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Ye Lan tossed the crystal ball up and down as he walked out of the Platinum Temple's death row.
Two Douluo Warriors instantly bowed in salute, then reported loudly:
"Your Highness the Holy Son, there are no abnormalities outside!"
Ye Lan nodded. Gazing at the night sky outside the window, he suddenly lost the mood to go and amuse himself with the 'Titan Clan.' He spoke directly: "Instruct Bishop Salas to investigate the 'Titan Clan' and report the intelligence back to me."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"We guarantee the mission will be completed!!"
The two bowed deeply before heading toward the depths of the Platinum Temple.
Ye Lan waved his hand and walked straight toward his sleeping quarters.
Upon entering, he saw two figures curled up within the silk duvet. After recognizing them as Rongrong and Zhuqing, Ye Lan breathed a sigh of relief.
He hadn't expected that right after Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone arrived, these two would sneak into his bedroom.
After admiring their beautiful sleeping faces from a close distance, he didn't disturb them.
Instead, he sat cross-legged on the spot and began his 'Mimicry Cultivation.'
After obtaining the two Golden Dragon Eyes, aside from the soul skills 'Consciousness Acceleration' and 'Death Ray,' these draconic pupils also provided a passive one-hundred percent boost to his spiritual power.
This caused his spiritual power to skyrocket, surging directly from the Spirit Sage level to the Spirit Douluo level.
Such spiritual power no longer dragged down his combat system. After all, he possessed 'Dragon Might,' a spiritual soul skill comparable to a hundred-thousand-year soul skill.
Therefore, he became even more diligent in his 'Mimicry Cultivation.'
As the saying goes, one step fast, every step fast.
It was precisely because he improved a little more than others every day that, over time, the speed of his strength expansion would accelerate. As for the 'Mimicry Environment,' it was the easiest condition for the current Ye Lan to achieve.
In just a moment, under the effects of the 'Nature Domain,' 'Blue Silver Sublimation,' and a sudden, inexplicable five-fold bonus, he was able to increase the growth rate of the Blue Silver Grass in the area by five hundred times.
He even had to turn off the passive effects of the 'Nature Domain' and 'Blue Silver Sublimation' shortly after activating them to suppress the growth of the Blue Silver Grass.
Otherwise, the nearby Blue Silver Grass would inevitably tear the Platinum Temple apart.
After a night passed, Ye Lan slowly opened his eyes, only to see the adorable Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing looking at him with eager, puppy-dog eyes.
"Ye Lan!!"
"Teacher!!"
Seeing that Ye Lan was awake, the two of them instantly threw themselves into his arms.
Ye Lan didn't hold back; he naturally embraced the two of them, as if holding exquisite dolls.
"I missed you so much!! What have you been doing all this time! You haven't come to see me and Zhuqing for so long!!" Ning Rongrong puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
"Teacher, Zhuqing missed you too!" Zhu Zhuqing echoed. Since breaking off her engagement with Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing no longer hid her feelings for Ye Lan and had become somewhat bolder.
Images flashed through Ye Lan's mind: scenes of flipping dragons and phoenixes with Dugu Yan, passionate encounters with his senior sister, the Heaven Dou Princess throwing herself at him, and the events of last night...
He panicked slightly but said, "What could I be doing? Of course, I was researching 'Artificial Spirit Rings'! Otherwise, I wouldn't be the Holy Son of Spirit Hall for much longer before I'd have to retire!"
"Really?!" Ning Rongrong noticed Ye Lan's flustered expression.
"It must be true!! After all, 'Artificial Spirit Rings' are such a difficult subject; Teacher must have been researching for a long time." Zhu Zhuqing trusted Ye Lan completely.
The more Zhu Zhuqing acted this way, the guiltier Ye Lan felt. He felt that he was indeed becoming more and more of a philanderer.
To make it up to Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lan actively offered, "Rongrong, Zhuqing, let me make breakfast."
