Zhu Shen glanced behind him, and a middle-aged man stepped out of the shadows.
The man was unshaven, his clothes were tattered, and he looked just like a beggar.
"His Excellency Haotian, long time no see."
The newcomer was none other than Tang San's father, Tang Hao.
Tang Hao looked a little confused. Although he knew Grandmaster, had they ever met?
Seeing that Tang Hao said nothing, Zhu Shen began praising Tang San again. "That boy Tang San is very perceptive, respects his teachers, and is talented. You've raised him well."
Zhu Shen wasn't praising Tang San at all. He was clearly praising Tang Hao.
Tang Hao felt a little awkward. These past few years, let alone raising Tang San, he hadn't even cooked for him. Tang San was the one who often took care of him.
Still, Tang Hao was proud. Although he didn't entirely trust the Grandmaster standing before him, Grandmaster was renowned, and his praise carried weight.
Tang San, however, was completely dumbfounded.
He had suspected his father's identity before, but he'd never confirmed it.
Seeing how respectfully his teacher treated his father, it seemed his father had a high status—he might even be a powerful expert.
Tang Hao glanced at Tang San too, and, in a rare moment, smiled.
Zhu Shen walked over to Tang Hao and pulled him aside.
"His Excellency Haotian, I've already come up with a great training strategy for Xiao San. Are you willing to trust me?"
Zhu Shen put on a look of absolute confidence, hoping to pitch his Pure Bamboo Douluo Cultivation Plan to Tang Hao.
Tang Hao was a little bewildered. Who are you, Yu Xiaogang? Your theories may be impressive, but have they ever been proven? Besides, are the things you teach really suitable for Tang San?
Tang Hao didn't say any of that aloud. Instead, he asked Zhu Shen, "How do you plan to teach Tang San?"
Zhu Shen pointed at Tang San. "Tell your father what you've learned so far."
Tang San recounted all the skills he had recently mastered, then demonstrated them.
The longer Tang Hao watched, the more something felt off. When he learned what effect Tang San's Soul Skills had, he was even more astonished.
Even harder for Tang Hao to understand was that Zhu Shen had let Tang San absorb two Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo Soul Bones.
He'd nearly wanted to kill Zhu Shen on the spot. His son had absorbed Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo Soul Bones? The age was far too low. How could they possibly be worthy of Tang San?
But once Tang Hao learned what the Soul Bones could do, he admitted that he'd been ignorant. His opinion of Zhu Shen changed completely.
Two Soul Bones—two Ten-Year Soul Bones. Forget their effects. Just tell me, what on earth could possibly drop a Ten-Year Soul Bone?
Tang Hao thought of Ah Yin. Back then, even Ah Yin, a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast who had taken human form, had only possessed one Soul Bone. Yet his son had gotten two Soul Bones from Zhu Shen, both Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo Soul Bones.
The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed. But seeing was believing. Tang San's skills were clearly effective, and seemed to be heading toward something downright incredible. Tang Hao had nothing more to say.
After thinking it over, Tang Hao decided to trust Zhu Shen. "Grandmaster, I'll leave Tang San in your hands from now on. I trust you."
Having seen what Zhu Shen could do, Tang Hao decided to entrust Tang San to him.
But Zhu Shen had no intention of letting Tang Hao off the hook. Tang Hao was a Titled Douluo, after all. Even if his lover's death had left him despondent, he'd still placed all his hopes on a child like Tang San. He'd ignored him before he showed any talent, then, once that talent emerged, saddled him with the burden of revenge.
Zhu Shen didn't believe that was the right way to raise a child, so he decided to collect a little interest on Tang San's behalf.
"Xiao San, your father, His Excellency Haotian, is the youngest Titled Douluo on the entire continent. He's incredibly impressive, and you'll surely be just as great. But you're still missing some treasures."
After speaking, Zhu Shen looked at Tang San, then at Tang Hao, as if to say: I, Zhu Shen, need money for Tang San.
Since it was for Xiao San's own good, would it really be appropriate for Tang Hao not to hand over some good stuff?
Tang Hao was a little bewildered. When had a Soul Grandmaster ever thought of asking a Titled Douluo for something? He'd never heard of such a thing.
Seeing Tang Hao's expression, Zhu Shen added, "Xiao San, what do you think?"
After hearing Zhu Shen, Tang San looked at Tang Hao curiously.
The three of them stared at one another, and the scene was somehow rather comical.
Seeing Zhu Shen's expression—a clear I'm not leaving until you give me something—and Tang San's curious gaze, Tang Hao decided it was time to show off the wealth of a Titled Douluo and a father.
