Outside the Great Spirit Arena.
From the shadows, Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes at several hidden figures.
They belonged to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan,a squad led by a Spirit Saint. He had noticed them long ago, and after quiet investigation, confirmed their purpose: to wait for a chance to abduct Yang Yunhai.
Yet, Dugu Bo chose not to act.
The reasons were clear.
First, those people weren't clan direct-line members. Even if he exposed them here and now, even if he caught them red-handed trying to seize Yunhai, the Blue Lightning Clan could simply deny everything, calling it "personal action." With relatives as hostages, those Spirit Masters would never confess under torture. And if questioned, they could claim they were merely protecting Yu Tianheng.
Second, this was not the time to rip off the mask with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Yes, he was a Titled Douluo,but he was still only one man.
If he were truly alone and without ties, he could march straight into their main compound and poison the place. But he wasn't. He had a granddaughter, and a life-saving benefactor who was also her future husband to protect. If things escalated too far, the consequences could be disastrous.
After all, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was one of the Three Upper Sects, with deep roots and power beyond imagination.
So unless absolutely necessary, he would not force matters into that kind of situation.
When my granddaughter and grandson-in-law have grown strong enough… then we'll settle the score properly.
With a snort, he turned and left. Not long after, he watched Yang Yunhai and the others return to their hotel.
That night.
While Zhu Zhuqing was immersed in cultivation, Yunhai left Silver Dove behind in the room and quietly slipped out. Soon, he reached the top floor of the hotel.
_Knock, knock._ He tapped at one particular door.
Whenever they arrived in a new city, Dugu Bo would always, under cover of night, tell him where he was staying, just in case they needed to meet.
The door creaked open, and Yunhai stepped inside.
"Xiaohai, you came to see your grandpa for something?" Dugu Bo asked after shutting the door.
Yunhai nodded slightly. "Yes. Our team's next destination is Soto City. There's someone there I think we need to watch for."
"Oh? Who?"
"Tang Hao," Yunhai said bluntly.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened in shock. "The Haotian Douluo, Tang Hao? Xiaohai, how do you know where he is?"
"Because his son Tang San is there," Yunhai explained. "When I studied as a working student at Nuoding Academy, Tang San was my dormmate. We lived together for six years. I knew he had a father named Tang Hao, supposedly a blacksmith in Saint Spirit Village. Back then, I'd never heard of the Haotian Douluo, so I didn't think anything of it."
"It was only after coming to Heaven Dou City that I heard Tang Hao's name. Same name, same profession, hammer in hand,it was too much of a coincidence."
"Hmm… indeed, that does sound suspicious." Dugu Bo stroked his chin.
"Of course, that alone wasn't what made me suspicious," Yunhai continued. "What truly caught my attention was Tang San's martial spirit,Blue Silver Grass. Except his Blue Silver Grass awakened with innate full spirit power."
"Blue Silver Grass? With innate full spirit power?" Dugu Bo's eyes flickered with disbelief.
"There's more." Yunhai leaned in. "At our academy, there was someone else you should know. Yu Xiaogang."
"The so-called 'Grandmaster'? Yu Yuanzhen's useless son, the disgrace of the Blue Lightning Clan? Of course I know him," Dugu Bo snorted. "He hasn't been home in twenty years. Don't tell me… he was in Nuoding too?"
"He was. And he took Tang San as his only disciple. For years, he never accepted a single student, never taught a class. Yet suddenly, he took Tang San in. Tell me, doesn't that strike you as strange? I think he saw something."
Dugu Bo frowned. "So… you suspect Tang San's martial spirit isn't ordinary Blue Silver Grass at all?"
The next moment, realization struck him. His pupils shrank. "Wait… could it be twin spirits? His second martial spirit being the Clear Sky Hammer?"
Yunhai nodded. "That's my thought. Twin spirits require parents with spirits of equal quality. If Tang San's Blue Silver Grass isn't ordinary but instead a top-tier counterpart to the Haotian Hammer… then the condition is satisfied. That explains his innate full power. And it also means that Tang Hao's true identity is obvious."
"But then… who is Tang San's mother?" Dugu Bo muttered. "Unless someone cultivated an ordinary spirit to the Title Douluo realm and elevated it to a supreme form… but I've never heard of such a woman."
What if she wasn't even human… Yunhai mused silently, though outwardly he only wore a thoughtful look.
