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Clear Sky School
The razor sharp, freezing mountain winds sliced across the hilltops. Tang San had to use his own body to shield Xiao Wu from these freezing winds. In front of him was the leader of the Clear Sky School, Howling Sky Doulou Tang Xiao, who stood with his hands behind him as he gazed at the mountains.
Gently holding Xiao Wu, Tang San said with his heartfelt feelings: “Uncle, thank you.”
When he came to the Clear Sky School, things initially did not go so well: after the Clear Sky School went into seclusion they did not allow any outsiders to enter, so Tang San was not allowed to bring Xiao Wu and Lou Gao in until Tang Xiao managed convince the others to allow them in.
Tang Xiao looked at Tang San, and without holding back any of his acknowledgment said: “No, rather than saying that I helped you, you helped yourself. After leaving for such a short period of time you already managed to breakthrough and even fulfil one of the three conditions set by the elders by managing to get a hundred thousand year old spirit ring while still only a Spirit Emperor. Did you forget the looks the five elders had on their faces when they saw that red Spirit Ring?”
As he recalled the five elder’s dumbfounded look, Tang Xiao couldn’t help but let out a faint smile.
However, Tang San could not bring himself to do so: seeing Xiao Wu in his embrace, he could only feel his heart ache. Although he knew that Xiao Wu’s soul hidden in the Spirit Ring could reunite with her body for a short while everyday, Tang San was still unwilling to let Xiao Wu out so frivolously. Xiao Wu afterall gave up her life to save his, now that there was a chance for her revival, how could he take that risk?
“Uncle, Senior Lou Gao has come to trouble you, because only together with your Clear Sky Hammer can he complete his forging. Only after these few hidden weapons are complete can we have the capability to contend against Spirit Hall.”
Tang Xiao nodded his head saying: “I got it. Don’t tell the other school members anything regarding your Tang Sect to avoid misunderstandings. In the first place it was the Clear Sky School that let down the four Single Attribute Clans. In the future, when your sect prospers, it can also be considered a form of compensation for them.”
Tang San said: “Uncle, not long ago the Sword Douluo mentioned that Spirit Hall has a person who reached the ninety ninth rank, but he did not go much into the details; do you know more about this?”
Hearing Tang San’s words, Tang Xiao’s body shook slightly as his eyes let out an indeterminate light. Tang San could clearly see that Tang Xiao had unwittingly tightly clenched his fists.
“How could I not know? If not for him, do you think that our Clear Sky School would fear Spirit Hall? If not for him, who would dare say that they have the capability to defeat our Clear Sky School?”
Saying up till here, Tang Xiao’s breathing became very heavy, and didn’t calm for a long time.
“You should already know this. Since the Sword Douluo spoke of his existence, he must also have told you about the gaps between the Title Douluo. Our Clear Sky School also once had a Title Doulou of rank ninety nine: he and the grand priest from Spirit Hall were once known as the two peaks of the Spirit Master world, an insurmountable mountain for others.
He was my Grandfather, which means that he was your Great-Grandfather, Tang Chen[2]. At that time he was the Clear Sky Douluo. We were the strongest clan under the sun. While, at that time, the grand priest of Spirit Hall was the Judgement Elder and also Spirit Hall’s number one executioner, Qian Daoliu[3]. They repeatedly pitted their strength against each other and were about even with each other. Qian Daoliu’s spirit that time was the same as the Qian Renxue you mentioned, the Seraphim.”
“Then great-grandfather?” Tang San hesitatingly asked.
Tang Xiao bitterly smiled: “No idea. In terms of strength your great grandfather was a notch above Qian Daoliu, although the difference was slight. But in terms of spirit quality, the Seraphim spirit is definitely better than our Clear Sky Hammer, which is what allowed Qian Daoliu to contend against your great-grandfather even though he always had the lead in cultivation. However, about fifty years ago, your great-grandfather and Qian Daoliu had both already retired from view. As the older generations passed on, the amount of spirit masters who knew them gradually became lesser and lesser. Twenty years ago when your grandfather decided to seclude the clan, it was not because our Clear Sky School was afraid of Spirit Hall: it was just because your great-grandfather no longer was here. If not, even if there were even more strong people on the Spirit Hall side, we could still turn the tide. Even Qian Daoliu was never willing to lightly go to war with our Clear Sky School.”
