Tang Hao said to Old Jack, "Village chief, I'd like to ask you a favor."
"What favor could a drunk like you possibly want from me?" Old Jack replied.
"Nothing much. I'd just like to entrust Xiao San to you for a few months," Tang Hao said. "I have some matters to attend to."
"What could be more important than your child?"
"It's my own business. Don't ask more than you need to," Tang Hao replied.
Tang Hao had been stuck at Rank 90 for a long time. If not for using Ah Yin's soul ring previously, he would've already become a Title Douluo. But now that soul ring had gone to Tang Xiao, and couldn't be counted on anymore. After all the events that followed, Tang Hao hadn't had time to obtain his ninth soul ring. Now that things were calm, it was time to put that on the agenda.
Before leaving, Tang Hao took a long look at Tang San, who was being fostered in Old Jack's home.
He recalled how, in his previous life, Tang San was an orphan with no parents and valued familial bonds deeply. Back then, Old Jack had raised Tang San for a while, and their relationship nearly reached that of grandfather and grandson. At the time, he had still been around, and Tang San had known who his father was.
But this time, he wouldn't be by Tang San's side. If Tang San and Old Jack developed that same close bond again—treating a mere peasant as a grandfather? That was unacceptable. Was Old Jack even worthy? Not in the slightest.
Upon returning, Tang Hao resolved to evaluate the relationship between Tang San and Old Jack. If he found they had grown too close, he'd arrange for an "accident" to send Old Jack on his way.
After leaving Holy Soul Village, Tang Hao began thinking about what his ninth soul ring should be.
Across the entire Douluo Continent, the most suitable soul ring for him was that of the Titan Giant Ape. But that would be one of Xiao San's future rings. Besides, in his current state—without a sect and alone—hunting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was simply impossible.
Still, the thought that he had a hundred-thousand-year ring in his past life but now had to settle for a ten-thousand-year one left Tang Hao feeling indignant.
Suddenly, a name popped into his mind—Tai Tan!
If he could mobilize the Strength Clan to help him locate a soul beast and hunt it, the safety and success rate of obtaining his ninth soul ring would increase dramatically.
As for whether the Strength Clan would refuse? Tang Hao was confident they wouldn't. In his past life, he hadn't realized how loyal Tai Tan was. In this life, he knew. Truly, what a loyal dog.
With that thought, Tang Hao set out for the Strength Clan.
Under the moonlight, Tang Hao stood on a green stone platform, his back facing an old man with one arm.
The one-armed old man saw his back and instantly burst into tears. Falling to his knees, he cried out emotionally, "Master, is it really you?!"
"It is," Tang Hao said, turning around with a weary look. Then he froze. "What happened to your arm?"
The old man's name was Tai Tan, patriarch of the Strength Clan. The clan was known for their brute strength, and losing one arm was a devastating blow to Tai Tan's combat power. How much help could someone like that be during a soul hunt?
Tai Tan then recounted the recent troubles the Strength Clan had faced.
"The Body Sect?" Tang Hao frowned even deeper. In his memory, that sect had been in seclusion during this era, like the Star Crown Sect (altered memory due to Huo Yuhao's interference). Why had they emerged from hiding now?
As someone who had benefitted from the previous timeline, Tang Hao hated the existence of variables. Only when everything followed a set path could he safely watch his son ascend to godhood and take the seat of master of the plane, enjoying the power to control the fate of all beings.
However, after living this life anew, there were simply too many variables. First, Ah Yin didn't fall in love with him but with Tang Xiao. Then, the ones chasing him weren't from the Spirit Hall but from the Clear Sky Sect. Every variable was developing in a direction unfavorable to him.
And now, a new faction had emerged—the Body Sect. This Body Sect even took advantage of the Clear Sky Sect's weakness and absorbed the Strength Clan, Defense Clan, and Speed Clan. These three clans truly were ungrateful traitors. You were once dogs of my Clear Sky Sect—if you didn't want to be our dogs anymore, then at the very least, you should be my son's dogs. Who gave you the right to join the Body Sect on your own?
Listening to Titan's account, Tang Hao's heart surged with murderous intent, his gaze flickering coldly.
At the end of his story, Titan pleaded, "Master, please uphold justice for me and my family."
"Titan," Tang Hao rested his hand on Titan's shoulder, as if comforting a wounded puppy. "It's my fault—I, Tang Hao, have let you all down. But don't worry. I will remember this debt with the Body Sect. One day, I, Tang Hao, will avenge you."