"Yay!! If other people on the Douluo Continent knew that the world's number one Grandmaster was making breakfast for me and Zhuqing, they would die of envy!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed excitedly.
"Teacher, I'll help you!" Zhu Zhuqing said decisively.
"Me too!!" Ning Rongrong chimed in.
"Ahem! Rongrong, you just watch!" Ye Lan didn't want Ning Rongrong to add any strange ingredients to the food later.
Ning Rongrong pouted and started bossing Ye Lan around. Out of guilt, Ye Lan simply endured it.
However, as Ning Rongrong pushed her luck further and further, Ye Lan finally got annoyed. He pinned Ning Rongrong down and gave her a spanking on the bottom before she finally settled down.
Ning Rongrong rubbed her perky bottom with a aggrieved look, but she was secretly delighted. After all, the one spanking her was Ye Lan.
In the romance novels, only those in intimate relationships could do such things.
So, with a happy heart, Ning Rongrong watched Ye Lan's dazzling movements from the side.
She was mesmerized for a moment, and before long, she realized the breakfast was ready.
"Zhuqing, well done!" Ye Lan praised.
Hearing the praise, Zhu Zhuqing felt extremely happy inside.
"Ye Lan!! What about me!!" Ning Rongrong immediately spoke up.
"Rongrong was great too; you didn't cause any trouble." Ye Lan praised. There was no helping it; Ning Rongrong not causing trouble was a major contribution in itself.
After breakfast, the three of them left the sleeping quarters and saw two Douluo Warriors guarding the gate.
Seeing Ye Lan, the two immediately said:
"Your Highness the Holy Son, this is the detailed information on the 'Titan Clan' that you requested!!"
Ye Lan took the thick stack of documents and nodded. "Thank you for your hard work. This is your reward. Go home and rest for today."
The two looked at their Holy Son in surprise, not expecting him to be so considerate of his subordinates.
They reached out with hands trembling from excitement to take the money pouch Ye Lan handed over, exclaiming excitedly:
"Thank you, Your Highness!!"
After the two departed, Ye Lan directly activated 'Consciousness Acceleration' to rapidly flip through the 'Titan Clan' data.
In a short while, Ye Lan understood the details of every member of the 'Titan Clan,' their separation from the 'Strength Clan,' and the rejection of their request to return to the 'Strength Clan.'
"I didn't expect a wise man to appear among the boors of the 'Strength Clan,'" Ye Lan murmured.
"Teacher, what are you saying?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.
Subsequently, Ye Lan informed Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing about Tai Nuo mobilizing his clansmen to incite the 'Heaven Dou Rebellion' and the decision made by Tai Shan, the leader of the 'Strength Clan.'
"How hateful! They actually caused the deaths of so many people!! If you ask me, we should just exterminate the entire 'Strength Clan' and 'Titan Clan'!!" Ning Rongrong raged.
"I think we should consider the follow-up effects of dealing with the 'Strength Clan' more carefully," Zhu Zhuqing said, patting Ning Rongrong on the shoulder.
Ye Lan nodded. "Zhuqing makes a good point. The members of the 'Strength Clan' did not collude with the 'Titan Clan.' If we kill them, it will be a blow to Spirit Hall's reputation."
"Moreover, the 'Strength Clan' has close ties with the 'Defense Clan,' 'Speed Clan,' and 'Broken Clan.' These four clans used to have a lot of friction with Spirit Hall because they were affiliated with the Clear Sky Sect. However, after the Clear Sky Sect abandoned them, what these four clans hate the most is actually the Clear Sky Sect that forsook them."
"Now that Spirit Hall and the Holy Temple are on the verge of expansion, these four clans are worth roping in!" Ye Lan said.
Of course, besides their utilitarian value, there was a more important reason.
These four clans were once affiliated families of the Clear Sky Sect. If he could subdue them and have them stab the Clear Sky Sect in the back, Tang Hao and his son would surely feel a distinct bitterness in their hearts.
