The Team

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***

"Oh? You will now suppress a woman by force? No wonder, no wonder. And to think Ka-ul even looks up to you..." Ah Yin shook her head.

Tang Hao's shoulders trembled and he waved his hand, shouting. His voice so loud that everyone felt their ears buzz.

"Stop this at once! Take those idiots back to the courtyard and treat them. Their punishment will come when they wake up."

Tang Hao glared at everyone and a domain similar to Bibi Dong flashed momentarily before his martial soul disappeared. That last bit truly suppressed everyone.

"Now... you tell me what is this bit about. Ka-ul said that he looks up to me?"

Bibi Dong was speechless. Ah Yin acted a little too much.

---

With Tang Hao simply taking the charge, Bibi Dong also called out other students of her. Each of their presence startling Tang Xiao greatly and alerting him that their chance of winning the Nine-headed Giant's Torso Spirit Bone was falling further into the abyss.

They needed to come with plans because this time, brute strength will not earn them any merit even if they happened to be the number one sect of the continent. While others may easily take the title of their sect for granted, fully knowing of their history and understanding that their title derived from the strength of a single ancestor of theirs made Tang Xiao firmly believe that titles meant nothing to true strength and it is with this ideology he trained and tutored Tang Hao.

But it wasn't the right time. The group finally settled and only Oscar and Jun'er felt out of place not because of lack of strength. They were talented and strong enough but this was because of the lack of understanding of one another. Liu Erlong, Xie Xan, and Hu Lana didn't really start familiarising themselves with these two while Ah Yin, reluctantly, had to expand upon the lie carefully on what Ja Sun said that would equate to him looking up to Tang Hao.

This meant speaking good things about Ja Sun, too, something Ah Yin felt revolting, and strangely, these sweet lies sounded revolting to the entirety of Bibi Dong's group. They were more comfortable with the Ja Sun who happened to be an orderly yet chaotic wreck.

Almost an hour passed by this way. Bibi Dong cleverly interjected every now and then. Sometimes making the negotiations the focus of the conversation and sometimes idle chat. This meant that the conversation was going in circles and just when Dai Mu, the only individual to have caught the fact that Bibi Dong was stalling for some reason, exposed the situation, Ja Sun walked out of the living room without bothering to hide his face. His gloomy expression revealed that something had gone south and he did not achieve his goals.

As the Tang Siblings stood, expectations flickering in their faces, Ja Sun frowned the moment he saw Oscar and Jun'er. Surprised, yes. But it didn't change Ja Sun's mind. Silently shaking his head, he began, "I'm afraid that Sister Tang will need some time to digest the information. But it would seem that I'm unable to help her."

"What happened?" Bibi Dong frowned and inquired, her words simply took the words out of everyone else's mouths.

"These things aren't so easily explainable, teacher... Tang Hao, Brother Tang Xiao, Sister Tang has locked herself in her room. For her sake, do give her some time alone to process everything. If she wishes to share this knowledge with you, she can. I haven't restricted her in this regard. However, we must take our leave."

Tang Hao's lips quivered and he hurriedly grasped Ja Sun's shoulder. He suddenly felt strange and went into a daze before sighing softly and letting go of Ja Sun.

"Is there no way you can help her?"

Ja Sun shook his head, "In the end, a living being can only help itself."

"How can you speak such words?" Dai Mu stated harshly, "If Sister Tang could help herself, would we have sought your knowledge, however dubious it may be?"

"Princess Dai, every patient has unique circumstances. Medicines can be largely generalized for common ailments but not for metaphysical and spiritual ones. Sometimes, they cannot even be called ailments. I have indeed seen a case similar to hers and even helped Yu Xiaogang break past his limits. But the same cannot be said for Sister Tang."

Tang Xiao sat down weakly and Tang Hao clenched his fist.

"Fuck!" He stomped with a growl as his spirit energy swept out.

Ja Sun's hooded robe fluttered and Tang Hao also confirmed his other suspicions. He silently walked away as Tang Xiao stated, "Please don't mind Hao'er's manners. It is just that... Yuehua is precious to us. Seeing her in a weak state really... affects us. Sister Mu, please look after Hao'er."

Dai Mu nodded and glared at Ja Sun before taking her leave. Meanwhile, Ja Sun once again bowed slightly. Compressing his voice, Ja Sun communicated with Bibi Dong.

