In full view of everyone.
That monstrous beast slowly bent down, opened its palm, and gently placed Su Wen on the ground. Then it straightened up again, its huge golden eyes calmly staring at the group from Shrek Academy.
The pressure was overwhelming.
Even Tang Hao couldn't help but swallow, a shiver running through him. He'd been searching for Su Wen earlier, thinking—even though Su Wen was stronger than him, if he used his hidden cards and detonated his spirit rings, maybe he could still fight him.
But at this moment, he was genuinely afraid.
"Dad, it's him!"
The atmosphere froze.
Tang San pointed at Su Wen across the way, a flash of wild delight in his eyes. All the times you used to bully me—forgiven. But now with my real dad here, how could I let you be so arrogant?
So what if you beat up Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape?
My dad can do that too!
"Hehe, this is the Clear Sky Douluo, the legendary person who broke through to Title Douluo before forty, the continent's number one. He's little San's birth father," the Grandmaster smiled, hands behind his back, introducing proudly.
"Gulp~" Tang Hao felt Xuan Ji's teasing gaze, his throat bobbing, sweat trickling down like beans.
Don't embarrass your old man now!
Although the opponent already recognized him...
Admitting defeat might give him a chance to run.
But with Tang San and the Grandmaster calling him out in front of everyone, he was truly put on the spot. So many people watching, how could he, the continent's youngest Title Douluo, the once world-shaking Hammer King, keep his dignity?!
"Clear Sky Douluo!"
"It's really Clear Sky Douluo, we're saved!"
The Shrek Seven Devils got worked up with excitement.
Their thrilled eyes could hardly hide it.
"Little San, c'mon, we're all bros, why hide this?" Dai Mubai came over grinning, his arm around Tang San's neck, gathering with Ma Hongjun and others with envy on their faces.
"I just found out myself…" Tang San tried to keep the smile off his lips, acting humble: "My father always seemed like an ordinary blacksmith to me. I didn't know he had this reputation outside of Holy Soul Village…"
"Tsk, he's anything but ordinary…"
"Yeah, now we'll finally get to see Su Lin get his due, right?"
"Hard to say. If he can control such beasts, Su Lin can't be weak. Still, at least there's someone on our level now. Earlier, it was too humiliating—Teacher Qin Ming got hammered into the ground," Ma Hongjun grumbled.
"Cough, cough, cough…" Beside them, the wounded Qin Ming was still wrapped in white cloth, stained with blood, glaring angrily.
But the Shrek Seven Devils didn't realize the true gap between these experts. They'd never seen how terrifying Su Wen was, a cultivator who could singlehandedly hold two hundred-thousand-year beasts and thrash them.
Xiao Wu, though, understood perfectly.
A flash of worry flickered in her pinkish eyes.
She'd seen that battle with her own eyes.
Tang Hao had fought the beasts with his Clear Sky Hammer one-on-one. Both sides were heavily wounded. Realizing they couldn't defeat each other outright, they separated, basically fighting to a draw...
But by the time the story spread to the human world, it changed.
Now it was said that Tang Hao singlehandedly defeated and tamed two beasts, as if he was unmatched under heaven.
"So this is what true top power looks like." Even Yu Tianheng looked on admiringly, hoping to see Tang Hao bring justice to Su Lin.
After all, if you leave a team, and the team does better without you, doesn't that just make you look useless? Like you're nothing?
As for Su Lin, Ruiner of Teams, he wished the guy would die, and take the entire Heaven Dou Team with him if possible.
"..."
But only Tang Hao himself was truly breaking into a sweat, now riding a tiger with no way down.
He was already secretly sweeping his gaze around, planning escape routes, knowing his son had to come with him, but as for the rest of these fools...well, they had to be left behind.
Back when he walked out of Star Dou Forest unscathed, he'd hyped it up and exaggerated a bit, but it worked—now the whole continent praised him as the greatest of the Clear Sky Sect. Meanwhile, the Clear Sky Sect's withdrawal from society was scorned. With such a strong heir, how could the Sect just abandon him?
But no matter how much he stirred public opinion, dragging Clear Sky Sect's name through the mud, the Sect just stayed hidden, seeming to have seen right through his tricks.
"I heard you were looking for me?"
Su Wen, dressed in white, stepped in front of the Shrek camp, facing Tang Hao from a distance with a smile.
Two powerhouses, confronting each other.
"You took my wife, how can I let you off so easily!" Tang Hao took a deep breath, glanced back at the towering beast behind Su Wen, then at the hopeful eyes around him, stomping down his nerves and staring Su Wen down.
Bringing out his trump cards and detonating a couple of rings, he might not lose to this guy...right?
Worse comes to worst, he'd take little San and the spare hundred-thousand-year ring and detonate, blowing up the rest of the hecklers for good measure.
"Wife?!!"
But as his words fell...
Tang San, who'd just been hostile, turned stiffly to his father.
What does that mean?!!
Your wife...isn't that my mom?!
