The scene before him filled Tang San with deep humiliation. But in order not to let Xiao Wu misunderstand him, he could only lower his proud head and say:
"Yes… Xiao Wu, this is your freedom. Your Ah San giegie will tolerate you."
"Ah San giegie, even though your thinking is still conservative and outdated, for you to be able to think this way, Xiao Wu really feels comforted. At least you are changing." Xiao Wu said with relief.
Dai Mubai patted Tang San on the shoulder and said:
"Ah San, just look at it more openly. What era is this now? How can you not allow Xiao Wu to have us as her close male friends? You've already married Xiao Wu, she's already given you seven children, you should be content."
Tang San's fists clenched tightly inside his sleeves. His head lowered, his dark face twisted, his eyes turned red, and he breathed like an enraged bull. Deep inside, his heart roared with fury:
Xiao Wu is mine. She is my beloved, my wife, my forbidden treasure. I will never allow any man to touch her. All of you… just wait. You all have chosen the path to death.
Once I become a god, I will erase from Xiao Wu's memory everything about you. Then I will cast you all into the Eighteenth Level of Hell, to suffer eternally in its flames.
The "male best friend" incident was only a small interlude. Soon after, factions from all sides began to arrive.
Upon learning that Tang San had arrived, each power sent in their visiting cards. Tang San first received the cards of the Body Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Ning Fengzhi.
After Huo Qiqiang of the Body Sect departed, Ning Fengzhi entered, followed by Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo. Bowing before Tang San, he said respectfully:
"Greetings to the future god."
Tang San hurried down and helped Ning Fengzhi up, saying modestly:
"Ning Fengzhi senior, Bone Douluo senior, Sword Douluo senior, you are too courteous. I, Tang San, was only fortunate to obtain a god's trial. I haven't passed it yet, and everything is uncertain. Whether I will truly become a god is not something that can be said now."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin all felt as if a warm spring breeze had washed over them.
They thought of Yu Xiaogang, who, after gaining even a little power, became arrogant and refused even to address the Titled Douluo as "His Lordship." In comparison, Tang San's humility earned their favor.
This was precisely Tang San's plan. By showing himself as gentle, humble, courteous, and virtuous, he would highlight Yu Xiaogang's arrogance and abuses of power. Only then could he later sever the "master-disciple" tie cleanly and gain greater reputation.
"Come, you three, step out." Tang San beckoned.
Three children timidly stepped forward, standing before Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin.
Ning Fengzhi looked at the three children, then at Tang San, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Ning sect master, these are my children: Tang Wuheng, Tang Wule, and Tang Wubai. Today, they are the ones undergoing martial spirit awakening."
Ning Fengzhi gave the three children a peculiar look, then quickly brushed aside a flicker of doubt. He said with a smile:
"So these are the sons of the god. Truly they carry your bearing. I believe they will inherit your outstanding talent and become a force in safeguarding the stability of the continent."
Tang San replied:
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning, for your blessing."
After chatting pleasantly for a while, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect took their leave.
As Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong walked along the road, Gu Rong suddenly spoke up:
"Strange… I don't know why, but I have a strange feeling."
Ning Fengzhi paused mid-step.
"I've had dealings with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. I used to compete with the old Dragon King over whose martial spirit was strongest. I've met many of the Yu family's people. So why does Tang Wuheng always give me the illusion that he's like…" Gu Rong muttered.
"Careful with your words, Bone Uncle," Ning Fengzhi interrupted. "It's all just coincidence. This world has many people—naturally, a few will resemble others."
Gu Rong and Chen Xin both nodded.
Only after Tang San had finished receiving all the sects did he go to meet the current alliance leader, Yu Xiaogang.
Tang San took out blueprints for hidden weapons and handed them to Yu Xiaogang, saying:
"Teacher, at present, the number of soul master legions in our alliance is still fewer than Spirit Hall's. Once Spark Academy rises, it will also pose a great threat.
So we need to strengthen ourselves in other areas. These are designs for the Zhuge Crossbow and several other versatile hidden weapons. You can distribute them to our alliance armies. With these, even ordinary people can injure soul masters, narrowing the gap between us."
Reborn into this life, Tang San no longer clung to the Tang Sect. Compared to the Tang Sect, his focus was on the long-term future of the Tang family.
