Douluo: Martial Soul Seven Kill Sword, The Sword Opens Heaven's Gates

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Star Luo Empire, Annan Province – Annan City.

After days of travel, Tang San and his group finally arrived at their final destination.

Since Yu Xiaogang had provided funds to improve the meals for the Strength Clan disciples, and they had stocked up on provisions for the journey, the Strength Clan disciples hadn't caused any trouble along the way.

Upon entering the city, Tang San first arranged for everyone to rest at an inn, then sent people to investigate the situation within the city.

Having decided to establish the Tang Sect here, they needed to understand the local conditions.

Annan City was the highest administrative-level city in Annan Province. Therefore, the city lord here was also effectively the governor of the entire province.

If they wanted to develop in Annan City, they would eventually need to visit this governor.

Moreover, to support Dai Mubai's rise to power, they needed to secure resources for him in the imperial court.

The governors of each province held significant positions and wielded considerable influence in the imperial court. Thus, Tang San also hoped to gain the support of this governor to pave the way for Dai Mubai.

As soon as they entered the city, Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua went to inspect the warehouses that Moon Pavilion had purchased earlier.

Meanwhile, Tang San and the others gathered to discuss the establishment of the Tang Sect.

Yu Xiaogang still had some funds, but compared to the vast needs of establishing a sect, the money was far from sufficient.

If the Tang Sect couldn't find a stable source of income, the remaining funds would eventually run out.

The Tang Sect, built on the foundation of the Strength Clan, naturally had its core business tied to blacksmithing.

However, blacksmiths held a low social status on the continent, which meant that a sect with such a demographic structure would struggle to attract new talent.

Furthermore, the items crafted by blacksmiths didn't hold much intrinsic value. If the Tang Sect relied solely on blacksmithing, the sect would only be able to sustain itself and wouldn't have the means to expand.

Only a small number of nobles pursued the works of master blacksmiths—this couldn't be generalized to the broader population.

Thus, having the Strength Clan produce high-value hidden weapons seemed to be the only way for the Tang Sect to generate substantial revenue.

But the key issue was that Tang San didn't want hidden weapons to proliferate across the continent. He intended to collaborate exclusively with the empire's military, which made it difficult to find buyers for the hidden weapons.

Tai Tan suggested, "Young Master, once the sect stabilizes, I'll take you to Gengxin City. With the support of the Blacksmiths' Association, the Tang Sect's influence will significantly increase."

"No!" Yu Xiaogang interrupted, "Before we find a stable source of income for the sect, we must not blindly expand."

After days of questioning and discussions, he had learned about the general situation of the Blacksmiths' Association from Tai Tan.

In Yu Xiaogang's view, unless they could provide massive funding to support these master blacksmiths and grandmasters, there was no way they could recruit the Blacksmiths' Association.

The blacksmiths in Gengxin City enjoyed a high status, and moving to Annan City would drastically lower their standing. Unless they could guarantee a better future, who would willingly leave Gengxin City?

Moreover, the most pressing issue for the Tang Sect now was the lack of a suitable market for hidden weapons.

If the sect engaged in large-scale operations right after its founding, how would they sustain themselves in the future?

Tang San furrowed his brows, unable to come up with a good solution.

He was deeply conflicted—he wanted to use hidden weapons to generate income, but he didn't want them to become widespread.

He himself hadn't yet decided how to grow and develop the sect.

"Master, I have a suggestion. Please let me know if I should speak," Tai Tan said.

"Go ahead."

With no better ideas, Tang San could only listen with an open mind, hoping to gain some useful advice from Tai Tan.

Tai Tan continued, "Young Master, I understand your concerns. Since we've already determined that hidden weapons will be the pillar industry of the sect, in my opinion, we should reduce their capabilities to lower their power."

"For example, the full-power range of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow is fifty meters. We can create a stripped-down or 'monkey version' that reduces both its power and range."

"I believe that even if these weapons were to proliferate, their reduced power would be unable to rival the full-power versions."

Tang San's brows gradually relaxed, and he exclaimed, "Yes, why didn't I think of that!"

"However, this might require readjusting the design blueprints and conducting extensive testing, which will take time..."

Tai Tan patted his chest, "Young Master, rest assured. I will assist you fully."

Yu Xiaogang hesitated for a moment and asked, "Xiao San, what will the cost be? After building the Tang Sect, the money I have left won't amount to much. If the expenses are too high, we might face financial difficulties."

This was indeed a problem.

Tang San stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Even the cheapest hidden weapon in his possession cost twenty gold spirit coins to produce.

Reducing the weapon's power while ensuring stability (to build a reputation) would require numerous trials and errors, and the costs were uncertain.

