Heaven Dou City, Great Spirit Arena – Blazing Academy Lounge
"Grandmaster, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"There are rumors spreading outside. It's said that Tang San possesses the Clear Sky Hammer spirit. That means Tang San is actually the son of Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao. He has twin spirits—Blue Silver Grass in his right hand and the Clear Sky Hammer in his left."
"Huo Wu, what exactly are you trying to say?" Yu Xiaogang asked, his tone calm.
Huo Wu's heart trembled. Seeing Yu Xiaogang's composed expression, she realized that he already knew. He had known all along that Tang San wielded the Clear Sky Hammer and that his father was none other than Tang Hao.
"Grandmaster, they're also saying that Tang San inherited the Clear Sky Hammer from his father, and the Blue Silver Grass from his mother. But… his mother wasn't human. She was a transformed Blue Silver Grass spirit beast. The so-called secret treasure that Spirit Hall was after back then was actually Tang San's mother. In other words, her death and Tang Hao's disappearance were all because of Spirit Hall."
Yu Xiaogang's gaze sharpened. "Where did you hear all this?"
"It's everywhere. People say that in the end, Tang San's mother had to sacrifice herself to Tang Hao, who had just reached Rank 90 spirit power at the time. That's how Tang Hao became the youngest Titled Douluo in history after that battle. But what's worse, they're saying that Tang Hao and his wife's downfall was due to the inaction of the Star Luo Empire."
"Inaction?" Yu Xiaogang frowned, a bad feeling rising in his chest.
"Yes. Among the seven major sects in the spirit master world, the lower four are loyal to Spirit Hall. Among the upper three, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect supports the Heaven Dou Empire, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect stays neutral, and the Clear Sky Sect sides with the Star Luo Empire. But when everything happened, the Star Luo Empire held back out of fear of Spirit Hall. In the end, they didn't send any support for Tang Hao. If they had acted, maybe Tang San's mother wouldn't have died. In other words, it was the Star Luo Empire that indirectly caused her death." Huo Wu analyzed.
Of course, this wasn't just random gossip—this was the truth that Ye Feng had deliberately spread at Liu Erlong's request. Not only to help her, but also because Ye Feng wanted to stir up the past and uncover clues about the murder of his own parents.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath. "I understand."
"Grandmaster, the Evil Eyed White Tiger is the royal martial spirit of the Star Luo Empire. Tang San and Dai Mubai are both on our team, and I'm worried—"
"You're worried that we'll start suspecting each other and lose unity. Is that it, Huo Wu?"
Before she could answer, a voice interrupted from outside the door.
"No need to worry about that."
Tang San stepped in, with Dai Mubai beside him.
Yu Xiaogang was sharp. Seeing the two walk in with calm expressions, he smiled. "So, you've heard the rumors as well?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah."
Tang San and Dai Mubai both nodded.
"Do you believe it?" Yu Xiaogang asked.
"Grandmaster, this story has been buried for over a decade, and now it suddenly resurfaces? It's obvious that someone is pulling the strings. They want us to fight among ourselves and weaken our performance in the tournament. Well, that's not happening." Dai Mubai's fists clenched slightly.
Tang San nodded. "Exactly. I already have a good idea who's behind this." A certain figure came to his mind—Ye Feng.
Yu Xiaogang smiled in satisfaction. "I'm glad you both think this way. Huo Wu, do you still have concerns?"
Huo Wu looked at the two and hesitated before shaking her head.
"Alright, let's move on. Your next opponent is Shrek Academy." Yu Xiaogang stated.
"Shrek Academy?" A shadow flickered in Huo Wu's eyes—Ye Feng's figure.
"Finally, we meet them." Tang San's gaze burned with battle intent.
"Grandmaster, I want to fight," Dai Mubai said firmly. This battle meant a lot to both him and Tang San. Dai Mubai couldn't wait to crush them. Tang San felt the same.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes narrowed. "My advice is to admit defeat. Shrek Academy is too strong. If you want to go against them, you must send out all your main players. Even then, without your strongest trump card, your odds of winning are only 50%. The key players will be Tang San and Huo Wu."
"Grandmaster, Blazing Academy will never surrender. We're not like Elephant Armor Academy." Huo Wu said fiercely.
"Grandmaster, let us fight! If we back down just because we meet a strong opponent, then what's the point of this tournament? We came here to grow stronger!" Tang San insisted.
"Yes, Grandmaster!" Dai Mubai added.
For Huo Wu, this fight was about Blazing Academy's pride. Losing without a fight would be disgraceful.
For Tang San, it wasn't just about experience. He wanted to use this battle to prove himself and his master.
For Dai Mubai, this was about securing his future. Gaining the recognition of Star Luo Empire's nobles through his performance would help him in his fight for the throne.
"Good." Yu Xiaogang nodded, turning to Tang San. "You will lead the match against Shrek Academy. Everyone else, go rest. I need to talk to Xiao San alone."
"Alright."
Dai Mubai left immediately. Huo Wu hesitated. Before Tang San arrived, she was the soul of Blazing Academy. Now, with him here, that role belonged to Tang San. She respected Yu Xiaogang's wisdom, but she couldn't help feeling a little frustrated. Still, she left obediently.
Once they were gone, Yu Xiaogang's expression turned serious. "Xiao San, tell me your real thoughts about these rumors."
Tang San's lips curled into a faint smile. "Grandmaster, don't worry. I won't let whoever spread these rumors succeed."
Yu Xiaogang scrutinized Tang San's face, but the boy revealed nothing.
Tang San clenched his fists. 'The hatred for my mother's death will never be forgotten. Because of the Star Luo Empire's inaction, my mother died, and my father has suffered all these years. Star Luo Empire, you will pay for this.'
To get his revenge, he needed to shake the foundations of the Star Luo Empire. And for that, Dai Mubai was his best pawn. He wouldn't break ties with him now—on the contrary, he'd make sure they seemed closer than ever.
---
Meanwhile, in the Shrek Academy lounge, Liu Erlong stormed in and walked up to Ye Feng. "Our next match is against Blazing Academy. Dai Mubai and Tang San are fighting together. Looks like your little scheme to sow discord didn't work!"
Ye Feng only smirked.
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