While everyone's brains were still processing,
Tang Hao finally snapped back to reality.
Even though he had been caught off guard,
Losing to a Rank 59 Soul King was humiliating.
But—
If that Soul King was his own son, then that was a different story.
Hearing Gu Rong's question, who else could answer better than him?
"That's right!"
"That final hammer strike… its power was above Rank 95—almost reaching Rank 96!"
"You little brat, you really pulled it off!"
Tang Lan raised an eyebrow in surprise!
That strong?!
But after thinking it through…
Tang Lan's base stats were already insane.
Just his physical body alone was comparable to a Rank 70 Soul Saint.
Then add—
Eight Spider Lances (+109% strength)Ice Jade Scorpion Tail (+70% strength)Extinction Meteor Scorpion Left Foot Bone (+50% strength)Vajra Indestructible Body (+1000% physical boost)Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill (+1000% physical boost)
Plus, the Destruction Power and Destruction Source artifact abilities.
Then stack on—
Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer's 81st strikeSixteen Life-Soul CoresExtreme PowerReverse Undying Seal TechniqueRing Explosion (albeit a weaker version)
With so many amplifications...
Only hitting Rank 95 damage?
Seems kinda low?
...
If anyone heard this thought, they'd probably curse him to death.
You're only Rank 59!
And you just delivered Rank 95 damage!
You jumped four major realms—crossing 34 levels!
What more do you want?!
Do you need to start slaying gods or something?!
The field remained dead silent for several minutes.
Finally, Tang San struggled to speak.
"B-Brother… c-can I learn that?"
Oh, sure.
He hides all his techniques, but when it's someone else's, he wants to learn right away?
Tang Lan didn't even need to answer.
Tang Hao's cold voice cut in—
"It's been almost seven years. Aside from Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, you still haven't learned Haotian Body Shield or Ling Tian Strike."
"And you want to learn Ring Explosion?"
Tang San opened his mouth, trying to argue—
—But Tang Lan had only ever demonstrated these moves.
Never properly explained them!
In Tang Lan's words: "Isn't this just common sense?"
Common sense for who?!
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi's expression darkened.
"Ring Explosion? Grand Xu Mi Hammer?!"
His tone was full of concern.
"Your Majesty Haotian, isn't that an exclusive secret of the Haotian Sect, only passed to the next Haotian Douluo?"
"If Brother Lan learns it now, won't that be a problem?"
Tang Hao glanced at Ning Fengzhi.
"You sure know a lot about the Haotian Sect, Ning Sect Master."
"Relax."
"Little Lan's Ring Explosion wasn't taught by me. His version is still a beginner-level technique."
"The elders will be able to tell the difference from the records."
Ning Fengzhi's breath hitched.
Not taught by Tang Hao?!
Then—
His gaze snapped to Tang Lan, eyes filled with disbelief!
Self-created soul skill?!
No way.
Absolutely impossible!
That was Ring Explosion!
The Grand Xu Mi Hammer was the Haotian Sect's greatest secret, passed only to one inheritor per generation!
How could someone just… figure it out?!
Gu Rong, still in shock, gulped.
His mouth was dry.
Tang Lan…
This kid constantly redefines what "monstrous" means.
No—
This little freak isn't even human!
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, and the others—
Their eyes burned with worship.
Tang Lan's position in their hearts had already skyrocketed to "faith" level.
And then—
They remembered what Tang Lan once told them—
"You can become gods."
Gods.
That was a god!
Their hearts blazed with passion.
They were even more determined to follow Tang Lan without hesitation.
Then—
Tang Lan suddenly noticed something strange.
Tiny golden specks of light drifted from Zhu Zhuqing and his close companions' foreheads—
Absorbed into his Vast Sea Divine Eye, accumulating in his soul bone.
Tang Lan reached out with his soul consciousness, trying to interact with the golden specks—
And felt pure… faith!
This was…
Faith Energy?!
So—
Ever since obtaining Vast Sea Divine Eye, Tang Lan had gained the ability to absorb and store faith energy.
But it wasn't until now that he received his first true offering of faith.