"So that's how it is. Teacher thinks so far ahead," Ning Rongrong said obediently. She finally understood that those in power could not be swayed by emotions.
"Rongrong, Zhuqing, let's go to the 'Titan Clan' together to settle all of this," Ye Lan said.
"Okay!!"
Ning Rongrong was extremely excited; clearly, this kind of thing was extremely interesting to her.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, as long as she could stay with her teacher a little longer, she was willing to do anything he asked.
Before long, Ye Lan, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong met up with the Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Stardust Douluo, and headed straight for the 'Titan Clan.'
Originally, Ye Lan's strength was sufficient to deal with the 'Titan Clan,' but after learning that Tang Hao was in Heaven Dou City, he wouldn't take a single risk.
Soon, the six of them arrived at the luxurious residential area of the 'Titan Clan.'
However, the scene outside the clan grounds exceeded Ye Lan's expectations.
Many burly, strong men had completely surrounded the 'Titan Clan' grounds.
Many 'Titan clansmen,' faces pale and panicked, were constantly charging at the wall of people outside the luxurious residence.
But whether in terms of numbers or spirit power rank, the quality of the spirit masters inside and outside the luxurious courtyard was not proportional at all.
"Let us out quickly!!!"
"We are of the same sect and origin! You animals, how can you bear to harm your compatriots for the sake of Spirit Hall!!"
"We beg you!! If you don't let us go, when Spirit Hall sends people, we're really finished!!"
"Uncle!!! Have you forgotten the kindness of my father, Tai Tan?!! If Father hadn't taken a blade for you back then, how could you be here blocking us!!"
"Giant Gorillas help Giant Gorillas!!! Clan Leader, I beg you, let my clansmen go!!"
Facing the pleas of countless 'Titan Clan' members and the begging of his nephew Tai Nuo, Tai Shan acted as if he heard nothing.
At this moment, a massive fluctuation of spirit power came from the sky to the west.
Seeing the arrivals were several Titled Douluos, along with Ye Lan and his female companions, Tai Shan immediately half-knelt respectfully:
"Greetings to the Titled Douluo Majesties, greetings to Your Highness the Holy Son!!"
"Sinner Tai Shan has come uninvited, deploying hundreds of clansmen to personally suppress the traitorous 'Titan Clan' to prevent them from escaping overnight."
"Sinner Tai Shan asks Your Highness for punishment!"
Looking at the incredibly respectful Tai Shan, Ye Lan nodded.
He hadn't expected the 'Strength Clan' to be so tactful. To prevent the 'Titan Clan' from escaping, they had actually deployed clansmen to suppress them yesterday.
He had only learned from Tang Yuehua that the 'Titan Clan' were the executors of the 'Heaven Dou Rebellion' in the middle of the night.
If the 'Titan Clan' had a guilty conscience, they would likely have fled with the whole clan the moment Tang Yuehua was captured.
Fortunately, the 'Strength Clan' acted quickly enough and did not let the 'Titan Clan' succeed in escaping.
"Tai Shan, you have done well. Although you knew the 'Titan Clan' was engaged in actions of revenge against Spirit Hall and did not inform us, the mutual concealment of family members is pardonable."
"Now that you have helped Spirit Hall capture the 'Titan Clan' in advance, it can be considered atonement through service."
"Based on the above, in my capacity as the Holy Son of Spirit Hall and the Master of the Holy Temple, I allow the 'Strength Clan' to exist on the Douluo Continent."
Ye Lan delivered his judgment.
Tai Shan was incredibly excited inside. With these words from the Holy Son, their 'Strength Clan' would not face a purge afterward.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Holy Son!!" Tai Shan kowtowed.
Unlike the excited Tai Shan, Tai Nuo and his son Tai Long were terrified. Knowing they were doomed to die, the two began to hurl abuse at Tai Shan and Spirit Hall:
"Tai Shan, you ungrateful villain!! Your awakening of the Vigorous Giant Gorilla spirit is the shame of the 'Strength Clan'!!" Tai Nuo screamed, his mental defenses broken.
