Once Ning Ruoyan returned, Tang Xiao allowed her to shower her affection upon him with her mouth, feeding her his protein milkshake afterward.
Ever since he had undergone the Ice and Fire Alchemy body refinement and fully opened all eight extraordinary meridians, Tang Xiao felt as though his body was overflowing with vitality in that particular aspect. He was confident that he could go on for a hundred days without rest and continuously produce protein milk for women to drink without limit.
Tang Xiao always felt a sense of pride whenever he fed Ning Ruoyan until she was completely satisfied.
See? Even if the world dries up and famine spreads everywhere, I would still be able to fill your stomach.
After receiving her affection, Tang Xiao reminded Ning Ruoyan of several important precautions—what must be kept secret and what could be revealed.
"Ruoyan, you must keep your martial soul evolution hidden for now. Try not to summon it in front of others. Wait until—"
"—And in the future, once I give the word, I want you to take control of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealth. Although it will be difficult, with your evolved martial soul as leverage, it will become much easier."
"Also, in one month, I will leave the sect to hunt for my ninth soul ring and officially step into the realm of a Titled Douluo. During this period, you should communicate closely with Yuehua and familiarize yourself with the Clear Sky Sect's internal structure and operations. Once I return, I will assign you specific tasks."
Tang Xiao gave Ning Ruoyan a long list of instructions. He no longer minded revealing some of his darker intentions. Now that she had proven her loyalty and devotion, it was time to fully utilize her without maintaining any further reservations.
Having received the best education of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect since childhood, Ning Ruoyan surpassed Tang Yuehua in certain aspects—especially in business management and administration. Furthermore, being over forty years old, she possessed extensive experience accumulated through decades.
Once she fully understood the Clear Sky Sect's structure and inner workings, she would be able to efficiently assist Tang Xiao in handling various matters.
In truth, Tang Xiao had long planned Ning Ruoyan's role. Now that the time was ripe, he began executing those plans step by step.
As she listened, Ning Ruoyan carefully committed every instruction to memory, reassuring Tang Xiao that he need not worry and that she would follow his words faithfully. Even when Tang Xiao hinted at designs involving her own birth clan, she nodded without the slightest hesitation.
Deep down, she only felt cherished.
After all, Tang Xiao entrusting her with such responsibilities and speaking openly without concealment proved that he had begun to trust her completely. For a woman deeply in love, realizing that her beloved had placed complete trust in her—such joy was beyond words.
After chatting for a while and sharing some earthly knowledge about clan management and commerce, Tang Xiao gently kissed her forehead and left the room, heading toward Tang Hao's residence.
…
Tang Xiao's former mimicry cultivation chamber.
After Tang Xiao moved into a superior one, this chamber had been assigned to Tang Hao.
Upon entering, Tang Xiao saw Tang Hao awaken from meditation after sensing his presence.
"Brother Hao," Tang Xiao said with a smile, "I hope you'll accompany me on my soul ring hunt."
"Brother, you broke through to level 90 so quickly?" Tang Hao asked in pleasant surprise.
Recalling that Tang Xiao had mentioned reaching peak level 89 a month earlier, it made sense.
Although he was genuinely happy, a faint trace of unwillingness still echoed in a corner of his heart.
"I broke through to level 90 three weeks ago," Tang Xiao replied calmly. "But I spent some time researching the Great Sumeru Hammer technique, so I only emerged from seclusion now."
"And you, Brother Hao? How is your cultivation progressing?" Tang Xiao asked with apparent concern.
"I've just broken through to level 85… I'm still a few years away from level 90," Tang Hao replied with a bitter smile, leaping down from the hammerhead.
"What's there to feel depressed about?" Tang Xiao said reassuringly. "With your cultivation speed, you'll reach level 90 in three or four years—before you turn forty-five. If I'm not mistaken, you'll become the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent."
He wasn't lying.
Before Bibi Dong's breakthrough, Tang Hao would indeed hold that title.
Even afterward, as long as she kept her achievement concealed, Tang Hao would retain it for several more years.
If Tang Xiao's inference was correct, Bibi Dong should already be a Soul Douluo, despite being only thirty-five or thirty-six years old. Although the novel never clearly stated many timelines, careful deduction suggested that she broke through to level 90 after Qian Xunji's death and devouring him—only a few months after Tang Hao's breakthrough.
