After Yu Xiaogang left, Tang Hao asked:
"Spirit Hall's Qian Renxue has not disguised herself as Xue Qinghe in this life. That must mean her cultivation speed is terrifying. Tell me, Little San—could it be that she might achieve Angel God several years earlier this time?"
Hearing his father's concern, Tang San replied proudly:
"Don't worry, she won't. Whether it's Bibi Dong or Qian Renxue, they are nothing more than stepping stones for me, Tang San, in this era. Even if Qian Renxue doesn't waste her talent in Heaven Dou Empire's schemes, what of it? Father, don't forget—which of us three first came into contact with a god's inheritance?"
"It was Bibi Dong," Tang Hao said. Then realization struck him.
Tang San continued:
"So what if Bibi Dong came into contact with a godhood earlier? In the end, wasn't she the last among us three to become a god?
"The Rakshasa God's position is controlled by the Rakshasa in the Divine Realm. On the surface, Rakshasa opposes the Asura God, but in truth, the Rakshasa has secret dealings with the Asura.
"As for the Angel God position the Qian family holds—the Angel God already fell long ago. Right now, the inheritance of the Angel God is actually overseen by the Sea God. All of them are simply trials set by the Asura God for me. When exactly they're allowed to become gods isn't their choice—it depends on the Divine Realm's gods judging my strength and deciding!"
"That's true," Tang Hao nodded.
In his past life, Qian Renxue had ascended before Tang San, to put pressure on him. But the gods also feared he might be crushed, so the Sea God arranged for Qian Renxue to fall in love with him during the inheritance trial—softening her so she wouldn't strike to kill.
Even so, fighting a god was overwhelming. She chased him all the way to the sea. The Sea God himself had to personally unseal part of his own divine power to save Tang San.
After Tang San became the Sea God and defeated Qian Renxue, the Rakshasa arranged for Bibi Dong to ascend—pressuring him once again.
And what happened? Despite having twin spirits, every ring over a hundred thousand years (some even a million years), all spirit bones except his head over one hundred thousand years (one nearly a million)—despite all that, after ascending, he grew careless. He didn't dodge, and died at Bibi Dong's hands.
But so what? He was the child of destiny, the Asura God's chosen one. The Asura God resurrected him directly, merged him with a second godhood, granted him the Asura position, and let him strike down both Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.
Thus, those two pitiful women were nothing more than stepping stones for him.
The thought filled Tang San with a natural sense of superiority.
Afterward, father and son began planning their next steps.
In the previous life, after the Soul Master Tournament, they had gone to the Blue Silver Forest, where Tang San awakened the Blue Silver Emperor. But that road was blocked now. Until he reached Contra rank, he couldn't absorb the Blue Silver Emperor's ring. And Tang Hao himself was only level 86 now—far too weak to defeat that Blue Silver Emperor.
"So then, shall we go to the Slaughter City next, Father?" Tang San asked.
Tang Hao replied:
"Little San, before heading to the Slaughter City, there's another matter we must take care of first."
"What matter?"
Tang Hao jerked his chin toward a figure lying unconscious nearby—Xiao Wu.
"The Slaughter City's Killing God Domain is the first Asura God trial. But whether you can truly inherit the Asura God's position depends on this 'scabbard.'" Tang Hao said seriously. "Little San, your bond with Xiao Wu isn't as deep as in the previous life. Before you enter the Slaughter City, I believe you must first secure Xiao Wu."
At his father's words, Tang San's dark face flushed slightly red.
"Secure Xiao Wu? How, Father? I've no experience!"
"That's simple!" Tang Hao said. "I'll take you to a secluded mountain retreat. You'll live together with Xiao Wu day after day. With time, feelings will grow. Once you have that, marry her. Then, after Xiao Wu gives birth to your child, the bond between you will be unbreakable. I'll watch over Xiao Wu and the scabbard, keeping Dai Mubai and the others away. You can then focus on the Slaughter City trials, obtain the Killing God Domain, and begin the Asura God's test."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes lit up. He gazed hungrily at Xiao Wu's delicate form.
