Chapter 28 – Chrysanthemum Douluo Reaches Rank 97, Tang Hao in Despair
The medicinal power of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was gradually absorbed by Yue Guan. Not only did it further evolve his martial soul, but it also replenished his vitality, allowing his soul power to grow faster than ever before.
Coupled with the enhancement from the hundred-thousand-year-old left arm bone, and months of cultivation within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Yue Guan could now faintly see hope — hope of stepping into the legendary Rank 97.
Rank 97… so close, yet still seemingly unreachable.
Each time he felt he was about to break through, it was as if something invisible held him back — always just one breath away.
Gui Mei had already advised him several times to consume the Earth Dragon Gold Melon, using its power to shatter his bottleneck.
The Earth Dragon Gold Melon was a heavenly-grade, earth-attribute immortal herb. It strengthened one's foundation, repaired flaws in cultivation roots, and helped break through soul power limits.
Meanwhile, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was a metal-attribute immortal herb.
According to the Five Elements principle — earth generates metal — the Earth Dragon Gold Melon was the perfect complementary herb for Yue Guan.
He understood this well. But Yue Guan… loved flowers as dearly as his own life.
The last time, it had already taken Gui Mei's repeated urging for him to reluctantly consume the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Now, how could he bear to eat another rare treasure like the Earth Dragon Gold Melon?
Although its roots would regenerate, that process would take at least a hundred years.
He had wanted to rely on his own strength to break through naturally — that way, he wouldn't have to sacrifice another precious flower.
But now… he no longer had that luxury.
According to Gui Mei, deep within the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, there existed two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts — one of which was close to two hundred thousand years in cultivation.
That was Ghost Douluo's next target soul ring.
However, those two ancient beasts were formidable — even working together, the two of them might not win easily.
To ensure his brother's success, Yue Guan had no choice but to raise his strength further.
Gui Mei was already prepared. Yue Guan could only sigh and accept reality.
"Old Ghost, once I eat this Earth Dragon Gold Melon… I probably won't see it again for the next hundred years."
As he spoke, Yue Guan retrieved a small golden melon from his storage device.
It was about the size of two clenched fists, radiating a faint golden brilliance, and pulsating with a powerful, earthy vitality.
Gui Mei grinned.
"Old Chrysanthemum, quit hesitating. Just eat it already."
"Fine…"
Yue Guan let out a long sigh, then gently placed the golden melon into his mouth, chewing slowly.
A faint sweetness spread through his body, and soon after swallowing it, he immediately sat cross-legged and began cultivating.
Gui Mei stood quietly nearby, watching intently, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
Time passed slowly. Three hours later, Yue Guan's eyes suddenly snapped open — twin golden lights flickering within.
Gui Mei instantly sensed the immense surge of soul power rolling off his friend.
"Old Chrysanthemum! Did you… break through?"
Yue Guan smiled faintly, calm and composed.
"Mm. Rank 97."
He didn't appear overly ecstatic, as if this outcome was already within his expectations.
The Earth Dragon Gold Melon was gone — but in return, he had shattered the bottleneck. His strength had undergone a qualitative leap, and his attack and defense capabilities skyrocketed to new heights.
"Old Ghost, when do we head for the Star Dou Great Forest?"
Gui Mei glanced at the darkening sky.
"It's already late today. We'll go tomorrow — and bring that old poison freak along."
"Alright."
Gui Mei's next target was the Sky Azure Bull Python — a soul beast nearing two hundred thousand years of age, with terrifying spiritual power.
For him, its soul ring was the perfect choice to enhance his spiritual strength.
On the other side—
Tang San followed Tang Hao to a familiar mountain, the same one they had visited once before.
For over a year, Tang Hao had stayed at Moon Pavilion to recuperate. Yet, despite his body healing, his heart was never at peace. A heavy weight pressed on his chest day and night — the fear that Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo would somehow discover that hidden stone chamber.
He was terrified that those two would harm Ah Yin. So even though his longing for her gnawed at his heart like a curse, he didn't dare visit. The slightest risk of exposing her resting place was something he couldn't bear.
Now, with Tang San by his side, he finally gathered the courage to come.
Together, father and son crossed the familiar waterfall — the silver curtain cascading down like a shimmering chain — and entered the hidden stone chamber.
But the moment their eyes adjusted to the dim light, both froze on the spot.
The small earthen mound that once sat quietly in the center of the chamber — the one where a single Blue Silver Grass had sprouted — was now barren.
That Blue Silver Grass, grown from the seed Ah Yin left behind after her death, carried Tang Hao's endless love, sorrow, and guilt.
But now… it is gone.
Only the bare mound remained, its empty soil illuminated by the faint light, exuding a sense of desolate emptiness that pierced the soul.
"No… Ah Yin!!!"
Tang Hao's roar tore through the chamber, filled with raw agony. He lunged forward like a madman, clawing desperately at the mound with both hands.
His nails scraped against the hardened soil until they broke, blood seeping between his fingers. Yet he didn't even flinch.
Every clump of earth he turned over felt like another piece of his heart was being ripped apart.
But no matter how much he dug, there was nothing. Only cold, lifeless soil.
Realizing that Ah Yin's remains had truly vanished, Tang Hao's vision darkened. His chest constricted violently, and with a guttural groan, he spat out a mouthful of blood that splattered across the stone wall — bright red and horrifying.
His body trembled, swaying as if he might collapse.
"Dad!" Tang San's voice cracked as he rushed forward, catching his father before he fell. "Please, calm down! Mom must be fine — we'll find her, I swear we will!"
Tang Hao didn't respond. His eyes were hollow, his mind blank, staring at the mound as though his very soul had been stripped away.
After a long silence, his eyes slowly regained focus. His hands clenched into trembling fists, his teeth grinding audibly.
"It was them… Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo! Those two bastards — how did they find this place?!"
"Ah Yin… It's all my fault. I should have taken you with me… not left you here alone…"
His voice deepened, trembling with wrath. "I, Tang Hao, swear… I'll make them pay for this with their lives!"
Tang San's eyes blazed with fury. Seeing his father's anguish ignited a storm in his own heart.
"Dad, don't worry. I'll stand by your side. We'll find Mom — and those two will pay in blood!"
Tang Hao took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his mind.
"Xiao San, let's leave this place first. You still need your fifth soul ring. Once we're ready… I'll settle this with them personally."
Father and son walked out of the stone chamber.
Sunlight poured over them, warm and bright — but it couldn't melt the cold shadow in their hearts.
Tang San silently vowed: no matter what it took, he would find his mother. And as for Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo… they would suffer divine retribution for what they had done.
After leaving the mountain, the two headed straight for the Star Dou Great Forest to seek Tang San's fifth soul ring.
Meanwhile, Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and Dugu Bo had also arrived at the Star Doulu Great Forest.
Thanks to continuous treatment, Dugu Bo had completely resolved the issue of his poison backlash. Not only that, but he had broken through his bottleneck, reaching Rank Ninety-Two.
Finding the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python wasn't difficult — they both lived near the central lake of the forest.
Gui Mei, having absorbed Xiao Wu's soul ring and fused her soul bone, now carried her aura.
Once he released it, those two hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts — who had treated Xiao Wu as their elder sister — would surely sense her presence.
And once they realized Xiao Wu was gone, they would fight to the death for vengeance.
—
End of Chapter