The decline of the Tang Sect was inevitable. Their obsession with the Blue Silver Grass had blinded them to the changing times. And with
The decline of the Tang Sect was inevitable.
Their obsession with the Blue Silver Grass had blinded them to the changing times. And with the rise of soul tools overshadowing hidden weapons, the Tang Sect's downfall accelerated even further.
Sea God Tang San claimed he couldn't bear to see the Tang Sect wither away—yet in truth, he had never cared for it.
It was only when scheming for his Son of Luck that he remembered the Tang Sect's techniques and saw them as a useful tool.
By the time the Tang Sect reached Tang Ya's generation, only she and her parents remained.
To Tang Ya, the Tang Sect was never just a sect.
It was her home.
But when she was ten, Tie Li of the Iron Blood Sect bribed Heaven Dou City's garrison and launched a night raid. Her parents were slaughtered, and only Tang Ya escaped by chance.
The Tang Sect's foundation was seized by the Iron Blood Sect.
Her obsession with reviving the Tang Sect wasn't for glory—it was simply to reclaim the home she had lost.
This was the weight she carried.
She had never told Bei Bei, not wanting to burden him.
After all, Tang Ya didn't know that Bei Bei—who played the fool to hide his strength—had Mu En, a powerhouse whose influence reached the heavens, backing him.
Meanwhile, her enemy, the Iron Blood Sect, had a Soul Emperor among their ranks.
For someone of Tang Ya's modest talent, that gap was insurmountable.
So she threw herself into reviving the Tang Sect, clinging to a faint hope.
Bei Bei, who had initially approached her under Mu En's orders, gradually grew fond of her as they played their sect game together.
Tang Ya seemed carefree on the surface, but she was painfully aware of reality.
Unlike Bei Bei, whose talent was exceptional, she struggled to even graduate from the outer academy. This peaceful life wouldn't last forever.
She hid these thoughts, fearing abandonment.
That was why, in the original timeline, when Bei Bei left for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, Tang Ya felt the distance between them widen.
With the dream of restoring the sect slipping further away, she eventually chose to fall into darkness for revenge.
But in this worldline, Huo Yuhao's intervention changed everything.
After receiving the soul bone he gifted her, Tang Ya gained control over her Blue Silver Grass's devouring ability. By absorbing plant vitality, her soul power cultivation surged.
Especially after becoming Yan Shaozhe's disciple with Huo Yuhao's help—Tang Ya soared.
No longer suppressing her devouring ability, she was now among Shrek Academy's top talents.
With ample resources, her soul power flourished.
After winning the tournament alongside Bei Bei and entering Shrek's inner court, Tang Ya found more people she cared about—close friends, family.
The joy of these bonds slowly freed her from the shackles of reviving the Tang Sect.
Through deep meditation under the Golden Ancient Tree, she found her own path.
She realized—she wasn't cut out for it.
Hidden weapons simply couldn't compete with soul tools.
If hidden weapons were to advance, they had to merge with soul tools, as Bei Bei had suggested—embracing the new era.
But there was a problem: none of them had talent in soul tools. Without Huo Yuhao's help, it was impossible.
Even He Caitou, who had nominally joined the Tang Sect, had no real interest in the matter.
Gradually, Tang Ya let go.
Cultivation was far more fulfilling.
But the Iron Blood Sect still had to pay.
As for reviving the Tang Sect?
She would leave it to fate.
People had to move forward.
Besides, the moment she taught Huo Yuhao the Tang Sect's secret techniques to repay him, she had already made a decision that defied her ancestors.
And today, the reason Huo Yuhao brought her here for revenge was partly due to Yan Shaozhe's subtle suggestion.
As the Martial Soul Department's dean, he couldn't act directly, so he entrusted the task to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao had planned to refuse—but the dean's offer was too generous, and with Tang Ya's stake in it, he agreed.
Tang Ya had no objections.
If she could reap the rewards without lifting a finger, why not?
It was better to settle this grudge once and for all.
Tang Ya wiped her tears and warned, "Yuhao, be careful—the Iron Blood Sect's leader is a Soul Emperor."
Huo Yuhao smirked. "Don't you trust my strength?"
