However, as a sinner of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Hao could not simply walk through its gates whenever he pleased.
Left with no other choice, he could only seek out Tang Yuehua and use the Moonlight Pavilion to send word to Tang Xiao, far away in the Clear Sky Sect.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Tang Hao asked in a low voice, his brows furrowing.
"Second Brother, it's me, Yuehua."
A gentle voice came from outside. "The person you wanted to see is here."
"B-Big Brother is here!"
The moment Tang Hao heard Tang Yuehua's words, he could no longer remain calm.
He sprang from his seat. Then he brushed a large, rough hand over his clothes, as though trying to smooth both their wrinkles and the turmoil in his heart.
Creak.
At that moment, the tightly shut door swung open. An exquisitely beautiful woman in a silver tailored dress walked gracefully inside.
"Second Brother."
She called softly to Tang Hao, then stepped aside.
Immediately afterward, a figure strode inside with the bearing of a dragon and the gait of a tiger.
He bore a strong resemblance to Tang Hao. The instant he saw him, excitement spread across his imposing face.
"Brother Hao, is it really, really you?"
His voice brimmed with emotion.
Even as he spoke, he hurried up to Tang Hao in a few quick strides and gripped his shoulders tightly with both large hands.
By now, he was beside himself with excitement.
"Big Brother, it's me."
Tang Hao's eyes reddened too.
He had never imagined that their parting all those years ago would keep them apart for decades...
"You've truly suffered all these years. No matter what, I won't let you leave this time. You're coming back to the sect with me shortly."
Barely managing to calm his surging emotions, Tang Xiao kept his grip on Tang Hao's arm.
However.
Tang Hao shook his head. "Big Brother, I'm a sinner of the sect. I can't go back..."
"Bullshit!"
Tang Xiao shook his head. "I'm the sect master now. If I say you can return, then you can!"
His voice allowed no argument.
"But there are still so many elders in the sect. They might not forgive me. Let's give my return more careful thought."
Tang Hao shook his head slightly.
Although he had been away from the Clear Sky Sect for decades, he could picture its internal situation even by thinking with his toes.
With Tang Hao's character and temperament, it would be difficult for him to hold absolute authority in the Clear Sky Sect.
He would only suffer indignities if he returned. Why bother?
Hearing this, Tang Xiao's expression grew somewhat awkward. For a moment, he did not know what to say.
"Big Brother, I actually invited you here because there's something important I need your help with."
"Whatever it is, just say it. We're brothers. Do you really need to ask?"
Tang Xiao shook his head slightly after hearing Tang Hao's words.
Tang Hao did not immediately explain what he wanted. Instead, he looked at Tang Yuehua. "Yuehua, step outside for now."
After all, discussing this matter meant dredging up events from the distant past. There were many things he did not want a third person to know.
At this, Tang Yuehua's eyes flickered, and she left the room without a word.
Only after confirming that Tang Yuehua had gone far enough away did Tang Hao reveal a bitter smile. "This has to begin with Tang San, the child Ah Yin and I had..."
Tang Xiao's brows immediately knitted together, nearly forming a straight line.
When Tang Hao mentioned Qin Xiao, Tang Xiao was astonished.
"Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable. To think the Douluo Continent has a genius who became a Titled Douluo in his teens. Even Ancestor Tang Chen, who restored our sect to glory, was nowhere near such accomplishments at that age."
He could not imagine what sort of heaven-blessed genius could achieve so much.
However.
When Tang Hao described the enmity between himself and Qin Xiao, Tang Xiao was both shocked and furious.
"What an arrogant Thunder Emperor Douluo! He actually dared to attack you?! Does he really think our Clear Sky Sect has no one left?"
"Hmph. I think he must have gone to Shrek for that girl named Xiao Wu. After all, not everyone can resist the temptation of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast."
"Tang San and Xiao Wu are so much like you and Ah Yin back then. But no matter what, the tragedy that befell Ah Yin must never play out again with Tang San and Xiao Wu."
"Besides, since a genius like that has become our enemy, we must destroy him by any means necessary! We must strangle him in his cradle before he fully matures."
Tang Xiao's words rang out with unshakable conviction, and he made his decision.
Qin Xiao could not be allowed to live.
"Big Brother, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."
"Qin Xiao's strength is only on par with mine. With you joining me, killing him will be as certain as a nail driven into a board."
Tang Hao's eyes lit up. Tang Xiao's words were undoubtedly a pill that settled his heart.
"Mm." Tang Xiao nodded slightly. "We mustn't delay. Delay breeds complications. Let's set off for Shrek immediately and slay Qin Xiao."
Meanwhile.
In the Star Dou Great Forest.
Under Qin Xiao's watchful gaze, Meng Yiran had completely absorbed the soul ring provided by the Man Faced Demon Spider.
Yet the girl showed no sign of waking.
"Old man, what's going on? Yiran has already absorbed the soul ring. Why hasn't she woken up?"
Snake Granny asked anxiously.
"Perhaps she's consolidating her cultivation. Don't worry too much." Dragon Duke smiled faintly, not particularly concerned.
But in the next instant, both Dragon Duke's and Snake Granny's expressions changed.
A look of pain had suddenly appeared on Meng Yiran's pretty face.
Meng Yiran really got the Eight Spider Lances? Qin Xiao's eyes lit up, and he inwardly exclaimed, Well, damn!
"What's going on? Yiran-what's happening to Yiran?"
Snake Granny, however, had no idea what was happening.
Dragon Duke panicked a little too and instinctively reached out to touch Meng Yiran.
"You don't want anything to happen to Meng Yiran, do you?"
"I suggest you leave her alone."
Seeing this, Qin Xiao spoke calmly.
"W-Why?" Dragon Duke froze as though his pressure points had been struck. Only after a moment did he slowly turn toward Qin Xiao and ask in confusion, "Please enlighten us, Your Holiness."
Without keeping them in suspense, Qin Xiao asked, "Have you ever heard of an external soul bone?"
An external... soul bone?
Snake Granny looked somewhat bewildered and instinctively turned to Dragon Duke.
Dragon Duke lowered his head in thought for a moment, then abruptly looked up. "You mean an external soul bone-the legendary external soul bone that can grow!"
His voice was filled with shock.
He had only ever read about external soul bones in an extremely ancient book.
A supreme soul bone even rarer than ordinary soul bones-at the time, he had seriously doubted whether such a thing existed and had treated the account as nothing more than a legend.
After all, he had never heard of anyone possessing an external soul bone anywhere on the Douluo Continent.
"Old man, what exactly is an external soul bone?" Snake Granny asked in confusion.
Dragon Duke opened his mouth, about to answer, but a voice interrupted him.
"Ah..."
After Meng Yiran let out a groan of pain, eight hideous, pitch-black spider legs tore through the clothing on her back and burst free.
Savage and evil, Meng Yiran now sent chills down their spines.
"Heavens! How did Yiran become like this?!"
Snake Granny could not help crying out.
Beside them, Qin Xiao's eyes lit up, and he praised inwardly, Beautifully done!
He was very curious how Tang San would feel when he saw Meng Yiran bearing the Eight Spider Lances.
Before you continue