"Duang~"
A small hammer seamlessly merged into the Thunderflame Clear Sky Hammer.
It granted the hammer "Destruction's Three Passives":
Power of Destruction: Absorbing soul power increases its weight and size!Persistence of Destruction: No matter how heavy the Thunderflame Clear Sky Hammer becomes, it will always feel like a set weight in his hands!Origin of Destruction: No matter what soul rings are acquired, the soul skills will only amplify the user's physical strength and the hammer's maximum weight!
A pure brute-force approach—no flashy tricks, just raw power.
Hard to imagine.
If he could apply nine hundred-thousand-year soul rings, plus one divine soul ring, and then detonate them all in a ten-ring explosion...
"Hiss—"
Would he even need the Asura God's position to just smash a god in one hit?
'It's decided!'
'Even if I give up the God of Destruction's position, there's no way I'm returning this divine weapon!'
'No way the God of Destruction is going to whine to the God King of Destruction over this, right?'
With this devious thought in mind, Tang Lan turned to his final reward—the Soul Spirit Equal Contract!
This thing...
It was the ultimate tool for harvesting soul beasts' faith!
Soul masters had to hunt soul beasts to obtain soul rings and soul bones to grow stronger.
Naturally, soul beasts despised soul masters for this.
Over tens of thousands of years,
soul masters and soul beasts had become mortal enemies, locked in an endless cycle of kill or be killed.
The Soul Spirit Equal Contract changed that.
Normally, when a soul beast's physical body perished, its soul dispersed.
But this contract allowed a soul beast's spirit to attach to a soul ring,
preserving its consciousness and intelligence.
It could even fight alongside the host, enhancing the soul ring's effects and actively casting soul skills.
If the host broke through rank 100 and became a god,
the soul spirit would ascend to the divine realm as well, evolving into a godly entity.
At that point, if the host wished,
they could resurrect their soul spirit and grant it human form,
allowing it to live eternally in the divine realm.
The Soul Spirit Equal Contract made coexistence between soul masters and soul beasts possible.
At the same time,
it gave ancient soul beasts nearing the end of their lifespans a chance to survive.
Because of this,
in Douluo 3's world, the Spirit Transmission Pagoda, which produced soul spirits,
became deeply integrated into society—
Overseeing martial soul awakenings, mental power tests, battle armor registrations, and more.
It became...
the true successor to the Spirit Hall!
'I originally thought I'd have to destroy the Spirit Hall to replace it.'
'But with this contract… it seems like the Spirit Hall and I aren't necessarily enemies anymore?'
'Hmm…'
'Those who ambushed my mother back then still need to die, though.'
Tang Lan's mind raced with ideas for some insane plays.
For example—
convincing Da Ming and Er Ming to become his soul spirits?
After all, both of them had given up their chances to become human
and would have to endure the Ten-Thousand-Year Heavenly Tribulation within the next millennium.
One misstep, and they would be completely annihilated.
But if they became Tang Lan's soul spirits…
Once he ascended to the divine realm, he could resurrect them as gods, just like in the original timeline.
Perfect!
'But first, I need to test this out and get some solid proof—it'll make convincing them easier.'
Tang Lan thought of Jing Ling.
Immortal herbs were limited,
and since Tang Lan planned to devour a ridiculous amount,
he'd have to pass on this one.
But for other ten-thousand-year spirit herbs,
if he found a suitable one, he could help Jing Ling break through.
That meant he needed to carefully choose his third soul ring.
As he was deep in thought—
Tang Lan suddenly looked up, turning toward his sect.
A powerful aura was charging straight toward them!
'This spiritual pressure…'
Tang Lan immediately unsealed his Blue Silver Grass,
activated his flying soul bone's skill, and infused it with life energy,
transforming into a streak of light as he shot forward.
He intercepted the incoming Tang Hao,
preventing an even bigger commotion.
"Xiao Lan, you're alright?" Tang Hao asked excitedly. "You called for me so urgently—what's the matter?"
Tang Lan didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he glanced behind Tang Hao.
His Soul Spirit Domain, like the Blue Silver Domain,
could be passively active at all times.
Moreover, by combining both domains, he could scan an extremely vast area.
At this moment—
A massive force of city guards was rushing in from all directions, covering the sky and ground like a black tide.
Clearly—
Tang Hao hadn't bothered to report his arrival and forced his way in.
This was Heaven Dou City!
A stranger with the aura of a Titled Douluo
barreling into the city full of killing intent was a serious matter!
"Dad, wait in my room first." Tang Lan pointed to the sect leader's palace. "I'll handle this little mess and meet you soon."
Tang Hao quickly realized the situation.
His identity couldn't be revealed yet.
Nodding, he flew down.
A few seconds later—
Liu Erlong soared into the sky,
her expression filled with doubt as she scanned the surroundings.
"Sect Master, I just sensed… a very violent aura?"
