Chapter 368.1 - The Increasingly Prosperous Tang Sect (1/2)

Nan Qiuqiu had been extremely frustrated and irritable over the past few days. She had been in Shrek City for more than half a month, and news travelled continuously from various sources. She had become very unstable and anxious ever since she heard that her mother and the Earthdragon Sect’s team members who had participated in the tournament didn’t return to their sect.

She didn’t think too much into it when they first departed the Sun Moon Empire, because she had faith in her mother’s abilities. Her family’s inherited powers of annihilation meant her mother should be able to escape even if she had to fight against someone stronger than she was.

However, things didn’t turn out the way she had hoped. Her mother was the sect leader, but she hadn’t returned to the sect. Fortunately, the Earthdragon Sect was still being guarded by several of its senior members, and the sect had managed to avoid any problems for now.

But…

Nan Qiuqiu and her mother had depended on each other ever since she was a child. Nan Shuishui was very strict with her, but their relationship was intimate, and their love for each other ran deep. If the Tang Sect’s other members hadn’t successfully persuaded her, she would have succumbed to her impatience and rushed back to the Sun Moon Empire to search for her mother.

Nan Qiuqiu was a little unruly, but she was very smart. She knew very well that the news that came from Shrek Academy in Shrek City would be a lot more accurate than if she had been back at her own sect, and she would also receive news a lot faster here than elsewhere. Furthermore, the Tang Sect’s members told her unambiguously that they would help her save her mother once they received definite and reliable intel.

At this moment, Nan Qiuqiu was pacing outside the Tang Sect’s main gate. She was waiting for something.

“What are you doing, Qiuqiu? You didn’t eat much for lunch.” A voice rang out, and Nan Qiuqiu turned around as she saw Gao Dalou, who was picking his teeth with a toothpick, walk out from inside the Tang Sect’s main gate.

In contrast to Nan Qiuqiu, Gao Dalou was as proud and pleased as punch ever since he had arrived at the Tang Sect. He was all alone in the world, and had no strings attached anywhere. To him, wherever he was was his home.

Bei Bei took him to see Xuan Ziwen as soon as they arrived back at the Tang Sect, and Xuan Ziwen tested him a little before he frowned and reluctantly allowed Gao Dalou to stay.

Gao Dalou had only been here for half a month, but he had displayed stunning talent and potential in crafting soul tools over this period of time. He was like an enormous sponge as he continuously absorbed all kinds of knowledge.

The large amounts of rare metals that Huo Yuhao and the others had stolen from one of the Sun Moon Empire’s underground warehouses became the most substantial guarantee for taking the Tang Sect’s development one step further. There was no need to mention Gao Dalou’s reaction; even Xuan Ziwen’s eyes froze and grew lifeless for fifteen minutes when he saw those incredibly precious and exotic rare metals piled up into a small mountain before he recovered his senses.

Gao Dalou had thrown himself onto the mountain of rare metals, crying and wailing. He was hollering at the top of his voice, “In life, I am part of the Tang Sect as a human. In death, I am part of the Tang Sect as a ghost!” Gao Dalou was a classic embodiment of greed and avarice, and he would follow anyone that would give him benefits. However, he had a very straightforward personality, and he was simple and honest, and even a little silly at times. This, in addition to his passion for crafting soul tools that was comparable to that of Xuan Ziwen, quickly gained him the Tang Sect’s approval.

Nan Qiuqiu and Gao Dalou weren’t the only ones who had joined the Tang Sect. Mo Xuan, who was also from Shrek Academy’s inner courtyard, had also joined. Mo Xuan was already in the Tang Sect when Shrek’s Seven Monsters had represented the Tang Sect for the big tournament. Mo Xuan was also incredibly interested in soul tools, and even though he didn’t choose to learn how to craft them, he had been working hard at understanding soul tools and learning how to use many different kinds.

The Tang Sect had entered a stage of sound and steady development. They needed one more month, at most, before they could hand over the first batch of Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannons that the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Star Luo Empire had purchased. Fifty percent of the cannons’ costs were paid in golden soul coins, while the rest was paid entirely with rare metals. This was the Tang Sect’s first bucket of income next to the financial aid that Shrek Academy had given them. In addition to the enormous amounts of rare metals and stationary soul cannon shells that Huo Yuhao and the others had taken from the underground warehouse, it was enough to establish a solid foundation for the Tang Sect.

Nan Qiuqiu glanced at Gao Dalou and said, “I’m waiting for eldest senior brother. He’s having a meeting at the academy. Why aren’t you in the underground cave?”

Gao Dalou seemed a little displeased as he said, “What underground cave? That’s our underground research facility, the Tang Sect’s Soul Tool Hall.”

Nan Qiuqiu snapped, “It’s beneath the ground. What else can it be if not an underground cave?”

Gao Dalou sounded a little exasperated. “It’s an underground cave if you insist, then. I’m going out to buy some wine. Do you want some?”

Nan Qiuqiu shook her head and said, “No thanks, I’m not going to drink. Mummy taught me that girls cannot drink wine casually, especially with men. It’ll be easy for girls to be taken advantage of.” Her eyes became a little red when she mentioned her mother.

Gao Dalou was a little slow regarding human interaction and the ways of the world. But even so, he knew that Nan Qiuqiu hadn’t been in a very good mood in the past few days. He hurriedly said, “Alright, then you can wait for eldest senior brother. I’m going to get going.” With that, he walked away as briskly as he could.

“Qiuqiu, Qiuqiu!” A shrill and high-pitched voice came from within the Tang Sect’s walls right at this moment.

Nan Qiuqiu was momentarily stunned before a helpless and exasperated look appeared on her face. “Don’t drag me in, sister Guyi…”

“Come, quickly! I can’t hold on any longer.” Ye Guyi’s worried voice rang out once more.

Nan Qiuqiu slapped herself on the forehead as she walked back through the Tang Sect’s main gate with a helpless look on her face.

Smoke and fog permeated the Tang Sect’s sparring arena at this moment. Two beams of sword light flashed by in an instant. One was black as ink, while the other was a brilliant gold.