Dou Luo: This Tang San is Different

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This is a remote little village.

There are few farmlands, few houses, and even fewer villagers.

At the back of the village, there is a range of mountains stretching out, partially hidden by mist and clouds.

At the village entrance, people have begun arriving in droves.

The villagers have donned their finest clothes, joining the disciples of the Haotian Sect in welcoming the various factions that have come to offer their congratulations—today is the wedding of Tang Chen and Posey!

However, one person is notably absent among the fourth-generation disciples of Haotian Sect: Tang Laoya. He, along with Huo Ke and Feng Ming, had already set off earlier to search for Seagod Island and were unaware of Tang Chen's marriage to Poseiden.

The Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon family is represented by Yu Yuanzhen, who personally brought his disciples, while the family itself is being overseen by Yu Luomian. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo attending, accompanied by a small group of disciples.

From the Heaven Dou Empire, three members of the education committee have come, as Xue Qinghe himself is not suited to attend.

From the Star Luo Empire, Davis, Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Zhuqing's sister have come in person to offer their congratulations.

Naturally, the Spirit Hall is represented by Tang San, Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue, while Xiao Wu and the others are not involved in the festivities. After all, the Haotian Sect consists of mostly barbarians, and this isn't Tang San's family, so there's no need for them to meet his family.

When Tang San saw some familiar faces, he greeted them one by one. Zhu Zhuqing, in particular, left Davis and Zhu Zhuqing's sister behind and walked straight to Tang San.

"Tang San, you came in person?" Ning Fengzhi asked, slightly surprised. Given Tang San's status, it was a bit out of place for him to attend such an occasion.

"It's an order from above; I can't help it." Tang San shrugged and sighed deeply. "But some things must be faced. I have no regrets... after all, I wasn't raised in Haotian Sect."

Ning Fengzhi quickly changed the subject, saying, "It was my uncle's mistake. We shouldn't bring this up. Speaking of which, do you know anything about reaching the hundredth level to become a god?"

"I do," Tang San replied, not hiding anything from his father-in-law. "Those who ascend to godhood cannot interfere with the mortal world."

Sword Douluo frowned. "Why?"

"Because of the rules of the divine realm," Tang San pointed upward. "The power of a god has a profound influence on the lower realms. Even a single breath could completely change someone's fate."

"I've reached level ninety-nine; breaking through to the hundredth level is easy for me. It's just a matter of whether I want to or not."

"Right now, I certainly won't, because I don't want to be bound by the divine realm's rules. The world's progress and development haven't reached the level I expect."

Ning Fengzhi, upon hearing this, had no doubts and instead asked, "Does the divine realm really exist?"

"It does. Once your cultivation reaches level ninety-nine, you can sense it. There is a space channel between the divine realm and the mortal world," Tang San replied casually. "The Spirit Hall has two inheritors who received the legacy of gods. As I understand it, if a god from the mortal realm isn't careful, the divine realm will notice them. They can only stay in the lower realms for a hundred years at most. After that, they must ascend to the divine realm, or law enforcement will descend to execute justice. In severe cases, the ascendant god will be eradicated."

"Although Tang Chen has become a god, he cannot actively interfere with the mortal world. He can only deal with personal matters. Otherwise, with the pride of Haotian Sect, their first course of action would be to attack the Spirit Hall, not form an alliance with Seagod Island."

Sword Douluo suddenly understood. "So, that's how it is. I've heard my father mention Tang Chen. He's the most domineering person and wouldn't allow himself to be bullied in his own sect… Ahem, in any case, he'd surely attack the Spirit Hall first, not get married, even if he deeply loves the person."

While they were talking, the group arrived at the foot of a cliff.

This cliff stood about five hundred meters high, almost vertically sheer. The cliff face had small depressions no bigger than a fist, spaced about ten meters apart. It would be impossible for an ordinary person to climb up, and even soul masters without flight abilities would need to be very cautious, as a single mistake could lead to a fall.

"Please, everyone," Tang Long and Tang Hu, who were leading the way, smiled as they addressed the group. "To reach Haotian Sect, we first need to climb up here."

"Heh." Yan sneered a couple of times and said to Xie Yue, "Haotian Sect is trying to show us who's boss. If you're not strong enough, you can't even get through their front gate."

Xie Yue nodded. "Indeed, Haotian Sect is too domineering. The leaders of the various factions can easily scale this cliff, but the regular disciples won't be able to. Moreover, many non-soul master nobles can't even make it up. If they ask us for help, they'll lose face."

Just as some were hesitating and undecided, Tang San unleashed his Blue Silver Emperor, forming a soft ladder along the cliff face. He then turned to the crowd and said, "If you don't mind, you can climb this ladder. It's a bit tiring, but it's safe."

Some members of the Spirit Hall who lacked sufficient strength began climbing the ladder. A strand of Blue Silver Emperor automatically wrapped around their waists to prevent any falls.

Seeing this, the others expressed their heartfelt thanks.

Meanwhile, Tang San ascended into the air with Hu Liena, Yan, Xie Yue, and members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. In a mere moment, they had reached the top of the cliff.

In truth, Tang San could have brought others along by flying or even teleporting, but—

He didn't know them well.

Moreover, if Haotian Sect intended to filter out weaker individuals, helping them once or twice might be possible, but not indefinitely. If they couldn't even manage to climb the ladder, they might as well turn back. Otherwise, even if they made it through the sect's gates, the Haotian disciples would likely target them.

Offering a hand didn't mean Tang San was obligated to play the role of a caretaker.

"One has to admit, Haotian Sect being the number one sect in the world isn't without reason," Sword Douluo remarked as he looked around. He marveled at the steep cliffs and peaks, interconnected by chains as thick as a person's thigh. "If the sect's disciples truly traverse these chains and cliffs daily, their strength is bound to be exceptional."

"Not necessarily," Tang San said decisively. "Before Tang Yuehua reconciled with her true self and set aside her pride, her soul power was only at level nine. Do you think she scaled these cliffs every time she returned to the sect? There must be secret pathways. Otherwise, just transporting the materials to build those grand halls in the main sect would have been impossible."

"Plus, soul masters would hardly stoop to do transport work, let alone the exceedingly arrogant disciples of Haotian Sect."

Before long, other prominent figures from various factions also reached the summit. Tang Long and Tang Hu glanced back at the nobles and soul masters still climbing the ladder. Then, turning to the crowd, they said, "Let's not wait for them. Please follow us. There's only one path to Haotian Sect's main grounds; they'll catch up eventually."

The group followed Tang Long and Tang Hu until they arrived at another precipice. Here, a massive chain extended across the gap to another mountain, which was adorned with numerous palaces and pavilions.

"This is the Chain Bridge," Tang Long explained. "To reach the final gates of Haotian Sect, you'll have to cross it."

His gaze lingered briefly on Tang San—surely, this time, he wouldn't be able to create another ladder or some similar shortcut.

(End of Chapter)