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

Xu Zihuang's words revealed a lot of information, just like Ning Tian's honesty towards him.

"Ah."

Ning Tian understood this, of course, but simply smiled sweetly at Xu Zihuang without asking any further questions.

The number of inner court disciples living on Seagod Island is consistently below a hundred, resulting in a relatively small canteen. Furthermore, each inner court disciple has their own cultivation habits, making the canteen mostly quiet and deserted.

At this moment, Tang Ya, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan arrived at the entrance of the canteen first, all looking up at the direction of the intersection. The inner courtyard canteen is located in the very center of Seagod Island, relying on the mountain peak where Seagod Pavilion is located. To get here, one needs to traverse a not-too-rugged mountain path.

The mountain road is lined with exotic and vibrant flowers, grasses and trees, and the fragrance of the plants and the rich aroma of the flowers blend together to create a refreshing and delightful experience.

Tang Ya held Bei Bei's hand; the two had largely emerged from the grief of Elder Mu's passing, their hearts now filled with hopes for the future of the Tang Clan. Over the past few days, they had come to a realization. They knew that only by developing and strengthening the Tang Clan could they truly honor Elder Mu.

Jiang Nannan and Xu Sanshi stood next to Tang Ya and Bei Bei. However, Jiang Nannan distanced herself from Xu Sanshi with a look of disgust. Unable to bear the harassment, her face turned frosty. Even if Xu Sanshi had the thick skin, he didn't dare to provoke Jiang Nannan at this moment, and awkwardly changed the subject.

“Over the past two years, the gap between us and Tianhuang has probably widened. To be able to communicate with us simultaneously using spiritual power from such a distance, Tianhuang’s spiritual power level and control are probably no worse than Elder Xuan’s now.”

"Why don't you spar with Tianhuang later? That way you can be sure?" Beibei returned to her usual gentle and refined demeanor, but Xu Sanshi found it all hypocritical.

"I'm not falling for your tricks. Why don't you go?" Xu Sanshi raised an eyebrow and curled his lip in disdain.

"Given Tianhuang's cultivation speed, he's almost reached the Soul Emperor realm. As another Soul Emperor, do you dare say you have a 30% chance of winning against Tianhuang?"

In the past two years, not only has Xu Zihuang's cultivation improved, but Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi have also made progress. Take Bei Bei for example, in the past two years, he fused with several high-quality soul bones left to him by Elder Mu, received personal guidance from Elder Mu, and spent a long time cultivating in the Sea God Pavilion, which enabled him to break through to the Soul Emperor realm at the age of nineteen.

Even so, they didn't feel they could surpass Yu Tianhuang because of this. It was an absolute crushing defeat in terms of natural talent.

Just as the two brothers were bickering, Tang Ya's eyes suddenly lit up, and she said in a sweet voice.

"Tianhuang and Ningtian, junior sister, are here!"

Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian, ​​hand in hand, appeared in their sight.

Tang Ya and the other three quickly went to meet them.

"Senior Brother Bei, Senior Brother Xu, Senior Sister Xiaoya, Senior Sister Jiang." Xu Zihuang greeted the four with a warm smile, and even gave Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi a close hug.

After Tang Ya smiled and nodded to Xu Zihuang, she pulled Ning Tian and Jiang Nannan together with ambiguous glances and whispered about private matters. She would occasionally look up at Xu Zihuang, causing Ning Tian to blush shyly at times.

Xu Sanshi patted Xu Zihuang's shoulder heavily and laughed incoherently.

"Tianhuang, how have you been at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy these past two years? Have you met any pretty upperclassmen or underclassmen?"

"I don't have any female juniors, but I do know a few pretty senior girls," Xu Zihuang replied candidly with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Tang Ya's eyes widened immediately. She pulled Ning Tian to Xu Zihuang's side, puffed out her chest, and said coquettishly.

"Tianhuang, you mustn't be a womanizer. Don't learn bad habits from Xu Sanshi."

"Xiaoya, what are you saying? What do you mean you've learned bad things from me?!" Xu Sanshi was speechless and glared at Beibei in annoyance.

"To be honest, it's that bastard Beibei who corrupted me and Tianhuang. Xiaoya, you don't know Beibei's true nature."