He activated his Mental Interference Field—a skill unlocked upon reaching the tangible-intangible mental realm.
In an instant, bystanders near the Iron Blood Sect were mentally compelled to leave. With Imitation soul skills, the area was completely isolated.
"Iron Blood Sect—come out!"
His voice, amplified by psychic force, echoed through the sect.
Every member—from the sect master to the gatekeepers—felt an inexplicable urge to gather outside.
'Fifth-tier Gu—Mind-Grabbing Gu!'
[Mind-Grabbing Gu: A fifth-turn Gu worm. After use, it can absorb the target's mind, rendering them dazed and temporarily depriving them of sight and thought. When combined with other Gu worms, it can form a killer move.]
With Huo Yuhao's overwhelming spiritual power, the Iron Blood Sect collapsed with a single command.
Though a minor sect, they still had nearly 200 disciples—most only one or two-ringed, unqualified for elite academies.
Sect Master Tie Li was a Soul Emperor, supported by two Soul King elders and his son, Tie Tang, a four-ringed Soul Ancestor.
Unlike their dazed subordinates, these four remained conscious.
Seeing the young man and woman outside, their expressions darkened. Clearly, these two weren't the true masterminds—someone far stronger was pulling the strings.
Tie Li summoned his spirit—Iron Armed Bear, a common bear spirit, pale in comparison to the likes of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear.
His body swelled to 2.5 meters, arms thickening with brute strength.
His soul rings—white, yellow, yellow, purple, purple, purple—marked him as a mediocre Soul Emperor with no ten-thousand-year ring.
Huo Yuhao didn't bother answering.
With a flick of his fingers, four energy blades severed the quartet's cultivation.
"Sister Xiaoya, finish them."
Even crippled, a Soul Emperor's physique was formidable. Without her devouring ability, Tang Ya would've struggled.
But after half a year mastering the Human-Faced Demon Spider's leg bone, she could now drain soul power with terrifying efficiency—making her a lethal control-type fighter.
Her body trembled with fury.
"Tie Li, Tie Tang—did you ever imagine this day would come? You slaughtered my parents and stole my home. Today, I'll offer your lives to their spirits!"
At least she let them know why they died.
With a flick of her wrist, Dragon Whisker Needles shot forth—dozens of golden threads piercing their bodies.
The needles expanded inside their muscles, then contracted—twisting flesh and meridians.
Screams like slaughtered pigs erupted. Had Huo Yuhao not soundproofed the area, half of Heaven Dou City would've heard.
Among the Tang Sect's hidden weapons, the Dragon Whisker Needle wasn't the deadliest—but it was the cruelest.
Soon, the sect master, his son, and the elders lay dead.
The remaining disciples stood frozen, awaiting judgment.
Tang Ya spared the innocents, only ordering Huo Yuhao to disperse them.
Debts had debtors; grudges had bearers.
With this, the Iron Blood Sect's name was erased—reverting to the Tang Sect.
Only bureaucratic bribes remained, ensuring the transfer appeared legitimate, just as the Iron Blood Sect had done years prior.
The funds?
Plundered from the Iron Blood Sect's coffers, of course.
…
Tears streamed down Tang Ya's swollen eyes. She didn't bother wiping them—letting years of sorrow pour out.
Huo Yuhao patted her back in silence.
Finally, she steadied herself.
"Yuhao… do you think I should still revive the Tang Sect?" she asked hoarsely.
Tang Ya fell silent, then sighed. "I've given up. Maybe it's time to let the Tang Sect fade into history."
Revenge had lifted her burden.
She no longer had the heart to maintain a hollow legacy.
Heaven Dou City was her past—but Shrek was her home now.
Ma Xiaotao's fiery sincerity, Huo Yuhao's steady reliability, her eccentric master Yan Shaozhe, her kind master's wife, her friends—and Bei Bei…
These were her true family.
Especially Huo Yuhao.
She owed him too much—a debt she could never repay.
"Yuhao… thank you," she said solemnly.
Huo Yuhao chuckled. "Sister Xiaoya, this earnestness doesn't suit you. I preferred your rebellious act."
She pouted. "I'm finally thanking you properly!"