“Great-grandfather left to someplace far? Whe did he go?”
Tang Xiao shook his head saying: “I don’t know, no one does. Before your great-grandfather left, he had a two hour discussion with your grandfather before disappearing like the wind. On your grandfather’s deathbed he had told me that your great grandfather had left to pursue the next level. Which would imply that he got even further than Qian Daoliu.”
Tang San heart shook, “Did he become a rank hundred god?”
Tang Xiao nodded his head, “No one knows what it is like after reaching the hundredth rank. He has already been gone for thirty years: other people may not know this, but if Spirit Hall were to attack us without him around, even our so-called Number one school will not have the ability to do anything against them. Which is why your grandfather decided to bring the clan into seclusion. We have waited for thirty years, yet your great-grandfather still has not returned, which means two possible things, either he managed to break through the hundredth rank and step into the next realm, or he failed when trying to break through the hundredth rank…”
Although Tang Xiao did not say it, Tang San understood what it meant to fail breaking through.
“Then is that Qian Daoliu still at Spirit Hall?” Tang San enquired.
Tang Xiao said with certainty: “Definitely. Did you know, when your great-grandfather left, he looked barely thirty years old, after reaching the ninety-ninth rank you could live normally for at least two hundred years. Your great-grandfather also previously mentioned that Qian Daoliu was a huge coward: even though he had a good spirit, he never dared risk his life to charge ahead. So so long as he lives, he will continue to remain within Spirit Hall; although he may no longer bother himself with Spirit Hall affairs, he is still there. What’s more, your father killed the previous Supreme Pontiff who was Qian Daoliu’s only son. For most normal matters he would probably not care, but when his only child was killed, how could he just sit around and wait?”
The Puzzled Tang San asked: “Then what is the meaning of going into seclusion? How does this stop Qian Daoliu from coming and taking his revenge?”
Tang Xiao said with a sigh: “This is what your great-grandfather left behind. The mountain we currently reside on is the place where Qian Daoliu had his last battle with your great-grandfather. When he lost, he promised your great-grandfather that from then on he and Spirit Hall would never set foot on this mountain again, unless the day comes where he could best your great-grandfather. This is the true meaning behind the Clear Sky School’s seclusion; if not, even if we went into hiding somewhere, Spirit Hall would have came to our doorsteps long ago.”
Tang San understood that if Tang Xiao was willing to tell him this, it meant that he had obtained the school’s acknowledgement after he came back and even managed to show that hundred thousand year old spirit ring in front of the elders.
“Uncle, it may be presumptuous of me to ask, but what rank spirit master are you now?”
Tang Xiao gently smiled and replied. “I am currently trying breaking through the ninety-seventh rank bottleneck. I don’t know if in my lifetime I would be able to reach grandfather’s strength. Actually, your father had the most hope of doing so, only he…” saying up till here, the luster in his eyes inadvertently dulled. For Tang Hao to have lost two limbs and given up two of
his spirit bones, it meant he could no longer even dream to ever breakthrough that pinnacle.
Tang San’s eyes wavered, “After I go back, I will first visit mom and dad. Then I will be leaving for a period of time. Along with my companions we will go somewhere tough to train ourselves, and it is unlikely that we will make it back in the next few years.”
Tang Xiao was surprised, “You are going somewhere to train? The north?”
Tang San shook his head; after all there was nothing much that he needed to hide from Tang Xiao, “I am not sure if you heard of it, but it is some place called Sea God Island.”
“What?” Tang Xiao shouted from shock. “You are going to Sea God Island?”
Tang San looked at Tang Xiao astonishingly, “Uncle, you know that place?”
Tang Xiao bitterly smiled: “How could I possibly not know, your father and I once went there on your great-grandfather’s orders to deliver a letter to the head of Sea God Island, the Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi[4]. Tang San that is no place to go playing around!”
