Tang San was puzzled.
He did not know why his father insisted that he return to participate in the Soul Master Tournament.
Of course, he also wanted to prove himself in the tournament, bring glory to Shrek Academy, and let the world see his teacher Yu Xiaogang's talent.
But his identity had already been exposed, and he would inevitably become a target for all.
"Dad, Demon Subduing Douluo is an enshrined elder of Spirit Hall, yet he protected Ye Han. That means Ye Han is also from Spirit Hall, and most likely one of their key trainees. Under these circumstances, wouldn't participating in the Soul Master Tournament be like walking into a trap?"
"What? Are you afraid of him?"
"No! Of course I'm not afraid!"
Tang San clenched his fists and stared into Tang Hao's eyes, his tone resolute.
"I have always believed that the Clear Sky Hammer is the strongest tool Martial Soul in the world. I lost to Ye Han last night because my current strength is inferior to his, not because the Clear Sky Hammer is inferior to the Sky-Piercing Spear. I will prove that the Clear Sky Hammer is stronger than his Sky-Piercing Spear. I hope to meet him in the Soul Master Tournament. I'm only worried that if the people from Spirit Hall make a move against me, you'll have to fight them again, and then your injuries..."
Tang Hao interrupted Tang San.
"You don't need to worry about that. You revealed both the Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer at the Soul Arena. They will soon learn that you are my son, Tang Hao's son. If Bibi Dong allows you to participate in the Soul Master Tournament, she naturally will not make a move against you. Besides, they fear the reputation of your great-grandfather and would not dare touch you."
"My great-grandfather? The previous Clear Sky Douluo?"
"Yes. Your great-grandfather was once the number one man on the continent. Even Qian Daoliu, Spirit Hall's strongest, was defeated by him. He went in search of a higher realm, but there is still a chance that he may return."
Tang Hao paused before continuing.
"The Soul Master Tournament champion's reward is three Spirit Bones. I want you to fight for them. Only with more Spirit Bones will it be possible to maximize the power of the Clear Sky Hammer in the future."
"Dad, the power of the Clear Sky Hammer is also related to Spirit Bones?"
Tang Hao glanced at Xiao Wu beside him before looking back at Tang San.
"The ultimate secret of the Clear Sky Hammer is Ring Detonation. By detonating Spirit Rings, it unleashes power far beyond the Spirit Skills themselves.
But Ring Detonation places extremely high demands on the user's physical strength. You need a full set of Spirit Bones at the very least, or the backlash can easily injure you.
Back when I had just broken through Rank 90, I relied on this technique to kill one Title Douluo from Spirit Hall and severely wound two others.
Having you participate in the Soul Master Tournament was my decision. You are my son, Tang Hao's son. The road you must walk in the future will be longer than mine.
All I can do is hold on a little longer before you grow up and guide you properly.
Over the next few months, I will teach you the essence of the Clear Sky Hammer and hammer techniques, strengthen your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, and improve your overall strength.
By the time of the Soul Master Tournament, forget Soul Ancestors—even Soul Kings will be no match for you."
Tang Hao wanted Tang San to grow stronger as quickly as possible.
Although he had been expelled from the Clear Sky Sect, he hoped Tang San would have a chance to return to the sect.
After all, Tang San carried the blood of the Tang Clan. That was where his roots lay.
The Clear Sky Sect was a place that valued strength, where everything was decided by power.
If Tang San could prove himself in the Soul Master Tournament and defend the glory of the Clear Sky Hammer, he would have a better chance of returning to the sect.
After being injured today, that thought became even stronger.
Tang San fell silent.
Only then did he understand his father's painstaking intentions.
The Clear Sky Hammer truly deserved its title as the strongest tool Martial Soul in the world. It really did possess an ultimate trump card.
Every Spirit Bone was an invaluable treasure, something one could only hope to encounter.
The Soul Master Tournament champion's reward actually included three Spirit Bones. The temptation was simply too great.
"Dad, I understand. I will work hard to become stronger."
"Good."
Tang Hao looked around.
"We'll rest here today and set out again early tomorrow morning."
Tang San and Xiao Wu set up the tent.
Tang Hao continued regulating his breath...
The night grew deeper.
Tang San looked up at the star-filled sky, the scene of Ye Han utterly crushing him replaying over and over in his mind.
"Ye Han, one day, I will repay everything you gave me tenfold!"
Several days later.
Tang Hao brought Tang San and Xiao Wu to a remote, densely forested mountain region.
Before them stood a massive waterfall pouring down from a cliff hundreds of meters high.
The roar of the falling water thundered like rolling thunder, sending mist soaring into the sky.
The place seemed cut off from the world, like a paradise.
Tang Hao stood before the waterfall, his burly body trembling slightly.
"Ah Yin, I'm back. I've brought our son to see you."
Tang San looked around, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Dad, Mom... is she buried here?"
Tang Hao raised his hand and pointed at the massive waterfall.
"Your mother is behind it. Follow me."
"Dad, Xiao Wu..."
"Let her come too."
Although it had only been a few days.
Tang Hao could tell that Xiao Wu's feelings for Tang San were sincere.
Moreover, like Ah Yin, Xiao Wu had undergone Soul Beast Transformation.
They were experiencing what he and Ah Yin had experienced back then.
He hoped his son would not repeat his tragedy.
Tang Hao leaped into the air and charged toward the waterfall.
Tang San and Xiao Wu followed closely behind him.
The three passed through the curtain of water, and their view suddenly opened up.
Behind the waterfall was a large moss-covered stone wall.
A narrow entrance could vaguely be seen on the stone wall.
"Follow me."
Tang Hao walked straight inside.
Tang San and Xiao Wu followed close behind him.
After passing through the passage, the three arrived in a stone chamber.
"This... how could this..."
The moment Tang Hao saw the scene inside the stone chamber, he froze in shock.
Tang San was also stunned.
The stone chamber was very simple, containing only a stone table and two stone stools.
The ground was a mess.
The stone walls had been violently damaged, with shattered rocks scattered everywhere.
There was a crack in the ceiling of the stone chamber.
A beam of sunlight shone down through the crack, landing directly on a small mound of earth at the center.
The mound was not large, and it was completely empty.
Tang Hao stared fixedly at that empty mound, his pupils contracting violently.
"No—"
Tang Hao let out a heart-rending roar.
"How could this happen?!"
"Ah Yin!"
Like a madman, Tang Hao threw himself before the mound and frantically clawed at the earth with both hands.
His movements were urgent and violent.
His ten fingers were soon rubbed raw, blood seeping out.
Yet he seemed unable to feel any pain and continued digging wildly.
"Ah Yin..."
Tang Hao's voice had become hoarse.
He was utterly despairing, tears mixing with sweat as they fell onto the bloodstained soil.
"Dad, what's wrong? What happened?!"
Tang San had never seen his father so distraught.
He rushed forward, wanting to support his father, but was shoved away.
"No! Ah Yin, where are you..."
Tang Hao dug through the entire mound, yet found nothing.
"Who was it?! Who stole Ah Yin?!"
Tang Hao roared.
He turned around and looked at the shattered stones on the ground, feeling even more despair.
"No! Ah Yin's Spirit Bone..."
Tang Hao suddenly clutched his chest, his face turning deathly pale.
Pfft!
He spat out a mouthful of blood!
His body collapsed straight to the ground.
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