"An incident occurred during this year's Spirit Master Tournament," Flender adjusted his glasses and said. "The team leader of Canghui Academy, Shi Nian, tried to boost his team's ranking by assassinating talented students from other schools.
After this was discovered, Shi Nian was judged by the Spirit Hall, and Canghui Academy was stripped of their qualification to participate. Coincidentally, our match tomorrow was supposed to be against Canghui Academy.
So now, Shrek Academy, along with all other teams that were scheduled to face them, will receive a bye. This gives us a day off tomorrow—an excellent opportunity to rest and observe the strengths of the other teams."
After the Shrek teachers left, Dai Mubai walked up to Tang San and asked:
"San, did you encounter Shi Nian?"
Tang San nodded.
"Then how did it come to be that Spirit Hall judged him? Didn't you kill him yourself?" Ma Hongjun asked.
Tang San replied awkwardly, "You forgot—I could only kill Shi Nian in my previous life because of two things: first, the Purple Demon Eye refined by the Autumn Water Dew, which boosted my spiritual power enough to shatter his illusions; and second, the Yama Inscription.
Both are related to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Without those, how could I possibly reverse the situation? This time, I was completely caught in his assassination trap. It was Salas and his Spirit Hall enforcement team who apprehended Shi Nian and saved me."
Ma Hongjun scratched his head. "Ah, right, I nearly forgot about that. Still, I've got to say, San, you're really the Child of Destiny. You survived the pursuit of a spiritual-type Spirit Sage without a scratch."
He gave Tang San a big thumbs-up.
Who says I wasn't hurt? Just thinking of what he saw in that illusion made Tang San's eyes turn red and his breathing grow heavy.
Oscar asked, "So... San, this time Spirit Hall saved you. What are you going to do about them in the future?"
Tang San's face turned cold. "This time, it was Salas who saved me. I, Tang San, owe him my life, and I will remember that.
But Spirit Hall is still the greatest threat to the Douluo Continent—it has brought harm for generations. My mission is to overthrow its tyrannical rule, to bring hope and light to the continent.
If Salas remains loyal to Spirit Hall and we meet again on the battlefield, then public duty is public duty, and private matters are private. I, Tang San, will never allow personal gratitude to cloud my judgment in matters of justice."
At those words, the Shrek Trio seemed to glimpse the future Tang San—the impartial and just God of Judgment, Shura, of the Divine Realm.
Tang San then changed the topic and said to the trio, "Tomorrow's our bye day. Just as well, I want to take a leave of absence to go somewhere. If the teachers ask where I went, explain it to them for me."
Dai Mubai asked, "Where are you going?"
Tang San replied viciously, "I want to get stronger and take Xiao Wu's attention away from Yu Tianheng."
Ma Hongjun immediately lit up. "San, you mean to—?"
Before he could finish, Oscar tugged his sleeve and shook his head. Ma Hongjun promptly shut up.
Dai Mubai said, "San, whatever you plan to do, go ahead. Leave the Academy stuff to us."
"Alright. Thanks, guys. With you here, I'm at ease," Tang San said.
After Tang San left, the Shrek Trio quickly reported the matter to Xiao Wu like they were eager to show off.
"That little punk is leaving Shrek Academy to get stronger? Are you sure he's going to add a spirit ring to his Clear Sky Hammer?" Xiao Wu asked with a frown.
"Uh… not completely sure," Dai Mubai replied. "But since he didn't get the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his only real option for gaining strength now might be to cultivate the Clear Sky Hammer."
"No matter what, we'll know once that little punk returns." Xiao Wu winked at the three and said playfully, "You did well. As a reward, Xiao Wu-jie will train with you tonight."
"Hey, now that's great! Sister Xiao Wu, training is important! I want to train too—train as much as possible!" Oscar chimed in excitedly.
While the Shrek Trio and Xiao Wu were getting hot and heavy that night, Tang San was already bumping along in a carriage on his way to the Blue Silver Forest.
That place was quite far from Heaven Dou City. A round trip would take several days. With the tournament progressing daily, Tang San feared that Yu Tianheng and Xiao Wu's relationship might grow closer through their continued use of their Spirit Fusion Technique.