"Ye Lan!! Why does Heaven help you research Artificial Spirit Rings!!!"
"You are so ruthless, why doesn't Heaven take your life!!!"
"Give me back my grandfather's life!!!"
"You people from Spirit Hall are all butchers!!!" Tai Long cursed loudly.
Watching Tai Long staring at him with eyes full of resentment, Ye Lan spoke gently to Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong:
"Zhuqing, Rongrong, cover your eyes."
"Oh, oh!!"
The two hurriedly covered their eyes, not knowing what Ye Lan was going to do that he wouldn't let them see.
Then, Ye Lan looked at Tai Long with displeasure.
The 'Golden Dragon Pupils' manifested. The golden dragon eyes flashed with an extremely piercing orange-red light. In the next moment, the shining soul light began to condense.
When the brightness reached its limit, the 'Death Ray' was instantly fired.
Under the control of Ye Lan's 'Consciousness Acceleration' and the 'Exquisite Heart of Eight Facets':
A red ray instantly hit Tai Long's pupils. In the blink of an eye, Tai Long's eyes were completely evaporated.
"Ahhh!!!"
"My eyes!!!"
"Dad!! I can't see anymore!!"
Annoyed by Tai Long's pained screams, Ye Lan directly used 'Form of the Formless' to slap Tai Long unconscious.
Witnessing all this, Tai Shan's forehead began to break out in a dense cold sweat.
He was shocked by the Holy Son's soul skill. Even as a Spirit Douluo, he could feel a threat from those two red beams.
But for such a terrifying soul skill, the Holy Son hadn't even used a soul ring!!
What kind of terrifying soul skill was this? Was it a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone skill?
Aside from the power, Tai Shan was even more shocked by Ye Lan's control over the 'soul skill.'
A ray capable of threatening a Spirit Douluo, under the Holy Son's precise control, actually only destroyed Tai Long's eyes without killing him.
From this aspect, the Holy Son's control over spirit power had absolutely reached a level unattainable by mortals. Even he, who had been immersed in the Spirit Douluo stage for many years, couldn't understand how the Holy Son managed to only destroy the eyes without killing Tai Long.
Finally, there was the strike that knocked Tai Long out.
Tai Shan simply couldn't understand how Tai Long had fainted. The Holy Son hadn't used a soul skill at all, nor was there a ripple of spirit power.
This unknown, mysterious attack method that exceeded Tai Shan's cognition was far more terrifying than a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone skill.
At this moment, Tai Shan rejoiced incomparably that he had made the most correct decision, which was to sever ties with the 'Titan Clan' and atone for his crimes.
Tai Nuo began to roll on the ground in pain!!
Tai Nuo felt a pain in his heart and roared:
"Ye Lan, if you have a problem, come at me!! How old is Tai Long!!"
Hearing that Tai Nuo was still blindly protecting his own even at this moment, Silver Wolf (Ye Lan's inner spirit/system voice) quipped:
"Uh, a child in his twenties?"
Hearing Uncle Wolf's quip, Ye Lan couldn't help but laugh. He smiled and said:
"Tai Nuo, you say I'm bullying a child in his twenties. Fine then. You and I are both Spirit Kings. I'll give you a chance to defeat me."
"As long as you can defeat me, I will let your 'Titan Clan' go."
"Now, use your full strength and please me to your heart's content!"
Hearing Ye Lan's promise, Tai Nuo's body went stiff, unable to move.
He remembered that back when Ye Lan was at the Great Spirit Master stage, he could already crush him.
Now, only five years later, Ye Lan had become a Spirit King of the same rank as him. Wouldn't challenging Ye Lan be seeking his own humiliation?
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ye Lan with adoration. In her heart, Teacher was invincible!!
Now that two years had passed and Teacher had become a Spirit King, how strong must he be now?
"Clan Leader!! Our 'Titan Clan' is counting entirely on you!!"
"Clan Leader, I don't want to die!!!"