"It's fine." Tang Lan said calmly. "A Titled Douluo has come to join us. You go calm everyone down—I'll handle things here."
Liu Erlong froze.
A Titled Douluo…
joining them?!
"Hiss—"
That meant the Tang Sect would soon have a Titled Douluo protecting it?!
She quickly responded, "Leave it to me, Sect Master! You don't need to worry!"
Flapping her Flaming Dragon Wings, she left.
Soon—
The chaos below fell into silence,
so quiet that even the chirping insects had been silenced.
Tang Lan's perception picked up on—
Zhao Wuji and his team frantically hunting down insects,
afraid that their noise might offend the Titled Douluo.
Tang Lan couldn't help but chuckle.
Before long—
A mighty army arrived at Tang Sect Academy's gates.
Leading them was Dugu Bo.
"Little monster, do you know what that aura just now was?" Dugu Bo asked bluntly.
He already had a suspicion.
"It's exactly what you think." Tang Lan replied. "In two days, we'll go together."
Dugu Bo's gaze sharpened!
As expected—
It was him—Hao Tian Douluo!
"Little monster, tell him next time—don't make such a scene." Dugu Bo said coldly. "This is Heaven Dou City! Salas, the Platinum Bishop, is still here!"
Tang Lan simply smiled and cupped his hands, saying nothing.
Dugu Bo, understanding the unspoken agreement, led his troops away.
And the matter was settled.
Tang Lan turned and flew back to the sect leader's palace.
As soon as he landed, Tang Hao walked up to him.
"You called me over so urgently… was it for that little snake?"
There was only one Titled Douluo in Heaven Dou City.
Tang Lan nodded… then shook his head.
This confused Tang Hao.
"It's about Dugu Bo, but not because of him." Tang Lan said directly. "I've found a sacred land where plants can grow at a thousand or even ten thousand times their normal rate."
Tang Hao's eyes widened sharply!
His gaze locked onto Tang Lan, filled with shock, doubt, excitement, relief, and nostalgia…
After a long silence—
He sighed.
"You already know?"
"It wasn't hard to guess." Tang Lan nodded. "Dad, you're Hao Tian Douluo, Tang Hao. And Mom… is the Blue Silver Emperor hidden behind the waterfall."
Tang Hao smiled bitterly.
His son was too much of a monster…
Or maybe…
His gaze flickered, but he said no more.
"Xiao Lan, this sacred land… is it in Dugu Bo's hands?"
"Yes." Tang Lan smiled. "In two days, Dad, you and I will go there, and then—"
"Don't worry!" Tang Hao's eyes turned cold. "For Ah Yin… a mere little snake is nothing but—"
Tang Lan hurriedly cut him off.
This man's murderous intent was way too strong!
"I've already negotiated with Dugu Bo."
Tang Lan explained:
"I will cure the poison in him and his granddaughter, and help him break through."
"After that, the treasure land will belong to me."
"By then, you will be able to take Mother inside."
Tang Hao was slightly taken aback.
Tang Lan was only a Soul King with five rings, yet he could negotiate terms with a Title Douluo?
But thinking about how Tang Lan had founded the Tang Sect, allied with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and gained the favor of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family…
It made sense.
"Alright."
"I came in a hurry this time and didn't bring Ah Yin."
"I'll head back first and bring her here as soon as possible."
Tang Lan nodded.
He took out a storage ring and handed it to Tang Hao.
"This is a specially made soul tool storage device. It can store air inside, allowing it to hold living creatures."
Tang Hao was a little surprised.
He had only heard of storage soul tools that could hold living beings but had never seen one in real life.
He took it, examined it, and confirmed it was genuine.
He couldn't help but sigh, "Xiao Lan, you've really grown up."
Tang Lan simply smiled without responding.
As he watched Tang Hao take off into the sky again, he came to a realization.
—Tang Hao had definitely figured it out.
Tang Lan and Tang San were not really his sons.
At least, not their souls.
As a Title Douluo himself, with extraordinary talent,
how could two children under his watch, without any formal teaching, each develop their own cultivation techniques?
Was that something a normal child could do?
That was probably why…
Tang Hao had become so disheartened back when they were six.
Only after seeing their twin martial souls did he regain hope for revenge and pick himself up again.
'Tang Hao is really a pitiful man.'
'His wife was forced to sacrifice herself, and even his sons were taken over. A true star of misfortune.'
As for the conspiracy theory from his previous life that said "Tang Hao deliberately schemed to make Ah Yin sacrifice herself"?
Tang Lan did not believe it.
Tang Hao already had a full set of soul bones. A hundred-thousand-year soul bone was useless to him.
If he only wanted a hundred-thousand-year soul ring,
then why, after obtaining it, did he waste six years wallowing in despair?
Why did he let his internal injuries worsen and drown himself in alcohol every day?
