Qiangu Dongfeng said, "I can't say anything for sure. After all, anything can happen in a battle. However, Zhangting has been working very hard and has already taken over many responsibilities from me. On top of that, all of the high-ranking members of our Spirit Pagoda see great potential in him, so we're all hoping that this event will allow him to mature more quickly."

"Indeed, experiences like this are invaluable for young people. By the way, I heard you invited the Boundless Ocean Douluo for the final day of the event; has he agreed to come?"

Qiangu Dongfeng replied with a wry smile, "Not yet. Brother Chen has been in a foul mood ever since he returned from the Star Luo Empire. We've been good friends for many years, but I don't want to hassle him."

The vice-president nodded in response. "Who would've thought that the united fleet would be forced into retreat? By the way, have you received any news about that Tang Sect Master?"

Qiangu Dongfeng's brows furrowed slightly as he replied, "I'm afraid not."

He had thought that Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena's past relationship would've led to him appearing at this joust for a spouse event, but that didn't appear to be the case. It was as if the Tang Sect really had disappeared.

Ever since Shrek City had been razed to the ground, the Tang Sect had kept a very low profile. All of its branches had become very withdrawn, and following the declaration that the Tang Sect was a treasonous organization, it seemed to have completely vanished.

Thus, the general public and all of the major powers had gradually begun to forget about its existence; only those who were aware of just how powerful the Tang Sect was knew that it was not to be ignored.

No one had imagined that the Tang Sect would suddenly appear on the Star Luo Continent, and that the Tang Sect Master would engage in a Trial of Five Gods. The Spirit Pagoda had attempted to use this against the Tang Sect, but this ploy had completely backfired on them, and through their coverage of the Trial of Five Gods, the Tang Sect had received an immense amount of popularity.

Immediately thereafter, the united fleet had arrived at the Star Luo Empire. Even though there was insufficient evidence, it was clear to everyone who had provided those super weapons to the Star Luo Empire. How had both the Star Luo Empire and Dou Spirit Empire come into possession of such powerful weapons? The Tang Sect was clearly the culprit!

Thus, the Spirit Pagoda had exerted its influence to declare the Tang Sect as a treasonous organization, triggering much debate in the federal parliament.

After all, the Tang Sect had made significant contributions to the continent in the past. However, the Tang Sect itself simply disappeared as if nothing had ever happened.

No one even knew if the new Tang Sect Master had returned from the Star Luo Empire.

Enemies lurking in the shadows were always the most difficult to deal with, so this joust for a spouse event was a trap to lure him out, but it seemed to have failed thus far.

At the mention of Tang Wulin, Qiangu Dongfeng's smile had faded significantly. Judging from the information he had received from the Star Luo Empire, this was a young man who was not to be scoffed at, and had established very close ties with the Star Luo Empire and Dou Spirit Empire. Currently, the Spirit Pagoda was being heavily oppressed in those two empires, and if Tang Wulin were allowed to develop even further, he would definitely be a huge thorn in the Spirit Pagoda's side.

He didn't want to see another Atlas Douluo emerge on the continent.

"Have you heard any news about him?" Qiangu Dongfeng asked.

The vice-president shook his head in response. "I'm sure you're well aware of how powerful the Tang Sect is. Truth be told, I don't support the decision to declare the Tang Sect as a treasonous organization, not because I pity them, but because they're far more difficult to deal with now that they've been forced into the shadows. All our intelligence-gathering departments are searching for information, but to no avail. Also, I have a feeling..."

"What is it?" Qiangu Dongfeng asked.

The vice-president continued, "I have a feeling that we'll encounter a lot of obstacles on many different levels in our efforts to bring down the Tang Sect. I feel like progress will be very difficult, and that it'll be very difficult to control what happens next."

Qiangu Dongfeng assured, "There's no need to be too concerned. While it's indeed troublesome that the Tang Sect is hiding in the shadows, this will also make them lose public support. As time passes, they'll be reduced to the likes of the Holy Spirit Cult."

The vice-president gave him a meaningful look. "I certainly hope so!"

Qiangu Dongfeng made an inviting hand gesture, and said, "Please take a seat."

Gu Yuena had been observing this conversation in silence this entire time, and she could clearly sense that Qiangu Dongfeng's emotions had fluctuated greatly at the mention of the Tang Sect. It was clear that he was nowhere near as confident and assured as he had tried to present himself as.

Even the federal government had to be wary of the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy as they were too powerful in the past, and Shrek City stood like an independent empire in the federation. Even though it was a neutral entity, it was a place that no ambitious conqueror wanted to exist, and that was the root cause behind the destruction of Shrek City.

However, even though Shrek City had been razed to the ground, the revival of Shrek Academy seemed to have set many things into motion, and this was a reflection of the power of Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect.

At the front row of an indiscreet corner of the spectator stands sat a young man who appeared to be in his twenties, wearing a set of casual activewear. He turned to his companion with a smile, and said, "This will be quite a thrilling match; I bet Qiangu Dongfeng's equipped his grandson with his greatest trump cards."

He made no effort to keep his voice down, but no one seemed to be able to hear him aside from the ordinary-looking young woman seated next to him. "So what? Regardless of what Qiangu Dongfeng does, I have absolute confidence in Wulin."

The young man chuckled in response, "As do I. Wulin's rate of progress has been truly astounding. I had been rather skeptical about Cao Dezhi's decision, but I have to admit that he was right. If it were me, I wouldn't have been decisive enough to bestow such heavy responsibilities upon Wulin at such a young age."

The young man was none other than Amorous Douluo Zang Xin, and the woman beside him was Holy Spirit Douluo Yali in disguise.

Who could've imagined that a pair of Limit Douluos would be sitting in such a nondescript corner?

Yali smiled, and said, "It's a good thing for you that you acted so quickly; if we had been slightly faster, we may not have allowed Wulin to become the Tang Sect Master. At the very least, there are limited things that he has to deal with in the Sea God's Pavilion, but your Tang Sect is different. As the Tang Sect Master, he has to deal with far more troublesome matters than at our academy."

Zang Xin smiled, and said, "Shrek Academy has always been the true core, while the Tang Sect has been the external face of the academy. We've managed to remain standing even after all these years as we've always assisted one another. Back when the Tang Sect was at its weakest point, Shrek Academy had extended a helping hand; on this occasion, I'm sure that those in the Spirit Pagoda will soon realize that they've underestimated the Shrek Academy rebuild. I really want to see the expression on Qiangu Dongfeng's face in a few days."

Yali couldn't help but burst into laughter. "You're an old man already; why are you still so enthusiastic about these things?"

Zang Xin chuckled in response, "What can I say? I'm an amorous guy, I guess."

Yali shook her head with a slightly resigned expression. "I hope Qiangu Dongfeng will like the surprise we've prepared for him."

At this point, the spectator stands were completely filled, and there were many passionate fans holding banners with Yu Longyue's name on them.

Of course, there were more banners with Qiangu Zhangting's name as in a sense, this was his home court.

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