After Chu Qing arrived at God Soul Village, he first went to see the elders and fellow villagers who had cared for him. Then he took out most of the Gold Soul Coins he had with him and gave them to everyone.
"Xiao Qing! Why do this? You're the one who needs money right now. This, this, this..."
Uncle Zhang stared at the Gold Soul Coins in his hand, at a loss for words.
The other villagers also tried to refuse. They were a kind, simple-hearted bunch who truly regarded Chu Qing as their own child and wanted him to have a good life.
Chu Qing lowered his head and tried to hide the tears in his eyes. He pulled his Spirit Master License from his Storage Ring and forced a smile. "Uncles, aunties, don't worry about me. I've already registered with Spirit Hall! I can collect Gold Soul Coins every month, so there's no need to worry!"
Only then did the villagers reluctantly accept the Gold Soul Coins. They slaughtered cattle and sheep and prepared a feast for Chu Qing.
After staying for a few days, Chu Qing paid his respects to his parents and gave Director Su an Immortal Herb. Only then did he set off for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Meanwhile, as Tang Hao secretly watched Tang San, his heart suddenly clenched. It felt as if he had lost something precious.
He had nothing to his name. The only things he had ever cherished most in his life were his son, Tang San, and his departed love, Ah Yin.
But Tang San was standing right in front of him, alive and well, even if he couldn't see Tang Hao.
Could it be... A dreadful premonition suddenly rose in Tang Hao's heart.
Could something have happened to Ah Yin? He had left her in such a secluded spot on the mountain behind the village. Could someone have found out about it? He hadn't told anyone!
"No, surely not..." Tang Hao tried to reassure himself, but he couldn't stop the unease rising inside him.
At last, he made up his mind to go back and check!
He immediately put his Titled Douluo strength to use and hurried back at full speed, racing toward Ah Yin's hiding place!
As he drew closer, Tang Hao's unease grew stronger and stronger. Still, he clung to hope and tried to reassure himself. "No. No, Ah Yin will be fine! She'll definitely be fine!"
Yet the nearer he got, the slower his steps grew. He made his way up the mountain, one step at a time, carefully sensing everything around him.
That life force was truly gone! Tang Hao was overcome with anxiety, but he tried to convince himself that nothing had happened.
At last, he reached the waterfall. With a flash, he slipped inside and soon arrived at the stone chamber.
As long as she's here. As long as she's here. Tang Hao silently prayed, though he could no longer sense even the slightest trace of Ah Yin.
But reality shattered every last illusion. The mound of earth where Ah Yin had rested was empty. She was nowhere to be seen. And the box containing the Blue Silver Emperor's Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, which he had hidden in the shadows, had been opened. The Soul Bone had vanished without a trace.
The sight shattered Tang Hao completely.
Ah Yin, whom he had guarded with all his heart for ten years, had been taken from him just like that!
And the legacy Ah Yin had left for their son—her Soul Bone—had vanished too!
Tang Hao's eyes reddened. He roared, "Who did this? Who the hell did this?!" His anguished cry rang through heaven and earth.
The small animals on the mountain froze in terror at his roar. Even the mighty tigers lowered their chests to the ground!
Tang Hao immediately unleashed his Soul Power without holding back. All nine Soul Rings lit up one after another, and the terrifying pressure of a Titled Douluo blanketed the entire area. He searched inch by inch, hoping to find even the tiniest clue—to find the culprit who had stolen Ah Yin away! He would tear him limb from limb!
"Damn it! Who was it? Who could've done this?!" But even after releasing all his Soul Power, he couldn't detect the slightest trace of the culprit.
"Damn it! Whoever you are, I, Tang Hao, swear to the heavens: even if I have to search the entire continent, I'll find you!" Tang Hao was nearly rabid with rage, panting like an ox as he swung the Clear Sky Hammer and wreaked havoc around him without aim.
After venting his rage for a long while, Tang Hao finally stopped, utterly spent. Silent tears rolled down his face as he cried, "Ah Yin! I've failed you!"
His anguished sobs rang through heaven and earth.
Chu Qing knew nothing about any of this. By then, he had already returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and was attending the farewell banquet Ning Fengzhi had prepared for the two of them.
"Xiao Qing, we have you to thank for Rongrong's Martial Soul. Now that it's evolved, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength will grow by another great deal! Rongrong will surely surpass me one day. Come, let me offer you a toast!"
"I couldn't possibly accept such praise! Chu Qing is truly unworthy. This was simply a chance Rongrong was meant to have."
Rongrong said, "Brother Qing, stop turning it down! If you ask me, my dad could even hand the position of sect master over to you!"
Chu Qing gave an awkward smile and said nothing.
Hearing Rongrong's childish words, Ning Fengzhi didn't contradict her. Evolving the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda into the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda was an achievement he had failed to attain in his entire life! It meant Rongrong could break through her limits and might even become a Titled Douluo one day!
If Rongrong and Chu Qing could be together in the future... what would be wrong with handing him the position of sect master? Their children would still belong to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
No, by then, it should be called the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! Ning Fengzhi thought to himself. But that was still a matter for the future.
Then he changed the subject. "In any case, we owe you a great deal, Xiao Qing! You and Rongrong are going away to study. I'll have to ask you to look after her."
"Don't worry, Uncle Ning. I'll take good care of Rongrong." As he spoke, he gave her an affectionate glance.
"If you don't mind, you can think of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as your home from now on. Whatever happens, you can use my name, Ning Fengzhi! I have a bit of a reputation on the continent."
Chu Qing agreed with a smile. As if anyone didn't know Ning Fengzhi! He was the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He didn't just have a bit of a reputation—everyone under heaven knew him!
Still, he had forged a bond of goodwill. That wasn't a bad thing.
Sword Douluo said, "Come, Sect Master. I suggest we all raise our cups and wish Xiao Qing and Rongrong a safe and successful journey."
"That sounds a bit awkward," Chu Qing said, feeling uncomfortable all over. He turned to look at Rongrong, and at that very moment, she turned to look at him too. A blush crept across both their faces.
"Come on, bottoms up!" Everyone at the table drained their cups.
Early the next morning, Chu Qing and Rongrong set out. A few days later, they arrived in Suotuo City.
After traveling for a long time, the two hurried into a restaurant to grab a bite and rest. They had barely sat down when an unfriendly voice sounded behind them. "Get up!"
Chu Qing turned around. A gaunt, sallow, short man with a leering face and the prematurely aged look of a fifty-year-old was walking over, leading an unremarkable, plain-looking boy.
It was Yu Xiaogang and Tang San!