Before Xia Yi set out for the Star luo Empire, the empire had already made a deal with Tang Sect, as well as Long Yeyue and Lan Muzi from Shrek Academy.
They promised to help the Star luo Empire obtain the power system of the Oceanic Warship.
In return, the Star luo Empire would help them ensure that Xia Yi disappeared permanently within their territory.
Now, the Star luo Empire had successfully used the Oceanic Warship's power system to repel Chen Xinjie's Sea God Legion.
Yet, not only was Xia Yi still alive and well, but he had also actively sabotaged Tang Sect's operations multiple times.
In the Dragon Valley Small World, aside from Na'er sacrificing herself to save Tang Wulin and Dai Yun'er, everyone else had been completely wiped out.
This latest strike had once again caused significant losses to Tang Sect.
Tang Sect was left with no choice but to pressure the Star luo Empire once more.
Ever since the national treasure Vajra Bracelet fell into Xia Yi's hands, the Star luo Empire had been dreaming of reclaiming it.
Moreover, Xia Yi also possessed the soul rings and soul bones of 400,000 fierce beasts, along with the divine weapons he had forged himself.
Such wealth made even the mighty Star luo Empire envious.
However, Tang Sect was already a cautionary tale.
The Star luo Empire didn't dare to act against Xia Yi openly.
Tang Sect was just a sect, whereas the Star luo Empire was an entire nation.
If the Spirit Pagoda were to withdraw from the Star luo Empire, the empire would be crippled.
Therefore, even if they wanted to deal with Xia Yi, they had to find a way to distance themselves from the act.
A Duke was the highest noble title besides those granted to royalty.
Even the Netherworld Spirit Cat clan was only at the Duke level within the Star luo Empire.
However, compared to Xia Yi, the Netherworld Spirit Cat clan only had an 800-li territory.
Granting a 3,000-li fief was unprecedented in the 20,000-year history of the Star luo Empire.
[T/N: 1 li (里) is approximately 0.5 kilometers (km) or 500 meters (m).]
Yet, Emperor Dai Tianling showed no hesitation at all.
After all, everything west of Tianmu Mountain was already under the control of the Green Skull Organization.
Would the Green Skull Organization accept a Duke appointed by the Star luo Empire?
Most likely, they were already plotting to eliminate Xia Yi.
This move by the Star luo Empire was a brilliant trick.
Not only did it push Xia Yi into the direct line of fire of the Green Skull Organization, but it also created suspicion toward Xia Yi from the Sun-Moon Federation Government.
As the Phoenix Group grew stronger each day, Tang Sect's interests were being severely impacted.
Now, Tang Sect finally had an opportunity to strike at both the Spirit Pagoda and Xia Yi.
The Sea God Legion had just suffered a massive setback due to spies leaking the Oceanic Warship's power system to the Star luo Empire.
Now, with Xia Yi being granted a Dukedom by the Star luo Empire, Tang Sect had plenty of material to use against him.
Tang Sect immediately petitioned the Federal Parliament to investigate Xia Yi for treason.
At the same time, they demanded a thorough investigation into the Phoenix Group.
However, the proposal was swiftly rejected by the Federation.
What a joke! The Star luo Empire's move was clearly an attempt to drive wolves against tigers!
If Xia Yi or the Phoenix Group were actually a threat, Leng Yulai would never have invited the Federation to invest in the company.
More importantly, if they investigated the Phoenix Group now, who would clean up Tang Sect's mess?
Instead of an investigation, the Federation publicly commended Xia Yi for bringing honor to the Douluo Continent.
This move left Tang Sect's Master, Zang Xin, looking extremely displeased.
"What is the Federation trying to say? Are they unhappy with Tang Sect? So what if we went on strike? Have they forgotten the contributions Tang Sect has made to peace over the past 10,000 years?"
"Master, the most pressing issue is still the sanctions from the Spirit Pagoda," a Tang Sect elder said bitterly.
"We have no way to force the Spirit Pagoda to revoke its sanctions, and many of our disciples are growing dissatisfied because they cannot purchase soul rings or enter the Spirit Ascension Platform to enhance their spirit souls."
Another elder added, "Master, the Spirit Pagoda is simply waiting for us to yield. We did overstep our boundaries in this matter—maybe we should apologize."
Every day they delayed, more Tang Sect disciples suffered from a lack of soul rings.
"I understand. Let me think about it." Zang Xin frowned deeply.
Revoking the assassination order on Xia Yi and publicly apologizing—he truly did not want to do it.
For 20,000 years, Tang Sect, like Shrek Academy, had been a symbol of justice.
If they apologized, it would be equivalent to admitting they were wrong to the entire world.
That would be a direct slap to their own face.
But at the same time, they had to resolve the issue of their disciples' soul rings.
"Yun Ming, where are you…?" Zang Xin murmured internally.
Now, even the Federation was no longer supporting Tang Sect.
Their only remaining ally was Shrek Academy's Yun Ming.
If Yun Ming were here, with his reputation as the world's strongest, a Tang Sect-Shrek alliance could have pressured the Spirit Pagoda.
But Yun Ming was missing.
With Zang Xin alone, he wasn't even a match for Qiangu Dongfeng, let alone Qiangu Dieting or Qiangu Qingfeng.
If they truly clashed with the Spirit Pagoda, it would be suicide.
"Master, if necessary, I can take responsibility for everything," the first elder suggested.
"No. Tang Sect will never abandon any of its people," Zang Xin said firmly.
"Master, the Heaven Dou City Underground Weapons Factory has just issued a materials shortage warning. If we don't act soon, it might shut down."
"What does this have to do with the factory?" Zang Xin frowned.
"The factory sources materials through our front companies, but now all of those companies have been shut down. The remaining supply channels aren't enough to keep production running."
Zang Xin sighed. "Give me a moment. I need to consult Ruthless Douluo before making a decision. Only he can decide this."
The true Master of Tang Sect was Ruthless Douluo Cao Dezhi, while Zang Xin was only the Vice Master.
Although their relationship was special, a public apology directly impacted Tang Sect's reputation—it had to be Cao Dezhi's decision.
Moreover, an apology would require compensation.
Since Tang Sect had attacked Xia Yi first and then placed a bounty on him, they needed to be careful about what they offered to satisfy the Spirit Pagoda.
Zang Xin called Cao Dezhi via soul communicator and explained everything.
Cao Dezhi was silent for a long time before finally responding.
"An apology is fine—but we cannot admit Tang Sect was wrong."
"…?" Zang Xin was speechless. How was that supposed to work?
"I don't have a good solution yet. Let me consult Light-Dark Douluo and Sky Crosser Douluo. They might have some ideas."
"Alright."
Cao Dezhi then gathered Tang Sect and Shrek Academy's high-level officials in the Blood God Legion, including Guan Yue, to brainstorm.
After three days and three nights, they finally came up with a plausible excuse.
Cao Dezhi, as Tang Sect's Master, issued a public apology.
He claimed that during their focus on the Abyss Passage, a temporary worker at Tang Sect had overstepped his authority and issued a bounty on Xia Yi.
This temporary worker had also shut down all Tang Sect's businesses and misled Zang Xin into acting against Xia Yi and challenging the Federation and Spirit Pagoda.
Now that the truth was revealed, the temporary worker had been fired and permanently blacklisted.
As compensation, Tang Sect offered Xia Yi the legendary herb Lovesick Heartbroken Red, though he had to personally retrieve it from the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well.
For employees who were forcibly dismissed, they were welcome to return, with an additional one-month salary as compensation.