Shura God's actions had not escaped Huo Yuhao's notice in the Eternal Temple on the other side of the Divine Realm.
That Divine Slaughter's Domain contained a fragment of Shura God's divine consciousness. It was vastly stronger than the watered-down versions he would later give Hu Liena and Bibi Dong.
No wonder Tang Hao had stormed Spirit Hall as a Level 95 Soul Master in the original story, declared, "I'll take you all on," fought several Titled Douluo by himself, and still walked away. Where had that confidence come from? Shura God, of course. Having an unfair advantage really did make a man bold.
Huo Yuhao calmly recorded Shura God's actions with the Eternal Eyes as evidence, then set the matter aside for the time being.
"Old Asura, old Asura. You're breaking the rules, and so am I. It's just a matter of which of us catches the other out—and who brings whom down in the end."
Tang Xiao had kept up his training over those five years and was now a Level 72 Soul Saint. Tang Hao, having lost five years, was still only a Level 58 Spirit King. Yet the difference between their futures had already been decided. Of the twins who had once caught a Divine King's eye, one had gained Divine Slaughter's Domain and won his favor, while the other had been abandoned.
After returning, Tang Hao spent some time calming his killing intent. Tang Xiao had originally planned to train in the City of Slaughter himself once Tang Hao came back. But the moment Tang Hao returned, Tang Xiao felt an inexplicable loss, as though an important opportunity had slipped through his fingers. Even if he went to the City of Slaughter now, the feeling he had once had would never return.
Tang Xiao did not know what he had lost, but the sense of loss was overwhelming. Forcing a smile, he said to Tang Hao, "Brother Hao, now that you're back, how about traveling the continent with me? You're nearly at Soul Power Level 60. We can get you a Soul Ring along the way."
"All right, brother," Tang Hao said in a low voice.
And so the brothers set off across the continent. Tang Hao's Talent had not diminished during his absence, and he soon caught up. Two months later, after they had hunted several Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Beasts, he obtained his Sixth Soul Ring.
As the Tang brothers began their travels, Yu Xiaogang finally reached Level 10.
Becoming a Soul Master was nothing remarkable, and Yu Xiaomen, whom he had always looked down on, was already a Level 26 Soul Grandmaster. Even so, Yu Xiaogang was beside himself with excitement at reaching the threshold. One Soul Ring—that was all he needed to become a Soul Master. At last, he could look down on the ninety-nine percent of ordinary people on the continent who would never become Soul Masters.
"I'll take you Soul Hunting tomorrow. Do you have a target in mind?" Yu Yuanzhen asked.
"Of course." Yu Xiaogang's eyes burned with anticipation. "I want a Golden Scale Armor Beast."
"A Golden Scale Armor Beast?"
"The First Soul Ring of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Golden Sacred Dragon Titled Douluo came from a 415-year-old Golden Scale Armor Beast. I want to follow his example and start with one too," Yu Xiaogang said.
Yu Yuanzhen stroked his beard and nodded. "A good choice. The Golden Scale Armor Beast is a top-tier Soul Beast with a gold Attribute. Absorbing its Soul Ring as your first should stimulate Luo Sanpao's bloodline. Even if he doesn't evolve directly into a Golden Sacred Dragon, his bloodline should improve. Very well, that's our target. Rest up tonight. I'll take you Soul Hunting tomorrow."
"Yes, Father," Yu Xiaogang said.
Tomorrow, he would go Soul Hunting and obtain his first Soul Ring. Yu Xiaogang was so excited that night that he had a dream:
In the dream, he hunted a 420-year-old Golden Scale Armor Beast for his First Soul Ring. Its gold Attribute awakened Luo Sanpao's bloodline, instantly transforming him into a mighty Golden Sacred Dragon. Yu Xiaogang's Talent soared, and he overtook his younger brother, Yu Xiaomen. Many years later, Dragon God Douluo Yu Xiaogang planted his foot hard on Yu Xiaomen's forehead and said smugly, "Yu Xiaomen, back at Spirit Awakening, I merely let you get a head start. Now I've mastered the Golden Sacred Dragon, while you're nothing but trash."
The next day, Luo Sanpao's piglike squeals woke Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Yuanzhen took Yu Xiaogang deep into the Star Dou Great Forest. With his Titled Douluo father protecting him, Yu Xiaogang encountered no mortal danger. It took them three days to find their target: a 360-year-old Golden Scale Armor Beast.
Looking at the gold-plated Soul Beast his father had pinned down with Soul Power, Yu Xiaogang was disappointed. "Only 360 years?" He had hoped for one at least 400 years old, close to his Limit.
"Xiao Gang, think carefully. A Golden Scale Armor Beast isn't an ordinary Soul Beast. It's top-tier. Absorbing its Soul Ring places extraordinary demands on your body." Yu Yuanzhen gave him an appraising look, as if to ask: Could you handle one over 400 years old?
"Fine. Three hundred years it is." Yu Xiaogang killed the Soul Beast with his dagger, then drew its Soul Ring toward himself to absorb it.
Not even two minutes had passed before Yu Xiaogang's expression changed and sweat broke out across his face. The violent energy within the Soul Ring was battering his meridians.
"It hurts... It hurts..."
Seeing him like this, Yu Yuanzhen hurried to reassure him. "Stay calm and focus on absorbing it. The pain is temporary. The benefits will last a lifetime."
"No, Dad, I can't take it! I don't want this Soul Ring! Stop it for me! It hurts so much! Aah!" Yu Xiaogang cried for help frantically, like a drowning man.
Is he going to die? As a Titled Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen could see that Yu Xiaogang was nowhere near the Limit of what he could absorb. But—
How could Yu Xiaogang absorb the Soul Ring in this state? At this rate...
Left with no choice, Yu Yuanzhen intervened and interrupted the Spirit Ring Absorption.
"Phew." Yu Xiaogang let out a soft breath. "I'm saved."
Yu Yuanzhen had nothing more to say.
Half a day later, Yu Yuanzhen caught another Golden Scale Armor Beast, this one 256 years old. "What do you think of this one?"
At the sight of the ferocious beast, fear flickered in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. The previous Golden Scale Armor Beast had left him shaken. He had no wish to experience that pain a second time.
"Father, could we choose a different Soul Beast?" Yu Xiaogang asked timidly.
"A different one? You don't want a Golden Scale Armor Beast anymore? Are you sure?" Yu Yuanzhen asked.
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "I'm sure."
"All right. What Soul Beast do you want instead?" Yu Yuanzhen asked.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning caught Yu Xiaogang's eye. A Soul Beast crackling with lightning was passing nearby. His eyes lit up, and he pointed in the direction it had gone. "That one."
"You want a Thunder Skunk?"
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