"Thank you, Master!" Titan wagged his tail excitedly.
Tang Hao went straight to the point: "I came today to ask for your help with something."
"Master, please say the word. Whatever I can do for you, I will do everything in my power—even if it costs me my life," Titan said, pounding his chest.
Such a loyal dog. Too bad he's ruined now. Tang Hao glanced at Titan's missing arm and quickly said, "There's no need to go that far, Titan. I just want to use the strength of your clan to help me hunt my ninth spirit ring."
"Ah, yes, Master. You've already reached level ninety—you only need a 100,000-year spirit ring to become a Title Douluo," Titan said with admiration. "With your Soul Douluo strength, you've already slain multiple Title Douluos. If you become a Title Douluo yourself, wouldn't you be invincible?"
Tang Hao felt awkward hearing the flattery. After all, he knew his own situation best. His strength had only reached such heights thanks to the support of the Asura God. But now, that "plugin" was sealed. Even if he did become a Title Douluo, he wasn't sure he could defeat Qian Xuanji, who was already at level 95. The saying "every level of Title Douluo is like climbing the heavens" was no joke.
"Don't worry, Master. I will immediately organize the strong warriors of the Strength Clan to help you hunt a suitable spirit beast," Titan said eagerly.
"Much appreciated," Tang Hao replied.
That very night, Titan gathered the Strength Clan elites to accompany Tang Hao on the hunt. Though many among them grumbled about Tang Hao, with Titan suppressing them—and given Tang Hao's fearsome reputation—they had no choice but to obey.
Meanwhile...
"Ah Rou, this is the key to my family's treasure vault. It holds the savings and legacy of my family spanning over a century.
Marry me. I want you to keep this money safe." A Soul King knelt before a gentle, graceful woman, offering her a string of keys with pleading eyes.
The woman looked troubled. "Wang Dafu, I know you're a good man, but I'm not that kind of woman."
"No matter... no matter what, please accept this, and give me a chance. I will prove to you that I'm the most suitable man to be by your side," Wang Dafu said earnestly.
"Hmm... fine. I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. If you pass my test, then I, Ah Rou, will marry you." She hesitated briefly, then accepted the keys, brushing Wang Dafu's hand lightly with her supple fingers. Wang Dafu blushed and his heart pounded wildly.
Overwhelmed, he kowtowed several times. "Ah Rou, thank you for giving me this chance. I won't let you down."
That night, Ah Rou activated her soul tool communication badge to speak with Xiao Wu from the Star Dou Forest.
"Xiao Wu, did you understand today's lesson?" Ah Rou asked.
Xiao Wu's youthful voice came from the badge: "Mom, I didn't quite understand some of the details, but I thought it was amazing. You just casually took all that rich guy's money so easily! But Mom, how do you plan to get rid of that fool later?"
"That's easy. First, we enter a sweet honeymoon phase. Then, we gradually change our attitude toward him.
Constantly create difficulties for him—physically and mentally wear him down—make him feel like a useless piece of trash. Tell me, would a useless man ever deserve someone like your mother?" Ah Rou explained like a seasoned mentor.
Xiao Wu nodded along, not fully understanding but still absorbing the lesson.
Finally, Ah Rou added, "Xiao Wu, you just need to spend some time in the human world later and get some training in."
That evening, Wang Dafu, who had offered up most of his family's wealth, earned the right to go on a full-date outing with Ah Rou in Coconut Grove City.
Excitedly, he took her to enjoy the city's Lantern Festival. Xiao Wu watched the dazzling celebration through Ah Rou's badge and felt an increasing desire to come to the human world, hook a few rich men, and enjoy the pleasures of this colorful world.
But the pair, immersed in their "romantic bliss," had no idea that in the shadows of Coconut Grove City, a pair of green eyes was watching them intently.
Tang Hao hid his presence in the darkness. He ignored Wang Dafu's desperate attempts to please Ah Rou and stared straight at her.
Earlier, Tang Hao and the Strength Clan had been traveling to the Star Dou Forest to hunt a spirit beast when they happened to pass through Coconut Grove City—and thus encountered Ah Rou and Wang Dafu.
Though not yet a Title Douluo, Tang Hao immediately recognized Ah Rou's identity.
"Master, should we get going now?" Titan asked.
"No. No need. I've found a suitable spirit ring," Tang Hao replied.
"Huh?" Titan was baffled. "Where?"
Tang Hao pointed toward Ah Rou.
"Her... don't tell me—?"
