Douluo: Dragon King's Divine Elegy

Chapter 69 Xu Cang: Why did you choose me to participate in the three-on-three? Maybe it’s because I’m so good!
Unexpectedly, the meeting place was not in the Donghai Industrial Park, but in a nearby teahouse just a few hundred meters away from Donghai College.

The decoration of the teahouse is antique and not too exquisite. It is very quiet inside. Business usually peaks in the morning, when they sell self-service breakfast.

It was already dinner time, and everything was quiet except for some business people who came here to have a chat, drink tea, and get a few plates of snacks.

Wu Zhangkong brought Nan Liujing and said a number. Then a waiter took them to the suite where the Tang Clan's top executives were staying.

Bang bang bang.

Wu Zhangkong's expression quickly changed from indifference to respect, and he knocked lightly on the door.

Click.

The door opened, and as soon as a crack appeared, a faint and elegant tea fragrance lingered in.

The two walked in and saw two folding screens blocking the way in front of them. Through the gauze, they could vaguely see a person sitting inside.

"Deputy Palace Master, the person has been brought here."

Wu Zhangkong spoke respectfully across the screen.

Deputy Palace Master... Nan Liujing raised his eyebrows, Tang Clan's Amorous Douluo Zang Xin.

"Let him in." A gentle voice came.

Wu Zhangkong turned his head to look at Nan Liujing and nodded slightly.

Nan Liujing walked through the screen confidently and saw a middle-aged man with a handsome face and elegant temperament.

In front of the middle-aged man was a yellow pear wood tea table, and he was pouring tea from a pot.

It was sunset, and fires were burning outside the window. The last rays of sunlight filtered through the carved wooden window, casting mottled shadows on the tea table. This also made the middle-aged man's already soft figure look hazy.

"Sit down." Zang Xin said without raising his head.

Nan Liujing sat directly opposite him.

Zang Xin picked up the teapot, filled the cup to 70%, and placed it in front of Nan Liujing. He said with a smile, "This is the Wangchuan leaf from our Tang Sect's cultivation field. It can warm the spirit. You can savor it carefully."

Nan Liujing picked up the teacup, took a sip, and nodded approvingly. Considering the word "望穿", it was probably related to "望穿秋水露".

Zang Xin glanced at Nan Liujing calmly and asked with a smile, "What's your impression of the Tang Sect?"

They claimed to be neutral, but secretly supplied weapons to Xingluo Continent and Tiandou Continent, claiming to be maintaining stability and promoting peace. They were a traitorous organization... Nan Liujing fell into a brief silence. He thought a lot: "An ancient sect with a less prominent reputation."

"Yes, it is indeed quite ancient." Zang Xin agreed with this statement. "Besides being ancient, our Tang Sect also possesses the continent's most advanced soul guide technology, the most elite soul master team and scientific research team, and even the cultivation resources that can enable soul masters to reach the pinnacle."

Nan Liujing didn't say anything and just sipped his tea silently.

To be honest, if we don’t count Yun Ming from Shrek Academy, the two most powerful positive organizations should be the Spirit Communication Tower and the Temple of War God.

But the War God Temple is also outrageous, half of its members are from Shrek. Even in this situation, when Yali was taken away, you were still angry about it.

Zang Xin's eyes were deep as he spoke, "Your performance in the Hall of Heroes has been noticed by all the high-ranking members of our Tang Sect. They say you're on par with Yun Ming. But there's one thing I need to clarify: you're even more powerful than Yun Ming of the same period."

"I came here with only one purpose, which is to do my utmost to recruit you into the Tang Sect. I can promise you that within ten years, I will help you reach the Titled Douluo realm and prepare a set of the most suitable spirit bones for you."

"You can think about it."

After saying this, Zang Xin waited expectantly for the answer he wanted.

"These promises are indeed very tempting." Nan Liujing said softly. Zang Xin's eyes moved slightly, but he quickly frowned.
"Senior, to tell you the truth, before the Tang Sect contacted me, another organization also contacted me."

"Who?" Zang Xin asked in a deep voice.

"Spirit Tower." Nan Liujing said calmly.

Zang Xin narrowed his eyes slightly, the gentleness on his face was still there, but there was also a hint of invisible solemnity.

In fact, he sent people to check Nan Liujing's background, but found nothing because all his identity information was top confidential.

Later, he learned that Nan Liujing appeared in the Spirit Pagoda at any time, and he had doubts, but the investigation results showed that the Divine Craftsman Zhenhua and the Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu had a cooperative transaction in Tianduan Metal, and arranged for their disciples to live in the Spirit Pagoda permanently, so the Ten Thousand Year Soul Spirit was promoted in this way.

It seems that during this period, the Spirit Pagoda has made preparations for recruitment.

"Spirit Pagoda..." Zang Xin slowly uttered these three words. His voice seemed calm as still water, but it contained a certain suppressed edge. "Indeed, it is rare for you to be able to possess a ten-thousand-year soul at the third level without being targeted by the Spirit Pagoda."

Wu Zhangkong stood on the other side of the screen, his brows slightly furrowed.

Ever since the Spirit Pagoda kicked out the Tang Clan's parliamentary seat eight thousand years ago, the relationship between the two sides has long since fallen to the bottom, but they still appear to be harmonious on the surface.

In particular, the Soul Pagoda secretly blocked Tang Sect members from obtaining souls.

As long as one's cultivation reaches the seventh ring and the soul age exceeds 20,000 years, the demand for souls is more than twice as high as that of other forces.

For many Tang Clan members, it is fine as long as their identities are not exposed. Once their identities are exposed, they will have a hard time walking in the Spirit Pagoda.

Now that the Spirit Pagoda has taken the lead in contacting Nan Liujing and gained the upper hand, if the Tang Sect wants to win him over, it will have to offer more conditions and promises.

Zang Xin calmed down very quickly. He raised his eyes and looked directly at Nan Liujing: "What promise did the Spirit Pagoda give you?"

Nan Liujing's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "They are all top-tier forces, and the cultivation resources they can provide are actually quite similar. However, the Spirit Pagoda has one promise that other forces find difficult to provide."

"Red Soul." Zang Xin held the teacup and drank it in one gulp.

"No." Nan Liujing shook his head and said in a serious tone, "It's the soul of a ferocious beast."

Zang Xin's fingers holding the teacup trembled slightly.

Wu Zhangkong's pupils shrank slightly. Fierce beast spirits... You know, aside from the few ferocious beasts in the core circle of the Star Dou Great Forest, all the other hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beasts on land are extinct, at least on the surface.

If they want to obtain the soul of a ferocious beast, it means that the Spirit Pagoda will have to organize a team of powerful soul masters in the future to go to the sea to find suitable ferocious beasts, then hunt them, and finally create the soul of a ferocious beast. The process is extremely cumbersome.

Zang Xin fell silent for a moment. After a moment, he stared at Nan Liujing with a deep gaze and said, "To be honest, before Lingbing Douluo built the Spirit Transferring Pagoda, he left behind the Soul Contract Method at Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect. Although we in the Tang Sect cannot create artificial souls, we can transform living soul beasts into inherited souls."

"Nan Liujing," he said, looking directly at the young man, his tone more serious than ever. "I can promise you once again that it's not just the Spirit Pagoda. We at the Tang Sect can also provide you with ferocious beast souls. We will consider many factors, including the age, attributes, and bloodline strength of the soul beasts, to ensure your absolute satisfaction."

Nan Liujing was surprised. He didn't expect the Tang Sect to make such a huge promise.

"Besides that, we at Tang Sect can also offer you something that no other faction can." Zang Xin drew out his trump card and said gravely, "Ten thousand years ago, Tang Sect declined. It was with the help of our Spirit Ice Douluo, Huo Yuhao, and his companions that Tang Sect was rebuilt."

"And almost all of the Shrek Seven Devils of that generation became Super Douluo in their early twenties. Some even collectively achieved Ultimate Douluo in the future, with a success rate comparable to the first generation of the Shrek Seven Devils in ancient times. They were able to achieve all this not only because of their own talent and hard work, but also because of something else that helped them."

"Ambrosia!"

When the name Zang Xin was uttered, the space in the tea room suddenly froze.

...

After bidding farewell to Wu Changkong, Nan Liujing returned to the academy alone.

In the tea room, Wu Zhangkong sat where Nan Liujing had originally sat, looking at the tea in the cup, his expression still somewhat immersed in the conversation just now.

Zang Xin chuckled and said, "Are you wondering why I made such a huge promise?"

Wu Zhangkong nodded without hiding it.

Zang Xin said calmly, "If you didn't have the hidden injury in your body, you would have already broken through to the Soul Douluo level, or even become a Three-Character Battle Armor Master, and would have been able to access the sect's secrets much earlier."

Wu Zhangkong's eyes flickered slightly: "Since it's a secret, I'm not qualified enough to listen."

"Just listen." Zang Xin didn't care. "Among the top forces on the continent, who doesn't know that my Tang Sect controls the land where the immortal grass is produced?"

Wu Zhangkong calmed down and decided to listen.

Zang Xin poured him tea without any airs and said, "Every hundred years, our sect has a chance to go to the Yin-Yang Eye of Ice and Fire to obtain the immortal grass, but no more than two plants can be obtained at a time."

"Nan Liujing is not from my Tang Sect, but I gave him a place to go. Not only because he has extraordinary talent and will become another Sky-lifting Douluo in the future, but also because of his identity as a blacksmith."

Wu Zhangkong's eyes flickered slightly: "Do you think Liu Jing can become the second master craftsman?"