Tang Hao opened his left hand, and two Immortal Herbs appeared.
Zhu Shen silently cried out, Holy crap! So you were hiding treasures like these!
The original story had never mentioned Tang Hao having two Immortal Herbs, let alone such top-grade ones.
Zhu Shen had expected Tang Hao to bring out something like a weapon. Instead, Tang Hao had produced two Immortal Herbs, and Zhu Shen could barely contain his excitement enough not to laugh aloud.
Seeing Zhu Shen struggling to stifle his laughter, Tang Hao suddenly felt like a lamb walking into a tiger's den.
But Tang San was there too, so he could only explain, "This is a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew."
"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum can strengthen the body and stabilize the blood and qi, while Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew can improve eyesight and mental power."
After Tang Hao finished explaining, Zhu Shen finally couldn't hold back and let a smile show.
"Since Clear Sky Douluo has given these two Immortal Herbs to the two of us, master and disciple, I won't stand on ceremony."
Tang Hao was bewildered again. Given them to you two? I gave them to my son! What does that have to do with you?
Before Tang Hao could react, Zhu Shen continued, "Thank you, Clear Sky Douluo. I'll be sure to train Xiao San well."
Zhu Shen stepped forward and took the two Immortal Herbs from Tang Hao's hand.
Then he handed Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew to Tang San. "Xiao San, absorb it now. Your father and I will protect you."
Tang San looked at his father, then at Zhu Shen. He was a little confused; something about the mood didn't seem quite right.
Still, these were the two people he trusted most in this world. Since both of them were telling him to absorb it, he had no reason to hesitate.
Tang San sat down and began absorbing it. Zhu Shen then walked over to Tang Hao and continued pitching his Pure Bamboo Douluo Cultivation Plan.
"Grandmaster, what plans do you have for Tang San's growth in the future?"
Zhu Shen pretended to lower his head in thought, though in reality he had already made up his mind. "His Excellency Haotian, I plan to have Tang San absorb eighteen Lone Bamboo Soul Rings, then equip him with a Lone Bamboo Soul Bone Set."
Tang Hao first gave a slight nod, then quickly looked up at Zhu Shen. "What did you say?"
Zhu Shen repeated himself. After Tang Hao confirmed it a few times, a murderous aura inside him condensed into tangible form.
"You took my Immortal Herbs and still want to mess with me?"
Zhu Shen felt as though a mountain of ice had pressed down on him, leaving him unable to lift his head.
Zhu Shen was stunned. It seemed that even though he was the Lord of Soul Beasts, a single murderous thought from Tang Hao could still crush him until he couldn't raise his head.
Zhu Shen hurriedly explained to Tang Hao, "His Excellency Haotian, I've traveled across the Douluo Continent for many years and discovered a lot of extraordinary things. Take a look."
With that, Zhu Shen released his Martial Soul. A domineering dragon's might surged outward as two purple Soul Rings circled him.
Tang Hao was taken aback. In his memory, Grandmaster Yu's Martial Soul should have been Luo Sanpao, a mutated Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—a little weakling.
Although his theoretical knowledge was incredibly rich, his combat ability was even worse than Xiao San's.
But the man before him had shocked Tang Hao. His Martial Soul had become a Golden Dragon, and its dragon's might surged toward them. His first and second Soul Rings were both purple, thousand-year Soul Rings.
This was unprecedented across the entire continent.
Zhu Shen looked at Tang Hao with a slightly astonished expression, then continued, "I've also mastered a method that can increase the age of Soul Rings and Soul Bones. Otherwise, I wouldn't have let Tang San absorb a mere Ten-Year Soul Bone."
"Once Tang San has collected eighteen Lone Bamboo Soul Rings and seven Lone Bamboo Soul Bones, no one will be able to match him. He'll reign supreme over the continent."
After speaking, Zhu Shen looked at Tang Hao.
Tang Hao thought for a moment. Although Zhu Shen's plan sounded outrageous, considering Zhu Shen's own abilities, he decided to trust him.
After all, never mind how you got there—being strong was what mattered.
Tang Hao looked at Zhu Shen, and Zhu Shen looked back at him. His expression clearly said: That's it? Show me a little sincerity.
Tang Hao was speechless. But helping Zhu Shen was the same as helping Tang San, so for Tang San's future, he decided to make a small sacrifice.
Reluctantly, Tang Hao took a black Soul Bone from inside his clothes, but he couldn't bring himself to hand it over to Zhu Shen.
Zhu Shen didn't take it right away. He sensed an evil aura coming from it.