Spirit Hall
Qian Xuanji learned of the incident through his Titled Douluo scouts.
He sneered:
"So Tang Hao, who became famous for mutilating his own brother over a woman, did it all for a spirit beast? What a joke."
Golden Bell Douluo laughed:
"Not just that, Your Holiness—they even had a child."
Silver Hammer Douluo added:
"A child born of a human and a hundred-thousand-year beast? What do we call that?"
Qian Xuanji stroked his chin:
"A beastkin. I wonder what kind of abomination results from such a union."
Golden Bell reminded him:
"Don't forget about Langdao."
"Langdao? Ah, you're right," Qian Xuanji mused. "That wretched hybrid was infamous across the continent. This one, being the offspring of a Clear Sky heir and a hundred-thousand-year beast, must be even more dangerous. We can't let it roam free."
"Your Holiness," Silver Hammer suggested, "what if we collar this beastkin, raise it to power, and host an annual beast-fight tournament? The novelty would surely attract crowds."
Qian Xuanji laughed heartily:
"Brilliant! We'll take the beast, and we'll imprison the beastkin to prevent future disaster."
And so, Spirit Hall prepared their expedition—led by Qian Xuanji himself, alongside Golden Bell, Silver Hammer, a host of Soul Douluo, and Soul Sages.
Before leaving, Qian Xuanji visited Bibi Dong:
"You're already at Rank 90. One more ring, and you'll be a Titled Douluo. This beast will serve as your ninth ring."
Bibi Dong smiled sweetly:
"Thank you, Master."
"Good. Forget those useless emotions. You'll surpass even me one day."
Qian Xuanji left, and the warmth vanished from Bibi Dong's eyes, replaced with cold hatred.
God Realm – Temple of Asura
The Asura God observed all this from above. According to his plan, Spirit Hall was merely a tool—to deliver the final blow to the hundred-thousand-year spirit beast.
Everything was falling into place.
Her body would nurture the future vessel. After her death, her place would be as a spirit ring…
Divine Realm – Eternal Temple
Huo Yuhao checked the movements across all parties through his divine perspective. Under the omniscient gaze of the god, he could clearly see that both the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect had simultaneously mobilized due to the presence of a 100,000-year-old soul beast. Ultimately, who would intercept Tang Hao remained uncertain.
"Evil Emperor," Huo Yuhao contacted the Evil Emperor in the lower realm.
"My Lord, what are your commands?" the Evil Emperor responded.
Huo Yuhao said calmly, "The Spirit Hall's situation will be left to you. Delay that group of actors a bit—I want to enjoy the Clear Sky Sect's family ethics drama first."
"As you wish, My Lord," the Evil Emperor replied.
Ending the communication, Huo Yuhao picked up the Book Of Eternity, preparing his next move.
Fate is mysterious and profound. When wielded with perfection, it can be deadly and unseen. The Book Of Eternity in Huo Yuhao's hands could record all events and alter a person's fate much like the Death Note. He could orchestrate deaths invisibly—choking on water, dying of constipation—anything was possible.
Of course, altering fate came with a price. But at his level Huo Yuhao could afford it easily.
"Let's see how best to arrange this," Huo Yuhao mused, flipping open the book. Several narrative trajectories floated up from the pages. After a few strokes of his pen to adjust them, he closed the book.
Looking through his divine vision, Huo Yuhao watched Tang Hao fleeing with Ah Yin and young Tang San. He chuckled, "Fly free, Haozi. Brother Huo's got your back. With a Divine King supporting you, this is your blessing. I'll make sure you shake the world."
Meanwhile, the Clear Sky Sect had mobilized its entire force, charging toward Tang Hao's secluded hideout, only to find a burned-down house with nothing left inside.
"This unfilial brat actually ran away," Tang Tian grumbled. "How ashamed must he be to not face his father?"
"Sect Master," Tang Mie suggested, "Tang Hao probably hasn't gotten far. Let's split up to search—it'll be faster."
"Very well," Tang Tian agreed. "Scour the mountains and seas if we must, but bring him back."
And so, Tang Tian led his forces to fan out in all directions.
After much searching and interrogating along the way, three men—Tang Qi, Tang Lie, and Tang Qizhen—finally picked up Tang Hao's trail.
"Tang Hao, I've finally got your tail," Tang Qi said.
Tang Qi was a Rank-93 Titled Douluo with the Clear Sky Hammer as his spirit. His title: Qitian (Heaven Opener).