"We need to leave. Right now."

Bibi Dong felt a little ominous. Something happened and what could happen when a man and a woman are left alone in an enclosed space? The more she thought, the horrified Bibi Dong grew. Not allowing her imagination to overpower her rationality, Bibi Dong stood up and decided to take her leave after a few other sentences of farewell, bringing along Oscar and Jun'er, too.

They didn't stop until they exited the city and began walking with Ah Yin taking the lead. In their group, there were two individuals who needed spirit rings: Ah Yin, and Liu Erlong. According to Ah Yin, they would be crossing the region where Xie Xan got his spirit ring and may be lucky enough to find a compatible spirit ring for Liu Erlong, too.

They only stopped after an hour of walking where Ah Yin made it clear to Jun'er and Oscar that they will talk once they find a secured spot to rest. If Olivia and Caihong were with them, then this would have been an easy matter but sadly, greatly intimidated by Ground Devil whose existence as a Spirit Beast and Human mutation truly traumatized the two owls, they left the group finally, unable to bear the constant pressure of viewing stronger predators by the day.

Ja Sun and Ah Yin weren't particularly broken up about this. The owls decided for themselves to follow him because of the benefit of the increased pace of cultivation from his martial soul but he hadn't been providing this benefit for such a long time now. No wonder they left after all this time.

Once reaching the edge of a grassy scape, Ah Yin sighed and had everyone set-up the tents.

"Sigh, what is going on? You didn't do anything to Tang Yuehua, right? We cannot afford Clear Sky Clan right after the White Tigers left our trails... there is even a chance that the two clans might join hands to pursue us."

"What kind of man do you think I am? The one to suddenly kiss someone else?" Ja Sun frowned and Bibi Dong's body shuddered. Too close, she forcefully stopped herself from stomping on Ja Sun's crotch. "But if you all doubt my honor, I have a perfect witness to clear my name. Right?"

Ja Sun looked sideways with a smile and under the flickering light of the campfire, a beautiful woman seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. An elegant silver dress, long sky-blue hair, and almost greyish eyes with a tint of blue. A beautiful oval face and soft, thin lips that were pursed together. Right now, even though beautiful, the woman had her body drenched in sweat and her face revealed deep exhaustion.

"What did you do to her?" Ah Yin narrowed her eyes and inquired calmly.

"Just let her catch her breath. She said she wanted to be the one to explain her goals," Ja Sun shrugged.

---

"Yuehua, I'm entering the room," Tang Hao finally couldn't help himself. It had been an hour and she wasn't responding at all. He was worried, truly.

Gently, Tang Hao opened the door to his sister's room and found it considerably empty. Aside from the empty bed with the mattress gone, there was only a blue-colored scroll left on it.

Quickly picking it up, Tang Hao unfurled the scroll as his heart almost thumped out of his chest. He was having a very bad premonition at this point.

'Blackmail? Did Ka-ul kidnap Yuehua? What does he want?'

He started reading the content and his expression turned dazed.

"Brother Hao, Eldest Xiao, I write this letter to you not to make you worried. I am fine. I will be fine. This, you must know and believe, for my sake. Opening the compartment of the bed, you will be able to see that what Brother Ka-ul has told me is not a lie. His persuasions are riddled with personal goals, but these goals are beneficial for me, too.

I'm sure by now you must be very confused. Don't worry, Brother Hao, Eldest Xiao, I'm very much clear on what I want. To make you feel relieved that it is me who truly wrote this letter for you, I state:

A moon's tear..."

"A pavilion's foundation," Tang Hao whispered and the more he read, the more sad he felt. Because in the letter, Tang Yuehua, for the first time, put her own thoughts truly. Slowly, Tang Hao pulled the handle of the bed compartment, and within, he found a thin booklet with the scent of fresh ink still lingering.

He slowly flipped through the pages. The first few pages made Tang Hao pale but later, he understood what Ja Sun meant.

It is true. Tang Yuehua is the only one who can help herself.

Tang Hao brought this news to Tang Xiao and his reaction, unlike Tang Hao, was much worse.

"We will—" Tang Xiao growled.

"Wait for her return," Tang Hao mumbled as he sat down with a sigh.

As if struck with lightning, Tang Xiao shouted, "What?!"