'So just being a walking Tang Sect encyclopedia isn't enough to earn faith.'
'I need to make bigger moves.'
'The Soul Spirit Equality Contract must be initiated soon.'
'I have to accelerate my plans.'
Tang Lan cleared his throat.
Once he had everyone's attention,
He took out—
Snow Swan Kiss.
The moment Tang San saw it—
He rushed forward excitedly, treating the immortal herb like a priceless treasure.
"Is this… Snow Swan Kiss?!"
"That's right!"
"Immortal herb! This is an immortal herb!"
"It can amplify any poison by hundreds or even thousands of times—undoubtedly the best choice for cultivating poison arts!"
Tang San's eyes burned with eagerness as he stared at Tang Lan.
"Brother, can I have this Snow Swan Kiss?"
"With it, I can finally achieve many of my ideas!"
"Please, brother!"
"Give it to me!"
Tang San's urgency immediately made everyone realize the true value of this Snow Swan Kiss.
But—
Most of them weren't interested.
After all, poison enhancement was useless to them.
The only one who reacted differently was Tang Hao.
His brows furrowed deeply, his eyes narrowing at the pleading Tang San.
His expression turned darker by the second.
Just as Tang Lan had warned him—
This brat's soul wasn't from "this world."
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was born from the corpses of the Water and Fire Dragon Kings.
Even Dugu Bo, who had guarded it for decades, couldn't recognize even a single of its immortal herbs.
So why the hell could Tang San recognize them instantly?
Tang Hao's fist clenched, itching to strike.
But then—
He remembered Tang Lan's words.
Tang San still carried his bloodline.
If he killed him outright, how would he face Ah Yin?
His emotions battled fiercely, his gaze flickering between darkness and light.
But—
Tang San was too absorbed in the Snow Swan Kiss to notice the impending danger.
His eyes remained locked onto Tang Lan.
Tang Lan said nothing and simply handed it over.
Tang San grabbed it like a treasure, his Jade Hand technique carefully cradling it, his expression filled with obsession.
Tang Lan smiled knowingly.
The reason he had taken out this herb…
Was to give it to Tang San.
Why?
Because this particular immortal herb wouldn't enhance a person's foundation.
By giving it to Tang San, he effectively cut off his future path to obtaining the truly beneficial immortal herbs.
—Severing his shortcut to godhood!
A worthy trade.
Then, Tang Lan pulled out another herb—
Mystic Golden Titled Chrysanthemum.
Tang San's attention instantly shifted!
"Mystic Golden Titled Chrysanthemum?!"
"My god!"
"Another immortal herb?!"
"Brother! You—"
Tang Lan raised his hand, cutting Tang San off.
Before Tang San's reluctant gaze, Tang Lan handed it directly to Ning Fengzhi.
"Elder brother, as per our agreement, this Mystic Golden Titled Chrysanthemum is yours."
Ning Fengzhi's breathing quickened.
The opportunity to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda…
Rested within this very herb?!
He stepped forward to accept it—
But suddenly—
Tang San stepped in between them!
His expression filled with pain!
"Brother!"
"That's the Mystic Golden Titled Chrysanthemum!"
"It absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and moon! Its value far surpasses most ten-thousand-year herbs—it's an immortal herb!"
"If you don't know its worth, just give it to me—"
Ning Fengzhi's face darkened more and more as he listened.
The hand gripping his cane tightened—veins bulging!
Even Gu Rong, who had remained silent all this time, couldn't stand it anymore.
Just as he was about to speak—
Tang Hao finally lost his patience!
"ENOUGH!!!"
With a furious roar, he sent Tang San flying with a kick!
Then—
He thundered—
"Your brother has been more competent than you since childhood! He even wrote the Tang Sect Encyclopedia! Do you really think he doesn't know these things?!"
"A useless brat is still a useless brat! You don't know when to stop!"
"From now on—
"When your brother makes a decision—
"YOU OBEY!
"ANY MORE QUESTIONS, AND I'LL HAMMER YOUR HEAD INTO PIECES!"