Two months later.
The carriage rumbled and finally entered the gate of Cloud Mist Mountain.
The morning light was just right, turning the clouds and mist on the mountaintop into a golden-red hue.
After more than three years, they are finally back.
Everyone was overjoyed to see their long-lost sect.
Only Tang Feng looked worried and distressed.
After he got off the carriage, he subconsciously glanced back at Zhu Zhuqing's belly.
It remains flat.
For the past two months, he has been working tirelessly, dragging Zhu Zhuqing into the woods every night without fail, rain or shine, without interruption. The frequency of this activity is so high that it feels more tiring than fighting.
But now, two months have passed, and Zhu Zhuqing's belly still shows no signs of pregnancy; it remains smooth and flat.
Tang Feng even began to doubt himself. Was it because his Soul Power was too strong, causing his Soul Ring to lack activity? Or was there some side effect to it?
Every night, when he was "testing" in the woods late at night, he would sigh to himself: The pressure is too great!
I wasn't this nervous when I fought Bo Saixi before.
Zhu Zhuqing would burst into laughter every time she saw his "under pressure" expression.
She comforted him, saying, "Don't worry, there are still ten months left."
Tang Feng said with a bitter face, "What if it still doesn't work after ten months?"
Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment, then said seriously, "That means there might be a problem with you."
Tang Feng: "..."
He was considering whether he should secretly find a clinic to have his pulse checked.
Suppressing the unspeakable frustration in his heart, Tang Feng and the others passed through the mountain gate and walked up the bluestone steps.
Over the past three years, the sect has also grown.
There were many more disciples patrolling the mountain path than three years ago, each one looking energetic and with bright eyes.
When the ten people stepped into the council hall, Sect Master Tang Xiao and the elders had already arrived upon hearing the news.
Although he was mentally prepared, Tang Xiao still stood up abruptly and widened his eyes when he sensed the aura emanating from the group.
Of the ten people, three actually broke through to the Titled Douluo.
Tang Jian Level 93, Zhu Zhuqing Level 93, and Tang Feng's aura was even more unfathomable, even he couldn't see through it.
The others also made rapid progress in their abilities.
Dugu Yan, Oscar, Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong, Tai Long, Niu Zhen, and Bai Chenxiang —each of them has become significantly stronger than when they left.
The elders all crowded around, asking questions about their experiences on Sea God Island.
After a lively discussion, Tang Xiao gestured for everyone to take their seats.
He cleared his throat and glanced at everyone. "In just over three years, you young people have made astonishing progress, and the old fogies of the sect haven't been idle either."
Tang Xiao then gave a brief introduction to the sect's strength.
Tang Feng listened quietly, then mentally assessed the sect's current strength:
Level 98, three students: Tang Xiao, Tang Lie, and Tang Feng;
Level 97, three elders: Second Elder Tang Zhen, Third Elder Tang Ming, Dugu Bo;
Level 96, three elders: Fourth Elder Tang Ran, Fifth Elder Tang Rui, Yang Wudi;
Level 95, two students: Tang Ming and Tang Kun;
Level 93, five individuals: Tang Jian, Zhu Zhuqing, Tai Tan, Niu Gao, and Tang Yu;
There are a total of sixteen Titled Douluo.
Moreover, both Dugu Yan, at Level 89, and Oscar, at level 86, possess the combat power of Titled Douluo.
Dugu Yan possesses a divine artifact, Titled Douluo combat power no less than Level 96.
There are also top-tier healing Soul Master like Ye Lingling.
The sect's top combat strength is already enough to rival the Spirit Hall Empire.
Tang Xiao added, " Bai He, Ye Qingxin, Tang Hui, and Tang Zhi have all reached Level 89 in Soul Power. But whether they can break through to Level 90 depends on their own understanding of the realm."
He sighed, "On the continent, countless people are stuck at Level 89 their entire lives, unable to break through. That bottleneck requires not only the accumulation of Soul Power, but also a deeper level of comprehension."
