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

Just as Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er finished analyzing the situation, and the room fell into a brief silence with only the faint sound of waves coming from outside the window, the heavy door of the Imperial Suite was suddenly gently knocked on.

The knocking was steady, but at this sensitive moment, it still made a hint of vigilance flash in Wang Qiu'er's golden eyes.

She glanced at Tang Lan, who nodded slightly, then got up and walked to the door. Instead of opening it immediately, she asked through the door.

"Who?"

A male voice, deliberately lowered but unable to conceal his excitement and respect, came from outside the door.

“Miss Qiu’er, it’s me, Dingdel. And Jona. We… brought people with us.”

Dingdel and Jona? The images of those two capable members of the Tang Clan during the Southwest Operation immediately flashed into Wang Qiu'er's mind.

Without further hesitation, she reached out and opened the door.

The moment the door opened, Wang Qiu'er's gaze fell on Dingdel and Jona standing outside. Both were dressed in practical clothes, looking travel-worn.

But they were in high spirits. However, what truly stunned Wang Qiu'er, and made her let out a low gasp, was the group of figures standing behind them.

It was a group of figures that were familiar to the core, yet each exuded a powerful or unique aura. Their appearance seemed to instantly transport this seaside suite in Hanhai City back to the warm and spirited home of the Tang Clan headquarters.

"Sister Xiaoya! Sister Xiaotao! Xiaoxiao! Wutong! Sister Nannan! Longyao! Xin'er!"

Wang Qiu'er read out almost every name, her golden eyes filled with surprise and delight.

"You...you all came?!"

Outside the door, Tang Ya, dressed in a light blue dress, possessed a gentle and beautiful face, a soft smile playing on her lips, yet her aura grew increasingly somber and profound. Standing slightly ahead of her, Ma Xiaotao was still dressed in her signature red dress.

Her fiery red hair was tied up, and her brows exuded a commanding presence. The intense yet restrained fluctuations of her soul power indicated that her cultivation had improved once again. Xiao Xiao smiled charmingly, her bright eyes curiously surveying the interior of the room.

Tang Wutong, with a bright smile on her beautiful face, winked at Wang Qiu'er. Jiang Nannan stood gracefully, exuding an elegant air. Long Yao, on the other hand, possessed a touch of wildness and unruliness, arms crossed, with Lu Xin'er standing quietly beside her.

Aside from Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, He Caitou, and Bell, who remained behind, all the founders and core members of the Tang Clan were gathered outside the Haitian Restaurant in Hanhai City!

Tang Lan, who was inside the room, also saw the scene outside the door. A hint of surprise flashed across his face, which then turned into a warm smile.

He stood up and said loudly.

"Don't just stand at the door, come in quickly. I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly, it's really unexpected."

Upon hearing Tang Lan's voice, smiles appeared on the faces of everyone outside the door. Dingdel and Jona stepped aside, and Tang Ya led the group in. The originally spacious living room of the Imperial Suite suddenly became lively and full of life with the influx of nearly ten core members.

Wen Yun was also alerted and quietly appeared outside the door. Seeing the commotion, she immediately and cleverly instructed her staff to prepare more tea, snacks, and chairs. She then respectfully bowed to Tang Ya and the others and stood aside.

Tang Lan gestured for everyone to sit down, her gaze sweeping over the familiar and friendly faces before finally settling on Tang Ya, where she smiled.

"Xiaoya, you've really given me a pleasant surprise. Based on the time it took to send the message, you should have arrived in at least two or three days."

Tang Ya sat down on the sofa next to Tang Lan, smiled gently, and explained.

"We were proceeding according to plan. However, we received the latest intelligence from Yuhao through special channels, informing us that the situation in Dongyang City was changing rapidly and that the Holy Spirit Cult was frantically increasing its troops."

After discussing it, everyone agreed that we should join you as soon as possible. Fortunately, Long Yao's Azure Dragon and Poisonous Dragon are extremely fast and can carry many people on long journeys. So we let the main force come as planned, while the rest of us rode the dragons and flew here ahead of time.”

She paused, glanced at Long Yao beside her, who possessed a unique temperament and a touch of coldness and wildness, and continued.

"Long Yao's two dragons are truly extraordinary. Not only are they faster than ordinary flying soul beasts, but they also have great endurance. They can travel through thousands of miles of mountains and rivers without stopping."

As for the other experts within the Tang Sect, and the accompanying elite disciples, they will arrive in Hanhai City in the coming days.

Tang Lan nodded, looking at Long Yao with approval. Long Yao, sensing the sect leader's gaze, straightened her back slightly and said concisely.

"If the sect leader needs it, Long Yao will do her best."

She didn't say much, but her determination was unwavering.

At this moment, Ma Xiaotao spoke up, her voice clear and strong.

