Soul Land: Legend of Saint Seiya

Chapter 216: Dai Weisi's Conspiracy

Tang Yuehua and Tang Xiao returned together to the Clear Sky Clan. With years of experience navigating the noble circles of the Heaven Dou Empire, Tang Yuehua's eloquence was unparalleled.

Through her persuasive and well-reasoned arguments, even the five elders of the Clear Sky Clan, who were all muscle and no strategy, were quickly convinced.

The only thing that left Tang Yuehua somewhat disheartened was that they didn't agree to allow Tang San to immediately return to the clan. However, their stance softened, as Tang Hao was already dead. As the saying goes, "The dead are like extinguished lamps." Even Lieyang Douluo Tang Lie, who had lost his beloved son, couldn't press the issue any further.

After all, Tang San was of the Clear Sky Clan's direct bloodline. According to the vision Tang Yuehua laid out, the friendship between Tang San and the third prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai, would be a crucial link in future cooperation between the Clear Sky Clan and the Star Luo Empire.

Ultimately, after much deliberation, the elders laid out several conditions for Tang San to fulfill before he could be acknowledged as a member of the clan. These included allowing Tang Hao's memorial tablet to be moved into the clan's ancestral hall and receiving offerings from future generations.

Soul Power Requirement: Tang San needed to reach level 80. Thanks to Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua's efforts, the timeframe was extended from the original 10 years to 20 years. However, even with the extension, achieving level 80 was still a daunting challenge for Tang San, especially considering the severe internal injuries he carried. Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua dared not let the elders know about his injuries. All they could do was buy him more time and secretly search for rare medicinal treasures to help him recover. The rest was up to Tang San.

Defeating a Title Douluo: Tang San was required to bring back the head of a Title Douluo from Spirit Hall or the Nine Star Hall. Although Tang Hao's actions had brought disaster upon the Clear Sky Clan, he was still a direct disciple. Thus, the Nine Star Hall, which had killed Tang Hao, was deemed the clan's mortal enemy. The timeframe for this task was also extended to 20 years.

Soul Bones: Tang San had to return two soul bones of equal quality and age to the clan. These were to compensate for the two clan-inherited soul bones left behind by Tang Hao that Tang San had absorbed. Those soul bones were traditionally reserved for the successor of the clan leader. Since Tang San was not yet recognized as a clan member, let alone a successor, this condition was considered non-negotiable.

Unlike the original novel, where a 100,000-year soul ring was also demanded, the current Tang San didn't have the physical resilience to absorb one. His four soul rings were all the optimal configurations for his current stage, and the elders did not have any unrealistic expectations that he could survive absorbing a 100,000-year soul ring.

After the five elders reached an agreement with Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua, Tang Xiao set off for the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City. There, he met with the Star Luo Emperor, expressing the Clear Sky Clan's support for the third prince, Dai Mubai.

The Star Luo Emperor, who had personally slain his own brothers to ascend the throne, placed little value on blood ties. Even his own children were merely pawns in his eyes, with personal gain as the sole criterion for his decisions.

Now that Dai Mubai had gained the backing of what was once the strongest sect in the world, the emperor naturally abandoned plans to cripple Dai Mubai's soul power and exile him. On the contrary, to secure the Clear Sky Clan's support, he began channeling royal resources toward Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai was overjoyed. Using the Clear Sky Clan's name had been his last-ditch effort—a mere delaying tactic. In truth, he had been secretly plotting to escape. However, under the royal family's tight surveillance, he had been unable to find an opportunity.

Just when he was on the verge of despair, a metaphorical pie fell from the sky. The Clear Sky Clan's support was so unexpected that he nearly fainted from happiness.

In his heart, Dai Mubai was filled with endless gratitude toward his brother-in-arms, Tang San. He had no connection with the Clear Sky Clan, so their support could only have been the result of Tang San's efforts.

What once seemed like an unattainable throne now felt within reach for Dai Mubai, thanks to the support of the Clear Sky Clan. Rekindling his confidence, he threw himself into rigorous cultivation.

With innate talent that had always been above average, Dai Mubai's downfall was his long-standing despair under the oppression of his elder brother, Dai Weisi, which had led him to squander his potential. But now, with his renewed determination and the vast resources of the Star Luo royal family at his disposal, his soul power began to soar rapidly. His reputation within the royal court grew, and he soon became a figure who could rival Dai Weisi.

"Damn it!"

The sudden shift in the balance of power left the once-assured Dai Weisi seething with rage. In his chambers, he flew into a violent tantrum, smashing priceless antiques and treasures as he cursed loudly.

"Damn Dai Mubai! Damn Tang San! Damn the Clear Sky Clan! Damn Tang Xiao! Damn them all!"

"Calm down, Weisi," his fiancée Zhu Zhuyun softly consoled him.

"How am I supposed to calm down?"

Dai Weisi's bloodshot eyes burned with fury, his tiger-like gaze filled with veins of crimson. "That wretch Dai Mubai now has the backing of the Clear Sky Clan! Many in court, seeing which way the wind is blowing, have begun to side with him. Even Father has started reducing my cultivation resources. I fear that one day Father might suddenly decree to cripple my soul power and exile me!"

Zhu Zhuyun had a sharper perspective than Dai Weisi. With a gentle smile, she reassured him, "Weisi, don't worry. The Star Luo royal family has upheld its traditions for over a thousand years. Not even the master of the Clear Sky Clan could change that. Do you think just because the Clear Sky Clan speaks on his behalf, the Star Luo Empire would abolish its legitimate heir? Such an act would be a slap to the royal family's face.

"What Father is doing now is merely giving Dai Mubai a chance to save face because of the Clear Sky Clan's influence."

"But..."

Dai Weisi's expression softened slightly, though concern still lingered. "You know Dai Mubai's talent better than anyone. He's always been more gifted than me. These past years, I've managed to suppress him only by using every trick I could muster. But now, with the Clear Sky Clan backing him, a clan that was once the strongest in the world and full of experts, even the slightest guidance from one of their masters could benefit him for a lifetime. I'm truly worried that he might surpass me in just a few years."

Zhu Zhuyun smirked, her lips curling slightly. "Weisi, you don't need to worry about that either. As the saying goes, a leopard never changes its spots. That playboy nature of his won't disappear overnight. I have plenty of ways to deal with him."

As she spoke, Zhu Zhuyun leaned closer to Dai Weisi, whispering her plan into his ear.

When she finished, the furrows on Dai Weisi's brow smoothed out. He wrapped an arm around Zhu Zhuyun's slender waist and burst into hearty laughter.

"Excellent, excellent! Zhuyun, you truly are my perfect partner!"

(End of Chapter)

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