Just as everyone was lost in thought, Yu Tianxin, Yu Tianheng, and Tai Long hurriedly arrived, holding a notice.

Yu Tianxin spread the notice on the table and said gravely, "The Spirit Hall has fabricated charges against Lord Hao Tian, and they're now searching for his whereabouts across the entire continent!"

"What?!"

Yu Xiaogang slammed the table and stood up, angrily shouting, "The Spirit Hall has truly lost all sense of morality! Lord Hao Tian has already withdrawn from public life, yet they still want to pin this on him!"

Anger aside, they needed to understand the specifics of the situation to assess the future dynamics of the continent.

The notice claimed that the destruction of the Gengxin City branch of the Spirit Hall was entirely the fault of Tang Hao, calling it a disgrace to the Spirit Hall.

Additionally, the notice stated that according to members of the Blacksmiths' Association, President Lou Gao had been threatened by Tang Hao on that day to force the association to submit to him.

Since negotiations had failed, and Bishop Miles had intervened, Tang Hao, enraged and humiliated, destroyed the entire Spirit Hall branch.

Fearing retaliation from Tang Hao and being implicated, the Blacksmiths' Association had already relocated from Gengxin City.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!" Tang San's anger intensified.

Others might not know, but he was very aware of Tang Hao's current physical condition.

Having lost an arm and a leg, Tang Hao's mobility was severely limited, let alone his drastically weakened strength. How could he possibly destroy an entire branch of the Spirit Hall!?

As for the source of this information, it was entirely fabricated by the Pope's Hall.

With Miles dead and the Blacksmiths' Association joining the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Sky Sword Sect, the beneficiaries were clear. Bibi Dong wasn't foolish—how could she not see through this?

But since she had decided to extend goodwill to Ning Tianchen, there was no reason to provoke him.

Since Tang Hao had already "taken responsibility" for the destruction of the Gengxin City branch, why not fabricate additional charges against him!

Yu Xiaogang sneered, "Distorting facts is the Spirit Hall's usual tactic!"

"Perhaps the Spirit Hall offended someone, causing them to target the Spirit Hall branch. Since Bibi Dong didn't dare act against this person, she shifted the blame to Lord Hao Tian, who is their enemy. What a clever move!"

In Yu Xiaogang's view, the Spirit Hall's actions were aimed at tarnishing Tang Hao's reputation and indirectly hindering the establishment of the Tang Sect.

Moreover, to achieve their goals, the Spirit Hall might even fabricate events.

"This!" Tai Tan hesitated.

He was somewhat like Tang Hao's half-teacher and knew the man's temperament well.

Upon learning that the Hao Tian Sect had been destroyed by the Spirit Hall, Tang Hao's character would undoubtedly drive him to seek revenge against the Spirit Hall.

Furthermore, Tang Hao did indeed have intricate ties with the Blacksmiths' Association.

"Tai Tan Senior, what do you mean?"

Tang San felt a hint of dissatisfaction with his attitude.

Tai Tan sighed and explained, "Young Master, the Blacksmiths' Association has already moved. For a long time to come, we likely won't be able to locate the new Blacksmiths' Association."

"Alas, Young Master, there's something I must tell you."

"Do you remember when I previously mentioned the ranking system for blacksmiths?"

Tang San nodded.

Tai Tan continued, "A divine blacksmith is the highest rank among blacksmiths. In this era, there are only three divine blacksmiths: myself, President Lou Gao, and... your father!"

"My father is a divine blacksmith?" Tang San exclaimed in shock.

Though Tang Hao had been his mentor in blacksmithing, he had never imagined that his father's skills in this craft could reach such heights.

Tai Tan let out a bitter laugh. "Master Tang Hao was somewhat like my half-disciple back in the day. He even contributed to the founding of the Blacksmiths' Association. Thus, just like me, Master Tang Hao held the position of vice president within the association."

"I think that if Master Tang Hao had heard about what happened to the Hao Tian Sect, he might very well have done something like this."

If Tang Hao's strength hadn't declined, Tang San might have considered it possible based on Tai Tan's reasoning.

But now…

"Absolutely impossible!" Tang San declared with confidence. "I'm certain that my father has already withdrawn from public life. He wouldn't know anything about what's happening outside, let alone travel all the way to Gengxin City!"

"With my father's abilities, why wouldn't he directly recruit the three great single-attribute families instead of causing such a commotion within the Blacksmiths' Association?"

The earlier words were merely Tai Tan's speculation, and naturally, he couldn't answer the question Tang San had posed.