Heaven knew—since this life began, ever since he wasted so much time in Notting Academy with that "Xiao Gang nonsense," he had missed chance after chance to share a bed with Xiao Wu. Now, at last, he had the opportunity. How could he not be excited?
And so, father and son hoisted Xiao Wu onto their shoulders, leaving the city and slipping into the deep mountains, to a quiet, secluded hideaway.
This was the secret hut once shared by Tang Hao and Ah Yin.
"Little San, for the next year or more, we'll live here. I'll forge hidden weapons for you and prepare you for the Slaughter City. And you—" Tang Hao's gaze slid toward Xiao Wu, who had been laid down.
"I understand, Father," Tang San replied.
Where… am I?
Xiao Wu slowly awoke. When her eyes opened, the first thing she saw was a face dark as coal looming close.
"Ahhhhhh!" she screamed, slapping Tang San across the face. His head whipped sideways.
Quickly realizing what had happened, she stammered out an apology:
"I'm sorry, Ah San gēgē!"
"N-no problem," Tang San said, holding his reddened cheek.
Suddenly, Xiao Wu's heart clenched. She turned her head slowly—and saw a one-armed, burly man studying her.
Tang Hao.
Her enemy.
Hatred surged in her heart. But she suppressed it, concealing her feelings, and instead put on an innocent expression as she asked Tang San:
"Ah San gēgē, where are we?"
"Don't worry, Xiao Wu. It's safe here. This is my home," Tang San replied. Then, with guilt on his face, he added:
"Xiao Wu, I'm sorry. I couldn't win your mother's soul bone in the tournament."
"It's… it's alright, Ah San gēgē. The enemy was too strong. Losing wasn't your fault alone," Xiao Wu said, though her comfort was forced.
"But don't worry, Xiao Wu. The one who killed your mother must have been from Spirit Hall. One day, I'll storm Spirit Hall and avenge her!" Tang San said firmly—hoping to win her affection.
Xiao Wu listened to Tang San's words, all the while watching Tang Hao's reaction from the corner of her eye.
At the same time, Tang Hao was also carefully observing Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu immediately responded, eyes reddened as she cried:
"Ah San giegie, thank you. Back then, my mother was hunted down and killed by despicable, shameless humans to become a spirit ring. I transformed into human form and entered this world for the sole purpose of finding the murderer. Now that Spirit Hall has revealed my mother's spirit bone, I am certain—without a doubt—that my mother died at their hands."
Hearing this, Tang Hao, who had been nervously watching, let out a secret sigh of relief.
What he feared most was Xiao Wu discovering the truth—that he was the one who had killed her mother. If she knew, would she, as the "scabbard," still allow Tang San to wield her? Impossible.
At this moment, Tang Hao even felt grateful toward Spirit Hall. Them taking the spirit bone had actually lifted a great burden off his shoulders.
Thinking this, Tang Hao stepped forward and said to Xiao Wu:
"Xiao Wu, don't worry. In the future, even if I have to sacrifice this old life of mine, I will storm Spirit Hall and avenge your mother."
In Xiao Wu's heart, a flicker of hatred passed: What a hypocrite! You, avenge me? Why don't you just kill yourself? My enemy is you. Return my mother's life to me!
Though she cursed him inwardly, on her face she only showed pitiful gratitude as she glanced at Tang Hao, then Tang San.
"Thank you both… but why did you bring me here?"
Tang Hao drew a deep breath.
"Xiao Wu, your soul beast identity has been exposed. All of Douluo Continent is searching for you, coveting your spirit ring and bone. To keep you safe, I hope you'll stay here from now on. Don't worry—Xiao San will be with you, you won't be lonely."
"Mm… Uncle Tang Hao, thank you." Xiao Wu said meekly.
At present, though Tang Hao had fallen from Title Douluo to the level of an 86th-rank Spirit Douluo, his strength was still something Xiao Wu couldn't resist. For now, she had no choice but to endure.
At first, Xiao Wu thought Tang Hao had brought her here to cage her, to one day turn her into Tang San's spirit ring.
If that was truly the case, Xiao Wu would rather die than cheapen herself for that bastard Tang San.
