Tang Hao and Yu Yuanzhen fought desperately, with Tang Hao's aura rapidly declining afterward—likely having sustained fundamental injuries.
From this day forward, Yu Yuanzhen would become a thorn in the Clear Sky Sect's side.
When dealing with the Clear Sky Sect in the future, Yu Yuanzhen would be the sharpest blade.
The Pope was truly wise!
Yu Yuanzhen nodded—he was indeed eager to return to his clan.
If the Clear Sky Sect sought revenge, another deadly battle would ensue.
After cultivating for a while longer, Crazy Dragon Douluo's body shimmered with gray light, enveloping Yu Yuanzhen.
The two leaped out from underground and then headed in separate directions toward the outskirts of Sunset Forest.
Meanwhile, outside Sunset Forest...
Several figures stood on high alert.
Ning Fengzhi held the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in his hand, its seven-colored radiance continuously flickering as it showered Tang Hao with light.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was not only capable of support but also possessed healing abilities.
Moreover, once it reached the Seven Treasure Ruyi realm, its healing power would become exceptionally potent.
Unlike Healing Soul Masters who treated injuries directly, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could rapidly restore a Soul Master's various attributes—primarily stamina, strength, Soul Power, and mental energy!
Ning Fengzhi was currently treating Tang Hao.
Tang Hao was in a wretched state—his body was disheveled and covered in blood.
But that wasn't the worst of it. His most severe injuries were internal.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "When I treated Haotian Douluo at the Great Soul Arena last time, I noticed he had many old injuries that were difficult to heal.
This time, he has aggravated long-accumulated internal injuries, damaging his organs and causing his meridians to twist and knot. I fear recovery is unlikely.
If he refrains from using Soul Power in the future, he might still preserve his life."
He felt deep sympathy for Tang Hao.
The once-mighty Haotian Douluo was now crippled!
These were likely old wounds left from his battle with Qian Xunji years ago.
Recently, he had also fought Yu Yuanzhen multiple times.
His meridians were damaged, his bones shattered—there was almost no chance of restoring his former strength.
If he were to use Soul Power again, his life would undoubtedly be forfeited.
Tang Hao's gaze was vacant—he already knew this outcome.
"Brother Hao..."
Tears welled in Tang Xiao's eyes as he tightly embraced Tang Hao.
"Elder Brother, Sect Master Ning, please go rescue Xiao San first. I know the extent of my injuries—I hold no hope for myself.
But Xiao San must not come to harm!" Tang Hao said in anguish.
"Brother Hao, don't worry. The Second Elder and Bone Douluo have already gone!"
Tang Xiao was heartbroken.
He could foresee future clashes with the Spirit Hall, and relying on his strength alone would not suffice.
Thus, he had also summoned the Second Elder to Heaven Dou City.
The reason the Second Elder wasn't with them was due to his strained relationship with Tang Hao.
Therefore, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had personally protected Tang San at close range.
For a Titled Douluo, the Second Elder's position outside Sunset Forest was actually quite close.
But Tang Xiao had never expected Yu Yuanzhen to be so ruthless—
Personally attacking Tang San, with the additional support of Crazy Dragon Douluo, catching both Tang Hao and himself off guard.
Even so, Tang San could have still survived.
But that shadow that appeared at the end—that was what Tang Xiao despised most.
Who was it?
Even with his mental energy, he couldn't discern the figure's true appearance. With such speed, their strength must be formidable.
If the other party was from Yu Yuanzhen's side and secretly attacked Hao, they might have been able to kill him.
But they only abducted Tang San.
Which faction was it?
Tang Xiao relayed everything to Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi frowned. "Last time, a wave of rumors swept across the continent, with someone secretly exaggerating the strength of your sect, trying to escalate the conflict between you and the Spirit Hall.
At the time, I suspected the existence of another hidden force.
Now it's confirmed.
This force is watching us from the shadows, eager for us to go to war with the Spirit Hall!"
Little did he know that the mastermind behind this was his own son-in-law.
"Ning Zongzhu, have you discovered which faction this hidden force belongs to?" Tang Xiao asked.
Ning Fengzhi sighed helplessly. "I've been investigating in secret all these years, but I've found nothing!"
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
They felt the situation was spiraling out of control.
Tang Xiao, in particular, was calculating in his mind—regardless of which faction this hidden force belonged to, their next move must still be to deal with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and the Spirit Hall.
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the Sunset Forest.
It was Flender and Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang rushed over as if seeing a savior.
"Ning Zongzhu, Tang Zongzhu, you must hurry and save Xiao San! He obtained an External Soul Bone. If we delay any longer, the Soul Bone will be taken!" Yu Xiaogang's voice was choked with tears, filled with grief.
His sorrow was so intense that even Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo behind him found it strange.
Yu Xiaogang was Yu Yuanzhen's son, yet he wasn't concerned about his father's safety—only Tang San's.
"Powerful reinforcements have already been dispatched. Thank you, Grandmaster. Without your protection, Xiao San would have had no chance of survival!"
Tang Hao clasped his hands in gratitude toward Yu Xiaogang.
When Yu Xiaogang had shielded Tang San with his own body as his father tried to kill him, Tang Hao had been stunned.
Yu Xiaogang truly treated Xiao San like his own son!
Though Xiao San's fate was still uncertain, given the genuine emotion Yu Xiaogang displayed, Tang Hao couldn't bring himself to blame him.
Tang Xiao, however, remained cold-faced and silent.
Yu Yuanzhen's actions had soured his opinion of Yu Xiaogang as well.
If not for the fact that Yu Xiaogang had indeed protected Tang San, Tang Xiao might have smashed him with a hammer right then and there.
Yu Xiaogang waited restlessly.
After another long while, two powerful figures came rushing over, one of them carrying a blue-clad figure.
"Xiao San..."
"What happened to Xiao San?!"
Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang immediately recognized the person being carried—it was Tang San.
The Bone Douluo placed Tang San on the ground and said, "We found him in the Sunset Forest. He's not in mortal danger, but..."
Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang stared anxiously, a sense of foreboding creeping into their hearts.
The Bone Douluo glanced at Tang San, who was conscious, and signaled for him to explain himself.
"Dad, Teacher... it was that Evil Soul Master from last time. It must have been him!
He devoured my External Soul Bone again and even absorbed part of my life force."
Tang San's expression was bleak.
Tang Hao froze for a moment before slamming his fist into the ground with a loud bang.
"Who is it?! Xiao San, did you see his face?"
"Dad, I was unconscious. All I felt was endless pain as my life force kept draining away.
By the time I woke up, he was already gone!"
Tang San couldn't help but shudder as he recalled the scene from when he was unconscious.
Seeing this, Tang Hao's robust figure immediately pulled Tang San into his embrace.
This was the second time his son had experienced something like this.
Tang Hao's eyes were blurred with tears.
He could only feel that the fate of father and son was too tragic.
He had become a cripple.
A Yin was lost, the Soul Bone was lost!
And now his son had his External Soul Bone taken away twice—it was simply too cruel.
Who exactly was targeting them like this?
The more he thought about it, the more suffocated Tang Hao felt.
"Pfft!"
Another mouthful of filthy blood sprayed out—Tang Hao had been angered to the point of vomiting blood again.
(End of Chapter)