Liu Erlong stared coldly at Tang San kneeling on the ground. His repentant, guilt-ridden expression made her wonder if she had misjudged him.
But Tang San's performance didn't stop there.
With reddened eyes, Tang San embraced Yu Xiaogang. "Teacher, you've lived a lonely life without children. For the past eight years, you've poured all your efforts into me.
You've cared for me more than my own father ever did. In my heart, you hold the same place as my birth father.
Father, please accept Tang San's bow!"
With that, Tang San kowtowed heavily three times, his forehead striking the ground with resounding thuds.
His actions stunned Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang, and Flender alike.
Yu Xiaogang was left speechless once more—the emotional rollercoaster he had endured in a single day was overwhelming.
The incident with Yu Tianxin, Liu Erlong's accusations, and now Tang San's declaration—it was all too much.
His legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed. If not for Flender supporting him, he might have fainted again from sheer emotion.
Yu Xiaogang took a shaky step forward, cupping Tang San's face in his hands as tears streamed uncontrollably down his cheeks.
He was a man torn between pride and insecurity.
Since childhood, his mutated Martial Soul and measly Innate Soul Power of 0.5 had subjected him to scorn and discrimination within his family, leaving him perpetually humiliated.
Yet at Spirit Hall, he had won the favor of the Saintess Bibi Dong.
This had inflated his pride—conquering such an extraordinary woman brought him a sense of achievement no less than a breakthrough in Soul Power cultivation.
Later, leveraging Spirit Hall's knowledge, he gained fame across the continent as the revered Grandmaster, growing even more arrogant.
But after parting ways with Bibi Dong and being separated from Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang had to admit—he was still that same insecure Great Soul Master with 0.5 Innate Soul Power.
Then came Tang San.
To Yu Xiaogang, Tang San was a gift from the heavens—a flawless genius with Twin Soul Spirits, Innate Full Soul Power, and the son of Haotian Douluo.
Tang San was diligent, too.
Gradually, Yu Xiaogang poured all his hopes into him.
Tang San was the genius who would restore his pride.
And now, Tang San had acknowledged him as a father. Yu Xiaogang was overwhelmed—he finally had a son.
"My good child, my good child!"
Yu Xiaogang trembled, weeping uncontrollably.
In this world where family and lineage were revered, Tang San's act of recognizing his teacher as a father was nothing short of earth-shattering.
Liu Erlong finally fell silent.
Flender, too, looked on with approval. Xiao San was such a respectful and filial child—truly admirable!
For a moment, harmony was restored.
Dugu Feng, the one who had set these events in motion, never imagined so much would unfold behind the scenes.
But he was certain—Yu Tianxin's death would trigger another shift in the continent's power dynamics.
At the very least, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family would now find itself isolated.
By now, Yu Yuanzhen was likely rushing toward Spirit City at full speed.
In secret, Dugu Feng met with Old Nine, instructing him to monitor the movements of both the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and Spirit Hall.
Meanwhile, he turned his attention back to the Soul Master Competition.
The unexpected incident of Yu Tianxin's death did not halt the progress of the Soul Master Competition.
People's innate love for excitement and battle remained unchanged, and the Soul Duel Arenas continued to be packed to capacity.
Gem Academy maintained its triumphant streak, securing victory after victory with no academy able to stand in their way.
Their defeated opponents included Shui Academy and Blazing Academy.
The team composed of Ning Rongrong, Little Snake, Zhang Jingyang, and others boasted five Soul Ancestors, further amplified by Ning Rongrong's terrifying enhancement abilities.
Even Shui Academy and Blazing Academy suffered defeats.
When facing the beauties of Shui Academy or Huo Wu from Blazing Academy, Little Snake showed no mercy.
In his eyes, they were merely competitors!
Little Snake had become the most popular Soul Master in Gem Academy after Ning Rongrong.
His cold demeanor, ruthless Azure Phosphorous Finger Force against any opponent, slender yet lightning-fast movements—still as the wind, swift as thunder—earned him the cheers of countless women.
On this day, Dugu Feng walked out of the Great Soul Arena in high spirits.
Gem Academy had achieved twenty-one consecutive victories, ranking first. The only remaining suspense was their upcoming match against Divine Wind Academy.
Divine Wind Academy had lost once to Blazing Academy, placing second with twenty wins and one loss.
The competition organizers knew how to build anticipation—this decisive battle was scheduled as the final match a week later.
Dugu Feng and Ning Rongrong strolled together along the street.
"Honored Guest!"
A voice like thunder resonated in his ears.
Dugu Feng was startled—this was sound transmission through soul power.
"Honored Guest"? That title had only ever been used by the King of Slaughter in Slaughter City.
After obtaining the Slaughter Domain, he had returned to Slaughter City once, where the King of Slaughter addressed him as an Honored Guest of the city.
He glanced around. The shops lining the street bustled with activity, their hawkers calling out, and the flow of people never ceased.
There was nothing unusual in the surroundings.
"I am Xiong Ba. I'm on the second floor of the teahouse. Please join me for a conversation, Honored Guest!"
The voice spoke again.
Dugu Feng quickly composed himself and said to Ning Rongrong beside him, "I'm going to meet an old friend in the teahouse. You head back to the hotel first."
"What old friend? Can't I come along?" Ning Rongrong pouted. During this time, they had been inseparable, as close as glue.
"Listen to me. Go back first."
Dugu Feng gave her a meaningful look.
Ning Rongrong immediately sensed something and reluctantly agreed.
Without hesitation, Dugu Feng strode toward the nearby teahouse.
Xiong Ba had actually come to Heaven Dou City.
He vividly remembered that burly, rough-looking man who had shrewdly joined Slaughter City after Dugu Feng used the Dream Thousand Machine Poison to eliminate Tang Cheng.
Had the King of Slaughter sent him this time?
Following the guidance of the voice, Dugu Feng arrived at an elegant private room on the second floor, secluded behind a folding screen that exuded tranquility.
Behind the screen, Dugu Feng immediately spotted Xiong Ba.
Clad in black martial attire, Xiong Ba had a close-cropped head of bristling hair and two deep scars running down the side of his face, giving him a fearsome appearance.
Seeing Dugu Feng enter, Xiong Ba abruptly stood up. His towering frame, over two meters tall, and broad shoulders made him resemble a small mountain.
"Honored Guest, you've arrived. I was dispatched by the King of Slaughter to inquire about the progress of your agreement with His Majesty!"
Xiong Ba spoke solemnly, with a trace of reverence.
The powerful scene of Dugu Feng in Slaughter City still left a deep impression in his mind.
Xiong Ba understood clearly that Dugu Feng was not someone who could be judged simply by his Soul Power Level.
When Dugu Feng was in Slaughter City, his cultivation was still at Great Soul Master level.
Now he had already reached Soul Ancestor level.
Xiong Ba couldn't even begin to estimate how strong Dugu Feng's power might be.
(End of Chapter)