"Alright, enough nonsense. Gangzi, report your results from this period." Tang San said.
At this point, Yu Xiaogang had plenty to say. He began describing how he had run all over the continent, exhausting himself, and finally facilitated the creation of a continental alliance.
Tang Hao and Tang San automatically filtered out all that "blood, sweat, and tears" talk, remembering only the term Divine Order Alliance.
"Hmm, you dog, barely passable. You've managed to keep your dog status for now." Tang San said coldly. "Next, I have another task for you."
"What is it, young master? Please speak. If it is within my ability, I will certainly accomplish it." Yu Xiaogang replied.
"I have three children with Xiao Wu. They are five years old this year. In one more year, they can awaken their martial spirits." Tang San said proudly. "The sons of Tang San are extraordinary from birth. Listen carefully: I want a grand Martial Spirit Awakening Ceremony held for them. I want every major power on the continent to witness the talent of my three sons. That task falls on you."
Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment. Tang San has sons? Then that means… they're also sort of his grandchildren. After all, "once a teacher, always a father." If Tang San is his son, then Tang San's sons are naturally his grandsons, right?
Thus, Yu Xiaogang stood up and said: "Xiao San, don't worry. Leave this matter to me. I will gather all the forces of the continent and reconvene the Divine Order Alliance Assembly. I will make sure they all know your prestige, and that they witness your sons' martial spirit awakening ceremony. Oh—and… may I see your children?"
"Gangzi, you're not even part of the Tang family. Do you think you're worthy to step into our Tang household? Look at yourself in a mirror—pointed chin, monkey cheeks—what a sight. You think you deserve that? Being a dog means having a dog's awareness." Tang Hao scolded harshly, punctuating his words by kicking Yu Xiaogang to the ground.
Yu Xiaogang trembled in fear.
Tang San's voice turned cold: "If you manage this well, rest assured. After I become a god, I will help you break through your bottleneck and allow you to ascend to the noble rank of Soul Elder. But if you fail, you won't even have the right to be our family's dog."
"Yes, yes, yes!" On the outside, Yu Xiaogang was deferential and meek, but inwardly he grumbled: Xiao San, I raised you, guided you, pointed you on the path to godhood, and you throw me crumbs like this? You think I want to be a mere Soul Elder? I want to become a god too! You'll be a God King—can't you at least arrange for your teacher to become a First-Class God in the Divine Realm?
"Enough, you mangy mutt. Take your orders and get out." Tang Hao barked, kicking Yu Xiaogang again.
"Yes, yes." Yu Xiaogang shrank back and retreated.
Watching the flat-topped man's departing back, Tang Hao muttered: "Who would've thought this useless wretch could actually accomplish anything?"
Tang San sneered: "I know Gangzi too well. His soul power has been stuck at level 29 forever. His so-called soul master theories were exposed as plagiarism. Even Luo Sanpao, who had the potential to evolve into a Golden Holy Dragon, was downgraded into a pig.
Aside from being my family's dog, what does he have left? To keep that dog tag, of course he'll break his back for us. For Gangzi, we don't need to give him real benefits—just dangle a pie in front of him, whip him hard, and he'll pull the millstone on his own."
In Tang San's mind, even helping Yu Xiaogang break through level 29 was just an illusionary pie he would never actually deliver.
In fact, Tang San resolved that Yu Xiaogang must remain stuck at level 29 forever. He absolutely would not allow Gangzi to break through, not even a little.
"By the way, how did Yu Xiaogang manage to form this alliance anyway?" Tang San asked with some doubt.
Tang Hao paused, then answered: "I don't know. I only asked the Strength Clan about Gangzi's whereabouts. I never asked how the alliance came to be."
"Forget it, we'll know in due time." Tang San replied.
Only after Yu Xiaogang had run far, far away did he finally dare release the emotions bottled up inside.
"Ah! My disciple is going to become a god. I've finally raised a god!"
Back when his martial spirit awakened useless, he was scorned by his family. Later, he had several chances to evolve into a Golden Holy Dragon, but each time the opportunity was snatched away. Even when he ate a Golden Evolution Fruit, his martial spirit got stolen.