Otherwise,
If Tang Hao had continued to cultivate properly, he could have had a shot at becoming a Limit Douluo.
So, there was only one explanation—he suffered immense psychological trauma.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
"Brother?"
"It's me, Xiao San. I heard from Liu Erlong that a Title Douluo was here?"
Oh wow.
This guy never misses an opportunity.
"Come in."
Tang Lan pushed open the door and glanced around.
"Don't bother looking, he's already gone," Tang Lan said. "The one who came just now was our father."
Tang San's eyes widened in shock.
He blurted out, "He's a Title Douluo? Him?"
The image of that drunken, lifeless man in his mind was completely at odds with the idea of a Title Douluo.
Tang Lan didn't bother hiding the truth.
He briefly explained the situation to Tang San.
"…So, Xiao San, don't blame our father. He's had a tough time these past years too."
Tang San: o(^｀)o
That… sounds like a fairytale!
But seeing the serious expression on Tang Lan's face…
It felt so real.
But still…
That was a Title Douluo?
Before he turned six, he had been careful to hide his abilities,
but that was only against normal people.
Title Douluo had incredibly sharp senses.
Looking back with his current level of cultivation,
he realized that his so-called "hiding" back then was full of holes.
'Did Father already notice something was wrong with me?'
'Is that why he treats Brother so well, but with me…'
For a moment,
Tang San panicked!
If Tang Hao ever came questioning his identity…
How the hell was he supposed to answer?
[Host has made Tang San fearful of Tang Hao, causing him to lose trust in him and abandon the possibility of learning the "Exploding Rings" technique. Successfully seized a medium amount of Tang San's fortune!]
[Reward: "Purple Demon Eye - Micro Realm"!]
[Reward: "Soul God's Eye," "Purple Demon Eye," and "Seagod's Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud" have fused, forming "God-Level External Soul Bone - Vast Sea Divine Eye"!]
The next moment,
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud within the Seagod's mark flew out and hovered in front of Tang Lan's forehead.
Tang Lan's left eye—Soul God's Eye
and right eye—Purple Demon Eye
One blue, one purple.
They resonated with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, spinning together like a windmill, gradually merging into one.
In the end,
It settled into a blue-purple vertical eye, embedded in the center of Tang Lan's forehead.
It transformed into a natural-looking blue-purple rune.
Tang San was completely dumbfounded!
His gaze was drawn to that rune,
and for a moment, he had the illusion that it was staring right back at him.
He even felt like…
he was completely exposed, with nowhere to hide!
'This…'
'Another opportunity?!'
At this moment, Tang Lan himself was stunned.
He had just casually explained things—
how did he suddenly seize another opportunity?!
And a medium-sized one at that!
He didn't even need to fuse a soul bone—
the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud directly became a god-level external soul bone?!
—Though, to be fair, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was already a divine artifact.
A quick scan of his abilities—
Holy shit!
A total of seven soul bone skills!
Purple Divine Eye – An advanced fusion of the Purple Demon Eye and Soul God's Eye. Enhances god's-eye vision and adds micro-perception, slow-motion, and other capabilities!Vast Sea Soul Seal – A combination of Soul Lock and God Sealing techniques, enhancing their effects.Vast Sea Divine Soul Barrier – Strengthens the Vast Sea Protective Barrier by adding soul defense.Heaven and Earth Soul Lock – A soul-based immobilization ability. Targets must have over five times his soul power to resist!Vast Sea Roar – Stores soul power in the Vast Sea Divine Eye and releases it alongside the Seagod's Torrential Waves for a dual physical and soul attack!Heaven and Earth Soul Break – A high-intensity single-target physical and soul attack!
All of them were evolved versions of his original Purple Demon Eye, Soul God's Eye, and Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud skills.
But now…
They had fully ascended!
Becoming far more powerful than just the sum of their parts!
'This…'
'This is an actual god-level soul bone?!'
'And it's an external one?!'
Tang Lan was completely dazed.
Happiness had arrived so suddenly that he needed a moment to process it.
"Brother?" Tang San's voice trembled. "How do you know the Purple Demon Eye?"
That question snapped Tang Lan out of his thoughts.
He looked at Tang San deeply, his expression unreadable.
"The Purple Demon Eye?" Tang Lan answered matter-of-factly. "I developed it myself by studying your eye techniques—just like how I created 'Ripple Steps' based on your Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track."
Tang San's jaw dropped.
You… developed it yourself?!
It sounded so logical and reasonable
that he couldn't even refute it.
Because Tang San had never taught anyone the Purple Demon Eye,
this had to be the only explanation.
Which meant…
Tang Lan had already figured out that he was hiding techniques?!
"What just happened earlier?" Tang San quickly changed the subject.
"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud reacted with my Purple Demon Eye and another ability, triggering a fusion," Tang Lan said indifferently.
But inside Tang San's heart…
A raging storm was brewing!
(End of Chapter)