That fear pushed him to travel non-stop, day and night, until he finally reached the edge of the Blue Silver Forest.
The Blue Silver Forest—the kingdom of Blue Silver Grass and the birthplace of his mother.
The forest was filled with towering, lush trees. Beneath their shade, countless Blue Silver Grasses emitted a faint blue glow, painting the entire area with a tranquil beauty.
Tang San entered the forest, recalling the memories of his previous life.
In that life, after giving birth to him, his mother was hunted by Spirit Hall. His father fled with her across the land.
In desperation, his mother sacrificed herself to save his father. His father then reached the rank of Title Douluo and severely wounded Qian Xunji before escaping with Tang San.
Later, Qian Xunji died in Spirit Hall's internal strife. Yet Spirit Hall shifted the hatred onto Tang San's father and the Clear Sky Sect, hunting them down.
This life… it'll probably follow the same path.
Tang San took a deep breath of the forest's fresh air and opened his eyes, which glinted with hatred.
"Mom… don't worry. Spirit Hall's debt to the Tang family—I've remembered every single one. I will avenge you.
I'll get justice for Father. In this life, I will ensure Spirit Hall is wiped from the pages of history. Just wait for me.
Once I inherit your Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, I'll revive you from eternal slumber. I'll reunite you and Father. In the distant future, I will become the ruler of the Douluo Divine Realm, and you two will be the rulers and core of this world, commanding the fate of all beings on the continent."
With that, Tang San ventured deeper into the forest, releasing his Blue Silver Grass aura as he walked, trying to resonate with the plants around him.
To the Blue Silver Grass of the forest, Tang San was sending one clear message:
"Wild grasses of the Blue Silver Forest, do you sense the aura of the Blue Silver Emperor? That's right—your Blue Silver Prince, Tang San, has returned. Come out and greet me. Offer yourselves in sacrifice, and help me evolve into the Blue Silver Emperor!"
In his previous life, under his father's guidance, Tang San had naively entered the Blue Silver Forest. At the time, he only felt that all the blue silver grass in the forest was cheering his arrival.
It wasn't until he encountered the Blue Silver King that he realized why the forest welcomed him so warmly.
It turned out, he was the son of the Blue Silver Emperor, bearing noble blood. Even the Blue Silver King had to bow to him, humbly offer its life to help him ascend the Blue Silver Throne. It even felt honored to sacrifice itself for him.
After awakening the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, Tang San came to understand some of the inheritance protocols. His Blue Silver Emperor martial spirit could awaken at any time.
When Tang San obtained the Blue Silver Crown and his martial spirit evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor, the Blue Silver King in the forest would offer itself in sacrifice, facilitating the evolution of Tang San's martial spirit and forming a spirit ring uniquely compatible with him.
The age of the spirit ring would depend on what Tang San could withstand.
This spirit ring, for Tang San, couldn't be absorbed too early—because its age might be too low to be valuable.
But if absorbed too late, the blue silver grass might not evolve into the Blue Silver Emperor in time, wasting its talent. Therefore, awakening the Blue Silver Emperor at the Spirit King level was the most optimal choice.
His father brought him into the Blue Silver Forest only after he reached the Spirit King level—not for sentimental reasons, but purely to avoid wasting the Blue Silver King's spirit ring. It was all about maximizing benefit.
In this lifetime, Tang San entered the Blue Silver Forest earlier than before. Although this meant the spirit ring formed by the Blue Silver King might only be at the lower ten-thousand-year level, it was enough for Tang San.
And awakening the Blue Silver Emperor martial spirit at this stage wasn't more costly than cultivating his Clear Sky Hammer.
However, this time, Tang San was surprised to sense that the attitude of the blue silver grass around the forest had changed.
After sensing his presence, the blue silver grass reacted as if they'd encountered some ill omen or filthy thing—retreating from him en masse.
What... What's going on? Tang San's heart filled with unease.
"You lowly weeds, shouldn't you be welcoming the arrival of the crown prince with reverence, willingly offering your power to my Blue Silver Domain?!"
He clearly felt their change in attitude.
Even though blue silver grass was weak, it still had spirit. If they sensed the son of their emperor had arrived, shouldn't they kneel and rejoice? Why... why were they avoiding him?