Having heard that Tang Xiao had once been there, Tang San felt exhilarated. After all, Grandmaster’s strength at that time was rather low; since his father and uncle had been there before, the things they saw there would definitely be different from the people from Spirit Hall.
“Uncle, why don’t you tell me more about the island?”
Tang Xiao seriously spoke: “Sea God Island. Even when your great-grandfather was present he would have to be careful because of the Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi. Bo Saixi’s strength was at the same level as your great-grandfather and Qian Daoliu: it is just because she has never once stepped out from the island that her name is not as well known. Back in the days when we still had a harmonious relationship with Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu accompanied your great-grandfather to explore Sea God Island. There, they ran into Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi, who they fought for three days and three nights, causing landslides and tsunamis. And do you know the final result?”
Tang San, seeing the serious expression on Tang Xiao’s face, said speechless: “Don’t tell me great grandfather and Qian Daoliu lost.”
Tang Xiao forcefully nodded his head, “That’s right, both your great-grandfather and Qian Daoliu lost. Of course given their identities, they did not fight Bo Saixi together nor did they fight in tandem. But within three days, the two of them both fought Bo Saixi, and lost one sidedly at that.”
The surprised Tang San asked: “Didn’t you say that great-grandfather and Qian Daoliu were on the same level as Bo Saixi?”
Tang Xiao said with a sigh, “That place was Sea God island which was also the Sea God Douluo’s territory. When your great-grandfather sent your father and me to Sea God Island, he said that the Sea God Douluo’s strength was not a match for him, and was even slightly lower than Qian Daoliu. But within Sea God Island, as long as it was not a rank hundred power, no one would be able to defeat her. Because she was able to control the ocean with her power and rely on the strength of heavens and earth, your great-grandfather was no match for her”.
Tang San took a deep breath to conceal his surprise; Spirit Masters were after all still human, yet to be able to move even the oceans, what horrifying power she must have.
Tang San had never seen the ocean before, but he could imagine the blue expanse stretching where he could see no end. With his current strength, forget the ocean, he could not even bend a small body of water to his will. Power, this was indeed true power.
Tang Xiao, seeing the shock in Tang San’s eyes, continued: “The Sea God Island is actually a very beautiful place. There are several thousand Spirit Masters living there under the Sea God Douluo who refer to themselves as the Children of the Sea, while the Sea God Douluo is the messenger of the oceans and her spirit is the Sea God itself. Otherwise, even if Bo Saixi broke through the hundredth rank, she would not be able to control the oceans! Your great-grandfather and Qian Daoliu both said that in the waters she was invincible.”
“The time when your father and I went to deliver letters we were still young and headstrong and had some conflict with the residents there. At the start we were still quite successful and you could say invincible. But then we ran into some setbacks; under Bo Saixi were five lords who were all of the Title Douluo level. At that time, only one of them came and with only using six spirit rings managed to capture us alive. These ocean spirit masters abilities were too different from ours and could generally borrow the powers of the ocean to attack. Luckily we were there as messengers. After Bo Saixi saw the letter from your great-grandfather she asked a few questions about his wellbeing and let us go.”
Tang San said: “Grandmaster said that once we reach Sea God Island, we will be put through a test, and once we pass the test we can become a part of Sea God Island. We just cannot leave, is that right?”
Tang Xiao said surprisedly: “Are you planning to take that test?”
Tang San nodded his head: “Since we are planning to stay on Sea God Island, we naturally have to take the test. I reckon that breaking out of the island and escape back will be the results of our training. As long as we are able to come back, it would show that we had a great boost to our strength. Under the pressure of Sea God Island, our training speed will be much faster, plus the experience of fighting these ocean spirit masters will be good.”
