Chapter 167: Secret Manuals Spread Across the Continent
Prince Xue Beng, shaken by Prince Xue Xing's harsh words, pleaded humbly, "Uncle, you have to help me! What should I do now?"
Prince Xue Xing shook his head. "Although your father is furious, he hasn't punished you, which means you still have a chance. From now on, keep a low profile. If you stir up trouble again, even I won't be able to help you."
Xue Beng felt slightly relieved but remained puzzled. "Uncle, who do you think orchestrated this?"
Prince Xue Xing pondered. "Logically, someone scheming against you would be Xue Qinghe, but as crown prince, he wouldn't jeopardize the empire's stability like this."
The two conferred, but despite Prince Xue Xing's political acumen, he couldn't pinpoint the mastermind. He suspected, however, that Xue Beng's alliance with the Spirit Hall might now be his only advantage.
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's residence, Xue Qinghe was jubilant. His schemes had successfully dismantled Xue Beng's support, making his future maneuvers significantly easier.
In Almo Mountain, the Breaking and Defense Clans had fully settled in, effectively isolating themselves from the outside world. Only a few clan members managed clan business in Monet City, overseeing the family's medicinal trades.
However, news of the mysterious manuals had spread across the Douluo Continent, causing a whirlwind of interest and upheaval.
At the Spirit Hall, in the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong sat with her top advisors, including Hu Liena, reviewing the assortment of manuals the Spirit Hall had managed to acquire through various means. With Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo seriously injured and recuperating, Flame Eagle Douluo and Ghost Leopard Douluo—a pair of agile, trusted fighters—were handling affairs with commendable efficiency.
Bibi Dong addressed the group, "What do we know about the origins of these manuals? Any concrete information?"
Flame Eagle Douluo replied, "Your Holiness, after months of investigation, we know that two individuals were responsible for selling these manuals. They move with remarkable secrecy, and we haven't been able to gather any further details."
He added, "According to reports from the black market, one of these individuals revealed his spirit in a scuffle at Gengxin City. It was the Clear Sky Hammer, but no further information has been obtained."
Bibi Dong's expression grew serious. "Aside from that confrontation, is there any other information? Why can't our spies track them?"
Flame Eagle Douluo continued, "These two move like phantoms. We estimate they have Spirit Douluo-level strength, perhaps higher. Our Spirit Douluo trackers have repeatedly failed to locate them. Approximately three months ago, they disappeared entirely after selling manuals in major cities across the continent."
Bibi Dong was unwilling to give up. "Is there no other way to track them? They must be dealing with a significant amount of wealth. Can we trace their transactions?"
Flame Eagle Douluo shook his head. "These two are extremely cautious, only accepting gold soul coins and treasures—not bank cards, making them untraceable. Their prices vary wildly, ranging from 100,000 to over a million gold soul coins per manual."
"It's estimated that they've amassed a fortune of several billion gold soul coins, along with valuable treasures, enough to rival a major clan's resources."
Bibi Dong pondered, still puzzled. "What kind of power would sell manuals of this caliber so freely? Could they truly be from the Clear Sky Clan?"
"Logic would suggest such precious manuals wouldn't be sold so cheaply, if at all. I suspect they have a hidden motive."
The room fell silent. It was hard to imagine who would freely sell what could be valuable clan heritage.
Bibi Dong resumed, "What progress have we made in studying these manuals? What's their effectiveness?"
Ghost Leopard Douluo reported, "Our research experts confirm that the manuals contain highly advanced techniques, rivaling the best training methods currently known."
"Additionally, several bishops noted similarities between some techniques and Tang San's abilities from the Spirit Master Tournament. In particular, there's a hand-training method that, at a high level, turns the user's hands jade-like—resembling Tang San's technique. Many of the weapon designs also match those sold by Tang San's Tang Sect to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"Your Holiness, I strongly suspect these manuals came from the Clear Sky Clan. They've been in seclusion for 15 years and still require cultivation resources. They may have resorted to selling these manuals to alleviate shortages."
Bibi Dong shook her head. "Even if they were desperate, the Clear Sky Clan wouldn't be foolish enough to sell manuals of this level. They could easily obtain resources discreetly. This feels more like the work of opportunists looking for a quick profit, without regard for the consequences."
