The Music of Moonlight Pavilion, the Angel Mystery, and the Breakout

The clamor of Salas shattered the tranquility of Moonlight Pavilion. Outside the estate came the sound of marching footsteps, and Spirit Hall's black-clad Soul Masters closed in like a tide, their black Soul Power fluctuations hanging over the elegant sanctuary like storm clouds.

Tang Yuehua stood in the middle of the courtyard, her robes whiter than snow and an antique zither in her hands. She showed no sign of panic, though her gaze grew colder. A faint halo of Soul Power surrounded her, a gentle yet deeply penetrating sonic Soul Power.

"Aunt, take Xue Qinghe and leave first. We'll hold them off!" Tang San stepped forward. Blue Silver Grass quietly spread across the ground, weaving a concealed barrier around the courtyard.

Tang Yuehua shook her head and lightly plucked the strings. A clear note rang out, and wherever it passed, the Soul Power fluctuations of the black-clad Soul Masters on the perimeter grew noticeably erratic. "Moonlight Pavilion is my place. How could its owner flee on the eve of battle? Protect Xue Qinghe and take the secret passage. Leave this to me."

"But..."

"No buts." Tang Yuehua cut him off, her gaze firm. "My sonic Soul Skill may not be able to hurt a Titled Douluo, but it can buy time. Remember, you must get Xue Qinghe safely back to Heaven Dou City. The secret he knows concerns the safety of the entire continent."

Lin Ye looked at Tang Yuehua's composed profile and suddenly understood how she had established herself in Suotuo City for so many years. Her poise in the face of danger was a formidable power in itself. He clenched his fists. "We won't let you face them alone! Dai Mubai, take Tai Long and Oscar and escort Xue Qinghe through the secret passage. Tang San, Xiao Wu and I will stay and help!"

"I'll stay!" Dai Mubai frowned. "The three of you might not be able to-"

"Follow orders!" Tang San cut him off sharply. "Xue Qinghe's safety comes first! That's an order!"

Dai Mubai gritted his teeth. Knowing this was no time to argue, he signaled Tai Long and Oscar. "Let's go!"

Supporting the weakened Xue Qinghe, the three followed Tang Yuehua's maid toward the secret passage entrance behind the rockery.

Salas's voice rang out again, impatient this time. "Tang Yuehua, don't push your luck! If you don't stand aside, don't blame me for razing Moonlight Pavilion!"

"If you want to raze my place, you'll have to ask the zither in my hands first." Tang Yuehua sat on a stone stool and played with both hands. The music abruptly quickened, charging toward the estate gates like clashing weapons and galloping warhorses.

"Bang!"

Screams rang out beyond the gates. Clearly, quite a few black-clad Soul Masters had been injured by the music.

"You're courting death!" Salas roared, unleashing his Soul Power at full force. A black ribbon of Soul Power burst through the gates and shot straight for Tang Yuehua's face.

"Careful!" Tang San's Blue Silver Grass instantly formed a shield in front of Tang Yuehua.

"Boom!"

The ribbon of Soul Power struck the Blue Silver Grass shield, making it tremble violently. Tang San grunted and stumbled back three steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Salas's Soul Power was stronger than he had imagined.

"Tang San!" Lin Ye hurried forward to support him, condensing Golden Crow Fire into a shield before them.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu used Teleportation to circle around to the side. She unleashed her Soft Skill, kicking several black-clad Soul Masters who had leaped over the wall flying.

Tang Yuehua's gaze sharpened, and the music changed again, turning shrill and piercing as it stabbed at Salas's spirit like countless fine needles. Salas grunted, and his attack faltered noticeably.

"Sonic Soul Skills really are troublesome." A flicker of wariness crossed Salas's eyes, and he shouted to the black-clad Soul Masters behind him, "A bunch of trash! Get in there! Kill them!"

Dozens of black-clad Soul Masters swarmed in, ribbons of Soul Power falling like rain. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, Lin Ye's Golden Crow Fire, Xiao Wu's Teleportation and Soft Skill, and Tang Yuehua's music worked together to barely stop the first wave, but they were soon locked in a desperate fight.

Tang Yuehua's music could disrupt a Soul Master's Soul Power, but it could not inflict substantial harm. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had powerful controlling abilities, but against so many enemies, he was gradually struggling to keep up. Lin Ye's Golden Crow Fire was immensely powerful, but its consumption was staggering. Xiao Wu's Teleportation required precise timing, and the slightest mistake would leave her hit by a ribbon of Soul Power.

"We can't go on like this," Lin Ye said to Tang San as he fended off an attack. "We need to find a way to break through!"

Tang San nodded and looked at Tang Yuehua. "Aunt, is there another exit from the secret passage?"

