Douluo Dalu: Transforming Soul Rings into Soul Veins

Tang Xiao clutched his wound, looking with some fear at the departing figures of Xiao Feng and Ah Yin in the distance.

According to Tang Yuehua's news, this Xiao Feng should be less than 20 years old now, yet he was already a Soul Emperor, and a Soul Emperor who had started with an innate soul power of level 1 at that.

The blow that had just hit him, even if it were his full-strength attack now, had also reached the level of a Titled Douluo without a doubt. This kind of improvement was a bit too terrifying. What on earth had he relied on to obtain such a great improvement? And that golden soul power, its intensity was also a bit too high. Even his own soul power, upon coming into contact with it, had begun to dissolve.

That black mist was even more so able to affect the spiritual consciousness of him, a Titled Douluo. It was as if even his soul was about to be devoured by it, which made Tang Xiao's heart tremble endlessly.

Such a strange and powerful ability, especially when displayed by such a young soul master, simply overturned his cognition of the soul master world.

Could that Soul Vein be so magical? Tang Xiao secretly speculated in his heart, but soon, he denied this thought again. In his view, no matter how magical the Soul Vein was, it couldn't possibly be so miraculous.

If it were really like this, what the hell would soul masters without Soul Veins even play! Tang Xiao's thoughts sank slightly. No, he must have hidden something, holding the latest theory in his hands, something that surpasses the Soul Vein.

Thinking of this, his furrowed brow deepened, his eyes sparkling with a complex light.

"We have arrived."

"Come in," a neutral and peaceful voice came from within the Douluo Hall.

Tang Xiao and the Chrysanthemum Douluo walked into the Douluo Hall together. The light in the hall was soft. Beneath the central divine statue sat an old man in a long golden robe, his face majestic and profound. It was precisely Qian Daoliu.

He had just finished digesting what had happened to that fellow Xiao Feng not long ago and still hadn't been able to fully accept it, yet he had been arranged to come out and work.

"Greetings, Great Priest."

"Mmm," Qian Daoliu glanced at Tang Xiao casually, somewhat surprised that Xiao Feng could inflict such an injury on him. That Gu Yuena really wasn't wrong. Xiao Feng can now fight a Titled Douluo.

"The Pope has rescinded the blockade against the Clear Sky Sect, and you have come so quickly. It seems you had the thought of making a trip to Spirit Hall long ago."

Tang Xiao sighed. Towards this existence of his grandfather's generation, he was still very respectful. "The Great Priest jests. Back then, it was still you who, for the sake of my grandfather, gave the Clear Sky Sect a choice. If you had seriously pursued the matter, the foundation of the Clear Sky Sect would not be as intact as it is today."

"For the matter back then, I am very sorry."

Qian Daoliu shook his head. "There is no need to say so much. You came here for no more than a few things. Here are your sect's inheritance soul bones. Take them for now and keep them well."

Two streams of light flew before Tang Xiao. A right arm and a left leg, soul bones of over seventy thousand years, with a strength attribute.

Besides these two pieces, all of Tang Hao's other soul bones had now been removed, and his own bones had all been replaced with those of a mortal.

Tang Xiao did not open his mouth to ask about the whereabouts of the other four soul bones. He knew this was not realistic. To be able to get back these two inheritance soul bones was already a matter of burning high incense.

If the one who had captured Tang Hao back then was not Qian Daoliu, these two pieces would not have been able to be retrieved. Now it was entirely for the sake of Tang Chen.

He put away the soul bones. "Many thanks, Great Priest. This junior has one more matter to inquire about."

"Ask."

Tang Xiao hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Great Priest, I wonder if after my Clear Sky Sect re-enters the world, can any of our younger generation get the qualification to condense a Soul Vein?"

"This matter, you will have to discuss with the Pope or the Holy Son. It is not under my jurisdiction."

Tang Xiao was stunned, then immediately nodded.

"Understood, Great Priest. Then I will not disturb you any longer and will take my leave first." Tang Xiao performed a salute and prepared to turn and leave the Douluo Hall.

"Wait," Qian Daoliu's voice suddenly sounded, making Tang Xiao's footsteps pause. "The matter of Tang Hao back then was unforgivable. Now that the Clear Sky Sect can return to the continent, do not be too arrogant. All matters in Spirit Hall now are fully handled by the Holy Son and the Pope. I will not intervene as before."