"That's right. She's a 100,000-year spirit beast who has taken human form and is hiding among humans," Tang Hao confirmed.
Titan exclaimed, "Master, your fortune is truly heaven-sent! Who would've thought you'd find a 100,000-year spirit beast delivered right to your doorstep while on a hunt?"
"Hahaha! Even the heavens favor the Tang Clan! Yet another 100,000-year spirit beast walks into our hands—talk about effortless gain!" Tang Hao said smugly.
He had the right to be arrogant. In this era, his beloved son was the very embodiment of fate's favor. If fate gave one unit of fortune to the world, Tang San received eight parts of it—and naturally, Tang Hao also basked in that divine luck.
Titan asked, "Master, shall I take action to capture this soul beast?"
Tang Hao shook his head. "No, we're in the city. If the Martial Soul Hall notices this 100,000-year soul beast, it'll be trouble. We'll hold off for now and strike when the time is right."
"Understood, Master," Titan replied.
By the shores of Coconut Grove Lake, Ah Rou stood with her back to Wang Dafu, gazing at the shimmering lake surface. Countless lanterns floated into the sky, their reflections dancing on the water.
With her back still turned, Ah Rou softly asked, "You say you love me. Are you willing to give everything for me?"
"I am," Wang Dafu replied, gazing dreamily at her silhouette.
Ah Rou suddenly asked, "If one day, many people come to kill me, and you can't defeat them, what would you do?"
Wang Dafu declared resolutely, "Then let them step over my dead body."
Ah Rou turned around, her hair swaying in the breeze. She approached Wang Dafu, looking at his plump face, and said, "Dafu, you're so good to me."
Ah Rou and Wang Dafu left Coconut Grove City in a carriage, heading to their next destination.
Originally, Wang Dafu wanted to share a carriage with Ah Rou, but she refused, citing modesty and not wanting to be too casual. Reluctantly, Wang Dafu hired two separate carriages.
Inside her carriage, Ah Rou continued her remote conversation with Xiao Wu via the soul guide device.
"Mom, I actually think Dafu's pretty good to you," Xiao Wu said, a soft spot in her heart stirred.
"Xiao Wu, I've told you—men's words are just deceitful lies. Don't easily trust their promises. They swear undying love, but in the end, they just want your body," Ah Rou said dismissively.
"But not all men are like that, right?" Xiao Wu countered.
"Just wait and see, Xiao Wu," Ah Rou replied.
As the carriage traveled down a wooded path, it suddenly came to a stop. Ah Rou lifted the curtain to look outside and froze.
A group of muscular, one-armed men had surrounded them.
Wang Dafu and Ah Rou stepped out of the carriage. Wang Dafu cautiously approached the group of one-armed men and asked, "Excuse me, is something the matter?"
The leader, a burly one-armed elder, said, "Our master wishes to see you."
With that, the elder stepped aside, and from the group emerged a rugged, bearded man with an intact body.
"Mom, what are they here for?" Xiao Wu asked.
"I don't know," Ah Rou whispered.
To their shock, the man pointed directly at Ah Rou and said, "Hand her over, and I'll let you live."
Ah Rou and Xiao Wu, far away in the Star Dou Great Forest, were stunned.
"No, impossible! She's my woman!" Wang Dafu reacted, puffing out his chest defiantly.
What a joke. He'd poured nearly his entire fortune into wooing Ah Rou and hadn't even gotten a taste of the reward. Give her up? No way.
*Smack!* Titan slapped Wang Dafu to the ground.
"You ignorant fool. Do you even know why we're after her?" Titan crouched down, pointing at Ah Rou with a cold sneer. "Let me tell you the truth: the woman you love is a 100,000-year soul beast."
At those words, Ah Rou's face turned ashen, and Xiao Wu, far away in the Star Dou Great Forest, grew frantic. "Mom, this is bad! Run!"
Ah Rou murmured in despair, "Someone who can see through my identity must at least be a Titled Douluo. Where could I even run?"
Wang Dafu turned to look at Ah Rou, then back at Titan. "Her, a 100,000-year soul beast?"
Tang Hao stepped forward to Wang Dafu and asked, "Knowing this, do you still love her?"
"I…" Wang Dafu hesitated.
"You have two choices now," Tang Hao said. "Love her, and die with her. Or want to live, and get lost. So, do you choose life or death?" Tang Hao summoned his massive, icy hammer, pressing it against Wang Dafu's face. Eight soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—swirled around him.