The other students too were stunned, as if they'd just heard a bombshell revelation. Oscar whispered to Tang San: "Little San, your mom..."
"My mom, my mom!!!" Tang San snapped.
"What I meant was…" Oscar's mouth twitched, wanting to laugh but not daring to.
"Shut up!" Tang San exploded.
"Okay," Oscar replied sheepishly, keeping quiet. After all, with this guy's dad on the scene, better to stay quiet.
Wait, isn't Clear Sky Douluo's wife the Blue Silver Grass?
So then...
Everyone looked at each other. Tang San's bloodline held the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor's blood, and the Blue Silver Empress had sacrificed herself for Tang Hao; she should've disappeared, so how could Su Lin have taken her?
None of this made sense.
Maybe he was planning another public opinion battle.
Su Wen's expression turned interested.
This guy really was the continent's number one hype man, a master at manipulating public opinion. If these Shrek students left and spread the news, it would cause an uproar.
And by painting himself as devoted, as a good father, he could hide his dirty deeds in Saint Soul Village in the dust.
"Hehe, do you think that by making a bold move, you'll be justified?" Su Wen asked with a smile.
"..." Tang Hao was stunned.
"You're mistaken. On Douluo Continent, if you want to stir up trouble, you have to survive first…"
"Xuan… never mind, Xiao Zi."
Su Wen waved his hand casually.
Workaholics need a break too…
"Okay!"
A crisp voice called out.
Tang Hao's expression changed instantly. He grabbed Tang San and Xiao Wu, soaring away as a streak of light toward the far reaches of Star Dou Great Forest.
But just where he'd lingered a moment ago, purple lightning erupted from the ground. A colossal purple-gold bamboo shot up toward the sky.
Its segments clear, roots as thick as twenty meters, its height reaching the clouds.
The entire sky was churning with thunder.
"Another hundred-thousand-year beast?!"
Oscar was dumbstruck, staring up at the bamboo breaking through the clouds. Thankfully, Tang Hao had enough sense to scatter everyone before fleeing, or they'd all be dead in the thunderstorm's range.
"What kind of spirit does he have? How could…"
From Tang Hao's reaction, it was obvious—even a legendary powerhouse wasn't Su Wen's match. Su Wen could probably crush him with a finger.
The gap was a bottomless chasm—enough to make anyone despair.
"That beast is just watching the show," Oscar whispered, trembling.
"Beast Master!"
Finally, the Grandmaster spat out two words, his eyes blazing.
If only this person had been born decades later—and come to him as a student! This level of talent, even the Shrek Seven Deviants were far behind. If only he could have been this man's teacher…
The Grandmaster began to daydream.
Meanwhile—
As Xiao Zi ruthlessly attacked, Tang Hao kept retreating. Though she was only level 95 or so, with future Super Douluo battle strength, she still had a soul core and could beat Tang Hao like a child.
Thunder fell on Tang Hao without mercy.
"Pfft!" Tang Hao spat blood, his eyes flashing with frustration: "Little San, watch closely. Some things—I only teach you once!"
"Finally..." Tang San was excited. His father was finally about to stop holding back.
"Detonate the rings!" Tang Hao roared.
Two pitch-black ten-thousand-year rings rose at his feet.
Crack—
With a crisp sound, a crack appeared on the black ring, then spread like a spider web.
Boom!
Horrific energy burst out.
Yet Tang Hao instantly absorbed it.
"Great Xumi Hammer!"
The black hammer, covered with intricate runes, expanded in the wind to the size of a hill. Destructive power surged. With bloodshot eyes, Tang Hao raised it high.
Crouched to gather momentum.
BOOM!
"He's about to show his true strength?" The Shrek Seven had hope—maybe this legend could crush enemy Su Lin.
"Retreat!"
But just as he launched his attack, Tang Hao spun around, grabbed San and company, and fled like a shooting star.
The giant hammer landed with a crash.
But Xiao Zi just got more excited.
"It's the aura of destruction…"
"Can she even absorb this?" Now Su Wen was the confused one.
He watched as Xiao Zi absorbed the destruction, using it to temper herself. Her vines even glowed brighter.
"Destruction power is similar to thunder—in some ways, maybe due to evolution." Xiao Zi herself wasn't sure.
"Master, are we really letting him go?" Xiao Zi looked regretful.
He was a super battery...
"A shame," Su Wen sighed, arms folded, watching Tang Hao's receding silhouette.
After all, it was Tang Hao who was the intruder.
Even with Electrolux as a safety net, that didn't mean he wanted to provoke the God of Shura or the entire divine realm in this time.
Tang San and Tang Hao could live—for now.
He'd already gotten what he wanted.
A slight smile at his lips.
In the sea of consciousness...
Electrolux silently chanted, two soul shadows—Da Ming and Er Ming—struggling violently as they tried to escape, but were firmly locked in two black "prisons" covered in complex runes that flashed as Electrolux muttered.
