Tang San's Disappointment

Two and a half days later, the sun was setting, and its afterglow blanketed the earth.

Holy Spirit Village, this quiet little village, appeared especially peaceful beneath the setting sun. Yet that tranquility was shattered by the turmoil in Tang Hao's heart.

Tang Hao had hurried back from the forest, his clothes tattered and his face weary and gloomy. Standing at the village entrance, his gaze passed through the words "Holy Spirit," as though he were examining the years of restraint and persistence he had endured. Stormy Waves churned within him, and memories he had thought long forgotten now surged back like a tide.

Innate Full Soul Power at level 20, a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring... Tang Hao silently repeated those words. To him, they should have been the stuff of legends, yet now they had appeared before his very eyes, forcing him to reevaluate the rules of this world and his own place within it. Before long, he gritted his teeth, a complicated glint flashing through his eyes.

This tiny Holy Spirit Village seemed ordinary, yet it concealed astonishing talent. Tang Hao was deeply shaken. He had never expected that this place would produce both a Sleeping Dragon and a Young Phoenix!

He had once been the youngest Titled Douluo of the Clear Sky Sect, already a legendary figure. And his Beloved Son, gifted with Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power, was even more astounding.

Now, another freak had emerged—someone with Innate Full Soul Power at level 20 and whose first and second Soul Rings were both Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Rings!

Tang Hao laughed bitterly at himself. He had thought he had hidden himself well enough, yet such a heaven-defying existence had been right here in Holy Spirit Village! Over all these years, he had never discovered such a Genius, and he could not help but feel a strange sense of humiliation, as though this little village had been playing him for a fool.

Blade... who exactly are you? Tang Hao was filled with curiosity and wariness toward this suddenly appearing freak. He wanted to know why someone like Blade had hidden in this little village and what Blade's purpose was. Everything was like a mystery waiting to be unraveled.

He secretly swore that if he had the chance, he would ask Old Village Chief Jack how he had taken in that freak named Blade in the first place!

At that moment, Tang Hao's mouth twitched wildly. After this battle, he no longer dared underestimate Blade! This opponent had made him feel pressure unlike anything he had ever experienced.

He quickly composed himself and took a deep breath. Determination gleamed in Tang Hao's eyes as he turned and headed home. Every step seemed exceptionally heavy, yet every step was filled with strength. At that moment, he had only one thought: find the answer as soon as possible, for the sake of his equally heaven-defying Beloved Son!!

Inside the Thatched Cottage, the setting sun's afterglow streamed through the window lattice and fell across the mottled walls, adding a touch of warmth to the crude little home. In the corner, beside a battered wooden table, Tang San was intently crafting Tang Sect Hidden Weapons. His fingers moved deftly among the components, every assembly precise and flawless.

Suddenly, familiar footsteps sounded outside. Tang San immediately put away the hidden weapons in his hands, carefully concealing them before getting to his feet. He dusted off his clothes, trying to hide how busy he had just been.

"Xiao San." With a low call, Tang Hao pushed open the door and entered. His voice sounded utterly calm, but the barely perceptible tremor betrayed the turbulence in his heart.

Seeing that his father, who had gone out to handle business, had returned, Tang San immediately put on a broad smile and hurried toward Tang Hao, preparing to take his father's arm in a show of concern. His eyes were full of respect and affection as he earnestly asked, "Dad, you're back. Are you hungry? I'll cook right away!"

Tang Hao waved his hand, signaling that Tang San did not need to support him. His gaze swept around the room before finally settling on Tang San, a complicated emotion flashing through his eyes. He sat directly in the old chair, which let out a faint creak that stood in stark contrast to his grave expression.

"No need. Bring me a cup of wine, then I have something to tell you." Tang Hao's words carried an unquestionable firmness.

Tang San quickly nodded and ran to the kitchen, his steps light. Before long, he returned carrying a cup of wine. After handing it to Tang Hao, he stood off to one side with a trace of anticipation in his heart. Curiosity and excitement had already appeared on his face, and his eyes unconsciously gleamed.

Tang San's heart had long been in turmoil. He remembered clearly that his father had gone out to search for the mysterious and powerful Blade. He had always believed his father had gone to teach Blade a lesson and put an end to everything Blade had done in the village. These past few days, Tang San had been full of anticipation, waiting for his father to bring back that good news—that Blade had been taught a lesson by his father.

Whenever he thought of the blows Blade had dealt him before, anger surged within him. That fire burned his will, driving him to practice hidden weapons and the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer without pause. Blisters had formed on his palms, and his arms ached so badly that he could barely lift them, but he had never given up. For their next encounter, for the sake of reclaiming his lost dignity, he was willing to work at any cost.

All for the chance to get even next time!!

Yet just as he eagerly awaited good news from his father, Tang Hao took a hearty swig of wine and delivered an unexpected warning with a solemn expression.

"Xiao San, that friend of yours, Blade—stay as far away from him as you can in the future. In any case, do not make an enemy of him, and do not let him discover the hammer in your left hand. Understand?" Tang Hao's words carried an unquestionable severity.

Tang San froze, his eyes full of confusion and incomprehension. He had never imagined that his father's first words would be a warning not to oppose Blade. To him, this news felt like a joke, and the expectations in his heart instantly collapsed.

How the hell does that make any sense?! Tang San roared inwardly. He remembered Blade's arrogance, Blade's strength, and even more clearly, Blade's disdain for him.

As the protagonist, Tang San had always pictured such a scene in his mind: his father Tang Hao returning with a victorious smile and telling him that he could cultivate in peace from then on, no longer needing to worry about Blade's threat. Even if his father, as a hidden powerhouse, disdained explaining how he had taught a junior a lesson, he should at least have let Tang San feel that peace of mind and security in some subtle way!

Yet those words just now were like cold reality, completely shattering his fantasy. Not only was there none of what he had hoped for, but he was instead being told to be even more wary of Blade's existence??

Tang San's face was filled with confusion, and his eyes were somewhat vacant, as though he were struggling to process this sudden news. He stood rooted in place, his thoughts in disarray, unsure of how to deal with this unexpected turn.

Just as he sank into deep thought, Tang Hao's voice rang out again, breaking the silence in the room with unquestionable seriousness. "Xiao San, did you hear me or not? I asked Old Jack. He said that in two and a half months, all of you will be going to Nuoding City to study, so you must do as I say!"

Tang San suddenly snapped back to his senses, jolting awake from his daze. He hurriedly nodded, indicating that he had heard his father's words. Yet his brows remained tightly furrowed, the doubts in his heart like layers of mist that were difficult to disperse. He gritted his teeth, gathered his courage, and carefully tried to probe for more information from the side as he asked:

"Then, Dad, did you see Blade? While you were gone these past two days, Grandpa Jack came by several times. He said he hadn't seen Blade. He said that the two of us are Holy Spirit Village's hope, and that if I see him, I must tell him so Grandpa Jack won't worry."

Tang San's words carried a hint of probing. He wanted to know whether his father had truly gone looking for Blade, whether he had truly crossed paths with Blade as Tang San had imagined.

"Grandpa Jack also said that if he still can't find him, he'll mobilize the whole village to help search for him."

Tang San frowned deeply, his fists unconsciously clenching as his nails dug into his palms. He wanted to probe indirectly and ask why. He wanted to know what exactly had happened between his father and Blade.