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"Lord Count, will war really break out on the continent?"
After leaving Snowy Honey City, Lingxi recalled Tang San's words to Snow, feeling that war might indeed erupt soon, causing her to worry.
"The outbreak of war is inevitable," Tang San said calmly. "As Snow mentioned, the three major powers—Tian Dou, Star Luo, and the Spirit Hall—all aspire to unify the continent."
Tang San continued, "Interestingly, the continent uses a unified script and speaks a common official language. It's possible that, at some point, the Douluo Continent was once unified."
Historical records from the Golden Civilization also support this idea. The war between the returning Dragon God and the Golden Civilization caused the continent to lose nearly half of its original area.
In fact, the Sun and Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent were originally one landmass. The humans from both continents are descendants of the Golden Civilization.
"And as for the future war?"
"I support the Spirit Hall. Compared to the two empires, the Spirit Hall is more enlightened. At least, since Bibi Dong became the Pope, the selection of future Popes is no longer based on bloodline inheritance but on the relationship between master and disciple. Under my influence, we could even move towards a meritocratic system—essentially, 'those with talent rise, those without fall.'"
"However, unlike Ling Tang Technology Co., proper regulations and additional supervision are necessary. Otherwise, if an incompetent person assumes power, it would be a great misfortune."
Lingxi looked at him with admiration. "Lord Count, if you became Pope, you would surely be the best Pope."
"No, if I took that position, it would only create chaos," Tang San said, aware of his own limitations. While he excelled in the study of martial spirits and was a powerful soul master, he knew he was not suited to be a ruler.
Tang San was clear about his own desires: to study the mysteries of martial spirits, understand the essence of soul power, enhance his life, and engage in beneficial activities with his girlfriends.
"Lord Count, you're too modest," Lingxi said, unaware of these thoughts and assuming Tang San was uninterested in power.
"It's the truth," Tang San replied, seeing that Lingxi was unconvinced and gradually becoming more fixated on her ideas. He decided not to dwell on the topic. "If war does break out, you should hide at Silver Blue Manor or Ling Tang Technology Co. Tian Dou won't disturb these places."
The reason was simple: Xue Qinghe was half an ally.
Why half? Though Qian Renxue was born in the Spirit Hall, she was loyal to the worship branch. After Tang San joined the Spirit Hall and gained Bibi Dong's trust, the hall underwent significant changes based on his suggestions, altering its core and principles.
In the future, Qian Renxue would inevitably clash with Bibi Dong, possibly even vying for power. This conflict could be resolved if Bibi Dong stopped her cold violence and harsh words towards Qian Renxue, offering kindness instead. Given Qian Renxue's nature, she would naturally let go of her grudges.
After all, pride and arrogance can be seen as a form of stubbornness.
Unfortunately, this resolution might be challenging.
"You're right, Lord Count."
As they passed by Ling Tang Technology Co., Lingxi borrowed a soul communication device from the gatekeeper to relay some instructions to the office staff. She then accompanied Tang San and Gu Yuena to Silver Blue Manor.
"Lord Count has finally returned, so as the housekeeper, I must personally prepare the meal!"
As for the company's affairs, Lingxi didn't have much to handle. Her main responsibilities included negotiating and communicating with families and small sects in Tian Dou, and constantly adjusting internal management and production lines to improve departmental efficiency and generate more wealth.
Everyone in Tian Dou City knew who backed Ling Tang Technology Co. As a result, family heads in the city always cooperated willingly, and no issues ever arose. Even members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect treated Lingxi with utmost respect.
At Silver Blue Manor, Fan Niu and Fan Ma rubbed their eyes in disbelief before rushing forward, exclaiming in unison, "Lord Count! It's really you!"
"It's me," Tang San said, sensing the soul power and blood energy waves emanating from their excitement. He nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. You've both reached the level of Grandmaster, with soul power at level twenty-eight, nearing Soul Elder."
"Thanks to your Tiger Bear Body Tempering Technique, we've gained our current skills," Fan Niu said, showing genuine reverence.
Fan Ma echoed his sentiments, "Without you, we might still be doing hard labor and working ourselves to death."
Over the past two years, they had seen other male slaves treated like beasts, often covered in scars, beaten to death, or dying from overwork, only to be wrapped in a tattered mat and discarded outside the city. Without the Earl, their fate would have been the same.
Tang San comforted them briefly before changing the subject to their progress with the Tiger Bear Body Tempering Technique. "I'll be staying for a few days and will check your progress then."
"Rest assured, Lord count. We have been diligently training and will not disappoint you," Fan Niu said with a smile.
Fan Ma added, "My back is as hard as a rock, and I now possess the strength of a giant bear!"
"Good, I'll test you both tomorrow," Tang San replied with a smile. After advising them to "stay away from Dai Mubai" and "keep clear of Shrek," he entered Silver Blue Manor with Lingxi and Gu Yuena.
"Two years away, and nothing has changed," Tang San remarked, looking at the familiar grounds and flowerbeds.
"Of course, we wanted you to feel at home when you returned," Lingxi said with a smile. "The servants here take great care in maintaining the manor; it's their only task."
Passing the training ground, Tang San saw a group of people, either shirtless or in vests, practicing stances. Despite their sweat, they persevered, emitting faint blood energy waves.
A cat-eared woman was leading them, shouting commands and guiding their movements.
"Who are they?" Tang San asked, not recalling such a group before he left. They seemed like new recruits... guards, perhaps? And their training resembled a simplified version of the Tiger Bear Body Tempering Technique.
"These are possessors of innate martial spirits," Lingxi explained. "I bought them from the slave market and had Fan Niu and Fan Ma train them. There are twelve in total, with martial spirits like hands, feet, noses, and so on. They're practicing simplified exercises derived from the Tiger Bear Body Tempering Technique, designed by the Fan brothers, to strengthen their bodies."
With that, Lingxi clapped her hands and called out to the woman in the training uniform, "Ling Meng, let them rest for a bit. Look who's back!"