"Cough cough—" Bei Bei coughed a few times. Although she still had a warm smile on her face, her eyes turned unfriendly as she looked at Xu Sanshi. She moved her lips.

The lip reading clearly said: You're being ruthless now, undermining me in front of Xiaoya. Don't blame me for being unjust when you pursue Nannan later.

Beibei, you're amazing!

Now Xu Sanshi had no choice but to behave himself, though he couldn't help but curse Beibei in his heart.

Beibei, however, completely ignored Xu Sanshi's disgusted expression, which looked like he had swallowed a fly, and smiled as she looked around at everyone.

"Let's go eat first, and chat while we eat."

Tang Ya stuck her tongue out at Xu Zihuang and Xu Sanshi, then walked into the cafeteria first with Ning Tian and Jiang Nannan.

Xu Zihuang, Bei Bei, and Xu Sanshi followed behind the three women. Despite Xu Sanshi's exaggerated behavior, both he and Xu Zihuang knew that Tang Ya's words were purely a joke and meant no harm. In any case, Xu Sanshi only cared about his image in front of Jiang Nannan, and that image had long since crumbled beyond recognition.

He was just being reckless and trying to drag Beibei down with him.

The six people found a long dining table and sat down. On each person's plate was a bowl of yellow croaker noodles with milky white and fragrant soup, and a few bird eggs with colorful shells.

In order to provide the inner disciples with the most nutritious meals, some special foods are provided for each of the three daily meals.

The yellow croaker in the yellow croaker noodles was caught in the East Sea of ​​the Douling Empire and transported as quickly as possible, ensuring its exceptional freshness. The fish bones were simmered into a milky-white broth, topped with boneless fish meat and garnished with a few sprigs of greens. The colorful bird eggs were from a type of avian spirit beast. Once peeled, the egg whites were completely transparent, like crystal jelly. They were extremely nutritious.

Xu Sanshi was initially happy to have the opportunity to sit opposite Jiang Nannan, but when he saw Yu Tianhuang and Beibei having Ning Tian and Tang Ya peel the bird eggs and hand them to him, he became depressed again.

Sigh, everyone else is in pairs, while he and Nannan seem hopeless.

Just as Xu Zihuang took the bird egg that Ning Tian had peeled and took a bite, Tang Ya seemed to remember something. While chewing her food, she asked Xu Zihuang indistinctly.

"Tianhuang, didn't you study at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy for two years? I have the soul tool manufacturing blueprints designed by Yuhao. Could you take a look and see if it's feasible to manufacture this kind of soul tool, and give me some guidance as well?"

“Of course, Senior Sister Xiaoya. Before Elder Mu left, he said that the academy would provide support to your Tang Sect in all aspects. I am also a member of the academy.” Xu Zihuang raised her head and smiled slightly.

"This is great!" Tang Ya excitedly took out a stack of blueprints from her storage soul tool and handed them to Xu Zihuang.

Xu Zihuang took the blueprints, glanced at them briefly, and then analyzed the structure of the soul tool in his mind.

"A level three soul-guided cannon. It seems to also utilize the unique mechanical expansion device of your Tang Sect, Senior Sister Xiaoya. Strictly speaking, it should be classified as a fixed-position soul-guided device. However, the structure and the combination of the core magic array can still be improved. Senior Sister Xiaoya, if you don't mind, I can give you this blueprint after I've finished improving it."

"Okay, okay." Tang Ya nodded repeatedly, her black ponytail swaying as she did so. She was just as charming and lively as when they first met.

"Tianhuang, does that mean the blueprints designed by Yuhao are feasible?" Beibei asked in surprise.

Xu Zihuang nodded, then asked with interest, "Huo Yuhao was able to design this blueprint, so he must be at least a Level 3 Soul Master. Has he broken through to Soul Venerable?"

For Huo Yuhao, raising his soul power from level 21 to level 31 within two and a half years would have been virtually impossible without external assistance.

"Over the years, Yuhao has taken some drugs to forcibly boost his cultivation level, and he recently broke through to level 30," Bei Bei replied with a wry smile. Although it was Huo Yuhao's own decision, he didn't firmly stop him, which was indeed due to his own selfish motives.

