Douluo Continent: Become stronger by stealing Tang San's luck!

The two hall masters solemnly agreed.

After deploying the Tang Clan's proactive clearing mission, Tang Lan looked at Chen Jing and Du Yang again.

"The Imperial military and local governments must provide the Tang Clan team with maximum intelligence support, provide clues about known or suspected areas of evil spirit master activity, and respond when the Tang Clan team needs to mobilize local resources or encounters large-scale resistance."

Provide necessary military support and logistical support. At the same time, the Empire should use this opportunity to reform local administration, purge officials colluding with the Holy Spirit Church, and restore the authority of the government. Only through coordinated military and political efforts can this evil be eradicated at its root and the situation stabilized.

Chen Jing and Du Yang nodded solemnly. Chen Jing said.

"Rest assured, Sect Leader Tang, the Empire will fully cooperate. I will order the garrisons and patrol offices in all prefectures and counties to grant Tang Sect's extermination teams access to all non-core military information."

Safe passages and supply points have been designated. The Imperial Oversight Council has dispatched special envoys south to investigate and rectify local officials, working with the military and Tang Clan intelligence to eradicate those corrupt officials completely!

This arrangement was well-organized and clearly defined, with both the sharp strikes of the Tang Clan's elite troops and the solid support and subsequent governance of the imperial military and government, making it a complete set of combined measures for the purge.

After the arrangements were roughly agreed upon, Chen Jing hesitated for a moment, then stood up and, facing Tang Lan and the Tang Clan executives present, clasped his hands in a fist salute once more, speaking in an extremely solemn tone.

"Sect Leader Tang, fellow members of the Tang Sect. The Empire is deeply grateful for the great victory in Dongyang and the subsequent heavy responsibility of eradicating evil. To express the Empire's sincerity and to forever remember the Tang Sect's kindness, the new generation of the Imperial Family and the cabinet elders have discussed this matter many times."

Through Elder Xu Sanshi of your esteemed sect, the Empire wishes to express its highest gratitude to the Tang Sect for their invaluable assistance and hopes to establish a long-lasting and stable alliance with them.

He took a deep breath and made a decision that would once again shock everyone present.

"The Empire is willing to formally recognize the special autonomous status of the Tang Clan within the Empire and demarcate the southeastern coast of the Empire."

Including the original Tianhai City, Linyuan City, Wanghai Port, and seventeen other cities of varying sizes, along with their affiliated towns and sea areas, totaling approximately one-sixth of the empire's total area, this territory will serve as the Tang Sect's permanent autonomous territory!

Within this territory, the Tang Clan enjoys a high degree of autonomy, and can formulate its own laws, levy taxes, build defense forces, and develop various industries. The imperial court retains only nominal suzerainty and diplomatic coordination rights.

Its status and scope of power are comparable to, and no less than, the current status of Shrek Academy in its autonomous city-state, and even... surpass it in terms of territory and economic potential!

These words moved even the Tang Clan's higher-ups, who were already mentally prepared. Although Xu Sanshi had already had preliminary communication with them, hearing the other party make such a formal and clear proposal, and demarcate such a vast territory, still shocked him.

The Douling Empire has truly gone all out! Giving such a large and rich coastal territory to the Tang Sect for self-governance is not just a reward, but also a far-reaching strategic alliance!

This means that the Empire regards the Tang Sect as an ally of the same or even greater caliber as Shrek Academy, a "state within a state," and is willing to share some of its rule in exchange for the Tang Sect's military protection and technological support, in order to jointly deal with internal and external threats such as the Holy Spirit Cult.

To paraphrase Xu Sanshi's words to those royal relatives and cabinet elders who were resentful or had many concerns, his words were straightforward and sharp.

"If it weren't for the Tang Clan's efforts to turn the tide, the people sitting in the Golden Palace right now would probably have changed their surnames long ago, and the map of the Douling Empire would have been divided up and painted over long ago!"

Trading one-sixth of the empire's territory for a powerful ally capable of protecting its survival and even potentially helping it revive—this is hardly a cession of territory. It is clearly an investment in the future, the wisest move to preserve the remaining five-sixths, or even the entire empire's lifespan! It is a sure-fire, unbeatable deal!

These words, though jarring and humiliating to some conservatives, were taken into account in light of Tang Lan's demigod power and the Tang Clan's overall strength during the Battle of Dongyang City.

The desperate threat posed by the Holy Spirit Cult ultimately persuaded the highest decision-makers of the Douling Empire, leading to the birth of this earth-shattering agreement.

After the meeting in Dongyang City concluded, Tang Lan did not immediately give a final response to this generous gift of territory, only saying that he needed time to consider it and discuss it in detail with the higher-ups in the sect.

He immediately ordered a Tang Sect agility-type Soul Douluo steward skilled in speed and stealth to carry an encrypted letter and a Soul Guidance image record, and to pass through the secret security passage established between the Tang Sect and the Star Dou Great Forest at top speed.

