Times had changed

On the shore of Sea God Lake, the seven members of the Tang Sect Study Group were reviewing and discussing what they had learned recently.

Besides the Tang Sect's four members, Tang Ya had invited her close girlfriend, and Xu Sanshi had come along with her. Xiao Xiao had come to keep her good "sister" Wang Dong company.

Tang Ya was very satisfied with the current situation. Her Tang Sect was beginning to grow, too. At last, it was no longer just a handful of cats, big and small!

Although the other three had yet to agree to join the Tang Sect, they were all in the same Study Group now. She believed bringing them into the Tang Sect was only a matter of time.

Seeing Tang Ya so full of life made Bei Bei happy, too. As for why they called it that, everyone present was playing along with Xiao Ya, though they really were exchanging ideas and learning.

That was something Huo Yuhao had taught them as well. He had said that letting different ways of thinking collide was much better than building a cart behind closed doors all by oneself. It really was a good idea!

Originally, his efforts to revive the Tang Sect had merely been a matter of indulging Xiao Ya's antics, until, not long ago, Great Ancestor had suddenly told him that someone who would restore the Tang Sect's fortunes would emerge in this generation.

As for why he had not helped the Tang Sect back then, Great Ancestor had merely given him a meaningful look before looking up at the sky. Bei Bei was clever, too, and had immediately understood.

Bei Bei had quickly told Tang Ya the news. He still remembered how complicated Xiao Ya's feelings had been that day. He had never seen that expression on her face before.

It had been an expression of pain mixed with excitement, and only then had he realized that perhaps he did not understand Tang Ya so well. So this was how much pain Xiao Ya had been carrying all these years; her usual carefree manner had all been a disguise. That day, Bei Bei had held Tang Ya, letting her rest in his arms for half a day.

But remembering Great Ancestor's hint, Bei Bei had told Tang Ya that they could not spread the news widely. Only those within the Tang Sect should know.

Tang Ya was trying to persuade Tang Yin. "Tang Yin, why won't you attend Teacher Huo's lessons? They're really useful!"

What a joke! Me, studying the knowledge Huo Yuhao teaches? Tang Yin looked at Tang Ya, concealing his disdain. If it weren't so I could use the Tang Sect Secret Arts without drawing attention, would I, a founding ancestor of the Tang Sect, acknowledge you as my teacher? Are you worthy?

Still, Tang Yin answered obediently, "Teacher Tang Ya, I believe our Tang Sect Hidden Weapons are unrivaled in the world. Soul Tools aren't nearly as ingenious as hidden weapons."

Seeing how rigid Tang Yin was, Tang Ya merely sighed. "In some respects, they really are more ingenious, but hidden weapons are outdated in the end."

Tang Ya had originally thought so too. Only after Huo Yuhao had used the principles of mechanics to break down how the Tang Sect Hidden Weapons worked and told her about the prospects for their development had she fully accepted that hidden weapons were already outdated. She could even improve some of the Tang Sect Hidden Weapons herself now.

For a time, Tang Ya had even believed Huo Yuhao was the one their ancestor had hinted would restore the sect's fortunes, but Huo Yuhao had never had any intention of joining the Tang Sect. Perhaps their ancestor had meant for the Tang Sect's descendants to learn Huo Yuhao's knowledge and revive the sect?

Unworthy descendant! You dare deny the Tang Sect Hidden Weapons! An unaccountable fury rose in Tang Yin's heart. Once I ascend to godhood again, I'll erase your entire branch from the Tang Sect!

But Tang Yin still took out a hidden weapon, attempting to correct Tang Ya's mistaken thinking.

Tang Ya recognized the hidden weapon. It was the Godly Zhuge Crossbow, one of the Tang Sect's most iconic hidden weapons. She said nothing, merely taking out a similar hidden weapon, only somewhat larger.

"Compare them yourself. This is a new hidden weapon Bei Bei designed recently based on the Godly Zhuge Crossbow."