"Clan Leader, defeat Ye Lan!!!"
Behind Tai Nuo, more than a dozen 'Titan Clan' members began to beg. Listening to these miserable pleas, Tai Nuo's face became increasingly ugly. He was completely cornered.
But he simply couldn't beat Ye Lan!
Looking at Tai Nuo, whose face was pale and whose body was trembling constantly, Ye Lan said:
"Truly a piece of trash, without even the courage to challenge me. Fine, let me test the gold content of your 'Titan Clan'."
"As fellow members of the 'Titan Clan,' I wonder how you compare to the 'Titan Giant Ape'?"
"Gravity Mire!!"
The bodies of dozens of 'Titan Clan' members, including the Spirit King Clan Leader and several Spirit Sage Elders, began to shake violently. They felt as if a weight of a thousand jin was pressing down on them.
Before the dozens of people could adapt, Ye Lan's left arm bone flashed with golden soul light.
Twenty times gravity domain, full power!!
Dozens of 'Titan Clan' members were all crushed flat onto the marble floor.
Bang!!
Bang!!
Bang!!
The dozens of people didn't last for more than a few seconds before the floor instantly shattered.
They were all pressed into a human pit several meters deep.
"Spare us!!! Ye Lan!!!"
"I know I was wrong!!!"
Tai Nuo screamed in pain.
Before long, and before Tai Nuo could wail much longer, the dozens of people had all fainted. Only a few Spirit Sages were struggling to hold on.
These few Spirit Sages, facing such a terrifying soul skill, could not muster any will to resist.
Even if they activated their Spirit Avatars, they would still be firmly restricted, and there were several Titled Douluos behind Ye Lan.
The 'Titan Clan' was finished!!
Just then, before Tai Nuo passed out, he shouted:
"Master!!! Master!!"
"Where are you???"
"Save the Titan Clan quickly!!!"
"Master!! We can't live without you!!"
Tang Hao, hidden in the dark, went stiff when he heard the last cries of his domestic slaves. What capital did he have to save the current 'Titan Clan'?
Moreover, the 'Titan Clan' having separated from the 'Strength Clan' no longer held any utilitarian value for him. Before, he could still rely on the 'Strength Clan's' blacksmithing industry to make a fortune, but now the 'Titan Clan,' with only a few dozen people, was nothing more than a burden in his eyes.
The desolate Tang Hao did not stay to watch the miserable state of the 'Slave Clan.' Instead, he picked up his wine flask and left in loneliness.
"Ye Lan, is this your new soul skill? It's really strong!!" Ning Rongrong said with stars in her eyes.
Ye Lan rubbed Ning Rongrong's head and nodded, then canceled the 'Gravity Mire.' These 'Titan Clan' members had all been crushed into unconsciousness by him.
"Douluo Warrior Corps, take the entire 'Titan Clan' into custody!" Ye Lan ordered the Douluo Warrior Corps that had arrived.
"Yes!! Your Highness the Holy Son!!"
Subsequently, these Douluo Warriors began to put special material shackles on the unconscious 'Titan Clan' members and took them away.
After dealing with the 'Titan Clan,' Ye Lan looked at the 'Strength Clan' and Tai Shan.
He then spoke:
"Tai Shan, the 'Strength Clan' was once a vassal of the Clear Sky Clan. Your Vigorous Giant Gorilla spirit is known as the number one strength martial spirit on the continent among those of the same rank. Is this true?"
"Your Highness, the 'Strength Clan' and the Clear Sky Sect are ancient history. The 'Titan Clan,' which was close to the Clear Sky Sect, has also separated from the 'Strength Clan'."
"As for the strength of the Vigorous Giant Gorilla, it can indeed be called the number one on the continent among the same rank. After all, for every soul ring, the Vigorous Giant Gorilla spirit will only choose soul rings from spirit beasts with extremely powerful strength."
