Douluo Continent: This Tang San is different

Chapter 197 Cleverness Backfires

"Captain, all I did was interrupt your good time, you're not really going to kill me, are you?" Yu Feng looked miserable and hopeless as he pondered the prices of cemetery plots near Wuhun City.

If I were to be killed by the captain, it would be an honor to be buried in this sacred land of soul masters.

"What are you thinking about?" Tang San hooked his arm around their shoulders and led them outside. He said slowly, "It was just a joke, don't take it seriously. But 'you may escape death, but you can't escape punishment.' You won't be sleeping tonight. I'm giving you two a task: record the approximate topography of Spirit City. Of course, just don't enter any areas that are off-limits to us."

Yu Feng was taken aback: "Huh?"

Oslo: "All night?"

"Anyway, there are about ten days left until the end of the first round, so you can rest all day tomorrow." Tang San patted the two on the shoulders. "So, work a little harder tonight. Who told you two to be so unlucky as to be betrayed by Yu Tianheng and the others?"

"Fine, fine, we deserve it." Yu Feng resigned himself to his fate. It's just a topographical map, right? He'll just draw it.

"I got tricked!" Osro complained, his gaze towards Yu Feng filled with resentment, then asked, "Captain, why are you drawing a map of Spirit City?"

"Better safe than sorry. We're unfamiliar with this place, so getting to know every area will make it easier to escape if something happens." If there were a place in Spirit City where maps were sold, Tang San wouldn't need these two at all.

"Captain, you're really cautious." In Yu Feng's opinion, Wuhun City was the safest place on the entire continent, so how could anything happen?

However, he also knew that the captain, Xiao Wu, and Guang Ling came from a small town like Notting City. Even though the captain was a member of the Haotian Sect who had been separated from his family, he had not received any education from the Haotian Sect and had come all the way from humble beginnings. Therefore, his personality was bound to be more cautious than that of ordinary people.

This idea is quite reasonable.

Tang San saw the two off at the entrance of the inn and watched their figures disappear into the lights. Just as he was about to return to his room, he suddenly sensed something, turned around and looked in one direction. With a slight movement in his eyes, he leaped over a thousand meters and arrived at a dark alley.

"What brings you here, sir?" Tang San sensed the spiritual and soul power fluctuations emanating from the other party, which were only at the Soul Saint level. Therefore, although it was a respectful title, his tone was quite nonchalant. He secretly opened a specially made Mother Soul Guidance Photography Sphere, which was only the size of a thumb, and threw it on the edge of a nearby trash can, pointing its lens at the other party.

Sneaky, furtive.

He's definitely not a good person.

"No wonder he's a guy who has a 100,000-year spirit ring on his fifth spirit ring." The newcomer turned around, revealing a rather old face with gloomy eyes and a tuft of beard on his chin.

Tang San recognized the other person as Shi Nian from Canghui Academy.

"What year was it?"

"Tsk tsk, it's quite an honor to be recognized by the captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team 1." Shi Nian sneered. "You bullied my disciple, Huo Yuhao, didn't you?"

"Here to seek justice?" Tang San laughed. "As the captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, I represent the face of the Heaven Dou Royal Family, that's one reason."

"Secondly, I do have some past grievances with Huo Yuhao, but he hadn't joined Canghui Academy yet at that time, right?"

"If we're talking about recent conflicts, it was only at a pharmacy in Wuhun City over a crystal ginseng. But we bought it first, and we're not giving it to Huo Yuhao. Is there a problem with that?"

"He was just a step too late, so who can he blame?"

Shi Nian's expression darkened. He hadn't expected the captain of the Tian Dou team to be so eloquent, and to be able to refute everything he said.

However, once he led the other party into this dark alley, he had no intention of letting things end peacefully.

In terms of strength, he is a Soul Saint and Tang San is a Soul King. So what if they have a 100,000-year soul ring? The difference in soul power gives Shi Nian enough confidence.

Moreover, Tang San is indeed an obstacle to Canghui Academy's championship victory, and he must be eliminated.

Kill Tang San.

He dare not.

However, beating it half to death is also an option.

Even if Tang San has skills that I might not be able to defeat, he still has a backup plan—after all, Wuhun City doesn't allow fights without a reason.