Yu Tianheng patted Tang San on the shoulder. "Calm down for now. Elder Tai Tan is only speculating. However, I believe this matter won't have much impact on Lord Hao Tian. The Spirit Hall's actions are purely to irritate people—they don't have any real plans behind it."

"Besides, we're currently deep within the Star Luo Empire. The Spirit Hall's influence doesn't reach here."

After several rounds of persuasion, Tang San's expression gradually softened.

Before they could discuss their next steps, Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua walked in with grim expressions.

"Xiao San, there's trouble."

It was truly one misfortune after another, and Tang San's mood immediately grew heavy. "Uncle, Aunt, what exactly happened?"

Tang Yuehua spoke with self-reproach. "This is my fault. A few years ago, I purchased a warehouse in the city but only used it once and then neglected it afterward."

Tang Xiao consoled her briefly before continuing, "Xiao San, that land has been taken over by local thugs and ruffians. We can't reclaim it for now."

Tai Tan sneered. "Just a bunch of thugs? Leave it to me, and I'll make sure they spit everything they've swallowed right back out."

Tang Xiao stepped in to block him. "No."

"This situation involves more than you think. Yuehua and I have looked into it—there's also the shadow of the governor of Annan Province behind this."

"We're outsiders here. If we offend the local officials, our lives will become difficult."

They had come here as refugees, and establishing the Tang Sect was meant to allow them to live in hiding while secretly accumulating strength.

But if they couldn't reclaim the land, how could they establish the Tang Sect? All the work they had done up to this point would be wasted!

Tang San clenched his fists tightly—he absolutely didn't want to give up halfway!

Building the Tang Sect was his lifelong dream, and he couldn't fail at the final hurdle.

With a serious expression, he said, "Reaching out to the governor of Annan Province is something we must do. Right now, it's simply happening earlier than expected."

"Everyone, don't forget our goal. Establishing the Tang Sect is only the first step. We still need to support Mubai's rise to power and seek revenge against the Spirit Hall!"

Pausing for a moment, seeing the renewed determination in everyone's eyes, Tang San continued, "Elder Tai Tan and I will go to negotiate with this governor. We're already standing at the edge of a cliff—we have no way back."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Dai Mubai, who had been sitting silently, rarely spoke up.

Tang San shook his head.

Dai Mubai's identity was too special, especially since his body hadn't fully recovered.

If Dai Mubai, lacking his usual vigor, were to be exposed to this governor, how could they expect the governor to side with them?

As they were leaving, Tang Xiao reminded them, "The governors of each province in the Star Luo Empire have strict standards—they're all Soul Douluo-level experts or higher. Xiao San, be cautious when speaking with him."

Tang San nodded firmly and set off toward the governor's residence with Tai Tan.

Back in the room, Tang Xiao and the others fell into silence.

For now, they had no choice but to wait for the outcome of Tang San's visit before proceeding with the next steps.

At the same time, Tang Xiao also had to consider the future survival strategy of the Tang Sect.

Keep in mind, the Star Luo Empire was a highly centralized nation. The Star Luo Emperor would never allow a superpower sect to emerge within the empire.

How to grow stronger under the watchful eyes of the Star Luo Empire was the greatest challenge they would face in the future.

Of course, if the governor of Annan Province could align with Dai Mubai's faction, everything would become much simpler.

"Lord Tang, I'm worried that Xiao San might run into trouble. Why don't you go and check on him?" Liu Erlong said with concern.

Tang Xiao thought for a moment and decided to follow them.

These issues were still far away, and there was no need to rush to find solutions.

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From the outside, the governor's residence didn't look much different from an ordinary administrative building—it was extremely low-key.

Without local guidance, even if someone passed by, they wouldn't recognize it as the governor's residence.

Tai Tan spoke in a low voice, "Young Master, are you prepared? This negotiation is extremely important—we can't afford to fail."

Tang San took several deep breaths, mentally preparing himself, before stepping forward.

"Hello, I'd like to see the governor. Could you two kindly inform him?" Tang San asked humbly.

However, in the eyes of the guards, his demeanor was indistinguishable from that of a jianghu trickster trying to swindle his way in.

(T/N: 'jianghu' literally translates to "rivers and lakes" but also refers to a world outside of mainstream society, typically associated with martial arts, a semi-criminal underworld, and/or a sense of a mythical realm where fantastical stories unfold)

There were only seven provinces in the Star Luo Empire, and officials who held military and political power over a province weren't people just anyone could meet.

Having rarely dealt with officials, Tang San naturally didn't understand the proper etiquette.

As expected, the guards casually dismissed him and paid him no further attention.

Tang San stood there, stunned, unsure where things had gone wrong.

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