But after living here for some time, she realized Tang Hao and Tang San's intentions weren't so simple. They weren't only after her spirit ring and bone. They were after… her body.
The secluded life was monotonous. Every day, Tang Hao would gather ores to forge hidden weapons. She and Tang San would train together. But outside of that, Tang San clung to her like dogskin plaster, constantly pursuing her. Meanwhile, Tang Hao would drop hints—sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant—trying to push her and Tang San together.
Their goal was obvious: to make her mate with Tang San, and bear outstanding offspring.
Xiao Wu suddenly recalled what Ah Yin had once told her at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well illusion.
Ah Yin had revealed that, despite Tang Hao's seemingly honest face, he was vile and shameless. Back then, both Tang Hao and Tang Xiao had pursued her. When he failed, Tang Hao abducted her, locking her away in a hidden place until she bore his child.
And that wasn't the end—he even dragged her into a battle with a Title Douluo, leading to the infamous staged "desperate sacrifice" that forced her to die for him.
Ah Yin had told Xiao Wu:
"Xiao Wu, if Tang Xiao hadn't arrived in time back then, I would've been forced to sacrifice myself to Tang Hao, for that little bastard Tang San."
Could it be—?
Thinking of Ah Yin's fate, Xiao Wu realized Tang Hao's plan might be to use her soul beast bloodline to breed powerful children, then trick her into falling for Tang San, and finally force her to sacrifice herself for him.
Xiao Wu didn't dare think further. But this already seemed like the most logical explanation.
If this was truly the case, then she could never allow Tang Hao and his son to succeed. They had already killed her mother, and now wanted to use her to bear children and sacrifice herself?
Tang San, you despicable wretch, go piss and look at your reflection. You think you're worthy? Even if my body were sealed shut with iron, I would never give myself to you.
So Xiao Wu began playing along, maneuvering between Tang Hao and Tang San.
One day, Xiao Wu stood silently at the edge of a cliff, gazing at the magnificent scenery in the distance. Behind her, Tang San stared at her back with infatuation. In his hands was a freshly picked flower, and he walked lightly up to her.
Sensing someone behind her, Xiao Wu slowly turned and saw Tang San.
"Ah San giegie, what brings you here?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
Tang San gathered his courage and thrust the flower toward her.
"Xiao Wu, this is a small token from your Ah San giegie. Please… be my other half. I swear to guard you all my life, to love what you love, to hate what you hate."
Xiao Wu covered her mouth in shock, staring between the flower and Tang San.
"Ah San giegie, you know… I've always thought of you as my giegie."
Hearing this, Tang San's face twisted into an expression like constipation. He loathed those two syllables—giegie.
He rallied himself and said:
"Xiao Wu, more than being your giegie, I wish to be your lover. I want us to be a couple blessed by the heavens. I will love you with everything I have. Please, say yes."
Xiao Wu quickly replied:
"Ah San giegie, Xiao Wu is a slow-burning woman. This is too sudden. I cannot accept you."
Tang San, who had finally mustered his courage to confess, felt crushed by her rejection. But he was not one to give up so easily.
"Xiao Wu, I believe that with perseverance, even an iron pestle can be ground into a needle. No matter how cold your heart, I will warm it. Wait for me. One day you will know—I am the one who truly loves you in this world." Tang San declared with firm resolve.
And so, for the next year—
"Ah San giegie, forgive me. Xiao Wu is not a casual woman."
"Ah San giegie, forgive me. Xiao Wu is a conservative woman."
"Ah San giegie, forgive me…"
For over a year, Xiao Wu played this game of deflection. She endured Tang San's relentless, glue-like pursuit and his constant confessions, while also fending off Tang Hao's not-so-subtle matchmaking.
During this time, Tang Hao even staged crises in secret, creating opportunities for Tang San to swoop in as a "hero saving the beauty." He actually thought Xiao Wu was stupid enough to fall for it.
But the longer things dragged on, the more Xiao Wu realized Tang Hao's patience was running thin.
If she stayed here any longer, it would only bring her harm. She began planning an escape.