The Glory of the Sun and Moon in the Peerless Tang Sect

The excessive Yang energy resulting from taking the Wannian Whale Glue was unavoidable, but not enough to make Xu Zihuang lose his mind. Within a few breaths, he completely suppressed his instinctive impulse. However, his skin was still burning hot. It would probably take at least several hours to completely dissipate this excessive Yang energy.

Ning Tian, ​​with her legs together and arms wrapped around her knees and pressing down on her skirt, felt this very clearly. Even though there was still about ten centimeters between them, the scorching heat seemed to penetrate the air and shine on her, causing a strange feeling to surge into her heart.

"Tianhuang, what's wrong?"

Ning Tian, ​​usually so elegant and poised, sounded a little less composed in her clear voice. She knew perfectly well that Yu Tianhuang wasn't that frivolous, but his behavior with Ma Xiaotao just now was far too easily misinterpreted. Having already decided on Yu Tianhuang, how could she not care?

However, reason prevailed in her heart. Having been groomed from childhood as the sole heir to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, she was far more mature than her peers. She knew very well that she absolutely could not act like a woman swayed by emotions, eagerly asking Yu Tianhuang what he and Ma Xiaotao had just done. Instead, she should inquire from the perspective of concern for Yu Tianhuang.

"Do you remember the piece of ten-thousand-year whale glue I bought at the Treasure Pavilion last time? I just asked Senior Sister Xiao Tao to use her phoenix flames to soften the ten-thousand-year whale glue for me, and then I consumed and refined it." Xu Zihuang met Ning Tian's gaze frankly.

The two were already close, and with this turn, Ning Tian's long, slightly trembling eyelashes were almost within reach. A pleasant, faint fragrance lingered around her.

Ning Tian's heart skipped a beat, and a hint of shyness appeared in her light blue eyes, but she did not avoid Xu Zihuang's gaze.

Given her background and knowledge, she naturally knew that whale glue had another function. Judging from Yu Tianhuang's performance just now, he clearly hadn't resolved the problem of excessive yang energy within his body.

This also means that nothing ever happened between Yu Tianhuang and Ma Xiaotao.

However, her wariness of Ma Xiaotao only intensified.

Compared to Ma Xiaotao, an inner court disciple with outstanding talent and formidable strength, she had no advantage whatsoever.

"Are you alright now?" Ning Tian put aside her thoughts and recalled a crucial question. Whether it was because the question was a little difficult to ask, or because she felt shy being so close to Xu Zihuang, her fair cheeks visibly flushed.

Xu Zihuang, of course, knew what Ning Tian was referring to, and nodded with a smile.

"Don't worry, I am a spirit-attribute soul master, and my will is far stronger than that of ordinary soul masters."

Sitting opposite, Ma Xiaotao, who had witnessed the intimate interaction between Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian, ​​still had a playful smile in her eyes.

However, Xu Zihuang did not do anything out of line throughout the entire process.

At this moment, Wang Yan got up and took out pieces of black food wrapped in leather pouches from his soul tool. The appearance of the food was truly unappealing; it was dark and looked almost exactly like the original appearance of the ten-thousand-year-old whale glue, and it even had a pungent, strange smell.

This is an essential food for inner court disciples when they go out; it's made from dozens of rare and precious herbs and medicinal plants. Not only does it quickly restore energy, but it's also very beneficial to the body. However, the taste is really not very pleasant.

"Everyone, let's recover our strength as soon as possible, we still have to travel later." Wang Yan said as he distributed the black food to everyone.

Wang Yan's mission this time is quite significant. In addition to providing on-site command during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, he also needs to ensure the students have adequate supplies and logistical support.

Fortunately, everyone was a Soul Master and not the kind of person who couldn't endure hardship.

With just water and some simple food, plus the black, blocky things Wang Yan distributed to everyone, they managed to get by with lunch.

After resting for about half an hour, the group continued their journey. An hour later, they finally arrived at the border between the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Star Luo Empire. A Star Luo Empire military camp stood there, blocking their path.

The group stopped to rest, while Dai Yueheng, the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke, entered the military camp alone and lent out more than a dozen military-specific flying soul tools for everyone.

During the midday break, Wang Yan only mentioned to everyone that they would need to use a flying soul tool to reach the Mingdou Mountains. No one was surprised by this.

The flying soul tools that Dai Yueheng borrowed looked like heavy metal boxes, far less compact and lightweight than the ones Xu Zihuang and He Caitou used when they went to Shrek Academy to test the power of the fixed-mount soul cannon.

However, Dai Yueheng brought back not only these dozen or so flying soul tools, but also a map drawn on sheepskin and a very important message.

Dai Yueheng looked at everyone with a serious expression and spread the map in his hand on the ground.

"According to the latest information from the Western Army Group stationed near the Mingdou Mountains, traces of the Death Messenger bandit gang have been discovered near the Star Moon Grand Canyon in the Mingdou Mountains. This was discovered by the Western Army Group during aerial reconnaissance. Father knew our purpose and personally sent people here to wait for us a few days ago to convey this message. He also brought this detailed map of the Mingdou Mountains."

