Crackle, crackle, in the pitch-black night, the campfire flickered.
"…Can't I wait until he wakes up before I leave?" Xiao Wu, who had just woken, spoke with Tang Hao.
"You think after he wakes, he'll agree to let you go?" Tang Hao said calmly. "Go! This place is very close to Star Dou Forest. If I'm not mistaken, that is your true home. Let me advise you—do not leave there until you've reached maturity."
"I don't want to see the same tragedy repeat itself on my child."
Xiao Wu fell silent, then nodded. She walked slowly to Tang San's side, gently caressing his face, murmuring her memories as tears rolled down her cheeks.
She did not blame Tang San for slaughtering soul beasts. After all, what he killed were poisonous soul beasts—the mortal enemies of her Soft Bone Rabbit clan, savage by nature.
Lowering her head, she touched her forehead lightly against his, then stood suddenly, turning toward the forest. With a few leaps, she vanished into the dense night.
"Human or beast… the feelings of a beast are sometimes even more sincere," Tang Hao muttered under his breath.
With that, he raised his palm and pressed against Tang San's shoulder. Tang San groaned, body twitching as he slowly opened his eyes.
"Father!" Recognizing Tang Hao, he lit up, pushing off the ground to leap up.
"Kneel!" Tang Hao's eyes suddenly sharpened, his voice cold and commanding.
Tang San's face turned pale. He obediently dropped to his knees, lowering his head, teeth clenched. In his mind, Yang Yunhai's words from the tournament echoed.
Two lifetimes lived—he was no fool. He knew clearly the consequences those accusations might bring once spread. His father's anger could only stem from this.
"Do you know what you did wrong?" Tang Hao's voice was like ice.
"Father, my Blue Silver Grass and Eight Spider Lances both carry mixed toxins. They have no antidote. The only way is to use the Eight Spider Lances to suck the poison out. If I didn't, should I have just watched them die? And yes, using the Eight Spider Lances to draw poison inevitably takes away some life force. That's something I cannot control! Hmph, Yang Yunhai was only seizing on this to slander me. If he truly cared, why didn't he come help detoxify himself? The poison attribute is part of my martial soul's ability. Am I not supposed to use it?"
Tang San's face showed indignation.
As for devouring soul beasts, he felt no guilt. Soul beasts were humanity's sworn enemies. Killing them was eliminating threats for mankind. He was only making use of resources.
'What wrong have I done?'
"Foolish!" Tang Hao snorted coldly. "Within the rules, whether those poisoned soul masters lived or died had nothing to do with you!"
"Since you knew the Eight Spider Lances would drain life force, why use them? Why not simply say there was no cure, instead of leaving behind such a fatal flaw?"
"Do you realize? This one flaw is enough for others to use Spirit Hall to brand you a fallen soul master!"
"Despicable!" Tang San's face flushed red.
Tang Hao frowned. From past observation, his son was not lacking in intelligence, usually steady. Yet at crucial moments, or when provoked, he was rash and reckless. Compared to Yang Yunhai, who was steeped in Dugu Bo's influence, his son's scheming was far inferior.
"Hold out your hand," Tang Hao commanded coldly again.
He had known of Tang San's devouring cultivation. As a Titled Douluo, how could he not sense his son's rapid improvement? The wisdom head bone granted as a tournament reward was top-grade. His plan was to let his child claim it, hoping to attempt a second martial soul awakening earlier and gain the Blue Silver Domain. That would give greater odds of surviving Slaughter City's hellish trial.
Especially the final Road to Hell—strength was one part, but spiritual power to resist killing intent was equally vital.
With Tang San's previous level, winning the championship had been almost impossible. Thus, he made his choice. Luckily, despite using devouring cultivation, his son still trained diligently, showing little dependency, so he permitted it.
"Yes, Father." Tang San obediently extended his hand.
Tang Hao pressed on his wrist, channeling soul power to sense. Soon his brow furrowed.
"Rise," he said lightly, withdrawing his hand.
