Hearing that familiar yet unfamiliar voice and seeing the weathered face before him, Yu Xiaogang abruptly rose to his feet, his pupils shrinking!
"T-Tang Hao?"
"No, no, Your Excellency!"
"Clear Sky Douluo, why have you come?"
Tang Hao's gaze swept across Yu Xiaogang's face. His brows furrowed into a knot, but he did not say much. "Of course I came to see Xiao San. I heard that child has taken you as his teacher."
"Yes..." Yu Xiaogang did not know Tang Hao's attitude and felt uneasy, fearing that Tang Hao looked down on him.
"Grandmaster, Grandmaster," Tang Hao repeated the two words thoughtfully. "You possess wisdom that others can hardly hope to match."
"I can rest assured leaving Xiao San to you."
As soon as he said that, the atmosphere in the office finally eased, and Yu Xiaogang let out a breath as well.
"I never expected Xiao San to truly be your son. It is my honor to be his teacher."
Tang Hao caught the way Yu Xiaogang wanted to act proud but feared he might suddenly fly into a rage; wanted to treat him as an equal, yet felt inferior because of their difference in strength. Disappointment flashed through his eyes.
Xiao San could follow him for now, but after becoming a Soul Ancestor, he had to follow Tang Hao. Otherwise, Xiao San's future would be ruined!
The Grandmaster was strong in theory but hopeless in actual combat. He could only lay a solid foundation for Xiao San and could not help him advance further through life-and-death battles.
Having made up his mind, Tang Hao flicked his hand, sending a token flying into Yu Xiaogang's palm.
"Keep this token safe. It may prove useful at a critical moment. My identity is special, so I should not stay long. Farewell."
"Also, what happened to your face?"
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, but after a long while, all he managed was a sigh. "It's a long story."
Tang Hao grew impatient. "Then keep it short."
"Xiao San was bullied."
Tang Hao's expression instantly turned cold.
The temperature in the office seemed to drop several degrees at once.
Yu Xiaogang involuntarily shuddered.
"Who?" Tang Hao's killing intent surged. The killing aura he had acquired in Slaughter City only leaked out slightly, yet it was enough to make Yu Xiaogang tremble with fear.
"A child named Ye Hua, also from Holy Soul Village." As Yu Xiaogang spoke, he carefully watched Tang Hao's expression, ready to quickly change his tune if Tang Hao's face darkened.
"I don't know what method he used, but his Martial Soul changed from a wooden stick into a Coiling Dragon Staff, and his Soul Power rose from rank three to Innate Full Soul Power."
"Xiao San clashed with him and had his arms and legs broken by him. I took Xiao San to Soul Hunting Forest to obtain a Soul Ring, but that four-hundred-year Mandala Snake was snatched away by him too."
"On our way back, we ran into bandits and both Xiao San and I were stripped clean. Perhaps... Ye Hua was behind that too!"
Who cared? As long as it was something bad, he could just pin it on Ye Hua!
Yu Xiaogang even went through all the grievances he had suffered over the past decade or so, pouring out his bitterness with utter sincerity!
The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, until his eyes reddened. "Your Excellency, I have failed you!"
"You entrusted Xiao San to me, yet I failed to protect him. It was my fault, all my fault!"
Tang Hao remained silent for a long time. Then he turned around and strode toward the door.
"Your Excellency! Where are you going?"
Tang Hao did not answer.
His back disappeared into the night, leaving Yu Xiaogang standing alone in the empty office.
The guilt on his face slowly faded, revealing a faint, imperceptible smile.
Ye Hua, Ye Hua, weren't you arrogant? Weren't you able to fight?
Let's see how long you can stay arrogant before the Clear Sky Douluo!
If I cannot have it, then I will destroy it!
If you refuse to become my disciple, then become a wandering ghost instead!
Do not blame me either. History can only preserve the legend that I cultivated a Title Douluo.
But you and Xiao San both possess Innate Full Soul Power. If you could grow into a Title Douluo on your own, how would that show my teaching ability?
Elsewhere, at the small villa.
Tang Hao stood in the shadows beyond the courtyard wall, narrowing his eyes as he examined the unremarkable little courtyard before him.
With the cultivation of a rank ninety-five Title Douluo, the entire Notting City was practically defenseless in his eyes.
He did not even need to release his Martial Soul. With Soul Power alone, he could reduce this small courtyard to rubble.
Tang Hao had never considered himself a good man. Back then, before Spirit Hall, he had even dared to kill the Pope. What was one child worth?
Anyone who dared bully Tang Hao's son had better be prepared to die!
Without making a sound, Tang Hao landed in the courtyard. Just as he was about to head toward the main house, his steps abruptly halted!
An extremely faint yet incomparably familiar aura drifted from the side house.
That was...
The aura of a Soul Beast!
The aura of a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!
Tang Hao froze completely.
He knew that aura far too well.
Back in Star Dou Forest, when his wife Ah Yin sacrificed herself, she had given off this exact aura!
It was the distinctive Soul Power fluctuation of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast after taking human form.
A transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast lived in this courtyard!
Tang Hao drew a deep breath and suppressed the wild joy in his heart.
It was fate!
This was fate!
His son Tang San possessed Twin Martial Souls. His second Martial Soul, the Clear Sky Hammer, needed a sufficiently powerful Soul Ring to unleash its true might.
And in this world, what Soul Ring could be stronger than the sacrifice of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?
Ah Yin had sacrificed herself to him back then, allowing him to become a Title Douluo in a single leap.
Now, this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was the Soul Ring Heaven had bestowed upon Tang San!
But now was not the right time...
The sacrifice of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast required a Soul Master to be at least a Soul Emperor to withstand it.
Tang San had only just obtained his first Soul Ring and was still far from becoming a Soul Emperor. This Soul Beast would have to be raised first.
Tang Hao shifted his gaze away from the side house and looked toward the main house again.
That Soul Beast was not urgent. He could take it back, imprison it, and raise it until the time was right, then force him to sacrifice himself for Xiao San.
But tonight, Ye Hua had to die!
Anyone who dared lay a hand on Tang Hao's son could not be saved even by the heavens themselves!
He raised his right hand, and the phantom of the Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his palm. Dark crimson patterns gleamed in the night, giving off a heart-palpitating light.
Yet at the very instant he was about to strike—
A pitch-black greatsword thrust out from the side and silently pressed against his heart.
The blade was icy cold. The thin line where it touched his skin was as frigid as winter-forged iron.
Tang Hao's body suddenly stiffened.
He was a rank ninety-five Title Douluo. How sharp were his senses?
Yet he had not noticed in the slightest when the owner of this sword had appeared behind him!
A deep, aged whisper sounded behind him, unhurried and calm, like an old wine jar having its lid lifted.
"Clear Sky Douluo, isn't it a little inappropriate to climb over someone else's wall in the middle of the night?"
Before you continue