The Mingdou Mountain Range was formed four thousand years ago by a collision between the Douluo Continent and the Sun Moon Continent. Running from north to south, it acts as a natural barrier separating the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire. These two empires also use the Mingdou Mountain Range as their national border.

The Mingdou Mountain Range stretches endlessly, occupying almost two-thirds of the border. The remaining third is the Mingdou Great Forest, roughly half the size of the Star Dou Great Forest. The Mingdou Great Forest is teeming with mutated soul beasts. Xu Zihuang and the members of the Imperial Dragon Soul Master Corps had traversed the outer perimeter of this Mingdou Great Forest before, and they knew it all too well.

The conflict between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire doesn't stem from the Ming Dou Great Forest, but rather from the existence of several extremely rare and precious metal veins within the Ming Dou Mountains. These are strategically important resources, and the two nations have been constantly at odds over them.

The Mingdou Mountains have a complex terrain and are exceptionally steep. Even the armies of both countries are only stationed in areas with relatively flatter terrain. The only way for ordinary people to cross them is through the Xingyue Grand Canyon.

The caravans that were robbed by the Death Messenger bandits all disappeared in this Star Moon Grand Canyon.

Wang Yan glanced at the map and instantly understood what Dai Yueheng meant.

"Do the Death Messenger bandits intend to rob caravans again?"

“Teacher Wang, this is just one possibility.” Dai Yueheng said, but his gaze shifted to Ma Xiaotao. Ma Xiaotao was the commander-in-chief of this operation. Although he was very resentful that Ma Xiaotao had taken his position as the captain of the selected team, he was still able to make sense of matters of principle.

This operation should rightfully be decided by Ma Xiaotao.

"Xiao Tao, what do you think?"

"These evil soul masters are too arrogant. The original purpose of our Shrek Surveillance Group is to punish evil and promote good. Those caravans may be in danger, and we cannot sit idly by. Moreover, the Mingdou Mountains are so vast that finding the lair of this Death Messenger bandit group is not easy. Since the source of the information is reliable enough, we must go and check it out."

Ma Xiaotao said angrily. Although she had a fiery temper, her mind was very clear at this moment.

Wang Yan gave Ma Xiaotao an approving look, then nodded in deep agreement.

"I agree with Xiaotao's point of view."

As he spoke, he looked at the others.

Does anyone have any different opinions?

No one raised any objections.

Wang Yan continued, "Then it's decided. Outer Academy students will practice using their flying soul tools first, while Inner Academy students will be responsible for guidance and protection. Once they are proficient, they will head to Star Moon City with all their might."

Star Moon City is the city closest to the Star Moon Grand Canyon in the Mingdou Mountains. The city isn't large, not even reaching the level of a main city. However, because it's near the Star Moon Grand Canyon, the only passage connecting the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire, it has always been a transit city for trade between the two empires.

Even though bandits roam the Mingdou Mountains, the enormous profits involved still tempt caravans to risk passing through every so often. There's no other way; the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire are completely separated by the Mingdou Mountains and the Mingdou Great Forest. If they didn't pass through the Star Moon Grand Canyon, they would have to take a long detour to enter the Heavenly Soul Empire first, and then transfer to the Sun Moon Empire.

The journey was over a thousand miles, and the costs of feeding the people and horses were enormous. That's why these caravans took the risk, hoping for a lucky break.

Dai Yueheng originally intended to build a good relationship by helping Xu Zihuang equip himself with a flying soul tool. However, when he saw Xu Zihuang, Ning Tian, ​​and He Caitou each take out three more exquisite-looking flying soul tools from their soul tools, he had to abandon the idea.

Xu Zihuang and the other two were already very familiar with flying soul tools, so they didn't need to practice.

On the contrary, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan were trying cautiously. Mastering a flying soul tool requires practice. Wang Dong, who possessed a flying-type martial soul, seemed to be doing much better. Although his cultivation was the weakest, he was the first among Bei Bei and the others to use it proficiently.

It took nearly half an hour of practice before everyone fully mastered how to use the flying soul tool.

Immediately, the group formed a V-shape to conserve their soul power and flew at full speed towards the Mingdou Mountains in the northwest of the Star Luo Empire.

However, a small incident occurred midway through the journey. Elder Xuan felt that the group's flying speed was too slow, so he personally led the group for several hours.

As the sun sets and the moon rises, night falls.

Brilliant trails of flame streaked across the night sky, accompanied by the whooshing sound of air being cut through, illuminating the night sky as if it were daytime.

More than ten beams of light crossed an ancient, dense, and wide forest before landing on a relatively flat area.

This is the western border of the Star Luo Empire. In the distance, the outline of a brightly lit city can be seen, breathtakingly beautiful, and beyond that, the boundless Mingdou Mountains stretch as far as the eye can see. It's truly awe-inspiring.

