Night fell, and the stars shimmered in the sky.
Gugu—
Two figures darted swiftly through the forest, close together. The sudden disturbance sent birds scattering into the dark canopy.
"Who's there?"
A stocky man with a low build tensed up, his sharp gaze sweeping toward the shadows in the underbrush.
"Teacher Zhao, it's me."
Rustling followed the voice as one figure emerged from the brambles, carrying another on his back.
By the campfire's glow, Zhao Wuji saw that it was the long-missing Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"Xiao San? Didn't the Grandmaster say you were with—"
"Xiao San, you're back! Where is Lord Hao?"
Before Zhao Wuji could finish, Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong came rushing out of the tent at the sound of voices.
Yu Xiaogang's face lit up with unconcealed emotion when he saw Tang San.
He hurried forward and grabbed Tang San's arm, asking anxiously, "Your father… what happened to him?"
Tang San's expression fell, twisting into a pained smile uglier than a cry.
"He's gone."
"Gone?"
"Yes. Because of certain circumstances, he can't show himself for now. And he's no longer able to keep me by his side."
Tang San paused, then continued,
"He told me to come find you, Teacher. Said you're the one who understands martial souls better than anyone else in the world. That only by following you can I truly grow stronger."
"He… he really said that?"
Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly at the words, but deep inside, he was even more thrilled than he was when seeing Tang San again.
For a man constantly striving to prove himself, to be recognized by a Title Douluo—and the Clear Sky Douluo at that—was like being given wings.
"Mm! Father said that following you would be even better than staying with him."
"Hahaha! At least that damn Clear Sky Douluo has some vision. Come, Xiao San, let's talk inside the tent."
Overjoyed by the words he'd longed to hear, Yu Xiaogang laughed heartily, helping Tang San toward the tent.
Tang San gave an awkward, bashful smile, but his mind replayed the words his father had spoken when they parted.
"Xiao San, I have to leave. They've already discovered my whereabouts. If I stay with you any longer, you'll be dragged into the storm."
"Dad… you're really not taking me with you?"
After Tang Hao had come to take him away, he revealed a number of long-hidden secrets—
Including the origins of the spirit in Tang San's right hand, and the truth behind his mother's identity and death.
"The Spirit Hall is still hunting me relentlessly. If I keep you close, you'll be in even more danger.
I already caught a glimpse of your teacher just now. It's safe again—you two should head back."
Tang Hao sighed, glancing at the tear-streaked Xiao Wu, who had been moved to sobbing silence after hearing the tragic love story between him and Tang San's mother.
"But…"
Tang San wanted to argue. Now that he knew the truth, wouldn't it be better to have a Title Douluo father by his side?
He'd already learned most of what he could for now. What he needed was time and safety to grow stronger.
Once his strength reached a certain level, those who had humiliated him—and even the Spirit Hall that hunted Tang Hao—would all be wiped out by his own hands.
But right now, his power was still too weak. He didn't want to experience that helpless feeling again, of having no one strong to rely on.
Tang Hao would have made the perfect guardian. Even something as dangerous as hunting spirit rings would've been far easier.
Tang San recalled how he had nearly died getting his last ring—
Only to have that external spirit bone ripped from his body.
The hatred in his heart was almost too much to contain.
"No buts. Do as I say—this is for your own good."
Tang Hao's tone was firm and final.
"Yu Xiaogang might be a useless man in battle, but he's got deep ties and connections. That will be useful for your future growth."
Tang Hao had picked up on some rumors—like Yu Xiaogang's rumored entanglement with the current Pope of the Spirit Hall, and his ties to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the three upper sects.
"Oh, right. Take this—open it when you're alone. Alone, you hear me!"
Tang Hao handed Tang San a folded note, his eyes flicking almost imperceptibly to the still-distracted, quietly weeping Xiao Wu.
He hadn't revealed her identity, but he was sure that once Tang San read the note, he would understand the deeper reasons behind it.
"Okay…"
Tang San didn't understand why his father kept repeating himself, but he still nodded solemnly.
"Alright, I have to go. Be careful in everything you do."
Tang Hao gave Tang San a long, complicated look—then vanished into the night.
…
Back in the present, supported by Yu Xiaogang, Tang San entered the tent.
But there was no sign of the rest of the Shrek students, so he asked,
"Teacher, where's Fatty? Oscar? Boss Dai and Zhu Zhuqing—where are they?"
"…Dead or gone. All of them."
Yu Xiaogang sighed heavily.
"…How could that be?"
Tang San was stunned.
Tang Hao had briefly mentioned trouble at Blue Tyrant Academy and warned him to steer clear, but he hadn't gone into detail.
He'd only been gone a day—how had everything fallen apart so fast?
"This was all Ma Hongjun's fault! If it weren't for him, Erlong wouldn't have been dragged into this…"
Yu Xiaogang grit his teeth as he recounted everything that had happened since Tang San was taken away.
"They deserved to die!"
Tang San shouted furiously when Yu Xiaogang finished.
"Yes! They went too far, treating us like weaklings they could crush at will."
"…"
Tang San fell silent, not quite understanding.
He'd meant that Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai truly deserved death, but Yu Xiaogang seemed to have misunderstood.
Their original plan had been to ally with Heaven Dou Royal Academy and prepare for the upcoming Continental Soul Master Tournament.
But now the Shrek team had essentially disbanded. All those plans had gone up in smoke.
And he still needed to get stronger—urgently.
"Then… Teacher, what should we do next?"
Tang San swallowed his thoughts and asked.
Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San on the shoulder. The movement tugged at a wound on Tang San's back, making him grimace.
"…I'm sorry, Xiao San. Right now, it's just the few of us left. Everything else has been taken from us.
But don't lose heart. As long as I'm here, I will make sure you become the strongest Soul Master there is!"
"Teacher…"
Tang San was moved. Even now, when everything had fallen apart, Yu Xiaogang still hadn't given up on him.
"Xiao San, don't dwell on their deaths. Keep your mind steady. With your and Xiao Wu's talent, you will never fall behind anyone."
"Alright, Teacher."
Tang San nodded.
He hadn't been grieving, not really.
What mattered to him now was power.
As for the ones who died?
They'd once been called brothers or teachers, but in truth…
Were they even worthy of being called Tang San's equals?
As someone from the hidden Tang Sect, he'd always held himself in high regard.
Those people? Just passing faces in his journey.
He had once hoped they could support him—
But in the end, they almost got him killed.
If his father hadn't foreseen this, he'd have died right along with them.
Calling them "deserving of death" wasn't wrong at all.
"That's the disciple I'm proud of. Not one to crumble in the face of hardship."
Yu Xiaogang saw Tang San's calm response and continued:
"As for how you'll grow stronger next—don't worry.
I still have a way…"
_
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