Inside Haotian Castle, after the five Elders left, only Lin Fan, Tang Xiao, and Tang Yuehua remained in the main hall.
Tang Yuehua glanced from time to time at the entrance of the hall. After waiting for more than ten minutes, she spoke with some worry in her voice.
"Second Brother hasn't come in for so long… he wouldn't clash with the Elders, would he?"
"Little Sister, don't worry. Second Brother's temper is indeed stubborn, but since he's already returned to the sect gate, it means he has made up his mind. Right now, under the gaze of everyone, he should already be making his way here step by step, kneeling with each step." Tang Xiao comforted his younger sister.
"Yuehua, I've already persuaded Tang Hao. If he dares to run away at the last moment, I'll break his legs. After all, I'm the one who brought him back. If he escapes, where would I put my face?" Lin Fan said with a smile.
As for how the two of them, while inside Haotian Castle, could know what was happening at the sect gate—naturally, it was because they had extended their spiritual power.
With the strength of the two, their spiritual power was enough to cover the entire mountain where the Haotian Sect was located.
Originally, Lin Fan hadn't intended to pay attention, but once he sensed Tang Xiao's spiritual fluctuations, he also released his own.
Thus, Lin Fan saw the scene of Tang San defeating Tang Long. Although Tang Long had underestimated him, one had to admit Tang San was extremely meticulous in thought.
By relying on his own unique methods, he defeated Tang Long, who had refrained from using spirit abilities.
Otherwise, for an ordinary Spirit Ancestor to defeat Tang Long—who had mastered the Haotian Sect's self-created techniques—would have been very difficult.
"Big Brother, Brother Lin, how did you know all that?" Tang Yuehua asked in confusion. They were clearly with her, yet she couldn't see what they claimed to see.
Lin Fan explained to her:
"Yuehua, once you become a Titled Douluo, your spiritual power can be released outward. Especially after reaching Super Douluo at level 96, this spiritual power grows even stronger. With such a powerful spirit sense, you can perceive an enemy's movements in advance."
"Brother-in-law is right, it is indeed like that." Tang Xiao nodded.
"Alright then, guess I'm just too weak." Tang Yuehua sighed helplessly.
Then she continued:
"I also wonder what Second Brother's child is like… does he resemble him, or his mother?"
As she spoke, Tang Yuehua once again looked expectantly toward the doors.
"I've spent some time with Tang Hao's child before. His name is Tang San, a clever and obedient boy." Lin Fan said helplessly.
"I can't help but feel excited. It's been so long since I've seen Second Brother." Tang Yuehua shared her feelings with Lin Fan.
Lin Fan didn't reply. He only held her hand and gently patted the back of it to calm her mood.
Tang Xiao, too, felt very emotional. After all, Tang Hao was his own blood brother, though as sect master for so many years, he didn't show it outwardly.
Outside, Tang Hao had already made it halfway along the path, kneeling and kowtowing with each step. His knees and forehead bore clear marks.
Tang San silently followed behind him, listening to the disciples on both sides whispering to each other.
"So that's Tang Hao—the one who, more than ten years ago, killed the previous Pope and shocked the whole continent? He doesn't look like it."
"Indeed… he looks shabby, far less spirited than our Sect Master."
"That boy is his son? He looks pretty ordinary." Some even looked at Tang San and began discussing.
"I just saw him wager against Senior Brother Tang Long. He actually won using only his Blue Silver Grass spirit, against Tang Long, who didn't even use spirit abilities."
"Yes, I saw it too. He's a Spirit Ancestor."
At this moment, Tang Hao and Tang San were under heavy scrutiny.
From the sect gate to Haotian Castle, there was still another mountain in between, connected by an iron-chain suspension bridge of about a hundred meters.
If they had walked normally, the two could have crossed in no time. But since Tang Hao was kneeling with every step, it took far longer.
By the time he finally arrived at Haotian Castle, Tang Hao's forehead was already swollen red from kowtowing, and his knees had torn through his pants.
"They're here!" Tang Yuehua saw the crowd gathering at the entrance and stood up excitedly.
Tang Xiao rose as well, and the two walked toward the gate. Lin Fan followed along.
The next moment, Tang Hao reached the main entrance. With a heavy kneel and kowtow, he lifted his head and said:
"Big Brother, I have returned."
"Good, good." Tang Xiao stepped forward, helped him up, and embraced him tightly. "As long as you're back."
"Second Brother!" Tang Yuehua rushed forward, hugging both her brothers. "We three siblings are together again."
"What a touching scene," Lin Fan thought to himself quietly.
"So that's Father's eldest brother? Even taller and sturdier than Father… And that's Father's younger sister? Her bearing and grace aren't inferior to the Pope of Spirit Hall." Tang San mused silently behind them.
"Second Brother, is this your child—Tang San?" Tang Yuehua wiped her tears and asked Tang Hao.
"Yes." Tang Hao nodded, then called Tang San over:
"Little San, come here. Let me introduce you. This is your Big Uncle, and this is your Aunt."
"Big Brother, Little Sister, this is Tang San. He's sixteen years old."
Tang San stepped forward respectfully and bowed:
"Tang San greets Big Uncle and Aunt."
"Good! As expected of Second Brother's son. Sixteen years old and already a level 48 Spirit Ancestor—truly remarkable." Tang Xiao praised with a smile.
"He really does look like his mother." Tang Yuehua sighed emotionally.
"I know you three siblings have much to talk about, but shouldn't Tang Hao first go to the ancestral hall to repent before the forefathers?" the Second Elder reminded as he and the other Elders approached.
"Big Brother, please lead the way." Tang Hao said.
The matter of the ancestral hall wasn't something Lin Fan should take part in, so he didn't follow.
An hour later, Tang Yuehua returned, bringing Tang San along.
"Brother Lin, I'm sorry… I neglected you earlier." Tang Yuehua apologized.
"It's fine, I understand. You should first arrange a place for Tang San to rest." Lin Fan replied with a smile, showing no concern.
Since arriving at Haotian Castle, Tang San had spoken little, deep in thought about something.
Not long after, Tang Xiao and the five Elders returned to the main hall. It was then that Lin Fan learned Tang Hao would kneel for three days and three nights at the ancestral hall to atone.
That also meant discussions about going to Spirit Hall for negotiations would have to wait until three days later.
Still, with Tang Hao's return, Lin Fan was no longer in a rush to set off for Sea God Island.
"So many days have passed… Tang Chen should already be dead on Sea God Island by now," Lin Fan thought.
But he didn't reveal Tang Chen's true condition to Tang Xiao and the others, worried that something might go wrong during the negotiations with Spirit Hall.
Lin Fan felt the delays had gone on long enough—once negotiations began, there could be no more stalling.
Even though Tang Chen wasn't participating this time, as long as Lin Fan didn't expose Tang Chen's situation, Qian Daoliu would remain cautious.
This was Lin Fan's strategy: a battle of psychology.
Knowing Qian Daoliu well, Lin Fan was certain that as long as he didn't know Tang Chen's actual state, he wouldn't act rashly—because what mattered most to him right now was ensuring Qian Renxue safely inherited the Angel God position.
Two days later, in the Pope's Palace, Chrysanthemum Douluo reported respectfully:
"Your Holiness, news has arrived from our spies. Tang Hao has returned to the Haotian Sect."
"At the same time, these past two days, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect have grown closer—likely preparing to support the Haotian Sect."
Bibi Dong said calmly:
"The three upper clans share the same breath and branches. With such an event, of course, the other two sects will act."
At this time, less than five days remained before the day of negotiations. The entire continent was in an uproar, with countless factions large and small sending people to Spirit City to watch.