"Let's set aside the matter of the external spirit bone for now." Tang Hao waved his hand. "There's no need for us to antagonize the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan at this time."
"It was a legitimate transaction, and we have no grounds to demand it back." After speaking, Tang Hao turned to the blue-haired youth. "Xiao San, what do you think?"
"Mm, Father is right." Tang San pondered briefly before agreeing with Tang Hao's stance.
Since the three upper sects shared a common enemy in the Spirit Hall, the enemy of their enemy could very well become an ally.
While the external spirit bone would be useful to him, provoking a potential ally over something currently out of reach was unnecessary.
After returning from Sunset Forest, Tang San had questioned his father in detail about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Learning that it was an auxiliary-type clan and, most importantly, wealthy Tang San had begun formulating ideas.
Could his hidden weapons be used to extract benefits from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?
Auxiliary Soul Masters were inherently vulnerable. Weapons like the Godly Zhuge Crossbow, while not exceptionally rare, might grant him leverage in negotiations. However, he had no illusions about trading them for the return of his external spirit bone.
From the discussion alone, it was clear how much Dugu Bo and his granddaughter meant to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
The Godly Zhuge Crossbow simply wasn't valuable enough.
"Xiao San, you've grown up." Tang Hao patted Tang San's head, a gratified smile tugging at his lips. "Your meticulous nature really takes after your mother."
"Father, about Mother " Tang San began, but Tang Hao shook his head, cutting him off.
"The Spirit Hall owes us a blood debt. But now is not the time for vengeance."
"Mm!"
Tang San nodded firmly.
Back in the cave where his mother's remains rested, he had detected a faint chrysanthemum-like fragrance. After reporting this to Tang Hao, his father had flown into a rage, confirming the Spirit Hall as their enemy.
Indeed, the Spirit Hall was not just his father's foe it was his enemy as well.
For daring to harm his mother, the Spirit Hall had committed an unforgivable sin.
The Spirit Hall had already chosen the path to its own destruction!
"Father, since we're in the Heaven Dou Empire, won't the Spirit Hall cause trouble for us?" Suppressing his anger, Tang San voiced his concern.
"Don't worry. For now, we're safe in the Heaven Dou Empire." Tang Hao's chest heaved as a coughing fit wracked his injured body.
"Golden Crocodile is severely wounded, and Qian Daoliu is too cowardly to leave the Spirit Hall at will."
"As for the other Elder Hall members, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan aren't pushovers either."
"The Spirit Hall doesn't yet have the strength to wage war against all the major powers and empires on the continent."
Tang Hao paused briefly before adding, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's patriarch, Ning Fengzhi, is Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's teacher."
"By both sentiment and logic, he would never side with the Spirit Hall."
"From what I've heard, the Heaven Dou Emperor, Xue Ye, is gravely ill and may not have long to live. That gives the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan even less reason to betray their stance."
"Unless... Xue Qinghe defects to the Spirit Hall. But even then, given Ning Fengzhi's character, I suspect he'd simply replace the crown prince with another prince."
Even though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan currently had some collaborations with the Spirit Hall, a complete Spirit Hall takeover of the Heaven Dou Empire would bring them no benefits.
No one would tolerate a rival sleeping beside them.
For the sake of his clan, Ning Fengzhi could never harbor goodwill toward the Spirit Hall.
Tang Hao's analysis earned nods of agreement from the others.
Their admiration for the Clear Sky Douluo's calm reasoning flowed endlessly.
They had assumed the Clear Sky Clan's skulls were filled with nothing but hammers who knew there were brains in there too?
Truly, when someone accustomed to certain behaviors suddenly displayed another approach, it never failed to astonish.
"Third Brother, there's something I'm not sure if I should mention." Xiao Wu tugged at Tang San's sleeve. Since everyone present already knew she was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, there was no need for secrecy.
She recounted her encounter with three individuals from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in Notting City three or four years ago.
Though she couldn't be entirely certain they were from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the descriptions of Ning Fengzhi and others in recent discussions made it highly probable.
Title Douluos on the Douluo Continent were all figures of great renown.
Moreover, the Title Douluo she had sensed back then didn't seem weaker than Da Ming or Er Ming likely a rank 95 or higher Soul Master.
"Xiao Wu, you're saying you were threatened by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan at Notting Academy?" Tang San's eyes reddened like an enraged rabbit's.
Xiao Wu had been threatened, and he, as her brother, hadn't even known?
Damn it. Damn the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
You've already chosen the path to your own destruction!
"Xiao San, that matter is in the past. There's no need for either of you to dwell on it." Tang Hao also recalled how Ning Fengzhi and the others had once sought out Xiao Wu to observe her spirit ring condensation.
Afterward, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had indeed kept their promise not to reveal Xiao Wu's identity to anyone otherwise, she wouldn't have spent nearly four peaceful years at Notting Academy.
Thus, Tang Hao briefly explained the context of Xiao Wu's story, including how he had helped the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan search for spirit bones such as killing the "Sin-laden" Shi Nian.
"So that's what happened!" Flender exclaimed.
"Did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan succeed in breaking through to the eight-ring level afterward?"
As a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan albeit a currently unwelcome one Yu Xiaogang still held some interest in their rival clan's affairs.
Tang Hao glanced at Yu Xiaogang and replied indifferently, "Maybe they succeeded, maybe they didn't. At the very least, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan hasn't changed its name yet."
"So they failed then." Yu Xiaogang sighed in relief.
"Don't concern yourselves with that. The three upper sects share the same stance regarding the Spirit Hall." Tang Hao then turned back to Tang San. "Xiao San, I plan to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in a couple of days. Will you come with me?"
"I'd like to go, but Father, your injuries..."
"Let's see. They might have treatment options."
"Besides, killing me wouldn't be so easy. I've already written to the Clear Sky Clan outlining the situation here. We should receive a reply soon."
"If that's the case, then it's settled." Tang San nodded.
If they could purchase or borrow immortal herbs or pills to restore his father's health, the risk would be worth taking.
Just as Tang San and the others were making plans for their visit, a student came running with a letter, handing it to Liu Erlong.
Upon opening it, Liu Erlong's face registered surprise. "Huh? A letter from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan seems to be from Ning Fengzhi himself."
Her words instantly drew everyone's attention.
Speak of the devil no sooner had they mentioned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan than Ning Fengzhi's letter arrived?