Tang Sect, Inner Courtyard
A slightly desolate figure stood in the courtyard.
Even though half a year had passed, every time Tang San recalled the events of his 9th birthday banquet, he felt a knot in his heart.
The humiliation he suffered at the Haotian Sect when he was six and the shame he endured during his 9th birthday banquet made Tang San fully realize the importance of his own strength.
As a result, over the past six months, Tang San had trained like a madman, even taking dangerous risks to forcibly open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
Though the process was fraught with danger, and he nearly suffered a fatal injury when his meridians almost ruptured…
At the critical moment, the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline that had not yet awakened within him helped him, enabling him to survive the crisis.
It was a risk with its rewards.
That perilous attempt allowed Tang San to directly open the Chong Meridian and the Dai Meridian among the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
With two meridians opened, the speed of his Xuantian Gong cultivation accelerated, which in turn increased his training speed.
Additionally, Tang San registered under the name of Tang Yuehua's nephew at the Tiandou Royal Soul Master Academy, gaining access to their simulated training facilities for free.
When Tang San broke through to the 20th level, he was just eight and a half years old.
After absorbing a soul ring from a Sword Orchid that was over seven hundred years old—nearing eight hundred years—his soul power broke through to the 22nd level.
Now, a year had passed.
This year, Tang San's attitude toward his cultivation had changed drastically between the first and second halves.
In the first half, he was distracted by making hidden weapons. His training, though serious, was not particularly intense.
The second half, however, was a completely different story. After being awakened by Lin Rong, Tang San realized the importance of his own strength and became frantically dedicated to his cultivation.
With the two meridians opened, Tang San's soul power increased at double the speed compared to the first half of the year.
Over the past year, Tang San had raised his soul power by four levels, and he was now a 26th-level Great Soul Master.
"At this rate, in five years, for the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition, I should have nearly reached the rank of Soul King."
"During this time, I can at least open another meridian, and my cultivation speed will increase again."
"By then, I will participate in the elite competition as a Soul King and take the championship, restoring the Tang Sect's fame!"
"When the Tang Sect's name spreads across the continent, I will make those who are seeking their own downfall witness the power of my Tang Sect!"
"The elders of Haotian Sect, and the Lin family—just you wait!"
"Achoo!"
In the depths of the manor, in a wooden house, Lin Rong sneezed while sitting on the sofa.
"Young Master, the spring chill is here. Please remember to cover yourself with the blanket when you sleep tonight."
The old butler, hearing the sneeze, walked over and draped a wool blanket over Lin Rong.
"Nothing, Grandpa Yu, you're overthinking it."
Lin Rong rubbed his nose and said, "Don't forget the effect of my martial soul. A mere spring chill can't make me catch a cold."
"It must be some ill-intentioned person thinking about me, plotting something bad behind my back."
"Honestly, I just returned to the manor yesterday, and today someone is already whispering about me. Who could it be?"
Lin Rong thought to himself, guessing it was most likely Tang San.
"Such a restless person. If it weren't for him still being useful, he wouldn't even see the light of tomorrow."
Then, as if remembering something, Lin Rong looked at the old butler and said, "By the way, Grandpa Yu, I won't be going to the royal banquet tonight."
"Please send a message to the royal family, saying that I have entered deep meditation and cannot attend the banquet tonight."
Every year, the night before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition, the royal family traditionally holds a grand banquet.
This royal banquet is of monumental scale, and the eligibility to attend is extremely high.
Only hereditary nobles with titles of Count or above, and non-hereditary nobles with titles of Marquis or above, are qualified to attend.
Though the banquet is extravagant, in essence, it is still a hedonistic affair with no real significance.
Lin Rong didn't want to waste time on such an event.
Moreover, since the royal family hosts such a grand banquet, most of the palace guards are gathered in the royal garden, leaving other areas of the palace poorly guarded.
This provided Lin Rong the perfect opportunity to sneak into the palace and take the national treasure.
"The old servant understands."
The old butler responded, then quickly left the wooden house, moving with speed to carry out the task.
Later that night, as dusk fell.
In the heart of Tiandou City.
The royal garden of the palace was brightly lit.
Noble guests in elegant attire gathered in the garden, enjoying themselves.
Ning Fengzhi, standing in the garden, looked around but couldn't spot the person he was searching for.
"Master," Xue Qinghe approached Ning Fengzhi and quietly greeted, "Are you looking for Duke Lin?"
"Earlier, someone from the Lin Manor sent word that Duke Lin has entered deep meditation and can't attend tonight's banquet."
"Deep meditation?" Ning Fengzhi was slightly surprised.
"Such an opportunity is rare. To think that Duke Lin has encountered it—truly a stroke of luck."
Half a year ago, although the incident involving the Tang Sect didn't cause much of an uproar, it couldn't escape the attention of their partner, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
As the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi naturally knew about the annihilation of the Min Clan, as well as the separation of the Yu Clan from the Tang Sect.
After sending people to investigate secretly, Ning Fengzhi uncovered some clues.
The destruction of the Min Clan was suspected to be the work of Dugu Bo.
As for the Yu Clan, the cause was unclear, but it was highly likely that there was an irreconcilable conflict between the Yu Clan and the Tang Sect.
On that day, Gu Rong sensed a dangerous aura from the old butler Yu Yuan.
Gu Rong told Ning Fengzhi about this matter.
Later, Ning Fengzhi, combining the information from Gu Rong with the clues he had received, faintly discovered an astonishing truth.
However, these were just speculations without solid evidence to prove them.
It wouldn't be appropriate to visit directly, and since Lin Rong frequently went on trips, Ning Fengzhi had never found the right opportunity to meet with him.
He had thought the royal banquet would be a good chance, but unexpectedly, Lin Rong didn't attend.
Elsewhere in the garden.
Tang San stood in a corner, determined not to miss any opportunity to promote the Tang Sect. Naturally, he wouldn't skip the grand royal banquet.
To avoid running into Lin Rong, Tang San specifically chose a secluded corner, but instead of Lin Rong, he was blocked by a girl of his age.
"You're Tang San? You look so ordinary. Are you really Lady Yue's nephew?"
The 9-year-old royal princess, Xue Ke, looked at him, clearly displeased, thinking:
"I thought Lady Yue's nephew would be handsome, but he looks so plain. He doesn't fit the image of a prince charming in my mind at all."
"But Father wants me to marry him… No way! I have to think of a way to ruin this marriage!"