The proposal from the Douling Empire and the details of the Battle of Dongyang City were swiftly relayed back to the headquarters of the Spirit Transmission Tower located on the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, and then presented to the true ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest—the Beast God Emperor Tian.

This matter concerns the future foundation of the Tang Sect and the overall situation on the continent, and also involves potential interactions with the Soul Beast faction. We must listen to Di Tian's opinion, as this is also a matter of respect for our allies.

After the news spread, Tang Lan stayed in Dongyang City, handling post-war affairs, supervising the departure of the mopping-up squad, and waiting for a reply.

He had assumed that even if Di Tian replied, he would most likely send a ferocious beast such as the Emerald Swan Bi Ji or the Demon Eye Tree Wan Yao Wang, or a message containing soul power.

However, to his utter surprise, on the seventh day after the message was sent out, at noon, a sudden change occurred!

The once clear sky was suddenly filled with thick, boundless dark clouds that surged in from the southeast direction of the Starry Sky Forest without warning! The clouds were as black as ink, rolled like a tide, and moved extremely fast. In the blink of an eye, they blocked out the sunlight in Dongyang City and even the surrounding hundred miles, turning daytime into night!

Within the clouds, raging silver lightning bolts darted wildly, tearing through the sky, accompanied by deafening thunderclaps, as if the heavens were enraged and about to unleash a world-destroying thunderbolt!

An indescribable sense of fear and oppression, stemming from the most primal instincts of life, weighed heavily on the hearts of every living being, whether ordinary soldiers or civilians.

Even Soul Masters, and even some Tang Sect deacons with high Soul Power, felt difficulty breathing, their hearts pounding like drums, and tremors emanating from the depths of their souls!

"What...what is that?!"

"Why did it suddenly get dark? There's a scary atmosphere!"

"Is it an enemy attack? Could it be that the Holy Spirit Cult has returned?!"

Panic gripped Dongyang City instantly. The streets, which had just begun to regain some order, were in turmoil. Soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, and Soul Masters unleashed their Martial Souls as if facing a formidable enemy.

Just then, from within the churning thunderclouds, an unimaginably massive shadow slowly descended! The first thing to pierce through the clouds was a pair of black dragon wings that blotted out the sky, their wingspan immeasurable. With a gentle flap, they stirred up howling winds and swirling lightning!

Next came the long neck and ferocious head covered in deep black, gleaming with a cold metallic light, each scale larger than a door!

A pair of yellowish-brown vertical dragon eyes, resembling two miniature suns and exuding endless majesty and an aura of ancient vicissitudes, coldly looked down at the city and creatures below, which were as insignificant as ants.

The overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest, the ruler of all soul beasts, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King with nearly 900,000 years of cultivation—Di Tian!—has actually personally descended upon Dongyang City!

Its fully extended dragon body, barely peeking out from the clouds, already delivered a visually devastating and soul-shaking impact. The pure dragon's might, mixed with the terrifying aura of a nearly million-year-old soul beast, swept across the heavens and earth like a tangible tsunami!

In the city below, countless warhorses convulsed and collapsed, soldiers' teeth chattered, and those with soul power lower than Soul Emperor could hardly stand. Even some Soul Douluo-level generals were pale, sweating on their foreheads, and their soul power was sluggish.

This is an overwhelming pressure that transcends race, originates from a level of life and absolute power!

The moment Di Tian appeared, time seemed to freeze inside and outside Dongyang City, everything fell silent, and only thunder and howling winds echoed in the sky.

In the midst of this breathtaking scene, a dazzling golden light shot into the sky from within the City Lord's Mansion, piercing through the oppressive darkness and soaring straight to the heavens!

Wherever the light passed, the pervasive dragon might and terrifying aura were quietly dispersed and smoothed by a chaotic force that was equally vast, yet more balanced and peaceful, creating a small, relatively stable space for the creatures below.

As the golden light faded, Tang Lan, dressed in white, stood in mid-air, at a height parallel to Di Tian's enormous dragon head, no more than a hundred feet away.

Facing Di Tian's overwhelming aura, which would terrify even ordinary Limit Douluo, Tang Lan showed no tension at all. Instead, she burst into a hearty laugh, filled with a sense of joy and unexpected delight.

"Hahahaha! I never expected that such a 'trivial' matter as transporting soul bones would warrant such a personal visit from Brother Black Dragon! It truly brings honor to Dongyang City, and I, Tang, am overwhelmed with gratitude!"

His laughter was clear and resonant, containing the fluctuations of demigod-level soul power. Although not domineering, it steadily resisted the strange phenomena and pressure brought by Di Tian, ​​clearly spreading in all directions and also reaching Di Tian's huge dragon ears.

