Just as Yu Xiaogang was about to explode with anger, a rustling came from the bamboo forest. A young man, around nineteen years old, stepped out from within the trees.
As soon as he saw Liu Erlong kissing an unfamiliar man, rage filled his face. He summoned his spirit, the Flame Cat Hawk, and four spirit rings (yellow, yellow, purple, purple)—the standard configuration—appeared around him. He glared at Flender and shouted:
"Who are you? Let go of my mother!"
Mother? Flame Cat Hawk? That big???
Yu Xiaogang's flat-top haircut metaphorically short-circuited.
Liu Erlong quickly released Flender and turned to the young man.
"A'Long, come here and meet someone. This is your biological father."
"Biological father?" The young man walked over to Flender and stared at him.
Flender, trembling, looked at the young man and said,
"Is this… my child?"
Liu Erlong nodded,
"His name is Fulong. He's our child, born nineteen years ago. What do you think?"
"Child… hahaha! I have a child! I didn't expect him to be so grown already!"
Flender was overjoyed and hugged Fulong tightly.
"Daddy, you're my daddy!" Fulong exclaimed.
Flender patted his shoulder:
"Don't call me 'daddy,' call me Father."
"Okay… Father."
This happy family reunion deeply pierced Yu Xiaogang's heart.
Nineteen years old?
Do the math—nineteen years ago plus ten months of pregnancy… That was right after that one night.
After he ran away, Liu Erlong, his own cousin, had somehow hooked up with Flender?
Liu Erlong! On that day, we held a wedding ceremony. Even though we didn't consummate the marriage, you were, in some sense, already mine. And yet… during that very time, you betrayed me with Flender?!
Yu Xiaogang couldn't hold it in anymore. He cut through the touching family scene with a voice full of anguish:
"When… when did you two have this kid?! Nineteen years ago, right?!
Liu Erlong! Flender!
Do you even feel the slightest guilt toward me?! AHHHHHHHHH!!!"
By the end, he was completely breaking down—screaming as he turned and bolted, replaying the same pathetic retreat from over twenty years ago.
"Xiaogang!" Flender instinctively reached out, but Liu Erlong stopped him.
"Let him go, Flender. If he wants to come back, he will.
But we've already wasted over twenty years of our lives on him.
Are we really going to let him waste even more?"
She cast a glance at Yu Xiaogang, now a distant figure, sprinting madly through the bamboo forest.
Author's Commentary / Inner Thoughts:
Liu Erlong's shift in affection wasn't significantly influenced by Huo Yuhao's modification of the Martial Soul Fusion Technique. In the Flame Holy Dragon fusion, Liu Erlong was always the dominant lead.
What really changed her heart were two key factors:
The collapse of the Golden Holy Dragon fusion—without it, there was no longer a "reason" forcing her to love Yu Xiaogang.
Though she still had lingering affection on the surface, her subconscious was already evolving.
That night over twenty years ago, when Flender hit the target on his one lucky shot, Liu Erlong became a mother.
Under the influence of hormones, her impression of Yu Xiaogang gradually faded.
Instead, she focused on her love for her son and wanted to give him a complete and loving home.
At first, Liu Erlong had felt torn.
She'd even hoped that, upon reuniting with Yu Xiaogang, he might accept the child.
If he could, she was willing to rekindle things.
If not—then for the sake of her child—she was also ready to let go of the relationship completely.
But over time, Yu Xiaogang became less and less important to her.
In his place, Flender rose in her heart.
After all, when it comes to raising children, having the biological father is best.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang was now sprinting wildly through the bamboo grove.
As he ran, he screamed and wailed, hating both Flender and Liu Erlong.
He wanted this emotional outburst to become a wedge between Liu Erlong and Flender—he wanted to drive them apart as a form of revenge for what he saw as betrayal.
He thought… surely Flender or Liu Erlong would chase after him.
But when he glanced back…
He saw the three—Flender, Liu Erlong, and Fulong—standing together, smiling and laughing like the perfect happy family.
That broke him completely.
Tears streamed down his face.
At that moment, a thought rose from deep within:
I need to run far away.
Find some small, dark room.
Crawl under a blanket.
And heal my shattered soul.
The Rebirth Four (and co.), watching from afar, were filled with schadenfreude.
