Tang yuehua watched with growing worry, her anxiety mirrored by the others, as Tang Yin departed for the Star Dou Forest. From what he had mentioned, Xiao Wu was in the most dangerous core area.
Even though Tang yin had tried to ease their worry by mentioning the God-level artifact, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud—which could conceal someone even from the perception of Titled Douluo—they remained tense. After all, no human had ever truly explored that place.
Watching him leave, Ning Rongrong muttered, "Damn Tang Hao! Because of you, Tang Yin has to venture into such a dangerous place. Just wait—when I return back to the Seven Treasure Sect, I'll deal with you."
Her voice hadn't been low, and Yuehua had heard it clearly. Her pupils constricted as she froze, her mind spinning over Tang Yin's story from earlier. Without thinking, she immediately yanked Rongrong aside.
"Aah!—Sister Yuehua, what are you doing?' Rongrong asked, curiosity lacing her tone as Yuehua clasped her hands tightly. She was usually so composed—why was she suddenly so agitated?" Did I say something wrong?
"I'm sorry… but could you give me a moment? I have something I need to ask you," Yuehua said softly composing herself. Ning Rongrong nodded, and the two stepped outside.
Once they were alone, Tang Yuehua wasted no time. "How exactly is Tang Hao related to Tang Yin?" she asked suspeciously.
"Oh, that!" Rongrong replied. "Tang Hao is the useless father Tang Yin mentioned earlier. Did he not mention his name? Hmm, He must've forgotten." She remarked it all nonchalantly, unaware that her words had already stirred a storm in Yuehua's heart.
Yuehua frowned, a reluctant crease forming on her forehead as she heard what she had been fearing. She bit her lip, contemplating what to do. 'Tang Yin hates Tang Hao so much… If he finds out I'm his sister, wouldn't he drive me away? No—I can't let that ever happen. I can't let him find out.'
What she couldn't understand was… could a soul ring really be more valuable than his own son's happiness? And Tang Hao… how could you have fallen so far? Wasn't your lover a soul beast as well?
Rongrong noticed her frown for the first time and asked worriedly, "Is something troubling you, Sister Yuehua? It must be something I said… I'm really sorry."
Yuehua immediately forced a smile and shook her head. "It's nothing. Let's return back," she said, masking her worry.
Star Dou Forest—
Tang Yin had traveled non-stop for an entire day, finally reaching halfway through the inner area. His every step was cautious, his senses sharp, for many soul beasts here possessed strange and unconventional methods of attack—threats that could endanger him.
Releasing his telepathy, sweeping across a radius of nearly 50 kilometers. Instantly, he felt countless powerful soul beasts, most of them over 80,000 years old. Tang yin didn't dare to relax. Spiritual-type beasts were notoriously elusive, and some might slip past his sense.
Ten hours later, he entered a region where the number of beasts had thinned, yet each one exuded an oppressive presence. Many were on the verge of breaking through to 100,000 years, while others had already reached that threshold. From this, Tang Yin deduced he was approaching the core area.
Without hesitation, he unfurled the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, concealing his presence completely before darting forward.
Within this forbidden forest lurked far more soul beasts than the original tales had ever recorded—Dark Sabertooth Tiger, The Earth Serpent Emperor, Sky Garuda King, Azure Poison Dragon… Strong beast absent from legend yet terrifyingly real before Tang yin.
Only his immense telepathic range allowed him to map them out with such accuracy. Without it, searching for a specific target in this boundless, beast-filled forest would have been no different than trying to find a small needle in a haystack.
I'm getting close...closer to the core. I just pray Di Tian isn't wandering outside the inner core right now. That monster is the only real threat. As long as Gu Yuena remains asleep, I might just avoid disaster. Tang yin's thoughts carried a silent plea, though his pace never slowed.
"Whoa… is that the Scarlet King?" Tang Yin's eyes widened, his mouth nearly watering as the three-headed-beast prowled through the forest canopy, its crimson mane shimmering like molten lava beneath the sun. "Now that's majestic. Haha—soon enough, you'll have the honor of becoming my soul ring." The thought alone made his fingers twitch with anticipation.
But almost immediately, his thoughts drifted. "Wait… why is it here? Shouldn't the Scarlet King be under Di Tian's banner? Hasn't the Beast God already united Six of the Ten Great Savage Beasts by now?"