Zang Xin nodded and said, "At this age, he has become a sixth-level blacksmith. It is almost certain that he will become a master craftsman in the future. He may even surpass Zhenhua, forge more heavenly forged metals, and establish a network of contacts far beyond Zhenhua's."

"I can tell you very clearly that the difference between a pseudo-four-character battle armor and a four-character battle armor made of heavenly forged metal is obvious. Once the four-character battle armor spreads among the top experts, those pedantic experts who originally disdained the Divine Craftsman will realize how foolish their ideas were."

Zang Xin's serious tone gave Wu Zhangkong a completely new understanding of Tianduan. He frowned and said, "But what if Liu Jing doesn't want to join us?"

Zang Xin smiled slightly: "The quota was given to him, and the immortal grass was given to him, but who said that the immortal grass was the same as the one that Tang San and Huo Yuhao fused with back then?"

Wu Zhangkong reacted instantly: "Are you planning to lure him in and then tempt him with the truly powerful immortal grass?"

"That's right," Zang Xin said with a smile. "Immortal herbs of different ages, whether a hundred years, a thousand years, ten thousand years, or a hundred thousand years, all have vastly different effects on a person's improvement. I don't believe that a hundred thousand year old immortal herb wouldn't tempt him. Even if it really doesn't tempt him, losing two ordinary immortal herbs to win the favor of a future master craftsman is worth it."

"What if Liu Jing joins the Spirit Pagoda?" Wu Zhangkong asked gravely, "Aren't you afraid that he might reveal the location of the Yin-Yang Eye of Ice and Fire?"

Zang Xin sighed: "It's been ten thousand years. The Spirit Pagoda has probably guessed the location of the Yin-Yang Eye of Ice and Fire, but it's just afraid of our strength and hasn't taken any action." Wu Changkong's face changed.

Zang Xin was quite open-minded. He changed the subject and said, "I heard that the Tianhai Alliance officially invited Donghai College to participate in the upcoming three-on-three friendly match with Shrek College?"

Wu Zhangkong nodded and said, "Yes."

"I'm free anyway, so I might as well go over and join in the fun." Zang Xin became interested.

...

The next morning.

Several soul guide buses were waiting in the central square of Donghai City. At least two hundred contestants gathered there, and the sound of conversation was endless.

The Donghai City officials attached more importance to the Tianhai Alliance Competition, which was held every three years, than anyone else, and had already made various travel arrangements.

Compared with previous competitions, this year's contestants, whether from major associations or the two participating teams from the intermediate and advanced departments of Donghai College, are much stronger.

This also made the top management of Donghai College and Donghai City eager to achieve better results and attract more talents to Donghai City, creating a virtuous cycle.

Director of Studies Long Hengxu was talking with a group of accompanying officials, and he vowed that the results of this competition would definitely improve.

Wu Changbai's dress fluttered in the wind, and she stood proudly like a solitary plum blossom, always attracting the attention of women, especially the female students of the senior department of Donghai College, as well as the female contestants from various major associations participating in the competition.

Looking at the students gathered around Nan Liujing, Wu Zhangkong's eyes couldn't help but be profound, and the conversation he had with the deputy hall master yesterday kept coming to his mind.

Nan Liujing and Gu Yue were now facing the thanks of a young man.

It was none other than Xu Xiaoyan’s biological brother Xu Xiaoyu.

Although Class Zero is busy with its studies, it does not mean that there will be no holidays. When Xu Xiaoyan occasionally returns home, she naturally mentions the help that Nan Liujing and Gu Yue have given her.

"Brother, what is your goal this time?"

When Nan Liujing and Xu Xiaoyu finished their conversation, Xu Xiaoyan couldn't help but interrupt.

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the other six contestants from the advanced department who followed captain Xu Xiaoyu became serious.

Xu Xiaoyu said solemnly, "In the last competition, the Academy Youth Group didn't even make it past the preliminaries. This time, we must at least make it to the semi-finals."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Their treatment was not as good as that of Class Zero, but the academy had given them special support early on because of their outstanding performance in the youth group competition.

Even if it costs my life, I have to get a good result.

"Then I wish you all a successful start." Nan Liujing said in a tone that was neither intimate nor distant.

"Thank you for your good wishes." Xu Xiaoyu and the other team members did not stay for too long. They gave the space to the students in Class Zero and turned to find the younger students in the intermediate department.

Then, Nan Liujing, Gu Yue and the other three saw a tragic scene.

However, Ouyang Zixin, who represented the intermediate department in the junior competition, was chatting happily with Tang Wulin. Suddenly, she saw Xu Xiaoyu leading people over. It was unknown what she said to Tang Wulin, but she turned around and joined the main group, and mainly chatted and laughed with Xu Xiaoyu.