"There's one in the bamboo grove on the back mountain, but you have to cross the garden ahead." Tang Yuehua's music faltered slightly. Clearly, maintaining her sonic Soul Skill was taxing her heavily as well. "I laid sonic traps there. They might buy you some time."

"Aren't you coming with us?" Xiao Wu asked urgently.

"I have to stay and draw their attention." Tang Yuehua's music suddenly soared, forcing back the black-clad Soul Masters around her. "Go! Any later and it'll be too late!"

Tang San gritted his teeth, knowing he could not hesitate any longer. "Lin Ye, cover Xiao Wu! Let's go!"

"Right!" Lin Ye condensed Golden Crow Fire into a wall of flame, temporarily blocking the pursuing black-clad Soul Masters.

Tang San controlled the Blue Silver Grass, carrying Xiao Wu and himself toward the garden like two bolts of green lightning. Tang Yuehua's music followed close behind them. Whenever a black-clad Soul Master tried to intercept them, the music precisely disrupted the attacker's Soul Power.

The garden was indeed full of concealed sonic traps. Driven by Tang Yuehua's Soul Power, the seemingly ordinary flowerbeds and stone sculptures constantly emitted faint sound waves. As soon as the black-clad Soul Masters entered, their Soul Power fell into disarray and their movements slowed.

Under cover of the traps, the three soon reached the bamboo grove in the rear garden. Deep within it, a concealed stone door was just visible: the other exit from the secret passage.

"That's it!" Tang San called in a low voice.

Just as they were about to rush through the stone door, a sinister figure appeared before it like a ghost, blocking their path. It was Yu Tianheng, wearing a bronze mask!

"We meet again, Tang San." Yu Tianheng's voice carried a hint of mockery, and his sickle gleamed coldly. "I didn't expect you to make it this far, but this is where it ends."

"Out of the way!" Tang San roared, sending his Blue Silver Grass straight at Yu Tianheng.

Yu Tianheng sneered and swung his sickle, easily severing the Blue Silver Grass. "I'm your opponent!"

Seeing this, Lin Ye immediately moved to support him. Golden Crow Fire formed a long sword that stabbed toward Yu Tianheng's flank. Xiao Wu seized the chance to rush toward the stone door, intending to open it.

"Don't even think about it!" Yu Tianheng noticed Xiao Wu's intention and swung his sickle backhand, forcing Lin Ye away while firing a black ribbon of Soul Power at her.

"Careful!" Tang San's Blue Silver Grass wrapped around Xiao Wu's waist just in time and pulled her back.

Yu Tianheng was much stronger than he had been in Mist Forest. Clearly, Spirit Hall had favored him with resources during this time. His Soul Power had broken through level fifty, reaching the Soul King realm. Fighting Tang San and Lin Ye alone, he did not fall at a disadvantage in the slightest.

Tang Yuehua's muffled grunt came from the estate's front courtyard. Clearly, she was nearly at her limit too.

"We can't drag this out any longer!" A determined glint flashed in Lin Ye's eyes as Golden Crow Fire surged once more. "Tang San, use All-Encompassing Heavenly Net!"

Tang San immediately understood. Blue Silver Grass grew wildly, binding Yu Tianheng's feet and taking control of the surrounding bamboo, which stabbed at him like countless spears!

"Golden Crow Burns the Heavens!" Lin Ye condensed all his Soul Power into a golden fireball and hurled it fiercely at the bound Yu Tianheng.

Yu Tianheng's expression changed drastically. He had not expected their combined technique to be so overpowering. With a roar, he unleashed his Soul Power at full force, trying to break free of the Blue Silver Grass, but it was too late.

The golden fireball and green bamboo spears struck him at the same time. Amid the explosion, Yu Tianheng was blasted backward, his bronze mask shattering to reveal a face covered in bloodstreaks. He struggled to rise, but Xiao Wu followed close behind and kicked him in the chest, knocking him completely unconscious.

"Go!"

The three wasted no time. They rushed through the stone door and locked it from the inside.

The secret passage was pitch-black, lit only by the faint green glow of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. The three raced onward, hearing thunderous impacts against the stone door behind them. Clearly, Salas had discovered their trail.

"Where does this passage lead?" Xiao Wu asked, panting.

"I don't know, but it should take us out of Suotuo City," Tang San said. "Aunt must have had her reasons for sending us this way."

The passage was long and winding. After running for about half a shichen, they finally saw light ahead. They sped up and burst out of the passage, only to find themselves on a barren mountain outside Suotuo City. Below them was the main road to Heaven Dou City.

"We're finally out!" Xiao Wu wept with joy.

Lin Ye glanced back at the entrance to the passage, his heart full of worry. "I wonder how Aunt is doing..."

Tang San patted him on the shoulder. "Trust Aunt. She'll be all right. What we need to do now is get Xue Qinghe back to Heaven Dou City as quickly as possible. That's the best way to repay her."

Lin Ye nodded and pushed down his worry.

