Chapter 472: Reuniting with Tang San, I Came Too Late
High above Tian Dou City, a sharp sound split the air as something rushed through the sky, creating a powerful wind pressure that made windows rattle. Inside the city, the frightened citizens scrambled back to their homes, thinking the Wuhun Empire's army had arrived. As the noise gradually faded, a few brave souls cautiously looked up to the sky. The sky was clear and blue, without a sign of danger—until the next moment when they gasped.
Countless, vibrantly-colored spirit abilities filled the sky, thundering as they raced in pursuit of the figure that had caused the sonic boom.
"What's going on? Is the Wuhun Empire attacking?" one person cried out in terror.
"Are you an idiot?" someone snapped. "The Wuhun Empire is still being held back at Zhen Nan Pass by our imperial army. How could they possibly be outside Tian Dou?"
"This is Tian Dou City's airspace defense system!" a middle-aged man with some knowledge of the matter watched the swarm of spirit abilities and gasped, "What could have happened to trigger it?"
Tian Dou City, the capital of the Tian Dou Empire, was strictly off-limits for unauthorized flying. Anyone daring to challenge this rule would face the wrath of the Empire and be swiftly dealt with by the powerful forces of Tian Dou. Only those Title Douluo with close ties to the Empire could obtain permission to fly within the city; even the strongest figures of the Xing Luo Empire or the Wuhun Hall lacked such privilege.
Of course, if a Title Douluo-level powerhouse violated this rule, there wasn't much the Empire could do; after all, the highest level among its own forces was Spirit Douluo. However, breaking this law would be seen as a slap in the Empire's face, and even a Title Douluo would face serious consequences if they angered the Empire.
The crowd watched, stunned, as the figure sped off into the distance.
Some noble spirit masters wore somber, uneasy expressions.
As countless spirit abilities chased after the sonic boom, it was clear that the intruder was beyond their control. This mysterious and undoubtedly powerful Title Douluo was defying the ban and entering Tian Dou City with obvious ill intent.
In the current turbulent state of the Tian Dou Empire, they couldn't afford more disruption.
In the sky, Dai Yao flew swiftly in the direction Feng Xiaotian had pointed, leaving several enemies behind with a quick wave, repelling the spirit abilities aimed at him and barely paying attention as he continued forward.
Among the abilities launched at him, only a few posed any real threat. Despite the power loss he'd suffered from reviving Xiao Wu and sacrificing some spirit rings, Dai Yao's strength was still leagues beyond these Spirit Douluo opponents.
Looking ahead, he could see Shrek Academy in the distance, just several miles away. At full speed, he estimated it would take him six or seven seconds to reach.
"So, Shrek Academy, huh? Hmph. Tang San has been clever in positioning the four elemental academies around Shrek. No doubt he's plotting to absorb them," Dai Yao thought with a cold smile.
"But that's none of my business. If something has happened to Bing'er or the others, then Tang San, you and your sect have no reason to exist."
A fierce glint flashed in his golden eyes.
Just then, his spiritual perception picked up a cluster of powerful auras nearby.
A group of about twenty people was surrounded. Among them, three emitted particularly strong auras, about at Spirit Douluo level, though they seemed somewhat worn out, as if they'd been through a fierce battle. The surrounding group, on the other hand, not only outnumbered them but also had significantly stronger auras.
One of them even reached the level of Title Douluo.
Interestingly, the Title Douluo stood slightly behind another individual, suggesting that this person held a higher status, though their aura was far weaker than that of the Title Douluo.
In the entire Tian Dou Empire, only one person held a position like that.
"Could it be Tang San?" Dai Yao paused, and then a faint smile appeared on his face.
Though he had lost some spirit rings, this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up, and he wasn't about to let Tang San slip away. Armed with the Golden Trident, he was confident enough to try his luck.
In front of Shrek Academy.
Standing in front of thousands of imperial guards, Tang San raised his hand slightly, signaling the Fifth Elder to hold back.
Looking at the powerful figures of the three elemental academies surrounded by his forces, he wore a friendly smile and said, "Masters Huo Rong, Ruo Shui, and Yi Feng, at this point, will you not surrender?"