If the blue silver grass now rejected him, how was he supposed to form his Blue Silver Domain?
Could something have changed in the Blue Silver Forest?
A flood of questions raced through Tang San's mind. Becoming anxious, he hurried through the forest, following the familiar path to the Throne of the Blue Silver Emperor.
And then—
He waited silently for the Blue Silver King to come out, welcome his arrival, initiate his martial spirit's evolution, and offer itself in sacrifice.
One minute passed.
Two minutes passed.
Three minutes...
"Where is the Blue Silver King? Where are you?" Tang San frowned, becoming impatient.
Damn it! I'm the crown prince of the Blue Silver Emperor. Is this how you show me respect?!
Suddenly, a voice came from a thousand-year-old blue silver grass that had evolved toward the level of a Blue Silver King:
"You are the emperor's son. You came to the Blue Silver Forest to claim the Blue Silver Emperor's position, didn't you?"
Tang San turned to the source, realizing it wasn't the Blue Silver King. He disdained explaining his purpose, replying coldly:
"Where is the Blue Silver King?"
"The Blue Silver King is gone," the thousand-year blue silver grass responded. "There's nothing here left for you."
Tang San's tone turned urgent and angry:
"What do you mean?"
"On this continent, there is only one Blue Silver Emperor. That emperor has already been crowned. If you think you can evolve your martial spirit into the Blue Silver Emperor here, you're dreaming."
Tang San froze. Those words echoed in his mind:
"The Blue Silver Emperor has already been crowned."
When he snapped out of it, his eyes turned red, and he growled in rage:
"Who? Who shamelessly stole the Blue Silver Throne that rightfully belongs to the Tang Clan?!"
It couldn't be his mother. She had already selflessly sacrificed herself for his father. Now she only remained as the seed of life of the Blue Silver Emperor.
That position had been left open—for him, Tang San. Only he was qualified to inherit it.
So who—who had the audacity to steal his place?
"No comment," the thousand-year blue silver grass said coldly.
Tang San narrowed his eyes. He remembered that the Blue Silver King was no longer around. The only one in all of Douluo Continent who was closest to the Blue Silver Emperor... was that eighty-thousand-year Blue Silver King.
Suddenly, a full narrative formed in his head—a classic "the subordinate usurps the throne" scenario. Tang San roared:
"I get it now—it was the Blue Silver King, wasn't it?! That shameless wretch took advantage of my mother's absence and forcibly seized the Blue Silver Crown, becoming the new Blue Silver Emperor. That has to be it!"
The Blue Silver King, instead of waiting obediently in the forest to pass the throne and sacrifice itself to him, dared to covet his birthright.
Tang San had long seen the Blue Silver Emperor's throne as his own personal possession—he had ruled Douluo's Blue Silver for 20,000 years in his past life!
"Very well. You've chosen death."
But the thousand-year-old blue silver grass offered no response. Its indifference only confirmed Tang San's suspicions.
"So I was right all along," Tang San said. "Look at me—I am the emperor's son. I bear the noble bloodline of the previous Blue Silver Emperor!"
He released the aura of his Blue Silver Grass, revealing the noble Blue Silver Emperor bloodline within, allowing every blade of grass in the forest to feel it.
"You shouldn't pledge allegiance to some traitorous usurper! Your loyalty belongs to me—I am the true heir!"
Yet, his words had no effect.
He could sense it clearly—the forest rejected him.
The Blue Silver King had already won their hearts. This betrayal stoked Tang San's rage even further.
Glaring at the thousand-year-old grass, he shouted in the tone of a ruler:
"So you recognize the Blue Silver King as the emperor? Fine. Very well. But don't forget—I am still the son of the Blue Silver Emperor. I command you to sacrifice yourself to me. Now! Immediately!"
Burning with fury, Tang San realized that while his mother was absent, his rightful position had been stolen.
Now that the Blue Silver Emperor had already appeared, there was no hope for him to reclaim the throne in the present.
All he could do now was settle—activate his bloodline to become a Blue Silver King instead. Having the Blue Silver King as a martial spirit was still better than nothing.
And in the future, once he became powerful enough, he could track down this so-called emperor of the current era...
And take back what belonged to him.