"Yes, Father." Tang San quickly stood, only to hear his father's cold voice again: "Remember. From now on, unless it is life and death, you must never again use your martial soul or Eight Spider Lances' devouring ability to restore soul power. You must never again cultivate by consuming life."
"Your child understands," Tang San answered quickly.
"Rest early. Tomorrow, we depart. I will begin special training for you—purging the impurities from your body."
'Impurities?' Tang San froze. 'So the energy I devoured from soul beasts left residue?'
'It seems the energy filtered by the Eight Spider Lances wasn't as pure as I thought,' he thought.
Touching his still-aching chest, he suddenly raised his head. "Father, where is Xiao Wu?"
"She has left," Tang Hao said calmly. "Don't worry, she is safe."
"Left? Why would Xiao Wu leave?" Tang San asked.
"Because she had to," Tang Hao's tone grew heavier. "Tang San, let me ask you one thing. With your current strength—can you protect her?"
"..."
After some more words about Xiao Wu, Tang San lowered his head. Then he asked softly, "Father, is my Blue Silver Grass truly not inferior to the Clear Sky Hammer?"
"Yes." Tang Hao's tone was flat. "But it is not meant for offense. Its true strength lies in recovery."
His face darkened. "Tang San, as I've told you before—if you want to protect her, you must first have the strength."
"I understand, Father," Tang San said solemnly.
That was why the Blue Silver Grass had to be sacrificed as support, paving the way for the more offensive Clear Sky Hammer. Gains required losses.
"Father, can you tell me about my mother?" Tang San asked again.
"I've said before—there are things you do not yet need to know." Tang Hao's tone suddenly turned sharp.
"If you want to know everything, then grow stronger. Reach the standard I demand."
"..." That night, father and son spoke at length.
The night passed. At dawn, after a simple meal, they set off.
Days later, in a forest clearing beside a waterfall—
Bang, Bang, Bang.
Tang San clenched his teeth as Tang Hao one-sidedly beat him down.
'Yang Yunhai, the pain I suffer today, I will repay upon you a hundredfold,' Tang San thought darkly.
Tang Hao's method of purging impurities was crude—channeling soul power into his son's body through beatings, shaking loose the residues until his body expelled them naturally.
According to Tang Hao, this process would be long. Days of practicing Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer by day, beatings by night—this would be Tang San's routine.
'Wait for me! The day we meet again will be your death day!'
Days later, outside Heaven Dou City, the convoy slowed to a halt.
Yang Yunhai was the first to step down. Looking ahead, Emperor Xue Ye stood at the gates with the three Education Committee members and his officials.
News of their victory in the Soul Master Tournament had reached the capital early. Qian Renxue had sent the royal knights ahead to inform the emperor. Because of their win, all academies had been ordered to first assemble in Heaven Dou City, where the emperor would greet them and hold a celebration, along with promised rewards.
All faces glowed with joy—except Thunderclap Academy's. Yu Tianxin wore a heavy expression, his teammates silent.
As for Shrek Academy, they had fled long ago.
The emperor's ceremony was a joy for most, but for Shrek, it was nothing but a trial. As expected, Flender, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun had slipped away by night soon after re-entering the empire's borders.
Later, Huang Yuan and Jing Ling were persuaded by Jiangzhu to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Now they stood behind Ning Fengzhi.
Tai Long and Yu Tianheng had also departed when the convoy neared Heaven Dou City.
"Hahaha, our heroes have returned!"
As Yang Yunhai and his team stepped forward with "Xue Qinghe" leading, Xue Ye himself rushed to greet them.
Turning to the other academies behind, he declared:
"You are all heroes of the empire!"
After a rousing speech, he led the academies onto special open carriages, rolling proudly toward the imperial palace.
"Heaven Dou Empire forever! Heaven Dou Royal Academy forever!"
The streets roared with cheers.
"Wow, so handsome! Yang Yunhai, I want to bear your children!"
(End of Chapter)
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