Chapter 226: Tang San's Decision to Go to Sea God Island
Ning Rongrong spent several days on Mount Almo, and by the time she left, it was clear she didn't want to go. But in those few days, she seemed brighter, especially after playing in the snow with Lingling, Yan Yan, and Tianyue. The four girls had a great time, running and throwing snowballs on the mountainside.
Meanwhile, both Ning Fengzhi and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had private meetings with Yang Wudi, but neither resulted in an alliance, so they departed with some disappointment. Still, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo felt a bit relieved, as seeing Ning Rongrong's happiness brought them some comfort.
Sword Douluo nodded. "Fengzhi, Rongrong hasn't been this happy in a long time. The Break Clan has truly found an ideal place—isolated and peaceful."
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment before replying, "I didn't understand their choice of Mount Almo at first. But now it's clear—they've chosen wisely. Distanced from turmoil, they've thrived in just a few short years."
Sword Douluo looked conflicted. "Fengzhi, what if we let Rongrong stay here on Mount Almo? She might be much happier here."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "It's too late. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has lost too much—Rongrong will never be able to let go of that kind of hatred. It's her duty as the heir of our clan."
"Even if I wanted to retire, there's no way out now. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan no longer has the resources to retreat."
Sword Douluo was puzzled. "Fengzhi, with both Uncle Gu and me as Titled Douluo, how could we lack resources?"
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Uncle Jian, it's different now. Among the younger generation, our disciples aren't as strong as before, nor do we have someone like Poison Douluo to act as a deterrent. And every one of our people is burdened by grief and loss."
…
Meanwhile, Tang San was alone in his room, considering his future. Since coming to the Douluo Continent, he had always been confident in his talent. With innate full spirit power, twin spirits, and his second spirit being the unrivaled Clear Sky Hammer, Tang San had always held his abilities in high regard.
But in recent years, that confidence had been shaken. The people at Skywalk Academy were mostly his age, and Yang Potian, who was barely five years older, had already reached Titled Douluo level. Could Tang San really break through to Titled Douluo within five years?
Tang San went to seek advice from his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, who was even more astonished. Yu Xiaogang had studied countless historical records and data and knew that the youngest Titled Douluo in history was Tang Hao, who reached that level at forty-four. But here was Yang Potian, already a Titled Douluo at twenty-four, surpassing Tang Hao's record by a full two decades! Given his age, he could theoretically still participate in the Spirit Master Tournament. It was unimaginable.
After an hour of discussion, neither teacher nor student could make sense of it. Yu Xiaogang was especially puzzled by Yang Potian's rapid advancement, but Yang Potian didn't respect or even acknowledge him, making it impossible to ask.
Feeling frustrated, Tang San said to Yu Xiaogang, "Teacher, ever since reaching Spirit Emperor, I feel my cultivation speed has slowed considerably. I don't have the overwhelming advantage over my peers that I once did."
Indeed, as a Spirit Elder and Spirit Ancestor, he had used the unique techniques of the Tang Sect, like Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Controlling Crane Catching Dragon, to maintain an unbeatable position among peers. But as a Spirit Emperor, and with his Blue Silver Grass still unawakened a second time, he could no longer overpower others of the same rank.
In the Clear Sky Clan, his Clear Sky Hammer was undeniably powerful, while the Blue Silver Grass's control advantages seemed to be shrinking. When he reached Spirit Sage, the gap would likely widen even further. Once activated, the Clear Sky Hammer's True Form would unlock its full potential, while Blue Silver Grass, as a plant-type spirit, couldn't rival such strength.
Tang San had followed Yu Xiaogang's plan, using Blue Silver Grass to build up his control and poison attributes, but this focus seemed to be slowing his advancement. Now, he wasn't even sure if the Blue Silver Grass would allow him to reach Titled Douluo level. After all, the Douluo Continent had very few plant-based Titled Douluo. Yet his father and teacher still opposed adding any spirit rings to the Clear Sky Hammer, and he hadn't found a solution to the twin spirit conflict.
Yu Xiaogang was at a loss himself, as his experience as a Great Spirit Master couldn't offer much guidance for a Spirit Emperor or Spirit Sage.
But Yu Xiaogang finally spoke, "Little San, do you have any other training plans?"
Tang San shook his head. "I've been following my father's training regime, though recently I've focused more on the Clear Sky Hammer."
Yu Xiaogang thought for a long time before responding, "Little San, you're too focused on the Clear Sky Hammer and on sheer strength. Since Blue Silver Grass is your primary spirit, you should devote more time to it, or your progress will only keep slowing down."
"Look at Flender and Zhao Wuji. They've both concentrated solely on their single spirits, reaching Spirit Douluo rank. With your natural gifts, you could make Titled Douluo in just fifteen years. Once there, you could add spirit rings over fifty thousand years to the Clear Sky Hammer, and within a short time, you'd be near rank ninety-seven or ninety-eight. That's the real advantage of twin spirits."
Tang San seemed dissatisfied. "Teacher, isn't there any other way to speed things up?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "Most spirit master cultivation is gradual. Sudden growth usually only comes when facing extreme danger, when people can unlock hidden potential. That's why your father wanted you to go to the Slaughter City; he hoped its challenges would force you to grow. Unfortunately, that plan didn't work out."
"Little San, I've been considering something—a method that might work for you, but it involves extreme risk, even life-threatening danger."
Curious, Tang San asked, "Teacher, I'm not afraid of danger. Please, tell me."
