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

But now, Tang Lan casually promised to give everyone present a soul bone! How could this not shock them and leave them in disbelief?
Chen Jing took several deep breaths to barely suppress the turmoil in his heart, and spoke with a slightly dry voice.

"Sect Leader Tang... are you really telling the truth? Soul bones are incredibly precious. Although we have made some contributions, how dare we accept such a generous gift?"

As a commander-in-chief, he was resolute and determined. After being shocked, his first thought was whether this "gift" was too heavy and whether there was a deeper meaning behind it.

Du Yang quickly echoed, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and excitement.

"Yes, Sect Leader Tang! Our victory over Dongyang this time is entirely due to your divine might and the great assistance of the Tang Sect's experts. We, the soldiers of the Empire, have only done our duty. We are truly... truly unworthy of such a precious treasure as the Soul Bone!"

Tang Lan looked at the two men, who were so shocked they were almost out of control. She then glanced at her subordinates, who were also surprised but relatively calm. Her smile remained unchanged as she explained in a calm tone.

"General Chen, Commander Du, there's no need for such modesty, nor for any doubts. Since I, Tang, have spoken, I will naturally keep my word. These soul bones did not come from nowhere."

He sat up slightly and continued speaking in a steady voice.

"Firstly, since the founding of our Tang Clan, we have explored many ancient ruins and dangerous places. Over the years, we have accumulated some soul bones among our findings."

Secondly, the Tang Clan's business network spans the entire continent, and their intelligence network is extensive. They will strive to acquire soul bones circulating in underground auctions and the black market, provided the opportunity is suitable and the source is relatively legitimate. Thirdly, and most importantly…

Tang Lan's gaze became more distant.

"As you all probably know, not long ago, a terrifying beast tide of unprecedented scale broke out in the border area between the Star Dou Great Forest and the Sunset Forest, sweeping across the border and even threatening places like Rose City."

Everyone present nodded in agreement. The beast tide was a huge event, and almost everyone in the mainland's high-ranking officials knew about it.

"The number of soul beasts aged over ten thousand years that perished during that beast tide was the highest in the last hundred years."

Tang Lan said slowly.

"After the war, my Tang Clan and our allied forces were responsible for the cleanup and recovery of some areas... In this process, we naturally also gained some benefits."

He didn't specify the exact contents or quantity of the "harvest," but everyone present was no fool; they immediately connected it to the possibility of soul bones being produced. A super beast tide of that scale.

The corpses of spirit beasts were piled up like mountains, and among them, a very small number were bound to have been lucky enough to give birth to spirit bones! The Tang Sect participated in the cleanup, and given Tang Lan's strength and the Tang Sect's efficiency, it was entirely reasonable for them to obtain some spirit bones from them!

Chen Jing and Du Yang suddenly realized, but then they gasped in shock.

Even so, the fact that the Tang Sect could take out more than a dozen soul bones as a one-time reward from the "harvest" after the beast tide shows that the Tang Sect's foundation and the abundance of its "harvest" far exceeded their expectations!
It's important to understand that when news of the beast tide spread, countless forces were envious and wanted a piece of the pie, but ultimately only a handful were capable and allowed to enter the core area to "clean up the battlefield." The fact that the Tang Sect was able to secure a place and reap significant rewards speaks volumes about its status and strength.

"of course."

Tang Lan changed the subject slightly and smiled.

"The Tang Sect has accumulated its wealth with great difficulty. This time, it is using its reserves to reward its meritorious members as a way to express its gratitude and provide encouragement. These soul bones vary in age, quality, and attributes. They are not all at the 100,000-year level, but we ensure that they are all suitable for combat and practical use, and that they all come from at least 10,000-year-old soul beasts."

Later, Vice Sect Master Zhuge will arrange for the Treasury Steward to provide a list of selectable Soul Bones based on the Martial Soul characteristics, cultivation direction, and required parts registered by each person.

You may choose the piece that best suits yourselves. This is a reward, and also a way to help you improve your strength so that you can better protect the responsibilities you bear in the future, whether it's the Tang Sect or the Douling Empire.

His explanation was reasonable and logical. It explained the origin of the soul bone, demonstrated the incentive nature of the action, and provided a specific implementation plan, making it hard to refuse and dispelling some doubts.

After a long while, the fervent atmosphere in the hall, which had been boiling over by the soul bone reward, finally calmed down a little. Du Yang let out a long sigh, as if to expel all the shock and excitement in his chest. With a bitter smile on his face, a mixture of extreme joy and faint self-mockery, he looked at Tang Lan and sighed sincerely.

"Sect Leader Tang... Your generosity is truly... astonishing. To be honest, if I hadn't already pledged allegiance to the Empire and signed a soul contract, with my life and fortune tied to the fate of the nation, I probably wouldn't have been able to resist the temptation of such a generous gift today and would have considered joining the Tang Sect and following you."