"Lan, this time we're not just a few people. If you think about it carefully, besides Yuhao, Senior Brother, and Caitou who need to stay behind to coordinate all parties and ensure logistics, there are more than just a few of us here."

Apart from Bell leading a portion of the force to remain at the Tang Sect headquarters and various branches as a precaution, almost all of the Tang Sect's existing elders, core deacons of each hall, and elite members drawn from affiliated sects were ordered to converge here.

Her expression became serious.

"This battle is of great significance to the Tang Clan. It is not only about eliminating evil soul masters, seizing evil artifacts, and avenging the innocent people of Black Iron City and other places, but also about the future reputation, status and development momentum of the entire Tang Clan on the continent."

If they win, the Tang Clan's prestige will soar to its zenith, truly establishing its superior position; if they suffer a major setback, their vitality will be severely damaged, and it may even cast a shadow over the foundation they have painstakingly built over the years.

Therefore, after an emergency meeting, the sect decided to commit nearly 90% of its core strength to this battle! Only 10% will be left to guard the Tang Sect headquarters and key branch strongholds.

Xiao Xiao added from the side, her tone tinged with pride.

"Brother Lan, don't underestimate the ten percent of power we left behind. Even with just ten percent, with the current foundation of our Tang Clan, our strength is enough to rival the full strength of a typical first-class sect on the continent. Ordinary forces wouldn't dare to even consider targeting our headquarters."

As Tang Lan listened to everyone's words, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, and she also gained a more intuitive understanding of the current development of the Tang Sect.

He gestured for Wen Yun to pour tea for everyone, and then asked.

"How has the sect developed in the past six months since I left? I just heard Xiao Tao mention that she invested 90% of her power. Just how much power is that now?"

Tang Ya and Ma Xiaotao exchanged a glance, and Tang Ya, as the sect leader's wife and daily manager, gave a detailed report to Tang Lan.

"In the past six months, the Tang Clan's development can be described as rapid. Especially after the outbreak of the beast tide in the southwest, the empire's attention was tied up, and our Tang Clan successively gained a foothold in the southwest and demonstrated its strength. As a result, many forces that were still observing chose to submit." She sorted out her thoughts and said slowly.

"First of all, within the Douling Empire, our Tang Sect has become the undisputed leading super sect. The former pattern of the three major sects of the empire has long been completely broken."

After the Tianque Sect was destroyed by a mysterious force, nearly 40% of its elite disciples, having nowhere else to turn and having witnessed the strength and grandeur of the Tang Sect, chose to submit as a whole. After rigorous selection and reorganization, they have been integrated into the various halls of the Tang Sect.

Furthermore, considering the close relationship we once had with the Sky-Supporting Sect, which fought alongside us against the Holy Spirit Cult, in the eyes of the Empire's high command and the Soul Master community, the top sects within the Douling Empire are now effectively our Tang Sect and the Sky-Supporting Sect. And the Sky-Supporting Sect's alliance with us is extremely strong.”

Tang Ya's voice was clear and steady as she recounted the astonishing expansion of the Tang Clan over the past six months.

"Moreover, within the empire and even in neighboring regions, there are nearly twenty sects and families of varying sizes, some admiring the name of the Tang Sect, some seeking protection against the Holy Spirit Cult and the chaos, and others drawn by the soul tool technology we have demonstrated."

Attracted by the availability of medicinal resources, many sects or clans flocked to the Tang Sect to pledge their allegiance. After rigorous selection, evaluation, and integration, the total number of disciples officially registered in the Tang Sect's roster and receiving unified command and training has now reached a staggering 30,000.

"More than 30,000 disciples?"

Although Wang Qiu'er was mentally prepared, she still took a slight breath when she heard the number.

These are all Soul Masters, not ordinary soldiers!
Jiang Nannan responded gently, as she was in charge of some internal affairs and disciple file management, and therefore had a better understanding of the matter.

"Yes, Qiu'er. These 30,000-plus people are all Soul Masters who have undergone preliminary testing and possess Soul Power and are capable of cultivation. Although nearly 70% of them are beginner disciples with low Soul Power, young age, or average talent, they still require a lot of time and resources to cultivate."

However, the remaining 30%, roughly ten thousand people, consisted of core and backbone forces whose soul power cultivation was above that of a Great Soul Master, with many having reached the Soul Venerable, Soul Sect, or even higher levels. This elite force comprised several thousand high-level Soul Masters.

Their overall quantity and quality even surpass the total number of Soul Masters that an ordinary province, or even some small countries, could mobilize. If concentrated, they would indeed be a powerful force capable of carrying out special missions amidst a vast army, and even directly taking the enemy chieftain's head.

Tang Wutong nodded with a smile.

