Douluo: Steal Tang San's luck and become stronger!

Let them clash and weaken each other. The sole objective is to alleviate, or even temporarily relieve, the pressure of the beast tide facing Rose City, buying the defending forces time to regroup and adjust.

Su Bai immediately understood Tang Lan's intention, and a look of admiration appeared on his face.

"My lord, this plan is brilliant! First, it can genuinely help the garrison of Rose City and reduce casualties; second, it can also test the combat effectiveness of our new soul tool; and third... perhaps we can also trace back to the source of those controlling the soul beasts by observing the unusual movements of the beast herd? After all, if our pheromones interfere with the other side's control, they may react."

Tang Lan glanced at him, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.

“You reacted quickly. That was indeed a consideration. But the primary goal is to alleviate the pressure on Rose City.”

His tone softened slightly.

"Lord Xu Yu of Narosai City is an upright and capable man. He has persevered in such dire circumstances and has worked hard to maintain order and public morale in the city. He is a fine talent. Tang Lan... does not want such a person to lose his fighting spirit and confidence because of the near-desperate predicament, ultimately leading to the fall of the city and the death of its inhabitants, or to take extreme measures."

He didn't reveal the full reason, but Su Bai already understood. Helping Xu Yu stemmed from his appreciation of a dutiful general defending the city, and also paved the way for the Tang Clan to retain a potentially important ally or collaborator in the southwest region in the future.

Moreover, if Rose City falls, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians will perish, and the Holy Spirit Cult's "Bloody Bird" conspiracy will be more likely to succeed, which is also not in the interests of the Tang Clan.

"also."

Tang Lan's lips curled into a faint smile, carrying a hint of testing.

"I also want to see what kind of earth-shattering solution this Lord Xu can come up with when the pressure is slightly reduced, or rather... what exactly are the 'other plans' he mentioned earlier?"

Su Bai responded respectfully.

"Understood! We have some 'Soul Beast Guides' in stock. Although the quantity is not too large, if used properly to cover several key directions, create chaos or guide the flow, it should have a good effect."

This matter involves the operation and field deployment of soul tools, requiring specialized personnel. I will immediately dispatch the most elite soul tool master team from the nearby stronghold to personally oversee this matter and ensure its flawless execution!

"Yes, I'm at ease with you overseeing it personally."

Tang Lan nodded, then added.

"The operation must be carried out in secrecy, and the identity of the Tang Clan must not be exposed. Other names can be used, or you can disguise yourself as Soul Hunters or an adventure team. The core components of the inducer must be recycled or completely destroyed after use, and no evidence can be left behind."

"Yes! I obey my orders!"

Su Bai solemnly agreed.

Having confirmed Tang Lan's extremely high status and profound considerations within the Tang Sect, Su Bai had no further doubts and nodded in agreement. The fact that this "master" could so precisely utilize the Tang Sect's newly developed secret soul tool and hold such a complex attitude towards a border city lord indicated that this person's vision and authority far surpassed that of an ordinary elder.

All he needs to do is follow orders without wavering.

After assigning these two key tasks, Tang Lan briefly inquired about Su Bai's personnel composition, strength distribution, and other recently gathered intelligence regarding the Tang Clan branch in Rose City. Su Bai answered each question clearly and logically. Tang Lan gained a deeper understanding of the Tang Clan's control over the southwestern border forces and Su Bai's abilities.

After the conversation ended, Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er did not linger. With Lu Yun's respectful farewell, they left Chen's Blacksmith Shop and once again blended into the afternoon crowds of the streets of Rose City.

Tang Lan then took Wang Qiu'er and left the place, returning to Guangyao Restaurant.

When they stepped back into the Guangyao Restaurant, they found the situation slightly different from when they left that morning. The waiter in the lobby greeted them with a beaming smile, his attitude even more enthusiastic than before, even a little cautious.

"Our two distinguished guests have returned! Please come in, please come in!"

The waiter bowed and led the way, but instead of asking if they wanted to eat or go back to their rooms as usual, he led them directly to the stairs and whispered.

"Master Tao has already given instructions to provide better accommodations for our two distinguished guests. Please follow me."

"Master Tao?"

Tang Lan showed a suitable expression of doubt.

"That's Master Tao Zuo, a regular customer of our restaurant and an old friend of our Chamber of Commerce."

The waiter gave a vague explanation, clearly indicating that Tao Zuo had given some instructions to the restaurant, but he did not reveal the true "identities" of Tang Lan and his companion.

Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er exchanged a glance, asked no further questions, and followed the waiter upstairs.

This time, instead of staying on the fourth floor where they had been staying, they went straight up to the top floor of the restaurant—the seventh floor.

The decor on the seventh floor was completely different from that downstairs. The corridors were much wider, with thick, soft carpets on the floor, elegant calligraphy and paintings on the walls, and the light from the soul-guiding lamps was soft yet bright. The environment was extremely quiet, and the noise from downstairs could be barely heard.

The waiter led them to a door with exquisite cloud patterns carved on it and marked "Number Three of the Heavenly Rank". He respectfully took out his key, opened the door, and then stepped aside.

"Distinguished guests, this is the room that Master Tao has prepared for you two. Please."

When they returned to the restaurant, Tang Lan and her companion had moved to the No. 3 private room on the seventh floor of the top floor.

Upon entering the room, even Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er, who were well-informed, couldn't help but raise their eyebrows slightly.

The room was extremely spacious, divided into several sections, both inside and out. The outer section was an elegantly furnished living room, with tables and chairs made of fine wood and covered with soft animal hide cushions. To the side was a study, with bookshelves filled with numerous books.

The inner room is the bedroom, furnished with a large, comfortable carved wooden bed. In addition, there is a separate bathroom and even a small balcony offering panoramic city views.

The layout and facilities of the room are sufficient to comfortably accommodate eight people at the same time without disturbing each other.

"Only after inquiring did I learn that this was actually Tao Zuo's idea."

The waiter stood by, smiling and explaining.

"Master Tao said that the rooms arranged before were too simple and it was really unfair to our distinguished guests. Those who can stay on our seventh floor are either prominent families, high-ranking officials and nobles in the city, or presidents of some wealthy merchant guilds."

These are extraordinary times, and many distinguished guests have left, leaving many rooms empty. The entire seventh floor is very quiet, perfect for their rest. Master Tao specifically instructed that we ensure our distinguished guests have a comfortable stay.

After the waiter left, Wang Qiu'er closed the door, activated the simple soundproofing device that came with the room, and then looked around at the luxurious environment, pursing her lips.

"This Tao Zuo certainly knows how to flatter. It seems that the 'Crimson Crystal Fruit' companion vine and the 'Blood Burning and Qi Strengthening Pill' weren't given for nothing."

Tang Lan walked to the window, looked at the street scene outside that was still trying to maintain its normalcy, and said calmly.

"He's showing his loyalty, demonstrating his competence, and highlighting how much he values ​​me. The more he does this, the more it shows he's completely staked everything on the 'Faceless' identity. This will be beneficial for our subsequent actions."

The two rested briefly and changed into more comfortable clothes. Not long after, a familiar knock came at the door—three short knocks followed by one long one. "Come in."

Tang Lan sat in the main seat of the living room.

The door was gently pushed open, and Tao Zuo's face, adorned with a fawning smile, peeked in.

He strode in, closed the door behind him, and then respectfully walked up to Tang Lan, bowing deeply in greeting.

"Your subordinate, Tao Zuo, greets Your Excellency!"

"How did things go?"

Tang Lan asked directly.

Tao Zuo's face immediately lit up with excitement and a desire to claim credit. He lowered his voice but spoke very quickly.

"Reporting to you, my lord! Great news! After a day of secret contact, coercion and enticement... uh, I mean persuasion and communication, over 90% of the followers in the city have clearly stated their willingness to follow you, my lord."

And they will do everything in their power to help the adults find the traitors who planted those strange soul-guiding devices! Only a small minority, less than ten percent of the followers, are either eccentric or withdrawn, or their whereabouts are unpredictable and difficult to contact, or... have explicitly stated that they will only obey orders from their former superiors and will ignore messages from their subordinates.

He paused, carefully observing Tang Lan's expression, and added.

"Most of these people have eccentric personalities, act entirely on their own whims, or may have other powerful backers behind them, making them difficult to win over. Your subordinate... Your subordinate has already done your best."

Tang Lan nodded in satisfaction after hearing this, a rare gentleness appearing on her face.

“You’ve done a great job, Tao Zuo. To be able to gather 90% of the people’s hearts in such a short time has far exceeded my expectations.”

His words were not mere politeness. The Holy Spirit Cult was riddled with factions, its members were a mixed bag, and many were suspicious and cunning. Tao Zuo, as a minor leader, managed to persuade the vast majority of his undercover agents to pledge allegiance within a single day by leveraging the prestige of "Faceless" and the lure of substantial rewards. This demonstrated his impressive persuasive and organizational skills, proving that the bait he had laid was indeed tempting.