That meant she would reach the Titled Douluo realm at the age of thirty-nine.
A truly astonishing accomplishment.
For Tang Xiao—someone obsessed with achievements and reputation—it was undeniably enviable.
Unfortunately, the title of youngest Titled Douluo would never belong to him.
If only he had transmigrated into a younger body.
But lamenting what could not be changed was pointless.
He could only compete for other honors.
Yet even the title of youngest Limit Douluo seemed unlikely to fall into his hands.
Wah… what heartbreak.
Despite the turmoil in his thoughts, Tang Xiao continued conversing calmly with Tang Hao, asking about his cultivation and about Ah Yin's situation.
As for Ah Yin, her life was leisurely to the extreme.
As a soul beast transformed into human form, she only needed to interact with human society to steadily increase her cultivation.
Another enviable point.
After some casual conversation, the discussion returned to the main topic.
"Big Brother, where do you plan to hunt spirit beasts? What type, and what age?" Tang Hao asked.
"I intend to hunt a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast," Tang Xiao replied evenly. "Wasn't that always our plan, Brother Hao?"
In the predecessor's memories, the brothers had always envisioned obtaining hundred-thousand-year soul rings for their ninth rings—with Tang Chen's assistance. Tang Chen had personally promised them.
Tang Hao, in particular, had repeatedly discussed this after reaching level 80, eager to complete their decade-long training and return home to impress their grandfather.
Although Tang Chen had yet to return, their goal had never wavered.
Seeing Tang Hao hesitate, Tang Xiao chuckled inwardly.
"What, Brother Hao? Are you worried about Ah Yin's reaction?" Tang Xiao asked with a knowing smile.
"Big Brother…" Tang Hao hesitated, dragging out his words.
Tang Xiao raised his hand, cutting him off as his expression turned serious.
"Brother Hao, you must understand—Ah Yin is special. She's the kindest person in the world, even though she's a soul beast. But not all soul beasts are like her."
"They slaughter their own kind, even their offspring, to improve their cultivation and evolve through cannibalism—no different from fallen soul masters. Such beings deserve to be killed."
Seeing Tang Hao attempt to speak, Tang Xiao stopped him once more.
"And tell me—once you reach level 90, would Ah Yin wish for you to absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and become stronger, or take a weaker ring and remain inferior?"
"You already know the answer."
Tang Hao fell silent, sighing deeply like a weary old man.
This hypocrite…
Tang Xiao had no intention of giving him an escape route.
Did he think Tang Xiao's persuasive skills, honed on Earth, were mere decoration?
"And Brother Hao," Tang Xiao continued solemnly, "Grandfather always taught us never to abandon our ambition. On the path of cultivation, we must pursue the peak. Are you prepared to disregard his teachings?"
Tang Xiao knew exactly where to strike.
Whether from the novel or inherited memories, Tang Hao had always been the same—ambitious, yet hypocritical.
If it were his own ninth ring, Tang Hao would not hesitate like this. His struggle existed only because it concerned Tang Xiao. Perhaps he also feared Tang Xiao becoming even stronger than himself.
Think whatever you like.
Could he truly escape Tang Xiao's plans?
Tang Xiao would inevitably tie this matter to Tang Hao's own future ninth soul ring.
If Tang Hao desired a hundred-thousand-year soul ring himself, he had no right to continue wavering.
In the end, cornered by his elder brother, Tang Hao could only concede.
"You're right, Big Brother… Spirit beasts have good and evil, just like humans. I know Ah Yin understands this as well. When do we leave?" Tang Hao asked, his head lowered.
He was the perfect example of a man whose resolve weakened after falling in love.
In the original story, Tang Hao never regarded any soul beast besides Ah Yin as an equal.
Alas… everyone has a hypocritical side—the difference lies only in degree.
Tang Xiao understood this perfectly.
He patted Tang Hao's shoulder approvingly, as if to say you're teachable. In his heart, he fully intended to help Tang Hao secure his own hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring in the future.
"We leave tomorrow. The First and Second Elders will accompany us. Inform Ah Yin—this journey may take a long time," Tang Xiao said.
After discussing a few final matters, Tang Xiao departed.
Initially, he believed Tang Hao alone would suffice as protection.
But this brother of his was unreliable.
Bringing additional people would be safer—and searching would be more efficient.
After all, their destination this time…
…was the far north.