But that night, Xiao Wu didn't sneak off to visit any of her lovers or cultivate with them.
Instead, she lay on her bed, restless and unable to sleep.
Her thoughts drifted back to that moment in the Sunset Forest, where she encountered Ah Yin.
"Hello, Xiao Wu. My name is Ah Yin. Like you, I was once a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
And biologically speaking, Tang San… is also my son."
Ah Yin introduced herself.
Xiao Wu looked at her warily.
"So, are you here to stand up for Tang San?"
Ah Yin shook her head.
"No. Do you know who Tang San's father is?"
"Tang San's father…" Xiao Wu's thoughts drifted to several years ago, when she and Tang San returned to Holy Soul Village during their time at Nuoding Academy. That was when she learned Tang San's father's name.
"Tang Hao," Xiao Wu said, staring at Ah Yin.
She remembered the legends of the Blue Silver Empress among soul beasts:
That after becoming human, the Blue Silver Empress fell in love with the twin stars of the Clear Sky Sect. The details were fuzzy, but the story ended with her identity exposed and her being hunted by humans—eventually sacrificing herself for one of the two.
"Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect… don't tell me—" Xiao Wu suddenly realized.
"Yes," Ah Yin said.
"Tang Hao is exactly the same Tang Hao you know—the man who killed your mother.
And Tang San is his son."
"So you're here to settle scores, aren't you? Because I've deceived your son?" Xiao Wu asked coldly.
Ah Yin let out a mocking laugh.
"Tang San may have come from my body, but I don't acknowledge him as my son. Would you care to hear my past?"
Even though they were both soul beasts in human form, Ah Yin's strength far surpassed Xiao Wu's.
Faced with that, Xiao Wu had no choice but to nod.
Ah Yin began recounting her past:
She had once wandered the continent and encountered Tang Xiao and Tang Hao.
Both courted her, but she ultimately chose Tang Xiao.
Who would have thought this would enrage Tang Hao, that beast—(even gentle Ah Yin could not conceal the hatred on her face when she spoke his name).
Tang Hao ambushed his own brother Tang Xiao, leaving him crippled—Ah Yin's face turned emotionless when she mentioned him.
After that, Tang Hao abducted her and eventually forced her to give birth to Tang San.
On the day of Tang San's birth, the elders of the Clear Sky Sect discovered Ah Yin's identity.
The sect immediately launched a soul hunt against her.
In order to protect the child he had fathered, Tang Hao fought the sect and committed grave crimes—injuring fellow disciples, and even patricide.
In the end, Ah Yin sacrificed herself for Tang Xiao.
Hearing all this, Xiao Wu looked at Ah Yin and said:
"So you hate Tang San because Tang Hao forced you to give birth to him. But I don't buy it. You carried him inside yourself for ten months. No matter how much you hate, I don't believe a mother's nature would allow you to truly loathe her own child."
"You're right," Ah Yin said. "Even if I didn't want to see that child, he's still the baby I carried for ten months. I shouldn't have projected my hatred for Tang Hao onto him. But do you know what I went through afterward?"
"After the sacrifice, all that remained of me was the Blue Silver Empress life seed.
The Rakshasa God took me away and planted me in the mountain behind Holy Soul Village, making me watch Tang San's every visit there—so I could learn the truth: Tang San comes from another world, from the Tang Sect.
He was a thief who stole his sect's secrets and leapt off a cliff. After arriving in this world, he took over the body of the child I gave birth to and possessed Tang San's body."
At this point, Ah Yin's eyes revealed undisguised hatred.
"You're saying Tang San isn't really Tang San, but a soul that took over his body?" Xiao Wu was stunned.
"You've known him since he was six. Think carefully—what part of that thief ever acted like a six-year-old?" Ah Yin challenged her.
With Ah Yin's reminder, Xiao Wu compared six-year-old Tang San to other children and suddenly realized just how unusual he'd been.
"If that's the case…" Xiao Wu recalled how, even at six, Tang San had looked at her with desire—suggesting they sleep in the same bed, among other things. Suddenly, Tang San's image in her mind turned creepy and perverted.
