Chapter 116: Just Siblings?
On the outskirts of Sunset Forest, Tang Hao staggered forward, barely able to hold his broken body together. His tattered and dirty clothes were soaked in blood, which dripped continuously to the ground as he moved.
In order to escape from Aiakos and Radamanthys, Tang Hao had detonated his ninth soul ring once again, worsening his already grievous injuries.
What terrified Tang Hao even more was that even with the energy boost from detonating his 100,000-year soul ring, the massive Xumi Hammer strike he unleashed still wasn't enough to fully block the ninth soul skills of both Aiakos and Radamanthys.
His Clear Sky Hammer martial spirit had been shattered by their attacks. Although it hadn't been destroyed at its core and could be restored after a long period of self-repair, Tang Hao knew that even if his martial spirit recovered, his strength would be greatly diminished, probably only reaching around Level 93.
Aside from the damage to his martial spirit, his chest had also borne the brunt of the residual power from Aiakos and Radamanthys's ninth soul skills. In the heat of his escape, he hadn't felt it, but now that he had made it to a safe area, the pain in his chest grew increasingly intense.
"Ugh!"
After walking a few more steps, Tang Hao couldn't suppress the injuries any longer and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"No, I can't fall here!"
His consciousness grew increasingly hazy, and he felt as if he were sinking into an endless abyss. Everything in his vision blurred. Just as he was about to collapse, a strong willpower pushed him to stand back up: "Xiao San still needs me, and Ah Yin's revenge hasn't been taken. I absolutely can't fall here, not now!"
"Wait, Yuehua!"
Suddenly, the image of his younger sister, Tang Yuehua, flashed through Tang Hao's mind. "Yuehua's Moon Pavilion is in Tiandou City, not far from Xiao San's Shrek Academy. I can hide there to heal while keeping close enough to protect Xiao San!"
Having made up his mind, Tang Hao limped toward the direction of Moon Pavilion.
...
At the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi had just selected several high-quality 50,000-year soul bones from the sect's reserves to send to Nine Stars Palace when a few trembling spies, responsible for monitoring Shrek Academy, returned to report to him. The 100,000-year transformed soul beast had escaped.
Tang Hao, that brute, hadn't held back at all. The spies had been unconscious for a full day and night before waking up.
They weren't fools—someone wouldn't attack all of them for no reason. It had to be related to the 100,000-year transformed soul beast they had been monitoring.
The spies hurried back to Shrek Academy to investigate, and sure enough, the rabbit was nowhere to be found.
Since they were from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Yu Xiaogang had no reason to hide anything from them and directly explained the situation.
"Tang Hao!"
After hearing his subordinates' report, Ning Fengzhi's expression shifted several times, torn between frustration and anger. In truth, this whole situation had nothing to do with him initially, but because he wanted to curry favor with Tang Hao, he had now lost four 50,000-year soul bones.
As for Tang Hao? The man hadn't even bothered to thank him. After showing up, he hadn't done anything but attack Nine Stars Palace and knock out Ning Fengzhi's people, letting the 100,000-year transformed soul beast escape. All of Ning Fengzhi's goodwill had been for nothing.
"Sect Master, Lady Tang Yuehua of Moon Pavilion has come to visit!"
At that moment, the sect's steward suddenly presented a visiting card from Tang Yuehua.
"Tang Yuehua? Why is she here?"
Ning Fengzhi was well aware of Tang Yuehua's identity. However, Tang Yuehua's main purpose in running Moon Pavilion in Tiandou City was to supply essential resources for the now-isolated Clear Sky Clan. With her mere ninth-level cultivation, she wasn't in a position to stand on equal footing with Ning Fengzhi, so the two had barely ever interacted.
"Invite her in!"
Though puzzled by her sudden visit, Ning Fengzhi couldn't afford to be impolite. After all, Tang Yuehua was the younger sister of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, so he instructed the steward to welcome her in.
The steward promptly complied and soon led Tang Yuehua and Tang Hao into the guest hall.
"Clear Sky Douluo!"
Even though Tang Hao was still covering his face with a gray robe, Ning Fengzhi had seen him recently and immediately recognized him.
Seeing this, Tang Hao no longer hid his face. He lightly pulled back the robe, revealing his pale countenance. "Sect Master Ning, it's been a while!" he said, followed by a few violent coughs.
"Tang Hao has actually been injured this badly!"
The intense impact of the three soul skills on that day had obscured Ning Fengzhi's and Sword and Bone Douluo's vision. Ning Fengzhi only knew that Tang Hao had escaped, but he hadn't realized the extent of his injuries.
Seeing Tang Hao now, looking as if he had one foot in the grave, Ning Fengzhi felt a wave of relief that he had heeded Sword Douluo's advice and hadn't provoked Nine Stars Palace. The strength of those two Title Douluos had been truly terrifying. At the same time, his heart suddenly sank as he realized the true purpose of Tang Yuehua's visit.
Tang Hao, gravely injured, undoubtedly needed rare medicinal herbs to treat his internal injuries. However, Moon Pavilion was merely an academy teaching court etiquette, and Tang Yuehua, a ninth-level soul master who could never break through, would hardly have any sacred medicines stored.
Sure enough, after the three of them exchanged pleasantries and sat down, Tang Yuehua went straight to the point: "Sect Master Ning, my brother and I have come to ask if we could purchase some rare medicinal herbs from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to treat his internal injuries. I would be deeply grateful."
Tang Yuehua's urgent tone was quite different from the noble elegance she was known for at Moon Pavilion. Of course, it could be due to her concern for her brother's health, but Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but notice something else in her gaze—something beyond simple sibling care, an emotion difficult to describe.
Reflecting on the fact that Tang Yuehua had never married, Ning Fengzhi suddenly entertained a bold thought: Could it be that Tang Yuehua harbors feelings for her own brother, Tang Hao?
Well, in Douluo Dalu, it wouldn't be the first time someone had such preferences!
"Sect Master Ning!"
Seeing that Ning Fengzhi had yet to respond, Tang Yuehua, unaware of his internal thoughts, grew even more anxious. She sweetened the deal: "If Sect Master Ning is willing to assist us, I am willing to offer two percent of Moon Pavilion's annual income to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Fengzhi was moved. Even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect couldn't help but envy the annual income of Moon Pavilion. After all, it was an academy that taught court etiquette, and its students were either wealthy or noble—none would hesitate to pay exorbitant tuition fees.
Should he help Tang Hao?
Ning Fengzhi forced himself to set aside his curiosity about the relationship between Tang Yuehua and Tang Hao and began seriously weighing the matter.
The main issue was the attitude of Nine Stars Palace. Ning Fengzhi had already paid a heavy price—four soul bones—to settle the previous matter. If he now intervened to help Tang Hao, knowing full well that he had been injured by Nine Stars Palace's Title Douluos, what would Nine Stars Palace think if they found out?
(End of chapter)
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