Huo Rong, Ruo Shui, and Yi Feng were the heads of the fire, water, and wind academies, respectively, each a top-level Spirit Douluo. Not only were they immensely powerful, but they were also widely respected throughout the Tian Dou Empire. Tang San had hoped to avoid violence if possible.
Huo Rong, a burly man with a thick beard, glared at Tang San and shouted, "Tang, stop pretending to be cordial! Your treacherous ambitions have been clear to every loyal servant of the Tian Dou Empire. We will never bow to a traitor like you!"
Ruo Shui, a graceful woman at his side, interjected, "Tang San, if you restore power to Empress Xue Ke, your clan could regain the people's trust, and together we could resist the Wuhun Empire. But if you persist in this course, even if you capture us, more patriots will rise up. Then, your Hao Tian Clan will perish at the hands of the Wuhun Empire."
"And with it, you'll drag the Tian Dou Empire into darkness."
"Nonsense!" The Fifth Elder stepped forward, furious, and his nine spirit rings glowed with fierce energy as he prepared to strike the defiant masters.
Tang San once again motioned for him to stop and stared coldly at Huo Rong and the others.
He knew Huo Rong's words weren't entirely false. He had intentionally sidelined Empress Xue Ke to assume control of the empire's power and use it to fight the Wuhun Hall.
It had been an unavoidable choice. Without control over the Tian Dou Empire, the Hao Tian Clan would face Wuhun Hall alone—a futile battle that would mean their destruction.
Through his marriage alliance with Xue Ke, Tang San had secured power over Tian Dou. However, his preoccupation with the rapidly shifting war had led him to neglect Xue Ke, stirring up waves of resistance from royal loyalists, spurred on by opposing factions with hidden support from Wuhun Hall.
Political tensions within the court were escalating, becoming a challenge even for him as Regent.
Tang San was well aware that Wuhun Hall was influencing these opposing factions from behind the scenes. As for the elemental academies, loyal to the royal family, they were simply pawns for the opposition to use.
He had repeatedly tried to placate these loyalists, but every attempt had backfired. Without becoming Xue Ke's legitimate husband, the royal loyalists would never fully accept him.
He had assumed that, faced with the Wuhun Empire's threat, the loyalists would choose the practical path of uniting first to defeat the common enemy. But the sudden betrayal of the elemental academies had left him with no choice but to take swift action to suppress the rebellion.
Taking a steady breath, he reopened his eyes, now devoid of their former gentleness, filled instead with a piercing coldness.
"Honored masters, I have respected your seniority, which is why I've shown restraint. However, if you insist on defying me, do not expect mercy from me."
"Hmph, let's see how exactly you plan to be merciless!" Huo Rong sneered defiantly.
Despite facing a Title Douluo here, he and the others did not show much fear. Many of Tian Dou Empire's most brilliant talents had graduated from the Elemental Academy, later occupying critical roles in the empire. If something happened to them, the empire itself would likely be paralyzed for a while. Tang San wouldn't dare make such a move!
Confronted by their threats, Tang San didn't show anger; instead, a faint smile appeared on his face as he said, "Elder, do you really think I'm unaware of your true plans? Your academy's young disciples are already surrounded at the city gate. With so many of your young talents in my hands, don't you think it's worth reconsidering?"
It was precisely out of respect for the Elemental Academy's reputation that Tang San was reluctant to strike them directly. Yet, just the thought of the potential rebellion from soul masters connected to the three elemental academies if he eliminated them all gave him a headache.
"What!" Huo Rong and the others gasped, their expressions changing drastically.
"How did you know about our plan?!" Yi Feng quickly deduced the situation, angrily exclaiming, "Well done, Lan Hao King. I'd heard of your reputation for intelligence, and now, we 'old ones' have experienced it firsthand. So Thunder Academy was your pawn all along. All our plans have been under your watchful eye."
Tang San's smile faded slowly. If he truly knew everything about the Elemental Academy, he wouldn't be facing this predicament. Clearly, the Wuhun Hall was secretly interfering with the sudden actions of the three elemental academies.
Feigning innocence, he replied calmly, "Elder Yi Feng, I'm not sure what you're referring to."
Tang San's icy gaze shifted past Huo Rong and Yi Feng to the figure standing just behind them.
