Tang Hao's Truth

After Qin Chuan stepped out, he stopped about thirty paces from Tang Hao.

Thirty paces already put him within the Game Domain's range.

Tang Hao wanted to retreat, but his body was still poised to attack, his Clear Sky Hammer gathering power.

It was too late.

Qin Chuan's Soul Ring suddenly lit up. Dazzling golden light spread outward, and the unique power of the game's rules instantly enveloped the entire field!

"Third Soul Skill-Truth or Dare!"

The Clown Dwarf appeared and announced:

"Choose one of two options."

"Truth-Telling activates the Honesty Lock. You must answer every question truthfully. No lying, no silence, and no evasive answers."

"Dare activates compulsory execution. You must complete the assigned task. No resisting, no cutting corners, and no finding a substitute."

"Failure to choose within the time limit counts as forfeiture. The penalty doubles."

"Anyone who violates the game's rules suffers a Soul Power backlash."

"Since the player's level far exceeds the dealer's, the dealer has permission to choose on the player's behalf."

Of course, the game also had three hidden rules.

[1. First activation: the dealer may forcibly designate a single target to receive the penalty (no dice roll is required to select someone the first time).]

[2. After a round of penalties ends: either the opponent must voluntarily propose continuing the game, or the dealer must initiate the game again.]

[3. Subsequent rounds: everyone rolls dice and compares their results. Whoever rolls the lowest becomes the recipient of that round's penalty.]

Qin Chuan said, "Choose Truth-Telling for him!"

The Clown Dwarf said, "Truth-Telling is now in effect."

Qin Chuan spoke without hesitation:

"Tang Hao, reveal everything that went on inside your mind during those years when you and Ah Yin were lovers and companions."

Tang Hao's body trembled slightly as the rules forcibly pried open the heart he had sealed away for over a decade.

His truest thoughts surged uncontrollably into his mind, forcing their way out of his mouth.

"When Ah Yin and I first secluded ourselves in the forest, I truly loved her. Those peaceful days, with no one to disturb us, were the most carefree, untainted days of my life. I once sincerely considered leaving the sect and all our grudges behind, and spending the rest of my life with her."

"But the longer we were together, the harder it became to ignore her identity as a hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor. I knew all too well what her willing sacrifice could give me-a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, enough to let me break through my limits and crush the entire continent."

"I noticed the spies watching us early on and knew danger was approaching. But I didn't take her back to the Clear Sky Sect for safety."

"I deliberately delayed, deliberately waited until she was at her weakest before setting out. I wanted to use Spirit Hall's pursuit to force us into a desperate situation. Then I would fight with my life on the line, and she would surely sacrifice herself willingly to protect our child."

"I wanted her Soul Ring and Soul Bone, but I didn't want to bear the infamy of a faithless lover. I wanted everyone to believe that Spirit Hall had driven Ah Yin to her death, and that I, Tang Hao, had nothing to do with it."

By the final passage, his defenses had utterly collapsed, leaving only self-loathing:

"I exploited her love and plotted away her life. From beginning to end, what I loved most was never Ah Yin. It was my own cultivation, the Clear Sky Sect's reputation, and the power within my grasp."

When his confession ended, the entire grassy field fell deathly silent.

Unable to hold back, Qin Chuan swore. "Holy shit... Tang Hao, you're one devious bastard!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan cursed as well. "I've never seen anyone so utterly shameless!"

Bone Douluo Gu Rong shook his head repeatedly, his face full of dismay. His voice was icy with utter disappointment:

"I never imagined it. I truly never imagined it. A mighty expert of the Clear Sky Sect, a hard-bitten hero revered by the world, secretly resorting to such filthy schemes."

Sword Douluo Chen Xin's grip tightened slightly around his sword hilt. His eyes brimmed with contempt and disdain as he said gravely:

"You deceived the woman you loved into sacrificing herself, then used Spirit Hall's hands to conceal your selfish motives. You played the whole world for fools, killing two birds with one stone. The beads of your abacus certainly rattled loud."

"To scheme against even your lover for the sake of power... someone with that character doesn't deserve to be called strong."

Even Ghost Douluo Gui Mei glanced sideways, sighing inwardly. Beneath that illustrious reputation, there really was unspeakable filth.

Bibi Dong saw everything clearly and felt immensely satisfied, having understood Qin Chuan's entire plan.

Standing where she was, Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with a knowing smile. Everything fell into place in her mind, leaving her exhilarated.

She instantly understood every part of Qin Chuan's setup:

[So that's it. He deliberately slowed down the whole way and deliberately took this open route. None of it was a coincidence.]

[He was stalling on purpose, deliberately drawing Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo here to watch, so he could tear apart Tang Hao's disguise in public, before all these top experts of the continent!]

[To kill a man and destroy his heart-nothing could embody it better. Qin Chuan played this game of chess ruthlessly.]

On the field, Tang Hao's face turned paper-white. His blood roiled, and shame, rage, humiliation, regret-every emotion erupted at once!

With the truth stripped bare before everyone, the devotion, tragedy, and forbearance he had feigned for over a decade shattered into pieces!

"Aaaaargh!!"

Tang Hao's eyes turned blood-red, his killing intent surged sky-high, and he completely lost control!

A cold gleam flashed in Qin Chuan's eyes. He had anticipated this and gave Tang Hao no chance to unleash his fury.

His Sixth Soul Ring lit up again, and he shouted coldly, "Sixth Soul Skill, One, Two, Three, Red Light!"

Bzzz!

The Soul Skills flowed seamlessly into one another!

Qin Chuan used Teleportation, finished the chant with his back to Tang Hao, then instantly turned around.

Consumed by rage, his mind in chaos, Tang Hao had no time to restrain his movements. Soul Power surged wildly through him, his body shook violently, and he had already violated the rules!

Crack!

Stiffness instantly swept through his entire body.

Tang Hao froze completely in the savage posture of his furious killing lunge, becoming a cold wooden figure.

His nine Soul Rings stopped flickering, his Divine Slaughter's Domain froze solid, and the madness and defiance on his face were locked in that instant forever.

Looking at Tang Hao, frozen in place in utter disgrace, Chen Xin spoke indifferently, every word resolute:

"We witnessed everything that happened today with our own eyes. From this day onward, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will draw a firm line between itself and the Clear Sky Sect. We will never again maintain close ties."

Gu Rong nodded firmly and added:

"You exploited the woman you loved, engineered her sacrifice, and lived half your life in hypocrisy. Tang Hao, your character is utterly vile. You have no right whatsoever to possess anything Ah Yin left behind."

Their words utterly shattered the Clear Sky Sect's reputation and goodwill with others.

"Since everyone knows now, sorry for the trouble, but please inform Sect Master Ning when you return," Qin Chuan said.

"Of course. We certainly won't keep a conspiracy this big to ourselves," Bone Douluo said.

Qin Chuan couldn't be bothered to spare the immobilized Tang Hao another look. "Let's go."

"Aren't we killing him?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked.

Qin Chuan said, "He's already as good as crippled. A wooden figure is invincible and can't be taken outside the Game Domain. Why waste six hours here?"

"We'll do as Qin Chuan says." With a proud bearing, Bibi Dong guarded Qin Chuan as she turned to leave.

The group soon dispersed.

Only Tang Hao, left standing rigid in place for six hours, and four Titled Douluo with conflicted expressions, who had seen the truth for what it was, remained in the devastated wilderness.