Dai Hao's expression turned a bit awkward at Tang Ya's pointed question. He clearly understood the meaning behind her words. The ties between the White Tiger lineage and the Tang Sect's founders ran deep—there was no need to spell them out.
He sighed softly and nodded. "Of course, Sect Master Tang. Be careful on your journey to the Sun Moon Empire. The Star Luo Empire will always welcome your return."
He had already guessed why Tang Ya was heading there.
The Three Nations of the former Douluo Continent had completely failed the current head of the Tang Sect.
Dai Hao couldn't help but wonder—when the Tang Sect was reestablished in the Sun Moon Empire and began recruiting disciples again, how would those who had stood by and watched its demise feel?
Emotionally and logically, he knew he had no right to stop this woman who had already lost all faith in the Three Nations.
"Thank you," Tang Ya replied calmly, then left Yuming Pass with Gu Lin.
Dai Hao stood watching them disappear into the distance, heading toward the Sun Moon Empire. His heart was full of complicated emotions. The Tang Sect had given up on the Three Nations—but wasn't it the Three Nations that had first abandoned the Tang Sect?
Right or wrong... it was hard to judge fairly.
Once they were out of Dai Hao's range, Gu Lin finally let out a long sigh. "I never would've guessed that you're the Sect Master of the legendary Tang Sect. What a surprise!"
He was genuinely shocked by her identity—and deeply impressed by Jiang Qingtong. To be able to lure even the Tang Sect into the Sun Moon Empire's camp... She truly lived up to the expectations of Her Excellency, the Silver Moon Douluo!
"A ten-thousand-year legacy... but now I'm all that's left," Tang Ya said bitterly. She hadn't expected that, in the Sun Moon Empire of all places, her sect would still be recognized.
"As long as Sect Master Tang reestablishes the sect here, I believe many will come to join," Gu Lin replied earnestly.
The Sun Moon Empire had far fewer and weaker sects compared to the Three Nations. A thousand-year-old Tang Sect would naturally attract great interest.
Once they arrived at the Sun Moon Empire's checkpoint, Gu Lin presented his credentials, and they boarded a special transport vehicle bound for Mingdu. As Tang Ya stared out at the smooth highways and soul-powered vehicles running on soul array technology, it felt as though she'd entered another world.
The Three Nations had spent years painting the Sun Moon Empire as an evil, heartless enemy—but Tang Ya, though skeptical of those claims, had still never imagined it would look like this.
As they traveled, she came to truly understand the power of soul tool technology.
From the border to the capital—what once took days had become mere hours.
When Tang Ya stepped into Mingdu, a city without walls but filled with magnificent prosperity, she looked up at the sky and murmured,
"No wonder the Tang Sect fell."
As she reflected on everything, a silver-haired youth came walking toward them. Tang Ya blinked in surprise and blurted,
"Miss Jiang?"
The boy looked strikingly like Jiang Qingtong—his facial features were just sharper, his hair shorter. Same silver hair, same golden eyes.
"That's not Miss Jiang. That's her older brother, Jiang Shengyu—also known as Xiao Yan, the Lord of Soul Hall," Gu Lin explained.
"Soul Hall's Lord?" Tang Ya stared at him in shock.
He looked even younger than her—and he was already the head of a transcontinental underground organization?
No wonder Jiang Qingtong could casually give away a Level 9 Soul Tool. Clearly, both siblings held unimaginable power in the Sun Moon Empire.
While Tang Ya was still processing this, Jiang Shengyu approached them. Gu Lin quickly bowed. "My Lord!"
Jiang Shengyu nodded and said, "Elder Gu Lin, you may go rest. The report meeting will have to wait until the Soul Hall elders from Douling Empire return. I'll take care of her."
Clearly, Jiang Shengyu already knew Tang Ya's identity. Gu Lin was briefly surprised but quickly understood—it made sense that Jiang Shengyu, as Jiang Qingtong's brother, would be informed.
After Gu Lin departed, Jiang Shengyu turned to Tang Ya and said,
"Welcome to the Sun Moon Empire, Sect Master Tang."
"You know who I am?" Tang Ya asked in surprise.
He nodded and simply said, "Come with me."
Tang Ya gave a light nod and followed Jiang Shengyu down the main road toward the headquarters of Soul Hall.
The Soul Hall headquarters had been personally commissioned by the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire and jointly built by Mingde Hall and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. It stood right beside the academy campus.
It was a massive, awe-inspiring building—grand in the unique style of the Sun Moon Empire.
On the front gate, the Sun and Moon emblem was etched in soul-forged metal. In the center of a crescent-moon ring lay a blooming lotus—the mark of Soul Hall. Of course, this symbol was rarely displayed outside the empire for safety reasons.
"How does Sect Master Tang find our Soul Hall?" Jiang Shengyu asked as he led the way.
Still dazzled by Mingdu's streets, Tang Ya was momentarily dazed by the question. After a pause, she answered,
"Soul Hall is impressive—strong, with many disciples. And what it does… is meaningful."
Jiang Shengyu smiled. "Then would Sect Master Tang be interested in becoming a Guest Elder of Soul Hall?"
Tang Ya blinked, stunned. "Lord Xiao Yan, I—"
"Just call me Jiang Shengyu," he interrupted. "Xiao Yan is only my Soul Hall codename."
Tang Ya nodded. "Young Master Jiang, I'm the Tang Sect's leader. I can't join another sect."
Jiang Shengyu shook his head. "You misunderstand. I'm not asking you to merge with Soul Hall. You can register the Tang Sect as an affiliate sect—a partner. You remain independent. But we'll allow you to recruit disciples from within Soul Hall's ranks."
It was akin to franchising. Soul Hall would supply fresh talent; the sects would train them and in turn, contribute back to Soul Hall.
Or more bluntly, sects became Soul Hall's specialized training bases.
"Why?" Tang Ya asked.
She already understood the benefits. But with all the advantages seemingly going to her, what did he stand to gain?
Jiang Shengyu stopped walking and looked back at her.
"I want the Tang Sect's name—its ten-thousand-year legacy."
Tang Ya's expression tightened. Now she understood.
Yes, even though the Tang Sect had fallen, its name alone carried unmatched historical weight. If the Sun Moon Empire could align itself with the Tang Sect, it would be a slap in the face to the Three Nations of the former Douluo Continent.
Jiang Shengyu looked at her seriously.
"So? What do you say, Sect Master Tang? Will you consider it?"