Chase and Ruin

Above Suotuo City, Two figures, one black and one gold, streaked across the sky in quick succession. They were two middle-aged men, yet they were capable of soaring through the heavens, their bodies radiating exceptionally vast pressure. Beneath each of them, nine soul rings emerged; they were, in fact, Titled Douluo powerhouses.

The man in front wore a black robe that enveloped his entire frame, obscuring his features like a rat in a gutter. His right hand gripped a giant hammer, its body entirely crimson with hideous markings. The handle was about half a foot long, and the head was a thick cylinder, the whole weapon exuding a sense of oppression and heaviness. His left arm cradled an infant.

He was fleeing.

The golden figure pursuing from behind seemed like a being not of this world. Six golden-white wings sprouted from his back, filled with holiness and purity. He wore a grey robe, his long golden hair draped over his shoulders, and he held a golden sword as if he were an angel descended to the mortal realm to judge sin.

"Tang Hao! You mortally wounded my son, where else do you think you can run?"

The golden figure casually swung a golden sword beam toward the man he called Tang Hao.

"Qian Daoliu, it was your son who hunted my wife first. I merely struck back; if he was inferior in skill, who is there to blame? If you continue to hunt me, my grandfather will never forgive you."

"Clear Sky Protection!"

The giant hammer in Tang Hao's hand left his palm, spinning at high speed around his body to form a black barrier that blocked the golden sword beam. The massive shockwave caused his body to stall for a brief moment.

No, if this continues, I will surely die. I must find a way to shake off this old dog.

Tang Hao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, pondering in his heart. He looked around, but found no opportunity to escape.

BOOM~

A thunderous roar echoed from ten miles away, and countless dark clouds and lightning swirled in the sky.

Such a phenomenon will surely draw people in. If there are Martial Soul Hall experts among them, it will be a disaster.

Tang Hao immediately turned to fly in the opposite direction, but at that moment, a flash of dark red blood light crossed his eyes. He turned and flew directly toward the place where the dark clouds were gathering.

Seeing this, Qian Daoliu quickly gave chase.

When Tang Hao arrived, the phenomenon had already vanished, and a group of people was gathered in the center of the village below.

Martial Soul Hall soul masters! The celestial phenomenon just now must have been someone awakening a powerful martial soul. Such talent cannot be left to the Martial Soul Hall. Let you all disappear completely.

"Sky-Piercing Strike!"

The Clear Sky Hammer rapidly expanded, smashing toward the crowd below.

Su Changkong was exceptionally joyful. Both of his children could become soul masters, and his youngest son's talent was even more formidable. He could already imagine how their future life would undergo a earth-shaking transformation.

He was about to see the mutated, powerful martial soul that Xiao Zhen had told him about.

A massive black shadow suddenly appeared, enveloping him. He looked up to see a giant black pillar descending from the sky, its target being this very spot.

Su Changkong had no time to think. He stepped forward and pushed Su Zhen away. Seeing Su Zhen collide with a tree trunk and fall unconscious, he couldn't help but worry if he had used too much force—whether Su Zhen would die by his hand rather than under the pillar.

"You villain, how dare you!"

An angry shout came from above. Su Changkong saw the unconscious Su Zhen shielded by a golden barrier. He knew his Zhen'er was saved; someone had rescued him.

He knew the owner of that voice had protected Zhen'er. He wanted to thank the person, but when he looked up, all he saw was the giant black pillar; he could not find his savior.

I didn't expect that just as life was about to improve, it would be shattered again. I won't get to enjoy it, but Zhen'er and Ming'er will take good care of Xiu Lian. I have no regrets.

Su Changkong took one last look at the unconscious Su Zhen in the distance and revealed a faint smile.

"Thank you."

His lips parted slightly as he thanked the golden barrier, his voice very soft.

The Clear Sky Hammer fell, smashing into the ground and kicking up waves of dark red energy that spread in all directions. Houses were uprooted one by one, and the villagers were not spared. The dark red energy seemed to possess supreme power; where it struck, it wiped away flesh and exposed ghastly white bones.

