Since Tang San was rejected in his proposal to hunt sea soul beasts near Sea God Island, he seemed to have become a different person, and he was no longer as gentle as before toward the sea soul masters.
Even Tang Xiao, the leader of the Clear Sky Sect who usually paid little attention to Tang San, noticed that the sea soul masters greeted Tang San multiple times but received no response.
He informed Tang Hao of the matter, and the two of them summoned Tang San. They were now temporarily residing on Sea God Island under the protection of the sea soul masters. Such an attitude would not do.
"Xiao San, what's been wrong with you lately? Even if you have to pretend, you should at least pretend to show respect to the sea soul masters."
"Yes, Father."
Tang San looked at his aging father, his eyes involuntarily reddening, unable to suppress his sense of grievance.
He was already anxious because he couldn't obtain a spirit ring and his cultivation was nearly stagnant. The strange looks from the sea soul masters infuriated him.
Even if his Blue Silver Grass was weak, how could these sea soul masters look down on him? They were already courting death — the time just wasn't right yet.
Tang San had been holding back his anger. When he finally saw his father, he hadn't expected to be scolded for the sake of outsiders.
"Xiao San, I'm not blaming you, but the situation compels us. If we want to defeat the evil Spirit Hall, we must rely on the strength of the sea soul masters. I pity you."
"No, it's all Spirit Hall's fault. We must avenge our mother."
Tang Hao's small words of comfort brought Tang San to his knees. Just as he was about to hug his father, he was avoided.
Tang Hao knew that the spirit residing in Tang San's body clearly wasn't his own son. He had raised him only to destroy the Spirit Empire and avenge Ah Yin.
He didn't want to be hugged by a stranger whose identity, gender, or age he didn't even know. It honestly made him feel a little disgusted.
"Xiao San, I know you've been hurt. Once this period is over, I'll ask Senior Bo Saixi to take you spirit hunting.
With Senior Bo Saixi around, no one in this ocean can hurt you."
"Yes, Father."
Tang San didn't doubt him. He was deeply affected by his father's teachings and obediently followed his words, returning to his usual gentle demeanor.
However, as long as his strength didn't increase, the eyes of the sea soul masters — who admired strength — would not change much when they looked at him.
Those strange gazes and emotions were like sharp thorns, piercing deep into Tang San's heart.
These negative emotions might seem meaningless on the surface, but they would gradually accumulate within him, and one day, explode and turn him into a man-eating beast.
Tang Hao and Bo Saixi were unaware of this — or rather, they noticed it but didn't care.
One only wanted to be with his long-lost lover, while the other absentmindedly stared at the Blue Silver Grass, thinking only of how to bring down the Spirit Empire.
Tang San wasn't that important to them, especially to Bo Saixi. The stronger Tang San became, the closer he was to death. Why should she try hard to help him grow?
However, Hai Nu Douluo, who had been watching Tang San and could see into people's hearts, noticed the shadow in his heart and became wary.
Although he didn't inform anyone, he quietly observed Tang San's behavior and remained on guard.
But what no one on Poseidon Island expected was that all of this was being witnessed through a pair of eyes — by Xu Mingxi.
"I didn't expect that Huo Quan, whom I met while sailing, would now play such an important role. He's even spying on Poseidon Island."
"Yes, and it's all thanks to his sixth soul skill, which can mask his eyes. Otherwise, he would've been discovered by Poseidon Douluo long ago."
After Huo Quan joined the Star Crown Sect, he became a specially trained scout. All his soul skills were related to vision, allowing him to observe Poseidon Island from dozens of kilometers away.
He was now monitoring the powerful soul masters on Poseidon Island with Xu Mingguang from atop a Swordfish.
Because of the great distance, even if Bo Saixi vaguely sensed that someone was spying, she couldn't locate the enemy.
Xu Mingxi held the intelligence sent back by Xu Mingguang and others in his hand and was amazed. With Huo Quan around, the people on Poseidon Island would never escape their control.
He looked at his younger brother beside him, lightly patted his back, and placed a crown on his head.
"Mingjie, I'm heading out for a bit. You take care of the state affairs in the palace. If you don't understand something, go to the White Tiger Duke — he'll guide you."
"No, brother, wait—"
Xu Mingxi didn't hear the rest. He was already soaring into the sky, brushing against the blue sky and white clouds, enjoying the freedom and joy.
He didn't want to deal with official affairs — they were too troublesome. Training and fighting were far more interesting, especially gang fights — they were very exciting.
Xu Mingxi's eyes sparkled. He took aim and turned into starlight, disappearing into the sky. His destination: Qibao Mountain in the south of the Star Luo Empire.
In a previous letter, Xu Mingguang had expressed concerns about the Poseidon hunt. The power of Poseidon Douluo in the sea was not to be underestimated.
If she was given a chance to enter the sea, no one could stop her from leaving. Once she was pulled back to Poseidon Island, they might never have another opportunity.
Xu Mingxi thought it over and agreed. If you're going to do it, do your best. To face such a powerful continent, you had to go all in.
So he planned to bring three more people from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. With them, they could at least prevent Bo Saixi from escaping and simultaneously guard against a sudden attack from the Spirit Empire.
After relocating to the Star Luo Empire, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect settled on a small mountain and named it Qibao Mountain.
With Sword Douluo (Level 96) and Bone Douluo (Level 95) in charge, the sect wasn't as prosperous as it had been during the Heaven Dou period, but it was still enough to shock any power.
Xu Mingxi suddenly appeared above Qibao Mountain, and the small fluctuation he intentionally released quickly drew Bone Douluo's attention.
He floated into the air and bowed to the current Emperor of Xingluo and Peerless Douluo, showing no fear on his face.
"Your Majesty, do you have instructions for coming to my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
"What, can't I come visit and have a seat?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. Please."
The constant smile that Bone Douluo had worn for years cracked. Seeing Xu Mingxi smiling but speaking in such an unquestionable tone, he stepped aside to welcome him at the mountain gate.