"Poor thing." Xie Xie looked at the disappointment between Tang Wulin's brows and immediately felt heartbroken for his brother.

But this heartache was obviously too early, and Xie Xie's eyes soon widened.

Mu Xi, whose beauty rivaled Ouyang Zixin's, actually clung to Tang Wulin's shoulders, chatting with him playfully. The disappointment in Tang Wulin's expression quickly faded, and he became much more energetic.

"This..." Xie Xie was dumbfounded. "What does Wu Lin want to do? Even rabbits don't eat grass near their burrows."

Xu Xiaoyan jokingly asked, "Are you envious?"

"I'm not envious. As a soul master, you should work hard to become stronger and talk less about love affairs." Xie Xie said seriously.

"Tsk." Xu Xiaoyan snorted. After a month of getting along, she was no longer as timid as she was at the beginning.

Nan Liujing pinched his chin.

Will Tang Wulin be with Mu Xi in the future?
After all, Shikong Muxi had already fallen in love with Tang Wulin.

However, at this stage, Mu Xi probably only feels a sense of affection for Tang Wulin as a fellow disciple.

"set off!"

Soon, the departure time arrived, and Long Hengxu asked the students to get on bus number six.

Gu Yue naturally sat together with Nan Liujing.

"Brother, you still owe me a shopping trip."

Looking at Nan Liujing who was leaning his head on his shoulder and trying to sleep, Gu Yue reminded him softly.

"I'll treat you, you can pick whatever you want." Nan Liujing's mind was full of how to wipe out Xu Cang, so he replied casually.

Gu Yue smiled, stretched out her jade hand and took Nan Liujing's hand, their fingers interlocked.

She remembered Nan Liujing's habit of holding other people's hands when he slept in the car.

As the sound of conversation rose in the carriage, the wheels gradually moved forward.

One after another, soul-guided buses drove towards the highway in an orderly manner.

Target, Tianhai City!

at the same time.

High in the sky above Shrek City heading towards Tianhai City, a red god-level mecha transformed into an airplane was flying past at high speed. Its extremely fast speed almost tore the air apart, leaving two tiny cracks.

Looking at Yali and Shen Yi who were chatting happily in the main seat.

Yu Jiutian and the other seven students had never expected that their team leader would be the Holy Spirit Douluo, the deputy leader of the Sea God Pavilion.

Isn't this just a mediocre exhibition match that will end as soon as it begins?

Why does this big guy need to accompany me?

I can't figure it out.

"Xinglan."

Ye Xinglan was playing with his phone, considering whether to send a message to his childhood sweetheart to meet up in Tianhai City, when he felt someone pat his shoulder.

She turned her head and saw a soft and beautiful face. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Ning Yun from the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect smiled and said, "Senior Shen Yi asked me to accompany her to the Tianhai City shopping district. Would you like to come too? It's a good opportunity for us to keep each other company."

Ye Xinglan was about to refuse when he saw the senior sister clasp her hands together and plead with her face, "Please."

Ye Xinglan pursed her lips. The senior student had been very caring towards her during this period, and it was really hard to refuse her.

"Okay." She could only agree. It seemed that her plan to go shopping with her childhood sweetheart would have to be postponed.

On another chair, Xu Cang chatted calmly with Yu Jiutian and several other companions.

Someone asked, "Speaking of which, why did the academy suddenly arrange a three-on-three exhibition match for us?"

Yu Jiutian, as the team leader, was the first to speak: "The Tianhai Alliance Competition will be broadcast live, and most of the continent will follow. One more exhibition match will attract more viewers. We Shrek students haven't participated in the competition for a long time. I'm sure many people are looking forward to seeing our performance."

A tall male student smiled and said, "The Tianhai Alliance officials are quite shrewd. They know how to use our fame to increase traffic to the competition."

The team members nodded.

Then another student whose family background was no less impressive than Yu Jiutian's complained to Xu Cang, "It's fine if the captain participates, but why were you also chosen to participate in the three-on-three?"

Xu Cang said with a smile: "Who made me so powerful?"

"Huh~" There was a sudden burst of booing.

As we chatted, the topic changed.

Xu Lizhi took this opportunity to pull on Xu Cang's clothes and said, "Brother, after this competition, the family will definitely pay more attention to you. Congratulations."

Xu Cang smiled. Being a Shrek student was completely different from representing Shrek Academy in a serious competition.

After he was selected to participate in the exhibition match, his competitors in the family were obviously weaker than him.

Comfortable~
The male protagonist will not join the Tang Sect. To avoid misunderstandings among readers, I would like to make this clear in advance.

You can choose not to join the Tang Sect, but you must seize the opportunities of the Tang Sect. Utilizing and joining are two different things.

Just like why the male protagonist goes to Shrek Academy, one is for the woman, two is for the ancient golden tree, and three is for Devil Island.

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(End of this chapter)