"I… I want to live," Wang Dafu stammered, sweat pouring down his face as he caught a glimpse of the eight soul rings. Terrified, he collapsed to the ground, swallowing hard.
"If you've chosen to live, then scram," Tang Hao barked.
"Y-Yes, yes!" Wang Dafu scrambled toward the carriage, stumbling as he went. Before passing Ah Rou, he gave her a guilty glance, then turned and climbed into the carriage.
The carriage sped off, disappearing into the distance.
"Hmph, what kind of trash thinks they're on my level, playing with soul beasts? You think you're worthy?" Tang Hao sneered.
Turning to Titan, he ordered, "Send some men to take care of him. My business can't get out."
"Yes, Master. It's already arranged," Titan replied respectfully.
That's right—letting Wang Dafu go was just a lie. Tang Hao had no intention of sparing him. The earlier test was merely to prove that in this world, only he and his son, Tang San, held true love for soul beasts. Only the Tang family was worthy of claiming 100,000-year soul beasts.
On the other side, Ah Rou, knowing her end was near, spoke to Xiao Wu with a mocking tone as she watched Wang Dafu flee. "See that, Xiao Wu? A man who just swore undying love, saying his enemies would have to step over his corpse, ran the moment real danger appeared. So, Xiao Wu, never trust a man's promises. They're all lies."
"Xiao Wu… Xiao Wu understands," Xiao Wu sobbed, shouting through the soul guide device at the group outside. "Don't kill my mom! Please, let her go!"
Ah Rou and Xiao Wu didn't know that outsiders couldn't hear the voice from the other end of the soul guide device.
Tang Hao, deaf to their pleas, approached Ah Rou. With eight soul rings and a soul power level of 90, his intentions were clear.
As Tang Hao drew closer, Ah Rou decided to make a last stand. "Big uncle, please spare me. I, Ah Rou, will serve you like a beast of burden for the rest of my life." She threw him a seductive glance.
Was Ah Rou beautiful? Yes, she was. But Tang Hao's heart was already occupied by another soul beast. How could her flirtations sway him? "Instead of making you my servant, I'd rather you provide me with a soul ring."
Tang Hao advanced, hefting his Clear Sky Hammer.
"I… I don't want to die!" Ah Rou bolted, her agile legs carrying her deep into the forest. But in the next moment, she found herself surrounded by one-armed Soul Douluo from the woods.
Sweat poured down Ah Rou's face as she faced the encircling men. Then, from behind, she heard Tang Hao's approaching footsteps. Each step sent a tremor through her heart.
"Aaaah—"
A shrill scream echoed from the forest.
As soon as Ah Rou's Invincible Golden Body faded, Tang Hao struck her down with one mighty blow of his hammer. She fell to the ground, blood spurting from her mouth. The soul communication badge she carried flew out of her grasp and landed on the grass in front of her.
Deep within Star Dou Forest, Xiao Wu was running as fast as she could, tears streaming down her face as she cried out:
"No, don't kill Mom, please don't—!"
In the projection from the soul communication badge, she saw her mother collapsed on the grass, bleeding from her mouth. Behind her stood a burly man, lifting a massive iron hammer high above his head.
Ah Rou knew her end was near. She looked toward the soul badge and forced out a few final words from her bloodied lips, words only Xiao Wu could hear:
"Xiao Wu… don't come… live on…"
"No— Uncle, please, if you want a soul ring, take Xiao Wu's, just spare my mom!"
Xiao Wu pleaded in agony toward Tang Hao.
But neither of them knew that the soul badge only transmitted images, not sound. Tang Hao couldn't hear her begging. And so, under Xiao Wu's desperate cries, the hulking man brought his hammer crashing down.
Thud.
The hammer struck. Ah Rou's body was crushed.
A blood-red 100,000-year soul ring slowly condensed over her broken form.
As the projection was consumed in that crimson glow, Xiao Wu collapsed to her knees. Her head hung low as her tears fell uncontrollably.
Tang Hao stared at the red ring in excitement, throwing his head back in laughter.
"Hahaha! The heavens haven't forsaken me after all. A hundred-thousand-year soul ring! It's really a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"
Far away on the other end of the badge, Xiao Wu lifted her tear-soaked eyes, now bloodshot with hatred. She glared at the man wielding the Clear Sky Hammer and muttered in rage:
"Tang Hao—!"
Tang Hao looked greedily at the soul ring. He thought about the powerful abilities Ah Rou had just displayed: Intangibility, Invincible Golden Body, Instant Movement—all immensely powerful soul skills. For a Clear Sky Hammer soul master, such enhancements were invaluable.