"Anyway, you bullied my disciple. Whether it was before or after he became my disciple, as his teacher, I have to help him get justice." Shi Nian said arrogantly, making his intention to cause trouble for Tang San very clear.

"We are all born of the same root, why are we so eager to harm each other?"

Tang San sighed helplessly, "We're both from the Heaven Dou Empire... Oh, I almost forgot, Heaven Dou values ​​balance, and the competition between them is quite fierce. And you don't even understand what it means to consider the big picture."

"Hmph! All I know is how to safeguard the overall situation of my Canghui Academy." Shi Nian snorted coldly, his martial soul Remnant Dream appeared, and a phantom shadow emerged behind him, like clouds and mist, yet also like a human figure, and a strange light enveloped Tang San.

However, Tang San simply glared at the light manifested by his mental energy, which instantly shattered the light.

puff!

Deng Deng Deng!

Shi Hou took three steps back, his eyes bloodshot, his face turning deathly pale at a visible speed, his legs trembling, and he collapsed in the corner, staring at Tang San in terror: "You..."

"In a contest of spiritual strength, even a Title Douluo wouldn't faze me, let alone a mere Soul Saint like you. Don't you even consider the level of my physical and spiritual abilities, capable of withstanding a 100,000-year soul ring? Aside from soul power level, in what aspect can you compare to me?"

Tang San chuckled, then turned around and casually raised his hand, seemingly to celebrate his victory. In reality, he used his Soul Control Technique to take the Mother Soul Guidance Photography Ball into his hand and said to Shi Nian, "Live with gratitude. You should be glad that this is Wuhun City."

Shi Nian's eyes were unfocused, and he didn't see clearly what Tang San had caught with his waving gesture. Only after Tang San's figure disappeared did he call out to the rooftop beside him, his voice hoarse and weak: "Aren't you coming down!"

Swish!

Holding a soul-guided photography box about half the size of his head, Huo Yuhao jumped down from the roof, helped Shi Nian up, and asked with concern, "Teacher, are you alright?"

"Do I look like I'm alright?" Shi Nian was in a bad mood. He never expected that Tang San would be so powerful that even he, a Soul Saint, could hardly resist him.

For a fleeting moment, he truly felt that if Tang San had any intention of killing him, that powerful mental attack could shatter his brain.

Although he survived, his mental energy was completely disordered, and he could not perfectly control the soul power in his body. It would probably take a long time to fully recover.

"Was the footage captured on camera?"

This is the fundamental purpose of this year.

If a fight breaks out between them, Tang San could lose his eligibility to continue participating in the competition.

"It's been filmed, but, teacher, you and Tang San didn't actually fight, and judging from the footage, you were the one who struck first..." Huo Yuhao felt that this might not be enough to completely control Tang San, and that they needed to think things through more carefully.

"Idiot, couldn't we just record the image of the teacher collapsing at the end?" Shi Nian grumbled. "The result is what matters most; nobody cares about the process!"

Huo Yuhao suddenly realized something and remembered the incredible comments from netizens in the comment sections of short videos he watched in his previous life... Shi Nian, this supporting character in the original work, was actually so intelligent. He was definitely the most underestimated character!

For a moment, Huo Yuhao felt that he had made the right choice in becoming a disciple.

however--

Those who can become Soul Masters are never stupid. It's just that they possess power that ordinary people cannot have, and can easily obtain wealth and status that ordinary people cannot obtain even after a lifetime of hard work. Therefore, they don't like to use their brains much.

Only when force fails will the brain start working again.

The night passed quietly.

The sun slowly rises in the east.

Tang San and Guang Ling, as usual, got up early to cultivate the Purple Demon Eye. Xiao Wu got up a little later, but at the last moment of sunrise, she jumped onto the roof and absorbed the purple energy of the rising sun with the two of them.

After finishing their training, the three of them jumped off the roof together, knocked on the doors of the members of the Tiandou team, and prepared to have breakfast together.

However, Yu Feng and Oslo stayed up all night and didn't get up...

"Why didn't Yu Feng and Oslo come down?" Yu Tianheng asked Shi Mo and Shi Mo about the two while drinking rice porridge, but his eyes couldn't help but glance at Tang San—could they have really been killed?

"I don't know. Apparently, the captain dragged him to special training, and he didn't sleep all night," Shi Mo replied in a low voice.

