Under everyone's gaze, Tang Zhen slowly revealed everything, including his reason for concealing the truth about his injuries.
After hearing it all, the one who felt the deepest guilt was none other than Tang Hao…
If he hadn't decided to return today, would he never have seen his father again?
His actions might have even shortened his father's remaining years… He had almost become a sinner who killed his own father.
Tang Hao's expression was filled with grief and worry.
Seeing this, Tang Xiao felt the situation was slipping out of control more and more…
"Damn… This old man just had to cough blood in front of everyone. Couldn't he have endured it like always? No—he had to vomit in front of Tang Hao, playing out some emotional manipulative drama… Now the chance of Tang Hao leaving on his own is nearly impossible…" Tang Xiao's mind burned with frustration.
But still, he didn't show anything on his face.
"Father, don't lose hope. There might still be a way to heal your injuries… I will definitely find a way." Tang Xiao, wanting to maintain his image, spoke with filial devotion. His gaze briefly fell on Ah Yin's nervous face… He couldn't understand why this kind woman hadn't stepped forward or offered to help yet…
"Xiao'er… It's useless, I know my body best… Even my father couldn't help me heal these wounds. Alas… I can live another four or five years at most. Before then, I just want to spend my time with everyone… I was worried about Hao'er when he didn't return, but now that he is back, I am truly happy. What if my old life ends? There are still my two sons to shoulder my duties and lead the Clear Sky Sect to new heights…"
"I hope you both will promise me this: after I am gone… you will stay in the sect, protect it, and raise it to greater heights in the continent. That is my last wish. Xiao'er, you will promise me, won't you? Hao'er, you will promise me too, won't you?" Tang Zhen spoke as though already on his deathbed, his voice frail and weak.
Tang Xiao sneered inwardly: This old dog of a father's intention is obvious… He just wants to use this situation to force Tang Hao into promising to stay in the sect… This old man truly is cunning.
Even though Tang Xiao understood his father's ploy and knew everything was turning against him, he still had to comply… So he knelt on one knee, grasped Tang Zhen's right hand, and solemnly vowed:
"Father, don't worry. I, Tang Xiao, your son, swear I will fulfill your wish and protect the sect…"
Tang Hao also knelt at Tang Zhen's feet, tears streaming down: "Yes, Father, I, Tang Hao, your son, also swear to fulfill your wish. Together with Elder Brother, I will protect the sect and raise it to new heights…"
"Good, good, good… Hearing this, I feel relieved. Even if I were to die today, I could rest in peace…" Tang Zhen spoke, faint relief shining in his eyes. His plan had succeeded.
Everyone then took turns to stabilize Tang Zhen's injuries… But they could only suppress them, not cure them. Even when someone suggested calling for a healing Soul Master, Tang Zhen refused, saying he had tried countless times and even the Nine-Hearted Begonia could not heal him. Moreover, if outsiders they couldn't trust discovered his condition, it would endanger the entire clan…
At this moment, Ah Yin finally spoke:
"Th-that… Fa… Father… May I take a look at your injuries?" Ah Yin asked nervously, unsure of how to properly address Tang Zhen.
"Yes, yes… How could I forget… Ah Yin, your fifth soul skill is a healing skill. Father, let Ah Yin try. Her healing ability is excellent." Upon hearing Ah Yin's voice, Tang Hao quickly realized and urged.
Tang Xiao could only stay silent at the side, watching the events unfold: Alas… it seems my premonition is indeed coming true.
"This… Clan Leader…" The elders exchanged looks, hesitant. Letting a soul beast treat Tang Zhen?
And from what they had learned from Tang Xiao, Ah Yin was a soul beast with a Blue Silver Grass spirit… How could she possibly heal?
Although doubtful and cautious toward her, the elders didn't press further. They only looked at Tang Zhen, waiting for his decision.
"Haa… Since my daughter-in-law wishes to try, then let her." Tang Zhen agreed calmly. With his injuries stabilized by others, he could now speak without weakness… The strength of a Titled Douluo was no joke, though his appearance had aged greatly.
"Yes..." Ah Yin, though nervous, summoned her martial soul.
A graceful Blue Silver Emperor unfurled in her hand, its leaves adorned with radiant golden patterns.
Two yellow, two purple, and one black soul ring rose from beneath her feet.
"Wildfire cannot destroy the grass... it grows again with the spring wind."
With a soft chant, her fifth soul ring glowed brilliantly. A blue-gold vine extended from her hand, coiling gently around Tang Zhen's wrist.
Tang Xiao's chest tightened as he watched…
Blue-gold energy coursed into Tang Zhen's body. His pallid face gradually regained color, and he even let out a sigh of comfort.
Tang Hao, Tang Yuehua, and the seven elders stared in awe as Tang Zhen's complexion visibly improved.
But Ah Yin herself was drenched in sweat, her soul power draining at a terrifying rate. It was her first time attempting to heal a Titled Douluo, and she was being pushed to her very limits.
At last, her soul power was completely depleted. Her body swayed before collapsing into Tang Hao's embrace.
"Ah Yin, how was it…" Tang Hao asked anxiously. Everyone turned toward her…
But Ah Yin shook her head, her voice heavy with regret:
"I… I cannot cure him… Even though my fifth soul skill has healing power, such injuries… Only if I reach the Titled Douluo level could I completely heal him… Even at Soul Douluo, if I treated him for a year, I might succeed… But I am only level 58… Healing even a fraction of those wounds would take years…"
"The best I can do is ease his pain… I'm sorry to disappoint you, Ah Hao…" Her voice was pained, her expression downcast.
Everyone felt disheartened… Seeing Tang Zhen's complexion improve, they had thought this soul beast could heal him…
But ultimately, they had forgotten the importance of soul power level… The lower the soul power, the weaker the effect…
Only a comparable soul power could heal someone of higher rank, even for minor wounds… After all, the gap still existed. Everyone realized this with disappointment…
But only Tang Xiao rejoiced inwardly… His joy was beyond words…
"How could I forget this… Yes… Even if Ah Yin's soul skill is heaven-defying… her own strength is far too low… Hahaha… This old man truly is doomed to die." Tang Xiao laughed inwardly.
In his nervousness over the turn of events, Tang Xiao had overlooked many such simple truths… Now that Ah Yin had demonstrated, he remembered…
Even when Tang San absorbed Ah Yin's soul bone, back when he was only a Soul King, he couldn't heal Tang Hao's injuries…
With the miraculous power of the soul bone, one could heal themselves because their soul power and body were in harmony. When using one's own soul power to activate the skill, "Wildfire Cannot Destroy the Grass, It Grows Again With the Spring Wind" could even regenerate limbs. But that was limited to oneself.
At this moment, Tang Zhen opened his eyes:
"It's fine… Being able to ease this old man's pain is enough… To think that you, with only Soul King-level strength, could achieve this… Your fifth soul skill is extraordinary." Tang Zhen sighed. He could clearly sense how remarkable this skill was… If this soul beast before him, who had turned human and inexplicably become his daughter-in-law, had at least Soul Douluo-level strength, then she truly might have healed him… He could feel it.