Within the Tang Sect, Huo Yuhao is currently the only Soul Master. The Tang Sect's revival hinges on Soul Tools, which is why he tacitly approved of Huo Yuhao taking those drugs. Those drugs would sever Huo Yuhao's path to becoming a high-level Soul Master, but given Huo Yuhao's talent, even reaching the Soul King level would be difficult for him, so taking the drugs doesn't seem to have a significant impact.

Only if Huo Yuhao continues his studies in the Soul Guidance Department of Shrek Academy can he provide greater assistance to the Tang Sect.

"Also, Xiaoya has recently reached the level 50 bottleneck. My original plan was to take them to get spirit rings in a few days."

Xu Zihuang naturally noticed that Tang Ya had reached a bottleneck. Due to her limited talent, Tang Ya's cultivation speed was much slower than Ning Tian's.

“Senior Brother Bei, when I was training outside the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, I encountered a plant-type soul beast that would be perfect to become Senior Sister Xiaoya’s fifth soul ring.”

As soon as Xu Zihuang said this, all eyes turned to him.

Before anyone could speak, he continued, "That was a Nightmare Man-Eating Flower with a cultivation level of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 years."

"The Nightmare Man-Eating Flower, ranked seventh among the Tang Clan's Ten Great Poisons?!" Tang Ya abruptly stood up, unable to maintain her composure any longer. This Nightmare Man-Eating Flower was clearly documented within their Tang Clan. Its most terrifying aspect was its Nightmare Toxin, which killed without a trace.

If her Blue Silver Grass could fuse with the Nightmare Toxin, her overall strength would be greatly enhanced. Even if she couldn't possess the Nightmare Toxin's abilities, the Nightmare Man-Eating Flower, a top-tier plant-type soul beast, would still provide her with an exceptionally powerful fifth soul skill.

Bei Bei's eyes also revealed a look of surprise. Ning Tian, ​​Jiang Nannan, and Xu Sanshi, however, were somewhat bewildered. The Nightmare Man-Eating Flower, a plant-type soul beast, was almost as rare as the Thunderous Hell Vine; it was a legendary plant-type soul beast with very few records. It was perfectly understandable that the three of them were unfamiliar with it.

Xu Zihuang calmly sipped his noodle soup and continued, "Senior Sister Xiaoya, I'll give you the map of the Nightmare Man-Eating Flower's location and the improved soul tool blueprints later. However, you and Senior Brother Bei must be extra careful. It's best to ask the inner court teachers to lead the way, as the Nightmare Man-Eating Flower's Nightmare Toxin is extremely dangerous. As for Huo Yuhao, there's a soul beast called the Silver Wolf in the Jingyang Mountains of the Sun Moon Empire that would be suitable for him. Senior Brother Bei might consider taking him there to search for it."

He spoke those words because he had a good impression of the kind-hearted Tang Ya. As for the last sentence, it wasn't that he wanted to do Huo Yuhao a great favor; it was simply that he didn't care much. He just happened to know about the peculiarities of the Silver Wolf spirit beast, and mentioned it casually.

Tang Ya grew increasingly excited, her gaze towards Xu Zihuang filled with gratitude and emotion. She had obtained her third and fourth spirit rings with Yu Tianhuang's assistance. And counting the Nightmare Man-Eating Flower with its ten-thousand-year cultivation, she had lost count of how many favors Yu Tianhuang had bestowed upon her since they met.

After a long while, Tang Ya calmed herself down, chuckled, and turned to hug Ning Tian.

"Tianhuang, I won't say much more in thanks. If you and Beibei ever need our help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask us for help, even if it's just a matter of time."

"Senior Xiaoya, Tianhuang isn't doing this for any reward. Given our relationship, is there any need to be so polite?" The quick-witted Ning Tian smiled and took Tang Ya's arm.

Bei Bei put a hand on Xu Zihuang's shoulder, thinking of Huo Yuhao, who had once been jealous of Yu Tianhuang. The two were completely at odds.

"Tianhuang, thank you."

