"I'm discussing this with you now because Tang San is Xiao Wu's friend, and practically your son. Otherwise, I could have simply killed him to eliminate any future trouble."
"I've killed plenty of people, one more won't make a difference."
"So, you either cooperate with me and at most let Tang San's Blue Silver Grass evolve to the Blue Silver King level, or he awakens the Blue Silver Emperor and I kill him."
After a moment of silence, Big Ah Yin asked, "Can I see my son?"
"He is not your son," Xuan Ming said coldly. "The son you gave birth to died at birth."
"What do you mean?" Big Ah Yin's tone turned cold.
"Didn't Ah Rou and Xiao Wu tell you?" Xuan Ming retorted. " Tang San has been creating all sorts of strange and bizarre things since he was a child—unusual martial arts techniques, sophisticated Hidden Weapon... Do you think a child could come up with those?"
"Of course, you can deceive yourself; that's your prerogative. Just like you used to, force yourself to ignore all the suspicious aspects—at least that way it won't be too painful."
Big Ah Yin fell silent.
"You still have time to consider," Xuan Ming said.
"They should be heading to Blue Silver Forest tomorrow. I need to get there earlier and make preparations before they arrive. Now, let my Little Ah Yin come out."
"They're here!" a cheerful voice rang out.
"Lead the way."
The next morning, after a night's rest and having recovered somewhat, Tang San briefly explained to Flender before leaving with Tang Hao.
Flender secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Hao entrusted his son to Shrek. If Tang San were to truly break down, who knows what that ruthless man who once murdered the Pope would do!
" Flender, where's Xiaogang?" Liu Erlong asked as he walked over. "The children are all waiting for him to assign training tasks."
" Xiaogang?" Flender was taken aback. "He's not back yet?"
I went out yesterday afternoon. The Martial Soul Holy Temple isn't far, and even if I wanted to catch up, I should have returned this morning...
Liu Erlong frowned. "Where did he go?"
"Uh... I'm not too sure either. Tang San's mental state is unstable due to his Martial Soul problem; he's probably trying to find a solution." Flender tried to remain calm. "Maybe he went to find Tang Hao."
" Tang Hao?" Liu Erlong was slightly taken aback.
"Alright, Erlong, Xiaogang is Tang San's teacher. It's only natural for him to try to solve this problem for his disciple. Don't overthink it," Flender advised. "Let's focus on training the children first."
Although Liu Erlong still had doubts, he did not ask any further questions.
After all, she had witnessed Tang San's despondent state, so Yu Xiaogang's concerns were understandable.
Meanwhile, inside a side hall of the Martial Soul Holy Temple.
After diverting the Snake Lance and the Porcupinefish Douluo, Qian Renxue finally confronted Salas.
Under duress, Salas, unable to withstand the pressure, had no choice but to reveal what happened back then.
"You mean, my father knew about their affair all along?" Qian Renxue's face turned icy cold.
Salas bowed deeply. "Your Highness, you can ask Elders Chrysanthemum and Ghost about this matter. They were responsible for protecting His Holiness the His Holiness the Pope back then, especially Yue Guan, who knows the most about His Holiness's affairs."
"Then why didn't anyone say anything?" Qian Renxue asked coldly.
Yu Xiaogang left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and went to Spirit City, where he joined the Spirit City Spirit Hall stayed for nearly ten years!
She had known her mother for nearly seven years, and they had dated for at least two years, even going to Sea God Island together.
Why didn't anyone warn the saintess when she was surrounded by so many people?
"Your Highness, this is all your father's wish, we... dare not say anything," Salas said nervously.
Back when things were just starting to look up Bibi Dong, Yue Guan had already informed Qian Xunji and asked him if he should send Yu Xiaogang away or warn the kid to stay away from Bibi Dong.
But Qian Xunji didn't give any response or make any arrangements; he even pretended not to see it!
This leniency was so permissive that even Bibi Dong and the others believed Qian Xunji had tacitly approved it!
After all, this was in Spirit City, right under the Pope's nose! Yu Xiaogang, as Grandmaster of theoretical studies at the Spirit Hall, despite his poor talent Soul Master, devoted most of his time to theoretical research.
Back then, the relationship between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Spirit Hall was far different from what it is now. Even the Clear Sky Sect, which is now at odds with the Spirit Hall, was on good terms with the Spirit Hall back then.