This scene didn't match the memories of their past life.
Back then, Flender loved Liu Erlong deeply but never got to be with her—dying alone.
And Liu Erlong's heart had always been with Yu Xiaogang.
But Xiaogang, with his pride and rigidity, could never let go of societal taboos.
So in the end, Liu Erlong had to settle for a spiritual marriage.
Still dissatisfied, she pursued Xiaogang relentlessly until finally, he gave in—relinquishing his arrogance and "reluctantly" becoming her man.
But now?
In this life… Liu Erlong had fallen for Flender, and they even had a nineteen-year-old son.
Even funnier, Flender didn't even know about it.
And Yu Xiaogang—this tragic fool—still thought Liu Erlong loved him.
Tang San pieced it all together:
So… Yu Xiaogang married Liu Erlong… and then ran off.
And right after that, bam, cuckolded by Flender.
He got a green hat before even stepping into the bridal chamber.
As for his teacher's suffering?
Tang San felt zero sympathy.
In fact, he was thoroughly enjoying the drama.
Gangzi… you've always been a bit useless.
But at least in our past life, you had two women who loved you.
And now? Look at you.
You got cucked by your own best friend.
For over twenty years.
Even your own woman couldn't stay loyal.
You're the definition of a failure.
Tang San laughed uncontrollably in his mind.
His talent, his power, his charm—everything overshadowed Yu Xiaogang.
And Xiao Wu? She still deeply loved him.
Thinking of this, Tang San paused briefly. His expression darkened slightly.
Although… she and I haven't officially confirmed our relationship yet.
But at least Xiao Wu is pure.
She would never betray me.
With that, Tang San relaxed.
Compared to Gangzi, he was utterly superior in every way.
(Our dear Tang San has suffered too many emotional setbacks from Xiao Wu recently, and now he's using Gangzi's misfortune to satisfy his own twisted sense of superiority.)
Dai Mubai nudged Tang San with his elbow and said in a low voice:
"Ah San, considering how much Yu Xiaogang and Teacher Erlong have changed… do you think this life might turn out differently from the last one?"
Dai Mubai voiced a concern that was also on the minds of the other two members of the reincarnated trio. Upon hearing it, Tang San felt uneasy too. After all, too many variables had changed in this life. But remembering his own identity, he replied:
"No matter how much the timeline has changed, it won't change the fact that I am the child of destiny—the one chosen by the Asura God."
Hearing that, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun all breathed a sigh of relief. If they couldn't be sure that following Tang San would still lead to godhood, they might have to consider other options.
The first time, Yu Xiaogang had been humiliated in the sect. He fled, disappearing for decades, and never returned even once.
The second time, after the Golden Holy Dragon Martial Soul fusion technique was broken, he ran again—just to leave Liu Erlong with a bittersweet memory of "eternal love in a fleeting moment." That selfish move ended up delaying both Flender and Liu Erlong's lives, keeping them as emotional hostages under his name. Again, Yu Xiaogang disappeared for over twenty years.
The third time, he discovered that his "good brother" and his would-be fiancée had secretly been cuckolding him for over two decades. The worst part? He had no clue all along. So he ran again. Then… he came back.
Now, with a stiff face like a corpse, Yu Xiaogang looked at Flender, Liu Erlong, and the others. The air grew awkward.
Why had he come back, even with that big, metaphorical green hat hanging over his head?
Simple—because Tang San was still here.
Tang San was Yu Xiaogang's only hope in life. By cultivating Tang San into a continent-shaking powerhouse, Yu Xiaogang could ride his coattails to fame and glory.
Tang San was one man—but he needed a team. The Shrek Seven Devils had already been formed. Now, all that was left was to focus on training, and in two years, when the Continental Spirit Master Tournament arrived, Tang San's team was sure to place.
That tournament would be Yu Xiaogang's launchpad to fame.
He had bet everything on this. Even if the glaring green hat danced mockingly before his eyes, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and return.
"You're back, huh." Liu Erlong shot him a cold glance. "Why didn't you run off for another 10 or 20 years this time?"
Yu Xiaogang braced himself and replied righteously:
"I am Tang San's teacher. I have achieved nothing in my life. To me, he is like a son. And as a father—how could I abandon my child?"
