Douluo Dalu 2: Peerless Gu master

"Sect?" Huo Yuhao wasn't shocked.

Tang Ya nodded earnestly. "Our sect is called the Tang Sect. It was once the number one sect on the entire continent. If you join, you'll never suffer any losses."

She paused, her gaze softening. "Yuhao, you're all alone and still so young. If you join us, we can take care of each other in the future. It's far better than you living alone, acting recklessly. What if something happens to you?"

Huo Yuhao's body trembled slightly. "Tang Sect…"

Hearing that name again stirred an unexplainable nervousness in him.

There was no way he could join the Tang Sect! Sure, there might be some benefits, but the troubles far outweighed them.

If he joined, it would undoubtedly deepen the karmic ties between him and that pure, innocent Sea God. That connection would make it easier for her to observe and manipulate him.

Joining the Tang Sect would be like diving into a bottomless ocean. From that point on, he would become a loyal dog, bound to the sect.

If memory serves him right, Tang San had intervened in the Douluo Continent on the pretense of preserving the Tang Sect from extinction.

Joining them now would be akin to walking into a tiger's den, handing himself over willingly to him.

"Brother Huo, do you know about the Tang Sect?" Bei Bei finally found an opening to speak.

"I've heard some legends," Huo Yuhao replied vaguely. "Didn't Senior Sister Xiao Ya just say that the Tang Sect was once the number one sect on the continent?"

Tang Ya's eyes reddened at his words. "The Tang Sect's foundation was seized long ago. We don't even have a proper headquarters anymore. Right now, it's just Bei Bei and me. I am the current leader of the Tang Sect, and Bei Bei is my first disciple."

To be honest, in Huo Yuhao's opinion, the decline of the Tang Sect was inevitable. The only reason it had lasted this long was the blessing of its ancestors—or rather, the favor of the Tang San.

What era was it now? Did they still think hidden weapons were relevant? Did they believe it was still the era of Tang San, where hidden weapons were capable of slaying gods?

Things had changed.

For Huo Yuhao, who now had a system of his own, soul tools didn't hold much importance. Otherwise, he might have gone to the Sun-Moon Empire to join their technological revolution. After all, science and technology are the primary forces of productivity.

And then there was the Tang Sect's unwavering attachment to the Blue Silver Grass spirit. It was laughable.

Did they not realize that the spirit of the Tang San wasn't the trash-tier Blue Silver Grass but the top-tier Blue Silver Emperor?

Were they still following those outdated Soul ring configurations passed down from their ancestors? The so-called "Best Soul Ring Configuration of Blue Silver Grass" that the Tang Sect swore by was absurd.

A spirit with innate support capabilities being forced into a control-type role—genius indeed.

Ten thousand years had passed, yet their understanding of spirits remained so stagnant. It was almost hopeless.

Bei Bei coughed lightly, bringing Huo Yuhao out of his thoughts. "Right now, it's just Xiao Ya and me in the Tang Sect, but we're determined to restore its former glory. If you're willing to join us, you'd be more than welcome."

"We'll create the Tang Sect's glory together!" Bei Bei added passionately.

"Xiao Ya is right about one thing—the Tang Sect does have techniques that are very suitable for your cultivation. They'll benefit your future development immensely."

Huo Yuhao's thoughts turned to Xuan Tian Gong, the neutral and everlasting internal technique of the Tang Sect. To be fair, Xuan Tian Gong and the Purple Demon Eye were indeed significant for Huo Yuhao in the original storyline.

Xuan Tian Gong solved the original owner's weaknesses of a frail body and slow soul power cultivation, while the Purple Demon Eye synergized perfectly with his Spirit Eye.

However, Huo Yuhao thought coldly, "A mere watered-down version of the Tang Sect's Xuantian Treasure Record? Insignificant. I, Huo Yuhao, can ascend to godhood without it."

"Ah, sorry—I let my mind wander again."

In truth, without the Tang Sect's unique skills, he could still forge his path. Becoming a god wasn't out of reach.

Seeing Huo Yuhao's silence, Tang Ya pressed on, seizing the moment. "I'm not lying to you. Even though the Tang Sect has fallen, as the continent's former number one sect, we still hold certain privileges.

"For example, aren't you planning to apply to Shrek Academy? Shrek's admissions are famously strict, but the Tang Sect has a guaranteed spot each year."

"If you join us, that spot is yours. Of course, whether you can remain in Shrek depends entirely on your efforts. This is the best I can offer you."

"But Yuhao, I must ask something in return. Once you join the Tang Sect, you'll be a part of it for life. If one day you choose to leave, you must return all the Tang Sect's techniques."

Bei Bei spoke solemnly, "Brother Huo, joining the Tang Sect is not a decision to be taken lightly. Though we've fallen far, we were once the greatest sect on the douluo continent. If you regret it in the future and betray the sect, neither Xiao Ya nor I will forgive you."

Huo Yuhao was left speechless. 

He remained silent for a while, but they immediately started pressing him. What was this? Did he accidentally trigger some kind of combo? 'Hey, hold on! When did I ever say I wanted to join?'

'Am I just too soft, or are you all naturally rebellious? I don't want to throw myself into fire and water for the Tang Sect, only to end up as a loyal dog for Tang San!'

