Moon Pavilion, the quiet top-floor room was filled with the scent of medicinal herbs, a solemn atmosphere hanging heavy, as if water might drip at any moment. Tang San leaned against a soft pillow, gazing at the dust-stained servant before him. The man's face bore a five or six-point resemblance to Tang Hao, his father from memory, but with a calmer and more dignified air.
All dissatisfaction, sorrow, rage, and helplessness seemed to find their catharsis in this moment. Tang Xiao's gaze lingered on his desperately struggling nephew on the bed, his chest filled with a sour taste he could hardly express. He opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked, and in the end, all his comforting words turned into a pained sigh.
He extended his large, rough hand, gently patting Tang San's uninjured shoulder. The gesture was a little awkward, but it conveyed a silent support and weight.
Beside them, Tang Yuehua's eyes were rimmed with red, dabbing gently at her tears with a handkerchief, gazing at the two. Her heart was full of sorrow at the fickleness of fate, and worry for her nephew's future.
After a while, the suffocating sadness in the room eased slightly. The three began to talk in fits and starts. Inevitably, the conversation turned to the battle in Nuoding City that led to Tang Hao's downfall.
"That... that was the now-famous Wisdom Brain Douluo, the great elder of the Body Sect," Tang Xiao's voice was low, brimming with indescribable complexity.
"Wisdom Brain Douluo..." Tang San repeated softly, a cold, venomous hatred flashing in his eyes, almost tangible. This was the man who personally killed his father.
Seeing the hatred in his nephew's eyes, Tang Xiao's heart grew even heavier. He spoke slowly. "My sect forced seclusion and withdrawal gave the Body Sect a chance to rise, expanding rapidly and blatantly stealing the title of 'world's number one sect' from our Clear Sky Sect. Now, their power is immense."
Though Tang Xiao's tone was full of resentment and humiliation, there was also helplessness. Born in the Clear Sky Sect's golden era, he could not help but hate seeing its title usurped.
"For years, the Body Sect's power has grown rapidly, with many strong members. Meanwhile, our Clear Sky Sect... despite our tradition, can't compete with them head-on. We are powerless." Tang Xiao's tone was full of helplessness.
Tang Xiao then looked solemnly at Tang San. "That Wisdom Brain Douluo... I have never fought him myself, but his strength is unimaginable—especially his spiritual power at its peak. It is terrifying."
"The entire Body Sect stands behind him. Even if he stood alone, his power would be enough to threaten our Clear Sky Sect. I am truly afraid."
"Afraid?!" Tang San suddenly raised his head, voice hoarse with agitation, his eyes bloodshot. "Are we really going to let that pack of father-killing thieves go unpunished? Is our Clear Sky Sect to swallow our anger and hide like cowards? Uncle!"
Seeing his nephew nearly consumed by hatred, Tang Xiao's heart ached, but he knew the child had to recognize reality. He took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.
"Hatred must be remembered, but acting on impulse only brings destruction. Considering the Body Sect's current power and momentum, revenge will not be easy. There are only three paths available to us."
"What three paths?" Tang San clung to these words like a drowning man to a straw, unconsciously leaning forward despite his injury.
Tang Xiao raised a finger, speaking with vague hope. "First: your great-grandfather, my grandfather, the former clan master Tang Chen, could return."
At that name, the hope in Tang San's eyes was almost instantly extinguished, replaced by a trace of despair. From Tang Yuehua and what little information he'd gathered, he already knew the broad strokes of the Clear Sky Sect's past. The legendary ancestor Tang Chen had been missing for decades without a trace. In Tang San's view, this "return" was nothing more than self-consoling fantasy.
Seeing Tang San's reaction, Tang Xiao sighed inwardly and extended a second finger. "Second: wait for an opportunity while watching the battle between the Spirit Hall's two tigers and the Body Sect. When both sides fight, our clan may have a chance to take advantage."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes lit up again. Spirit Hall and the Body Sect were the two greatest powers on the continent; it was only a matter of time before a battle for supremacy broke out. If they could exploit that...
"What about the third path?" Tang San asked, feeling that this might be his own true path.
Tang Xiao's gaze grew sharp, locking onto Tang San like two bolts of lightning, his voice resolute. "The third path is you, for you possess twin martial souls."
"Chen Yi is praised as the continent's number one prodigy, a ten-year-old Soul King, and is drawing much attention," Tang Xiao continued, his tone tinged with a clan leader's pride. "But in my opinion, you, Tang San, with your one-in-a-thousand twin martial souls, are no less talented, perhaps even more so! Chen Yi is only ahead of you due to resources and a few years' age."
"In the future, if you train diligently and fully develop the potential of your twin martial souls, when both spirits' soul rings fuse and your soul power reaches its peak, your achievements will far surpass his."
"At that time, avenging your father with your own hands will be rightfully yours!"
These words were like a light shining in the darkness, instantly dispersing the haze and despair in Tang San's heart, igniting unprecedented confidence and fighting spirit in his chest.
"Yes! Uncle is right!" Tang San clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his flesh. "So what if Chen Yi relies on age and clan advantage to beat me now? That won't make him my enemy forever! Why should I let the Tang Sect be looked down upon?"
Recalling the events in Nuoding City, the contempt and unspoken mockery Chen Yi had shown for his hidden weapons, a murderous intent nearly materialized in Tang San's eyes.
"Our Tang Sect's hidden weapons are infinitely mysterious and invincible! When my cultivation is complete, I will make him pay for today's humiliation!"
Seeing the fighting spirit rekindled in Tang San's eyes, Tang Xiao felt both relieved and pained—hatred was a double-edged sword, but at least for now, it gave the boy a powerful motivation to live and grow stronger.
Suddenly, Tang Xiao seemed to remember something very important. His face grew serious as he looked at Tang San and said in an unquestionable tone:
"One more thing. In the future, you'll need to study the general theories and spirit knowledge of the soul master world, possibly by following Yu Xiaogang—but when it comes to specific cultivation, especially regarding your Blue Silver Grass spirit, you must not blindly follow his arrangements any longer."
Tang San was briefly stunned, then frowned, clear discomfort in his eyes. In his heart, Yu Xiaogang had long been both teacher and father, and he trusted his theories completely. If not for the man before him being his father's elder brother and a powerful Douluo, he might have snapped back at him.
"Why?" Tang San's voice was full of confusion and resistance. "Teacher treats me well and teaches me everything. How could he be harming me?"
Tang Xiao interrupted sternly. "Your Blue Silver Grass spirit isn't ordinary—it comes from your mother, Ah Yin. I may not know the spirit's essence or the correct cultivation path, but I see more clearly than Yu Xiaogang."
"He told you to absorb beast soul rings, especially the Mandala Snake's. That could harm you, waste your unique talent, and lead you astray."
"My spirit... from Mother?" Tang San was utterly stunned. This news hit him like a thunderbolt. He knew little about his mother; his father had only ever spoken vaguely. Judging by his uncle's solemn tone, his mother must have been highly accomplished in Blue Silver Grass cultivation. But...
But teacher... how could he be harming me?
…
Bonus chapter at 300 PS
Read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode