Chapter 277: Tang San's Last Hope
No one knew how long he had been unconscious, but eventually Tang San—nearly beaten to death by the Exploding Eight-Stage Throw—came to. He found himself in a building with sunlight filtering in through a window, illuminating the room.
In a single glance, Tang San saw that this was definitely not the Slaughter City. Over there, all architecture was black, as was the soil, and the perpetual red glow masked day and night. This place had proper daylight.
At first he assumed he had died from that Exploding Eight-Stage Throw and arrived in heaven. Overcome by hate and sorrow, tears rolled down his cheeks.
With the Clear Sky Clan finished, his father and uncle would undoubtedly die at Spirit Hall's hands. The continent would become Spirit Hall's playground. The woman he loved, Xiao Wu, would forever remain imprisoned in the form of a spirit bone, and he would never revive her or see her again.
"You're awake."
A heavy, familiar voice came from nearby. Turning, Tang San saw a tall, middle-aged man with sallow skin, missing one arm and one leg. Who else could it be but his father, Tang Hao?
Tang San's eyes lit up. "Father, where are we? I'm still alive?"
"Of course you're alive. We're in a city near the Slaughter City. You were so badly hurt I had to carry you out, then find a few healing-type spirit masters to treat your wounds."
Tang Hao's face looked grim and filled with despair. He had been chased around the Slaughter City by Qian Renchuan, thoroughly shamed, with Tang San on the brink of death. In the end, he had no choice but to escape with Tang San.
Because he had taken Tang San out without finishing a hundred victories in the Hell Killing Field, it violated the rules. Tang San could never again enter the Slaughter City to gain the Killing God Domain. If he tried, the Slaughter King would instantly appear and destroy him.
Tang San would never acquire the Killing God Domain, so the Asura God's trial was impossible.
Tang San failed to see the anguish behind Tang Hao's messy hair as he pressed on: "Father, what about Qian Renchuan? That guy was also in the Slaughter City, taking part in the Hell Killing Field to get the Killing God Domain."
Seeming to ignore Tang San's question, Tang Hao answered, "Qian Renchuan has four spirit bones. Three of them are all hundred-thousand-year bones. Using those bones alone, plus his skills, he has fearsome power even in the Slaughter City. You lost to him and that's no shame."
Tang San heard that Qian Renchuan had four spirit bones—three of them hundred-thousand-year class, plus that external spirit bone stolen from him—and his heart boiled with envy and hate. Those bones had originally belonged to him and Xiao Wu's family, stolen away by that damned Spirit Hall.
"So, did you kill him, Father? He's the greatest threat to me obtaining the Asura God-King's throne!"
"At the time you were at death's door, and he also had that rabbit's spirit bone skill. Killing him would have taken too much effort, so I had to let him go. Now you and I can't return to the Slaughter City. I've broken its rules by taking you out for healing, and with my soul power capped at Spirit Sage, I'm no threat to the Slaughter King."
Tang San punched the bedside in frustration, denting it. A prime chance to eliminate that threat was lost because of his own grave injuries. If he had waited a bit longer to ambush Qian Renchuan, and his father had arrived sooner, everything could have turned around.
Why did this world have someone like Qian Renchuan? Why did he exist? Like Tang San, he came from the Bashu Tang Sect, reincarnated into a perfect life—and even encountered the reborn Qian Xunji.
Tang San suddenly recalled their final exchange before the collapsed bet: "You dare claim to be me? You're Tang San—then who am I? You're courting death!!" Qian Renchuan had implied that he himself was the real outer disciple Tang San who jumped from Ghost Cliff. But how could that be? He himself was Tang San—who was this other man?
Tang San refused to believe—could not believe—that there existed a second Tang San, far stronger than he. He, after all, was a reincarnated God-King!
It must be a trick by that vile, shameless slave of Spirit Hall, deliberately posing as him just to ruin the bet!
"Xiao San, let's return to the Clear Sky Clan."
Tang Hao sighed in defeat. The Asura God-King's throne was gone, so destroying Spirit Hall was impossible. On top of that, father and son had attacked Qian Renchuan, giving Qian Xunji ammunition against them. Now, best to hurry and talk with his elder brother about marrying off as many sect disciples to Spirit Hall as possible, in hopes of preserving the Clear Sky Clan.
He wouldn't be surprised if those deranged people at Spirit Hall moved on them next, after they annihilated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Tang San detected the weary resignation in Tang Hao's voice and spoke firmly: "No, Father, we still have a chance!"
"A chance?" Tang Hao turned, eyes questioning.
"The Sea God Island—the trials of Lord Sea God!"
Tang Hao, noting Tang San's resolute gaze, sighed again. "Xiao San, I'm not trying to dampen your spirits, but in that other world of yours, you obtained the Sea God's Nine Trials only after you awakened the Blue Silver Emperor, reached the rank of Spirit Emperor, gained a hundred-thousand-year sixth ring, and owned four spirit bones—two of which were hundred-thousand-year class—plus an external spirit bone and a head spirit bone. None of that is true in our present reality. How could you still get the Sea God's Nine Trials?"
Tang San lowered his gaze momentarily, then looked up, determination blazing. "Father, even if I don't receive the Sea God's Nine Trials, I'm sure—given my talent—I can still be given a top-level test. With a top-level test, I have a chance of becoming the Asura God anyway!"
"Oh?"
Tang San explained: "Listen to me. The Sea God, the Angel God—they both have a High Priest. My great-grandfather once attempted the Asura God's trial, only to be sabotaged by the Rakshasa God, then parasitized by the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King, ultimately failing the Asura Nine Trials. He only reached the eighth trial, yet still ended up as the Asura God's High Priest. The duty of a High Priest is to assist the successor in passing the god's trial, but he or she can also restrict or even kill the inheritor if need be."
He recalled how, during his sixth Sea God trial, Bo Saixi nearly killed him.
"Even if Qian Renchuan becomes the Asura God's chosen, he must still get Great-Grandfather's approval to pass the trial.
"In my other world, Qian Renxue was almost thirty and only a Spirit Sage. She could never have become a god if not for Qian Daoliu, the Angel God's High Priest, quietly guiding her. That's probably how she completed the Angel God trials."
Hearing this, Tang Hao's lifeless eyes rekindled a little. "So, Xiao San, you plan to take the top-level Sea God trial, then head back to the Slaughter City to awaken your grandfather. With his help, you'll challenge the Asura God's trial?"
Tang San nodded, though his gaze betrayed a hint of sorrow. It was painful to think of his great-grandfather sacrificing himself, but it was their last chance to bring down Spirit Hall. Besides, once he became a god, he could save Great-Grandfather's spirit, evolving it into an immortal divine soul in the afterlife, never to perish.
Tang Hao finally regained some confidence. "Then we'd better not delay. You, Tang Tian, and Tang Hu should set out for Sea God Island. Those two are also future Title Douluo material in our clan. I know you have grudges with them, but for the sake of the Clear Sky Clan, you must get along. You three share the Tang family's blood—you're family."
"Father, before we go to Sea God Island, we need to get our hands on the Heart of the Sea God. On the mainland, it's called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud—Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure."
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