Your Dad's Here! Your Dad's Gone...

Zhu Shen looked behind him, and a middle-aged man stepped out from the shadows.

The man was unshaven, his clothes tattered and torn, making him look just like a beggar.

"His Excellency Haotian, it has been a long time."

The person who had arrived was none other than Tang San's father, Tang Hao.

Tang Hao's expression was somewhat puzzled. Although he recognized Grandmaster, had they ever actually met?

Seeing that Tang Hao remained silent, Zhu Shen began to praise Tang San again: "This kid Tang San has great comprehension, respects his teacher and the Way, and is highly gifted. You have raised him very well."

Zhu Shen wasn't really praising Tang San; he was clearly praising Tang Hao himself.

Tang Hao felt a bit awkward. To say nothing of raising Tang San over these past few years, he hadn't even cooked a meal for the boy; in fact, it was usually Tang San who took care of him.

However, Tang Hao still felt a sense of pride. Although he didn't quite trust the Grandmaster before him, the man's reputation was renowned, and being praised by him carried significant weight.

Tang San, meanwhile, was completely bewildered.

Although he had suspected his father's identity, he had never confirmed it.

Seeing his teacher treat his father with such respect, it seemed his father's status was not low at all; he might even be a powerhouse.

Tang Hao glanced at Tang San at this moment and offered a rare smile.

Zhu Shen then walked over to Tang Hao and pulled him aside.

"His Excellency Haotian, I have already devised an excellent training strategy for Little San. Are you willing to trust me?"

Zhu Shen struck a pose of overflowing confidence, eager to pitch his Pure Bamboo Douluo plan to Tang Hao.

Tang Hao was somewhat confused. Wait, aren't you Yu Xiaogang? Even if your theories are strong, have they been verified? Furthermore, is what you teach really suitable for Tang San to learn?

However, Tang Hao did not voice these thoughts, instead asking Zhu Shen, "How do you intend to instruct Tang San?"

Zhu Shen gestured toward Tang San: "Why don't you tell your father what you have learned so far?"

Tang San recounted all the skills he had newly comprehended and even gave a demonstration.

As Tang Hao watched, things began to feel increasingly wrong, and upon learning the effects of Tang San's soul skills, he was shocked.

What Tang Hao found even harder to comprehend was that Zhu Shen had allowed Tang San to absorb two Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo Spirit Bones.

He had initially wanted to kill Zhu Shen; his son had actually absorbed Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo Spirit Bones? The age was far too low; how could that possibly be worthy of Tang San?

But when Tang Hao learned of the spirit bones' effects, he admitted his own ignorance. His opinion of Zhu Shen had completely changed.

Two spirit bones, two ten-year spirit bones. Never mind the effects—tell me what kind of creature could even drop a ten-year spirit bone.

Tang Hao thought of A Yin. Back then, A Yin, who had transformed from a 100,000-year soul beast, had only possessed one spirit bone. His son had actually obtained two from Zhu Shen, and both were Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo Spirit Bones.

Although the more he thought about it, the more unreliable it seemed, seeing was believing. He had seen that the effects of Tang San's skills were quite good, and they even showed signs of becoming heaven-defying, so he couldn't say anything more.

After much deliberation, Tang Hao decided to trust Zhu Shen: "Grandmaster, I will leave Tang San's education to you from now on. I believe in you."

Having witnessed Zhu Shen's prowess, Tang Hao decided to entrust Tang San to him.

However, Zhu Shen did not intend to let Tang Hao off the hook. You, Tang Hao, are a Title Douluo after all, even if you are disheartened because your lover died.

Yet you pin all your hopes on a child like Tang San. You ignored him before he showed talent, and now that he has, you want to entrust the heavy burden of revenge to him.

Zhu Shen did not believe this way of parenting was correct, so he decided to help Tang San collect some interest.

"Little San, your father, His Excellency Haotian, is the youngest Title Douluo on the entire continent. He is very powerful, and you will surely be the same. However, you are still missing some treasures."

After speaking, Zhu Shen looked at Tang San, then at Tang Hao, as if to say: I, Zhu Shen, am doing this for Tang San—pay up.

Since it was for Little San's benefit, wouldn't it be appropriate for you, Tang Hao, to bring out something good?

Tang Hao was somewhat stunned. Since when did a Great Spirit Master think about asking a Title Douluo for items? He had never heard of such a thing.

Seeing Tang Hao's expression, Zhu Shen added, "Little San, what do you think?"

Hearing Zhu Shen, Tang San looked at Tang Hao with curiosity.

The three of them stared at each other, which was inexplicably comical.

Seeing Zhu Shen's "I won't leave until you give me something" attitude, combined with Tang San's curious gaze, Tang Hao felt it was time to show the depth of his resources as a Title Douluo and a father.

