Tang San's Year

Just as Qian Renxue gave this order to the Porcupinefish Douluo, a piece of paper floated down lightly.

Qian Renxue looked closely and saw that it was You Chen's handwriting. It read, "I forgot to tell you, Tang San is still that guy Yu Xiaogang's disciple."

Upon seeing this supplementary explanation, Qian Renxue's eyes widened immediately.

Given Qian Renxue's attention to You Chen, she quickly recalled that Tang San was one of the few juniors You Chen had interacted with when he was in Notting City after Tang San entered Heaven Dou City.

However, that's all.

The Spirit Hall's intelligence network wasn't the extremely tight type. Without a special investigation, Qian Renxue initially didn't know that Tang San was Yu Xiaogang's disciple.

Especially after the rumors about Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang caused Yu Xiaogang a lot of trouble, Yu Xiaogang appeared in public even less, and Tang San never mentioned that he had such a teacher.

Qian Renxue would not notice this at all, and would only regard Tang San as a rare genius who even her teacher regarded differently.

Now you see this note again?

"Ci Xue, what happened just now doesn't count... Cut off all contact with Tang San as before, and keep a close eye on him. If Star Luo Empire can handle things smoothly, that would be best. If they don't have enough manpower, then lend a hand."

Qian Renxue's eyes were fierce. "Make sure Tang San dies."

Previously, the idea was to let Tang San fend for himself after the righteous separation, firstly to avoid showing that "Xue Qinghe has no tolerance for others", and secondly to reduce the impact that "Xue Qinghe can't even protect the genius he supports".

Therefore, it would be best if they didn't have to take action, and if the outside world's perception that Tang San had a prince's background could be reduced, thus mitigating the potential negative impact of Tang San's death.

From Qian Renxue's perspective, Tang San did deserve to die, but that wasn't a high priority.

Even with high potential, he's currently only a Soul Elder and can't cause any significant trouble.

Without a God's-eye view and unaware of Tang San's identity as the Child of the Douluo Universe Continent, if Qian Renxue has already become Soul Douluo five years after her last appearance, still wishes to kill a Soul Elder with good potential, then she would be overreacting.

In Qian Renxue's eyes, Tang San had good talent and special skills, making him a decent genius. However, such geniuses could be cultivated by either the Spirit Hall or the Tian Dou Imperial Family, and he was not so rare that she needed to list him as an important matter and pay special attention to him.

The reason why many protagonists in novels do not receive special promotion despite having done many remarkable things in the eyes of important figures in the early stages is similar. This is because different perspectives and viewpoints lead to different levels of recognition.

Before their potential is truly realized as strength, they are not worth paying special attention to; they have other important matters and people to focus on.

Therefore, after You Chen reminded Tang San not to recruit him, Qian Renxue only thought that Tang San should fend for himself and then find a way to deal with him if he really became a threat in the future.

But things are different now.

If we were to name the most hated characters in the world by Qian Renxue, Yu Xiaogang would definitely be in the top three.

Even though her feelings for Bibi Dong have faded, she still regards her as her mother, and therefore her aversion to Yu Xiaogang remains.

In her early years, although Qian Renxue longed for her mother's love, she never thought about understanding her mother's interpersonal relationships, nor did she know anything about Yu Xiaogang.

But after You Chen stirred up public opinion against Bibi Dong, she learned about Yu Xiaogang's mission even though she didn't want to listen.

Then it would be impossible not to investigate and learn about Yu Xiaogang, the person who brought countless stains to her mother's reputation.

Upon delving deeper into his past and learning that her mother had a romantic relationship with such an academic fraudster, Qian Renxue naturally felt as disgusted as if she had swallowed a cockroach.

This disgust also prevented her from actively searching for Yu Xiaogang's whereabouts after reviewing the relevant information and learning the "truth."

Just like when we see a cockroach and know that there are definitely more cockroaches hiding in the room, most of us will not actively look for cockroaches, but choose to avoid seeing them and not worry about them. After spraying insecticide, as long as no new cockroaches appear, we will pretend that the cockroach does not exist.

But if a cockroach just happens to scurry up in front of you and keeps hovering there, even if you're disgusted, you'll still grab a slipper and swat it to death.

Qian Renxue had this kind of mentality towards Yu Xiaogang.

But because of Bibi Dong, she really couldn't kill Yu Xiaogang.

It wasn't out of emotional consideration, but from the perspective of the Spirit Hall, they didn't want to provoke Bibi Dong into going crazy.

But Tang San didn't have such concerns.