"My father and Yuhao have analyzed that if this force is used properly, it may not be able to compete with hundreds of thousands of troops in terms of attrition on the main battlefield, but it will play a decisive role in breaking through at key points, decapitating, disrupting logistics, and fighting against enemy soul master groups."

Listening to the reports from everyone, Tang Lan slowly leaned back against the sofa cushions, her eyes flashing with a restrained light. Over 30,000 Soul Master disciples, and nearly 10,000 mid-to-high-level Soul Master core members... This was indeed a force that would make any power take notice.

A force so immense that even the imperial family felt pressure and apprehensive. The Tang Clan, through his and everyone else's efforts, has truly grown into a towering tree, its roots and branches deeply embedded in the soil of this continent.

"good very good."

Tang Lan's voice was not loud, but it carried a heavy weight.

"The sect's current achievements are the result of everyone's joint efforts. This battle of Dongyang City is not only a severe test for us, but also a stage to declare the strength and will of the Tang Sect to the entire continent. With such a solid foundation, we are even more confident in this battle."

His gaze swept over every core member of the Tang Clan present, from Tang Ya and Ma Xiaotao, to Xiao Xiao, Tang Wutong, Jiang Nannan, Long Yao, and Lu Xin'er, then to Wen Yun standing to the side, and Ding De'er and Qiao Na standing solemnly at the door, finally landing on Wang Qiu'er beside him.

"Since everyone has arrived early, let's have a proper get-together tonight. First, to welcome you all home; second, with the big battle imminent, there are some details we need to finalize; and third..."

A gentle and sincere smile appeared on Tang Lan's face.

“It’s been a long time since any of us have gathered together like this and had a relaxed chat. Wen Yun.”

"Your subordinate is here."

Wen Yun immediately responded.

"Arrange for the finest food and wine to be brought to this room. We need no outside service; we can make ourselves at home."

Tang Lan gave the instructions.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Wen Yun accepted the order and immediately turned to make arrangements. As the top restaurant in Hanhai City, Haitian Restaurant naturally had no problem preparing a sumptuous banquet.

Wen Yun was extremely efficient. In less than half an hour, a lavish feast that catered to everyone's tastes and regional characteristics was properly served on the long table in the dining room of the Imperial Suite.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows lies the dark but gently rippling Northern Sea, while inside, the lights are on and the aroma of fine food and wine fills the air.

With Tang Lan's approval, there was no strict hierarchy of seating tonight; everyone sat around the long table in a relaxed and lively atmosphere. Tang Ya, Ma Xiaotao, and others took their seats in turn, while Dingdel and Qiao Na were specially invited by Tang Lan to stay and participate. Wen Yun, as the person in charge of the event, also sat at the end of the table.

The wine is a unique product of Hanhai City, brewed from a certain type of algae and spiritual fruit from the depths of the Northern Sea. It has a refreshing taste, a lingering aftertaste, and a subtle nourishing effect on the spiritual power of Soul Masters.

The dishes include a variety of rare seafood from the Northern Sea, as well as mountain delicacies transported from the inland, all cooked to perfection.

At first, everyone was a little reserved, but the atmosphere quickly warmed up after Tang Lan raised his glass and said, "To the Tang Clan, to everyone, to the upcoming victory."

Ma Xiaotao, with her straightforward personality, immediately raised her glass to Tang Lan.

"Lan, this toast is for you! Without you, there would be no Tang Clan today! As for the battle of Dongyang City, you tell us how to fight, and we'll fight exactly as you say! My Fire Phoenix Soul Guidance Legion is ready and can burn down those evil soul masters' lairs at any time!"

Tang Lan smiled and clinked glasses with her.

"Sister Xiaotao's Fire Phoenix Legion will undoubtedly be a powerful weapon in this battle. However, how to utilize it specifically will depend on the enemy's deployment. Your cultivation seems to have improved again?"

Ma Xiaotao tilted her head back and drank the wine in her glass in one gulp. A blush rose to her cheeks, adding to her heroic spirit.

"The 'Crimson Sun Fire Lotus' you left behind last time was extremely effective. It helped stabilize my martial soul's origin, making cultivation much smoother. Although I haven't broken through that barrier yet, I feel it's not far off."

Xiao Xiao also came over, chattering about the interesting things that had happened in the Tang Sect in the past six months, talking about how hard the newly recruited disciples worked, and the amazing performance of the newly developed soul tools in the tests.

Tang Wutong and Jiang Nannan smiled and added to the conversation, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones. Long Yao didn't talk much, but she drank very readily, while Lu Xin'er took good care of her.

He also quietly reported to Tang Lan some unusual developments in the Southwest Soul Beast Forest, which corroborated Tang Lan's earlier warning about the evil magical artifacts. (End of Chapter)