Returning to the Clan, Tang Hao Paves the Way, Bai He Seeks an Audience

"Dad, where have you been lately?" Tang San broke the silence first.

"There's Yuehua there."

"Moonlight?"

"Your aunt, Tang Yuehua."

When Tang Hao said the name, his tone softened, which was unusual for him.

"She, like your father, comes from the Clear Sky Sect."

"You also have an uncle who is in the Clear Sky Sect and is currently the Clear Sky Sect master."

Tang San was stunned.

Aunt... Uncle... Clear Sky Sect.

These words are like pieces of a puzzle, piecing together a family picture he has never seen before.

He and his father depended on each other for survival from a young age.

He thought he had no relatives other than Tang Hao.

Now his father is telling him that he also has an aunt, an uncle, and a clan!

"Then... why don't we go back to the Clear Sky Sect?"

Tang San asked the question almost subconsciously.

Tang Hao's expression changed.

A complex emotion flashed across that weathered face—pain, longing, and a hesitation that Tang San couldn't decipher.

He opened his mouth. "I'll come back."

His voice was hoarse.

"But not now."

"Xiao San, when you cultivate to the level of Spirit Emperor... no, Soul Saint, the day you become Soul Saint, I will take you back to the Clear Sky Sect to acknowledge your ancestors."

Tang San clenched his fist.

Soul Saint.

He's currently level 48, still a long way from becoming Soul Saint, but he's not afraid.

He was willing to endure any hardship as long as he could return to the Clear Sky Sect and become stronger.

He nodded vigorously; no more words were needed between father and son.

Tang Hao's gaze lingered on Tang San for a moment before he changed the subject. "Your current Soul Power is level 48. After you break through to level 50, I will help you hunt for your Fifth Spirit Ring."

He paused, his tone suddenly becoming meaningful.

"Besides that, once you break through level 50, I'll give you a big gift."

"Gift?"

Tang San suddenly looked up, his eyes lighting up. "What gift?"

Tang Hao did not answer.

He simply put his straw hat back on, covering most of his face, and turned to walk down the mountain, his black robe billowing slightly in the wind.

"Practice hard, don't embarrass your father."

Tang San stood amidst the fallen leaves and debris, watching his father's tall figure disappear around the bend in the mountain path, a strange feeling welling up inside him.

My father said many things today that he wouldn't normally say.

About the Clear Sky Sect, about my aunt and uncle, about that "big gift".

He knew something was happening, and that his father was paving the way for him.

"Spirit King, Soul Saint..."

Tang San gripped the handle of the Clear Sky Hammer tightly.

"I will achieve them all, and I will be faster than anyone else."

"Boom!"

The trees on the Back Mountain have given up the will to survive.

Another tree, as thick as a bowl, crashed down under the hammer's hammer, raising a cloud of dust.

Days passed by.

The Training Ground of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are always bustling with activity.

The explosions from the clash of Soul Skill echoed one after another.

Bai Chenxiang developed a new habit.

The first thing he did after training each day was rush to find Lin Qingmo, without even wiping away sweat or drinking water.

Today is no exception.

Not long after Ye Lingling returned, a pale purple afterimage swept past her, causing the petals to tremble slightly in the breeze.

Ye Lingling raised her head, watched Bai Chenxiang's retreating figure, and sighed softly.

She went home for a while, and when she came back, she heard Xiao Wu and the others talk about Bai Chenxiang.

A woman disguised as a man, the granddaughter of the Speed Clan Head, returns home to visit her family only to find that her entire clan has vanished without a trace.

Ye Lingling was unaware of the existence of the Chat Group, and even less aware that the instigators of all this were Lin Qingmo and his Master.

All she knew was that Bai Chenxiang was in a terrible state.

It was so terrible that even she, who doesn't usually talk to people much, couldn't help but ask a few more questions.

"Does she do this every day?" Ye Lingling asked Xiao Wu at the time.

"Every day."

Xiao Wu calmly munched on the carrot.

"Once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the evening, more punctual than mealtimes."

"Now, whenever I see light purple hair drifting towards A-Qing, I automatically make way."

You'll get used to it.

Zhu Zhuqing unusually spoke a few more words.

At this moment, Bai Chenxiang was already standing in front of Lin Qingmo, her hands clutching the hem of her clothes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, like a small animal waiting to be fed but not daring to urge it.

"Captain... is there any news?"

Looking at Bai Chenxiang's cautious yet expectant expression, Lin Qingmo felt an embarrassment welling up inside him like bubbling bubbles.

After Sister Eastern Emperor returned, she did contact him once.

But what was said was not good news.

She killed Tai Tan, and wiped out the Strength Clan.

Bai He, Yang Wudi, and Niu Gao were left to endure the ordeal in the Spirit Hall dungeon.

Sister Eastern Emperor that this Tai Tan was Tang Hao's loyal dog and must be killed.

The other three were stubborn mules; even though they had clearly seen Tai Tan's fate, they just wouldn't budge.

Bai He, in particular, practically had bloodshot eyes when he mentioned his granddaughter, but he still didn't kneel down.

Now that Bai Chenxiang has come to ask again, he can't very well say, "Your grandfather is still imprisoned in the Spirit Hall dungeon, and my Master is using the lives of your entire clan to force him to submit."

Lin Qingmo opened his mouth, preparing to come up with a more tactful explanation.

"A-Qing."

Liu Erlong's voice came from behind.

Lin Qingmo turned his head and saw Liu Erlong striding over, leaning down to whisper in his ear.

The warm breath brushed against his ear, carrying her familiar, light fragrance, which involuntarily reminded him of a scene from that evening.

Lin Qingmo quickly shut out the images that shouldn't be in her mind.

"The Bai He have arrived."

"They said they wanted to see you and Bai Chenxiang in the Academy Reception Room."

Liu Erlong lowered his voice to make sure only Lin Qingmo could hear him.

Lin Qingmo's eyes lit up instantly.

Bai Chenxiang keenly noticed the change in the Captain's expression and immediately tensed up. "Captain? Is it... is there some news from Grandpa?"

"Your grandfather is here."

Lin Qingmo didn't keep them in suspense.

Bai Chenxiang's eyes went from tense to incredulous to ecstatic.

Then this usually strong girl covered her mouth, and tears welled up in her eyes.

He reached out and patted her shoulder. "Let's go see your grandfather."

The door to the reception room was pushed open, revealing a simply furnished interior.

A wooden table, a few chairs, and a half-dead potted green ivy on the windowsill.

An elderly man with white hair and a white beard sat by the window.

"Grandfather!!!"

Bai Chenxiang's voice boomed in the room, like a Sharp-Tailed Swift finally finding its way home, and she pounced straight towards it.

"Agarwood!"

Bai He stood up, caught his granddaughter who rushed into his arms, and gently patted her back with his aged hand.

A gentle smile appeared on that face, etched with the marks of time and imprisonment.

All the stubbornness he showed in the Spirit Hall dungeon, and the fear he felt when facing Bibi Dong, vanished at this moment.

All that remained was the relief of an ordinary old man seeing his granddaughter safe and sound.