"I've heard the former Pope of Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, once led a hunt against Tang Hao," Yunhai said aloud. "Tang Hao not only survived, he heavily injured Qian Xunji. That's how his name spread."
"Why would Qian Xunji go after him in the first place?"
"Grandpa Dugu… isn't it possible that Tang San's mother wasn't human?"
"...What?!" Dugu Bo's heart lurched.
"This is only speculation," Yunhai admitted. "But I've seen Tang San's spirit with my own eyes. It didn't look like a mutation. If his mother wasn't someone extraordinary,or something extraordinary,I can't explain it. And in six years, Tang San never once spoke of his mother. Add in a father named Tang Hao, and the pieces connect."
Dugu Bo went silent, then finally nodded. "No need to doubt. I think your guess might be close to the truth. Remember, back then, Qian Xunji was already a level 95 Super Douluo,and he had an entire squad with him. How did Tang Hao fight his way out and injure him? The only answer I see is that his ninth spirit ring was a hundred-thousand-year ring."
"And the source of that ring… well, you know." He gave Yunhai a sharp glance.
"Maybe things got desperate. And… she offered herself." Yunhai spoke what they both imagined.
"Could it really have lined up so perfectly? He just happened to reach rank 90 at that time?" Dugu Bo frowned deeply. He only knew Tang Hao had broken through at age 44, hailed as the youngest Titled Douluo then. The precise timing, though, was unclear.
The truth of that year was still shrouded in too many mysteries.
"Whatever. It's not our concern," Yunhai shrugged. "But still, if Tang San's father is really Tang Hao, Grandpa Dugu, once we reach Soto City, you should be cautious. Tang Hao's strength speaks for itself."
He went on to recount how Tang San had told him Yu Xiaogang wanted him to join a small academy in Soto City called Shrek Academy. At first, Yunhai had considered applying too. But after inquiring through contacts, he gave up immediately.
"Was it that bad?" Dugu Bo asked curiously.
"Bad doesn't even begin to cover it," Yunhai shook his head, retelling what he'd once explained to Zhu Zhuqing.
"That trash heap? Misleading the young like that?!" Dugu Bo swore aloud. Then he smirked at Yunhai. "Now I see why Zhuqing followed you to Heaven Dou City. She had something to compare against."
Yunhai kept a straight face.
"Perhaps… that's just fate," he said lightly, then pressed on. "Anyway, if Tang San's mother truly is gone, then the only thing binding Tang Hao to this world is his son. Which means, I'd wager he'll be in Soto too, watching over Tang San from the shadows. Especially with Spirit Hall as his enemy. He won't risk exposure. He'll protect Tang San quietly."
"And if he sees you,a Titled Douluo,lurking around? He'll definitely take precautions. His son is all he has."
"You're right." Dugu Bo nodded firmly. "Don't worry. When we arrive in Soto, I'll be careful."
"Good." Yunhai smiled, rising to his feet. "Then I'll leave you to your rest, Grandpa."
Dugu Bo watched him depart, the door closing softly behind him. Alone, his expression hardened.
"Tang Hao… I truly never expected this."
Then his gaze softened in thought. And Xiaohai… his growth is terrifying. Ever since learning of Yu Tianheng's betrayal and offending the Blue Lightning Clan, he's grown cautious, sharp, and calculating. At such a young age, to think so deeply,it's frightening. From just a martial spirit and a name, he connected all the way back to that year's events…
"Fortunately, he'll be my grandson-in-law."
A small smile crept across his face. Yes, better to secure him early.
With that, he returned to his bed, sitting cross-legged in cultivation.
The poison in his body had been purged a month ago. Freed from that shackle, his strength had surged to rank 92. His appearance even rejuvenated,fewer wrinkles, normal-colored hair. The Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma had pushed him further still, though he was not yet at rank 93.
But with his constitution vastly improved and medicinal power still circulating, his cultivation speed was faster than ever.
His plan now was simple: fully refine the Ganoderma's energy, then consume the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd. When that time came, his strength would leap again.
And then… he would seek out Chrysanthemum Douluo to settle old scores. With two rare treasures in his belly, confidence surged in his veins.
The night passed in silence.
By the next morning, Dugu Bo joined the Heaven Dou Battle Team's carriage as they set out from Slofar City, heading straight toward the Balak Kingdom.
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