Hearing this, Tang San's fists clenched. If there weren't other people around, he would've taught Yu Xiaogang exactly why flowers are red. You want to call yourself my father? Have you looked in the mirror? Do you deserve that title?
Still, Liu Erlong and Flender didn't make things harder for him. And thus, Yu Xiaogang rejoined the team.
That night, while training, Tang San kept one eye on his surroundings. Normally, this would be the night when Dugu Bo kidnapped him and imprisoned him in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
The community's take on this kidnapping was:
"It's like a thief kidnapping a dog, then throwing that dog into a warehouse filled with meat buns—absolutely ridiculous."
But this time, no matter how long Tang San waited, Dugu Bo didn't show up.
"Did I misremember the date?" Tang San wondered.
He couldn't sleep at all that night, nor focus on cultivating. The next morning, he showed up with dark circles under his eyes.
Seeing him, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar were stunned.
"Ah San, you weren't kidnapped by Dugu Bo?"
"I think… I must've gotten the timing wrong," Tang San said.
But Dugu Bo didn't show up on the second day either.
Facing his friends' suspicion, Tang San could only say:
"Maybe Dugu Bo is busy and running late."
Day three.
Day four.
Day five.
Even Tang San started doubting himself.
Maybe… Dugu Bo was never planning to come?
In response to their questioning looks, Tang San said:
"There's one possibility… After our battle with the Emperor Team, Dugu Yan didn't report it to her grandfather."
"Then what do we do?" Ma Hongjun asked. "Ah San, I'm counting on your Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower to save my life!"
Though Xiao Wu's presence had kept Ma Hongjun from being consumed by his evil fire, he still wanted that Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. After all, using it would slim him down and make him handsome. Shedding his "fat otaku" image would definitely win Xiao Wu's heart. And once he inherited the God of Fire's position in the future, he'd have enough power to betray Tang San and steal Xiao Wu from him.
Of course, all of that started with getting that Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower first.
"If Dugu Bo won't come to me," Tang San said, "then I'll go to him."
Walking along the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City, Dugu Yan was suddenly stopped by Tang San.
She recognized him instantly—he was the boy who used realgar wine to neutralize her snake venom and called her poison "trash."
Dugu Yan frowned.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Tang San feigned politeness:
"I've heard that your grandfather is the famous Poison Douluo, Senior Dugu Bo. I came to humbly request an introduction."
"How did you know that?" Dugu Yan's eyes flickered with sorrow before hardening.
"The Poison Douluo's name is renowned across the continent. How could I not know?" Tang San replied.
Her suspicion only deepened.
"And why should I introduce you?"
"Excellent question," Tang San replied proudly. "In this entire Douluo Continent, only I can cure the poison in your family's martial soul. Dugu Yan, you're poisoned—and deeply."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan—for once—didn't argue.
"Let me ask you," Tang San began, inputting his secret Immortal Herb password…
As he spoke, Dugu Yan's attitude changed from indifference, to shock, to a flickering mix of hope and despair. By the end of his explanation, she was crying.
"Do you really know how to cure the poison of my Dugu Clan's martial soul?!"
"I do," Tang San answered calmly, ignoring her emotions. "So, I ask you to introduce me to Senior Poison Douluo."
"You want to meet my grandfather?" Dugu Yan laughed bitterly. "Sure, I'll take you. Just… don't be too disappointed."
Disappointed?
Tang San was a little puzzled but didn't dwell on it.
"Then, please lead the way."
And with that, Dugu Yan led Tang San out of Heaven Dou City.
Tang San thought Dugu Yan was going to take him to the Tang Family's treasure trove—the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
But instead, after circling around for a while, Dugu Yan brought him to a desolate graveyard hidden among mountains.
Gazing ahead through the lingering mist, rows of low tombstones stood quietly. A foreboding premonition rose in Tang San's heart.
He looked at the tombstones, and read the inscriptions:
"Grave of Dugu Qiubai"
"Grave of Dugu Potian"
"Grave of Dugu Zhao"
"Grave of Dugu Yanxin"
"Grave of Dugu..."
"Grave of Dugu Bo?"
It struck him like thunder. Tang San froze, then walked trembling up to Dugu Bo's tombstone. Judging by its appearance, it had only been recently erected.