Huo Yuhao's smile turned cryptic. "Nothing in life is free. Every gift from fate has its price."
Tang Ya stiffened. "W-What price? I'm with Bei Bei, and Sister Xiaotao would never allow—"
Huo Yuhao: "..."
Did he look like that kind of scoundrel?
He coughed. "That's not what I meant."
Flustered, Tang Ya blurted, "A-Anyway! If you ever need me, I'll go through fire and water for you!"
He nodded, saying no more.
If she wouldn't revive the Tang Sect, she'd make a fine asset for his future Spirit Pagoda.
[Achievement Unlocked!]
[Tang Ya's Unshakable Home – Reward: Mountain Oath Gu]
[Mountain Pledge Gu – Tier 6 Immortal Gu: Swear an oath before a mountain. Breaking it reduces the oath-taker to ashes—unless the mountain is destroyed.]
[Evaluation: A pact as unyielding as the peaks.]
Tang Ya's fifth task had rewarded an Immortal Gu—progress faster than anyone else's.
Her final task?
Likely evolving her Dark Blue Silver Grass.
The Blue Silver Emperor from the original timeline? Or perhaps an immortal herb from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?
Huo Yuhao had plans.
Though he'd agreed to a soul contract with the immortal herbs, not just anyone could undergo the ritual.
Hosts needed physical compatibility—and his approval.
Priority went to the Snow Empress post-awakening or auspicious spirit beasts.
Next, Ma Xiaotao, Zhang Lexuan, and other close allies.
For outsiders? No chance.
As for other immortal herbs seeking freedom, Huo Yuhao had reserved a plot in his Spectral Demiplane—infused with light-attribute death energy, suitable for their growth.
Speaking of the Snow Empress—how was her Ice God inheritance progressing?
She was supposed to contact him after accepting it.
Had she forgotten?
'Time to check on her.'
...
Half a year had passed since Huo Yuhao formed the soul contract with Snow Empress.
Under normal circumstances, Snow Empress should have accepted the god inheritance swiftly.
After all, as a 700,000-year-old soul beast—Heavenly Snow Woman—who had transformed and re-cultivated, her talent was undoubtedly the finest among humans who had ever received a god's legacy.
She could obliterate Tang San in an instant, and one might even argue that she was no weaker than Huo Yuhao in the original timeline.
Huo Yuhao suspected the prolonged delay was due to a glitch.
After all, the Ice God had long vanished, and the Ice God's inheritance was far less perfected than the Sea God's. It made sense that Snow Empress might encounter obstacles during the process.
After actively reaching out to Snow Empress through their soul contract, Huo Yuhao learned of her predicament.
The first two trials of the god's test had to be completed before she could leave that forsaken place.
Currently, Snow Empress was undergoing the Ice God's second trial: reaching level 40 and breaking into the Soul Ancestor realm.
Fortunately, Huo Yuhao had left her a copy of the Ice Empress's origin beforehand, allowing her to swiftly advance to Soul Elder. With the rewards from completing the Ice God's trials, breaking into Soul Ancestor didn't seem impossible.
Of course, there was another possibility—
The Ice God's inheritance had adapted to circumstances precisely because of the Ice Empress's origin, setting this level-based trial accordingly.
This suggested the Ice God's trials were surprisingly intelligent.
Huo Yuhao recalled the trace of the Ice God's consciousness he had sensed before leaving the Extreme North last time. Its manifestation resembled the Sea God's consciousness that had attempted to seize the auspicious beast.
Though Huo Yuhao was inclined to assume the worst of these gods, the Ice God's consciousness taking over the Snow Empress was implausible.
The Sea God could do so because he had a daughter—or perhaps because he coveted the Golden Dragon's bloodline and the Golden Dragon Spear artifact.
It was impossible for the Ice God to suddenly have a daughter out of nowhere.
Moreover, the Snow Empress had already successfully transformed and re-cultivated, leaving no opening for possession.
The Douluo Continent wasn't a world of immortal cultivation with mechanisms for body-snatching. In the original work, Princess Tang's possession was more akin to fusion.
Besides, though Snow Empress was the daughter of the Extreme North, she now had nothing of value—hardly worth a god's scheming.
