The turmoil had ended, and Tang San followed behind Flender, Grandmaster, and Liu Erlong as they made their way back to Shrek Academy.
The entire journey, Tang San remained silent.
The events of the day had left him feeling humiliated.
Yu Tianxin's death had nothing to do with him.
Had he merely fought for victory in the Soul Duel?
What had he done wrong?
Yet not only did he have to apologize to his teachers and Liu Erlong, but he was also subjected to repeated interrogations by the tournament committee.
Even before that, his life had been threatened.
Just like last time in Suotuo City.
This was the second time!
The second time members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family had tried to kill him over a Soul Duel.
Thankfully, his father Tang Hao had already clashed with Yu Yuanzhen twice over this matter.
During the previous incident in Suotuo City, Tang San hadn't been able to witness the battle between Tang Hao and Yu Yuanzhen outside the city.
Thus, he had no way of knowing whether his father had been injured.
But judging by today's situation, Tang San concluded that his father must have been hurt last time too.
Otherwise, his father wouldn't have immediately resorted to using forbidden techniques at the start of the fight.
He didn't recognize the Ring Detonation skill, but through his Purple Demon Eyes, he could see his father's Soul Power surge violently several times before rapidly weakening.
By the end of the battle, his father had been covered in blood, leaving Tang San unsettled ever since.
How was his father doing now?
Soon, the group arrived back at Blue Tyrant Academy.
Both Shrek's team members and teachers were preoccupied with their own thoughts. After exchanging silent glances, they all quietly returned to their rooms.
Tang San alone ventured deep into the forest.
He stopped beneath a large tree.
"Dad, so you've been protecting me in secret all along. You must be injured—how are you now?"
His heart trembled uncontrollably; he had to see his father today.
But his words were met with silence.
Tang San quickly continued, "Dad, my Soul Power contains strong life energy—it can definitely heal your wounds! Dad, please come out and see me!"
He kept calling out.
Yet Tang Hao seemed determined not to meet him at this time.
This didn't deter Tang San.
With a flick of his wrist, a throwing knife appeared. A soft sound of flesh parting followed as Tang San slit his own wrist.
"Dad, if you don't appear, I'll let my blood drain until I die!"
"What are you doing?!"
An angry shout rang out as Tang Hao's figure materialized behind Tang San.
"Dad!"
Tang San whirled around, finally seeing that familiar figure again.
In an instant, he lunged forward, dropping to his knees before Tang Hao and clutching his legs.
"Dad, your energy is unstable. How could Yu Yuanzhen have hurt you this badly? He deserves to die!"
A murderous aura erupted from Tang San.
Tang Hao's expression stiffened. "I don't need your concern. You're just wasting your cultivation time.
At your current strength, you can't do anything!"
Tang San shook his head vehemently, overwhelmed with emotion at finally getting to spend time alone with his father.
"Dad, I wasn't lying to you. My Soul Power can definitely heal your injuries!"
As he spoke, Tang San moved behind Tang Hao.
His Mystic Heaven Skill activated within him, and white energy streamed from his palms before pressing firmly against Tang Hao's back.
A gentle internal force slowly flowed into Tang Hao's body.
"Ah!"
Tang San was shocked.
The injuries within his father's body were beyond his expectations—tangled meridians, scattered Soul Power, and multiple fractured bones.
Such severe injuries would have killed anyone else long ago.
"Give up. Once you've given up, go back and cultivate properly. With your current strength, thinking too much will only bring unnecessary trouble!"
Tang Hao mercilessly mocked.
Tang San refused to give up.
His Soul Power carefully nourished Tang Hao's broken bones and meridians.
It wasn't entirely useless, but even after exhausting his Soul Power, he couldn't alleviate Tang Hao's injuries.
A drop in the bucket!
The solidified meridians in Tang Hao's body couldn't be nourished even if Tang San burned all his Soul Power.
Most of the injuries were old wounds, stubborn and deeply rooted.
"Father, your injuries are too severe, and you even fought twice because of me. I..."
Tang San's eyes welled up with tears, his heart aching.
Tang Hao frowned, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "I'm not dead yet. What are you crying for? Don't worry about my injuries. What you need to do now is grow stronger quickly.
"Also, the Grandmaster is your teacher. He must be suffering greatly right now. You should go comfort him!"
Tang San resolutely stepped forward. "Father, you're right. I can't do anything about it now.
"But I will keep growing stronger—strong enough to heal your injuries one day.
"I will repay the Grandmaster's kindness, but Yu Yuanzhen hurt you twice. Even if he's the Grandmaster's father, I will avenge this!"
Tang San declared righteously.
"Bang!"
Tang Hao slapped Tang San across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"Yu Yuanzhen is the Grandmaster's father. How do you plan to take revenge?
"Abandon your hatred. Treat the Grandmaster the same way you treat me!
"Only the Grandmaster can help you cultivate your Twin Soul Spirits!"
Tang Hao roared in anger.
Even he had no intention of seeking revenge against Yu Yuanzhen now, because Tang San's growth was the most important.
Tang San was momentarily stunned by the sudden slap.
But he quickly regained his composure. "Yes, Father!"
He understood—his father wanted him to endure humiliation for the greater cause.
Yet, this realization only deepened the humiliation in Tang San's heart.
He swore to take revenge once he grew strong enough.
Yu Yuanzhen hurt Father twice, so I'll hurt him twice. Out of respect for the Grandmaster, I won't kill him.
"Get out. Grow stronger as I've instructed. Once you reach the Soul Ancestor realm, I'll take you out to train and cultivate the Clear Sky Hammer."
Tang Hao said indifferently.
With a thud, Tang San knelt and kowtowed to Tang Hao before leaving without looking back.
The harsher his father's scolding, the sweeter Tang San felt inside.
This is Father's love!
And once he reached the Soul Ancestor realm, he could finally be with his father.
Tang San's fighting spirit surged.
He was currently at rank 34. After exhausting his Soul Power just now, he felt the bottleneck loosening again. He might soon break through to rank 35.
Soul Ancestor—it won't take two years at most.
Tang San resolved to continue cultivating tirelessly, pushing himself to reach the Soul Ancestor realm as quickly as possible.
After Tang San left,
Tang Hao coughed twice, spitting out a mouthful of black blood.
"Second Brother, you're actually this badly injured!"
From behind a large tree, a tall and burly figure emerged—Tang Xiao.
After such a long time, he had rushed over immediately upon hearing news of the battle in Heaven Dou City.
He happened to witness the moment when Tang Hao and Tang San met.
Tang Hao gave a bitter smile: "They're just old injuries!"
"You shouldn't fight anymore during this period. Rest and recover properly. I'll protect Xiao San."
"By the way, what exactly happened? Why did Xiao San kill both Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin in succession?"
Tang Xiao voiced the biggest question in his heart.
He had been unable to figure it out the entire journey—it was far too unexpected.
(End of Chapter)