The three got their bearings and headed toward Heaven Dou City. The wind on the barren mountain was fierce, making their clothes snap and flutter, but it could not blow away the heaviness in their hearts.

"Have you heard of the Angel God Xue Qinghe mentioned?" Xiao Wu suddenly asked.

Tang San shook his head. "No. But anything that makes Spirit Hall so determined, even willing to groom a fake crown prince, can't be simple."

"I saw a few fragments in the altar's inheritance," Lin Ye recalled. "She seemed to be an ancient deity with the power to purify everything, a symbol of light. But I don't know why she's connected to Spirit Hall."

"A symbol of light?" Tang San frowned. "But Spirit Hall is always up to shady dealings. That doesn't fit at all."

"Maybe... they want to use the Angel God's power to do evil?" Xiao Wu guessed.

The three fell silent. Whatever the truth, Spirit Hall's plot was clearly larger and more terrifying than they had imagined.

After walking for about half a day, a familiar figure appeared ahead. Dai Mubai was pacing anxiously by the roadside, and when he saw them, he immediately rushed over.

"Are you all right?" Dai Mubai looked the three of them up and down and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw they were unharmed. "Tai Long and Oscar are waiting with Xue Qinghe in a cave up ahead. We were worried something had happened to you, so they sent me to meet you."

"We're fine. We ran into some trouble, but we dealt with it." Tang San briefly described what had happened at the secret passage. "How's Xue Qinghe?"

"He's still unconscious, but his breathing is much steadier," Dai Mubai said. "Let's hurry. This is too close to Suotuo City. It isn't safe."

After the five reunited, they did not dare delay and continued toward Heaven Dou City. Along the way, they avoided every town and traveled only through the mountains and forests. When they were hungry, they ate Oscar's sausages; when they were tired, they took turns keeping watch and resting.

Five days later, when they saw Heaven Dou City's walls again, every one of them was exhausted, but their gazes were firm.

After entering Heaven Dou City, they did not return directly to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Instead, they went first to the residence of Meng Zhi, commander of the imperial guards. Meng Zhi was both shocked and delighted to see Xue Qinghe. He immediately arranged for the best physicians to treat him and increased the guard to ensure his safety.

"Thank you for your efforts." Meng Zhi looked at the five travel-worn youths, his eyes full of gratitude. "Sect Master Ning and Dean Yu are discussing matters at the imperial palace. I'll take you there now so you can tell them about the Angel God."

The atmosphere in the imperial palace's council hall was grave. Ning Fengzhi, Yu Luomian, and several imperial elders were gathered around a map, discussing something. When they saw Tang San and the others enter, they immediately stopped.

"Has Xue Qinghe been found?" Ning Fengzhi asked in delighted surprise.

"We found him, but he's still unconscious." Tang San recounted everything that had happened in Suotuo City and what Xue Qinghe had said about the Angel God.

When Tang San finished, silence fell over the council hall.

"The Angel God..." Ning Fengzhi murmured, his expression turning exceptionally grave. "I thought she was only a legend. I never expected her to be real."

"Sect Master Ning, you know about the Angel God?" Tang San asked at once.

Ning Fengzhi nodded, his tone heavy. "There are records in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's ancient texts. The Angel God was a deity of light in ancient times, possessing the purest power, but she fell in a great war. Legend has it that her Godhood Inheritance fell into the hands of a power called the 'Angel Clan,' and that clan... was Spirit Hall's predecessor!"

Everyone's expression changed drastically.

"You mean Spirit Hall wants to resurrect the Angel God and inherit her godhood?" Yu Luomian exclaimed.

"More than that." Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "The ancient texts say that although the Angel God's power is pure, it is also highly vulnerable to corruption by darkness. If someone with evil intentions inherits it, the consequences would be unimaginable. I fear Spirit Hall's purpose in gathering the Soul Bones is to corrupt the Angel God's inheritance and turn it into a tool for ruling the continent!"

The atmosphere in the council hall instantly dropped to freezing. Everyone realized that they were facing not merely an ambitious Soul Master organization, but a terrifying plot that could overturn the entire continent.

"We must stop them!" Meng Zhi roared. "Even if it takes the full strength of the Heaven Dou Empire, we can't let them succeed!"

Ning Fengzhi nodded, his gaze firm. "I'll contact the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the other powers opposed to Spirit Hall immediately to form an alliance. Only by uniting every force we can unite will we have any hope of stopping this calamity."

Tang San looked at the sky outside the window, his heart filled with an unprecedented sense of duty. He knew that a war concerning the fate of the continent had quietly begun. And these young Soul Masters would play a crucial role in that war.

As night deepened, the lights of Heaven Dou City shone like stars, but they could not illuminate the gloom hanging over the continent. Yet as long as there were people willing to fight for the light, hope would never be extinguished.