Thinking about how Tang San had been eyeing her with an adult's mind inside a child's body… Xiao Wu couldn't help showing a hint of disgust.
"And more than that," Ah Yin said with a deep breath, "Tang San is the root of everything I've suffered. The Rakshasa God told me: Tang San was created by the Shura God to inherit the divine position. The Shura God chose me as the vessel and chose the Clear Sky Hammer as his martial spirit. So Tang Hao had to choose between Tang Xiao and himself."
"If Tang Hao had forced himself on me out of love, I might hate him—but not to this degree.
But he did it knowingly. He understood what Tang San's birth meant and the power it would bring. That's why he did whatever it took to force me to bear this child. Then he watched that child get possessed by a soul from another world.
While I was being hunted down, Tang Hao deliberately led me into an ambush—all so he could have me sacrifice myself to him as his ninth spirit ring. That man… used me to the fullest. What a filthy, shameless, despicable bastard."
"But I didn't give him what he wanted. I didn't sacrifice my spirit ring to Tang Hao. At the critical moment, Tang Xiao appeared, and I shifted my offering to him instead. That ruined part of Tang Hao's elaborate plan." Ah Yin said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu's eyes reddened. "So that's why… Tang Hao came after my mother, hunted her down, and stole her spirit ring and bone?!"
"I'm very sorry that your family got involved in this," Ah Yin apologized.
"No, Auntie Yin, this has nothing to do with you. It's all Tang Hao and Tang San's fault," Xiao Wu shook her head.
Lying on the bed, Xiao Wu stared at the ceiling, recalling every memory she had with her mother. Tears flowed uncontrollably down her face.
She thought back to the moment she met Tang San at six years old. If Tang Hao was truly Tang San's father…
A chill ran down her spine. That would mean, during those six years she spent with Tang San, she had been right under Tang Hao's watchful eye.
She asked Ah Yin about this.
Ah Yin replied, "Xiao Wu, I'm afraid Tang Hao already knows your identity."
"Then—then…" Xiao Wu panicked, "Doesn't that mean Tang Hao could come after me at any moment?!"
"Don't worry," Ah Yin comforted her. "Tang Hao's spirit rings are full. If he hunted you now, at most he'd get a spirit bone. Think carefully—why is he still keeping you alive?"
After this reminder, Xiao Wu suddenly understood: "He's keeping me for Tang San."
Ah Yin nodded. "Yes. Tang Hao plans to keep you caged like livestock, waiting until Tang San is strong enough to absorb a 100,000-year spirit ring. Then he'll kill you, take your ring and bone, or worse…"
"Or worse… he'll do the same thing he did to me," Ah Yin said coldly. "He'll make you fall in love with Tang San, then push you into a trap where you'll be forced to sacrifice yourself willingly."
Xiao Wu clenched her fists in anger: "That shameless bastard! I, Xiao Wu, would rather self-destruct than let that mangy dog Tang San get my spirit ring or bone!"
Right then, she began planning to escape. But when she thought about Er Ming, she hesitated. Tang San might be a worthless fake brother, but Er Ming was her real younger brother. How could she leave him behind in danger?
Last time, when Gu Rong showed up, Er Ming happened to be away, and Xiao Wu managed to hide just in time, avoiding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's attention. But with the upcoming Spirit Master Tournament, they'd likely face Titled Douluos again. When that happens, threats wouldn't just come from Tang Hao, but from other powerful humans too.
No. She had to return and warn Er Ming to escape when he had the chance.
Ah Yin saw through her thoughts. "You want to run, but do you really think Tang Hao, who hides in the shadows, will let you escape so easily?"
"Then what should I do?" Xiao Wu asked.
"Tang Hao wants your ring and bone for Tang San, but Tang San isn't strong enough yet to absorb a 100,000-year spirit ring. So for now, he won't touch you. The most dangerous place is actually the safest."
"But… what if we run into other human Titled Douluos?" Xiao Wu asked.
"That's easy." Ah Yin pulled out two immortal herbs and handed them to her. "These two herbs can mask your spirit beast aura, so even Titled Douluos won't be able to detect your true identity!"
