"Detonate your rings? I'll let you detonate them for nothing!" Tian Lin's third soul ring flashed, and the Flow of Wind and Water expanded.
"How is this possible?" Tang Hao was shocked—his boosted power from detonating rings vanished instantly.
His massive Sumeru Hammer visibly shrank as the energy drained away. Without the power from detonated rings, the attack was powerless.
Chen Xin didn't even need his top sword techniques—a basic Seven Kill Sword easily repelled Tang Hao.
This was absolute soul power suppression. Tang Hao gasped, "What immense soul power! Even without ring detonation, my Sumeru Hammer shouldn't be stopped so easily… unless he's at least level 97!"
"Tang Hao, I could kill you even one-on-one, but I don't want to waste the time. Besides, you didn't harm our elder. We in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect always settle scores exactly," Chen Xin said calmly. He knew Ning Fengzhi still intended to use Tang Hao, so he hadn't planned to kill him.
"My answer is the same—whether it's Ah Yin's soul bone or the sect's legacy bones, I won't give them to outsiders. But I'll compensate Yin Yang—give me some time, and I'll bring another soul bone." Forced by circumstances, Tang Hao had to compromise a little, but his bottom line was clear—he'd never give up Ah Yin's or the sect's treasures.
"Fine, but as I said, since this started with a 100,000-year soul beast, you must repay with the equivalent. But for the sake of our alliance, I'll give you a 30% discount," Ning Fengzhi said. "Within three years, you can give a single 70,000-year soul bone, two 35,000-year ones, or even seventy 1,000-year bones—as long as the total exceeds 70,000 years, it's settled."
Tang Hao nodded, "Thank you. I agree. I made Yin Yang swear an oath before; now, I give you my promise."
"No need. I trust Clear Sky Douluo's word. Besides, if we found you now, we can find you again. If you break your promise, don't expect things to end so easily. One more thing: you can obtain soul bones, but not by wantonly killing soul beasts or innocent soul masters. If you do, our sect will hunt you to the ends of the earth," Ning Fengzhi warned.
No one expected a support soul master to radiate such killing intent.
"Hmph, don't worry. I have my ways."
Tang Hao never intended to do so. Besides being a Clear Sky disciple, he was also the leader of the Strength Clan and one of the continent's three great blacksmiths.
Titan was vice president of the blacksmith association, close with Lou Gao. With the help of the three master blacksmiths, trading for soul bones wasn't impossible.
Besides, Ning Fengzhi's rule only forbade killing innocents—there were still evil soul masters and bandits on the fringes of the continent, outside Spirit Hall's reach.
His plan was sound—after all, in the original, Dai Mubai's first soul bone was obtained by killing bandits on their way to the edge of the continent.
This didn't violate Ning Fengzhi's request, and could even be considered a public service.
"Well then, we'll take our leave," Ning Fengzhi nodded, stepping onto Chen Xin's sword. He turned and said, "Oh, Tang Hao, find time to return to the sect. Spirit Hall's ambition is clear, and your sect has hidden long enough—it's time to face the world again."
He still wanted to draw the Clear Sky Sect out as a shield.
This time, Tang Hao agreed—it was time for his sect to rise again.
"I understand. Thank you for the reminder," Tang Hao replied.
The four left, sword-flying away. Tang Hao watched them, his face grim. This was his first time compromising.
What puzzled him was how the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect found him. He was sure no one followed him when he fled Spirit Hall with Tang San.
He suspected someone had tampered with Tang San, but found nothing after checking.
Of course—even a Title Douluo couldn't detect the traces of a million-year soul skill, ten times older than his ninth ring.
"Father!" Tang San slowly woke up—Tian Lin's mental shock hadn't been heavy.
"Where's Jun Tianlin and the others?" Tang San asked.
"They're gone. It's resolved. Keep training," Tang Hao replied, not intending to tell Tang San the details.
First, to protect him from the dangers of hunting evil soul masters and bandits; second, to prevent him from targeting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect when their true enemy was Spirit Hall.
Tang Hao's tone was calm, but Tang San, with two lifetimes' experience, could tell his father was angry.
Even if Tang Hao hadn't given up his mother's soul bone, he must have agreed to some terms with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Damn Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! Damn Jun Tianlin!" Tang San's expression didn't change, but inwardly, he seethed. Forcing his grandfather to swear an oath and demanding compensation from his father—he'd pay them back one day.
But when he thought of Ning Fengzhi and Jun Tianlin's blood-red 100,000-year soul rings, he felt powerless. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was too strong—he couldn't even withstand a glance from Jun Tianlin.
"If only I had a 100,000-year soul ring!" Tang San felt a surge of envy and jealousy.
It should've been me, not him!