He was of the same generation as Sect Master Tang Tian but older by over twenty years. Due to his limited talent, he had been stuck at Rank 93 for decades.
"Father," Tang Lie asked, "Should we alert the others to encircle Tang Hao?"
Tang Qi shook his head. "No need. If other elders get involved, we might not even get a scrap of that 100,000-year soul beast."
Tang Qizhen's eyes lit up. "Grandfather, are you trying to claim the beast for ourselves?"
Tang Qi nodded, then turned to Tang Lie. "Lie'er, I intend this 100,000-year soul beast as a gift for you."
As soon as he caught Tang Hao's trail, greed surged uncontrollably in Tang Qi's heart.
Since Tang Chen's lineage had risen to power, they had brought the Clear Sky Sect to its peak—but also suppressed other branches into submission.
Now, with Tang Chen trapped in the God Trial, and the Clear Sky Twin Stars turning on each other over a woman—Tang Xiao crippled, Tang Hao disgraced—Tang Qi finally saw an opportunity.
As a branch member, he couldn't help but harbor ambitions to replace the main family. His own cultivation was capped, and young Qizhen was still growing, so all his hopes rested on Tang Lie.
"But... I'm only Rank 87," Tang Lie hesitated. "I can't absorb a soul ring yet. If I don't absorb it now, what are we going to do—keep the beast hidden for years? That's risky."
Tang Qi said, "Who said you can't absorb it now? There is one way to do it instantly and leap several years ahead in cultivation."
"Oh? What way?" Tang Lie asked.
"Soul Beast Sacrifice," Tang Qi uttered the chilling words and explained the method to his sons.
Tang Lie's eyes lit up. If the beast truly sacrificed itself, he could skip years of cultivation, immediately become a Titled Douluo, and even gain a 100,000-year soul ring and bone.
"But how do we convince a 100,000-year-old soul beast to sacrifice itself willingly?" Tang Lie asked.
A gleam flashed in Tang Qi's eyes. "Maternal love is a universal instinct. That beast gave birth to a hybrid with Tang Hao—her child is her weakness. If we capture that beastkin and stall Tang Hao, we may force the beast to sacrifice herself."
Tang Lie's eyes sparkled. "Father, that's a solid plan."
Beauty and wealth move hearts. The allure of a 100,000-year ring and bone was irresistible to a Soul Douluo like Tang Lie.
"With your talent, you'd become a Titled Douluo eventually, but without this opportunity, you'd never reach the peak. Only by possessing a 100,000-year ring and bone can you challenge Rank 98 and beyond," Tang Qi said. "Tang Chen reached Rank 99 thanks to his innate spirit power and a 100,000-year ring. He elevated our sect to new heights."
He continued, "If Tang Hao absorbs that ring, he might reach Tang Chen's level—but he's a fool, chasing a soul beast's beauty instead of power. Since he doesn't want it, we'll enjoy it in his place. With this foundation, you can become a Rank 96 or 97 Super Douluo—maybe even 98. Then the Clear Sky Sect will belong to our lineage."
With their plot decided, the trio set out for the location provided by their informants.
Soon, they arrived at Taluo City.
In the city, they found a crowd gathered around a ruined building. From the rubble, they deduced it had been the local Spirit Hall.
Rescue efforts were underway, but only mangled bodies were being pulled from the wreckage.
"This... is Clear Sky Hammer spirit power," Tang Qi sensed the lingering energy easily.
"Qizhen, go find out what happened," Tang Qi ordered, unease rising in his heart.
"Yes, Grandfather," Qizhen replied and dove into the crowd.
Moments later, he returned. "Grandfather, they say a cloaked man—face hidden—used the Clear Sky Hammer to destroy the Spirit Hall."
"A Clear Sky Hammer Douluo? That bastard Tang Hao!" Tang Qi gritted his teeth. "Is he trying to provoke the whole world?"
What enraged Tang Qi wasn't the destruction or the deaths—it was that Tang Hao, with a soul beast lover and a hybrid child, was making everything public. The sect had wanted to quietly consume the soul beast, without outsiders knowing. Now Tang Hao was swinging his hammer around, practically summoning the Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo himself.
"Grandfather, what should we do?" Tang Qizhen asked.
Tang Qi's face turned pale. "This won't go unanswered. The Spirit Hall will act soon. We must intercept Tang Hao before they do. Move!"
Molun City
Today was a special day: Martial Soul Awakening Day. All six-year-old children from nearby villages and the city had gathered.