"That's really terrible." Yu Tianheng was glad he ran fast last night, otherwise he would have had to train with the two men, while Yan Yan would have had to stay in an empty room all night.

However, before the first round ends, it doesn't matter if Yu Feng and Oslo sleep every day; it won't waste much time.

After breakfast, the group decided not to disturb Yu Feng and Oslo's rest and prepared to watch the game together.

However, Tang San was stopped by a team of law enforcement officers from the Spirit Hall.

"Tang San from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, right?" The newcomer had a resolute face. After confirming Tang San's identity, a look of admiration appeared in his eyes, but he still asked seriously.

"Yes, what's the matter?" Tang San nodded.

"Students from Canghui Academy reported to the Spirit Hall that you attacked their leader, Shi Nian, with your mental power, causing him to suffer a mental breakdown, chaotic soul power, and nearly become paralyzed..."

Listening to the long string of four-character idioms that followed, coupled with the other person's upright and unyielding application, Tang San suddenly felt that the other person had quite a sense of humor.

"Furthermore, they also provided footage recorded using a soul-guided camera box—"

"However, our Spirit Hall believes that the footage is only a short clip and did not capture your face. It only shows that your hair color, hairstyle, and clothes are similar to yours, so we plan to ask you to come and confirm it."

If it were anyone else, the Spirit Hall's enforcement team wouldn't be so polite, but Tang San is a master of spirit theory.

After the first match of the first round, everyone learned the name of the captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, who shared the same name as that martial soul theory master.

At fourteen years old, he was a Soul King, possessing a second-level Soul Ring of a thousand years, a fourth-level Soul Ring of ten thousand years, and a fifth Soul Ring of a hundred thousand years.

This Tang San is not that Tang San!

As an enforcer of the Spirit Hall, he naturally understood that such a talent must be recruited into the Spirit Hall, and that His Holiness the Pope greatly admired Tang San.

Both out of courtesy and reason, we should be polite.

"No problem, lead the way." Tang San did not make things difficult for the Spirit Hall's law enforcement officers, and also stopped Xiao Wu, Guang Ling, and the others from arguing on his behalf. "A clear conscience fears no accusation. I believe the Spirit Hall will give me justice."

Seeing that Tang San was confident, Xiao Wu and Guang Ling were relieved. Yu Tianheng, Huo Wu and the others were even more furious with Canghui Academy and decided that if they met again, they would fight them to the death.

We arrived at the Hall of Law Enforcement.

The area was extremely open, with fully armed Spirit Hall law enforcement knights standing on both sides, wearing bright silver armor, holding conical spears in their hands, and carrying swords at their waists.

And the judge at the very front was none other than Ghost Douluo!

Originally, any of the Spirit Hall's law enforcement elders could have come to this trial, but considering it was Tang San, Ghost Douluo came in person.

After all, Tang San is a master of spirit theory admired by His Holiness the Pope, and his strength is that of a Soul King. Moreover, his fifth spirit master is a hundred thousand years old, so he is naturally worthy of attention.

"Greetings, Your Majesty Ghost Douluo." Tang San ignored Shi Nian and Huo Yuhao standing to the side and bowed respectfully to Ghost Douluo to show his respect for a Title Douluo.

"Hmm, no need for formalities." Ghost Douluo had a stoic face, but he still managed to force a smile. He then had a curtain pulled up and the image from the Soul Guide Photography Box was projected onto it.

The footage is only a short clip, shot from above, and doesn't show Tang San's face, but there's no doubt that Shi Nian was attacked by the person in the footage using some kind of mental technique.

"After my examination, Shi Nian's mental and spiritual power are indeed disordered. He will not be able to fully recover without three years of recuperation," Ghost Douluo said, describing Shi Nian's condition.

"Tang San, what else do you have to say?" Huo Yuhao questioned.

"snort!"

Ghost Douluo let out a cold snort, mixed with a trace of spiritual power, which immediately made Huo Yuhao and Shi Nian's faces turn extremely pale. "Shi Nian, keep your disciples in check. You must not speak unless I give you permission. Don't you even know this basic rule?"

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty Ghost Douluo. My disciple comes from the countryside and is unfamiliar with the rules. Please forgive him." Shi Nian hurriedly apologized on behalf of Huo Yuhao and begged for forgiveness.