"I hope you can understand that the future of the Clear Sky Sect depends not only on the inheritance and history of your sect, but more on how you adapt to this unpredictable new era. If you walk the wrong path, it will be difficult to turn back."

Out of his friendship with Tang Chen, Qian Daoliu still chose to give a reminder. The few elders of the Clear Sky Sect had hot tempers. He had heard that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was still looking for the Clear Sky Sect to seek an "alliance."

If they really stood on the opposite side of Spirit Hall, it was almost a certainty that they would be chosen to be annihilated by the current Bibi Dong.

The several Super Douluo of the Douluo Hall might not make a move according to the rules, but the Chrysanthemum and Ghost duo of the Pope's Hall, plus Dugu Bo, as well as Bibi Dong, Ling Yuan, and Xiao Feng, might just be enough.

But with the harmonious backyard of that stinking brat nowadays, if Bibi Dong were to have a word with that stinking brat and ask that Silver Dragon King to make a move, the Clear Sky Sect would probably disappear from this world the next day.

So he could see the end of the Clear Sky Sect's future if they were to oppose Spirit Hall. The only result was extinction.

Hearing this, Tang Xiao's heart shook. Is this a warning?

"Many thanks for the Great Priest's reminder. This boy has noted it down here."

He followed the Chrysanthemum Douluo out of the Douluo Hall, heading towards the Pope's Hall on the mountainside.

The Chrysanthemum Douluo couldn't help but speak, "Sect Master Tang, I really want to ask you a question."

"What?"

The Chrysanthemum Douluo stroked his chin, looking at Tang Xiao with some strangeness. "Back then when you were pursuing that Blue Silver Emperor, did you really not know Tang Hao's plan, or were you pretending not to know? Just him wandering outside Spirit City, it was already clear that he had ulterior motives, right?"

Tang Xiao's gaze dimmed, but he replied faintly, "What are you asking these things for? The past need not be mentioned again." After he had given up the pursuit back then, he had returned to the Clear Sky Sect, leaving only Tang Hao and the other outside.

The Chrysanthemum Douluo looked at him with some amusement. "Tsk tsk, tsk tsk, our Holy Son Xiao Feng is still better. Not only did he help her reshape her physical body, but her cultivation has also recovered in one go, breaking through to Soul Sage, truly becoming human, cutting off the future worry of being coveted for her soul ring and soul bone after birth."

"Now in our Spirit Hall, her status is not ordinarily high. Where would she need to be as frightened as before?"

Tang Xiao took a deep breath. He could not refute what the Chrysanthemum Douluo had said. He had to admit that when he had first seen Xiao Feng and Ah Yin just now, the smile on her face was something he had never seen before.

This broken chrysanthemum, not seen for many years, had actually developed such an annoying tongue. Every word pierced the heart, making it impossible to listen to a single bit.

The more he listened, the more envious, jealous, and hateful he became, and also the more suspicious and angry he was towards Tang Hao. The more he thought, the more he felt that his good younger brother had really done such a thing back then. How could what Ah Yin had personally said be wrong?

In the Pope's Hall, Bibi Dong sat upright on the Pope's throne, quietly waiting for Tang Xiao's arrival.

For her to be able to draw out the Clear Sky Sect so quickly was beyond her expectations. She figured it was because of Tang Hao that he was so eager to come and see his brother whom he had not seen for many years.

"Greetings, Pope."

Tang Xiao cupped his hands.

"When does the Clear Sky Sect plan to re-enter the world?"

Bibi Dong came straight to the point, her beautiful face showing not a single trace of emotional fluctuation, as if she were just asking about an ordinary matter.

Tang Xiao frowned, somewhat repulsed by Bibi Dong's forcefulness. He had just experienced a friendly exchange with Qian Daoliu. To suddenly face such cold words, he would naturally feel uncomfortable in his heart. And this was also Bibi Dong's deliberate arrangement.

"The new site of the sect has been established for many years. All the buildings and various materials, items, and resources are difficult to move away all at once. When everything within the sect is ready, we will choose a day to announce to the world and officially re-enter the world," Tang Xiao responded cautiously. He was unwilling to show the slightest bit of impatience or unease in front of Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong nodded lightly, her gaze like a torch, as if she could see into people's hearts. "After re-entering the world, what plans does the Clear Sky Sect have?"

Tang Xiao frowned. "Plans? To properly develop the sect is the plan."