This soul ring… might even be better than Ah Yin's.
Tang Hao began drawing in the soul ring to absorb it, unaware that in the distant Star Dou Forest, Xiao Wu was still watching through the soul badge, witnessing every moment of her mother's soul ring being absorbed by him.
Meanwhile, in the Divine Realm, inside the Eternal Temple, Huo Yuhao watched Tang Hao sitting cross-legged, absorbing the precious ring.
He chuckled:
"Like it? How could the father of a child of destiny not have a 100,000-year soul ring? See, I arranged it all for you."
Given Ah Rou's flamboyant nature and her brazen behavior in the human world, she should have been discovered long ago. But under Huo Yuhao's cloaking, her identity remained hidden, allowing her recklessness—until she finally caught Tang Hao's attention.
"Well then, let me check what soul skills this ring will grant you."
Huo Yuhao checked the Eternal Chronicle.
Ah Rou's 100,000-year soul ring gave Tang Hao two soul skills: Invincible Golden Body and Teleportation.
Huo Yuhao was momentarily stunned.
"So strong?!"
Think about it: A Title Douluo like Tang Hao, now equipped with teleportation and invincibility… he'd be practically unbeatable.
This soul ring had indeed been arranged by Huo Yuhao for Tang Hao, but he didn't want to give him too much. So, with a sly smile, he picked up his pen and made a few adjustments.
Two hours later, Tang Hao completed the absorption. Xiao Wu watched her mother's soul ring merge into Tang Hao's soul ring array as the ninth red ring.
"Mom… Tang Hao, I will avenge my mother. Just wait…"
Xiao Wu muttered with deep hatred.
Elsewhere, Tang Hao stood up, stretched, and checked the soul skills granted by his new ninth ring. His face turned green.
This soul ring gave him two abilities.
The first: Back Arch ?
He tried arching his back. Other than some increased flexibility and bounce, there didn't seem to be anything special.
That's it?
Tang Hao froze, unable to process what he was seeing.
The second skill made him nearly cough up blood:
Charm ? Seriously?
With this rugged, weathered old face—I'm supposed to charm people?!
Tang Hao was furious.
"What about all those amazing skills you just showed? Where's Invincible Golden Body? At least give me Intangibility! And where the hell is Teleportation?!"
He had dreamed of teleporting, becoming invincible, and then unleashing a mighty Great Sumeru Hammer strike.
Instead… Back Arch? Charm?
You're telling me these are abilities from a 100,000-year soul beast? This is even more garbage than the soul skills from Ah Yin's ring!
This is an embarrassment to all 100,000-year soul beasts!
Still, Tang Hao quickly calmed himself.
His Clear Sky Hammer had its own secret techniques; he didn't rely on soul ring skills. Even if the ninth ring was wasted, it was still a 100,000-year soul ring—an excellent ring to detonate for an ultimate strike.
"Congratulations, Master, on obtaining your ninth soul ring and advancing to Title Douluo!"
Titan said with reverence.
Tang Hao merely nodded. He walked over to Ah Rou's bloodied remains and rummaged through her belongings, eventually pulling out a soul bone:
A 100,000-year Soft Bone Rabbit Right Arm Bone.
Tang Hao was stunned.
"This is… a Soft Bone Rabbit? A 100,000-year one?"
Only now, in the aftermath of his joy, did the truth hit him.
"Is something wrong, Master?" Titan asked.
Tang Hao broke into a cold sweat.
He realized he might have made a terrible mistake.
This soul beast… was the same species as Xiao Wu.
And Xiao Wu was a vital part of Tang San's fate in his past life. Without her sixth soul ring, Tang San couldn't have achieved a 100,000-year seventh ring. Without her needing resurrection, he wouldn't have replaced his earlier rings. Without her, the two guardian beasts of the forest wouldn't have sacrificed themselves for him.
Without Xiao Wu—there would be no Dual God Tang San.
Panicked, Tang Hao compared the woman he just killed to the image of Xiao Wu in his memories.
Confirming they were not the same, he still couldn't feel at ease. A deep unease lingered.
Could there be… a connection between her and Xiao Wu?
No, no way… there shouldn't be…
In Tang Hao's memories, Xiao Wu had no known relatives—only those two guardian beasts in the forest.
Even if they were the same species, that didn't mean they were close. Ah Yin had a kin from another continent, and they had never even met.