Ghost Leopard Douluo continued, "Your Holiness, whether or not the Clear Sky Clan directly sold these manuals, it's clear they originated from them, or are at least connected. These techniques likely contribute to the Clear Sky Clan's strength."
After careful thought, Bibi Dong said, "Regardless, these manuals are linked to the Clear Sky Clan. Assign some of our disciples to train with them and monitor the results."
"What's the status of Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo's recovery?"
Flame Eagle Douluo replied promptly, "I checked on them recently. Their injuries are improving, especially with Chrysanthemum Douluo's rare herbs and daily treatment from our Spirit Hall's healing experts. They should fully recover within two years."
Bibi Dong was pleased. "Good. Though they lost the duel, they helped assess Niu Gao and Yang Wudi's strength, serving the Spirit Hall well. Spare no expense in aiding their recovery."
Flame Eagle Douluo appeared slightly puzzled. "Your Holiness, given that Yang Wudi and Niu Gao dared to injure two of our Titled Douluo, tarnishing our reputation, should we retaliate?"
Bibi Dong shook her head. "It was a fair duel. They lost, but that's no cause for concern. Besides, Niu Gao and Yang Wudi have already arranged a rematch with Qianjun and Jiangmo. We'll let them handle it."
She continued, "What are Niu Gao and Yang Wudi doing now?"
Flame Eagle Douluo answered, "Since leaving Heaven Dou City, the Breaking and Defense Clans have secluded themselves at Almo Mountain, focusing on family matters and seemingly avoiding outside affairs. Only a few disciples manage Almo Mountain and Monet City. Given the two Titled Douluo's power, we haven't pursued further investigation."
Bibi Dong nodded approvingly. "They know their limits. Let them be. Station some scouts near Almo Mountain, but leave them to their own devices."
The various factions, while attracted to the manuals' contents, remained cautious. Each sect initially assigned only a few disciples to practice the techniques, waiting to observe the results.
Among the factions, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was the most eager. When Ning Fengzhi saw the manuals, he immediately recognized them as likely originating from the Clear Sky Clan, or more specifically, from Tang San's Tang Sect.
Ning Fengzhi had long been intrigued by Tang San's self-created spirit skills and hidden weapons, but had never had the opportunity to acquire them due to Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Clan's involvement. Now, having acquired these treasures on the black market, Ning Fengzhi couldn't have been more pleased.
He quickly organized a group of disciples to begin training with the techniques, eager to confirm their effectiveness.
In particular, the hidden weapon blueprints thrilled Ning Fengzhi. With these, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could produce their own hidden weapons, freeing them from dependence on the Tang Sect. For a businessman, nothing was more satisfying than cutting costs.
As the wealthiest sect on the continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's industries spanned the land, including metallurgy—a field they entered using their martial spirit, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, to locate mineral veins.
Immediately, Ning Fengzhi mobilized a large number of blacksmiths to produce the hidden weapons. Though the clan lacked a divine craftsman, it had numerous skilled blacksmiths capable of producing high-quality hidden weapons in a short time.
With the arrival of the manuals, Ning Fengzhi also lost interest in trading for Yang Potian's self-created spirit skills. Instead, he focused on mastering the manuals' movement techniques and hand-training methods, which seemed tailor-made for Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit masters.
Both empires also invested heavily in studying the manuals, particularly in the production of hidden weapons, which promised to enhance military power significantly.
Ironically, the Tang Sect suffered the most from the sudden appearance of these manuals. With their largest client, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, no longer placing orders, and Heaven Dou Empire also losing interest, the Tang Sect's influence waned.
The Strength and Agility Clans were once again struggling, and the Tang Sect had lost much of its early momentum.
Meanwhile, Tang Yuehua was deeply puzzled. Rumors circulated that these manuals came from the Clear Sky Clan, but as Tang Xiao's sister, she knew of no such techniques within the clan. The manuals more closely resembled the skills her nephew, Tang San, practiced, though she hadn't heard from Tang Hao or Tang San in a while to confirm this.
Tang San himself, isolated and wholly focused on his training with Tang Hao, had no idea that the Tang Sect's treasured techniques were now spreading across the continent. If he were to find out, one could only imagine his reaction.
(End of Chapter)