His words were half a joke and half a heartfelt sentiment, his eyes revealing a deep envy for the generosity and powerful foundation of the Tang Clan.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jing nodded in deep agreement. He gently stroked the arm guards of his dark gold armor and replied in a complicated tone.

"What Commander Du said is also what I think. Compared with the opportunity bestowed by the Tang Clan this time, we have served the Empire for many years and have received salaries and titles, but it is extremely difficult for us to obtain a soul bone that suits us."

Often, one needs to achieve tremendous merit, and even then, timing and luck are crucial. Only today do I understand what true sectarian grandeur and foundation are. In comparison, our efforts over the years... seem almost wasted.

His words carried a stronger sense of self-deprecation, yet were also more frank. Clearly, Tang Lan's actions had completely won over this proud imperial commander and titled Douluo.

Of course, their words were more of an emotional outpouring and an expression of amazement at the Tang Sect's strength. Both Du Yang and Chen Jing were well aware of their identities and positions. Du Yang was a core intelligence and soul master general of the Empire, trained from childhood and bound by a soul contract.

Loyalty was ingrained in his very being; Chen Jing, born into a powerful military family of the empire, was deeply favored by the emperor, his family's roots were firmly established in the Douling sect, and he himself had become an imperial retainer, holding a high position and great power. Would he betray the empire and join the Tang Sect?
Leaving aside whether the Tang Sect would accept these "surrenderers" with strong imperial backgrounds and possibly even special missions, the Douling Empire's royal family and military would never allow such a situation to occur, as it would trigger unimaginable thunderous wrath and brutal purges.

They had no choice but to lament in their hearts that they "didn't have this good fortune," while regarding the opportunity to obtain the soul bone as an immense stroke of luck and a driving force for serving the empire even more diligently in the future.

Only Zhuge Feng, who sat to the left of Tang Lan, and several core members of the Tang Clan exchanged a knowing glance, a slight smile curving their lips.

The explanation given by Sect Master Tang Lan was reasonable and could effectively address external concerns and reassure the public. However, only those at the core of Tang Sect's decision-making level truly understood the situation.

The fact that the Tang Sect can now so generously offer a large number of soul bones as rewards suggests that its stable and sustainable source is far more than just a "lucky gain" from a single beast tide.

The real key lies in the Spirit Evolution Tower, and in the promise of the Soul Beast Lord deep within the Star Dou Great Forest!

Since Tang Lan spearheaded the establishment of the Spirit Evolution Tower, successfully building an unprecedented bridge of communication and cooperation between humans and spirit beasts, the spirit beasts, especially the ferocious beasts led by Di Tian, ​​have proactively proposed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement to express their sincerity in establishing a long-term relationship of mutual trust with the Tang Sect and to resolve some of their own "legacy issues."

In the Star Dou Great Forest and other major gathering places of soul beasts, high-age soul beasts that have exhausted their natural lifespan or perished due to other reasons other than hunting have a certain probability of developing soul bones in their bodies over a long period of time or under special conditions.

In the past, these soul bones either naturally dissipated into the world along with the corpses, nourishing the forests, or were accidentally discovered, absorbed, or hidden by other soul beasts. Now, Di Tian, ​​representing the soul beasts, has promised to give these naturally produced, ownerless, and relatively "pure" soul bones.

A portion is delivered to the Tang Sect periodically and selectively as part of the cooperation between the two parties, especially the Tang Sect's commitment to restrain the excessive hunting of human soul masters and to provide some human resources.

Soul bones are treasures for human soul masters, but for most soul beasts, unless their attributes are extremely compatible and they can be safely absorbed, their significance is limited. They are more like "relics" containing the life essence of their own kind.

In Di Tian's view, exchanging these "relics," which they themselves rarely utilize, for substantial support from the powerful ally Tang Sect and long-term protection of the soul beast race was a very worthwhile deal.

It should be noted that Star Dou Great Forest and other places where soul beasts gather have a long history and unfathomable depth. How many powerful soul beasts have naturally perished over the past tens of thousands of years?
Even though the probability of obtaining soul bones is extremely low, the sheer number accumulated over such a large base and such a long period of time is still an absolutely astonishing figure!

Even if Di Tian only delivers a portion of it each time, it still means that the Tang Sect has gained a relatively stable and continuous source of top-tier soul bones! This is far more reliable than relying on occasional beast tides or exploration of ruins, and it is the biggest source of confidence that the Tang Sect dares to reward its meritorious members with such generosity!
Of course, this core secret is known only to the highest levels of the Tang Sect and will never be revealed to the outside world. Otherwise, it would inevitably attract countless greedy eyes and disputes, damaging the fragile trust between the sect and the soul beasts. To the outside world, the harvest from the beast tide is an excellent and easily concealed reason.

Leaving aside these inner thoughts, the meeting quickly moved on to the next, and more crucial, substantive item—the follow-up arrangements for the situation in Dongyang City and even the entire southeastern part of the Douling Empire.

