Jiang Shengyu didn't rush Tang Ya. He led her into the Soul Hall headquarters, casually introducing her to various non-confidential parts of the facility.
Watching the bustling Soul Hall personnel coming and going, Tang Ya couldn't help but imagine the future of the Tang Sect. If her sect could someday be as thriving as this place… how wonderful would that be? Even her parents in the afterlife would finally rest in peace.
After a full tour, Jiang Shengyu was about to escort her out when Tang Ya finally made up her mind.
"Young Master Jiang! I accept!"
Her voice was loud and clear. The surrounding Soul Hall members all turned to look at them in surprise. Suddenly, Jiang Shengyu and Tang Ya became the center of attention.
"She accepts?"
"Accepts what?"
"Wow… Didn't think our Lord Xiao Yan was into older women."
"Come on, this is the workplace—should they really be talking about stuff like this here?"
Murmurs and teasing remarks rippled through the onlookers. Jiang Shengyu kept a calm smile on his face and said casually, "Anyone who spoke just now—half a month's salary, gone."
The crowd: "…"
No more jokes.
After docking their pay, Jiang Shengyu turned back to Tang Ya and smiled helplessly. "Sect Master Tang, a little quieter next time. I'm still just an innocent young man, you know."
Tang Ya twitched slightly at the corner of her mouth, unsure how to respond. After a brief pause, she lowered her head. "Apologies… I just got a bit too excited."
Jiang Shengyu nodded. "Understandable. Since Sect Master Tang has agreed, the next steps will be easy. I'll arrange for an office here in the headquarters that you can also use as a future Tang Sect liaison base. If you need anything reasonable, just ask."
Tang Ya nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Young Master Jiang."
Jiang Shengyu had someone escort Tang Ya to rest, then wandered around the Soul Hall until he found where Elder Hong was.
He stormed in with a loud shout: "Elder Hong!"
Elder Hong was in the middle of eating a bowl of rice. Jiang Shengyu's entrance startled him so much that he slammed his hand on the table and roared,
"You little brat! What the hell are you shouting for?!"
"Your voice sounds louder than mine though." Jiang Shengyu scratched his head sheepishly and ran over. Glancing at the elder's food, he smacked his lips. "Elder Hong, you really live well. Better meals than even I get as Hall Master."
"Cut it out! This is cafeteria food. You're the one with a private chef," Elder Hong huffed, quickly pulling his food away as Jiang Shengyu pulled out chopsticks from his soul tool storage.
"Look at you! What kind of behavior is this?" Elder Hong sighed, watching Jiang Shengyu shamelessly prepare to dig in. "A dignified Soul Hall Hall Master walking around with his own cutlery just to bum food. Aren't you embarrassed?"
"Other people's food always tastes better," Jiang Shengyu grinned.
Elder Hong asked, "So, what brings you here?"
Jiang Shengyu replied with a smirk, "The Sect Master of the Tang Sect? My sister lured her in."
Elder Hong froze. "You mean that legendary Tang Sect—the one that once produced gods?"
Jiang Shengyu nodded.
Seeing Jiang Shengyu's proud expression, Elder Hong drew a deep breath and burst into delighted laughter: "Good, good, very good! Even a sect like that has come to us! What face do the old Douluo Continent nations have left now? Hahaha!"
"Don't get too excited yet. I've got a favor to ask," Jiang Shengyu added.
Elder Hong was in a great mood. "You're the Hall Master. Speak freely."
"Tang Sect will temporarily settle here in the Soul Hall headquarters. I need you to pass word down. When our people awaken martial souls for others, have them scout for promising individuals to recommend to the Tang Sect. I want all future Tang Sect disciples to come from Soul Hall."
Jiang Shengyu spoke with a cheerful tone, but his intent was serious.
Elder Hong looked at him deeply. "You've got quite the ambition, kid."
"I've got big dreams," Jiang Shengyu laughed. "Once Soul Hall emerges fully on the continent and controls the martial soul awakening process, I want every sect under heaven to register with us."
He intended to surpass the control the old Spirit Hall once had over the soul master world.
Back then, even with the Spirit Hall, there were still the Upper Three Sects. But in his Soul Hall—none of that. All sects would follow the Tang Sect's model: their leaders serving as guest elders, and their disciples chosen by Soul Hall.
He made no effort to hide this massive ambition. Elder Hong was visibly shaken by the scale of Jiang Shengyu's vision. After a long pause, he sighed,
"You really do think big for someone so young. Fine, I'll take care of the Tang Sect business."
"Thanks, Elder Hong!" Jiang Shengyu said with a grin.
After leaving Elder Hong, Jiang Shengyu went to find Huo Yuhao, who was currently assisting Xuan Ziwen with a soul tool experiment.
Seeing how focused Yuhao was, Jiang Shengyu commented with amusement,
"Still working at meal time? You're really dedicated, Yuhao!"
"Cousin?" Huo Yuhao looked up in surprise.
He'd been at Mingde Hall long enough to know Jiang Shengyu was basically impossible to find during lunch. For him to show up now—it had to be something important.
Xuan Ziwen seemed to think the same. He asked, "Junior brother, what's going on?"
"Since Yuhao came, you've been colder and colder to me, senior," Jiang Shengyu said with a dramatic sigh.
"I've always treated you this way," Xuan Ziwen rolled his eyes. "If you've got something to say, spit it out. We're in the middle of research."
Jiang Shengyu shrugged and got to the point. He informed Yuhao that Tang Ya had arrived in the Sun Moon Empire.
Yuhao was stunned. "Sister Tang came here?"
Jiang Shengyu nodded.
Yuhao's expression shifted with emotion. "That's how it should be! Shrek Academy never helped her or the Tang Sect! They call themselves the number one academy on the continent, but they couldn't even help rebuild the Tang Sect—the very sect their founding god Tang San came from!"
"People change," Jiang Shengyu commented with a chuckle. "Alright, I just came to say that. Later!"
As soon as he left, Yuhao picked up the pace with his work. Not long after, he finished his tasks and said to Xuan Ziwen,
"Teacher, I'm going to visit Sister Tang."
Xuan Ziwen nodded. "Go on, then."
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