However, given the potential threat of Tang San and his status as a disciple of Yu Xiaogang, Qian Renxue wished she could kill him as soon as possible.

Otherwise, just imagining that Yu Xiaogang's reputation in the Martial Soul world might have a slight reversal after that academic fraudster's disciple gained power makes her skin crawl.

However, the story of Tang San entering Heaven Dou City and being valued by Qian Renxue differs slightly from the original timeline, but not by much.

A year ago, in the Star Dou Great Forest, Xiao Wu's departure struck Tang San's heart, but it did not cause him to succumb. Instead, it made him reflect deeply and yearn to become stronger.

Back in Suotuo City, Tang San, who had recently broken through to the Soul Elder, fought almost like a madman in Soul Fighting Battle, winning battle after battle. With his newly entered Soul Elder cultivation, he repeatedly defeated experts at the peak of the Soul Elder level, quickly earning the reputation of the Thousand Hands Asura.

On the other hand, the departures of Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu, along with Tang San's madness, all spurred the teachers and students of the Shrek Academy.

Just like in the original story, but the timeline is slightly earlier. Flender considered that he could not let Tang San, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun, three promising talents, fall behind in their cultivation due to environmental reasons. In addition, he was worried that Dai Mubai, so he chose to go to the capital of the Tiandou Empire.

With Qin Ming acting as a go-between, it wouldn't be difficult for Shrek Academy and his group to meet with the members of the Royal Fighting Academy's teaching committee.

However, just like in the original story, Prince Xue Xing did not want the promising talent to fall into Xue Qinghe's hands, so he asked Prince Xue Beng to intervene.

After a series of actions, the Golden Iron Triangle was finally reunited, Liu Erlong, with her love-struck mind, took the initiative to send her to the Blue Tyrant Academy.

The difference is that Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, learned about the conflict between Tang San and Xue Beng through her subordinates. Because You Chen had an impression of Tang San, she visited him in advance and extended an olive branch.

Offering help in times of need is better than adding to someone's success; Tang San's initial fondness for Qian Renxue was even greater than in the original timeline.

Although Tang San did not choose to transfer to the Royal Fighting Academy Shrek Academy and the adage "a good horse doesn't turn back to eat the grass it already grazed," he directly accepted Qian Renxue 'Qian Renxue offer to become her retainer after graduation.

This is the biggest point of divergence from the original timeline.

Although Tang San lost Dugu Bo, the old man who gave him the treasure, he managed to get in touch with Qian Renxue ahead of time.

Even You Chen, who was watching this scene, had to admit that this was Tang San's best option at the moment.

From God's perspective, at this point in time, only by serving under Tang San Qian Renxue would You Chen reduce his interference and influence on Tang San due to his concern for the master-disciple relationship with Qian Renxue.

At this time, You Chen was in a period of steady growth after a recent breakthrough. He didn't want to confront Qian Renxue, and his view of Tang San was becoming more relaxed, so he didn't want to cause any more trouble.

Therefore, with a better cultivation environment and some cultivation resources invested by Qian Renxue, Tang San caught up with the cultivation progress of the original timeline again, which amazed You Chen.

But... that's all.

Simply catching up with the progress of the original timeline means falling behind everyone else in the original timeline.

If Tang San were to possess the ability to reverse You Chen's current fate and goals, he would need to far surpass the progress of the original timeline and leave his original self far behind in order to have even a sliver of hope.

You Chen couldn't imagine how Tang San would catch up with or even surpass his original self from the previous timeline after this.

Over the course of a year, Tang San steadily cultivated his skills.

During this time, he came into contact with Tai Long of the Strength Clan at the New Shrek Academy.

Without Xiao Wu's presence, the conflict between Tai Long and Tang San was merely a contest of strength. After that, due to the forging matter and his friendship with Tai Long, Tang San was recognized by Tai Tan, which led to his subjugation of the four major single-attribute clans and the discovery of his own background.

And finally established the Spirit Hall as the main enemy, just like in the novel, after obtaining information about the BOSS, more motivations and drive emerged.

Some of the main and side storylines that had been derailed by You Chen eventually returned to their original course through a series of coincidences.

Four of the original Shrek Seven Monsters left, but with the addition of secondary geniuses like Tai Long, they were able to reunite.

Despite the Wind Cloud Movement on the mainland, the grand event for young Soul Master, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, commonly known as the Soul Master Grand Competition, continues as usual.

Now, the official start of the qualifiers is fast approaching.

After a year of honing his skills, Tang San became much more composed. Although he hadn't even caught up with Xiao Wu's cultivation level from a year ago, he was no longer as impetuous.

