Chapter 501: Searching for Tang Yuehua (Part One)

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In the blink of an eye, a day passed quietly. Among the participating teams, a few had already given up midway—some injured, others exhausted, or simply realizing the gap between themselves and the other teams, losing the courage to compete. The remaining teams had now reached the shoreline.

For these teams, the next challenge was to cross the sea to reach the actual competition site.

Some teams plunged directly into the ocean, ready to swim across.

Others took out boats from their storage soul devices.

Some even paid the local fishermen, who were eagerly awaiting them, to ferry them across to the competition island.

"Is this fair?"

In the distant Spirit City, spectators had once again gathered in the Grand Spirit Arena to watch the match. A few began questioning the fairness of the rules, prompting Bibi Dong herself to offer an explanation: "Fairness is relative; we only strive to ensure the fairness of the rules."

She continued, "The Sun and Moon Empire's invasion made us realize the importance of soul devices. When they invade again, can we simply say to them, 'Put down your soul weapons and let's have a fair spirit battle'?"

"Obviously, we cannot."

"That's why, as per the rules, before the official competition begins, the teams are free to use any resources available to them while traveling to the competition grounds."

"As long as their actions comply with the common laws and moral standards of Douluo Continent."

"For the weaker teams, utilizing tools along the way showcases their quick thinking and demonstrates abilities outside of combat. Those who impress the emperors, elders, and other esteemed figures present may be recruited as exceptional talents by the major empires, even if they don't make it past the preliminary rounds. This offers them wealth, status, and honor!"

Her words were stirring, enhancing the admiration that civilian spirit masters beyond the competition's age limit felt for both the Spirit Hall and the Supreme Pontiff.

Even though they were too old to compete, as spirit masters, their descendants had a greater likelihood of becoming spirit masters themselves… This rule was a chance for them and their offspring!

Furthermore, from the perspective of civilian spirit masters, it was fairer for them to use tools, weapons, and soul devices. Only then could they hope to match the naturally strong spirits of the elite spirit masters.

People naturally tend to favor choices that benefit them.

Civilian spirit masters, who far outnumber the members of noble families, were now inclined to support the rule permitting tools for travel.

"Bibi Dong certainly knows how to win hearts," the Seventh Elder muttered with a cold scoff, casting his gaze away from her. Her dignified aura seemed to carry an inexplicable pressure; staring for too long stirred a faint sense of dread.

It wasn't just her overwhelming strength—she was approaching the hundredth rank, had condensed her own Golden Core of vitality, heart core of spirit power, and spiritual essence, forming a microcosm within her own body. Recently, she had even solidified her primordial spirit, undergoing the most profound transformation of her life force.

With these advancements, Bibi Dong could sense even the slightest hint of hostility and instinctively exert primordial-level pressure in response.

The power of the primordial spirit dominates the soul effortlessly.

Moreover, her two spirit souls—Death Spider Emperor and Soul-Eating Spider Emperor—embody the God of Death and Rakshasa God inheritances, both exerting absolute control over souls.

As a result, Bibi Dong's primordial spirit naturally bears the passive traits of "Soul Shatter" and "Mind Crush."

If the Seventh Elder's malicious gaze held any spiritual power, Bibi Dong's primordial spirit would instinctively counter, potentially scattering his spirit and shattering his soul.

"Indeed, Spirit Hall's actions are clearly aimed at winning over the civilian spirit masters across the continent," Tang Xiao remarked, his tone a touch approving. Although he was more level-headed than Tang Hao, his beliefs remained deeply rooted in the overwhelming strength of the Haotian Hammer. "Let's go; we should gather information about Yuehua outside the arena. The Haotian disciples should be able to enter the preliminary rounds…"

As Tang Xiao and the Seventh Elder departed, their actions didn't go unnoticed. Ning Fengzhi, Yu Tianheng, Bibi Dong, and others from the lower four sects each dispatched people to tail them discreetly.

Naturally, Tang Xiao was aware of these followers but chose to ignore them, knowing that causing a scene in Spirit City would not be wise.

"Those little hounds just won't leave us alone," the Seventh Elder muttered, visibly irritated by the stalkers. Yet, due to Tang Xiao's order, he held back. He then brought up something else he'd observed: "By the way, did you notice? Tang San and the girls around him didn't appear today. Who knows where they've gone… Could it be they're carrying out some secret task for Spirit Hall?"

Tang Xiao, already in a grim mood, darkened further, his expression sinking.

Seeing this, the Seventh Elder dropped the subject, shifting instead to another matter. "It seems that Tang Luoya has joined a sect called the Transcenders' Alliance within the New Tian Dou Federation. Strange name, but apparently, its members are all uniquely gifted, and it's where they source the Fire Ganoderma."

Mention of the Transcenders' Alliance seemed to improve Tang Xiao's mood. "If Tang Luoya has found like-minded companions, that's a positive development. Perhaps, one day, the Transcenders' Alliance could even become an affiliate of our sect."

But at the mention of affiliates, the Seventh Elder's face grew sullen. Among the four single-attribute clans, only the Strength Clan and the Defense Clan had accepted the Haotian Sect's invitation after they reemerged. The other two clans had refused, one allying with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the other pledging loyalty to Emperor Qinghe, securing strong backers.

As for the Strength Clan's patriarch, he was persuaded only after being personally approached by Tang Hao, whose charisma inspired such reverence that the clan leader had knelt in acceptance. The Defense Clan, with close ties to the Strength Clan, followed suit.

Neither clan had much goodwill toward the sect elders.

While the Haotian Sect gained two valuable allies, these could easily become internal threats in the future. After all, the old titan, Titan, only listened to Tang Hao, and Niu Gao, who shared a close bond with Titan, would follow him as well. In essence, they would ultimately take orders from Tang Hao.

And Tang Hao? In the Seventh Elder's view, he was a fool who'd cause no end of trouble if given control over these affiliated clans.

"Sect Master, this place is enormous. How do we even begin to search?"

Returning to the present, Tang Xiao and the Seventh Elder had left Spirit City and arrived in one of its outer districts: the Soul Device Technology City.

Tang Xiao, equally stumped by the vastness of the area, simply grabbed a passerby to inquire. The person claimed not to know anything—Spirit City's six outer districts were expansive, and Tang Yuehua's Yuexuan was located in Fantasy Entertainment City. Though well-known, those uninterested in music wouldn't know much about Yuexuan or recognize Tang Yuehua.

In Soul Device Technology City, people were generally more drawn to forging, soul devices, and the metallic clang of hammers striking steel or the clicks of carving soul inscriptions.

People here tended to be diligent, with a tenacious focus on their craft, willing to endure solitude.

"Tang Xiao?"

(End of Chapter)