Tang Hao, Awakened After a Beating: "The World Has Changed, I Need to Cling to a Strong Leg!"

"Yellow—purple—purple—black—black—red—red—red—red!"

One yellow, two purple, two black, four red!

Nine dazzling spirit rings appeared on the black-robed figure, radiating waves of soul-stirring pressure that made Tang Hao's heart tremble in fear!

Especially those last four blood-red hundred-thousand-year spirit rings!

"Impossible!"

"How can this be?"

The black-robed figure's overwhelming soul power surged wildly, crashing toward Tang Hao like relentless waves.

"Such terrifying soul power fluctuations! Completely out of my league."

Indeed, this person was the invincible ninety-ninth-level Limit Douluo bodyguard arranged by the system—the strongest combat force on the continent, bar none. Even Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi was no match for him! Proof? Mm... the system said so.

At this moment, Tang Hao's will to fight evaporated entirely. The gap was simply too vast. That suffocating, dense pressure and overwhelming soul power left him gasping for breath. Forget fighting—even moving was a struggle!

In comparison, his single hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and level ninety-six soul power meant nothing!

"Who exactly are you, sir?"

In response to Tang Hao's question, the black-robed figure only sneered disdainfully. "What's the matter? The mighty Clear Sky Douluo is scared? Where's the arrogance you showed when you bullied my young master in broad daylight? My young master treated you with courtesy, but you? You ignored him and gave him the cold shoulder! If your son Tang San weren't my young master's friend, you'd already be a corpse! But since death is off the table, punishment is unavoidable!"

The next second, the black-robed figure's spirit rings faded.

"I won't bully you. I won't use my martial soul. One incense stick's time—whether you can endure it is up to you!"

With that, as Tang Hao's heart raced with panic, the black-robed figure closed in.

"Ah!!!"

Deep in the night, a series of miserable screams tore through the sky. Anyone hearing it would think a pig was being butchered somewhere.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

The black-robed figure looked down at Tang Hao, whose face was swollen black and blue.

"Get lost. If you disrespect my young master again, it won't just be a beating."

Hearing these words, Tang Hao felt nothing but humiliation and agony. Honestly, he never dreamed that he—a ninety-sixth-level Title Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring—would one day be pinned to the ground and rubbed in the dirt.

But that wasn't the worst part. The worst part was that he never imagined a tiny place like Holy Soul Village, aside from himself, harbored such a super powerhouse. And the kicker? He had actually given attitude to someone who had a subordinate of this caliber.

It was like a child tripping up his eighty-year-old mother! What a disaster!

Lying on the ground, Tang Hao stared blankly at the sky. Past memories flickered through his mind, pain surged into his heart, and a trace of self-mockery coiled within him.

"A hundred-thousand-year spirit ring?"

"Level ninety-six soul power?"

"Clear Sky Douluo?"

"Hah, what use is all this strength? In the end, I'm nothing but a useless piece of meat waiting to be butchered?"

A cold wind swept over Tang Hao's body, and the aches from every part of him slowly crept in. The pain made him frown. How long had it been? How many years since he last felt the sting of pain?

But then he noticed something that stunned him. After that thorough beating, most of his old injuries had healed significantly, and the clogged bruises had loosened considerably!

"This... this!!"

At that moment, Tang Hao stared at the black-robed figure before him, disbelief flooding his eyes.

During the day, he had not only given the cold shoulder to his son's friend but also doubted the boy's identity, even entertaining thoughts of silencing him. Fortunately, the system didn't know about those thoughts. Otherwise? The system might have made sure that next year's Tang San would be burning incense for his father.

"Senior, you...?"

By now, Tang Hao's address had changed to "senior." Though he didn't know what faction this person belonged to, he was certain they weren't from Martial Soul Hall. If they were, he wouldn't still be alive, and they certainly wouldn't have helped him recover his old injuries.

"Hmph, since you've admitted your mistake with a proper attitude, I'll do you a favor. But remember this—if there's a next time, I guarantee your grave will have grass at least three feet tall, and no one will be burning incense for you." (After taking a beating without resistance for one incense stick's time.)

"Also, don't lump me together with those trash from Martial Soul Hall. If I wanted to, I could wipe out the entire Martial Soul Hall overnight! Even Qian Daoliu—I could beat him until he calls me daddy!"

Tang Hao understood the implication behind the black-robed figure's words. Somewhat ashamed, he propped up his aching body and climbed to his feet, cupping his hands in salute. "Thank you, senior. I understand. Tomorrow, I will personally go and apologize."

"Suit yourself."

With that, the black-robed figure's silhouette vanished into the night.

"Hah... terrifyingly strong. Wipe out Martial Soul Hall overnight? What kind of terrifying force is this?"

Tang Hao's heart was far from calm. He had stayed in Holy Soul Village for twenty years, cut off from the outside world. He never imagined that such heaven-defying super powerhouses had emerged in that time—someone with four hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, no less.

Forget the faction itself—any family capable of hunting hundred-thousand-year soul beasts was naturally fearsome. But the most terrifying part was that someone who could absorb a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring at the Spirit Emperor level was merely a subordinate?

What kind of concept was that?

"The world is about to change! Whether Xiao San becoming his friend is good or bad... I suppose it shouldn't be a bad thing. Tomorrow, I must go and apologize properly."

At that moment, Tang Hao decided to let his son latch onto this powerful connection. Perhaps this could be his chance to take revenge on Martial Soul Hall.

Tang Hao sat down cross-legged on the spot and began circulating his soul power to heal his injuries. The external wounds didn't matter—they would recover soon enough. The main concern was his internal injuries. With the black-robed figure's help, he only needed to nurture himself for a while, and all his injuries would fully heal.

When that time came, he would surely step onto the peak of his own strength! A Clear Sky Douluo without internal injuries—just thinking about it was exhilarating.

All of this was still unknown to Xiao Feng. If he did find out, he would definitely say, "Who gives a damn? With Tang Hao's lousy personality, pfft, not even a dog would bother." (System: Am I the dog? Should I just leave?)

However, as Xiao Feng's system, it felt that one more friend meant one more path. Although it was completely unnecessary, to ensure its host enjoyed life happily and smoothly, the basics still had to be in place~

The dignified Sun-Grass Douluo coming to his door to offer a humble apology? Just imagining that scene was satisfying!

The next morning.

Waking from his dreams, Tang San discovered something that left him utterly baffled. For a moment, he even thought he was still dreaming and hadn't woken up.

Early in the morning, Tang Hao was already wearing an apron, standing in front of the kitchen preparing a full breakfast.

"F-Father?"

"Oh, Xiao San, you're awake. If you're up, come give me a hand."

Hearing Tang Hao's words, Tang San was even more confused. But when he saw Tang Hao's face—bruised purple and blue in patches—he froze. The next second, an invisible killing intent surged from him, and his voice dropped low as he asked, "Father, who did this to you?"

Feeling the murderous aura emanating from his son, Tang Hao was startled for a moment, then smiled gently. "I did it to myself."

This was the first time Tang San had ever seen his father smile. Yet, for some reason, looking at that smile made his heart ache. His voice choked as he called out, "Dad..."

"Alright, you little brat. Your father went through some things in the past and couldn't move past them. But today, I've finally stepped out. These years have been hard on you, Xiao San."

Tang Hao rubbed Tang San's head as he spoke. At that moment, Tang San felt a warmth he had never known before, sensing the roughness of Tang Hao's hand.

"Is this... family love?"

"It's so warm."