Tang Ya had also tried designing new hidden weapons during this time, but she was not as talented as Bei Bei. Although she had achieved some results, using Bei Bei's creation directly was clearly more appropriate at a time like this.

Tang Yin picked up the New Godly Zhuge Crossbow and fired it at a nearby tree. Then he froze. Its power had at least doubled!

Then Tang Yin dismantled the hidden weapon and discovered that it was not very different from the Godly Zhuge Crossbow. Only some of its structure had been altered, yet its power had become so much greater!

Tang Yin felt something inside him begin to crumble. This was the most powerful hidden weapon developed by countless generations of the Tang Sect's hidden weapon geniuses! It was not as though no one in the Tang Sect had tried to improve it, but they had failed without exception.

Tang Yin himself had tried improving hidden weapons thousands of years ago to stand against the rising tide of Soul Tools, but he had failed as well. It was not that he had failed to develop stronger hidden weapons, but where in the mortal world could those materials be found?

Yet now, this New Godly Zhuge Crossbow had merely had part of its structure altered. How had he not thought of that himself?

Tang Yin knew Bei Bei and Tang Ya. Back then, he had guided them into having Huo Yuhao join the Tang Sect, but they had possessed no particular talent for hidden weapons!

Huo Yuhao! It must be him! Huo Yuhao's face surfaced in Tang Yin's mind. That definitely isn't the Huo Yuhao I know anymore. Who exactly is he?

For the first time, Tang Yin felt fear, a fear of the unknown. It was like a boundless ocean shrouded in mist, with no one knowing what enormous creatures lurked beneath its surface.

Standing far away from Tang Yin, Wang Dong gave him a sidelong glance, then turned to Tang Ya. "If he doesn't want to go, then let him stay away. Yuhao isn't forcing anyone to attend. Our Tang Sect won't be short of people just because he isn't there."

"All right, Wang Dong. Don't be so mean to your junior brother." Bei Bei played peacemaker again. He did not know why Wang Dong disliked Tang Yin so much. But Tang Yin, honestly-why did he have to be so rigid?

Hearing the intimacy in Wang Dong's way of addressing Huo Yuhao, Tang Yin's expression darkened despite himself. Wait, what exactly is that idiot doing!

Meanwhile, the other three watched the show in silence. Xiao Xiao secretly sighed. Teacher Huo really does have it rough!

Xiao Xiao had long since noticed that this "sister" of hers seemed to like Huo Yuhao, but surely Huo Yuhao did not like men! Thinking of how Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao were even roommates, she could not help observing a moment of silence for Huo Yuhao. No wonder she had heard that Teacher Huo almost never returned to the dorm except to rest!

Xiao Xiao glanced at Tang Yin again. Unless I saw wrong, Tang Yin's expression only turned ugly when he heard Wang Dong mention Huo Yuhao, right? Could it be...? She shivered. What a mess!

In the end, Tang Ya did not try to persuade Tang Yin again. They continued exchanging ideas for a while, and this study session came to an end.

Tang Yin was the first to leave. He needed to calm down. The Tang Sect Hidden Weapons can actually be improved further! I must have missed something back then!

Seeing Tang Yin leave, Wang Dong called out to stop the others. "Um, there's something I'd like you to help me figure out."

"What is it? Tell Teacher Xiao Ya!"

Tang Ya patted her chest and spoke with a confident expression. If their group could not manage it, they could always ask Huo Yuhao. The others also expressed their willingness to help.

Over this period, they had also discovered that Huo Yuhao knew almost everything, and as long as you asked sincerely, he was generous with his answers.

Seeing that everyone was willing to help her, Wang Dong hesitated, then gritted her teeth and said, "Well, there's someone I like."

"That's a good thing!" Xu Sanshi looked excited. "Which girl is it? Let your big brother help you figure it out!"

The others were happy too. Only Xiao Xiao sighed and said, "It's Huo Yuhao, isn't it?"

What? Who?! Everyone's expressions instantly froze.