Buzz...
Electrolux opened his eyes.
With a wave of his hand.
The two souls groaned in pain, the black cocoons compressed, pitch-black runes hugging their bodies, then slowly faded.
"Master…"
Under Electrolux's control, the beasts nodded blankly.
"Done," Electrolux waved casually.
"They'll forget everything and continue as Da Ming and Er Ming. You can access their memories and control them. Even if Tang San checks, he won't find anything."
"Only you could've pulled this off," Su Wen grinned.
Electrolux shook his head.
"All right, I'll grant you a bit of Death's authority. Not much, but enough."
He tapped his staff to Su Wen's forehead. A wisp of gray-black power entered Su Wen.
"That works?" Su Wen was surprised.
Like unlocking shared access.
"That's just for controlling those two…" Electrolux said.
"Of course, if you use death magic with my authority, I won't say much."
"Hehe." Su Wen smiled.
Electrolux just smiled and disappeared.
"Da Ming! Er Ming!!"
Xiao Wu, eyes full of tears, ran to Da Ming and Er Ming.
Tang Hao—claiming to fear Su Wen's pursuit—took a roundabout way before returning to find Shrek's group, so when they reunited, Da Ming and Er Ming were on the verge of death.
"Sigh…" Tang Hao shook his head with feigned regret. "Seems there's no saving them."
"No!"
Xiao Wu hugged Da Ming's bull head, teary-eyed: "Uncle Tang, please save them! I'll do anything for the Tang family!"
"Yeah, Dad," Tang San dabbed away fake tears. "Please save them."
"No hope," Tang Hao patted the beasts for a long time, then shook his head. He was jubilant inside.
Could they be saved?
Of course!
As long as they made it back to the core of Star Dou Forest, rested in the Lake of Life—they'd recover eventually.
But now, the two beasts were clearly knocked out.
If they woke, they'd crawl away.
But...
He was here.
Two obvious hundred-thousand-year soul bones, two perfect rings—who could resist?
If he got them, he could challenge Su Lin! With a few more years' rest, maybe even reach Ultimate Douluo!
His eyes burned.
What to do... Xiao Wu sobbed: "It's my fault. Da Ming, Er Ming, forgive me, I shouldn't have sent you to find Su Lin. I brought this on you…"
What now?
Collect loot with tears, of course.
Tang Hao barely kept the smile off his face.
But he knew that if Xiao Wu got suspicious, it would be trouble.
"All right, Xiao Wu, you and little San should leave. In their last moments, let them have some dignity, as true overlords of the forest."
Tang Hao urged.
"Mm…"
Xiao Wu looked back over and over, reluctant to leave.
Titan Giant Ape slowly opened his eyes, his soul just sealed by Electrolux. He was confused.
"Sis Xiao Wu!!!"
Waking with excitement.
"Er Ming, you're alive!" Xiao Wu cried with joy, rushing over.
"How could I die…" Er Ming struggled to get up. Alive but badly hurt.
"Pfft~"
But he stumbled, collapsing.
"Who is it?!"
Er Ming looked up at the sky.
Tang Hao stood silently, looking down coldly.
He'd decided—those rings were his!
Even Ultimate Douluo couldn't stop him.
He said so!
"Uncle Tang…" Xiao Wu was shocked, not believing it.
"Xiao Wu, you're a soul beast. Last chance. Leave with little San. I won't harm you," Tang Hao said coldly.
"How… how…" Xiao Wu slumped to the ground, devastated.
"Sorry, little San," Tang Hao said quietly.
Compared to cultivating a stronger son, he'd rather take all the best resources for himself—after all, to him, Xiao Wu was always just a soul ring for his son.
A backstab is a backstab.
"Big brother!" Er Ming realized the danger, rushed to Da Ming, waking him up.
As Tang Hao pressed in, about to finish the two, Xiao Wu could only shed bitter tears, powerless.
Elsewhere.
Su Wen was left speechless.
Wait, what?!!!
He'd spared the two beasts, but hadn't expected Tang Hao to try killing them.
"This…"
Su Wen took a deep breath.
"Master, why not add some fuel to the fire?" Big Eye suggested mischievously.
"Fuel to the fire?"
Su Wen thought a moment, then smiled.
"Sure…"
Overhead.
The two beasts, full of despair, looked up at the proud Tang Hao.
They'd been half-killed, but Tang Hao, with only two rings detonated, still had plenty of strength. Clearly, he'd win this one.
"Hand over your soul bones," Tang Hao said coldly.
"In your dreams!" Da Ming and Er Ming tried to self-destruct but found they couldn't.
"Is it over?" Da Ming muttered.
But at the next moment…
A pure and holy warmth surged into their chests. Da Ming's severed tail instantly healed. Er Ming's wounds closed up visibly.
"…"
"What's this…"
They were confused.
But after a moment, they saw Tang Hao, flustered and about to flee.
In a flash, the gorilla and python attacked.
"Where are you going, bastard?!"