Now, fully devoted to his god trial, he had no time to rebuild the Tang Sect's foundation. His two thousand years of experience also told him that hidden weapons would eventually become obsolete. Since that was the case, he had no need to hoard them. Better to release some designs to create trouble for Spirit Hall and other enemies.
Of course, what he revealed were only ordinary hidden weapons. Things like the Buddha Fury Tang Lotus, the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles, and the Xuan Tian Treasure Record—the true essence of the Tang Sect—he had no intention of sharing.
"Incredible!" Yu Xiaogang quickly accepted the blueprints.
"Teacher, I'll leave alliance matters in your hands. With you overseeing things, I can focus on my god trial without worry." Tang San said.
Yu Xiaogang answered:
"Rest assured, Xiao San. A teacher for one day is a father for life. With me, Yu Xiaogang, guarding the alliance, you need only concentrate on your god trial. However…"
Suddenly remembering something, Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted. He then told Tang San about the Body Sect incident. By the end, he wiped his eyes and said angrily, with grief in his voice:
"Xiao San, the Body Sect has shown such disrespect to your teacher, which means they show disrespect to you as well. You must stand up for me."
Inwardly, Tang San silently gave a thumbs-up to Huo Qiqiang, the Body Sect's sect master. But outwardly, he put on an angry face and said:
"What? The Body Sect dares to insult my teacher like this?"
He looked ready to stand up for Yu Xiaogang, but then quickly turned troubled, saying:
"Teacher, this matter is difficult. I have not yet become a god, and the Body Sect is strong—they are the core fighting force of the alliance. We cannot afford to offend them just yet."
"I know the reasoning," Yu Xiaogang sighed, his flat-top haircut making him look all the more aggrieved, "but I just can't get this anger out of my chest."
"Teacher, the Body Sect is a sect with an Ultimate Douluo. For now, we can only endure. But don't worry—once I ascend to godhood, I will take justice for you." Tang San said.
"Xiao San, with that promise, I can finally be at ease." Yu Xiaogang said joyfully. He knew he couldn't touch the Body Sect now, but what he wanted most was Tang San's pledge to give him security.
On the alliance plaza, the sects and clans sat to the left. At the head was Huo Qiqiang, followed by the empty seat of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then Yu Yuanzhen, and the rest arranged in order.
On the right sat the feudal lords, led by Dai Tianfeng, followed by the Snow Night Emperor, then the kings and dukes of various kingdoms who came for the awakening ceremony. All sides were fully represented.
At the very front were nine guest seats arranged diagonally, left five and right four, where sat the nine male "best friends" Xiao Wu had invited.
In the very center were three gilded chairs arranged in an inverted triangle. The upper left was the seat of the God's Teacher, the upper right the seat of the God's Father.
At the very front, naturally, were our future god Tang San and the God's Wife, Xiao Wu. Tang San and Xiao Wu shared a single chair, symbolizing the unity of husband and wife.
At the very center of the square stood a massive Martial Soul Awakening Altar, with all the tools for awakening placed upon it.
When the time was about right, the master of ceremonies stepped forward, lifted the soul amplification device, and announced:
"Now, let us welcome our God's Father, Tang Hao, to enter!"
The Haotian Formation-Breaking March played. Tang Hao strode proudly into the square, head held high, chest broad, and took his seat in his rightful place.
Applause thundered.
"Next, let us welcome our God's Teacher, and also the Alliance's leader—Yu Xiaogang!"
Instantly, the Gang Sect Formation-Breaking March resounded. A one-eared Yu Xiaogang walked in with his hands clasped behind his back. If one looked carefully, one could see he held two books behind him: My Past with My Beloved Disciple Tang San: Once a Teacher, a Father for Life and How I Raised a God.
Applause once again filled the square.
Yu Xiaogang smugly sat down in the upper-left seat reserved for the God's Teacher.
"Next, let us welcome our Future God, Tang San, accompanied by the God's Wife, Xiao Wu!"
The God King Formation-Breaking March sounded!
All eyes turned to the entrance. Upon the red carpet, two mismatched figures appeared.
The woman was tall, the man short. One black, one white. One beautiful, one ugly. The contrast was shocking.
