Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
"Tang San, long time no see!"
Seeing his brother whom he hadn't met in years, Dai Mubai reached out to embrace him, heavily patting Tang San's back with his broad hands.
"If Sect Leader Yu Yuanzhen hadn't mentioned it, I probably wouldn't have recognized you."
Dai Mubai smiled.
After entering Star Luo Empire territory, Dai Mubai and others learned of Tang San's whereabouts.
Without even returning to Star Luo City, they rushed to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect immediately.
"Long time no see, Boss Dai."
Tang San's lips carried a smile as he affectionately squeezed Dai Mubai's shoulder.
"Boss Dai hasn't slacked off these years either - you've already reached Spirit Saint cultivation."
"You're not bad either. Now I can't even see through your cultivation level."
"Just some small techniques to conceal cultivation," Tang San smiled modestly, his deep gaze falling on Xiao Wu, who was standing beside Zhu Zhuqing with her head down and hands behind her back.
"Oh~" Ma Hongjun whistled nearby.
"Seems we're not suitable to be here."
"How about I suggest we tour the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?"
"No need," Tang San waved his hand, scanning everyone: "Time is tight. Catching up can wait until evening."
"Zhuqing, your father will arrive this afternoon, and the imperial edict will come with him."
"We should discuss how to pacify the Star Luo southern rebellion."
"Indeed," Dai Mubai rubbed his temples, speaking with some self-mockery: "My cousin sister really picked the right time."
"Is it your cousin causing trouble? Shouldn't there be room for mediation?" Ning Rongrong, who didn't understand the situation well, couldn't help asking.
Dai Mubai smiled bitterly.
"If there were room for mediation, that would be great."
"Sigh, this is the fault of the Star Luo royal family's special succession policy over hundreds of years."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong seemed to understand something and said no more.
Tang San stepped forward: "Everyone has been traveling all morning and should be hungry. I've prepared meals. How about we eat and talk?"
"Excellent," Oscar winked and laughed - his stomach had been growling for a while.
But he was tired of his spirit sausages.
So his stomach kept protesting.
Dai Mubai and others followed Yu Yuanzhen toward the hall.
Tang San deliberately slowed his pace, walking alongside Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, long time no see," Tang San showed a brilliant smile. Over the years, he often thought of Xiao Wu's lively face at night.
He hadn't expected that once-childish face to have become so graceful and elegant.
"Mm, Third... Brother."
Xiao Wu nervously fidgeted with her fingers, feeling somewhat uneasy.
After learning Tang San was at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Xiao Wu had fantasized countless times about their greeting scenario on the way here.
She thought she had become composed.
But when actually facing him, she still felt awkward.
More importantly, Tang San's appearance compared to five years ago, except for his sea-blue hair, was almost unchanged.
This unfamiliar appearance made Xiao Wu instinctively resist.
Five years... wasn't long, but definitely wasn't short either.
Past memories had become blurry impressions.
Xiao Wu couldn't even clearly recall Tang San's appearance from years ago.
At the same time, a young man's image appeared in Xiao Wu's mind.
That youth had a handsome face with a restrained yet vibrant temperament.
Though at first glance he seemed no different from ordinary people, he possessed a special quality that constantly reminded those around him that the youth was extraordinary.
"Why am I thinking of Ye Tian?"
Xiao Wu shook her head hard.
But the more she shook, the clearer that image became in her mind, impossible to dispel.
Just then, a touch interrupted Xiao Wu's thoughts.
Tang San's hand had somehow reached out, wanting to hold Xiao Wu's hand as they walked to the hall together.
However, Xiao Wu's reaction was like a startled rabbit, jumping far away.
This scene left Tang San's outstretched hand frozen in mid-air, his smile becoming stiff:
"Xiao Wu, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing... nothing."
Xiao Wu's eyes darted about as if trying to escape.
At this moment, Xiao Wu understood clearly.
Five years was truly a long time.
Long enough to change her heart.
Now she only felt brotherly affection for Tang San.
At the same time, her heart ached extremely.
Though she had severed ties with Ye Tian, why did Ye Tian still appear in her heart?
There was no longer any possibility between her and Ye Tian.
Though she understood this, Xiao Wu still couldn't complete the transition from siblings to lovers with Tang San for the moment.
Facing Xiao Wu's instinctive reaction, Tang San didn't overthink it.
He just thought that being separated too long had made their relationship distant.
After all, any emotion would fade under time's erosion.
The lost time had become history.
Tang San just wanted to slowly make up for it in the coming time.
He withdrew his half-extended hand behind his back, showing a warm smile again:
"Xiao Wu, let's go eat first."
"Okay, Third... Brother." Xiao Wu's smile was equally stiff, trying to ease the inner embarrassment.
...
In the hall.
Seated at the dining table were not only the Shrek Seven Devils but also Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, and Clear Sky Sect's acting sect leader Tang Wan.
Ning Fengzhi picked up a brightly colored shrimp, smiling lightly: "I never expected our three upper sects would complete a historic meeting in this way."
"Sect Leader Ning's willingness to mobilize full sect power to personally support the Star Luo Empire truly amazes this old man!" Yu Yuanzhen stroked his beard, taking a small sip of wine with a grin.
Ning Fengzhi smiled bitterly: "Sect Leader Yu, please don't mock me. Failing to achieve alliance between Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire was my mistake."
"Now I can only personally intervene to make amends, otherwise the entire Douluo Continent will fall under Spirit Hall's evil rule."
"Indeed!" Yu Yuanzhen's expression became grave, sighing: "Spirit Hall's offensive is fierce. I'm afraid the southern rebellion is also connected to Spirit Hall."
"No need to guess - it definitely is," Dai Mubai had no appetite for the table full of delicacies, explaining absent-mindedly: "Six months ago, I encountered Dai Ya at Elephant Armor Sect, along with Spirit Hall elders and Ye Tian."
"Hm? How was Ye Tian also there?" Yu Yuanzhen asked curiously.
Ning Rongrong across from him speculated: "At that time, Ye Tian was still a merchant. How could he miss such a big client like Spirit Hall?"
"Makes sense," Yu Yuanzhen suddenly understood. Ye Tian had previously traded with him, Ning Fengzhi, and the Star Luo Empire.
As a merchant, profit was the essence. It was impossible to pass up the giant that was Spirit Hall.
Yu Yuanzhen didn't think much of it. In recent months, though Ye Tian had gained some fame on the continent, compared to the war between Spirit Hall and Star Luo Empire, Ye Tian as a person wasn't worthy of being brought to the table for discussion.
"Let's not mention Ye Tian. We should analyze the southern rebellion situation."
Yu Yuanzhen tapped the table:
"Yesterday's imperial envoy announced that His Majesty the Star Luo Emperor wants to recruit fifty thousand elite troops from various major sects."
"I think this number is far from enough. Why not recruit a hundred thousand troops? The difference can be made up by my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, and I'll cover the military expenses too!"
Now that chaotic times had begun, money sitting in warehouses would just continue to rot.
Better to take it out and convert it to military power while the Star Luo Empire was delegating authority.
This way, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect could also gain some self-protection capability.
(End of Chapter)