"Also, by staying near Tang San, you can do a lot more. You and I share a common enemy—Tang Hao and Tang San. I'll destroy everything Tang Hao holds dear. The Shura God chose me to give birth to Tang San so he could inherit my Blue Silver Empress bloodline. But as long as I live, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass will never evolve. My existence has already crippled one of his spirits. So, Xiao Wu, what do you think you should do?"
Xiao Wu took the two herbs, a glint of hatred in her eyes. "Then I'll destroy his other spirit—the Clear Sky Hammer!"
That night, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were waiting in a forest outside the city.
They heard footsteps and quickly looked up—only to see it wasn't Xiao Wu, but Yu Tianheng, Er Ming, and Tai Long.
"What are you doing here?" Dai Mubai asked unhappily.
All of them were in love with Xiao Wu and saw each other as rivals. As members of the reincarnated trio, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun shared past lives and memories. Until Tang San was dealt with, they were temporary allies.
But their alliance extended only to the reincarnated group. Toward others like Yu Tianheng, Er Ming, and Tai Long, they made no attempt to hide their hostility.
Yu Tianheng said, "Xiao Wu invited me here. Shouldn't you three be leaving? Tonight belongs to me, Er Ming, Tai Long, and Xiao Wu."
"You think we weren't invited too?" Ma Hongjun retorted. "Xiao Wu personally called me today and said, 'Hongjun giegie, come meet me in the forest outside the city tonight~'"
Soon, Xue Beng arrived as well. After comparing notes, they were shocked to realize—Xiao Wu had invited all of them!
Still, each of them loved her deeply. Instead of blaming her for being flirtatious, they turned their hostility toward each other. The fewer rivals there were, the greater each man's chance of "being chosen" by Xiao Wu tonight.
And so, a full-on brawl broke out: swans soared, dragons roared, titans pounded their chests…
Just then, Xiao Wu appeared. She stepped into the middle of the chaos and shouted:
"Stop! If you keep fighting, I'll never speak to you again!"
All the men froze, instantly retracting their spirits and gazing at her with admiration.
"Xiao Wu-jie, you're here~"
"We weren't really fighting, just… sparring, that's all."
"Xiao Wu-jie~"
"Xiao Wu-jie~"
Annoyed, Xiao Wu said, "Enough! You're all mine. I don't want to see you fighting anymore. If I catch you doing it again, I'll ignore you forever. Got it?"
"Yes…" They replied, like defeated roosters.
"Didn't hear you! Say it again! With spirit! You think Xiao Wu-jie will train with men who mumble like that?!"
"Yes, we got it, Xiao Wu-jie! We'll never fight again!" the men shouted, standing at attention.
"Very good. That's the energy I like."
Yu Tianheng asked, "Xiao Wu, why did you gather all of us here tonight?"
Xiao Wu looked at everyone, took a deep breath, and said, "Sorry, everyone. I've been hiding something from you…"
"I'm not human."
Apart from the reincarnated trio and Er Ming, everyone else looked shocked.
"Huh? What do you mean you're not human?" Yu Tianheng asked.
"I'm a 100,000-year Soft-Boned Rabbit, reborn in human form," Xiao Wu said. "Now that you know… will you still love me?"
If they didn't share powerful fusion techniques with Xiao Wu, the others might have tried to capture her to earn favor with their clans. But the fusion skills bound them like a knot, and their compatibility was nearly 100%. Betrayal wasn't an option.
"Xiao Wu," Yu Tianheng stepped forward. "Whether you're human or not doesn't matter. I love you."
Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, Er Ming, Xue Beng, and Tai Long all echoed the sentiment.
"Thank you, everyone," Xiao Wu said tearfully. After a moment, she wiped her tears and said, "I risked my life coming to the human world for one purpose—revenge. To avenge my mother."
The reincarnated trio and Er Ming immediately understood—but not in the same way. Er Ming knew the true killer, while the others thought the answer lay in the past.
"Xiao Wu, tell us who killed your mother! We'll avenge her for you!" Yu Tianheng, Xue Beng, and Tai Long said in unison.
Xiao Wu said, "The one who killed my mother was—Tang Hao."