The woman's skin was fair and delicate, her beauty peerless. Beside her was a stunted, misshapen figure half her height. His skin was dark, his arms long and legs short. Yet he happily held her hand as they walked together.
At this sight, people instinctively thought of one phrase: Beauty and the Beast.
Everyone's gaze turned toward Tang San with awe and envy.
Although Tang San's strength was nothing extraordinary compared to his peers, and he was short, dark, and awkward-looking, none of that mattered—he had been chosen by the God of Asura!
No one knew how the Asura God chose, but as long as Tang San completed the divine trial, he would become the Asura God without question. When that time came, who would dare belittle him?
Tang San led Xiao Wu to the center and seated her gracefully on the right of the gilded chair, while he sat on the left.
Another round of thunderous applause filled the air.
The master of ceremonies continued:
"Now, let us welcome the children participating in today's Martial Soul Awakening!"
From the other side of the square, a group of six-year-olds marched in orderly formation and took their positions. Among them, Tang San's three children stood out like flowers among weeds.
And of course, flowers need green leaves to set them off. The sects, clans, and empires had all been given quotas, and many had pushed their own children into this awakening ceremony.
After all, Tang San had already obtained the God Exam, meaning he was destined to become a god. His children were the God's Children! To awaken martial souls alongside them was an honor beyond words.
Tang Wubai, Tang Wule, and Tang Wuheng gazed across the altar at their real mother and their fake father, Tang San. When their eyes met Tang San's, a faint challenge gleamed within them.
"Raise the Alliance Banner!" the master of ceremonies proclaimed.
At once, amid the soaring Alliance Anthem, a massive black ape banner slowly rose skyward.
The moment he saw it, Tang San's good mood collapsed. He thought back to his previous life, when his Blue Silver Grass martial soul had awakened—how dazzlingly handsome he had been!
In the God Realm, countless goddesses had swooned over him. Even the exalted Goddess of Life herself had shown him affection.
But in this life, stripped of his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, his whole body had deteriorated: shorter, with stubby legs, long arms, and skin as dark as coal.
Tang San knew very well how ridiculous he looked now, but he forced himself not to think about it. With Xiao Wu beside him, if he dwelled on his appearance, he couldn't help but feel unworthy of her.
Yet Yu Xiaogang had deliberately made this black ape banner to constantly remind him: This is what you look like now!
Tang San shot a resentful glare at the smug Yu Xiaogang and silently recorded this grievance in his heart.
The black ape banner fluttered proudly in the sky.
"Now, let us invite our Future God, Tang San, to speak," the emcee announced.
Tang San stood up, extended his long ape-like arm, and took the amplifier. He spoke politely:
"First, before the awakening ceremony begins, I must thank my beautiful wife, Xiao Wu. It was she who carried our children for ten months and gave birth to them."
He gazed at Xiao Wu with deep affection as he spoke. She returned his look with a gentle smile.
"Second, I must thank my father, and also my mother whom I never met. It was they who gave me life and taught me the principles of being human."
At this, Yu Xiaogang bristled with indignation. Nonsense! That was all my doing! And Tang Hao—other than giving you life, what has he ever done for you? How can you put him before me?!
"Third," Tang San continued, "I must thank my teacher, Xiaogang. Thank you for your years of toil managing the Alliance, and for preparing such a grand awakening ceremony for my children."
"Lastly, I must thank all those who came today. For your presence, I, Tang San, will never forget this kindness."
As his words ended, applause filled the plaza once more.
"Now, I announce the start of the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony! Let the Awakening Master enter!"
To everyone's surprise, the Awakening Master was not some great soul master, but Ning Fengzhi himself.
At his appearance, the leaders of the various factions cursed inwardly. Damn it! Of course it's Ning Fengzhi. Why didn't I think of this brilliant move?!
Ning Fengzhi stepped onto the Awakening Altar, bowed toward Tang San, and declared:
"I thank the future Lord Asura God for granting me this precious opportunity. To preside over the Martial Soul Awakening of the God's Children is the greatest honor of my life!"
Tang San replied, "I too am glad. That my children—Wule, Wuheng, and Wubai—can have their awakening ceremony personally hosted by Sect Master Ning is truly a blessing."