ascended to the Divine Realm.
Though its history was glorious, the Tang Sect had long since faded from public view, nowhere near as illustrious as Shrek was today.
"Little Brother Huo, you've heard of the Tang Sect?"
Huo Yuhao nodded and said, "I have, but I don't know where the Tang Sect is now."
At that, Tang Ya's eyes reddened for some reason.
"The Tang Sect lost its estate long ago, and the foundations built over so many years were seized too. Right now, the Tang Sect is just the two of us. I'm the current sect master, and Bei Bei is my eldest disciple."
"..."
So it's just you two now?
"Um, if I may ask, how did the Tang Sect decline?"
Recalling the past, Tang Ya grew even more distressed. "To honor our ancestor, every Tang Sect master has been required to possess the same Blue Silver Grass martial soul as Ancestor Tang San. But for some reason, no one afterward could reach Ancestor Tang San's level. Even Soul Kings became rare."
"Our Tang Sect's cultivation methods and supreme arts have all been passed down. Unfortunately, no one today has managed to master them to perfection."
"That's not all."
Seeing Tang Ya pour out so much in one breath naturally pained Bei Bei too.
"After ten thousand years of development, especially after the Sun Moon Empire managed to suppress the other three empires with Soul Tools, most people chose Soul Tools over Tang Sect Hidden Weapons. From then on, the Tang Sect's funding gradually dried up."
But honestly, Bei Bei did not actually want Huo Yuhao to join. From his observations, someone with Huo Yuhao's talent had absolutely no need to join the Tang Sect. What would he be joining for now, just to become an early shareholder?
He loved Tang Ya-loved her stubborn, desperate determination as she shouldered her blood feud alone. Even if mountains of blades and seas of fire lay ahead, he would face them willingly.
Naturally, he also knew how ridiculous the Tang Sect's rules were and how rotten its current situation was.
Although Mu En could not bear to see the Tang Sect's lineage end completely, Bei Bei felt it would be better for the Tang Sect to disappear into history. At least it would retain a good name.
As for revenge, he would walk that road with Tang Ya.
Inside the Sea of Consciousness.
Successfully awakened by a sensitive word, the God of Destruction stood with his arms folded, his voice thick with derision and disdain. "The Sea God's sect rules are this laughable? Not a shred of flexibility. Well, that figures. As expected of something he founded-even his successors are as bullheaded as he is."
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm huddled in the distance, the corner of his mouth twitching as he watched the God of Destruction appear again.
Does this even count as sleeping? Looks like next time there's danger, I can just shout that name.
Hearing this, the Goddess of Life also frowned slightly and said, "Indeed. If rules cannot adapt to the world, they are nothing but useless shackles. If Yuhao joins, he will probably find himself dragged into conflict."
"That girl's obsession runs too deep. All she thinks of is restoring the sect. Unfortunately, she doesn't see things as clearly as the Blue-Haired Boy beside her. Tsk..."
As the voice faded, the Sea of Consciousness fell quiet once more.
Huo Yuhao returned to reality and looked solemnly at Tang Ya and Bei Bei beside him, speaking sincerely. "I'm sorry, both of you. I'm not considering joining a sect right now."
"I see..."
Deep disappointment visibly welled up on Tang Ya's face, but after barely two seconds of dejection, she clenched her fists again, fighting spirit rekindling in her eyes.
"That's all right. Fate brought us together! Little Yuhao, if you run into trouble in the outer court, I'll send Bei Bei to help you!"
Beside her, Bei Bei also breathed a sigh of relief. His hand hidden in his sleeve quietly unclenched, and a trace of relief passed over his features.
He had never wanted Huo Yuhao to sink into this mire. Now that Huo Yuhao had politely declined, it was exactly what he had hoped for.
"It's fine. Joining a sect is a matter of utmost importance. It can't be forced. If you change your mind someday, just come find us."
Tang Ya finished the last bit of fish in her hand, casually brushed her hands together, and added, "Even if you don't become a Tang Sect disciple, we can still be friends. Yuhao, you're such a good cook. If you grill fish again, make sure you call us!"
Huo Yuhao paused briefly, then nodded. "No problem."
A pitch-black figure landed in an instant with a soft thud. Immediately afterward, a fragrant scent wafted toward them.
"Careful, it's poisonous gas! Don't breathe it in."
Tang Ya and Bei Bei released their martial souls simultaneously, circulating their soul power to fend off the poison gas. Huo Yuhao, on the other hand, was completely unaffected.
The Ice Empress's disdainful voice rang out from the Sea of Consciousness. "Your second martial soul possesses ultimate ice. This trifling snake venom can't even get close to you."
As the poison gas dispersed, the dark figure gradually revealed its true appearance.
"Wow, it's a thousand-year Mandala Snake! Bei Bei, I want this one!"
At the sight, Huo Yuhao's gaze sharpened, and he immediately entered combat mode. Two Thousand-Year Soul Rings lit up on either side of him, instantly leaving Bei Bei and Tang Ya dumbstruck.
Although Bei Bei could sense Huo Yuhao's extraordinary talent, he had never seen anyone whose first soul ring was a Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Even someone as powerful as his great-great-grandfather had only had a hundred-year first soul ring, hadn't he?
Before either of them could voice their surprise, they discovered that everything in their sight had become exceptionally clear.
Not only that, everything within a hundred-meter radius appeared directly in their minds in three-dimensional form.
Wait, isn't this absurdly powerful?
With the support of Huo Yuhao's spirit eyes, all three naturally saw the Mandala Snake's movements with perfect clarity.
After several exchanges, a burst of lightning power erupted as Bei Bei knocked it unconscious with Thunderous Might. It crashed heavily to the ground, and Tang Ya finished it off herself.
"Two Thousand-Year Soul Rings, and his first soul skill is this powerful."
Suppressing his shock, Bei Bei asked seriously, "Yuhao, is your martial soul a mental-type martial soul? Also, absorbing a soul ring beyond your age limit can cause serious trouble with even the slightest mistake."
Huo Yuhao withdrew his soul rings and answered just as seriously, fobbing him off. "My martial soul is indeed as you said, Brother Bei-a body martial soul, 'Spirit eyes.' As for the age of my first soul ring, I just got lucky back then. If it were the current me, I definitely wouldn't do something like that."
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao spread his hands, adopting a helpless expression.
Seeing him like this, Bei Bei sighed inwardly. Huo Yuhao must have had no other choice when he absorbed that Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
In the end, heaven had protected him. Cast into the jaws of death, he had found life-not only had his body not burst apart, but he had gained the abilities he possessed today instead.
Having just finished absorbing her soul ring, Tang Ya hurried over, her tone growing even more enthusiastic. "All right, all right! With Yuhao this strong, we should be congratulating him. Once Yuhao and the two of us all take another step forward, won't the three of us be mowing everyone down at the academy?"
"That's true. Yuhao, with your abilities, you'll be unbeatable in the entrance assessment. There are also excellent rewards for the top few places, so you can look forward to those."
"All right, now that everything's done, follow my command! Next stop, Shrek!"
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