Bibi Dong chuckled lightly. "That's also true. After all, on the Douluo Continent, strength is the basis for speaking," but her smile held a few points of an unfathomable depth.

"There is no need for Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect to be enemies. As long as both sides can abide by the 'rules' of the continent and jointly maintain the peace of this land, the grudges of the past can naturally be written off."

"The Pope's words are reasonable. I have one matter to inquire about. After the Clear Sky Sect returns to the continent, may I ask if any of our younger generation can obtain the qualification to condense a Soul Vein?"

Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed. "Of course, you can. The Clear Sky Sect is, after all, the owner of the world's number one tool martial soul. The young talents that can be born must have very high talent. As one of the three upper sects, it is also a proper thing to condense a Soul Vein."

Why did the four great families not have a quota? Tang Xiao complained in his heart. Wasn't it because they were associated with the Clear Sky Sect? For her to agree so easily is a strange thing. Tang Xiao did not reply, quietly waiting for Bibi Dong to state her conditions.

As expected, the next moment, Bibi Dong continued, "It is not difficult for the Clear Sky Sect to want a quota. One Soul Vein, in exchange for one-tenth of a year's funds. The total funds refer to the total income handed over by the disciples and affiliated clans."

Tang Xiao's heart skipped a beat. It was impossible for the Pope of Spirit Hall not to understand economics. Revenue and cash flow were completely two different things.

This one year's funds were to be invested in subsequent production, forging, construction, medicinal herb research, and other various businesses. The cash that could be charged into the sect's treasury might only be about 80%, and that was under the condition that the business situation was healthy.

One person, one Soul Vein, for one-tenth? In the future, the Soul Veins will still continue to be promoted. Other sects have several Soul Vein owners, yet I have just started to raise one or two?

Not to mention that the Clear Sky Sect had been away from the continent for a long time. Whether the four great families could re-affiliate was another matter. It would still take time for him to pick up his casting industry on the continent again.

What the hell am I supposed to play with? This is blatant extortion.

"Lord Pope, you might as well just rob us."

Bibi Dong was surprised. "Am I not robbing you right now?"

"You!!!"

Tang Xiao was annoyed for a moment. The technology was in her hands. His heart was beyond aggrieved. There was no continent-wide alliance here that could restrict and condemn Bibi Dong's actions.

"Pfft—" The Chrysanthemum Douluo let out a laugh.

Tang Xiao frowned, glaring at Yue Guan. The latter waved his hand nonchalantly. "Aiya ya, Sect Master Tang, don't look at me like that. I also think what our Lord Pope said makes sense."

"This Soul Vein condensation technology is not a cabbage on the street that can be casually picked up. It is also proper for Spirit Hall to collect some return. Don't you think so?"

"Lord Pope, I understand your conditions. But one-tenth of the funds for one Soul Vein is indeed a bit of a strain for the Clear Sky Sect. After all, our sect has just returned, and all aspects need to be rebuilt and invested in. I hope we can find a solution that both sides can accept."

Bibi Dong smiled faintly, as if enjoying the fun of this negotiation. "Sect Master Tang, I understand your difficulties, but Spirit Hall is not a charity. However, since you have brought it up, we can consider a compromise."

"How about this? The funds you hand over can be halved. But, the Clear Sky Sect must promise..."

"Promise what?" Tang Xiao stared intently at Bibi Dong. Although he was unwilling in his heart, he also understood that under this situation, appropriate compromise might be necessary.

Bibi Dong slowly stood up, walked before Tang Xiao, her tone carrying an unquestionable majesty. "The Clear Sky Sect must promise that in the future, it will not be an enemy of Spirit Hall. Even a strategic enemy. Your Clear Sky Sect cannot stand on the opposite side in any matter concerning Spirit Hall. Otherwise, my Spirit Hall has the right to hold you accountable."

Hearing this, Tang Xiao's face was gloomy. This condition was undoubtedly asking the Clear Sky Sect to abandon its own position and principles and become a vassal of Spirit Hall. His heart burned with anger, but reason told him that it was not appropriate to act up at this time.

"Lord Pope, your conditions are very harsh. The Clear Sky Sect, as a top-tier sect on the Douluo Continent, has its own pride and position. We are unwilling to become a vassal of any power, let alone abandon our own principles and dignity," Tang Xiao said in a deep voice, his gaze firm, without the slightest retreat.

