Chapter 276: Su Yun's Confidence, Betting with Bibi Dong
Ning Rongrong's thoughts were uncertain about whether her idea could come true, but once it sprouted, her perspective on cultivation began to change slightly.
Meanwhile...
After Tang San returned from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he immediately began planning with his uncle Tang Xiao to infiltrate the Spirit Empire and rescue Master Lou Gao. Once their plan was set, they departed quickly.
Their speed was remarkable, leaving no trace along the way. Upon reaching Gengxin City, they struck swiftly. Even with Spirit Hall's Ling Yuan Douluo guarding the area, he was outmatched, and Tang San and Tang Xiao successfully rescued Lou Gao, bringing him back to the Heaven Dou Empire.
They also burned a large number of blueprints originally designed by the Blacksmith Association for the Spirit Empire.
"Tang San, my young friend, thank you for rescuing me."
"And for giving me these ingenious blueprints. I, Lou Gao, will never forget this kindness."
After being rescued, Lou Gao, learning of Tang San's connection with Tai Tan and seeing the intricate designs of Tang Sect's hidden weapons, devoted himself entirely to them, almost to the point of obsession.
"Master Lou Gao, there's no need to thank us. We aim to end the war as soon as possible."
Tang San smiled, "To defeat the Spirit Empire, the number of our Titled Douluo alone won't suffice. We need stronger weapons to counter the enemy."
"Don't worry. Leave the task of making weapons and armor to me."
Lou Gao patted his chest, assuring, "With me here, I guarantee your Heaven Dou Empire's soldiers will have the best armor in the world."
"However, you must ensure I have enough time each day to study these blueprints."
Tang San nodded, "Of course."
At the Heaven Dou Royal Palace...
Emperor Xue Ye, upon learning that Tang San had brought back the world's greatest blacksmith, Lou Gao, was elated and immediately summoned him, instructing his subordinates to gather the materials he needed.
Materials for making the Buddha Fury Tang Lotus, Peacock Plume, and other precious hidden weapons were hard to find, even for the Heaven Dou Empire's vast resources.
Tang San had already written to Sea God Island, asking High Priest Bo Saixi to mobilize the islanders to help gather materials.
Emperor Xue Ye also organized a celebration banquet to honor Lou Gao's release from captivity.
He envisioned that with Lou Gao in the Heaven Dou Empire, blacksmiths from all over would flock to them, significantly boosting the empire's strength.
...
"What?! Lou Gao was taken by Tang San?!" Bibi Dong exclaimed upon receiving the news, her voice turning icy as she looked at the kneeling Ling Yuan Douluo.
Lou Gao's importance was paramount.
As the president of the Blacksmith Association, he held great influence.
As a contemporary divine craftsman, he could create the most powerful soul tools for the empire.
This was why capturing Gengxin City was a priority for the Spirit Empire after conquering the Star Luo Empire.
"Ling Yuan Douluo, do you understand the significance of losing Lou Gao to our Spirit Empire?"
Though not a top fighter, Lou Gao's position and influence were immense. The Spirit Empire had spent substantial resources to keep him, only to retain his body, not his loyalty.
Bibi Dong questioned, "Without Lou Gao, if our blacksmiths flee to the Heaven Dou Empire, who will forge our soldiers' weapons and armor?"
"Your Majesty, I was about to tell you."
Ling Yuan Douluo suddenly spoke, "We have already conducted a survey. In Gengxin City, apart from Lou Gao's direct descendants who escaped, almost all registered blacksmiths did not flee."
Huh?
Bibi Dong and the other Spirit Hall elders were momentarily stunned.
Not one blacksmith fled?
They had been worrying about how to address the potential shortage of weapons and armor, but now it seemed there was no issue.
"What's going on? Ling Yuan Douluo, stand up and explain everything clearly," Bibi Dong said, her tone less oppressive.
Ling Yuan Douluo stood up, a proud expression on his face. "The reason the blacksmiths didn't leave is that the benefits provided by the Spirit Empire far exceed those elsewhere."
"Your Majesty and the elders' generous policies ensured their needs were met, so they naturally chose to stay."
"Moreover, many in our Blacksmith Association came from the Heaven Dou Empire. They know the status of blacksmiths there isn't as high as it is here in the Spirit Empire."
"Through word of mouth, they decided to remain."
So that's it...
The frontline issues that seemed to erupt suddenly settled just as swiftly, bringing relief to the Spirit Hall elders.
"Tang San must have some critical mission if he took Lou Gao," an elder suggested.
Bibi Dong nodded.
After all, Lou Gao was a divine craftsman.
Perhaps Tang San took him to create something crucial.
"Your Majesty, from the interrogations of captured Heaven Dou Empire soldiers, we have learned that many of their troops are being equipped with a weapon called the Zhuge Divine Crossbow."
"It is said that this weapon, invented by Tang San, is extremely powerful. Within fifty meters, even an ordinary person can easily kill a Soul Elder if hit."
As he spoke, the man produced a Zhuge Divine Crossbow.
Boom!
The appearance of the weapon immediately caused an uproar among those present.
In the world of Douluo, soul masters were supreme.
For an ordinary person to harm a regular soul master was already difficult, let alone kill a Soul Elder.
It defied logic!
"This is impossible!" someone doubted.
"If you don't believe me, you can try it yourself," said the elder who brought out the crossbow. He picked up the Zhuge Divine Crossbow and explained, "There is one bolt left. You can test it yourself."
Swish!
With the trigger pulled, a black bolt shot out, striking a soul power shield with a bang!
The observers were stunned by the force they felt.
They had not been lied to!
Those present, all Soul Saints or stronger, could clearly sense the terrifying power of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow.