Conversely, because of breaking through mental barriers and having sudden enlightenment, the progress of the Mysterious Heaven Skill is accelerated.

It was only thanks to Qian Renxue's investment and the breakthrough in Mysterious Heaven Skill that Tang San was able to barely catch up with his original self from the original timeline.

While Tang San was preparing for the Soul Master Grand Competition with his companions and undergoing training, he was summoned by Qian Renxue.

Tang San thought he was coming to have tea and exchange feelings with his most respected and grateful Brother Xue, but the reality was quite the opposite, which struck Tang San, who had finally recovered his mental state, like a thunderbolt.

"You mistress, I never knew you were this kind of person!"

"Brother Xue, what's wrong? There must be some misunderstanding!"

"Hmph! The news that you poisoned Prince Dai Mubai of the Star Luo Empire, rendering him powerless, has already spread Star Luo Empire! Your methods are so vicious, we disdain to associate with a poisoner like you!"

Tang San was panicked by Qian Renxue's rejection.

After Xiao Wu left, Tang San, who was in a state of despair, encountered Xue Qinghe, who offered him a helping hand.

Tang San's values are closer to those of ancient Chinese people, adhering to the principles of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher, which is also mentioned in the original work.

Therefore, he was naturally deeply moved by Xue Qinghe's recognition as a successor to the throne, especially since Xue Qinghe's timely help made him regard Xue Qinghe as a confidant and a new pillar of support in his heart, whose status was no less than that of Yu Xiaogang.

From Tang San's own perspective, how pure and innocent was he?

So it's all that Dai Mubai's fault!

Perhaps the teahouse wasn't very soundproof, because the two's conversation wasn't kept secret from the guests next door.

As a result, rumors spread like wildfire that Tang San, a favorite of the Crown Prince, was disliked and abandoned by the Crown Prince because his despicable character was exposed.

Although some say that Xue Qinghe abandoned Tang San because he was too timid and cowardly in the face of the Star Luo Empire Xue Qinghe, surrendering before they even came to his door, some say that such a weak person couldn't even protect his own retainers. They speculate that if he were to become emperor one day, he might just as easily give in to the Star Luo Empire's power struggle.

But in the end, Dai Mubai's antics were too much, which also drew more attention to Tang San, and the storm ultimately failed to rise too high.

Tang San also realized something was wrong from these rumors. He realized that after losing Xue Qinghe's protection, he was likely to be purged by the Star Luo Royal Family.

But he still wanted to make a name for himself in the Soul Master Grand Competition. Considering that he held the power of Four Single-Attribute Clans, he gritted his teeth and ultimately did not choose to run away directly.

Noticing Tang San's worries, Yu Xiaogang, who treated Tang San like her own son, naturally came to comfort him, saying that the Golden Iron Triangle could challenge a Titled Douluo.

Only after Yu Xiaogang said this did Tang San truly feel at ease.

After her fear subsided, her resentment towards Dai Mubai deepened.

As for hatred towards Xue Qinghe, there wasn't much.

After all, although Xue Qinghe had abandoned him, she did not try to recover the resources she had previously invested in.

Furthermore, Xue Qinghe was like a new moon in Tang San's heart during a painful breakup; with this filter in place, he naturally wouldn't easily harbor hatred.

However...

Not long after, Tang San, who thought he was completely safe, was inexplicably killed by assassins from the Star Luo Empire Clan.

You Chen witnessed the entire process.

Instead of feeling relieved, he looked thoughtful.

It wasn't Qian Renxue's side that did it; it was just that Tang San's side was poorly protected, and the assassins from the Star Luo Empire took advantage of the situation. In the end, Tang San, Grandmaster Twin Martial Souls and Hidden Weapon with immense potential, died before he could achieve his goal.

But You Chen's intuition told him that Tang San couldn't possibly die so easily, or even so carelessly.

As the chosen one of destiny in the Douluo Universe, even if one is to die, it must be in true despair, without a glimmer of hope, and under absolute power.

'Because Tang San couldn't obtain the opportunity to change his fate and reverse the world in this realm, the world simply killed him and reincarnated him in another world?'

You Chen couldn't help but have this thought.

Without the opportunity, even his former protectors harbored murderous intent towards Tang San... It's not that Tang San had no hope of survival, but he would only have a chance to survive under a lot of protection. In that situation, it would be almost impossible for Tang San to grow up.

Rather than living a life of mere survival under numerous protections, the protagonist should strive for a phoenix-like rebirth.

If Tang San were to return as a powerful figure in the future, You Chen believes that there is no other explanation besides the existence of destiny in the universe.