His theories were dismissed as plagiarism by the Spirit Hall. For years, Yu Xiaogang's life was filled with humiliation and despair. But now, finally, his beloved disciple Tang San was about to ascend to godhood. All that pent-up bitterness exploded into manic joy.
His mouth curled, his eyes squinted, saliva dripping from the corners of his lips—he went into a frenzy. Yu Xiaogang started running wildly. Along the way, his shoes flew off, and he dashed barefoot across the land. He stripped off his clothes as he ran, tossing them behind him, his bony upper body exposed: "My disciple is becoming a god! Hahahaha! I've raised a god!"
He went further, tearing off his pants and underwear, streaking naked through the fields. Finally, he spread his arms, flapping like a butterfly as he danced madly.
"Eek—pervert?!" A farm woman working in the fields turned crimson and covered her eyes.
Yu Xiaogang ran until exhaustion overcame him and he collapsed flat on the ground.
The next day, Yu Xiaogang finally came out of his manic state. He retraced his path to recover his discarded clothes.
Once his mind cleared, the first thing he did was reflect on the situation.
First, Xiao San has no respect for me whatsoever. He treats me as a dog. His eyes don't even acknowledge me as his teacher. With that kind of attitude, how can I expect him to take me to the Divine Realm, give me respect, or arrange a divine position? Worry gnawed at Yu Xiaogang's fragile heart.
But his little flat-top head began turning quickly—when it came to scheming for his own benefit, he was sharp.
"One thing is certain: Xiao San cares deeply about reputation. It must be tied to his godhood—probably faith. Because of that, he insists on maintaining our teacher-student relationship publicly.
So, I must reinforce this image in front of the world. Best would be to morally pressure him in public, force him to promise respect and benefits, ensure that once he becomes a god, he won't forget to reward me." Yu Xiaogang plotted.
Then he recalled the task Tang San had given him. His eyes flashed with so-called wisdom: "He wants to hold a grand awakening ceremony for his three children—that's my chance!"
On the other side, some time after Tang San's return, while the family of six was eating together, Xiao Wu suddenly began retching again.
Tang Hao and Tang San both froze at the sight, exchanging glances — in each other's eyes was an uncontrollable gleam of delight.
"Could it be…" Tang San murmured.
Tang Hao said quickly, "Xiao San, you stay here and take care of Xiao Wu. I'll fetch a doctor."
"Yes, Father." Tang San, full of excitement, remained by Xiao Wu's side while Tang Hao departed.
After a short while, Tang Hao came back, dragging along a rustic village doctor.
"Check her," Tang Hao ordered coldly.
"Y-yes, honored Soul Master." The country doctor hurried over, placing his fingers on Xiao Wu's wrist. After a long moment, he stood up and announced with joy:
"Honored Soul Master, congratulations, congratulations! Madam is with child."
At once, Tang Hao and Tang San were thrilled.
"Hahahaha! I'm going to be a father again!" Tang San exclaimed.
"Hahahaha! And I'm going to have another grandchild!" Tang Hao echoed.
Tang San hadn't expected it — it had only been just over a month since his return. Thanks to his tireless "efforts," Xiao Wu was pregnant once more.
In their previous life, Tang San had become a god before Xiao Wu finally bore him a son and a daughter, after forty or fifty years together. But now, before divinity, Xiao Wu had already given him three sons — and now she was carrying yet another child. Compared to last life, this was far more! How could he not be overjoyed?
Amid their excitement, Tang Hao turned to the doctor. "That's enough. You may leave."
"Yes, yes, Soul Master!" the doctor fled as if pardoned from death.
After he left, Tang Hao sent a voice thread directly to Tang San: "Xiao San, we're wanted by Spirit Hall. The fewer people who know of our whereabouts, the better. I have something to take care of outside. You stay here and look after Xiao Wu."
Tang San nodded in understanding.
Tang Hao casually took a sharp knife and strode out.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu looked at Tang San and said softly, "A-San giegie, Xiao Wu is pregnant again. Aren't we having too many children? What if we can't raise them all?"
