Chapter 228: Tang San Caught
While Tang San was sneaking around Tianxing Academy at night, Yu Xiaogang realized that he was missing. Wanting to discuss some important precautions about Sea God Island, Yu Xiaogang went to Tang San's room, only to discover that he had disappeared.
Alarmed, he quickly notified Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, but both men were equally puzzled, assuming that Tang San had simply gone out to train alone, as he often preferred to do from a young age.
Meanwhile, atop Mount Almo, Tang San had just begun exploring the summit area and quickly noticed that the spiritual energy here was unusually dense. It felt more like a place of concentrated vitality than a perpetually snow-covered peak, as if he had stumbled into a natural haven for cultivation.
Approaching the core living quarters, Tang San felt a surge of life energy so potent it even stirred his Blue Silver Grass spirit. This was due to a treasure known as the Essence of Life Gold, which Yang Potian had acquired from three thousand-year-old Ant Emperors. Unsure of its exact use, Yang Potian had buried it under his father Yang Zhentian's training room, benefiting his father's cultivation while radiating life energy throughout the mountaintop. This Essence of Life Gold, a priceless treasure in its own right, was capable of nurturing an entire sect.
Drawn to the energy, Tang San noted how the Blue Silver Grass spirit within him thrived in such an environment. He could even sense that his training here would progress much faster. However, he underestimated the awareness of Titled Douluo, especially Yang Zhentian, a level 97 Douluo and one of the continent's most powerful cultivators. In the serene mountaintop, there was nothing to mask the subtle emanations of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass.
Suddenly, a loud voice boomed from Yang Zhentian's room: "Who dares to intrude on Tianxing Academy? You've got guts!"
This alerted the entire mountaintop. In a flash, all the Titled Douluo, except the children, emerged, ready to intercept the intruder. Tang San froze in shock, realizing he'd been detected just moments after reaching the peak.
However, he quickly steadied his nerves. As a skilled assassin and master of concealment, he knew how to respond in a crisis. Using his Blue Silver Grass to cover his aura, he buried himself in a nearby pile of snow, blending with his surroundings.
Moments later, Yang Zhentian, Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Dugu Bo gathered in the area. Confused, Yang Wudi asked, "Zhentian, what's the situation? Why the sudden alert?"
Yang Zhentian looked serious. "While I was training, I sensed something unusual. It seems someone has infiltrated Tianxing Academy. They're cunning—so much so that I only managed to detect a faint trace of their spirit power."
The four began to search the area, keen to locate the intruder. Tang San's skill in concealment was extraordinary. Deciding that escape was impossible, he had buried himself in the snow, mimicking Blue Silver Grass, hoping his unique technique would keep him hidden.
After searching for a while with no results, they regrouped. Niu Gao voiced his doubt: "Zhentian, are you sure? We haven't found any sign of intruders."
"My senses rarely fail me," replied Yang Zhentian. "I definitely sensed an unusual spirit power—a plant-based power, with traces of poison."
After considering this, Dugu Bo asked, "Where's the kid? With his spirit power, he should have sensed it as well."
With a scowl, Yang Wudi shouted, "You little rascal! Are you just standing there watching?"
Only then did Yang Potian leisurely emerge, looking as if he'd been enjoying the spectacle.
Yang Wudi snapped, "So, Potian, you knew someone had infiltrated Tianxing Academy?"
Yang Potian sighed, shaking his head. "A mere Spirit Emperor can infiltrate our academy so easily? It seems our defenses could use some work."
"You detected them too?" asked Yang Zhentian. "Why didn't you alert us sooner?"
Yang Potian smirked. "Though he's just a Spirit Emperor, he's extremely adept at concealment and has chosen a hiding place none of you would expect. I'm honestly surprised you haven't found him yet."
"What? We've scoured every corner of the core area and found nothing," protested Yang Zhentian.
Potian's eyes sparkled with amusement. "He's hiding in the very spot where you first sensed him."
Taking the hint, Yang Zhentian targeted a specific snow-covered patch. "How dare you!" he thundered. "You'll pay for this!"
As his spirit power surged, an enormous wave of energy blasted toward the snow pile, shaking the ground and seeming to crush everything around it.