“I didn’t expect to be able to deceive everyone. It’s already surprising that 90% of the Holy Spirit Cult members have accepted ‘Faceless’.”

Tang Lan continued, her tone calm.

"Those who ignore us, we need not force them for now. Just keep an eye on their movements. As long as they don't cause trouble or ruin our important plans, let them be for now. Now, let's focus on the important matters."

"Yes! Your Excellency is wise!"

Tao Zuo quickly agreed, feeling relieved and even more impressed by the "Faceless Lord's" magnanimity and pragmatism.

"So."

Tang Lan's gaze fell on Tao Zuo.

"Any progress on the leads regarding the search for the 'traitor'?"

Tao Zuo's spirits lifted, and he quickly took out a folded letter from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

"My lord, this is the second thing I need to report! After preliminary investigation and summarizing the scattered information provided by our brothers from all sides, combined with some abnormal soul power fluctuations and suspicious activity records in the city recently, we have initially screened out more than a dozen suspicious names!"

Tang Lan reached out and took the letter, then unfolded it.

The letter was covered in neat, densely packed small characters, clearly carefully organized by Tao Zuo. It listed over a dozen suspicious names, each followed by a brief note including their approximate soul power level.

The descriptions also included physical characteristics, personality traits, and recent activity range. Some individuals were labeled as "suspected outsider," "mysterious," or "previously appeared near the area attacked by the beast tide," while others were labeled as "no contact with known cult members," "having a cold and strange soul power attribute," or "possessing an unidentified soul tool."

Tao Zuo explained from the side.

"My lord, among these people, some are unfamiliar faces who have recently appeared in Rose City and whose behavior is suspicious; others were originally in the city but have been acting strangely recently, or their soul power attributes and behavior patterns have some similarity to the characteristics required for the evil soul tools that the 'traitors' we know may use."

Among these people, there is a high possibility that there is the 'traitor' the adults are looking for, or at least someone connected to the 'traitor'!

He pointed to a name that was circled on the list.

"For example, this guy called 'Ghost Hand,' a level 68 Soul Emperor, is said to be a lone Soul Master who fled from the west. But some people have vaguely seen him leave the city late at night, heading towards the area where a small beast tide broke out before. When he returned, he carried a faint bloody smell that was different from that of ordinary Soul Beasts. And then there's this 'Poisonous Lady,' a level 71 Soul Saint."

He's a master of poisons, but lately he's become particularly interested in acquiring some obscure metal materials and soul beast cores. Those materials… according to our knowledgeable brothers, some of them are likely auxiliary materials for crafting special soul tools…”

Tao Zuo explained one by one. Although much of the information was based on indirect speculation and lacked direct evidence, the fact that he could compile such a targeted list in such a short time showed that he had indeed mobilized 90% of his followers to investigate with great effort and with considerable efficiency.

Tang Lan carefully examined the list, her gaze lingering on certain names and descriptions as she quickly analyzed them in her mind.

This list is undoubtedly an excellent start.

It narrowed down the investigation, which was originally like finding a needle in a haystack, to a dozen or so people. The next step is to conduct a more in-depth investigation, surveillance, and even... necessary contact or probing, based on this list.

“Very good, this list is very valuable.”

Tang Lan put away the letter and looked at Tao Zuo with a more substantial sense of approval.

"Continue to monitor these people's movements and gather more evidence. But be careful not to alert them. Especially those Soul Saint level individuals, or those whose whereabouts are particularly mysterious; do not act rashly without my orders."

"Yes! I understand!"

Tao Zuo was overjoyed to receive this affirmation.

"in addition."

Tang Lan pondered for a moment.

"Find a way to investigate the whereabouts of 'Vinasent' without arousing suspicion. If he's no longer in Rose City, where did he go? If he's still here, why hasn't he reacted to this gathering? I need to know his attitude."

Tao Zuo's expression hardened, realizing that the "master" was about to start cleaning up the existing power structure, and he quickly agreed.

"Yes! Your Excellency is wise!"

Tao Zuo quickly agreed, his face beaming with a fawning and smug smile. In his eyes, being able to follow such a powerful, unfathomable, and incredibly generous "high-ranking figure" within the sect was nothing short of a stroke of good fortune!

As long as one remains loyal, works diligently, and demonstrates value, one day one will rise to prominence and break through to the Soul Saint realm or even higher! This is far more promising than following those stingy, self-serving former superiors! (End of Chapter)