My Father Is a Titled Douluo, and My Mother Is Still Alive!

Shen Qingling noticed the reservation in his eyes and slowly said,

"Your father is Tang Hao, the current Clear Sky Douluo. That Clear Sky Hammer of yours came from the Clear Sky Sect, the foremost of the Upper Three Sects. Back then, he faced three Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall head-on and became famous in a single battle. There isn't anyone on the continent who doesn't know his name."

The more Tang San heard, the more shocked he became. His eyes widened, and he nearly lost his grip on his chopsticks. He simply could not believe it.

That dejected, down-and-out drunkard father who could not even support their home was actually the legendary Titled Douluo, born into a top-tier sect. A storm raged in his heart, yet after the shock faded, he felt no joy at all.

He slowly lowered his head, his fingers trembling nonstop. So what if his father was powerful?

From childhood until now, his father had never looked after him for even a single day. He had never asked whether Tang San was cold or hungry. Even when Tang San's martial soul awakened and he left home to attend school, his father had merely tossed out a casual instruction. Tang San had endured all these years by gritting his teeth alone.

"No matter how powerful he is, it has nothing to do with me." Tang San's voice was soft, yet exceptionally firm. "He never fulfilled his responsibilities as a father, and he never showed me even the slightest care. To me, Teacher is the one who has truly treated me well. A father like that—I can do without."

Shen Qingling looked at his stubborn profile, sighed, and reached out to rub his head.

"Silly child, adults have many hardships they cannot speak of. But remember this: no matter what happens, Teacher will always watch you grow up."

Tang San raised his head, his eyes slightly reddened. He nodded heavily. For him, Teacher's words were enough.

Teacher was his entire world. No matter how formidable his drunkard father was, even if he were an unrivaled Douluo, Shen Qingling was the best family Tang San could ever have.

If he wanted to take Teacher as his master, he would probably need to defeat his own father. But he was only a Grand Soul Master. Defeating Tang Hao was nothing but a fool's dream—though he still had plenty of time to grow.

Xiao Wu listened in a daze. So Third Brother had such a background and such a past. It turned out she was the only one with a simple identity.

"Of course, I also know your mother!"

The moment those words fell, Tang San shot to his feet. His face was filled with emotion, and even his voice trembled.

"Teacher, you really know my mother? Where is she?"

He stared fixedly at Shen Qingling, his eyes instantly reddening. Since childhood, he had asked his father countless times about his mother's whereabouts, only to be fobbed off each time with the excuse that she was away on business.

Seven years had passed, and he did not even know what his mother looked like. How could he not miss her? Now that he had suddenly learned there was news of her, his heart pounded wildly and even his breathing grew hurried.

Seeing his anxious expression, Shen Qingling smiled. "Your mother is far away, yet right before your eyes. In truth, she has always been in Holy Soul Village."

"Holy Soul Village?"

Tang San stood frozen, his face full of disbelief. He had grown up in Holy Soul Village and knew everyone in the village. How had he never seen his mother?

If his mother had always been in the village, why had she never come to see him? Why had she allowed him to live alone, never having enough to eat or enough warmth to wear? Countless questions flooded his mind, leaving it a complete mess. For a moment, he was utterly lost.

"Eat your fill first." Shen Qingling picked up his chopsticks and handed them to him, his tone calm. "Once we've eaten, we'll head straight to Holy Soul Village. When we get there, you'll naturally know the answer."

Tang San took the chopsticks, but how could he still have the patience to eat slowly? He shoveled down the rice in his bowl, eating quickly and urgently, his heart filled with both anticipation and unease.

He had imagined his mother's appearance countless times—gentle, stern—but he had never imagined they would meet this way. At the thought that he would soon see her, his nose began to sting.

Xiao Wu sat beside him, quietly picking at her food as she secretly glanced at Tang San several times. She could sense Third Brother's nervousness, and she felt a little expectant as well, wanting to see what Tang San's mother was really like.

Gu Yuena ate her food leisurely. There was no need to think about it—this was most likely a seed left behind after the Blue Silver Emperor transformed into human form. Shen Qingling was planning to help Tang San unravel the knot of his origins.

After eating and drinking their fill, Shen Qingling's group set out for Holy Soul Village.

The route was not particularly far, so the four of them did not choose to take a carriage.

"Teacher, what will my mother be like?"

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Tang San began asking Shen Qingling what his mother looked like.

"She's very beautiful. When she was young, she was a great beauty. Now, she is a gentle and virtuous mother."

Shen Qingling's answer was straightforward. Ah Yin truly had been a virtuous wife—gentle and considerate. Her true form was the Blue Silver Emperor, so she could not possibly have the temperament of a tigress.

Unless her true form had been a tigress.

"Oh? You seem to know quite a lot." Gu Yuena's finger rubbed against Shen Qingling's waist. "You've never seen her, yet you know her so well?"

"Na'er, you've already guessed it yourself." Shen Qingling smiled helplessly.

"Yes."

"Then why did you ask me?"

"Because I wanted to."

Shen Yifeng: ...

Shen Qingling conceded defeat. He really had no way to refute that.

Before long, the group arrived at the entrance of Holy Soul Village on foot.

The moment they entered the village, they ran into Old Jack, who was carrying a basket out of the village.

Old Jack recognized Shen Qingling at once and hurried forward, his face full of smiles.

"Lord Soul Master, what brings you to Holy Soul Village?"

"I brought Little San back for a look. He may not have many chances to return in the future."

Shen Qingling replied indifferently.

Old Jack nodded, then turned his gaze toward Tang San, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Little San, what level is your soul power now? Have you adapted well at the academy?"

Tang San did not answer. Soul power stirred beneath his feet, and two soul rings—one yellow and one purple—slowly rose.

Old Jack's eyes widened instantly, and his delighted voice rose several pitches. In just one year, he had become a Grand Soul Master, and his second soul ring was actually a thousand-year one!

How many years had it been since Holy Soul Village produced such an outstanding child? He felt both proud and emotional. He truly had not misjudged him back then.

"Grandpa Jack, I'm now a level twenty-three Grand Soul Master." Tang San withdrew his soul rings, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "It's all thanks to Teacher's excellent guidance."

"Good, good, good!" Old Jack said "good" three times in a row, rubbing his hands excitedly. He then turned to Shen Qingling and thanked him repeatedly. "Lord Soul Master, thank you so much. You've taught Little San so well. Go on with your business, I won't disturb you any longer. Little San, come home often when you have time!"

With that, Old Jack sensibly left with his basket and did not linger.

Tang San watched Old Jack's stooped back and thought that Old Jack was also one of the few people in Holy Soul Village close to him.

They continued onward, leaving Holy Soul Village and arriving beneath a large tree. Before them was a waterfall fed by a rushing stream.

"Little San, release your Blue Silver Grass senses and see whether there is any other Blue Silver Grass nearby."

Upon receiving the order, Tang San released his senses. Very quickly, he detected the location of some Blue Silver Grass, though its aura was extremely faint.

"Teacher, I sense it. It's behind the waterfall."

"Since you've sensed it, let's go meet your mother!"