The dawn of a new era was upon the continent.
Nine years had passed since Tang San formally retreated into the shadows of the Tang Clan, taking the role of the Ancestor—a figure revered like a divine spirit. His name was no longer spoken in casual conversation, but every decision made within the clan echoed with his silent influence.
In this time, the Tang Clan had evolved from a mere rising force into an undeniable giant. Its name was known across every empire, whispered in reverence and fear. And now, a new move had been made—one that would shake the continent to its roots.
The Continental Youth Spirit Tournament was announced.
A monumental event, its influence spread faster than wildfire. Open only to Spirit Masters aged 20 or younger, it quickly became the talk of the world. Cities, states, and empires all moved to select their most gifted prodigies. But the true reason this tournament carried so much weight was the Tang Clan's declaration:
> "The champion team shall receive a personal inheritance from the Tang Ancestor—an advanced, never-before-seen combat technique created by him alone."
The world froze. Everyone knew the legendary 3-in-1 Strike, a technique that allowed three spirit rings to fuse into a single attack of unparalleled force. The new inheritance was an evolved version—the fabled 5-in-1 Strike. Unlike its predecessor, this new skill could work with any five rings, no longer bound to the first three. The sheer versatility and destructive potential placed it just one step below divine-level techniques.
It was a technique that could define a clan, a sect, or even an empire.
Naturally, chaos ensued.
Every major power began preparing for the tournament.
From the Heaven Dou Empire to the Sun Moon Continent, from the shadows of the Spirit Hall to the icy reaches of the Northwestern Realms, all factions sent envoys, recruited talents, and began secret training. The Spirit Hall itself, ruled by Bibi Dong and shrouded in the schemes of Qian Renxue, formed a special team. Even those long hidden in seclusion—former sects of old—began to stir.
But amidst all this noise, the Tang Clan remained silent.
Instead of boasting, they prepared.
Tang Clan's Inner Sanctum – Shadow Pavilion
Deep within the Tang Clan's main headquarters, within a hidden chamber known only to a select few, sat three figures around a spirit formation. Glimmering runes shimmered in the air, distorting sound and concealing presence.
The central figure, cloaked in flowing blue robes and radiating a divine calm, was Tang San. Though his hair had silvered at the edges, his aura was younger than ever—profound and vast, containing the tranquil might of oceans. He sat cross-legged, refining a strand of golden spirit power into his core.
Beside him knelt his wife, Xiao Wu, now a peak Level 99 Douluo. Despite being a transformed spirit beast, she had reached a level only second to godhood. She had long gained the ability to shift between beast and human form, and her spiritual aura had matured into something both pure and terrifying. Her spirit rings—unlike any Spirit Master—were gifted by nature, not hunted, and glowed with unique sacred power.
"We have prepared enough," Tang San said quietly, opening his eyes. "Now let the world test itself."
He turned to the formation. A projection of the continent shimmered into view, glowing with runes. Tang San's finger moved slowly across it.
"Our internal structure is stable. The elders are watching the tournament from the shadows. The outer disciples have clear assignments. The Spirit Weapon Division is ready to equip our team with the new prototypes."
Beside him, Tang Yulin, a young man in his early twenties and the captain of the Tang Clan's team, bowed respectfully. He was the clan's pride, a genius trained since youth, personally guided by Tang San's hidden teachings.
"Ancestor," Yulin said, voice steady, "we've identified strong teams from the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Sect. But the Spirit Hall team… it's dangerous. They have at least two Spirit Douluo prodigies under 20."
Tang San didn't respond immediately. Instead, he raised his palm, revealing a shimmering scroll.
"This," he said softly, "is the Six-Step Heaven Collapse—an auxiliary movement technique. Yulin, you and your team will train in it starting tomorrow. Combine it with the Spirit Weapon Array—you'll be able to match even superior cultivators."
The scroll glowed brightly before dissolving into light and entering Yulin's spirit sea.
Tang San continued, "I will not interfere directly. But if any party attempts to sabotage the tournament or harm our people unjustly… they will not survive."
His calm voice carried a weight that stilled the air.
Across the Continent – City Challenges Begin
As planned, the tournament began with city-level qualifiers. These were held in hundreds of regions, with only one team allowed to progress from each city.
The Tang Clan dispatched over a dozen outer disciples into various cities. Each team was led by elite youth born of years of training and merit. None of them bore the Tang surname publicly. Yet each one of them wielded the clan's techniques and spirit weapons, walking with pride.
In cities across the continent, crowds gathered in public arenas to watch prodigies battle. In one city, a lone girl used Tang Sect's hidden weapons to defeat a Spirit Emperor. In another, a youth released a triple ring fusion and obliterated a team within seconds.
> Whispers began to spread:
"The Tang Clan is coming."
"These aren't just prodigies… they're monsters."
Back at the Tang Clan headquarters, reports flooded in. One after another, the Tang Clan teams qualified—silently and decisively. No deaths. No overkill. Just clean, precise domination.
Tang San remained quiet in the shadows, watching the web tighten.
He had no interest in petty praise.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the true opponents to reveal themselves.
Waiting for the final tournament, where gods might one day be born.
And waiting for the day when his wife would take her own divine path, one equal to his own—not borrowed, not gifted—but forged by love, patience, and power.
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End of Chapter 10