"Tang Hao, you are unworthy of being a son!"

"Fifth Soul Skill, Holy Sword!"

A sword beam struck the unprepared Tang Hao, leaving a hideous wound on his back. Tang Hao spat blood and charged forward, using the impact of the attack to flee rapidly.

Qian Daoliu was furious. He had not expected Tang Hao to dare strike at civilians, let alone destroy an entire village. He did not pursue Tang Hao—or rather, he was unwilling to continue the chase.

He had sensed the aura of a god within Tang Hao's attack. Although it was very faint, having served the Angel God for many years, he could not have failed to notice it. There was a divine presence behind this matter; reason told him not to push Tang Hao further. Who knew what other insane actions he might take?

Qian Daoliu descended slowly from the sky, surveying the tragic state of the village. He couldn't help but clench his fists, but then he relaxed; matters concerning deities were not things he could interfere with.

He came to Su Zhen's side, looking at the unconscious child with pity. Tang Hao's attack had been too sudden; he hadn't had time to react, only managing to save this small figure who had been pushed aside. He sensed a wisp of energy within this body that was full of destruction yet carried a divine quality. This child's martial soul must be very powerful; anything capable of causing such a celestial phenomenon had to be a super martial soul, or perhaps even a god-level one. This was the main reason he had saved Su Zhen.

Su Zhen slowly opened his eyes. The pain in his head made him feel very uncomfortable, so he rubbed his head and sat up.

"Hiss~"

"So painful. Dad is really something, why push me away? He made me hit the tree. Huh? Strange, why isn't there a bump on my head?"

"Because your injury was neutralized by my soul power."

Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Su Zhen suddenly raised his head to look at the middle-aged man sitting not far away.

"Uncle, who are you? Where is this?"

Su Zhen first asked about the middle-aged man's identity, then looked around at the ruins. Though dilapidated, it brought a sense of familiarity to him.

"My name is Qian Daoliu, and I am the Great Enshrined of Martial Soul Hall."

"The Great Enshrined of Martial Soul Hall? Then this must be Martial Soul Hall? It doesn't look like much, honestly. Uncle Shi Heng actually lied to me, saying Martial Soul Hall was the best place on the entire continent."

Su Zhen did not know what had happened previously; he assumed that Shi Heng had brought him to Martial Soul Hall while he was unconscious.

"Little one, this is not Martial Soul Hall. Take a good look around and see where you really are."

Qian Daoliu was not angered by Su Zhen's misunderstanding of Martial Soul Hall; he merely gestured for Su Zhen to observe his surroundings more carefully.

Upon hearing Qian Daoliu's words, Su Zhen began to seriously examine the ruins.

Why are so many of these collapsed houses made of wood? They look just like the ones in Hound Village. And that huge pit in front—what a waste to throw so many broken bones inside. Does this village not have any hounds? Wait, what is this?

Su Zhen had discovered something. He jumped into the pit ahead and pulled a palm-sized strip of cloth from a bone. A white lotus was embroidered on it; although the stitching was crooked and messy, the shape of the lotus was still recognizable.

"This is the lotus Mom embroidered. How could it be here?"

Su Zhen jerked his head up to scan his surroundings, a terrifying thought taking root in his heart. The collapsed houses, the massive pit, the scattered bones, the broken trees—the trees!

Su Zhen jumped back into the deep pit and began rummaging through the bone fragments. His hands suddenly froze as he unearthed a wooden hairpin. The hairpin was ugly and plain, with a lotus carved into it, and cracks ran across its entire surface.

"No, no, no, this isn't real, it can't be!"

Su Zhen collapsed to the ground, struggling as he scrambled backward.

He recognized this hairpin. It was the birthday gift his father was going to give his mother in a few days. He had seen his father carving it by the river, and his father had made him promise to keep it a secret—it was supposed to be a surprise for his mother.

Su Zhen lunged forward, clutching the wooden hairpin and the bone fragments to his chest.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

Su Zhen began to wail, his entire body trembling as scalding tears fell, soaking the wooden hairpin and the broken bones.

"Dad!"