Even if the Ice God harbored ill intentions, only a wisp of divine consciousness remained. Huo Yuhao suspected that merely activating the Ice God's inheritance had already drained much of its energy.
This was corroborated by Snow Empress's message: the Ice God's trials numbered seven at most. At best, they could elevate her to Ultimate Douluo—beyond that, she'd have to forge her own path.
After dismissing the conspiracy theories, Huo Yuhao saw no cause for concern.
Snow Empress had also mentioned her breakthrough was imminent, so there was no need to rush.
Thus, Huo Yuhao abandoned the idea of an immediate visit.
Since there was no breakthrough yet, he might as well eat first.
He had promised Wang Dong'er a grilled fish meal two days prior.
Two days ago—after Huo Yuhao and Zhang Lexuan returned from the Star Dou Forest—he had checked on Wang Dong'er, wary of the Sea God's lingering influence.
But there was nothing.
The lively Wang Dong'er had only wanted food.
As expected, asking Tang San—with his hundredfold procrastination—to react swiftly was too much to hope for.
Huo Yuhao had suspected as much ever since triggering the Sea God's achievement. This experience only confirmed it further.
'I laugh at the Sea God's lack of strategy and the Asura God's lack of wisdom!'
'Ahem. Best not to grow arrogant.'
It was two days ago that Huo Yuhao received the mission from Yan Shaozhe, agreeing to accompany Tang Ya to Heaven Dou City for revenge.
Wang Dong'er, who happened to be tagging along, caught wind of the matter.
When Tang Ya temporarily left to prepare hidden weapons, Wang Dong'er quietly approached Huo Yuhao and asked:
"Yuhao, didn't you just return from the Star Dou Forest? Why are you leaving again?"
"Dean Yan assigned me a task—to help Sister Xiaoya reclaim the Tang Sect's former foundation."
"Ah? The Tang Sect's foundation? I've never heard of this..." As a Tang Sect disciple, Wang Dong'er was baffled.
Despite her time in the sect, she knew nothing of such matters. To her, the Tang Sect was more like a small research group where members gathered to study its unique skills.
"It's complicated. Even Senior Brother Bei Bei is unaware. Keep it quiet."
"Then... can I come with you?" Wang Dong'er was eager. After obtaining the new soul sole from Mu En, she hadn't had a chance to test it properly.
Fighting? Cool!
She had originally planned to use Dai Huabin as a practice dummy, but after the inter-class spar, he had mysteriously vanished—rumored to have dropped out, leaving only his fiancée Zhu Lu at Shrek.
'Scumbag!'
Wang Dong'er fumed—definitely not because she'd lost a good punching bag.
If only she hadn't used the Haotian Hammer back then. Now Dai Huabin's spirit was broken, and he'd quit school.
"No." Huo Yuhao shook his head.
"Why not?"
Seeing her pout, Huo Yuhao fabricated an excuse:
"The journey is long. Traveling with you would slow us down. Besides, this is Sister Xiaoya's private affair—best not to intrude."
He then demonstrated the Evil God's Wings soul bone, explaining its flight mechanics.
Wang Dong'er recalled her airsickness from being carried by Xuan Zi and immediately withdrew her request.
Of course, that wasn't the main reason.
Huo Yuhao flew steadily, using his immense mental power to block all headwinds.
He had even developed a passenger mode for the wings—expanding them into a platform underfoot, capable of carrying multiple people.
Far more versatile than ordinary wings.
The real reason for refusing Wang Dong'er, aside from inconvenience, was potential danger.
Their revenge mission might cross paths with the evil soul masters from the original timeline.
Moreover, the bloody spectacle of annihilating a sect wasn't something Wang Dong'er should witness.
Huo Yuhao patted her pale-blue hair reassuringly.
"Don't worry. We'll be back in a day or two. I'll grill you fish then."
Wang Dong'er's dim eyes instantly brightened, her lips quirking before she feigned seriousness.
"Hmph! Don't think one meal will buy me off. At least two!"
"Fine, two meals."
"Good! Travel safe—leave early, return early."
Lately, Wang Dong'er had been restless.