At the name, Yu Tianheng, Xue Beng, and Tai Long's necks shrank back. Tang Hao was infamous across Douluo Continent—not for his morals, but for his terrifying strength.
Now that they knew her enemy was Tang Hao, none of them dared promise they could avenge her.
"What?!" This time, it was the reincarnated trio who were shocked. Dai Mubai said, "That doesn't sound right. Xiao Wu, are you sure it was Tang Hao?"
"Dai Mubai!" Er Ming shouted, pointing at him. "Xiao Wu and I saw it happen with our own eyes! How could that be fake?! You're doubting the killer was Tang Hao? What, are you trying to defend Tang San?!"
"You've really disappointed me," Xiao Wu said tearfully.
"No no no! That's not what I meant!" Dai Mubai panicked. He thought Bibi Dong had killed Xiao Wu's mother—not Tang Hao!
"You don't believe me?" Xiao Wu tossed a soul-guide recording to them. Oscar and Ma Hongjun leaned in too. On the recording, they watched Tang Hao and members of the Strength Clan intercept Xiao Wu's mother—and saw the entire scene of her being hunted, killed, and having her ring absorbed.
It was chaos. Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were stunned. Tang Hao… was Xiao Wu's mother's killer?!
"Now do you understand, Dai Mubai?" Xiao Wu said coldly. "Tang Hao is my enemy. Which means Tang San is my enemy too. I know the three of you were close to him, so I'll ask just once—Will you choose Tang San… or me?"
"We… we choose you, of course!" the three blurted out, not hesitating.
"Tang San? Who even is that?" they laughed nervously. "We only hung out with him because it was useful. He's nothing compared to you, Xiao Wu. You are our one true love!"
After hearing everyone's response, Xiao Wu began to explain her plan in detail.
At the end, she said sincerely,
"That's the plan. I hope you'll all cooperate with me."
Yu Tianheng voiced his concern:
"Xiao Wu, in the Continental Soul Master Tournament, you'll definitely encounter some Title Douluo. Your identity as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast is impossible to hide from them."
Dai Mubai also said worriedly:
"Exactly. Xiao Wu, we all want to help you take revenge, but the tournament is just too dangerous."
Xiao Wu smiled gently:
"Thank you all for your concern, but you don't have to worry. I've already made preparations."
She pulled out two immortal-grade herbs and explained their effects to the group. Then she gave one of them to Er Ming. After that, she said:
"With this, even if we face Title Douluo in the tournament, they won't be able to sense my identity. From here on, let's proceed according to plan."
Meanwhile, Tang San was lying on his bed, brooding over what to do now that they were out of celestial herbs, and suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
Ever since he revealed his second martial soul, he could clearly sense Xiao Wu's attitude toward him had shifted.
That day, Xiao Wu affectionately said:
"Ah-San giegie~, I didn't get a good look at your second martial soul last time. Could you summon it for me to see?"
Without thinking, Tang San summoned the Clear Sky Hammer. The heavy hammer dropped into his hand, and by now he could swing it a few times.
Tang San showed off proudly:
"Xiao Wu-meimei~, this is giegie's Clear Sky Hammer. What do you think?"
"Wow~ So this is the Clear Sky Hammer? Ah-San giegie, you're amazing!" Xiao Wu said with a face full of admiration—but deep in her eyes, a glint of icy coldness flickered.
Tang San didn't notice. He continued:
"Having twin martial souls means I can attach an extra set of soul rings compared to others. My strength will skyrocket. On this continent, few will be my equal."
Then he declared with great ambition:
"Xiao Wu, when the time comes, giegie will use this Clear Sky Hammer to protect you!"
Xiao Wu gently held Tang San's small hand and said:
"Thank you, Ah-San giegie~"
After she left, Tang San finally put the hammer away and thought to himself:
"Looks like revealing my twin martial souls was worth it. At the very least, it showed Xiao Wu how valuable I am. Her enemy is Bibi Dong, another powerful twin martial soul user. A role like that can't be handled by trash like Yu Tianheng or Er Ming. She should realize that only I have the potential to help her get revenge—and that'll bring her closer to me."
Thinking that, Tang San let out a smug smile with a metaphorical ✓ at the corner of his mouth.