Bibi Dong still smiled, waving her hand. "Alright, alright. you are really thinking too deeply. What vassal has come out? How about this," Bibi Dong's gaze flickered. "If Spirit Hall is to apprehend a wanted criminal, the Clear Sky Sect has no right to interfere."

A person's bottom line is to retreat step by step.

Hearing this, Tang Xiao was silent for a moment and said, "If Spirit Hall's apprehension action involves the innocent, or if someone deliberately frames a disciple of my Clear Sky Sect, I also cannot sit by and do nothing," Tang Xiao's tone was firm, both expressing compromise and also holding his bottom line.

The corner of Bibi Dong's mouth hooked up. "Don't worry, there won't be such a person."

She sat back down on her throne. "Then, are there any other questions?"

"May I go and visit my disappointing younger brother?"

A trace of surprise flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. "Of course, you can. Go if you want. Bring the candidates for the Soul Veins after you re-enter the world. Oh right, this thing, I'm sure you're very interested."

Bibi Dong threw out a piece of paper.

Tang Xiao took it. Looking at the contents on the paper, his pupils shrank, and he unconsciously crumpled the paper tightly.

"Whether it's true or false, you'll know with one investigation. Of course, it's better to ask the person directly," Bibi Dong said with a smile, a strange meaning in her smile.

"Tang Xiao takes his leave!"

With Tang Xiao's departure, Bibi Dong's smile gradually converged. She snorted coldly. The person I want to take down is not among those you speak of. A guilty person, let's see how you'll take a stand then. It would be even better if you followed and violated the agreement.

Such an excellent seedling like Tang San, I can't just give up, can I? Now that he has re-entered the world, those elders don't have much reason not to take him in. Plus the push from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, these two families will definitely get together.

If his teacher is subdued, how will your sect react? And the subsequent plans—

Tang Xiao concealed his aura and flew down the Six-Winged Mountain at high speed, heading towards the location of Tang Hao.

What Bibi Dong had shown him just now was nothing other than how Tang Hao had tricked Ah Yin into sacrificing herself back then, and later planted her in a sunless cave in Holy Soul Village. He had given birth to that Tang San but had not raised him. After being subdued, he had confessed to what he had done and a series of other things.

He couldn't believe that his own younger brother, who was like a prodigy and had always been the pride of the sect before the accident, would actually do such an unbearable thing. Tang Xiao's heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Anger, disappointment, and incomprehension intertwined. He urgently needed to see Tang Hao and personally confirm whether all of this was true.

The wind on the Six-Winged Mountain howled past. Tang Xiao's figure was like a ghost, shuttling through the mountain forest. His heart was heavy. Every step was as if treading on the tip of a knife, painful and indescribable.

Finally, he arrived at Tang Hao's residence—the dilapidated thatched hut.

He even suspected that this hut was something he had just moved into after seeing it while wandering on the street. It completely lacked a bit of the former glory and pride of the Clear Sky Sect. Tang Xiao stood at the door, took a deep breath, and tried hard to calm his surging emotions.

He pushed the door open and walked in. The room was dim. Only a wisp of sunlight came in through a gap in the dilapidated roof, shining on Tang Hao's slightly haggard face.

Tang Hao was sitting on a pile of straw, a pot of wine in his hand, drinking by himself, as if isolated from the world.

Seeing Tang Xiao come in, a trace of surprise flashed in Tang Hao's eyes, which then turned to bitterness. "Big brother, why have you come? Has the Clear Sky Sect already re-entered the world?"

His voice was low and hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken for a long time.

Tang Xiao did not answer but walked straight to Tang Hao and fiercely threw the paper in his hand at his face. "You look at this! Is it true?" His voice carried an uncontrollable anger and disappointment.

Tang Hao picked up the paper, glanced at the contents, and his face became even paler.

His eyes were full of panic. "No! Spirit Hall is spreading rumors! They are trying to sow discord in our relationship, big brother!"

Seeing that he was still trying to cover it up, Tang Xiao's anger couldn't help but surge. He wanted to vent all the grief from seeing Ah Yin, the grievance in the Pope's Hall, and the anger at what Tang Hao had done.

Looking at the pile of mud that was Tang Hao before him, he finally couldn't control his emotions.

"Bastard!"

"Slap!"

A crisp sound echoed by Tang Hao's ear. He was stunned. This was the first time his big brother had hit him. Tang Hao touched his fiery hot cheek, looked at Tang Xiao's extremely angry eyes, and a wave of indescribable grief, regret, and a trace of resentment surged in his heart.

