"Zang Xin has been gone for so long without any news. Could something have happened to him?"
"It shouldn't be possible. With Zang Xin's strength, dealing with an opponent like Dark Phoenix Douluo should be more than enough."
"Even if Zang Xin was careless and got exposed, and was then stopped by the Sun-Moon Federation or the Spirit Pagoda, there should still be some news coming back to us, right?"
Inside the Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy, Yun Ming furrowed his brows.
Tang Sect and Shrek Academy had already been plagued with enough negative news. If Zang Xin made a move against Leng Yulai and succeeded, it might mean that Tang Sect would be completely at odds with the Spirit Pagoda and the Sun-Moon Federation.
However, this could also make the Spirit Pagoda and the Federation hesitant to act rashly.
But if he failed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"And then there's the Star Luo Empire. Who knows how things are going over there?" Yun Ming sighed. If Zang Xin failed and something also went wrong on the Star Luo Empire's side, then Tang Sect might truly be finished.
"Let's just hope nothing goes wrong," Yun Ming muttered as he paced back and forth in the Sea God Pavilion, waiting anxiously for news from either the Sun-Moon Federation or Tang Sect.
Finally, early the next morning, the Sun-Moon Federation issued a wanted order, declaring Tang Sect a treasonous organization.
All of Tang Sect's publicly known businesses were shut down.
The title of "Three-Star General of the Blood God Legion" was revoked from the Tang Sect Master, Ruthless Douluo Cao Dezhi.
Like Long Yeyue, Cao Dezhi was also placed under house arrest within the Blood God Legion, permanently forbidden from leaving.
Furthermore, the Federation demanded that Zang Xin lead all Tang Sect disciples to surrender and accept an investigation.
It was over!
The Federation had officially declared Tang Sect a treasonous organization?
What did this mean?
For twenty thousand years since its founding, Tang Sect had always been one of the most powerful sects on the Douluo Continent.
Once upon a time, it was the ancestor of Tang Sect, Tang San, who led his comrades to turn the tide, working alongside the two great empires of the time to thwart the Spirit Hall's schemes.
Once upon a time, the revival of Tang Sect was spearheaded by Lingbing Douluo Huo Yuhao, who even founded the Spirit Pagoda and single-handedly defended the Star Luo Empire.
Yet now, twenty thousand years later, Tang Sect had been declared a traitorous organization.
This meant that the entire Federation would reject Tang Sect, treating it as if it were an evil organization like the Holy Spirit Cult. From now on, Tang Sect could only survive in the shadows and would never again be accepted in the light.
Upon receiving this news, Yun Ming collapsed into his chair. He knew that Tang Sect was finished.
Shrek Academy's greatest ally was finished.
Without hesitation, Yun Ming immediately convened a meeting of the Sea God Pavilion.
He hoped to find a way to save Tang Sect.
"They actually made such a decision!" During the meeting, Yun Ming's voice turned ice-cold. It had been a long time since he had felt such anger.
The head of Shrek Academy's inner court, Long Hai, had an equally grim expression. "Yes! Some people are determined to destroy us. I heard that there was intense debate in the Federation's parliament. The doves wanted to protect us, but the hawks, allied with the centrists, pushed this decision through. What's happening to Tang Sect today is what will happen to us tomorrow."
Yun Ming instinctively clenched his fists. "For tens of thousands of years, Tang Sect has made countless contributions to this continent, and now they're just erasing all of that?"
Yun Ming was furious. Though he was the Sea God Pavilion Master of Shrek Academy, he was also a disciple of Tang Sect.
He had even practiced Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Skill.
With Tang Sect in trouble, how could he not be concerned?
"Yes, it's all being erased!" Long Hai was also filled with rage, gritting his teeth.
He, too, was a disciple of Tang Sect.
"Pavilion Master, what do we do now? Tang Sect is leaderless right now, and they're extremely anxious," Red Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi asked.
"Pavilion Master, what do you think?" Yun Ming turned to Yali, bracing himself.
This kind of situation was best handled by Yali.
"I have nothing to do with Tang Sect. I have no ties to them whatsoever. Don't ask me about this," Yali said, turning her head away.
What now?
Now they wanted to ask her what to do?
Why didn't they ask for her opinion when they made those decisions in the first place?
Now that things had blown up, they wanted to dump the problem on her?
It wasn't going to be that easy.
"Pavilion Master, how could you say that? Tang Sect and Shrek Academy are deeply connected; we rely on each other. Now that Tang Sect is in trouble, as the Sea God Pavilion Master, how can you just stand by and do nothing?" Long Hai asked, unable to hold back his anger.
Hearing Long Hai's accusatory tone, even Yali became furious. She replied coldly, "I've already cleaned up enough of your messes. Stop trying to dump everything on me."
Seeing that Yali was genuinely angry, Yun Ming quickly tried to soothe her. "Alright, Yali, don't say that. Tang Sect is in trouble, and Shrek Academy absolutely cannot sit idly by. We really do need your help on this."
"I already said I won't get involved," Yali huffed coldly. "Tang Sect has already been officially declared guilty of treason. When they made those choices, they should have considered the consequences. If you ask me, they should surrender and cooperate with the Federation's investigation. Right now, the Federation hasn't moved against them because five of their main military legions are deployed overseas. The Federation is internally weak and can't afford to engage Tang Sect just yet. But once their forces return, Tang Sect will be doomed if they continue to resist."
Yali's words carried weight, despite her frustration. She might have claimed she wouldn't interfere, but she still took the time to analyze Tang Sect's current situation for them.
Aside from the Blood God Legion stationed in the Endless Mountains, the Sun-Moon Federation had eight major legions.
For this campaign against the Star Luo Empire, they had taken away their five strongest legions.
That left only three weaker legions.
For example, the Northern Legion's commander was only an ordinary Titled Douluo, not even a Hyper Douluo.
Their equipment was also far inferior to that of the other legions.
Compared to Tang Sect, they were no match at all.
After all, Tang Sect was an ancient sect that had been researching soul technology for years. Even the Sun-Moon Federation had no idea how much strength Tang Sect had accumulated in secret.
If the Federation moved against Tang Sect, Shrek Academy might also step in. That was why the Federation, in its current weakened state, dared not act rashly.
But once the Federation's main forces returned, they would undoubtedly take action against Tang Sect.
If Shrek Academy helped Tang Sect then, it too would be labeled as a traitorous organization.
Yali refused to let Shrek Academy get dragged down with Tang Sect.
Moreover, Zang Xin had disappeared.
Without his approval, even if she wanted to negotiate with the Federation on Tang Sect's behalf, she lacked the proper authority.
If she made any concessions to the Federation that harmed Tang Sect's interests, Tang Sect would only blame her for meddling.
This wasn't just a case of pleasing no one—it was a situation where everyone would blame her.
Yali was kind, but she wasn't a fool.
Yun Ming and the other elders spoke so easily, but none of them had to bear the burden.
So why should she?
With that, Yali stood up, dusted herself off, and left. She didn't want to stay any longer, fearing that if she did, she might give in out of softheartedness.
"Boss, how could she do this? Aren't you going to do something?" Long Hai fumed, glaring at Yun Ming.
They had never agreed with Yali being the Sea God Pavilion Master in the first place.
And now, her lack of responsibility only deepened their dissatisfaction.