Chapter 73: Youth is wonderful, falling asleep the moment my head hits the pillow
Chrysanthemum Douluo followed up:
"Your Holiness, according to the information from Nuoding Academy, Tang San went to Suo Tuo City to enroll in Shrek Academy, but all the people our Spirit Hall sent to tail him were killed by Tang Hao."
"I've already ordered the people in Suo Tuo City to investigate. We should receive the latest information by tonight."
Bibi Dong glanced at the two of them and said in a deep voice, "Matters concerning Tang San and Tang Hao are extremely important to Spirit Hall."
"For now, put aside your responsibilities in Spirit City and personally make a trip. Thoroughly investigate everything related to Tang San. Do not overlook a single detail."
"In addition to that, investigate which other forces around Tang San are also looking into them."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo replied in unison.
Bibi Dong couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong.
Logically speaking...
Spirit Hall's information network shouldn't be inferior to any other force. So how did they suddenly fall behind?
That Tang Hao was on guard against Spirit Hall and took precautions against them made sense, but she still felt something was off.
"Right, what about the matter I had you look into on the side—the one about Su Yan? Any progress?"
Hearing this, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo both looked a little troubled.
"Your Holiness, there are quite a few people on the continent named Su Yan. So far, we haven't found anyone particularly unusual."
Bibi Dong gave the two a flat look and said calmly:
"Then keep observing. As for Tang Hao, if you encounter him, do not act rashly. The same goes for Tang San—don't let our people make any reckless moves."
"Go investigate."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
The two Titled Douluos let out a breath of relief and quickly left the Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong pondered for a moment, then called out:
"Someone, summon Elder Ling Yuan."
Not long after—
A mature beauty with long, slender legs, as gentle and radiant as the first light of dawn, walked into the Pope's Palace.
Her short hair was exquisitely styled, her clothing dignified and elegant. Her figure was graceful and alluring, her features refined and stunning. Just a faint smile from her was enough to dazzle.
She was Spirit Hall's long-legged big-sister-type Titled Douluo—Ling Yuan.
Ling Yuan placed a hand before her chest, bowed slightly, and greeted:
"Your Holiness."
Bibi Dong nodded faintly and asked, "Elder Ling Yuan, are you aware that there is a Shrek Academy in Suo Tuo City?"
Ling Yuan thought for a moment and replied:
"I've heard of it, but I don't know much."
Bibi Dong's expression turned serious. "I have a very important task for you. I want you to personally go to Shrek Academy in Suo Tuo City and secretly investigate Tang San."
"Tang San is the son of the Clear Sky Sect's Tang Hao. You must make sure not to alert them. Stay in the shadows and gather all information and anomalies concerning everything around Tang San."
Ling Yuan was slightly puzzled. She asked:
"Your Holiness, Tang San should be our Spirit Hall's enemy, right?"
"Wouldn't it be better if I just killed him?"
Bibi Dong nodded, then shook her head.
"You are not a match for Tang Hao. You must not show any hostility, or you'll only trigger his vigilance and defenses."
"I've already sent Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo with Spirit Hall's people to handle this openly. They will be in the light while you remain hidden. I want every single detail related to Tang San. Not a single clue is to be missed."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Ling Yuan replied, "Then I'll set out for Suo Tuo City immediately and begin the investigation."
Bibi Dong reminded her, "Remember—no one is to discover your presence, not even Spirit Hall's own people."
Ling Yuan nodded and withdrew.
Bibi Dong still felt that something was wrong. She had even begun to suspect there was a problem within Spirit Hall itself. That was why she decided to arrange for Ling Yuan to move in the dark as well.
---
Shrek Academy.
Zhao Wuji was in a foul mood. After eating a few recovery sausages and briefly meditating, he finally spoke:
"You've all passed the test."
"Mubai, you're responsible for arranging their lodging. Official classes start tomorrow."
After saying that—
Zhao Wuji was just about to leave.
Tang San stood up and called out, "Teacher Zhao, please wait a moment."
Zhao Wuji looked at Tang San with some irritation.
"You little brat, what now?"
Zhao Wuji was thoroughly speechless.
If he could've had a full-on, wild battle using Martial Souls with Su Yan, then no matter how badly he lost, he would've felt good about it.
But these poisonous tricks that Tang San used… they had made him feel miserable and suffocated.
Tang San said, "Teacher Zhao, let me help you remove the hidden weapons inside your body. Otherwise, it might affect your health."
Zhao Wuji: ???
He was completely dumbfounded.
So this brat had actually left his hidden weapons in his body?
And then—
The process of extracting the Dragon Beard Needles made Zhao Wuji grimace in agony, baring his teeth and dripping with sweat.
Tang San used up all the internal strength he had just recovered to remove the Dragon Beard Needles. Once he was done, he finally relaxed—and then promptly fainted.
Youth really is great. Collapse and sleep on the spot.
Zhao Wuji checked Tang San's condition, then said to Su Yan:
"He's just exhausted. Some rest and he'll be fine. Let Mubai take you to arrange your dorms."
After speaking, Zhao Wuji had just turned and taken a few steps when he suddenly looked back and gave Su Yan a goofy grin.
"Cultivate well tonight. Tomorrow, I'll personally give you some guidance."
Su Yan couldn't help but laugh.
"Sure."
"Teacher Zhao, you make sure to sleep well, too. Don't end up unable to get out of bed tomorrow."
'You want to guide me tomorrow?'
'You'd better survive tonight first.'
'Oh, wait.'
He was going to Heaven Dou City this afternoon. By the time he returned from Heaven Dou City, Zhao Wuji would only be left with a beating.
Zhao Wuji burst into hearty laughter. He knew Su Yan's Martial Soul was tremendously powerful, so he was genuinely looking forward to having a fierce, all-out fight with this little monkey.
Unfortunately—
He had already been targeted by that big rat (Tang Hao). There was no way he'd be getting up tomorrow. And Su Yan was heading to Heaven Dou City in the afternoon.
Just like that, Zhao Wuji missed the only chance in his entire life to have a clash with the little monkey where he might actually have had some hope of winning.
He had just lost the only story he could've bragged about for a lifetime.
Dai Mubai glanced at Oscar and said:
"Xiao Ao, grab Tang San. We'll take them to arrange their dorms."
Oscar scratched his head helplessly, then picked up Tang San and followed the group away.
On the way—
Ning Rongrong looked around at the shabby little village and couldn't help complaining weakly, "This place is way too run-down. There's not even a single decent-looking building."
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu didn't say anything, but they agreed with Ning Rongrong inwardly. It was just a tiny village. Of course it'd be shabby.
Su Yan chuckled and said:
"Let me teach you a high-EQ way of describing things."
"The surrounding architectural environment has a retro aesthetic, the area enjoys a riverside view and a close bond with nature, with a uniquely privileged setting that offers the ultimate noble experience."
"This is practically a soul master's private scallion grove, a secluded cultivation paradise, a dream estate, a peak residence!"
Ning Rongrong and the others were stunned on the spot.
They turned their heads and looked around again, and realized that everything Su Yan said… actually matched.
A retro architectural style (shabby houses), a riverside view (a stinking little ditch), a uniquely privileged setting and closeness to nature (a remote, impoverished countryside)!
And wasn't there even a little patch of land over there with scallions growing in it?
End of Chapter