Chapter 268: Preparing for Battle, Tang San Breaks Through to Title Douluo
Bibi Dong had left, and her presence had completely disappeared. Only then did Su Yun cautiously emerge from his hiding spot.
Thanks to his Blue Silver Domain and being in the territory of the Blue Silver Clan, which helped conceal his presence, he managed to avoid being dragged back by his teacher tonight.
"You, you…" Ah Yin pointed a finger at Su Yun's forehead with an amused smile on her face. "You know her temper. If you had waited a bit longer, she might have agreed to your request."
Su Yun grinned sheepishly. "I'm afraid she'll kill me with a slap."
"Aren't you afraid of me?" Ah Yin pretended to be angry.
Su Yun chuckled. "I know you, Sister Yin. You care about me the most and wouldn't bear to hit me."
Ah Yin laughed softly. "Hmph, you're a smooth talker."
"But… if I told a certain someone what you just said, do you think she'd break your legs?"
Seeing Ah Yin's innocent smile, Su Yun immediately pleaded for mercy.
"You'll stay with me for the next few days, but don't slack off on your training. I'll have Xiao Wang supervise you."
Su Yun nodded vigorously.
"Sister Yin, where will I sleep tonight?" Su Yun asked, blinking as he lay in Ah Yin's arms.
Ah Yin blushed slightly and grabbed Su Yun's ear with one hand.
"Ouch… Sister Yin, be gentle…"
Amid Su Yun's cries, Ah Yin threw him into the house and closed the door.
In the following days, Su Yun spent his days training in the forest and his nights "training" with Ah Yin.
After some time, Su Yun had finally caught up with Ah Yin's pace, avoiding the trembling legs he experienced the first time.
After staying with Ah Yin for a while, Su Yun returned to the Spirit Hall's base.
He also learned that the Spirit Empire was preparing to take action against the Heaven Dou Empire.
In the meeting room.
"Su Yun, share your thoughts on the next steps."
Bibi Dong's tone was casual, but Su Yun could detect a hint of coldness in her eyes. She must think I stayed with Ah Yin for too long. I need to find a way to make it up to my teacher soon.
Su Yun mentally prepared himself and then cleared his throat before speaking. "Compared to the Star Luo Empire, the most significant factor we cannot overlook with the Heaven Dou Empire is the presence of the Upper Three Sects within their territory."
"These three sects have a long history and deep foundations. Additionally, the Heaven Dou Empire has a million-strong army. If a full-scale war breaks out, the Spirit Empire would win, but the losses would be significant."
"My suggestion is to avoid starting a large-scale war lightly. If war begins, the common people will suffer, which will be a burden for our future reconstruction."
A Spirit Hall elder stood up and said, "The Holy Son's words are true, Your Majesty. The strategies proposed by the Holy Son have been implemented for years with remarkable results."
"Although the Heaven Dou Empire has taken some remedial measures, they are not very effective."
"Currently, many border cities of the Heaven Dou Empire yearn for the Spirit Empire."
"Even without deploying our army, we can easily take them over without any effort."
"We only need to gradually erode their territory, and we can take down Heaven Dou without losing a single soldier."
The elders and Title Douluo in the room nodded in agreement. After all, avoiding war and casualties was ideal.
"Although that may be true, you all know that Tang San of the Haotian Sect has inherited dual godhoods. We cannot let him live!"
Bibi Dong said, "If we can end this before he ascends to godhood, it would be for the best."
"But once Tang San becomes a god, this war will be inevitable!"
"We still need to deploy our soldiers."
Everyone nodded.
After finalizing the deployment plans and setting the expedition's timeline, Bibi Dong left the meeting room.
After chatting with the others for a bit, Su Yun quietly slipped into Bibi Dong's quarters.
Noticing Su Yun's presence, Bibi Dong, who was combing her hair at the dressing table, turned her head and coldly snorted. "What, have you forgotten the way to the Spirit Hall after staying away for so many days?"
She's jealous… Su Yun detected the jealousy in Bibi Dong's tone and quickly moved to her side, took the comb from her hand, and started combing her hair. "How could I, Teacher? Although my body was there, my heart was always here with you."
Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at Su Yun through the mirror. "You really know how to talk."
"But since you're helping me comb my hair, I'll let it slide this time. Next time…"
Before Bibi Dong could finish, Su Yun quickly swore, "There won't be a next time."
"That's more like it."
That night, Su Yun spent another warm night with Bibi Dong.
Due to her pregnancy, Su Yun naturally refrained from being intimate with Bibi Dong and Ah Yin in the traditional sense. Instead, he had to find other ways to release his passion.
As for why he didn't seek out Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing…
Girl or woman… which would you choose?
When the Spirit Hall's army began to march steadily towards the Heaven Dou Empire, the Heaven Dou Empire immediately responded.
In the Heaven Dou Royal Palace.
"Your Majesty, it seems the Spirit Empire intends to make a move against us," Ning Fengzhi said.
Emperor Xue Ye's expression darkened. "I know, the Spirit Empire's ambition to unify the continent will not be fulfilled as long as I am here."
"Marshal Ge Long."
"I am here!"
"Now, the million-strong army is under your command. I have also instructed the three sect masters to mobilize elite soul masters from their respective sects to follow your orders. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Marshal Ge Long cupped his fists and said with unwavering determination, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. As long as I have a breath left, I will not let the Spirit Empire's forces take a single step into our Heaven Dou Empire!"
Emperor Xue Ye nodded in satisfaction.
"Your Majesty, besides the Upper Three Sects, many soul master families within the empire also wish to offer their support to the Heaven Dou Empire," Ning Fengzhi added.
Within the Heaven Dou Empire, the Upper Three Sects are the largest soul master families.
The other soul master families, such as the Meng Family of Dragon Duke Meng Shu, are small but elite soul master families with powerful martial spirits and exceptional strength.
They are scattered throughout the empire like sparks, and once gathered together, they form a considerable force.
"Excellent, excellent. With the help of so many of our Heaven Dou Empire's citizens, how can the Spirit Empire not be defeated?"
"Where are they now?"
Ning Fengzhi replied, "Right outside the hall."
Emperor Xue Ye raised his hand. "Quickly, invite them in."
Led by the servants of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family, a group of individuals entered the hall.
At the forefront were Snake Lady Chao Tianxiang of the Meng Family and her granddaughter Meng Yiran, Nine Heart Begonia's heir Ye Lingling (accompanied by only one other person), and several other families.
"Snake Lady, in the past, to stabilize the empire, your Meng Family suffered. I feel ashamed to see you here today," Emperor Xue Ye said, somewhat embarrassed.
Back then, to appease the Spirit Hall and allow the Heaven Dou Empire to continue developing, they had to sacrifice a Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and punish the Meng Family, in exchange for Spirit Hall's tolerance.
After the Spirit Empire was established, the Heaven Dou royal family immediately returned Meng Yiran to the Meng Family and provided some compensation as an apology.
Snake Lady Chao Tianxiang shook her head. "It was my husband's and Haotian Douluo's carelessness that fell into the trap set by Spirit Hall's Su Yun. For this, I must apologize to the Haotian Sect."
"If my husband had not been so impatient and had dissuaded Haotian Douluo, perhaps our Heaven Dou Empire would have had two more Title Douluo today."
Everyone present knew Dragon Duke Meng Shu's talent, believing he could have reached the Title Douluo level in his lifetime.
Tang Xiao stood up and said, "Snake Lady, there's no need for apologies. The dead are gone, and we must look forward."
"Defeat the Spirit Empire and avenge my brother and your husband."
Elder Ye from the Nine Heart Begonia family nodded. "Indeed, the Spirit Empire's ambition to unify the continent is something we cannot tolerate."
The soul master families expressed their determination to defend the Heaven Dou Empire to the death!
At that moment, a figure suddenly flew in from the distance.
Everyone was shocked to see Tang San!
He had returned?!
Moreover, they noticed Tang San was flying back!
Could it be that he had become a Title Douluo?!
"Xiao San, you're back?!"
"Could it be that you..."
Seeing Tang San return, Tang Xiao and Ning Fengzhi immediately stepped forward to ask.
Tang San smiled and nodded. "Yes, I have broken through to Title Douluo!"