"No, no," Tang San shook his head hastily. "How could it ever be too many? The more, the better!"
"Then… should Xiao Wu give you an entire soul master battle team?" Xiao Wu teased.
Tang San replied, "One team isn't enough. Better add three substitutes as well."
"Alright then! Let's work hard together, A-San giegie, and have a full soul master team — plus three substitutes!" Xiao Wu giggled.
Then she asked, "By the way, A-San giegie, this time… do you want a boy, or a girl?"
Hearing this, Tang San thought of his three sons already born. With an air of magnanimity, he answered, "Xiao Wu, how can you say that? Whether boy or girl, they're all my children. I'll love them the same."
"Mm, then I can rest easy." Xiao Wu smiled.
A short while later, Tang Hao returned, wiping blood from his sharp knife. Looking at Tang San, he asked:
"Xiao San, what are you planning for Xiao Wu's children? They're all of the Tang bloodline — you mustn't favor one over another. If it's a boy, at the very least he deserves a first-class god seat."
"Don't worry, Father," Tang San replied. "On Douluo Continent, I've already set aside the Sea God, Angel God, and Fire God for my three sons. As for the rest, aren't there still the Rakshasa God, Ice God, and others?"
Tang Hao nodded. "That's true."
"Besides," Tang San continued, "if god seats aren't enough, then I'll simply preserve our children until twenty thousand years later, when the God Realm War comes.
Once we crush the Gods of Life and Destruction, we'll wipe out their entire faction, seizing their elemental thrones and the Seven Deadly Sin god seats. They've kept those seats warm long enough — it's time to make room for the Tang family!"
"And if it's a girl? How will you arrange things for her?" Tang Hao asked again.
"A girl… a girl is fine too. In fact, I'll need one for my plans concerning Huo Yuhao ten thousand years later." Tang San sneered.
Having three sons already, Tang San was open about the idea of a daughter. After all, he needed one for his scheme regarding Huo Yuhao. But in his plan, he wouldn't let Yuhao gain too much.
He intended to mold his daughter into a shallow, manipulative woman — while secretly controlling her divine sense himself. She would seduce the innocent Yuhao, stringing him along. Their martial soul fusion would be arranged by Tang San, just like in the previous life.
But this time, after drawing Yuhao in, he would force her to form martial soul fusions with other men — making Yuhao watch his beloved with someone else, powerless and enraged!
Through this, Tang San would drain Yuhao of all fortune and value — letting his daughter bear children by others while Yuhao raised them, hat upon hat stacked upon him, until at last she discarded him.
Jie jie jie!
Just picturing this wicked scheme, Tang San couldn't suppress the twisted grin tugging at his lips.
"What are you thinking, Xiao San?" Tang Hao asked.
"N-nothing… just something that made me happy," Tang San replied.
For Tang San, sons were "the more, the better" — but a daughter, he needed at least one.
Seasons passed, and Xiao Wu's belly grew. At last, the day of birth arrived.
Tang Hao summoned a midwife, and father and son paced anxiously outside the room.
This time, Tang San wasn't as nervous as before. To him, whether son or daughter, it was all profit.
Finally, a newborn's cry rang out from inside.
"My son is born!" Tang San shouted, rushing toward the door — but Tang Hao held him back.
"Wait, Xiao San. I think there's more."
At his father's words, Tang San calmed down, standing silently outside to await the news.
Soon enough, another infant's cry followed.
"Not just one child…" Tang San said in shock.
"This Xiao Wu can really give birth! She's truly our Tang family's blessing." Tang Hao laughed, then his expression turned stern as he thought back. "Xiao San, why in the last life, before becoming a god, didn't you think to have more children with Xiao Wu?"
"Father, you forgot?" Tang San replied. "Last life, Xiao Wu was forced to sacrifice herself for me. After she revived, Spirit Hall's threat left us desperate to become gods and topple them. How could we think of such things then? And once I became a god, with life level so high, children were harder to have."
"That's true… Curse that evil Spirit Hall — they cost our Tang family several children!" Tang Hao said angrily.