She had long, ice-blue hair cascading to her shoulders, with blue eyes and violet lips. Dressed in a figure-hugging ice-blue gown that accentuated her graceful and slender figure, her exposed, snow-white legs created a striking visual contrast, one wrapped in white silk, the other bare.
It was Shui Bing'er.
"Elders, Shui Bing'er's talent is undeniable; she has the potential to become a Title Douluo, one of the continent's strongest. It would be a pity for her life to end here. Not only Shui Bing'er but also Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian—their lives all depend on your decision."
Tang San's voice grew cold as he continued, "I won't give you much time. Make your choice."
Hearing this, everyone's eyes twitched. If Tang San wasn't bluffing, it meant their young disciples were indeed in his grasp.
They themselves could die without regret, but if their young disciples were killed, it would sever the future of the Elemental Academy, dooming it to decline or even extinction once the elders passed away.
This was their greatest weakness.
"Despicable!" Ruo Shui glared at Shui Bing'er with a look of hesitation, reluctantly spitting out her words.
Had Shui Bing'er not stubbornly refused to reveal the identity of the man who had taken her innocence, she wouldn't have been left behind here. Ruo Shui regretted her choice, thinking that if she hadn't left Shui Bing'er here, they might have escaped.
But with a Title Douluo watching them, leaving was impossible.
Shui Bing'er clenched her fists, her slender frame trembling as she stared at Tang San with icy eyes, her heart sinking deeper and deeper. She knew the Elemental Academy lacked the strength to break through the Tian Dou soldiers' encirclement. Now, they faced either surrender or death.
Dai Yao had repeatedly tried to persuade her to leave Tian Dou City, but she had refused every time. She did not regret staying behind. Leaving her parents, her teachers, to survive alone was something she simply couldn't do.
At Ruo Shui's words, the Fifth Elder's spirit energy surged openly, his Title Douluo aura pressing down on everyone like a tidal wave, forcing Huo Rong and Yi Feng to exchange a trembling glance. These young disciples were the foundation of the Elemental Academy. They could die, but the disciples could not. Feng Xiaotian, Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu—these were the promising young souls who could one day reach the heights of Title Douluo and lead the Elemental Academy to its peak.
They could not let them die here.
Huo Rong gritted his teeth, his beard trembling. After a moment, he took a long, deep breath, and, with resignation, began, "We… surre—"
Before the final word could leave his mouth, every strong fighter present looked up simultaneously.
"Who's there?"
Tang San's eyes narrowed; he could feel a formidable aura rapidly approaching.
Huo Rong and the others looked puzzled. The strength of the approaching presence was enough to suppress even the Fifth Elder. Who could it be, and what were their intentions? Judging by the sheer intensity of their energy, they certainly didn't seem to be a friendly visitor.
"How dare you!" the Fifth Elder roared.
To fly so brazenly through Tian Dou City was an affront to the Hao Tian Clan's authority.
As his spirit rings flashed, the Fifth Elder's Hao Tian Hammer grew enormous, the size of a small mountain, and, with fierce momentum, he swung it towards the oncoming figure.
Everyone expected the intruder to dodge. After all, even most Title Douluo would avoid a direct clash with a Hao Tian Hammer spirit master.
But in the next instant, their eyes widened in shock.
A thousand meters away, a brilliant golden light sliced through the sky, colliding head-on with the massive Hao Tian Hammer.
Boom—
A deafening crash resounded, sending the Hao Tian Hammer flying backward and crashing to the ground, raising a thick cloud of dust. The Fifth Elder, knocked back by the force, stood on the hammer, eyes filled with astonishment.
That golden light, spinning backward, revealed itself—a trident.
"What kind of trident is this, to knock back the Hao Tian Hammer head-on?" Tang San thought, his heart racing with shock.
For some reason, seeing the trident left him with a strange, hollow feeling as if something were missing inside him.
The next moment, a hand grasped the trident's handle, and a figure suddenly halted before them all.
The person wore a wide-brimmed hat and a long robe that fluttered in the powerful wind, entirely cloaking them in shadow. The figure gripped the edge of the hat to prevent the wind from blowing it away, keeping their appearance hidden.
As the wind slowly subsided, the figure lifted the hat, revealing golden hair. Looking toward Shui Bing'er, he spoke softly, his voice filled with apology:
"Sorry, I'm late."
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