"Buddha Fury Tang Lotus, Storm Pear Blossom Needles!" Tang San was taken aback. This Tian Lin sure had a big appetite.
Silent sleeve arrows and Zhuge Divine Crossbows were just basic concealed weapons. Even if they were handed over, it wouldn't harm the essence of the Tang Sect. But Buddha Fury Tang Lotus was different—it was truly a treasure of the sect.
Fortunately, Tian Lin only asked for finished products, meaning the most critical blueprints would still remain in Tang San's hands.
"Brother Tianlin, you don't understand. The crafting process of Buddha Fury Tang Lotus is extremely complex, not to mention the precious materials required. In my current situation, it's impossible to make it," Tang San replied truthfully.
"That's exactly what I meant by cooperation," Tian Lin said with a smile. "Tang San, do you know why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is known as the wealthiest sect?"
"Of course, it's because the auxiliary abilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower are world-renowned, attracting countless affiliated families. Through collective development, your sect's economy has flourished," Tang San complimented, and his words were not without truth.
However, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower had another secret. Tian Lin shook his head and explained, "Brother Tang, what you mentioned is just a surface reason. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower, apart from its strong auxiliary abilities, also possesses exceptional appraisal capabilities. Many rare minerals cannot escape its identification."
"For example, Blue Crystal Ore, Absolute Dragon Bone, Titanium Alloy, and Deep-Sea Silver. I believe our sect has small reserves of all these materials."
"Is that true?" Tang San's eyes lit up. The materials Tian Lin mentioned were all essential for crafting top-tier hidden weapons. If he could truly acquire these, coupled with his Clear Sky Hammer, it might be possible to recreate the Tang Sect's strongest hidden weapons.
"Of course it's true. So, Brother Tang, sell me the blueprints for those basic concealed weapons, and we'll produce them ourselves. As for you, focus on researching advanced hidden weapons. We'll provide the materials. The condition is that if you ever develop something like Buddha Fury Tang Lotus or Storm Pear Blossom Needles, you must give the first one to our sect."
"This is a win-win situation for both of us. Our sect's direct disciples can gain combat power through concealed weapons, and you can use our resources to develop your Tang Sect. You're aware, aren't you, that to develop a force, you first need people? And to have people, you need money. Luckily, for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, money is the least valuable thing!"
Tian Lin's words, though slightly arrogant, were undeniably true. This cooperation would greatly benefit both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Tang Sect.
At this time, Tang San still didn't know about his identity as a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect. He believed his father was just an ordinary village blacksmith with no power or influence. Thus, the development of the Tang Sect rested entirely on his shoulders. Especially after learning from Tian Lin that he hadn't been expelled from the sect, his sense of responsibility toward the Tang Sect grew even stronger.
For now, what he needed most was money and rare metals—things the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had in abundance.
Tang San no longer hesitated. He immediately agreed, "Alright, no problem. Brother Tianlin, give me one night, and I'll present the hidden weapon blueprints to you. However, I must ask that these blueprints never be leaked to other sects, including your affiliated families."
"Of course, I guarantee they'll never be leaked. Well then, I wish us a happy partnership. Here's a card with one million gold soul coins—please accept it!" Tian Lin confidently handed over a gold card, which he had asked Ning Fengzhi for before coming.
Ning Fengzhi trusted Tian Lin deeply and didn't even ask what the money was for. He handed it over without hesitation. However, Tian Lin wasn't one to waste resources. Everything he bought would be something Ning Fengzhi deemed worth the price.
Tang San, however, didn't take the gold card. After all, the correct approach was to exchange the goods and money simultaneously. He planned to accept the payment the next day when he handed over the blueprints. But to his surprise, the little rabbit next to him was quicker to act and snatched the card first.
Just as Tang San was about to say something, Xiao Wu cut him off. "What? Can't I manage your money for you, brother?"
"Fine, fine. As long as you don't waste it," Tang San said awkwardly.
"Haha, you two have a great sibling relationship. Since today's transaction went so smoothly, I'm in a good mood. Let me give you both a little gift." Tian Lin pulled out two small bottles and tossed them to each of them.
