Chapter 253: Filial Piety
Tang San looked on without emotion as the grotesque scene before him unfolded like a living nightmare. After four grueling years in the City of Slaughter, he had long since steeled his heart. Yet even he felt a pang of disgust as the audience's frenzy intensified. Not content with clawing their own flesh to ribbons, they tore open their chests, yanking out their organs in a crazed ritualistic frenzy.
"To be sacrifices for the opening of the Path of Hell, you should consider yourselves honored," the Hell Lord's cold voice echoed. "And now, Thousand Handed Shura, I wish you luck on your journey. May you survive the Path of Hell and see your elder again. And if possible, extend my regards to him."
As the Hell Lord's chilling words faded, all the blood pooling on the ground began to converge, forming a sinister bat like symbol on the floor. Before Tang San could react, he felt his limbs grow weightless, and he vanished from the spot.
In the shadows, Tang Hao watched silently.
"So, it's finally come to this, Little San," he murmured, seeing Tang San vanish into the Path of Hell. Without lingering further, Tang Hao left to rejoin his older brother, Tang Xiao, near the exit. Though Tang Hao had confidence in Tang San's strength, the Path of Hell was unforgiving, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety. Together, he and Tang Xiao stationed themselves at the exit, ready to welcome Tang San back.
"No need to worry yourself, brother," Tang Xiao reassured him. "Little San has heaven's own blessing. He'll make it through."
"He's even stronger than I was back then. He'll be alright," Tang Hao muttered, more to convince himself.
But the two of them weren't the only ones keeping an eye on this place.
"Master, all surrounding units have been deployed," a subordinate reported.
Ye Wen nodded approvingly, signaling for him to leave. Things had unfolded just as he anticipated, but Ye Wen couldn't help feeling amused. Tang San's elaborate schemes, despite his cunning, were still one step behind. No matter how powerful Tang San would become, his efforts would ultimately be futile.
The so called "Haotian Twins," as clever as they thought they were, were oblivious to the fact that their every move had already been exposed. After years of carefully positioning his agents around the City of Slaughter, Ye Wen's intelligence network was airtight. The moment Tang Hao and Tang Xiao entered the area, Ye Wen had known.
Though this world's Tang San didn't possess the Blood Swan Kiss toxin to wipe out the fallen soul masters in a single blow, Ye Wen was curious whether Tang San's arsenal of materials could still bring about the downfall of the City of Slaughter.
Just then, Ye Wen felt a flicker of energy from Tang Hao's direction.
"A divine presence, much like the aura of Tang Hao's Killing God Domain," Ye Wen mused, his gaze sharpening as he sensed the faint traces of the Shura God's presence.
Emerging from the Path of Hell, Tang San squinted as his eyes adjusted to the blinding sunlight.
"Little San !" came the heartfelt shout that made Tang San's eyes fill with tears. "Father !" he called back.
"Little San !"
"Father !"
…Really? thought Ye Wen, rolling his eyes at their ongoing exchange.
Fortunately, the father son duo didn't linger long in their emotional reunion. After a quick exchange of updates, they set off toward the Star Luo Empire's capital.
With the upheaval in the Heaven Dou Empire, Tang Yuehua could no longer remain there. As the Liuhe Sealing Barrier lifted, she led her people safely back to Star Luo territory, unnoticed by Ye Wen's forces.
With Tang Hao and Tang San now safely distant, Ye Wen turned his attention back to the City of Slaughter, observing in silence. For a while, nothing seemed to happen, and he raised an eyebrow. Did Tang San actually leave without detonating the city?
Unlikely. Given Tang San's vengeful disposition, it would be out of character for him to pass up the chance to eliminate such a threat.
Recalling Tang San's dark past, Ye Wen realized that while Tang San's hidden weapons were powerful, they lacked any long range detonators in this era. A delayed timer, perhaps? Ye Wen mused. Time I have plenty of.
Just then, a faint crackle broke the silence. Ye Wen's gaze shifted toward the mountain above the City of Slaughter. Fractures were beginning to web across its solid rock face, an unyielding surface suddenly filled with cracks.
Incredible, Ye Wen thought, marveling at the destructive power. How many Buddha Fury Tang Lotus did he plant here?
In an age where even gods couldn't break through city walls, it was astonishing that a mere Soul Emperor like Tang San could unleash such devastation. If not for the protective mountain shielding it, the blast radius would likely cover several miles.
As he pondered, Ye Wen found himself increasingly curious about the power levels in Tang San's original world. If even a lowly Tang Sect, considered third rate with its hidden weapons, wielded such lethal tools, what sort of unimaginable power must other top sects possess?
Ye Wen recalled Tang San's cryptic tales of immortals and otherworldly realms. Perhaps Tang San's world wasn't as simple as a "low martial" setting; it could be something as fantastical as Journey to the West. Truly terrifying.
Setting his musings aside, Ye Wen prepared for the next step. Raising his communicator, he gave a simple command: "Begin."
In the distance, four massive pillars of spirit energy erupted, soaring into the sky.
"Six Element Sealing Technique!"
With the battlefield set, Ye Wen's gaze darkened as he spoke to the figure behind him. "Qianqian, it's your turn."
"Yes, Master," Qianqian replied, stepping forward. Currently undergoing the eighth trial of her Angelic Assessment, she was just one step away from fully inheriting the position of the next Angel God.
This plan had been meticulously orchestrated, aided by Ye Wen's ally Poseidon. Modifying the trial requirements had been a simple task, well within the realm of godly rules. And now, Ye Wen intended to settle some lingering disputes between the Shura God and the Angelic line.
A massive rumble shook the ground again as the mountain over the City of Slaughter collapsed, sending dust clouds billowing into the sky.
Ye Wen let out a quiet chuckle. "Tang San certainly knows how to play it safe. Sequential explosions, to ensure nothing remains of the City of Slaughter. If only he knew…" He trailed off, amusement flickering in his gaze. What would his face look like if he realized he'd just obliterated his own great grandfather?
This was truly the epitome of filial piety guiding one's ancestor to the afterlife. Though the intention was ruthless, the sentiment was heartfelt.
Ye Wen's mirth was cut short as a powerful aura surged from beneath the City of Slaughter, tearing through the shattered mountain in a final, desperate assault.
"Ah!"
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