As a sacred place for Soul Master, the Spirit Hall treated Yu Xiaogang, the son of the leader of one of the Upper Three Sects, with great respect.
For nearly a decade, Yu Xiaogang has almost entirely immersed himself in the Spirit Hall's library, and his theoretical knowledge is something even the elders in the hall can hardly match.
While his title of " Grandmaster " may be partly due to his background, his theoretical expertise is certainly not undeserved.
After all, high-level Soul Master are busy with their own cultivation and regard their collection of books as worthless paper.
Only Soul Grandmaster like Yu Xiaogang, stuck at level 29, would bury himself in books all day long.
However, when Qian Xunji suddenly expelled Yu Xiaogang from Spirit City and removed him from the Spirit Hall forever, the title " Grandmaster " gradually became a source of irony.
The Pope is the absolute authority in the Soul Master World; those whom the Pope despises are naturally despised by everyone.
"Why did my father suddenly remove Yu Xiaogang from the list back then?" Qian Renxue pressed.
"This humble servant truly knew nothing of this matter!" Salas hurriedly replied.
Qian Renxue frowned.
According to Salas, Yu Xiaogang was expelled less than a year before she was born, and shortly after the Spirit Hall's failed expedition to Sea God Island.
Why did that relationship suddenly break down? How could her mother, as her father's disciple, be with him? Was it because Yu Xiaogang did something during the trip to Sea God Island that caused them to turn against each other, allowing her father to take advantage of the situation?
Chapter 271 Deserved to Die
After leaving Heaven Dou City, Xuan Ming followed Little Ah Yin's guidance and flew southeast, arriving at the Blue Silver Forest in less than two days.
"You used to live here?" Xuan Ming asked.
"Yes, it's always been here," Little Ah Yin said, slowly releasing her aura.
In just a few breaths, the ancient forest seemed to be awakened, and the Blue Silver Grass all over the ground began to sway joyfully.
"Your Majesty, you've returned?"
A vast Divine Power, accompanied by an immense Life force, surged forth from the depths of the forest.
"I... I'm back." Little Ah Yin's feelings were somewhat complicated.
This is the place where she has cultivated for nearly 100,000 years. In the endless years of the past, she could only stay in the same place. Even if she cultivated to the level of 10,000 years, her Divine Power could not cross the boundary of the forest.
This place is both her home and the prison that has confined her for tens of thousands of years.
"The older one, have you thought it through?" Xuan Ming asked. "Actually, your consent isn't needed for this. I'm only asking out of respect. If you're unwilling, I have a way to temporarily suppress your consciousness, at least until this matter is over."
"Give me an answer while I still have the respect for you."
"Why don't you just kill me?" Big Ah Yin reappeared. "Wouldn't it be simpler to just erase my entire personality?"
"First of all, the situation is complicated, and I can't do that with a clear conscience," Xuan Ming said calmly. "Besides, do you think Little Ah Yin would agree?"
Although they are two independent personalities, there is not much conflict between the Little Ah Yin. After the Little Ah Yin gained the memories of the Big Ah Yin, she felt more sympathy for her other self and almost regarded her as her older sister. She would never agree to Xuan Ming erasing the existence of the Big Ah Yin.
"You decide," Big Ah Yin's voice trailed off.
"She's very sad, in great pain, and can't make a decision." Little Ah Yin came online.
She had her doubts, but she refused to question them. She forced herself to ignore the flaws, because she knew that human emotions could never be pure. Having lived in the human world for so many years, she had grown and learned that sometimes, not taking things so seriously was the key to a happier life.
Even if Tang Hao's feelings for her weren't entirely pure, at least she still had her child. But now, she's lost her child too, and she has nothing left.
"Then can you make the decision for her?" Xuan Ming asked.
"Okay," Little Ah Yin said.
"If she's going to hate someone in the future, let her hate me."
"..."
"Fine, just hate me then." Xuan Ming sighed.
Anyway, there are plenty of people who hate me now.
The Royal Hunting Ground are located 50 kilometers southwest of Heaven Dou City. The qualifying rounds for the Heaven Dou Empire region will be held here.
Where have you been for the past two weeks?
Led by Xue Qinghe, the Imperial Fighting Team arrived at their exclusive rest area inside the hunting grounds. As a team representing the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the royal family, their rest area was quite luxurious.