"Tang San, yours is Xuanyuan Pill, a cultivation aid. It can help you break through to level 30. Little Xiao Wu, yours is Concealment Pill. As the name suggests, once you take it, you can conceal all your aura for a period of time. Even the strongest experts won't be able to see through you. It can even prevent detection by Titled Douluo or a hundred-thousand-year soul beast."
Tian Lin's words seemed half-joking, but Tang San was genuinely grateful. The Xuanyuan Pill, which could help break through to level 30, was a valuable aid. Xiao Wu, on the other hand, was deeply shaken.
Why would he say such things to her? Did he know she was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form? But Tian Lin was only around level 40; there was no way he could see through her.
It must be a coincidence, right? Yes, just a coincidence. Xiao Wu reassured herself. After all, if Tian Lin truly knew her secret, he wouldn't have let her go so easily, let alone give her a life-saving item like the Concealment Pill.
Still, this coincidence was a huge help to her. Since entering higher-level soul master academies, she'd always worried about encountering powerful soul masters. With the Concealment Pill, her safety was greatly improved.
"Thanks! You're so considerate. If you ever need help, Sister Xiao Wu's got your back!" Xiao Wu patted Tian Lin's shoulder with the air of a delinquent boss.
Who's protecting who here? Tian Lin thought sarcastically. If he weren't currently uninterested in Xiao Wu's soul ring and bone, he would've already pointed her out to his master and Ning Fengzhi back at the primary academy.
A heavily injured Tang Hao, who had been expelled from his sect, might make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wary, but he wasn't enough to truly scare them. The temptation of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone far outweighed that minor concern.
What Tang San and Xiao Wu didn't know was that the pills Tian Lin had given them had ulterior motives. The Xuanyuan Pill, despite its luxurious appearance and pleasant fragrance, had only a fraction of the efficacy of genuine elixirs. It would cause Tang San's soul power to be unstable and his foundation to weaken. Considering that Tang San was about to break through to level 30, taking this pill would do him more harm than good. After all, level 30 was a crucial milestone. If his foundation wasn't solid, he'd have to spend a lot of time fixing it later, or it would hinder his future cultivation.
As for the Concealment Pill, it was an even greater trap. Soon, Tang San would lose one of his greatest opportunities because of this pill.
These were Tian Lin's preparations to suppress Tang San's growth. He didn't need Tang San to be as strong as he was in the original story. As long as Tang San could draw the attention of the Spirit Hall and share the burden, that was enough. Some of Tang San's opportunities had to be destroyed. Otherwise, who knew if a fully grown Tang San might turn against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
Given Tang San's loyalty to the Tang Sect, if he ever became stronger than everyone else, he might not tolerate the Tang Sect's hidden weapons being in the hands of other sects. At that point, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect didn't comply, they might end up marginalized like in the original story—or even face extermination.
Tian Lin was confident he could always be stronger than Tang San, but why take the risk? It was better to eliminate threats early. If he didn't still have use for Tang San and didn't hold any personal grudge against him, Tian Lin would've killed him long ago.
As for the Concealment Pill, its effects could end at any time if Tian Lin wished.
"Hehe, I'll take my leave now. See you tomorrow morning!" Tian Lin chuckled to himself as he bid the two farewell and returned to Shrek Academy.
At the gate, Ning Rongrong was waiting for him. Her eyes were now solely focused on Tian Lin, and she had no interest in the drama between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. Thus, the argument between her and Dai Mubai from the original story never occurred.
This was good luck for Dai Mubai. Otherwise, Tian Lin wouldn't care about his status as the Star Luo Empire's prince—if he dared to bully Ning Rongrong, Tian Lin would've drawn his sword and cut him down on the spot.
Tian Lin didn't take Ning Rongrong into the academy. The place was far too shabby for her. Since he was here, there was no way he'd let her stay in such conditions.
Instead, the two went into the city and checked into a luxurious hotel. As for Flender, he couldn't care less. As long as Rongrong didn't miss class the next day, it was fine by him.