“Senior Brother Bei, just like Ning Tian said, there’s no need to say these things given our relationship,” Xu Zihuang replied calmly, then exchanged a smile with Ning Tian.

Of the three men and three women, only the last couple, Jiang Nannan and Xu Sanshi, had a delicate relationship.

Jiang Nannan sat on Ning Tian's other side, also congratulating Tang Ya with a smile. Meanwhile, a certain guy was completely mesmerized by Jiang Nannan's radiant smile, as delicate and graceful as a lotus emerging from clear water.

While the others were chatting, Xu Zihuang took the opportunity to draw the location of the Nightmare Man-Eating Flower in the Mingdou Great Forest and handed it over to Tang Ya and Bei Bei along with the improved soul tool blueprints.

With his current abilities at the Soul Master level, improving this level three Soul Tool is a piece of cake. Including the time spent drawing a detailed map of the Mingdou Great Forest, the whole process only took about fifteen minutes.

During this time, Ning Tian even asked the cafeteria staff to reheat the yellow croaker noodles on Xu Zihuang's plate.

In this harmonious atmosphere, everyone reminisced and chatted, and then parted ways after breakfast.

Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan both had their own studies to attend to. Tang Ya and Bei Bei, however, were eager to obtain their spirit rings the next day and had already applied to the academy. In the end, only Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian were left alone, heading towards the training ground.

Ning Tian entered the Inner Academy in the last year or two. As is customary, he needs to receive instruction from the Inner Academy teachers and teaching assistants every few days in the morning in order to better plan his future development.

Today, the person guiding Ning Tian and the others is none other than Wang Yan, who was promoted to an inner court teacher a few years ago.

Wang Yan had taught him for a period of time, and after two years apart, it was only right and proper for him to pay him a visit.

Besides them, Wu Feng, Nanmen Yun'er, Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, and Xie Huanyue, all newly promoted inner court disciples, also need to attend this class. This is also why Wu Feng came to find Ning Tian this morning.

Chapter 293 The Emerald Bird

As the sun rises, the branches and leaves of tall, sturdy trees divide the warm morning sun into fine, golden spots.

Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian strolled along the stone steps leading up to the mountain forest. Looking up, they could see the flat, open training platform atop the hill not far away.

They had plenty of time, so the two weren't in a hurry to get there.

Ning Tian leaned against Xu Zihuang, a captivating smile radiating from her pretty face. Her eyes were hazy as she raised her delicate hand above her head. Patches of light slid through the gaps in her slender fingers, illuminating her beautiful face.

For ordinary people, this is a game they've played since childhood. But for her, who has shouldered the heavy responsibility of inheriting the position of sect leader since birth, this is the first time she's tried it. Of course, most importantly, she also has someone she loves by her side.

"This isn't like you at all," Xu Zihuang said, slowing down as he led Ning Tian away.

Ning Tian glanced at Xu Zihuang and said with a smile, "Aren't all girls like this? Senior Xiaoya is right. I've suppressed myself too much since I was little, and I've lost a lot of my girlish nature. I get jealous sometimes, and I also want to act cute in front of the person I like."

"Did Senior Xiaoya teach you all of this?" Xu Zihuang replied with a smile, his tone gentle yet firm.

"Actually, what Senior Sister Xiaoya said is indeed correct. With me by your side from now on, you won't have to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the sect alone like before. Just be yourself."

Upon hearing Xu Zihuang's words, Ning Tian's smile remained unchanged, but her delicate nose felt a pang of sadness, and her light blue eyes were clouded with tears.

Being herself, something so ordinary and natural, was something she used to dream of.

It wasn't until she met Yu Tianhuang that her dull and monotonous life could be said to have gained some color.

Ning Tian stopped and embraced Xu Zihuang tightly with affection in his eyes. Then he closed his eyes and stood on tiptoe.

The sounds of cicadas and birds echoed through the woods, along with the mingled breaths of the two people.

After a long while, the two continued walking towards the training ground. This time, however, they were even closer together.

Ning Tian swallowed, her rosy lips and jade-like neck trembling as she swallowed the saliva that had absorbed Xu Zihuang's breath. But then, noticing Xu Zihuang's strange expression, her cheeks flushed slightly.