"Did you know Ka-ul doesn't have his left arm?" Tang Hao inquired rhetorically, "I only found it in the end before they were leaving. My point is, I'm sure that he faced a Titled Douluo. With or without support doesn't matter. What matters is that he has gained even greater experience... to individuals like Ka-ul, the disadvantage of losing an arm will barely faze them."

"Stop spouting nonsense!"

"Then stop acting like a child! Why do you think Yuehua left without farewell but with a letter? Can't you see? In the end, she didn't trust us enough to think that she needs growth! Don't you see? She is finally being selfish!"

Tang Hao screamed equally loudly as Xiao shook for a moment. His eyes warmed up slightly and he sat down.

"Ka-ul, I, you, Dai Mu, Taiyin, father, everyone else. We all grow. We desire it... but Yuehua... she was always like mom. Maybe it was because we never really took her for anything else. But, I don't want to be the brother who stops her from having an adventure and grow. When she returns, I want to be the one to join her in action. And for that... I have to grow, too..."

Tang Hao looked at Tang Xiao, "I'm ready to learn the technique left by Grandfather."

Tang Xiao's shoulders slumped and he then smiled bitterly while wiping his eyes.

"What will we tell dad?"

"That Yuehua is having her own experience in the continent. If he wants to beat us for that, tough luck. But I'll see to it that he doesn't interrupt Yuehua's training. I'm a bit slow in these matters, but I believe that even the Spirit Hall will think thrice before wanting the Clear Sky Clan as their enemies."

"Fine... but did you notice something? The last time we were beaten by father, we also ran into Ah Yin. This time we will be beaten once again, and we ran into her, too."

Tang Hao's lips twitched.

They failed to consider someone else. The true cause for the domestic violence unleashed on the two brothers: Ja Sun.

---

"I see... so you did leave quite a rare piece of information in the form of compensation while Yuehua explained the matters through her letter. Fair enough. But have you considered what would happen if you fail my test?"

Bibi Dong inquired and Ja Sun blinked before dodging Yuehua's gaze. Admittedly, he did use certain elements of deception in his persuasion.

Bibi Dong's students, aside from Ja Sun, didn't have any happy memory of this particular test.

Smilingly, Bibi Dong looked at the three of them.

"I have understood most of it. Oscar and Xiao Jun, you two have grievances against some members of the Spirit Hall. But I won't apologize for strangers even if we are in the same faction. Know this, however, I am not like them. In this group, aside from Ka-ul, nobody believes in insulting someone else to gain an advantage over others. I will revoke the bounties on the two of you personally. And if you pass my test, I will personally put my heart and soul into teaching you as I have done with others.

Tang Yuehua, the same goes for you. I am unable to hold back... for certain reasons."

Ja Sun smirked slightly and nudged Xie Xan's shoulders, "Wanna bet if they can pass the test?"

"With you?" Xie Xan gazed at Ja Sun derisively. It was certainly strange. Xie Xan didn't dare bet, but he still mocked Ja Sun rightly so.

"Ehm," Bibi Dong glared at the two of them sharply before continuing, "So? Do you wish to enter my tutelage?"

Jun'er and Oscar looked at each other hesitatingly. This time, Ja Sun spoke up, "You two should take the test to return the favor that you owe."

"What favor?" Oscar inquired curiously.

"Didn't you call me Brother from another mother? One spice and one tofu, I believe."

Oscar's eyes widened and he instantly hugged Ja Sun, "I didn't know we would ever meet again, Brother! Truly, truly! This is fate! Next time, I will rent the room for you when you wish to have an anniversary!"

The events of Balak city came rushing into Ah Yin's mind as she pursed her lips. Jun'er was surprised by the sudden outburst from someone like an Oscar but as he explained the reason quite openly, Xie Xan entered a fit of chuckles matched with Hu Lana's giggle. As a couple, they truly understood what kind of a favor this meant.

The ultimate kind!

Yuehua blushed slightly as Bibi Dong's lips twitched. With how her group was starting to form, she didn't like the perceived direction it may possibly grow into: A perverted one!

***

A/N: And this is the final team.

Poison/Control: Bibi Dong

Vitality— Life/Control: Ah Yin

Fire/Attack: Liu Erlong

Illusion— charm/Control: Hu Lana

Dark/Attack: Xiao Jun'er

Facesmack/Fearless: Ja Sun

Yin/Attack: Xie Xan

Food/Support: Oscar

??/??: Yuehua