"Just handling some personal matters. What happened while I was away?" Xuan Ming said.
"There's a lot to do." Xue Qinghe pulled Xuan Ming away from the camp area.
" The Pope suddenly announced that the finals would be held in Spirit City. This news has already spread and won't change, but I still feel like something's not quite right."
Since the incident in Sunset Forest, the Pope's power has been taken over by the Elder Hall. Now, the actual ruler of Spirit City and the Spirit Hall is Golden Crocodile Douluo.
The Pope had been trying to hold the finals in Heaven Dou City in order to leverage the power of the Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Holy Temple and the prestige of the event to regain some of the Pope's power.
Now, the Pope has actually given up this opportunity.
Knowing that woman as she did, she knew she couldn't possibly surrender without a fight!
"Is there anything else?" Xuan Ming asked.
Xue Qinghe frowned slightly. "And then there are the Seven Great Families; they might have to resort to force."
During the preliminary rounds, everyone was wary of Xuan Ming causing trouble in the final stages, since the preliminary rounds had the largest audience and were held in Heaven Dou City, making it the fastest way to spread influence.
However, Xuan Ming remained completely silent, and did not even attend the final ceremony of the preliminary rounds, which left everyone puzzled as to what he was thinking.
The qualifying rounds are private competitions, and now the finals have been set up in Spirit City. Coupled with some rumors circulating about the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, many people now suspect that Xuan Ming has already infiltrated the Spirit Hall.
Even the decision to hold the finals in Spirit City was part of the Spirit Hall's plan to use Xuan Ming to stir up trouble and suppress the Seven Great Families and the two great empires.
The slave trade was ultimately something that couldn't be openly discussed. Even though the Spirit Hall was involved, it was far less in-depth than that of the Seven Great Families and the Two Great Empires.
If the Spirit Hall truly wants to rectify the situation, it can simply arrest the involved Soul Master; although this would have some impact, it would be manageable.
However, the Seven Great Families and the two great empires are more deeply involved, with a far larger network of interests. The Seven Great Families are the main force behind the imperial auction house. How can the royal family claim to be completely unaware of the dealings happening right under their noses?
Previously, no one believed that the Spirit Hall would do something so devastating, harming both sides, but the current situation makes it hard not to doubt.
After all, even if they lose 800, they still make a net profit of 200. Moreover, the Spirit Hall's actual loss may be less than 500, and since they initiated this matter, all the positive influence belongs to them.
Strictly speaking, the Spirit Hall is guaranteed to make a profit!
"What are you worried about?" Xuan Ming asked.
"Are you worried something might happen to me?"
" The Seven Great Families have Titled Douluo," Xue Qinghe said earnestly.
"Can you withstand the ambush of Titled Douluo?"
The number of Titled Douluo on the Douluo Continent is extremely small, with fewer than twenty existing in the open. The Spirit Hall has hidden Titled Douluo, as do other forces. Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo, who lives in seclusion in the mountains, also exist.
According to the Spirit Hall, the Seven Great Families have at least two Titled Douluo hidden away, whose strength and methods are unknown even to the Elder Hall!
If a Titled Douluo with an unknown identity and unpredictable methods were to launch a sneak attack, even a powerhouse of the same level would find it difficult to defend against.
"They can't possibly storm this Royal Hunting Ground to kill me, can they?" Xuan Ming said.
"It's hard to say," Xue Qinghe said.
"Now the royal family's attitude is becoming ambiguous."
The royal family originally hoped that Ning Fengzhi could ease the situation, but the current situation shows that Ning Fengzhi is powerless to do anything about it. In fact, Xuan Ming may have already aligned himself with the Spirit Hall and become their enemy!
Although the old emperor did not say it explicitly, his attitude changed significantly after the finals venue was changed from Heaven Dou City to Spirit City.
Holding the finals in Heaven Dou City is the royal family's home turf; even if things get out of hand, the royal family still holds the power.
Even at the very last step, the royal family can seize the positive influence and implement reforms—since they are unstoppable and face little resistance, this would be a good opportunity to strengthen royal power.
But the finals were moved to Spirit City, drastically changing the nature of the event!
The royal family will not benefit from this; on the contrary, they may be attacked by the Spirit Hall under the guise of righteousness.