"Senior Dugu Bo has passed away?" Tang San asked, shocked.
Standing behind him, Dugu Yan said quietly, "After my grandfather advanced to become a Titled Douluo and completed the enfeoffment ceremony with Spirit Hall, he passed away not long after due to an outbreak of snake venom."
She recalled that day vividly—her grandfather lay weak on the bed, refusing to let her get close. The poison spread from within his body. He endured the pain to give her final instructions, and then he was gone.
At the moment of death, the Biphos Snake Venom devoured his body from the inside out. All that was left for her... was a skeleton.
From that moment on, Dugu Yan's world collapsed. Even Yu Tianheng, who had long pursued her, drifted away.
Snapping back from memory, Dugu Yan stared at Tang San.
"My grandfather died shortly after becoming a Titled Douluo. He never got the chance to make the name 'Poison Douluo' known across the continent. Hardly anyone even knows he existed. So why did you claim that the Poison Douluo shook the world?"
Can I really tell her that I was basing it on memories from a past life?
Who the hell would've thought Dugu Bo had such low poison resistance? He died before I even arrived!
Tang San cursed inwardly, but then a thought struck him.
Something was off.
Dugu Bo had reached the Titled Douluo level and used the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to suppress his venom. Even in his previous life, even without Tang San's help, Dugu Bo had lived for several more years. He shouldn't have died so easily.
Killed by his own poison? Unless—
"Dugu Yan, let me ask you something."
"Does your Dugu Clan possess a special spring—one where the water is half icy, half fiery, with a perfect divide between the two sides? Around it grow numerous rare medicinal herbs?"
Tang San asked urgently.
Dugu Yan shook her head. "No. What kind of place are you talking about?"
Hearing her response, Tang San turned back toward Dugu Bo's tombstone—and instantly, everything clicked.
So that's it... Dugu Bo never found the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well—and died prematurely.
Tang San couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.
Dugu Bo had been a prime tool—er, resource. Though not the strongest, he was at least a Titled Douluo, and more importantly, a strategic-level weapon.
In his past life, Jialing Pass, known as an impenetrable fortress, was only broken because Dugu Bo wiped out tens of thousands of Spirit Hall soul masters stationed inside, as well as hundreds of thousands of traitorous citizens who dared resist the tide of the Douluo Continent.
Dugu Bo's sacrifice singlehandedly balanced the war between Spirit Hall and the anti-Spirit Hall alliance. Not only that, he was also the perfect scapegoat—the entire atrocity at Jialing Pass had been pinned on him.
Now, without Dugu Bo, it would be far more difficult. Tang San couldn't exactly go and massacre a city himself, could he? That would seriously tarnish his noble, heroic image.
Besides, the fact that Dugu Bo never found the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well—was it just bad luck this time around?
Or... was it something worse?
Tang San thought of a terrifying possibility.
In his previous life, after they ascended, no one ever found the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well again. That was because Tang San himself had sealed it off—poison traps, illusions, all designed to turn it into the exclusive property of the Tang Family.
But this life had only just begun. The well was still unclaimed. If Dugu Bo couldn't find it, why wouldn't someone else?
Too many things had changed this time around. Spirit Hall even had reincarnators. They might not know its exact location, but surely they knew from history that it was somewhere in the Sunset Forest.
The Sunset Forest was massive—about the size of an entire province. Finding the well was difficult, but not impossible. If Dugu Bo could locate it, then so could others.
Had Spirit Hall found it first?
If so... this was very bad news.
Don't forget, Spirit Hall had Chrysanthemum Douluo—a guy who could sniff out the exact immortal herb each of the Shrek Seven Devils had consumed just from scent alone!
Realizing this, Tang San's eyes turned red and his breath quickened like an angry bull. Rage erupted from deep inside.
"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well belongs to the Tang Family! The immortal herbs inside it belong to the Tang Family! The Ice and Fire Dragon Kings belong to the Tang Family! Anyone who dares touch it—dies!"
With fury and worry churning in his heart, Tang San left the Dugu Clan's cemetery.
As for helping Dugu Yan with her snake venom?
Sorry—without Dugu Bo, the Dugu Clan no longer had any value.
Tang San had no reason to waste his time on them.