"Big brother, listen to me..." Tang Hao's voice trembled. He wanted to explain, wanted to tell Tang Xiao that none of this was true, but he knew that no matter how he explained, he could not erase the things that had already happened.

"Listen to you? Listen to you what?" Tang Xiao's voice was like thunder, echoing in the room. "Listen to you explain how you tricked Ah Yin into sacrificing herself? How you gave birth to a biological son but didn't raise him? Tang Hao, you have disappointed me too much! The title of Clear Sky Douluo, is this how you inherited it?!!!"

Tang Hao lowered his head, a complex emotion flashing in the depths of his eyes. He suddenly sneered, "So what!"

"The soul master world has always been like this. At least I succeeded. I obtained a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and was even rumored to be the youngest Titled Douluo, the one who sent the previous Pope of Spirit Hall on his way."

His voice gradually became shrill, his face hideous. He slowly raised his head, casting his resentful gaze at Tang Xiao. "Big brother, oh big brother, what have you ever gotten? You abided by the rules of the soul master world, and gave up the struggle yourself. At least I got her, while you could only watch me!"

Tang Xiao was stunned. He had never thought that Tang Hao would counter-attack in this way. His words were like a sharp knife, deeply stabbing into Tang Xiao's heart.

"You're insane!"

"No, I'm not insane!"

Tang Hao suddenly stood up, the veins on his face bulging, looking exceptionally ferocious. "I just see clearly the essence of this world, the cruelty of the soul master world! Here, power is everything! Rules, glory, are all shackles prepared for the weak! To achieve my goal, I can resort to any means!"

"The pain that Spirit Hall has given me, the hatred of my martial soul and cultivation being crippled, and the green gift that Holy Son Lin Feng gave me, I will repay them all one by one in the future!"

Tang Xiao looked at his younger brother before him, his heart as if being cut by a knife.

He closed his eyes and looked up at the sky, taking a deep breath. He slowly opened his eyes. "Then what are you doing now? You're here drinking like a pile of mud. Can you do such a thing!"

"Look at yourself! What do you look like now! Your martial soul is crippled, so you just dream here all day? You are not worthy of Clear Sky, this name of our ancestor!"

Tang Hao's body staggered. He looked at Tang Xiao blankly, a trace of pain and unwillingness in his eyes. His martial soul, to this day, had not been re-condensed. If not for some heavenly material or earthly treasure, there was basically not much hope.

He fell to the ground. "You go. Since I'm useless, why did you still come to see me!"

Tang Xiao clenched his fists tightly, suppressing the urge to beat Tang Hao up. He was afraid that a casual move would directly blow him up, in the physical sense.

Suddenly, he was stunned. He widened his eyes and asked, "Your voice, what happened?"

Tang Hao gritted his teeth, not saying a word, just staring fiercely at Tang Xiao. That gaze was as if it wanted to pull out his tendons and skin his bones.

"You're crippled?!!!" Tang Xiao said in disbelief.

"Get out! You get out for me!!!" Tang Hao shouted hysterically, his voice carrying endless grief, indignation, and humiliation.

A man who had lost his pride, and was mentioned like this to his face. What his heart must be feeling can be imagined.

Tang Xiao was silent. He slowly walked outside and said without looking back, "Yuehua has contacted me. That son of yours, Tang San, has very good talent. At present, he is already a level 26 Soul Grandmaster, with twin martial souls."

"He is at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect in Heaven Dou and has taken Yu Xiaogang as his teacher. Truly stupid to the core."

"I plan to make a trip, to try my best to persuade the elders to accept him. From now on, you are no longer my younger brother. The Clear Sky Sect will remove you from its records. Your son is no longer your son."

Hearing this, Tang Hao lowered his brow, a look of extreme resentment flashing in his eyes. He knew that because of Ah Yin, the sect, and what he had just said to Tang Xiao, he had completely lost his big brother's trust.

On the contrary, it had made him extremely disappointed, and even angry.

"Alright. From now on, you and I are strangers."

Tang Xiao left, leaving Tang Hao staring blankly at the pile of straw under his feet. From resentment and unwillingness, a series of evil thoughts appeared like bamboo shoots after a rain, weaving into a complex net in Tang Hao's heart, making him almost suffocate.

He did not notice that a trace of black qi had flashed across his body.