He tapped his chin, mind reeling. The more he considered it, the more sense it made. Di Tian, guardian and regent of the Silver Dragon King, must have withdrawn into seclusion, guarding her slumber for at least a hundred thousand years till now. If that were true, then the timing wasn't ripe for their great resurgence yet.
A grin spread across Tang Yin's lips. "So… Di Tian hasn't made his comeback. Perfect. That means all the great beasts are wandering free. And a wandering beast… well, that's a gift for me from the heavens. We'll be meeting soon."
Seven hours later, Tang yin's eyes lit up.
Amid the crushing pressure of two powerful presences, his Telepathic sense finally caught a thread of familiarity. That charming aura—soft yet nimble, distant yet unforgettable.
His spirit, wearing thin from exhaustion and frayed by the overuse of telepathy, flared back to life. The haze of fatigue scattered like mist before the sun. At last… he had found her.
In a blur, Tang Yin shot forward five kilometers, his gaze finally locking onto a breathtaking sight. Beneath the thundering cascade of a giant waterfall sat a young woman, her long hair flowing like silk down to her legs.
A pair of delicate rabbit ears twitched atop her head, and the soft pink outfit clinging to her budding figure only highlighted her ethereal charm—It was Xiao Wu who had grown up.
Not far away, a towering ape crouched at the water's edge, studying his own reflection with childlike curiosity. From the depths below, the colossal head of a water dragon emerged, its eyes gleaming as it rose from the river as if summoned from legend itself.
Tang Yin finally retracted the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and strode toward them, his gaze was locked on the beautiful Xiao Wu as memories of their past flooded his mind.
Er Ming's earthy ears twitched at the sound of footstep crunching over the forest's dry leaves "Which fool dares to intrude here?!" His voice thundered across the giant waterfall.
Xiao Wu stirred awake by his voice, irritated.
"Hey, Er Ming, keep it down! Why must you always shout? Do you want Sister Wu to stop speaking to you again? Hmph."
She pouted adorably, her gaze sharp with scolding… until she noticed a familiar figure smiling at her—one who was now the target of Er Ming's raging fury.
Without warning, Er Ming swung his enormous fist, brimming with raw power, at the intruder daring to enter their territory. Tang Yin barely had time to react as he was struck squarely.
Though his appearance had changed, his scent remained the same. Er Ming's instincts immediately recognized him, and the giant ape tried desperately to retract the punch—but it was too late. The fist's trajectory could not be altered due to his reckless action.
Boom—
"Noo—Tang Yin!" Xiao Wu screamed in panic as realization struck recognizing the famelier smile—Tears began streaming uncontrollably.
Er Ming froze, his ears twitching in shock and alarm at her cry. To him, it seemed impossible—Xiao Wu sister's lover had just died under his own hand.
He stood paralyzed, staring at his own fist in regret and self-reproach, fully aware that only a powerful contra or a Titled Douluo could have any hope of surviving such an attack.
But then he was stunned. The impossible had happened. There Tang Yin stood, completely unharmed, brushing off his clothes with a hint of irritation, his gaze flicking toward Er Ming.
"Hey, stupid ape! Are you an idiot or complete brain-dead? Why are you attacking me all of a sudden?" Tang Yin's voice rang with casual scolding, as if nothing extraordinary had just occurred.
His garment had taken the brunt of the attack, torn and tattered in several places. Da Ming in the river couldn't believe that a young human could withstand a punch from his brother. He scruntinized at Tang yin and pondered:
'This human's future is boundless, and even now, he shows incredible promise. Sister Wu's vision and foresight truly knows no bounds'
Xiao Wu's crying ceased, replaced by awe at Tang yin's strength. Without hesitation, she rushed forward, the longing and pain of three years apart driving her steps.
"Tang yin wuuu—" Xiao wu shouted.
Tang Yin smiled warmly as she leapt into his arms, hugging him tightly, tears of happiness streaming freely down her cheeks.
She pressed herself against him, kissing him frantically, practically glued to his body. "I won't let you leave me again. Hmph! Don't you dare say otherwise, Tang Yin—even if I have to face your damned father. I never want to endure this loneliness again. Promise me!"
Tang Yin's heart ached as he gazed into her eyes and promised, "Don't worry… I don't want to part with you either, Xiao Wu. From now on, we'll be together forever."
With that, they began sharing their longings and experiences from the past three years apart, their love growing deeper with every words exchanged.