Gasp—
Everyone present inhaled sharply.
Title Douluo!
A Title Douluo at such a young age!
Although he was slower than Spirit Hall's Su Yun, Tang San also made history!
"Not only my Haotian Hammer, but my Blue Silver Grass also has a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring now!" As Tang San spoke, he released his two martial spirits.
The dazzling red hundred-thousand-year spirit rings appeared, and the terrifying aura made everyone present tremble with excitement!
Two martial spirits, each with a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!
What did this mean?!
Throughout history, how many people had achieved this?!
"Hahaha!!! Excellent, excellent, you are indeed the pillar of our Heaven Dou Empire!"
Emperor Xue Ye laughed heartily. "With you here, the Spirit Empire will surely be destroyed!"
Seeing Tang San's talent, Emperor Xue Ye's previous concerns about the Spirit Empire almost entirely vanished.
Every time Tang San returned from Sea God Island, it strengthened Emperor Xue Ye's confidence in him.
Although Tang San was injured by Su Yun each time, he did not become discouraged. Instead, he grew more courageous with each setback, a sight Emperor Xue Ye most wanted to see.
With Tang San in the Heaven Dou Empire's future, it would continue for thousands of generations.
Even if Tang San became a god, his descendants would surely support the Heaven Dou Empire!
Thinking of this, Emperor Xue Ye's eyes suddenly brightened, and he said, "Tang San, I want you to be my son Xue Beng's teacher and the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor. What do you think?"
Tang San knew Emperor Xue Ye was trying to win him over. He wanted to decline but then heard Emperor Xue Ye say, "Tang San, don't refuse. Remember the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in your hand?"
"That is the national treasure of our Heaven Dou Empire. Since you have it, I naturally want to confer a title upon you!"
A title!
Duke, marquis, count, viscount, baron. Although soul masters could have titles, they were usually low. In an empire like the Heaven Dou Empire, a low title was insignificant.
At least a marquis was considered to have some status.
Only those with great achievements could be conferred the title of duke!
At this point, Emperor Xue Ye suddenly spoke solemnly, looking at Tang San and saying loudly, "From today onwards, I confer upon you the title of Foreign King, Regent King Lan Hao! You may meet me without kneeling and have the power to execute treasonous ministers first and report later!"
"In the empire, second only to me!"
Boom!
Emperor Xue Ye directly conferred a kingship!
And it was a kingship named after Tang San's martial spirit!
Moreover, it was the title of Regent King!
What did this mean?
The three Upper Sect leaders instantly understood that Emperor Xue Ye was drawing Tang San into the royal family's future!
Second only to the emperor!
For any royal family, conferring such a title was almost impossible.
But Emperor Xue Ye was very bold!
He firmly believed Tang San would honor this agreement.
"Tang San, possessing the national treasure of the Heaven Dou Empire, and assuming the titles of Foreign King and Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, I believe you will be willing, right?" Emperor Xue Ye winked playfully at Tang San.
Tang San, being sharp-minded, immediately understood and no longer refused. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Hahaha, very well, Tang San, I also want to marry my daughter Xue Ke to your Tang family. What do you think?" Emperor Xue Ye spoke again.
Everyone could hear the subtlety in Emperor Xue Ye's words.
Usually, when a princess marries, it's termed "marriage."
But Emperor Xue Ye said, "marry to your Tang family."
This meant the Tang family's status was slightly higher than the royal family.
He was giving Tang San full respect.
Tang San had met Xue Ke, a pure princess similar to Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Marrying such a woman would require proper training.
Thinking of this, Tang San suddenly remembered how Ning Rongrong had refused to let him take her red pill that day, and he felt displeased.
Compared to the gentle Yu Tianheng from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, who was easy to handle, Ning Rongrong was quite annoying.
If not for her being from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, he wouldn't have married her.
Hmph! If she remains disobedient, once the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has been fully utilized, I'll divorce her.
Tang San thought about refusing Emperor Xue Ye's offer, as managing a real princess would be a headache.
He preferred someone like Yu Tianheng, who could understand him mentally and physically.
"Your Majesty, I am honored to accept the kingship, but as for..."
(End of the chapter)