In the blink of an eye, October had arrived, and a chill lingered in the air. Tang San finally reached Sunset Forest.
However, to avoid encountering acquaintances during his future hunts—especially Yang Yunhai, who possessed the Blue Silver Grass's sensing ability—he deliberately took a detour.
Appearances could be disguised, but martial souls could not.
After several days of travel, he finally arrived at the eastern edge of Sunset Forest, on the far side of Heaven Dou City bordering the Silves Kingdom.
With his current strength, 10,000 year soul beasts were still difficult to deal with, so for now, he chose to linger in the 1,000 year beast region. He planned to gradually move deeper as his cultivation improved, collecting herbs along the way, until he reached the so-called Poison Miasma Zone deeper within.
With the detoxifying medicine he had prepared, combined with his martial soul and external soul bone's ability to devour poison, he was confident he could move freely there.
At the same time, in the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao received a letter from Tang Yuehua.
"Brother Hao… how could this be?" With one glance at its contents, his pupils shrank, his body froze, then trembled.
"Sect Master, what has happened?" Seeing Tang Xiao's pale expression, the Second Elder could not help but ask.
Tang Xiao's fingers tightened around the letter, his voice hoarse with pain. "Brother Hao… was killed by Dugu Bo."
"Impossible!?" The elders' faces all changed drastically.
Unable to bear repeating the letter's words, Tang Xiao's trembling hand pushed it forward. "See for yourselves."
The Second Elder frowned, sucking the letter into his palm, and together with the other elders, read it.
"This Tang Hao… how could he be so foolish!" The Second Elder's tone was filled with disappointment.
An assassination attempt might have been feasible, but infiltrating the enemy's base was a reckless gamble. And as expected, Tang Hao had lost this gamble—and brought disaster upon them.
"Damn him, always dragging the sect into trouble!" The Seventh Elder, who had long disliked Tang Hao, snarled in anger.
"Six soul bones were taken. That means even the two sect inheritance bones are lost." The Fifth Elder frowned. "With the sect's current state, there is no way Dugu Bo will return them. Worse, Tang Hao's actions have clearly enraged the Heaven Dou royal family."
"This temporary sealing of Moon Pavilion is far more than a warning."
"Yang Yunhai's reputation in the soul master world is immense. Everyone is cultivating the cultivation method he developed, and they all know its value. Tang Hao's actions have now enraged most of the soul master world."
"Our Clear Sky Sect will be implicated as well."
"After this, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will only distance itself further from us." The Third Elder added coldly. "We are isolated, despised by the Heaven Dou royal family, and our situation will only grow worse."
"Should we leave the Heaven Dou Empire?" The Sixth Elder suggested.
"No. Absolutely not!" Several elders rejected instantly.
"Leaving now would only confirm the accusations and make it look like we fled in guilt. It would be exactly what Dugu Bo wants!" The Second Elder set the letter down. "If we move, it will be seen as openly breaking our pact with Spirit Hall."
"That would turn not only Dugu Bo and the Heaven Dou royal family against us, but the entire empire. Spirit Hall would also seize the chance to strike us down."
"That would truly be the end."
"Then what do we do? Just sit here and wait for death?" The Sixth Elder slammed his fist angrily.
"For now, we can only wait. We must not give them an opening." The Second Elder sighed. Tang Yuehua's letter had not mentioned harboring Tang Hao and Tang San, clearly out of fear the message could be intercepted. But her warning not to panic was sound advice.
"I think we should still prepare a way out." The Third Elder said. "The old passage we used for hunting soul beasts—we should expand it as a precaution."
This was one reason they had chosen to settle beneath the snowy mountains: the snow was excellent cover.
"Sect Master, summon the clansmen and announce the expansion." The Second Elder looked up at Tang Xiao. "The dead cannot be brought back. What matters now is the sect's survival. As for the inheritance soul bones, with enough strength, we can always reclaim them one day."
Tang Xiao nodded slightly. "Second Elder, see to it."
Supporting himself on the stone chair, he slowly stood and walked toward a side chamber, his figure weighed down by sorrow.
"Let him grieve alone." The Second Elder rose.
"This damned Tang Hao! If he'd had even half the steadiness of the Sect Master, things wouldn't have come to this!" The Sixth Elder muttered bitterly.
He had always detested Tang Hao's arrogance.
"Enough. He's dead. Words are useless now. Disperse." The Second Elder shook his head and strode out of the hall.
---
Spirit City, the Pope's Hall.
"Tang Hao truly was a fool!" After hearing the report, Bibi Dong's face twisted with disdain.
"But after this battle, Yang Yunhai's group has surely grown stronger." A rare flicker of frustration crossed her eyes.
She had to admit, Yang Yunhai's published soul master theories, especially the Cloud Sea Cultivation Method, had impressed her greatly.
"Qian Renxue, this time… I'll concede you the advantage." Her fists clenched, and she rose to leave the hall.
---
Back at Yunhai Academy, in the rear mountain residence—
In his bedroom, Yang Yunhai slowly opened his eyes.
The swelling sensation in his body had receded, replaced by a faint emptiness. He knew he had broken through.
