Tang San spun twice in the air before crashing to the ground.
Clutching his cheek, he stared at Tang Hao in confusion.
The last time they met, Tang Hao had slapped him. Now, upon reuniting, Tang Hao greeted him with another smack.
Was this his father's version of love?
Even though his head was spinning and he'd lost a wisdom tooth, Tang San still felt it was Tang Hao's way of showing affection.
The two locked eyes in silence for a moment before Tang Hao spoke.
"That Dai Mubai may be somewhat calculating, but he wasn't wrong."
"Tang San, your behavior indeed leaves people feeling coldhearted."
"However, for him to say such things in public has caused you considerable damage."
Tang Hao's gaze turned sharp. He was already planning to teach Dai Mubai a lesson—to let him know that Tang Hao's son wasn't someone anyone could criticize!
"Wh—"
Tang San wanted to say something, but his father's sudden declaration left him stunned.
"Tang San, it's not that I enjoy hitting you. But if I don't, there will be others who will want to kill you!" Tang Hao said sternly.
If Tang San had merely been showing signs of corruption, the Spirit Hall wouldn't have acted against him. But if he'd lashed out at the audience in the spirit arena…
The consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Head back to the academy in a bit. I'll deal with that Dai Mubai.
My son is not someone anyone can just 'educate,'" Tang Hao said coldly.
Tang San: "???"
After a brief pause, Tang San's mood shifted to elation. Tang Hao was going to personally seek revenge for him. Dai Mubai wouldn't escape unscathed!
"So this is what it feels like to have connections."
Even the slap didn't seem to hurt anymore.
Night Falls
At Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai stood silently on the rooftop of the dormitory, lost in thought.
"You knew I'd come?"
"Of course. You intervened during that assessment—how could you not show up for something like this?" Dai Mubai replied with a faint smile, showing no fear of Tang Hao.
Tang Hao was momentarily stunned. Had he been exposed even back then?
This didn't seem like something Zhao Wuji or Flender would have told him…
Suddenly, Tang Hao's pupils contracted, and his expression darkened.
"You know about Tang San's second spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer?"
"I do."
"Then tell me—what's your purpose in sabotaging the Clear Sky Clan's resurgence?" Tang Hao growled.
"Oh, don't try to pin that on me."
"Who was it that came to me for help with spirit rings? Who chose the spirit beasts to hunt? Tang San did."
"And now you're asking about my purpose?"
Tang Hao: "..."
"You're right. For someone like you to make such accusations isn't surprising," Dai Mubai said, smirking.
"How's that hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor spirit ring treating you?"
Tang Hao's killing intent surged, becoming almost tangible. It was clear—he was ready to kill.
Prince of Star Luo Empire or not, Tang Hao didn't care. If he killed Dai Mubai, how would the Star Luo Empire even find out?
"If you want to kill me, you'd better find a better location," Dai Mubai said nonchalantly.
Without waiting for a response, he vanished in an instant, using Moonwalk and Shave to sprint toward the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
Tang Hao didn't hesitate, chasing after him immediately.
A mere Soul King, even with an ambush, was nothing to him. He was the Clear Sky Douluo, free to come and go as he pleased.
But when Dai Mubai mentioned the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor spirit ring, Tang Hao's killing intent solidified further. That secret could never be revealed!
Before long, they arrived deep in the Sunset Forest. Far from Heaven Dou City, even the clash of Titled Douluo would go unnoticed for some time.
"You've chosen a fine resting place for yourself," Tang Hao said coldly.
"I was only planning to teach you a lesson. My son isn't someone anyone can educate. But now, you know too much. Why couldn't you just play dumb?"
Tang Hao's chilling laughter echoed in the forest.
Dai Mubai seemed unfazed. Instead, he spoke calmly, "Tang Hao, Clear Sky Douluo—how's this resting place I picked for you?"
"It's fitting, isn't it? After all, this is where your son acquired the spirit ring for his second spirit."
"Wait—are you even sure that person is truly your son?"
Tang Hao's expression changed drastically.
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?" Dai Mubai chuckled.
"Have you ever seen a three-year-old child cook and take care of you?"
"Have you ever seen a child begin cultivating on their own before their spirit awakens?"
"Most importantly, without anyone to teach him?"
"Don't tell me you naively thought Tang San was so talented that he invented spirit skills before his spirit even awakened?"
"And here's the kicker—he can craft incredibly complex hidden weapons! Too amazing, right?"
Tang Hao's face turned ashen.
Thinking back, young Tang San indeed matched Dai Mubai's description. At the time, Tang Hao had dismissed it.
"When you fought Qian Xunji, didn't you use your Great Sumeru Hammer and spirit ring detonation technique while holding Tang San?"
"And yet, a newborn survived the aftermath of a Titled Douluo-level battle. Truly incredible!"
"Even Soul Sages and Contras would struggle to survive something like that!"
Tang Hao's mind went numb.
Suddenly, it all made sense.
The real Tang San was likely long gone.
The person inhabiting Tang San's body now was some unknown demonic entity that had taken over!
"Well, thanks for telling me all this," Tang Hao said with icy calm.
"I'll make your death as painless as possible. Are you ready?"
Dai Mubai sneered.
"Old man, did you think I said all this to beg for my life?"
"No—I'm just kind enough to let you die as an informed ghost."
"White Tiger Sacred King Possession!"
In an instant, Dai Mubai activated his martial spirit. Seven spirit rings appeared beneath him—yellow, yellow, purple, red, black, red, red.
"Impossible! This can't be real!" Tang Hao wasn't shocked by Dai Mubai's Soul Sage rank but by his three hundred-thousand-year spirit rings!
Tang Hao, of all people, knew how rare hundred-thousand-year spirit rings were. Even Spirit Hall's most powerful figures had at most one such ring.
But this boy—just a mere Soul Sage—had three?!
Wait—Soul Sage?
This kid was already a Soul Sage?
At his age?
Gripping the Clear Sky Hammer tightly, Tang Hao's own nine spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—emerged. But for the first time in years, he realized he was at a disadvantage.
(Chapter Ends)