'And what's this about returning the secret skills after leaving the sect? Coming in empty-handed and leaving empty-handed—how very much like the TangSan.'

Setting all that aside, even if he did join the Tang Sect, how long would it take before he surpassed all of them?

A few years, at most. By then, would he even care about their attempts to track him down? If anything, it feels like they are actively seeking their doom! Heck, he could even pull off some tricks if he wants.

'If I remember correctly, the true lineage of the Tang Sect resides on Guijianchou's Mountain Cliff. Tang San? He's just an outer sect traitor who stole the Xuantian Treasure Record! Imagine this: I, Huo Yuhao, expel him from the Tang Sect and establish myself as the orthodox successor. The rightful Tang Sect belongs to me!'

"…Wait, that's getting a little off track."

As for the exemption from Shrek Academy's entrance exam—that's the most practical benefit they've offered Yu Yuhao.

He had to admit it was useful, but only to a degree. Shrek's most difficult admission requirements are its soul power and age limits.

Getting a recommendation letter from a city lord? That's not exactly hard to obtain—well, it might be difficult for him at the moment since he hadn't reached the required soul power level yet.

But after he received the Ice Emperor's sacrifice, his talent would soar beyond imagination. By then, getting a recommendation would be as easy as flipping his hand.

Huo Yuhao had already decided. His priority was to go to the Extreme North, gain the Ice Emperor's power, and secure that little old Loli's gold coins. Enrollment at Shrek could wait—getting the Ice Emperor's sacrifice sooner rather than later was critical.

Huo Yuhao had grown a bit paranoid. He understood that even if he stuck to the main plotline, he couldn't guarantee smooth development. One wrong move and the butterfly effect could disrupt everything. Key events like the Ice and Snow Emperors or the Golden Tree were critical to securing his future. Missing any of them would be disastrous.

Even if he delayed enrollment, would Shrek Academy reject a peerless genius with twin martial souls and extreme ice attributes? Impossible! Besides, Ma Xiaotao's evil fire problem was something only he could solve.

"Dean Yan Shaozhe, you wouldn't want your disciple to suffer endlessly from her spirit defect, would you? Hehe, I've got too many trump cards up my sleeve."

With a calm expression, Huo Yuhao politely declined. "Senior sister Xiao Ya, I plan to join a sect after I graduate. As for Shrek's entrance examination, you don't need to worry about me."

"About the achievement task, I'll complete it another time. For now, I want to play it safe."

Hearing his response, Tang Ya grew visibly anxious. "Yuhao, listen to me. Shrek's admission process isn't as simple as you think! You've only absorbed a ten-year Wind Baboon Soul ring. Even if your martial soul is rare, it's—"

"Xiao Ya," Bei Bei interrupted helplessly, "You're jumping to conclusions again. Brother Huo never said he absorbed a ten-year Soul ring ."

Realizing her mistake, Tang Ya faltered.

Bei Bei continued with a warm smile, "If Yuhao doesn't want to join the Tang Sect now, let's respect his choice. Forcing him won't do us any good. And honestly, Xiao Ya, weren't you just craving grilled fish and hoping to rope in a chef?"

Tang Ya glared at him, flustered. "Bei Bei! You're supposed to be on my side! I'm seriously considering Yuhao's future!"

Bei Bei's tone grew serious. "Xiaoya, you know as well as I do that the Tang Sect, in its current state, isn't exactly appealing. It's normal for Yuhao to hesitate. But this isn't the end—we can still work together down the road."

Huo Yuhao chimed in to comfort her. "Sister Xiaoya, I have some important personal matters that require the support of a powerful force. Let me think about the Tang Sect for a while longer."

Deep down, Huo Yuhao could feel the remnants of the original owner's strong will—a burning desire to become a powerful soul master and avenge his mother. A dazzling revenge against the Duchess. And as for the White Tiger Duke? He needed to be dealt with, sooner rather than later.

Huo Yuhao refused to end up like the original, who had been tamed into submission and lost all resolve, even going so far as to change his surname and acknowledge his ancestors. 

This was for their good too. If they ever found out that one of his enemies was the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, would they still want him in the sect?

One day, he would be a Titled Douluo on the verge of becoming a Super Douluo. By then, even the original Shrek Academy wouldn't be able to shield Dai Hao. After all, even they had failed to take action against Dai Hao's son, Dai Huabin, for his suspected assassination attempt on Huo Yuhao in the original timeline.

It wasn't hard to guess that Tang San's shadow loomed behind it all. Dai Hao's long absences and the Duchess's unchecked power—it was all too suspicious.

Huo Yuhao shook his head inwardly.

After some coaxing from both Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei, Tang Ya finally let go of her obsession with recruiting a chef.

[Tang Ya]

[Relationship: Friends]

[Achievement Task: Waiting to Refresh]

'See? You're happy, I'm happy, and everyone else is happy.'

The moment Tang Ya's mindset shifted, her achievement task status changed to refreshing!

It seemed that the classic task conflict would not occur. Before, Huo Yuhao had worried about how to handle conflicting achievement tasks. Would sacrifices be necessary?

No, no, no—he wasn't going to sell his soul for a mere task.

Change brings opportunity. Opportunity brings success. Success creates longevity.

'The Immortal Venerable Achievement System'—quite humane, wouldn't you say?

...

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