On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes too, smiling. "Yun, I've reached rank 56."
"I just broke through to rank 68." Yang Yunhai smiled.
"Congratulations, Yun!" Yiner leaned close, her face full of joy.
Beside them, Dugu Yan's eyes darkened slightly—her soul power was still only at rank 53.
Sensing her feelings, Yang Yunhai slipped his arm around her waist. "Yan Zi, don't worry. I already have a plan for you. Soon, I'll find a suitable soul bone for you. Once you absorb it, your cultivation will soar."
"Thank you, Yun." Dugu Yan lifted her head and kissed his cheek lightly.
"Hmph, that won't satisfy me." Yang Yunhai chuckled, opening his arms and pulling them all close.
Amidst their startled cries, they toppled together into the depths of the bed.
The night passed without incident. The next day, they resumed their usual training.
---
Days later, in the Star Luo Empire, within the Defence Clan's residence—Niu Gao, Bai He, and Yang Wudi gathered together.
"I told him long ago to stop clinging to Tang Hao. Now look!" Yang Wudi's face was cold. "Tang Hao, daring to inherit the name of Clear Sky…"
"To sneak into a private residence and try to kill a junior—what disgrace!"
"He's dead now, and rightly so!"
"And that old ape too. Such an ending is nothing but what they deserved!"
He turned to Bai He, whose face still showed sadness. "Bai He, are you still mourning that so-called nephew? If Tang Hao or Tang Yuehua truly cared about you, do you think they'd have left you in poverty all these years? With Moon Pavilion's wealth, your niece could have sent aid any time. And after the Strength Clan was wiped out—if Tang Hao had cared, wouldn't he at least have warned Tai Tan?"
"Wake up! They never cared about you. Don't you dare shed tears for him!"
"Tai Tan was stupid enough to kneel publicly to Tang San, calling him young master, declaring himself Tang Hao's servant. Don't be that foolish! Say such things now, and it'll bring disaster upon your clan. Let me be clear—if you ever lose your head like that, tell me first, so I can protect my Breaking Clan from being dragged down with you."
"Old Goat, that's enough." Seeing Bai He's flushed face, Niu Gao hurried to interrupt. He then turned to Bai He. "Old White Crane, harsh as his words sound, he's right. From now on, we must keep our distance from the Clear Sky Sect."
"Remember, you're blood-related to the Tang family. Any tie, however small, could spell catastrophe."
"You must see by now how Tang Hao's actions have affected us."
Indeed, after Dugu Bo destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, then killed Tang Hao, his record was terrifying. Because of this, the royal family and Zhu Clan had annulled Zhu Zhuqing's engagement to the third prince—just to ally with Yang Yunhai and Dugu Bo.
These days, the whole world whispered Dugu Bo's name with fear, while praising Master Yang without end.
Bai He gave a bitter smile. His clan had suffered greatly recently.
Yang Yunhai's soul master theories had spread into the Star Luo Empire, causing a massive wave. Nearly every soul master was cultivating his cultivation method, praising him endlessly.
In contrast, Tang Hao and his son were reviled, and Bai He, as their uncle, was dragged down with them. His clan faced constant rejection and hardship, living in poverty. Without Yang Wudi's help, they might not have survived.
"Old Rhino, Old Goat, I understand. Don't worry—I know what I must do." Bai He sighed.
"Good." Yang Wudi nodded. "Just don't get involved with the Clear Sky Sect. As long as I draw breath, you'll never starve. And don't forget, Yang Yunhai is our benefactor too. His cultivation method benefits us all. Repaying kindness is our duty. As for Tang Hao and his son—everyone knows the truth. Tang San used man-made weapons in the tournament, then relied on his external soul bone to cripple others. That's been confirmed. Now he's a rat in the street, hated by all. Whoever touches him will be doomed. We must stay far away."
In fact, Yang Wudi had even profited.
After news spread, some of the injured students from the tournament sought him out. Though their injuries weren't too severe, healing them cost him great effort. But when word spread of his success, many more came.
He earned a fortune, and his reputation soared in the Star Luo Empire.
So as long as Bai He behaved, Yang Wudi's influence would protect him.
Now, everyone in the empire knew Yang Wudi despised the Clear Sky Sect. With him as a shield, no one dared move openly against the Speed Clan.
Bai He nodded silently.
"Enough." Niu Gao spoke. "It's rare for us to gather. Let's drink tonight."
The gloom soon faded, replaced by the warmth of wine.
"Old Goat, I've got a treasure you'll like." Bai He said drunkenly.
"Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng! Old Crane, where did you get this?"
"Found it during an old adventure. Honestly, I meant to keep it as a family heirloom. But after all your help, I can't just ignore the favor. Take it."
"Don't be silly. Split it three ways—we'll each take a share. It'll make us younger, strengthen our cultivation, and with Yang Yunhai's cultivation method, perhaps we'll one day reach Titled Douluo!"
"That good?"
"Would I lie? I'll refine it in your house these days. You'll see for yourselves."
"I'll skip mine. Give it to my granddaughter Xiangxiang instead."
"Fine. With Old Rhino and me here, you'll be safe."
"Come, cheers!"
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.