Suddenly, a dark shadow shot out from the snow. Instead of resisting Yang Zhentian's terrifying pressure, the figure moved fluidly backward, deflecting the brunt of the force while raising his right hand to release a concealed arrow.
As Tang San infiltrated Tianxing Academy under the cover of night, he fired a signaling arrow into the sky. The arrow soared upwards with a piercing whistle, before exploding into a massive burst of fireworks visible for miles. The sudden flare took everyone by surprise, leaving no time to intercept it—although Yang Potian chose not to stop it at all.
Enraged, Yang Zhentian couldn't believe Tang San had the nerve to signal for backup even as he was discovered. His spirit power flared as he swiftly subdued Tang San, sealing his spirit power and immobilizing him. Tang San, a mere Spirit Emperor, was powerless against the pressure of a Titled Douluo and had no chance to resist before his abilities were completely restrained.
Once Tang San's spirit power was locked, Yang Zhentian yanked off his mask, shocked to see the familiar face. "So, it's you," he sneered. "Just a Spirit Emperor, yet bold enough to sneak into Tianxing Academy."
Unfazed, Tang San replied coolly, "And what of it? I am a disciple of the illustrious Haotian Sect. Your Po Clan and the Yu Clan were once subordinate families to my sect. What can you do to me?"
Yang Wudi and Niu Gao exchanged uncertain glances, wondering how best to deal with the situation, especially with Tang San's signal likely alerting Tang Hao and Tang Xiao.
Standing nearby, Yang Potian observed silently, waiting to see how his grandfather and great-uncle would handle it. If needed, he was prepared to step in.
In Monet City, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao spotted the signaling arrow. Tang Hao's face darkened. "Brother, that's Tang San's signal. He's been missing all night—could it be that the people at Tianxing Academy captured him?"
Tang Xiao nodded. "Hao, let's go. Tang San may be in danger."
With that, the two of them shot off toward Tianxing Academy at full speed.
Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe noticed the burst above Tianxing Academy and smirked. "Well, things just got interesting."
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo also saw the signal in the distance. Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment before saying, "Sword Uncle, who do you think might have attacked Tianxing Academy?"
Sword Douluo shook his head. "Logically, no force but the Spirit Hall could assault Tianxing Academy, but Spirit Hall wouldn't act so recklessly, not with both us and the Haotian Sect nearby."
After a pause, Ning Fengzhi added, "That arrow was likely fired by Tang San. He's gone missing tonight, so it's possible this is a conflict between Haotian Sect and Tianxing Academy."
"Shall we go and take a look?" Sword Douluo asked. "Our alliance with Haotian Sect means we should stand together."
But Ning Fengzhi's thoughts turned to Yang Potian, recalling his strength. "No, let's stay out of this. Both sides are stronger than we are, and getting involved might mean crossing both. Besides, I can't see through Yang Potian's strength at all. Even four years ago, he nearly matched you, Sword Uncle. This conflict is unlikely to end well."
"And perhaps this is a needed wake-up call for the Haotian Sect," Ning Fengzhi added. "They've grown accustomed to forcing the Po Clan and the Yu Clan to return, as though they can just reclaim what they've let go."
Sword Douluo nodded in agreement.
Minutes later, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao reached the summit of Mount Almo. The scene awaiting them caught them off guard. Tang San stood silently, dressed in black, with a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth—a remnant of Yang Zhentian's earlier assault.
The two rushed to Tang San's side, and Tang Xiao quickly released the seal on his spirit power. "Tang San, are you hurt?" he asked, worry etched on his face.
Tang San merely shook his head, staying silent.
Fuming, Tang Hao turned to Yang Wudi. "Yang Wudi, what's the meaning of this? Why harm Tang San?"
Yang Wudi's face twisted with anger, but he scoffed, "Tang Hao, are you blind? Your son snuck into Tianxing Academy dressed like an intruder. I should be the one asking what you're trying to do."
Tang Hao's expression grew fierce. "So what if Tang San entered Tianxing Academy? You're all Titled Douluo, bullying a mere child!"
Before Yang Wudi could respond, Niu Gao interjected, "Why waste words, old goat? Haotian Sect's full of spineless cowards these days, sneaking into other sects and then blaming the host when caught. Where's the dignity they once had as the continent's foremost clan?"
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