"I don't need to take a little brat seriously." Despite saying that, Ghost Douluo naturally didn't like Huo Yuhao's interruption—country kids wouldn't be so clueless.

After this incident, Huo Yuhao lowered his head, looking like a quail.

"Is that you in this picture?" Ghost Douluo pointed at the person on the screen, his gaze fixed on Tang San.

Tang San admitted, "It was me."

Ghost Douluo frowned – as long as Tang San doesn't admit it, this matter will be over, and the Spirit Hall is biased towards Tang San.

But they actually admitted it?

Isn't that too honest?

"Really? Why do I feel like this isn't you?" Ghost Douluo thought he could defend Tang San again. Surely Tang San would understand what he meant this time?

Shi Nian's eyes widened in shock. He thought to himself, "Could it be that Tang San and Ghost Douluo have some unknown connection? I'm doomed! Not only have I offended Tang San, but I've also offended a Title Douluo, and possibly even the entire Spirit Hall!"

Huo Yuhao's mouth dropped open in disbelief. He thought to himself, "Ghost Douluo is actually making excuses for Tang San! How could I have such a dream?"

"Ghost Douluo, you're saying he's not me..." Tang San took a deep breath, then glared angrily at Shi Nian and Huo Yuhao, "I'm saying this isn't me either!"

"Not—completely—me!"

The last four words, spoken slowly and deliberately, carried a trace of spiritual power, almost freezing the space within the Hall of Law Enforcement.

Such formidable mental strength!

Ghost Douluo was shocked, unable to imagine how Tang San cultivated, but one thing he was certain of was that the quantity and quality of Tang San's spiritual power were no less than his own, and even far superior in quality.

If his spiritual power is like the sand on the beach, then Tang San's spiritual power is like a dazzling diamond.

"I apologize, I got agitated just now. Please forgive me, Your Majesty Ghost Douluo." Tang San bowed again, showing perfect manners, and then took out a sub-soul-guided camera sphere and handed it over. "Please investigate, Your Majesty Ghost Douluo. I also have a recording of what happened."

"It's alright, youthful impulsiveness is understandable." Even Ghost Douluo himself didn't believe this—other fourteen-year-olds might be impulsive, but for a martial spirit theory master like Tang San to lose control of his emotions would truly be a miracle…

(⊙o⊙)...

This is truly unbelievable (Douluo Continent).

Putting aside the strange thoughts in his mind, Ghost Douluo took the sub-soul guide camera ball handed to him by Tang San and projected the image onto the screen. Instantly, the entire process, including the sound, was presented.

That year, Tang San was lured into the alleyway...

At that time, he wanted to avenge his disciple Huo Yuhao...

It was Shi Nian who made the first move...

In the end, Tang San was only forced to resist, and even then, he held back.

For a moment, Shi Nian and Huo Yuhao both looked grim.

Initially, they thought that even if this "evidence" could not bring any substantial punishment to Tang San, it could still belittle him and make him despised by the world.

But they never expected that Tang San had also recorded the video, and that the picture and sound were so clear.

"Don't look at me like that. The Soul Guidance Photography Box and the Mother-Child Soul Guidance Photography Sphere were both invented by my disciples. Don't you find it laughable to use such methods against me?" Tang San's expression calmed down, as if everything was irrelevant to him. "Also, what makes you think I couldn't sense someone hiding on the roof?"

Shi Nian and Huo Yuhao were speechless.

"The matter is clear; it was Shi Nian who caused trouble for Tang San." Ghost Douluo concluded decisively, extremely displeased with the master and disciple duo. "They caused trouble without cause, slandered others, deceived the Spirit Hall, and disrespected the title of Title Douluo. Do they know their crimes?"

Shi Nian understood that he couldn't gain any advantage in terms of either reason or emotion, so he said, "I was only trying to avenge my disciple, which was indeed a bit excessive. I am willing to accept the punishment."

"Alright." Ghost Douluo felt that Shi Nian was still quite responsible. "In that case, let's accept the corresponding punishment: for deceiving the Spirit Hall and causing us to waste our energy, he shall be given a hundred strokes of the cane and his 100,000 gold soul coins shall be confiscated; for defaming Tang San, his reputation has been damaged, so he shall compensate him for the loss of 100,000 gold soul coins."

"Any objections?"

Shi Nian gritted his teeth and squeezed out a single word: "None."

(End of this chapter)