Not long after the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape completed their sacrifice, the forest fell into an uncanny silence.
Two crimson soul rings—dense, ancient, and brimming with terrifying power—slowly revolved around Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer. Their oppressive aura distorted the air itself, as if the surrounding space could barely withstand their existence.
Xiao Wu's eyes were a little red as both Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape were close to her.
Tang Hao stood there, staring at the two hundred-thousand-year rings. For a moment, he said nothing. Then a rare expression of unrestrained joy broke through his usually hardened face.
He did not show it outwardly but in his mind
'Good… good!' he muttered, his voice thick with emotion. 'As expected of my son.'
To any soul master, obtaining even a single hundred-thousand-year ring was a miracle. Yet Tang San now possessed two at once. The sheer fortune and power this represented made Tang Hao feel that all the hardships they had endured were finally being repaid.
Tang Xiao, however, remained silent. His gaze lingered on Tang San for a long moment before he finally spoke, his tone steady yet carrying a hint of authority.
"Brother Hao… Nephew Tang San… it is time for you to return with me to the clan."
Tang Hao's expression froze. A trace of hesitation surfaced, followed by deep remorse.
"I cannot go back," he said quietly. "I have failed the clan. I broke the elders' teachings… they will not welcome me."
His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. Years of exile and guilt were not things that could be brushed aside with a single invitation.
Tang San, standing to the side, remained silent, but his thoughts were far from calm.
While the Clear Sky Clan was his father's home, the memories he carried told a different story.
'Uncle Tang Xiao may mean well, he thought coldly, but the elders… they will not treat father fairly.'
Tang Xiao seemed to sense Tang Hao's hesitation. He stepped forward, his gaze firm.
"I am the clan leader," he said. "They may question me, but they cannot overturn my decision."
There was no anger in his voice—only certainty.
"Brother Hao, come back with me."
For a moment, the forest was silent again.
Then, after a long pause, Tang Hao exhaled slowly.
"…Alright."
The single word carried years of burden.
With Tang Xiao's repeated persuasion, Tang Hao finally agreed. Tang San and Xiao Wu naturally followed, the group setting out toward the long-hidden Clear Sky Clan.
Before they departed, Tang Xiao suddenly smiled—a rare, almost mysterious expression.
"We will not remain in our current predicament for long," he said. "When you arrive… you will understand. There is a surprise waiting for you."
Tang San frowned slightly, unable to grasp the meaning behind those words.
But he said nothing and the journey passed swiftly.
When they finally reached the secluded domain of the Clear Sky Clan, Tang San's composure—so carefully maintained—finally cracked.
His pupils shrank as shock flashed across his face.
'Impossible…'
His thoughts churned rapidly.
'So is this the Butterfy effect....I never entered the Yin Yang Ice Fire Well. I never obtained the 'Snow Swan Kiss.' The Slaughter City should still exist… untouched…'
'Then how…'
His gaze locked onto a certain figure within the clan.
'…how is he here?'
Despite the confusion, a different emotion soon surfaced within Tang San's heart.
Regardless of the anomaly, the presence of such a powerhouse meant one thing— with stronger backing, any future endeavour would become far easier to execute.
( AN: Do the readers know which character has given Tang San assurance)
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Spirit City
The city stood at the peak of its prosperity.
Ever since the Blacksmith Association had officially merged into Spirit Hall, and with the rapid development of soul guides, Spirit City had transformed into something unprecedented.
In just eight years, Spirit City had surpassed its former glory and become the undisputed center of the Soul Master world.
Then Suddenly ,a deep bell tolled across the entire city.
Ton
Ton
Ton
The sound was ancient, heavy, and suffocating, reverberating through every street and alley The bustling crowd froze.
A passerby looked around, confused. "What happened?"
"I don't know…" another replied, unease creeping into his voice.
A middle-aged soul master, dressed in refined robes and clearly familiar with the customs of Spirit City, lowered his voice and said gravely, "That bell… it only rings when someone of great importance has fallen."
A murmur spread instantly.
"Someone important?"
"Could it be… a Titled Douluo?"
Before speculation could settle, a man came sprinting into the central square, panic written all over his face.
"Bad news! Bad news!"
All eyes turned toward him. He bent over, gasping for breath.
Huff… huff…
After forcing himself to calm down, he raised his head, his voice trembling.
"The Holy Maiden… is dead."
For a brief moment, the entire square seemed to lose its sound.
Then, like a dam breaking, shock erupted everywhere.
"What?!"
"That's impossible!"
"How could the Holy Maiden—"
The man swallowed and continued, his tone hurried and fearful.
"It is said her team was ambushed while hunting a soul ring in the Star Dou Forest. The attackers… were from the Clear Sky Clan. The holy maiden was heavily injured during that attack, it seems she was not able to recover."
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere shifted violently.
Hatred ignited.
"Clear Sky Clan again?!"
"Those hammer-wielding brutes still dare to roam the continent?!"
"I heard they have a twisted obsession with soul beasts—savages! Tang Hao had a child with one and his son named Tang San has another soul beast as a lover."
"They even killed the previous Pope… and now even the Holy Maiden has fallen because of them!"
Voices overlapped, growing louder and more furious, until the entire city seemed to boil with outrage.
And then—an overwhelming pressure descended.
The weight of it was suffocating, crushing the noise of the city in an instant. Conversations died mid-sentence. Even breathing felt heavy under that invisible force.
A voice filled with uncontrollable fury rang out from the depths of the Papal Hall.
"CLEAR SKY CLAN!!! TANG SAN"
The roar echoed across Spirit City, carrying boundless killing intent.
Every soul master present felt a chill run down their spine.
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