Ever since her dizzy spell days ago, her mind had cleared abruptly.
She realized that if she didn't act soon, she might miss her chance entirely!
Yet, knowing Xiaotao had succeeded made her hesitate again.
She was torn.
Then, upon seeing Huo Yuhao return with Zhang Lexuan—their intimate demeanor like a battle horn—Wang Dong'er resolved to act.
'Even Senior Sister has made her move!'
If so, she had every right to proceed.
She had planned to invite Huo Yuhao out to deepen their bond, but Tang Ya's affairs intervened.
'Well, Xiaoya and Yuhao couldn't possibly...'
There'd be other chances.
Wang Dong'er remained confident.
…
The Extreme North's Core Area
A forbidden human zone, perpetually shrouded in blizzards, where only ice-attribute soul beasts survived.
Yet now, a graceful young man strode unimpeded through the storm.
The frigid winds—deadly even to Soul Douluo—parted for him, the snow swirling in celebration of a king's return.
This was Huo Yuhao, his Ice Soul Body fully unleashed.
His black hair had turned silver, cascading like frost, his jade-white skin gleaming.
Seizing the chance post-Soul King breakthrough, he tested his martial soul's limits.
Perched on his shoulders were two palm-sized souls:
On the left, a dreamlike ice-blue scorpion, its tail a crystalline turquoise.
On the right, a jade-white silkworm, basking in the cold.
"Ah! This wind! This snow! Home feels divine!"
"Quiet! You've been yammering since we arrived!"
"Come on, Bingdi, aren't you thrilled to see the Snow Empress again?"
"Shut it! You're the noisy one!"
Huo Yuhao chuckled at their bickering.
The extreme cold here was so potent he felt his Ice Soul Body's second awakening might arrive early—just like his Spirit Eye's.
Originally, he'd assumed the Spirit Eye's second awakening required the Martial Soul True Body. But longing had accelerated the process.
The Ice Soul Body, however, still needed time.
Now, with the martial soul fully unleashed, an idea struck him.
His orange-gold and red soul rings flickered as the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion and Ice Dragon King materialized beside him.
"Mimicry—True Form!"
Like a beastmaster, he now commanded two beast-level combatants.
Next, the two soul beasts merged into him, his aura skyrocketing. An icy dominion—one that even the Ice Empress shuddered before—radiated outward.
"Mimicry—Fusion!"
The Ice Soul Body's second awakening was already manifesting.
Skydream and the Ice Empress exchanged stunned glances.
"This martial soul is absurd..."
The Ice Empress sighed. Unlike Skydream, who'd shed her ice attributes, she felt Huo Yuhao's power more acutely.
This was his first full display after absorbing the Ice Dragon King's soul ring.
The Ice Jade Empress Scorpion's mimicry had 50% of her peak combat prowess!
Of course, this was partly due to the Extreme North's energy amplifying his domain.
But what truly shocked her was Huo Yuhao's fusion state.
She, the continent's supreme ice, now feared his aura—a hierarchical suppression akin to Ultimate Ice over ordinary ice.
'Outrageous.'
Even the Ice Dragon King's ice hadn't intimidated her this way.
And this was just two soul rings.
What would nine rings bring?
Before she could ponder further, Huo Yuhao's gaze sharpened.
The Ice Bear King, sensing his presence, was approaching.
"Let's wait here. Good practice for my new power."
Soon, a twenty-meter-tall white bear thundered into view.
"Xiao Bai! Long time no see," the Ice Empress greeted.
"Ice Empress? It has been a while."
The Ice Bear King's eyes widened at the scorpion on Huo Yuhao's shoulder before realization dawned.
"The soul the Snow Empress mentioned! Extraordinary."
"Enough chatter. Hop on—we'll talk on the way!"
The Ice Bear King was in no mood for reminiscing.
The Snow Empress was trapped in the Ice God's trial, and Huo Yuhao's help was urgent.
Which was why, after wrapping up the Tang Sect affair and receiving Snow Empress's plea, Huo Yuhao had skipped Wang Dong'er's promised fish and rushed over.
'Wait… A space you can't leave without sex?'
'Since when did the Ice God play so dirty?'
…
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