The steward lined up the children and summoned his own spirit—Direwolf!
"Children, look! This is my martial soul, Direwolf!" the steward boasted, two spirit rings—one white and one yellow—circling him.
"Wow, it's a wolf! I wonder what my martial soul is," a little girl asked.
"So cool! Uncle, will I have a spirit this awesome too?" a chubby boy said in awe.
"Haha, I can't guarantee that," the steward laughed. "But everyone has their own martial soul. And it might help you someday."
"Alright, line up, kids! One at a time—I'll awaken your spirits!" he announced.
Just then, an invincible BGM seemed to start playing.
"If I awaken in a nightmare, facing a cruel world..."
The sky outside turned dark, clouds rolling in ominously.
"Look!" someone pointed. "Out the window—what's that?"
"The wind stirs heartstrings, yearning with no chance for farewell..."
In the distance, a figure appeared mid-air, walking toward them step by step. Eight spirit rings glowed around him—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black.
"A Soul Douluo!" gasped the children and the soul masters. Martial Soul Awakening was forgotten in awe.
The man reached out and summoned a giant black Clear Sky Hammer into his hand, raising it high.
"If the end is only tragedy, I'll break the cocoon in the headwind..."
The hammer grew and grew until it towered over the Spirit Hall. The man looked down—everyone inside seemed like ants.
"What's he doing?" someone finally realized something was wrong.
"Run!" the steward shouted, grabbing two kids and sprinting toward the door.
"Even if my wings are torn, I'll return from the 19th level of the abyss..."
The cloaked man's eyes filled with killing intent. He roared, "Spirit Hall—prepare to die!"
The colossal hammer fell.
Some froze in terror, legs weak. Others turned to flee. But from above, they looked like frightened ants.
"Hand in hand, forward we go—through night and day, through pain and woe. To fight bravely—that's what makes a hero!"
The enormous Clear Sky Hammer smashed down, flattening the Spirit Hall like tofu.
The steward threw the two children out just before the hammer's force landed. In their eyes, the once-majestic Spirit Hall was crushed in an instant.
Inside were their mothers—and the steward who just saved them.
...
So, how was Tang Hao going to attract the attention of the Spirit Hall?
He chose a direct and brutal method—smashing the branches of the Spirit Hall in various cities. With this, it would be impossible for Spirit Hall not to take notice of him.
In his previous life, Tang Hao had done this kind of thing more than once. After Tang San awakened his spirit, Tang Hao saw a glimmer of hope for revenge. Thus, from protecting his little brat until the Shrek Academy days and before Tang San's full rise, Tang Hao continuously "collected interest" from Spirit Hall. And how did he collect that interest? By beating the living crap out of Spirit Hall branches one by one, venting the anger that had built up inside him.
As for whether the people in those branches were truly part of Spirit Hall or not, and whether they lived or died—Tang Hao simply didn't care.
He hadn't cared about the lives of others back in his prime as the Clear Sky Douluo. Now, having become a plane's ruler, he was used to viewing these lowly ants from a god's perspective.
During the Abyss Invasion period, countless people perished in the war against the Abyss Plane—did Tang Hao show even the slightest ripple of emotion? Of course not!
Tang Hao continued traveling with Ah Yin toward their next destination.
If one carefully studied the pattern of his movements, they'd find that he and Ah Yin were steadily approaching Spirit Hall's central territory.
But then—out of nowhere—a massive Clear Sky Hammer fell from the sky, landing squarely in front of Tang Hao. Standing on top of the hammer was a burly, elder man.
Seeing that hammer, Tang Hao felt a surge of frustration in his chest. he cursed inwardly.
Spirit Hall, what the hell are you doing? Where are you hiding? Don't you want a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast anymore? Are you seriously forcing me, Tang Hao, into becoming a heartless villain?
He had been waiting all this time to be chased by Spirit Hall, and yet, the ones who showed up were from the Clear Sky Clan.
"Uncle Qi, what brings you here?" Tang Hao asked with a dry, forced smile.
Tang Qi stood atop the hammer, glaring down at Tang Hao.
"Tang Hao, you're really bold," he began, immediately launching into a scolding tirade. "You harmed your elder brother, injured your elders, and even mated with a spirit beast to give birth to a half-beast child! And that's not all—you're out there causing trouble, destroying branches of Spirit Hall left and right. Do you think our Clear Sky Clan doesn't have enough enemies already? You've completely disgraced your father and grandfather!"