"Even a Clear Sky Hammer of the same rank cannot compare to our Vigorous Giant Gorilla spirit in terms of strength," Tai Shan said with a face full of pride. After all, strength was the foundation of the 'Strength Clan's' survival.
Even the main business of the 'Strength Clan' was blacksmithing, which was based on strength.
Ye Lan nodded. The four great clans still had their merits. He then asked:
"I wonder, is your 'Strength Clan' willing to join the Spirit Hall's Holy Temple as an affiliated family, led by me?"
Hearing Ye Lan's proposal, Tai Shan instantly knelt on both knees in excitement and shouted loudly: "It is our honor for the 'Strength Clan' to pledge loyalty to Your Highness!!"
"This only represents your personal will. Does the entire 'Strength Clan' think the same? can they truly abandon their past hatred for Spirit Hall?" Ye Lan asked back.
"This..." Tai Shan was instantly speechless. He could guarantee his absolute loyalty to Spirit Hall, but he couldn't guarantee the thoughts of every single person in the clan.
Just as Tai Shan didn't know how to answer, Ye Lan said:
"I heard the four great clans have a tradition. That is, as long as one can surpass you in the field your respective families excel in, then your four great families will choose to follow. Is there such a thing?"
"Your Highness is truly knowledgeable. What Your Highness says is exactly the foundation upon which the four single-attribute families survive. What does Your Highness mean?" Tai Shan asked.
"I wonder, who has the strongest physical strength in your 'Strength Clan'? I would like to test against you to see whose strength is greater," Ye Lan said.
"Your Highness! Absolutely not!!" Tai Shan understood Ye Lan's meaning, but he was afraid Ye Lan would get hurt, which would make the situation hard to resolve. After all, Ye Lan was currently only a Spirit King.
"Are you questioning my decision?" Ye Lan asked back.
"Tai Shan dares not!! Currently, the one with the strongest strength in the 'Strength Clan' is this subordinate. After activating the Spirit Avatar and soul skills, this subordinate's strength can rival the Titled Douluo level. It's just that apart from strength, my speed, defense, vitality, and other aspects are somewhat inferior," Tai Shan said truthfully.
"In that case, let us try. Use your full strength," Ye Lan said.
"Teacher!!" Zhu Zhuqing tugged tightly at Ye Lan's arm with an anxious face. This 'Strength Clan' leader was definitely not someone who boasted emptily. The strength specialty of the Vigorous Giant Gorilla spirit was famous throughout the continent!!
Zhu Zhuqing was extremely worried about Ye Lan getting hurt. After all, her teacher was only a Spirit King.
The gap between a Spirit King and a Titled Douluo was like a heavenly chasm.
"Ye Lan!! Don't you want this young miss anymore?!! Trying so hard!!" Ning Rongrong shouted worriedly while hugging Ye Lan's waist tightly.
"Little Lan, isn't this being too arrogant? Hasn't Tai Shan already agreed to pledge loyalty to the Holy Temple?" Chen Xin advised.
"Old Bone agrees! Little Lan, you are only a Spirit King. It won't be too late to compete in strength with Tai Shan after you advance to a Spirit Sage," Gu Rong also advised.
At this time, the atmosphere among the 'Strength Clan' members began to liven up.
Their gazes toward Clan Leader Tai Shan became increasingly excited. If Clan Leader Tai Shan defeated the Holy Son in terms of strength, their 'Strength Clan' would truly make a name for itself.
Working under the Holy Son in the future, the status of their 'Strength Clan' would also be higher!
"Go Clan Leader!!!!"
"Don't let the 'Vigorous Giant Gorilla' be looked down upon!!!"
"Defeat the Holy Son!!"
Hearing the shouts of the 'Strength Clan,' the Douluo Warrior Corps also began to shout. Ye Lan was the god in their hearts.
"Long live the Holy Son!"
"Long live the Holy Son!"
Seeing the situation was like this, Chen Xin could only say:
"Little Lan, do your best. Once the situation gets out of control, I will take action!"
(End of Chapter)