However, no one had the leisure to appreciate the scenery before them. Although Elder Xuan had only carried them for less than two hours, they were still struggling to recover.

Even with Xu Zihuang's formidable physique, his stomach was churning uncontrollably. He Caitou, Beibei, and Xu Sanshi, being larger in size, were even more retching, almost vomiting bile.

The inner disciples fared somewhat better, but they were still pale.

Wang Dong and Ning Tian, ​​who were only at the Soul Venerable level, collapsed to the ground.

The mastermind behind it all, Elder Xuan, has long since disappeared without a trace.

Taking a deep breath and calming down a bit, Wang Yanqiang mustered his strength and said to everyone, "Star Moon City is not far ahead. Let's look out for each other and get a room at a hotel in the city to rest. Xiao Tao, Dai Yueheng, you two come with me later to scout out some information and see if any caravans have entered Star Moon Grand Canyon recently."

Caravans wishing to enter the Star Moon Grand Canyon must first transit through Star Moon City.

"Yes, Teacher Wang."

Everyone responded, except for Jiang Nannan, who hesitated.

Facing the crowd, Wang Yan seemed to see the concerns in Jiang Nannan's heart and smiled gently.

"All expenses along the way will be reimbursed by the college. There's no need to save the college money."

Wang Yan defused Jiang Nannan's embarrassment with a few lighthearted words, delivered in a slightly joking tone.

However, due to physical discomfort, everyone's spirits were not as high as usual.

Dai Yueheng helped the largest of the group, He Caitou, while Chen Zifeng and Yao Haoxuan looked after Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei. The slender and graceful Jiang Nannan received help from Xixi, a fellow agility-based Soul Master.

Xu Zihuang originally wanted to help Ning Tian, ​​but Wang Yan, who was the team leader and also Xu Zihuang and Wang Dong's homeroom teacher, had long wanted to ease the relationship between Yu Tianhuang and Wang Dong, so she suddenly spoke up.

"Yu Tianhuang, you support Wang Dong. Ning Tian can be left to Ling Luochen."

Xu Zihuang was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked at Wang Dong not far away, while Wang Dong, who was pale-faced, also looked at Xu Zihuang.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward. Since being assigned to the same class, the two had barely spoken. Their relationship couldn't really be described as close.

At that moment, Wang Yan's voice came over again.

"Yu Tianhuang, Wang Dong. Do you have any questions?"

"No, Teacher Wang." Xu Zihuang replied calmly, walked to Wang Dong's side, lifted Wang Dong's arm and placed it on his shoulder, and said softly.

"Let's go, Wang Dong."

Wang Dong stiffened, letting out a soft hum involuntarily. He turned his head slightly, his lips pressed tightly together, but he did not refuse Xu Zihuang's kindness.

The two had their own thoughts on the journey.

Xu Zihuang's mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts, and his heart was heavy.

In that situation, he was completely caught in a dilemma. Refusing Wang Yan's offer of face and causing his carefully constructed image at Shrek Academy to crumble was secondary. The main concern was that if he showed too much resistance to Wang Dong, it would be too easy for someone to notice something amiss.

It is very likely that his every move was observed by this selfless god-king from the very beginning.

Chapter 158 The Grim Reaper and the Corpse Explosion

The Star Luo Empire, as the most expansive of the three original empires of the Douluo Continent, is located in the southeast of the continent. Its east and south are coastal regions, while its northwest is predominantly mountainous.

The Star Moon City is located in a valley surrounded by mountains, with the steep Mingdou Mountain Range at its back.

The terrain within the valley is relatively flat, and as far as the eye can see, there are numerous villages and towns, surrounding the majestic Star Moon City like stars around the moon.

In terms of scale, Star Moon City is definitely not comparable to Shrek City, but it is not as backward as one might imagine.

Soul-guided streetlights dotted the wide official road leading to Star-Moon City, their soft glow reflecting the starlight. Every now and then, villagers from nearby villages would load their carts with goods and enter Star-Moon City with satisfied smiles.

Ma Xiaotao asked Dai Yueheng in surprise, "Dai Yueheng, I didn't expect that your Star Luo Empire would have such a peaceful city in this place where it meets the Sun Moon Empire."

After walking slowly for a while, everyone had mostly calmed down. Ma Xiaotao observed the villagers coming and going with great interest.

Dai Yueheng stood tall with his head held high, a hint of pride in his eyes.

"With our Star Luo Empire's Western Army Group stationed on the border, it's only natural that security is stable. Our Star Luo Empire has always been the most powerful country on our Douluo Continent."

Dai Yueheng was referring to a Douluo Continent that did not include the Sun Moon Empire. This was the prevailing view among the people of the original three empires of Douluo Continent. They consistently regarded the people of the Sun Moon Empire as a foreign race. Although more than four thousand years had passed since the clash between Douluo Continent and the Sun Moon Continent, and the name Sun Moon Continent no longer existed, being unified under the name Douluo Continent, they remained fundamentally incompatible.