Tang Hao opened his left hand, and two immortal herbs appeared.

Zhu Shen cursed inwardly, Holy crap, so you were hiding such good stuff, kid.

The original work never mentioned that Tang Hao possessed two immortal herbs, let alone ones with such top-tier attributes.

He had expected Tang Hao to pull out some weapon or the like, but Tang Hao had produced two immortal-grade items. Zhu Shen could hardly contain his excitement and nearly laughed out loud.

Seeing Zhu Shen trying to suppress his laughter, Tang Hao suddenly felt like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

However, since Tang San was present, he had to explain: "These are the Strange Velvet Chrysanthemum and the Wangchuan Autumn Dew."

"The Strange Velvet Chrysanthemum can increase physical strength and stabilize blood and qi, while the Wangchuan Autumn Dew can enhance eyesight and spiritual power."

Watching Tang Hao finish his explanation, Zhu Shen finally couldn't hold it back and revealed a smile.

"Then, since His Excellency Haotian has gifted these two immortal herbs to us master and disciple, I will not stand on ceremony."

Tang Hao was stunned again. Gifted to you master and disciple? These were meant for my son; what does this have to do with you?

Before Tang Hao could react, Zhu Shen continued, "Thank you, Haotian Douluo. I will certainly cultivate Tang San well."

Zhu Shen stepped forward and took the two immortal herbs from Tang Hao's hands.

Immediately, he handed the Wangchuan Autumn Dew to Tang San. "Tang San, absorb it quickly. Your father and I will stand guard for you."

Tang San looked at his father, then at Zhu Shen. He was a bit bewildered; he felt the atmosphere was slightly off.

However, these two were the people Tang San trusted most since arriving in this world. Since both of them told him to absorb it, he had no concerns.

Tang San sat down to begin the absorption. Zhu Shen walked over to Tang Hao's side, continuing to pitch his Pure Bamboo Douluo Cultivation Plan.

"Grandmaster, what plans do you have for Tang San's future growth?"

Zhu Shen pretended to lower his head in contemplation, though in reality, he had already made his plans. "His Excellency Haotian, I intend to have Tang San absorb 18 Lone Bamboo Soul Rings, then equip him with the Lone Bamboo Soul Bone Set."

Tang Hao nodded slightly at first, then quickly looked up at Zhu Shen. "What did you say?"

Zhu Shen repeated himself. Tang Hao confirmed it again and again, and then a surge of killing intent within his body solidified.

"You took my immortal herbs, and now you want to play me for a fool?"

Zhu Shen felt as if he were being crushed by an iceberg, unable to lift his head.

Zhu Shen was shocked. It seemed that even though he was the Lord of Soul Beasts, a single thought of killing intent from Tang Hao was enough to pin him down.

Zhu Shen hurriedly explained to Tang Hao, "His Excellency Haotian, I have traveled across the Douluo Continent for many years and discovered many extraordinary things. Look."

Having said that, Zhu Shen released his Martial Soul. An overbearing dragon aura rippled outward, with two purple soul rings circling his side.

Tang Hao was somewhat stunned. In his impression, Grandmaster's Martial Soul should have been Luo Sanpao, a mutation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—a little piece of trash.

Although his theoretical experience was incredibly rich, his actual combat ability was not even as good as Tang San's.

Yet, the man before him gave him a great shock. His Martial Soul had become a Golden Dragon, that dragon aura rushing toward him, and his first and second soul rings were both purple thousand-year soul rings.

This was unique across the entire continent.

Zhu Shen looked at Tang Hao, feigning a look of shock, and continued, "Furthermore, I have mastered a method to increase the age of soul rings and soul bones. Otherwise, I wouldn't have let Tang San absorb merely a ten-year soul bone."

"When the time comes for Tang San to collect all 18 Lone Bamboo Soul Rings and the 7 Lone Bamboo Soul Bones, he will be peerless, dominating the continent."

Zhu Shen finished speaking and looked at Tang Hao.

Tang Hao pondered for a moment. He felt that while Zhu Shen's plan sounded outrageous, when combined with Zhu Shen's own situation, he decided to trust him.

After all, regardless of how it's achieved, as long as it's strong, that's all that matters.

Tang Hao looked at Zhu Shen, and Zhu Shen looked back at him, his expression clearly saying: "Is that it? Show some sincerity."

Tang Hao was speechless, but helping Zhu Shen was equivalent to helping Tang San. For the sake of Tang San's future, he would make a sacrifice.

Tang Hao was somewhat reluctant, taking a black soul bone from his bosom, yet he hesitated to hand it over to Zhu Shen.

Zhu Shen did not take it immediately; he sensed an extremely evil aura.