After Yun Chuan revealed his true face, time seemed to stand still.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were speechless, completely captivated by Yun Chuan's flawless visage.
After Yun Chuan put the mask back on and turned to leave without another word, a long silence hung in the air.
Gradually, their thoughts diverged.
"So handsome! How can such a man exist in the world?" Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with stars as she gazed after him, almost wanting to chase him down and follow him.
"It's him! The Holy Son Yun Chuan! I should have recognized earlier!" Zhu Zhuqing looked at him leaving, her mind racing to recall the boy who saved her from evil soul masters. Her heart pounded, her breath quickened, and regret filled her eyes for not realizing his identity sooner.
"Rongrong, Zhuqing, what's going on?" Ma Hongjun turned impatiently, "Have you seen enough of Teacher Tang? What's he really like? Is his true face really so ugly people can't eat?"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances, then wordlessly walked away from the group back into the academy.
"…We forgot."
This was all they said, leaving the others puzzled. Flender, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and others couldn't understand why the girls left so abruptly. Were they really too embarrassed by his face to even remember it?
Meanwhile, along a country path, Yun Chuan strolled leisurely, eyes half-closed, savoring the wind and the rustling sound of ripened rice swaying in the breeze. The scene brought unprecedented peace and calm to his mind.
Suddenly, a solid figure stood quietly in the road ahead.
Tang Hao had recovered from old wounds and looked renewed and spirited, appearing like a robust man in his thirties. He was dressed well, no longer disheveled.
"You're… Tang San's father?"
Yun Chuan stopped about ten steps away and asked confusedly, "You seem to have matters for me, but I'm no longer a teacher at Shrek Academy, so I can't teach your son. You should find someone else."
Tang Hao stood silent for a while then said slowly, "Do you know your origins?"
Yun Chuan's expression darkened—outwardly, he seemed annoyed by the direct question but inwardly was surprised, guessing Tang Hao might be about to reveal his true heritage.
"Senior, I respect you, but isn't this question too presumptuous?" Yun Chuan said, his tone sharp, "Still, since you helped fend off the Sky Azure Bull Python at Star Dou Forest, I'll answer. I am an orphan abandoned by my parents, raised by the Spirit Hall. Satisfied?"
"Want to know who your parents are?" Tang Hao asked again.
This made Yun Chuan's face fall. He quipped angrily, "Don't tell me you want to say you're my long-lost father?"
The jibe was meant as a joke, but Tang Hao nodded seriously. "Yes, I am your biological father."
The place immediately fell silent.
Yun Chuan's aura flared fiercely as his anger rose in response to the blunt claim, seemingly ready to attack.
Yet inside, he felt speechless. Could anyone be so blunt as to claim kinship after years of separation? Most would be beaten for it.
Seeing Yun Chuan's fury, Tang Hao hurriedly added, "What I say is true. You and Tang San are twins. Shortly after birth, I fought the Spirit Hall and, losing badly, they took you away."
"Do you think I'd believe such lies?" Yun Chuan's body crackled with electric arcs, flames erupting as his wild hair stood on end, transforming him into a raging thunderfire god.
"Child, I know it's hard to believe, but every word is true." Tang Hao summoned his Clear Sky Hammer, showing it to Yun Chuan. "Your hammer martial soul was inherited from me. Though mutated, it shares the same origin. You can see the resemblance."
Yun Chuan paused, eyeing the hammer carefully but said, "Similarity alone is coincidence, not proof."
He couldn't simply accept it, for his current setup meant he shouldn't know this. He had to maintain his role and not believe Tang Hao outright—doing so would seem fake.
Seeing Yun Chuan's doubt, Tang Hao sighed and added, "Your other martial soul, the Blue Silver Grass, was inherited from your mother. Tang San, your brother, also has the twin martial souls—Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer."
Yun Chuan frowned deeply, his aura wavering slightly, clearly half-believing the words.
Tang Hao sighed again, "I'll take you to a place with absolute proof of our blood relation."
Yun Chuan pondered briefly, then his crackling aura dimmed; his hair fell, and he returned from thunderfire god back to a graceful gentleman.
"…Lead the way."
He said simply, already guessing where Tang Hao would take him next…
(End of Chapter 88)