Tang Hao couldn't argue against the earlier accusations, but the mention of Spirit Hall ignited a fire within him.
"Hahahaha! Spirit Hall? So what if I smash them? If they dare come after me, I'll kill one if one comes, kill a pair if two come!" Tang Hao shouted defiantly, his neck stiff with pride.
"You—" Tang Qi pointed at Tang Hao, furious. "Have you lost your mind? Don't forget, Spirit Hall has a Limit Douluo who stands on equal footing with your grandfather! Do you want to bring ruin to our entire clan?"
"Qian Daoliu? So what! My grandfather hammered him before, and I, Tang Hao, can do the same. I'm not afraid—if he dares to come, I'll hammer Qian Daoliu myself!" Tang Hao replied proudly, confident because he had the backing of a God King.
"You... you're unbelievably arrogant."
Tang Hao summoned his Clear Sky Hammer and rested it on his shoulder, saying with a cocky grin, "Arrogance requires ability—and lucky for me, I've got it."
"You're completely unreasonable!" Tang Qi was starting to suspect Tang Hao had gone insane. He no longer wanted to argue, so he cut straight to the point: "Tang Hao, hand over that hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, and also the half-beast child you gave birth to."
"No. I, Tang Hao, will never hand over Ah Yin to you! And as for Tang San—he's the rightful heir of the Clear Sky Clan. He's no beast!" Tang Hao fired back.
The term "half-beast" filled Tang Hao with deep grievance. At this point, Tang San had just been born—far from the twin-spirit, multiple-hundred-thousand-year-ring powerhouse he would become. Naturally, the clan couldn't see his value yet. To them, his pure, immaculate child was no different than some filthy, mongrel beast.
Tang Qi narrowed his eyes and leapt down. His Clear Sky Hammer landed in his hand. Nine soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—floated around him.
"Tang Hao, you've clearly lost your way. Didn't you say arrogance requires ability? Let me test how much skill is behind that arrogance of yours."
With that, the overwhelming pressure of a Titled Douluo came crashing down on Tang Hao.
Tang Hao hurriedly set down his little brat on a nearby stone platform and shielded Ah Yin and Tang San behind him. Then he summoned his own Clear Sky Hammer—surrounded by eight soul rings: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black.
"Only eight rings? You're seeking your own destruction. Tang Hao, give me the spirit beast and the beast child. I'll take you back to the clan," Tang Qi said calmly. Though Tang Hao's talent far exceeded his own, a Spirit Douluo was still a Spirit Douluo—there was no comparing it to a Titled Douluo.
"No. If you want to take Ah Yin, you'll have to step over my dead body first!" Tang Hao barked. Ah Yin and Tang San were his path to future redemption, becoming the God King and the ruler of a plane. Not even the clan would make him back down.
Tang Hao and Tang Qi clashed, their soul forces colliding. Without activating his Killing God Domain, Tang Hao was clearly being overwhelmed—barely able to hold on.
"You're beyond salvation—then let me knock some sense into you!" Tang Qi seized his opportunity and signaled the two men he had hidden in the forest.
At his signal, Tang Lie and Tang Qizhen burst from the woods. Tang Lie lunged at Ah Yin, while Tang Qizhen charged straight at the little brat.
They were about to succeed. Tang Qi intensified his pressure on Tang Hao.
Turning his head, Tang Hao saw Tang Qizhen raise his Clear Sky Hammer to smash it down on the little brat.
"Xiao San—!" Tang Hao's eyes went bloodshot, his breath became ragged like an enraged bull's. In that instant, he activated the Killing God Domain. Its mighty aura immediately swallowed Tang Qi's soul pressure.
"This—" Tang Qi was shocked. Is the Killing God Domain really this powerful? Just moments ago, Tang Hao had been struggling under his suppression—now the tables had turned completely.
"Don't you dare harm my son!" Tang Hao swung his Clear Sky Hammer directly at Tang Qizhen.
The surge of power from the Killing God Domain blew Tang Lie away. Tang Hao's massive hammer descended like divine judgment.
Tang Qizhen stood frozen, staring upward in horror. He wanted to run, but fear had locked his limbs.
BOOM—the hammer came crashing down. When Tang Hao lifted it again, Tang Qizhen was gone. All that remained was a flesh-pancake in a deep crater.
"Qizhen—!" Tang Qi's eyes went red, breathing heavily.
"Qizhen—!" Tang Lie's eyes also went red, gasping in rage.