Liu Erlong's expression changed abruptly, and Yu Xiaogang instantly sat upright.
The two exchanged a glance, then darted out through the window. Following the voice's guidance, they reached a small grove outside Shrek Academy in just a few breaths.
The night wind swept through the treetops, stirring a rustle.
Liu Erlong instantly activated Martial Soul Possession, and eight Soul Rings flared into view!
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black!
Crimson flames surged around her, casting light into the surrounding darkness.
She fixed her gaze on the depths of the forest nearby and shouted sharply, "Who's there! Come out!"
"No need to be nervous."
A figure shrouded in a tattered black robe slowly emerged from the woods.
His footsteps were steady, each step carrying a silent sense of pressure as it landed.
With each step, Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet, one after another.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red!
The final red Soul Ring was especially glaring in the night.
Liu Erlong's pupils contracted sharply. "A Titled Douluo!"
Yu Xiaogang, however, remained calm. Looking at the black-robed man, he cupped his hands slightly. "The Clear Sky Douluo himself. Forgive my discourtesy."
The man paused, then finally raised a hand and pulled back the black robe covering his face, revealing features weathered by life.
Though his stubble was unkempt and his brow and eyes bore the marks of hardship, the sharpness in his eyes had not diminished in the slightest.
"The Clear Sky Douluo? You're Tang Hao!"
Only then did Liu Erlong realize.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly. "On the continent today, who else is known to possess a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring besides Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo whose name resounds across the continent?"
Although Bibi Dong also possessed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, others did not know that.
At present, Tang Hao alone was publicly acknowledged on the continent as possessing a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!
Tang Hao looked at Yu Xiaogang, remaining silent for two breaths before speaking. "Thank you for looking after Xiao San all these years."
No sooner had he finished than he turned toward the darkness on the other side. "And the one over there. Stop hiding."
A dark shadow flashed past, and Flender instantly appeared beside Yu Xiaogang. The three stood in a triangular formation.
Flender cupped his hands in greeting. "Flender pays his respects to His Excellency Haotian."
Tang Hao raised a hand, his gaze sweeping over the three as his eyebrows lifted slightly. "To think the Golden Iron Triangle, once renowned across the continent, would meet in this little place today."
Liu Erlong and Flender exchanged a glance, quietly shifting their positions to place Yu Xiaogang under their protection in the middle.
Yu Xiaogang seemed not to notice their tension and spoke in his usual tone. "Xiao San is my disciple. Naturally, I'll look after him. You, on the other hand, haven't come to see him all these years."
Tang Hao's expression darkened, and he lowered his gaze. "For now... it still isn't suitable for us to meet."
"Because of Spirit Hall?"
Tang Hao remained silent, tacitly acknowledging it.
Seeing him like this, Yu Xiaogang's tone gradually grew heavier. "So many years have already passed. I know you carry hatred, but as Tang San's teacher, I have to say this: you've been a very inadequate father."
Flender and Liu Erlong were both startled. Xiaogang, you're far too bold!
The man facing them was the Clear Sky Douluo!
Tang Hao did not argue, however. Clearly, he knew it himself.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "How has the Clear Sky Douluo, whose name once shook the world, fallen into such despondency?"
"I had no intention of interfering in your feud with Spirit Hall, but I won't let you drag Xiao San into the whirlpool of hatred too."
"That is his destiny."
Tang Hao spoke gravely.
"There has never been any such thing as destiny."
"A person's life has always rested in their own hands."
"You don't want him to seek revenge?"
"Of course I wouldn't stop him, but I'll let him choose for himself. Don't tell me you want to destroy Spirit Hall?"
"Destroying Spirit Hall is impossible."
Yu Xiaogang looked straight at him and said, enunciating every word, "If you insist on doing that, you'll only harm Xiao San. Avenge wrongs and settle grievances, but never hurt the innocent."
"Those who surrounded and tried to kill you back then-Xiao San will settle those accounts with his own hands in the future. But the innocent members of Spirit Hall who never took part naturally don't share their guilt."
Tang Hao remained silent for a long time.
The night wind swept through the woods, making their robes flap.
At last, Tang Hao let out a long breath. "You're right. With Xiao San under your guidance, I can rest easy. I, Tang Hao... owe you a favor."
Under Liu Erlong's and Flender's shocked gazes, he actually bent at the waist and bowed to Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "There's no need for this. As I said, he's my disciple."
"And I'm his father."
Tang Hao straightened. "Consider this a father's thanks."
Yu Xiaogang looked at him for a long while before sighing. "If you have the chance, go see Xiao San. He's missed you all this time."
"It isn't time yet."
Tang Hao shook his head and turned his gaze toward the academy. After a brief pause, he looked away. "From now on... I'm sorry for the trouble I'll still be putting you through."
With that, he turned and left.
His black robe billowed, and within a few steps, he vanished into the night.
Yu Xiaogang remained where he was, watching that retreating figure disappear into the depths of the woods. "He really just came to meet us and left..."
He knew what Tang Hao was thinking. He merely wanted to use his identity as a deterrent, ensuring they took good care of Tang San.
In Yu Xiaogang's view, however, this was nothing more than painting legs on a snake.
Flender withdrew his Martial Soul and let out a long breath. "That scared me to death. I thought we were going to fight... Xiaogang, you were far too blunt just now. That was the Clear Sky Douluo..."
Yu Xiaogang smiled and turned to head back. "If he'd truly been angry, he wouldn't have bowed."
The three walked along the way back.
Liu Erlong turned to look at him. "Xiaogang, you said Tang Hao wants revenge against Spirit Hall. What do you think about that?"
Liu Erlong knew about Bibi Dong. She was Yu Xiaogang's first love, and the two had now reestablished contact.
Given her understanding of Yu Xiaogang, she did not believe he would remain unmoved.
Yu Xiaogang's steps paused briefly before he continued forward.
He did not answer immediately, but thoughts raced through his mind.
Naturally, he would not oppose Tang Hao's desire to take revenge against Spirit Hall.
Anyone would find it difficult to let go of such a sea of blood and hatred, but he would never let Tang San go to extremes, such as destroying Spirit Hall.
If Spirit Hall were destroyed, the negative impact on the continent would be far too great.
First and most directly, there were the Evil Soul Masters.
Spirit Hall had been the sworn enemy of Evil Soul Masters since ancient times, especially the Qian Family's Angel Legion, which naturally countered them.
It was precisely because Spirit Hall existed that Evil Soul Masters were now nearly extinct on the continent. The few who escaped would also be driven into the Land of Slaughter.
Compared with the situation ten thousand years later, when Evil Soul Masters ran rampant across the continent, the difference was as vast as heaven and earth.
Of course, this was also partly because Tang San later accidentally destroyed Slaughter City.
Over the years, under Yu Xiaogang's influence, Tang San's understanding of good and evil had already changed considerably.
Previously, Tang San's thinking had leaned toward feudalism, especially regarding royalty. In the original story, even after becoming a god, he had not forgotten distinctions of rank before the emperor of the mere Heaven Dou Empire.
But now things were different. Tang San directed more of his attention toward the common people.
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