With a grave look, Yu Xiaogang said, "Have you ever heard of Sea God Island? The spirit masters there are unlike any others on the continent. In fact, Sea God Island is the one place Spirit Hall truly fears."
"Sea God Island? What kind of place is that?"
Yu Xiaogang thought for a moment. "Sea God Island lies to the far west, beyond Hanhai City. It's located quite a distance from there."
"That place is referred to by Spirit Hall as the Devil's Island. The spirit masters there are called Sea Spirit Masters. They see themselves as children of the sea and worship the Sea God."
"Back then, Spirit Hall sent four Titled Douluo along with two thousand spirit masters to try to recruit the spirit masters on Sea God Island. But they were soundly defeated, and only about a hundred of them returned, losing two Titled Douluo in the process. This was one of Spirit Hall's greatest defeats in recent years."
Tang San was shocked. "Is Sea God Island really that strong? They even lost two Titled Douluo, and nearly two thousand spirit masters. Didn't Spirit Hall think about getting revenge?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "I was curious myself, so I went to Sea God Island with Spirit Hall's forces at that time. But the battle was brutal—Spirit Hall's forces were crushed. Sea Spirit Masters fight very differently from land-based spirit masters, able to maneuver freely underwater. Some higher-level spirit masters can even draw power directly from the ocean."
"I remember that everyone on Sea God Island is a spirit master, and they have multiple Titled Douluo. I'd even guess there's a rank ninety-nine Peerless Douluo there; otherwise, Spirit Hall wouldn't have backed off. After all, Qian Daoliu of Spirit Hall is a rank ninety-nine Douluo."
Tang San's expression was resolute. "Teacher, I want to train on Sea God Island. I believe it may offer the kind of opportunities I need."
Yu Xiaogang hesitated, shaking his head. "I've avoided telling you about Sea God Island because I feared it might be a one-way trip. Any spirit master who completes the trials can join Sea God Island and become a Sea Spirit Master, and their strength can improve tremendously. But their rules are very strict—no Sea Spirit Master is allowed to leave the island."
"With your talent, I'm not worried about you reaching the island or passing its trials. But once you become a Sea Spirit Master, you may never be able to return. Furthermore, Sea Spirit Masters often have marine spirits like seagulls or seahorses. They may not be individually powerful, but they're incredibly fast and well-suited to the sea environment. At sea, you might find it hard to keep up."
Tang San thought for a while before replying, "Teacher, I'm determined to go to Sea God Island. The gap between my current strength and what I need is too great, and I believe I can improve rapidly there. If returning becomes an issue, I'll leave a signal; worst case, Elder Bai He could come to retrieve me."
Yu Xiaogang nodded reluctantly. "That could work. Elder Bai He is unmatched in speed—he could indeed outmaneuver the Sea Spirit Masters. But if you're going, be fully prepared."
Since the Strength and Speed Clans had rejoined the Clear Sky Clan, Bai He and Titan had become its outer sect elders, with Bai He as Head Elder and Titan as Second Elder, giving them newfound authority.
After consulting with Yu Xiaogang, Tang San went to speak with his father Tang Hao and uncle Tang Xiao, informing them of his intention to train on Sea God Island.
Both were visibly shocked, their expressions changing as they heard the plan.
"Father, Uncle, is there something wrong with Sea God Island?" Tang San asked, puzzled.
Tang Xiao shook his head. "Little San, do you know why the Clear Sky Clan is considered the number one clan in the world?"
Tang San replied, confused, "Isn't it because our Clear Sky Hammer is the most powerful tool spirit?"
Tang Xiao shook his head. "The Clear Sky Hammer is indeed the most powerful tool spirit, but what truly makes our clan strong is your great-grandfather, Tang Chen. At his peak, he reached rank ninety-nine, even surpassing Spirit Hall's Grand Priest, Qian Daoliu. This is why we became the number one clan. Sadly, he's been missing for fifty years; otherwise, our clan wouldn't have been forced to close its doors or fall into decline."
Tang San was still confused. "Uncle, what does this have to do with Sea God Island? Have you been there as well?"
Tang Xiao's expression turned solemn. "Your father and I once went to Sea God Island to deliver a message to your great-grandfather. Sea God Island isn't a place to be taken lightly, especially given its High Priest, Bo Saixi, a rank ninety-nine Peerless Douluo."
"Back then, your great-grandfather and Qian Daoliu of Spirit Hall both journeyed to Sea God Island and clashed with Bo Saixi. They battled for three days and three nights, shaking heaven and earth. Do you know the result?"
Tang San's eyes widened. "Did Great-Grandfather and Qian Daoliu both lose?"
Tang Xiao's face grew even more serious. "Indeed. Both your great-grandfather and Qian Daoliu, despite their titles as 'Unmatched on Land' and 'Unmatched in the Skies,' lost to Bo Saixi on Sea God Island. Bo Saixi is known as the Sea God Douluo, and her spirit is the Sea God. On Sea God Island, she can command the ocean itself, making her invincible there to anyone below rank one hundred."
Shocked, Tang San listened carefully but remained resolute. "Uncle, my teacher told me that if I pass the trials on Sea God Island, I can join them as a Sea Spirit Master, though I'd have to remain on the island."
Tang Xiao nodded. "Sea God Island does have that rule. Anyone who passes their trials can join and grow significantly stronger, but the island's rules are strict. If you join, it may be difficult to return."
Even with their warnings, Tang San was determined to go to Sea God Island to improve himself. Hearing his decision, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao shared everything they knew about the island and helped him prepare for the journey.
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