Upon hearing this, Tang Feng stood up, faced the elders, and solemnly spoke:
"Elders, I have gained some insights on Sea God Island and created a cultivation method called ' Soul Core.' This method can compress the liquid Soul Power within the body into a solid core, greatly increasing Soul Power reserves and recovery speed, and also greatly aiding in breaking through the ninth ring bottleneck. I am willing to pass this method on to you elders."
The elders exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with delight.
Tang Feng didn't hold back and explained the method of condensing the Soul Core in detail on the spot.
He explained in detail everything from techniques for compressing Soul Power to methods for guiding mental power, and then to the risks and countermeasures that may arise during the condensation process.
The elders listened intently, nodding occasionally. Tang Lie and Yang Wudi exchanged a glance, both seeing satisfaction in each other's eyes.
"Excellent!" Tang Xiao slammed his hand on the armrest. "With this Soul Core Technique, the sect's strength can rise to another level! Tomorrow we'll begin our rotational seclusion."
The elders all nodded, their eyes filled with anticipation.
After the excitement subsided, Tang Feng and the others heard a shocking message from Tang Xiao.
Tang Xiao's expression turned serious, and his voice lowered slightly:
"According to recent intelligence, Emperor Dai Mubai of the Star Luo Empire has bestowed upon Tang San the title of Blue Hao King, granting him full authority to command troops. The Star Luo Empire's army is currently assembling, and its intentions are unknown. At the current pace, a major operation is likely to take place in about a year."
Tang Feng frowned.
"Logically speaking, the Spirit Hall once abolished Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul, so the two sides should be mortal enemies. Could it be that the Star Luo Empire is preparing to go to war with the Spirit Hall Empire?"
He was filled with doubt.
Tang Xiao's expression was also solemn. " The Heaven Dou Imperial Family believes this is the case. They are quite optimistic about it, believing that the Star Luo Empire is preparing to join forces with the Heaven Dou Empire to deal with the Spirit Hall Empire."
Tang Feng shook his head; he had a feeling things weren't that simple. "There's definitely some kind of conspiracy involved."
He looked up at Tang Xiao and asked directly, "Sect Master, what's the situation with Tang San? I heard along the way that he became Titled Douluo. But wasn't his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul crippled?"
The hall fell silent.
Tang Xiao hesitated for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh.
He hesitated for a while, but finally revealed the secret he had intended to keep buried in his heart forever.
" Tang San... devoured Brother Hao's essence."
Tang Feng's eyes widened suddenly.
"The Clear Sky Hammer essence within Brother Hao's body is of the same origin as Tang San's. Tang San used the Eight Spider Lances to absorb all of his life force and repair his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul."
Tang Xiao's voice was deep, each word seeming to be squeezed out of his throat, "I was too late. By the time I arrived, Brother Hao was already... gone."
The hall was deathly silent.
Tang Feng sat there in a daze, his heart filled with disbelief.
Although he didn't have much affection for Tang San, he never imagined that Tang San would do such a vicious and evil thing.
For power, he would even devour his own father?
"I was too soft-hearted back then and spared his life." Tang Xiao's eyes were filled with rage.
"But I have already warned him that he can no longer be a member of my Clear Sky Sect."
He paused for a moment, then recounted all the information he had gathered about Tang San's recent situation.
How to plunder Soul Bone, how to frantically add Soul Ring to dual Martial Soul, how to slaughter countless Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest, and how to break through from level 61 to Level 93 in just over a year.
Every single thing that happened made everyone present jump out of their skin.
Tang Feng sighed upon hearing this.
Who would have thought Tang San could turn his fortunes around? No wonder he was once the chosen one of destiny.
He looked down at his hands, then at Zhu Zhuqing, Tang Jian, Dugu Yan beside him, a complex emotion welling up inside him.
Twin Martial Souls is indeed an incredible cheat code.
Tang Feng took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination.
"Sect Master, no matter what schemes Tang San may have, no matter what ambitions the Spirit Hall Empire may harbor, our Clear Sky Sect has nothing to fear now."
Tang Xiao looked at him, at this young man who had come out of the ancestral stone house, at this junior who was now stronger than himself, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Yes." He stood up. "We, the Clear Sky Sect, are not afraid."
All the elders in the hall rose to their feet, their eyes gleaming.