* * *
[1] Yang Wushuang - (杨无双) “Poplar Matchless”
[2] Tang Chen - (唐晨) “Tang Dawn”
[3] Chen Daoliu - (千道流) “Thousand Path Stream”
[4] Bo Saixi - (波赛西) “Wave Surpassing West”
Chapter 199: Tang San And Xiao Wu’s Happiness, Engagement
Tang Xiao looked deeply at Tang San for a long time, then slowly said:
“Good, good, good, you youngsters really have your own ways. This is something me and your father never thought of back then. You’re right, if you really can return from Sea God Island, you will have truly aroused your potential. Go, I’ll support you.”
Tang San cautiously said:
“Uncle, what do we need to pay attention to at Sea God Island?”
Tang Xiao lowered his voice:
“Only one thing, don’t kill people at Sea God Island. In fact, the Sea Spirit Masters for the most part have a gentle temperament, even if they reject outsiders, it’s only to the point of driving them out. They won’t kill. But if you kill someone there first, that’s a different situation. The reprisal of the Sea Spirit Masters isn’t something you’re able to endure. Apart from this, be careful with sea spirit beasts. Even though sea spirit beasts are also predisposed towards moderation, there’s absolutely no shortage of vicious ones. Moreover, because it’s very difficult to estimate their level, you have to be prudent. Little San, follow me. Since the elders have already formally recognized your identity, it should also be time to impart some sect secret skills to you. This set of created spirit abilities is something begun by your great grandfather. Even if your Clear Sky Hammer still doesn’t have any spirit rings, with this you’ll still have another ability for protecting yourself.”
Ten days later. Sunset Forest.
Xiao Wu calmly leaned within Tang San’s embrace, letting the scenery fly past like lightning. She was unexpectedly sleeping very soundly, both hands holding onto Tang San’s neck, her charming face stuck close to his chest. She seemed completely carried by Tang San, one of his hands supporting her shoulders, the other under her slender jade legs, her neatly combed scorpion braid wrapped around Xiao Wu herself.
The Eight Spider Lances spurred Tang San swiftly through this dense forest. Tang San’s memories of the surroundings here were really too profound. He could clearly make out the direction he was heading in without even using his eyes.
Having arrived in a place as full of Blue Silver Grass as this forest, Tang San was like a bird in the sky, a fish in the sea. If the great ocean could be called the paradise of Sea Spirit Masters, then the forest was absolutely Tang San’s domain. If he encountered Qian Renxue within
the forest, Tang San was absolutely sure he could defeat her. Because this was his world.
Relying on the mental connection between the Blue Silver Domain and the surrounding Blue Silver Grass, Tang San could clearly differentiate the formidable spirit beasts around him, and could easily move past them, advancing smoothly, basically without encountering any trouble. Even if he did encounter some spirit beast on the road, Tang San relied on the effect of the Blue Silver Domain to make his aura identical to Blue Silver Grass, wrapping himself up in it without drawing the attention of any of those spirit beasts.
One leap of Eight Spider Lances would bring the two at least ten meters away. Tang San bowed his head to look at Xiao Wu in his arms, and he couldn’t keep from revealing a faint smile,
“Silly girl, we’re going to see your parents in law. You might be the least nervous person in the world to face their in laws for the first time.”
His smile was filled with pampering love, his heart long since swollen full of tenderness. Even though he hadn’t left for long, Tang San increasingly missed his parents. He had already planned it out, once Spirit Hall was destroyed in the future, and he’d taken revenge for his parents and Xiao Wu, he’d bring Xiao Wu to settle down here, and accompany his parents.
Under the effect of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the time for his mother’s recovery would be substantially reduced, but even so, whether his father could see her alive in his lifetime was unknown. But no matter what, he would accompany his father to wait. He believed his mother would definitely come back to life one day. At that time, finally, their family could truly reunite.
Eventually, that mountain came into view, and Tang San accelerated like an arrow returning home. The Eight Spider Lances abruptly bent, and when they shot out they he was pushed several dozen meters in the air. The Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone Flying ability launched, and the moment the momentum from the Eight Spider Lances leap vanished, the flying ability began, bringing him shooting towards the peak like an arrow. Protected by Tang San’s Blue Silver Domain, whether the poison Dugu Bo once arranged or the atmosphere of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, neither could harm Xiao Wu.
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 349