"Son... do you have someone you love? You should also marry soon and have children."
As those words fell, Tang Xiao's eyes lit up.
If it were the original Tang Xiao, he would have firmly objected to marriage, insisting on staying single for life—which, of course, was exactly what happened in the original story.
But the current Tang Xiao was not that kind of fool. The moment Tang Zhen asked the question, Tang Xiao immediately replied:
"Father... I don't have anyone I like. But if you wish, you can choose the partner for me yourself..."
"It's just that the woman must come from a good family and, of course, be a top beauty," Tang Xiao added without the slightest trace of shame.
And really, what was there to be ashamed of when it came to marriage? Tang Xiao thought so, and his father and the other elders shared the same sentiment.
"Haha, excellent! I didn't expect my son to finally change his mind... Father will immediately find a good daughter-in-law for our family." Tang Zhen laughed heartily. Still, he feared his muscle-headed son might regret it, so he instantly called someone and gave the order:
"Go, investigate all the outstanding women of unparalleled beauty from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect..." Tang Zhen commanded, his mood especially high.
Seeing his old father's efficiency in action, Tang Xiao felt tongue-tied.
Yet, out of consideration for his future wife, he spoke again:
"Father, we shouldn't limit it to just those two sects... It's best to include the lower four sects and even other forces."
"Oh, yes yes... Did you hear what my son said? Don't restrict the scope. As long as you find a beautiful woman from a good family, send her details immediately. Go on—why are you still standing here? Hurry and search for all the excellent women!"
"And also, spread the word to every clan on the continent that my eldest son is going to marry. I'm certain everyone will rush to betroth their daughters to him!" Tang Zhen declared domineeringly, urging his subordinate to hurry.
Tang Zhen's impatience to find a daughter-in-law could only be understood by himself alone...
He feared that his two blockheaded sons might act even more foolishly and remain single. If that were to happen, the excellent bloodline passed down by his father Tang Chen would come to an end...
Although they were hailed as the number one sect under heaven, their clan currently had only two Titled Douluos... his father and himself.
If not for Tang Chen, then this title would be meaningless. Only because of Tang Chen—one of the two Titled Douluo-level powerhouses of their clan—who reached level 99 by sheer demonic talent, did they hold their current standing in the world.
And unfortunately, their clan's chief elder, also his father Tang Chen, had been away for six years... with no news at all. This had always been a mountain weighing heavily on Tang Zhen's heart in recent times...
Thankfully, he had sired two excellent sons. Among them, the youngest possessed the same unmatched talent as his grandfather, while the eldest was not bad either. Though there was a wide gap in talent compared to his younger brother, he at least matched Tang Zhen himself, which gave him comfort.
But that alone was not enough. If they wanted to maintain their standing in the soul master world, the next generation needed to be exceptional as well.
Yet let alone talented descendants, there were not even any descendants to speak of, since both of his blockheaded sons were still single until now...
As for other descendants from the elder's side... Tang Zhen didn't believe they could surpass his own lineage. After all, they didn't carry the bloodline of his father, Tang Chen.
....
After conversing with his father and the clan elders about other matters, Tang Xiao, relying on memory, returned to his room.
It was spacious, constructed from a special type of stone.
But despite its size, aside from a bed and a futon crafted from fine material, there was nothing remarkable within.
"Tang Xiao really was a simpleton... doesn't even know how to enjoy himself," Tang Xiao muttered silently as he scanned the room.
At last, his gaze landed on a full-length mirror.
He walked over and examined himself from head to toe once again.
Over two meters tall, built like a tiger-backed, bear-waisted warrior, with a chiseled face so plain it could not be plainer... short grizzled hair, and a small beard and mustache of an awkward style.
"Exactly like the appearance shown in the donghua's flashback... utterly ordinary." Seeing his reflection, Tang Xiao couldn't help but feel dissatisfied.
Especially that short beard on his chin—barely the size of a thumb—which made him feel the original Tang Xiao was tasteless.
"Compared to this style, a full beard would suit my face much better, giving it a domineering look."
Tang Xiao had to admit, the appearance shown in the donghua when Tang Xiao reached level 97 was indeed striking and imposing.
Even though he didn't yet have gray hair or a white beard, a full beard would still suit him well.
"Ordinary men can only make themselves a little less ordinary by growing a full beard... sigh."
Not wanting to look at the mirror again until he grew one, Tang Xiao turned, lay down on the bed, and slowly closed his eyes, reflecting on the discussion with his father.
"Marrying... it really isn't a bad idea," Tang Xiao mused silently.
Until Tang Zhen mentioned it, he hadn't considered this option...
Since he himself couldn't become a god... couldn't he have a son and let him ascend instead? Although he couldn't be completely sure whether the Asura God or the Sea God would choose his son as successor—he had heard conspiracy theories back on Earth about those two gods—it still wouldn't hurt to try, right?
Besides... it wouldn't cost much. Giving his son a single immortal herb at a young age would already make him a monstrous talent. Even the possibility of twin martial souls wasn't impossible. After all, the earlier one consumed such treasures, the greater the benefits.
Not to mention, Tang Xiao also knew about whale glue. He could provide resources and opportunities since he, as the father, knew the plot and was already one of the strongest men in the world.
Even if his son couldn't surpass Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong in time, Tang San was still a fallback option.
And if his son could reach Limit Douluo within 25 years, or sooner, then even without inheriting a god's position, Tang Xiao could lead him to strike against Spirit Hall directly, attempting to kill Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong before they ascended.
That way, Tang San wouldn't need to become a god either. Wouldn't it be better if no one ascended at all? If they were family, they should never leave each other. Hehe.
Thinking along these lines, Tang Xiao suddenly opened his eyes and sat up. He was not a good-hearted man. On Earth, though he only lived until 23, he had done many things that could be considered selfish and hypocritical... He even destroyed the lives of many peers simply because they didn't please his eyes...
Yes, just for petty reasons, he even led his best friend astray by introducing him to drug sellers and letting him have a taste... ultimately destroying his life.
Of course, Tang Xiao was not unreasonable... he never harmed without cause. He made that best friend into a drug addict because the friend scolded him, calling him stupid.
It was that friend's fault for insulting him as stupid... not to mention, that friend never apologized... so wasn't it reasonable to punish him?
"Oh, my little brother Tang Hao... let's see whose son achieves greatness first..." Tang Xiao muttered inwardly, as a competitive spirit slowly rose within him.