The weapon's existence challenged their understanding of combat.
"Who invented this weapon?"
"It was Tang San of the Clear Sky Sect. It's said that he named this creation a 'hidden weapon' and developed it within the Tang Sect he founded."
"Our spies also report that Tang San is teaching his disciples to make various types of hidden weapons."
"Moreover, there are rumors of even more powerful hidden weapons!"
This last statement heightened the alertness of those present.
If a single Zhuge Divine Crossbow was this deadly, then...
"Can this Zhuge Divine Crossbow be replicated?" Bibi Dong asked suddenly, her gaze fixed on the elder responsible for the Spirit Empire's logistics, knowing this was his area of expertise.
"Uh..."
The elder hesitated before saying, "Your Majesty, the Zhuge Divine Crossbow has a unique core. Tang San must be acknowledged as a talented individual. His design ensures that if we attempt to dismantle it, the core will self-destruct. Our ability to reverse-engineer it is very limited."
In other words, it was impossible.
Bibi Dong's eyes showed a hint of disappointment.
If the Spirit Empire could mass-produce the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, the casualties among their soldiers would significantly decrease.
Unfortunately...
Just as Bibi Dong was about to dismiss the elder, a figure appeared at the entrance of the meeting room.
"Who says it can't be replicated?"
Everyone turned to see who had spoken.
It was Su Yun.
"Greetings, Holy Son," the elders called out in unison.
Ling Yuan Douluo also bowed to Su Yun.
She could sense the immense power emanating from him, even more so than the reclusive Qian Daoliu.
What level had he reached?
"Su Yun?"
Seeing Su Yun return from his seclusion, Bibi Dong felt a surge of joy but kept her composure. "Are you saying you can replicate it?"
"That's right."
Su Yun nodded and bowed to Bibi Dong, "Give me three days, and I will present Your Majesty with a new Zhuge Divine Crossbow."
"However, I will need the cooperation of our blacksmiths." He looked at the logistics elder.
The elder immediately bowed and nodded, "We will follow the Holy Son's arrangements."
After Su Yun briefly explained his situation and caught up on recent events, the meeting concluded, and everyone dispersed to their respective duties.
Su Yun took this opportunity to sneak into Bibi Dong's chambers again.
"Get your paws off me! You come back and think of these things immediately!" Bibi Dong slapped away Su Yun's 'wolf paws' and feigned annoyance.
Su Yun put on an innocent face, "I just wanted to see how the baby is growing."
Bibi Dong snorted and glared at him, "Then why were your hands wandering up?"
"I was worried they'd be hungry," he replied with a cheeky grin.
"Get out!"
Bibi Dong kicked Su Yun off the bed.
Su Yun quickly rebounded from the ground, hopping back onto the bed.
This time, however, he dared not be so brazen.
After all, Bibi Dong was not like A Yin, who would allow him to 'do as he pleased.'
"Can you really achieve what you said within three days?" Bibi Dong asked suddenly.
Su Yun looked at Bibi Dong and smiled, "Don't you trust me?"
"Don't you believe me?" Su Yun asked with a grin.
Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him. "It's not that I don't believe you. I've examined the Zhuge Divine Crossbow's core closely. I must admit that while I dislike Tang San, his talent is undeniable."
Su Yun chuckled inwardly, thinking: If only you knew what I studied in my past life.
But given Bibi Dong's skepticism, Su Yun decided to seize the opportunity. He turned his eyes and said, "Alright, let's make a bet. If I don't reproduce a complete Zhuge Divine Crossbow within three days, you can do whatever you want with me."
"Oh?"
Bibi Dong was slightly taken aback by Su Yun's confidence. She knew him to be exceptionally talented in cultivation, but weapon design was a completely different field.
After all, many blacksmiths only became blacksmiths because they couldn't become soul masters.
"Fine, I'll agree to your bet."
Su Yun was delighted at her agreement and quickly added, "But if I win..."
He leaned in and whispered his conditions into Bibi Dong's ear.
Bibi Dong's initially calm expression turned bright red as she listened. She then glared at Su Yun angrily.
"Su Yun!"
She grabbed his ear with all her strength, scolding him, "Say that again if you dare."
"Ouch, ouch—teacher, I was wrong, forgive me, forgive me. I can change the condition..."
Only then did Bibi Dong let go of his ear, her face still flushed. She warned him, "If you dare to talk nonsense again, you'll never get into my bed!"
Su Yun quickly came up with a new condition and whispered it into Bibi Dong's ear.
This time, although her face reddened again, she didn't react with anger but merely gave Su Yun a stern look before kicking him off the bed.
"You're sleeping on the floor tonight."
"Don't..."
"Also!" Before Su Yun could complain, Bibi Dong added, "If you so much as step out of this room tonight, you know the consequences."
To prevent Su Yun from sneaking off to A Yin, Bibi Dong gave him a strict order.
Su Yun, feeling helpless, wrapped himself in a small blanket and lay down on the floor.
That night...
Bibi Dong lay in bed, suddenly hearing a rustling sound.
It was the sound of bedclothes being moved.
She quickly realized that someone was slipping into her bed.
Soon after, she felt a hand reaching for her.
She immediately slapped the hand away.
"Sleep," she said coldly.
"I can't sleep..."
"Then go die!" Bibi Dong snapped.
But to her surprise, instead of retreating, the owner of the hand became more persistent, wrapping around her like an octopus.
"What are you doing?!"
"What do you think?"
"Get off me..."
"No!"
"You... don't squish the baby!"
"Then turn over, Dong'er..."
"You!"
...
That night, the palace echoed with a series of faint, unheard whimpers. (End of Chapter)