Tang Lan suppressed her smile, her gaze becoming calm and sharp as she swept over everyone present, and spoke clearly.

"The matter of the soul bone will be arranged and coordinated by Vice Sect Leader Zhuge later. Now, let's discuss the most urgent matters after the recapture of Dongyang City."

He looked at Chen Jing and Du Yang.

"Dongyang City is a strategic stronghold, a newly recovered territory, where the people's hearts are not yet won over, and the remnants of the enemy have not yet been eliminated. Stabilizing the city's defenses, restoring order, and pacifying the people are the foundation. General Chen and Commander Du, these three important tasks still require the main force to rely on the imperial soldiers and officials."

I suggest that the main defense of Dongyang City should still be taken over by the Imperial Armored Soldiers, and the city's defense system should be rebuilt according to the Imperial military system. At the same time, the Imperial Civil Service should take over the administration as soon as possible, distribute relief, and organize the reconstruction, so as to demonstrate the legitimacy of the Empire and win over the hearts of the people.

The Tang Sect can provide necessary support and cooperation in areas such as array deployment, soul-guided weapon-assisted defense, and the deterrence of high-level soul masters. What do you two think?

Chen Jing and Du Yang immediately became serious. Chen Jing said in a deep voice.

"Sect Leader Tang's thoughts are thorough and coincide with my own. Dongyang City is, after all, an imperial city, and restoring imperial rule is fundamental. I have already dispatched two elite legions totaling 30,000 men, and it is expected that they can fully take over the defense of Dongyang City and the surrounding key passes within three days."

Special envoys from the Imperial Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works have also departed with the army and will arrive soon to oversee post-disaster relief and reconstruction. With the assistance of the Tang Clan in soul-guided defense and high-level forces, the city's defenses will be impregnable.

Du Yang added.

"The 'Dark Scales' within the city will fully cooperate with imperial officials to eliminate lurking enemy spies, identify suspicious individuals, guide public opinion, promote the empire's benevolent governance and the Tang Clan's righteous deeds, and stabilize public sentiment as soon as possible."

Tang Lan nodded in satisfaction.

“Very well. City defense and internal affairs are left to the Empire; my Tang Clan has other important matters to attend to.”

His gaze shifted to Zhuge Feng and the heads of the various halls of the Tang Clan.

"Although the Holy Spirit Cult has temporarily retreated, it is impossible for its followers to be completely eliminated. Within hundreds of miles of Dongyang City, and even in the entire southeastern region of the Douling Empire, there must still be many evil soul master strongholds, spies, and remnants of forces that have been bewitched or bribed by them."

Without eliminating these malignant tumors, Dongyang City can hardly be considered truly stable, and the empire will never have peace. The people will live in constant fear, which will be extremely detrimental to the foundation of the regime.

Zhuge Feng lightly tapped the table with his feather fan and spoke.

"What the sect leader says is absolutely right. According to intelligence, since the Holy Spirit Cult infiltrated the region, several bizarre incidents have occurred in several southeastern states, villages and towns have been inexplicably massacred, Soul Masters have gone missing frequently, and panic has spread among the people."

The local government's prestige has been severely damaged. If these dark corners are not eradicated with swift and decisive action, even if cities are recaptured, the empire's control over the regions will be greatly diminished, giving the Holy Spirit Cult or other ambitious individuals an opportunity to exploit the situation.

Therefore.

Tang Lan took over the conversation, her tone resolute.

"Our core mission for the Tang Clan is to use Dongyang City as our base of operations to form an elite extermination team to conduct a comprehensive search and devastating strike against the remaining evil soul masters within a thousand miles and even in the entire Douling Empire's currently controlled area!"

He looked at the person in charge of the War Soul Hall.

"The War Soul Hall needs to select disciples with rich combat experience, skilled in tracking, and adept at teamwork, forming teams of five to seven people, equipped with necessary soul tools and supplies, led by deacons or elders of various ranks, to divide areas and take the initiative to attack. Mission objective."

Search for and destroy the strongholds of evil spirit masters, rescue any innocent people who may be imprisoned, eliminate or capture roaming evil spirit masters, and gather relevant intelligence. Note that operations must be conducted covertly, swiftly, and decisively to avoid causing widespread panic among civilians. If encountering a powerful enemy or complex situation, seek assistance or retreat immediately to ensure your own safety.

The head of the War Soul Hall suddenly stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and accepted the order.

"Yes, Sect Master! I will immediately begin drafting the squad rosters and action plans. The first batch of mopping-up teams can depart by tomorrow at the latest!"

Tang Lan then looked at the heads of the Soul Guidance Hall and the Medicine Hall.

"The Soul Guidance Hall needs to equip the extermination teams with sufficient reconnaissance, communication, defense, and offensive soul guidance devices, especially protective and purification devices against the common methods used by evil soul masters. The Pharmacy Hall needs to prepare ample healing, detoxification, soul power restoration, and warding-off evil and calming pills. Logistical support is of paramount importance." (End of Chapter)