The laughter acted as a calming pill, bringing some peace to the countless terrified people below. They realized that this Tang Clan leader seemed to know the terrifying black dragon, and that their relationship was extraordinary.

Di Tian's amber dragon eyes, like two bottomless ancient springs, fell upon Tang Lan. Deep within those eyes, a complex emotion flashed through them: surprise, solemnity, scrutiny, and a barely perceptible...sigh.

As the ruler of all soul beasts who has lived for nearly a million years, Di Tian's perception is extremely sharp.

It clearly sensed that not too long had passed since their last meeting at the Spirit Pagoda, yet the aura of this human before it had already shown significant improvement! That restrained yet unfathomable charm, that fluctuation that was more harmonious with the laws of heaven and earth.

All of this indicates that Tang Lan has taken another solid step on the road to godhood, and his strength has probably been completely stabilized at the demigod level, or even surpassed it.

The speed at which humans are growing is simply defying common sense!

However, the successful establishment and smooth operation of the Spirit Pagoda has effectively begun to ease the most acute conflict between spirit beasts and humans.

This brought unprecedented new possibilities to the soul beast race. Di Tian's perception of Tang Lan, the leader, had long since changed from initial fear and exploitation to conditional trust and respect.

On the surface, the two are unbreakable allies, but in private, following Tang Lan's unconventional suggestion, they address each other as "brother," making their relationship quite subtle yet intimate.

Hearing Tang Lan's smiling question, Di Tian's deep dragon voice, like rolling thunder, echoed in the clouds. The voice was not loud, but it seemed to resonate directly in the depths of everyone's soul, carrying an ancient rhythm.

"Tang Lan, there's no need for formalities between us. Everything in the Star Dou Great Forest is as usual; Bi Ji and the others are managing it very well. The handover of the soul bone was just a side matter for me."

Its massive dragon head turned slightly, and a cold, fierce glint flashed in its yellowish-brown eyes.

"The main purpose is to target those evil soul masters who dare to use dirty tricks against my soul beast people and try to control their souls and minds! With the establishment of the Spirit Pagoda, the relationship between the two races has just begun to see the light of day, and the tens of thousands of years of fighting have temporarily come to an end."

This situation is hard-won, a true miracle. I will not allow any malicious individuals to attempt to disrupt this fragile balance and reignite the flames of war through evil means! Those scum must pay the price! The wrath of the Star Dou Great Forest needs their blood and souls to quell it!

Di Tian's tone was resolute, filled with unquestionable determination and the majestic rage befitting a beast god.

It clearly abhorred the evil soul masters' attempts to control soul beasts, viewing it as a trampling on the dignity of the soul beast race and a serious threat to the peaceful future of the two races. It had to take action personally and use the most ruthless means to deter all villains.

Upon hearing this, Tang Lan suppressed his smile and became serious. He met Di Tian's furious dragon eyes, slowly shook his head, and spoke with a hint of regret.

"Brother Black Dragon, I'm afraid you've made a wasted trip. You're too late."

"Um?"

Di Tianlong's eyes narrowed, and the surrounding thunderclouds churned even more violently, revealing its inner turmoil.

Tang Lan continued.

"The mastermind behind the Dongyang City incident, and possibly the previous manipulation of the soul beasts to test the waters, is Ye Xishui, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, and Long Xiaoyao, the Dragon Emperor Douluo."

Seven days ago, I fought against the two of them and their evil tenth-tier soul tool, the "Tower of Death," above Dongyang City. Ye Xishui used the power of the Tower of Death to temporarily raise her strength to almost the level of a demigod, with Long Xiaoyao assisting her.

In the end, I severely injured and knocked Long Xiaoyao down. Seeing the situation was dire, Ye Xishui escaped using the Death God Tower. Now, both of them have fled far away, their whereabouts unknown. They probably won't dare to show themselves easily again in the near future, let alone continue controlling soul beasts.

He briefly described the battle that day, especially emphasizing Ye Xishui's enhanced strength with the help of external objects, the strange and troublesome nature of the Death God Tower, and Long Xiaoyao's desperate fighting style of burning his life and his eventual defeat.

Di Tian listened quietly, the anger in his dragon eyes not completely dissipated, but with a touch of contemplation and solemnity.

It hadn't expected that Tang Lan had already fought against the opponent, and with such remarkable results, forcing back two human Limit Douluos.

This means that while the direct threat from the Holy Spirit Church has indeed decreased in the short term, it has become more vigilant against such a cult that acts without any bottom line and employs bizarre and evil methods.

"The Holy Spirit Cult... Ye Xishui, Long Xiaoyao..."

Di Tian repeated the two names in a low, heavy voice, his dragon tongue carrying a chilling killing intent.

"I've taken note. The monk may run away, but the temple can't. Since the Holy Spirit Cult exists, this score will be settled sooner or later." (End of Chapter)