Chapter 121: The Clear Sky Sect Is an Evil Sect
Tang San slowly turned his head toward Yu Xiaogang.
The latter could feel Tang San's gaze upon him but said nothing, only offering a faint, unreadable smile.
Davis, meanwhile, was stunned by Luo Ling's words.
He had witnessed Haotian Douluo's rampage at the Great Spirit Arena himself—the sheer destructive terror of that man.
A being who had even slain a former Pope of Spirit Hall was far beyond anything Davis dared provoke.
"The Warlock said before, didn't he?" Luo Ling continued evenly. "That Haotian Douluo was a secret executioner trained by the Clear Sky Sect to eliminate talented soul masters from rival powers."
"Dai Mubai may not have been the greatest genius, but he was still a half-decent prodigy—and a contender for the Xingluo throne. Killing him would make perfect sense."
The web of lies left Luo Ling's mouth smoothly.
By now, Haotian Douluo's reputation was already in ruins. His explanation sounded all too convincing.
Davis said nothing. He didn't refute it because, in truth, it was possible.
Neither Flender nor Yu Xiaogang spoke. Both knew the killer had indeed been Tang Hao—and neither had any desire to defend him.
The simpler the matter, the better—if these words could make the Xingluo prince leave peacefully, all the better for them.
After a long silence, Davis spoke again, face still dark. "Even if it was Haotian Douluo who killed him, what about Dai Mubai's corpse?"
"Perhaps Haotian Douluo took it later," Luo Ling said with a shrug. "To certain depraved people, a soul master's remains are… quite valuable."
"If the Clear Sky Sect sent Tang Hao to assassinate geniuses, it wouldn't be surprising for them to 'reuse' the corpses afterward."
The prince stiffened. He understood perfectly what Luo Ling implied.
Evil soul masters who refined corpses to grow stronger—they were whispered of even in royal circles.
But to suggest the Clear Sky Sect, once one of the Three Upper Sects, was doing such things? The thought was horrifying.
If the most prestigious sect on the continent had fallen to darkness, the consequences would shake the entire world.
Beside them, both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San stiffened.
They had just conducted the Blood Demon Ritual themselves in Soto City—offering up soul master corpses for power. Their guilt was palpable, their actions indistinguishable from those of the "evil" soul masters Luo Ling described.
"Hmph! Whether your story is true or not, the Xingluo Empire will get to the bottom of Dai Mubai's death!" Davis snapped coldly before turning away.
With Zhu Zhuyun and the attendant behind him, he departed in haste.
Luo Ling watched them go, a smile curling upon his lips.
So far, everything was going perfectly.
He had shifted the blame from Tang Hao to the entire Haotian Sect and planted the seed for its downfall—a future where they would be branded as an evil sect.
It was a cruel, insidious plan, but Luo Ling had no fear of it being exposed.
After all, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San had already offered their bloody sacrifices—they were now among the first followers of the Primordial God.
And since Tang San was Tang Hao's son, the stain of evil would follow the Haotian line whether they liked it or not.
…
When the Xingluo group finally left, the Shrek team disbanded as well.
Tang San followed Yu Xiaogang back to their quarters.
"Xiao San," Yu Xiaogang said after a pause, "you want to know about Haotian Douluo, don't you?"
"Yes, Teacher," Tang San admitted. "Is it true? That my father is…"
He faltered, recalling the terrifying, blood-soaked figure from the Great Spirit Arena.
It was hard to reconcile that man with the weary blacksmith he'd called his father.
"It's true," Yu Xiaogang said quietly. "Your father is Haotian Douluo."
There was no point denying it now.
"Back in Nuoding Academy, your father sought me out. I learned the truth then—he was the youngest Titled Douluo in history, wielding the Haotian Hammer."
"Your second martial soul comes directly from him."
Tang San was stunned. His eyes glazed over as he remembered the simple, weathered man from Holy Soul Village. To think he was one of the strongest beings alive—it was almost incomprehensible.
"If he's so powerful, then why… why did he never tell me?"
Yu Xiaogang sighed softly. "He had his reasons for hiding his identity. When you attended Nuoding Academy, he asked me to look after you. When Dai Mubai plotted against you, he appeared instantly to protect you. Clearly, he cares for you deeply."
"And remember—when you dueled Zhao Wouji upon first arriving at Shrek, do you recall how bruised he was the next day? That was your father's doing."
Tang San's heart trembled with emotion. For the first time, warmth spread through his chest.
His father had always been watching him.
But then, the vision of the Great Spirit Arena returned—Haotian Douluo drenched in blood, slaughtering without mercy.
"Wait, Teacher," Tang San said suddenly, eyes wide. "I know my father. He's not the kind to kill innocents. Why would he do something like that?"
Yu Xiaogang hesitated, then sighed. "Even I'm not certain. But afterward, Haotian Douluo came to see me. He said he had fallen victim to the Warlock's spiritual attack."
Tang San's expression hardened.
The Warlock again.
The man who knew of the Xuantian Record, his secret from another world. The man who had slandered his father and driven him into madness.
If what Yu Xiaogang said was true, this Warlock had truly earned his death.
Yu Xiaogang's gaze turned serious. "Xiao San, if the Warlock really set this trap for Haotian Douluo, you must not act rashly."
"His spirit power may be barely half your father's, but to affect a Titled Douluo's mind speaks volumes of his strength. If you ever encounter him again—run. Protect yourself above all else."
"No chasing vengeance before you have power. Do you understand?"
Tang San nodded silently.
He knew his teacher was right. The gulf between him and the Warlock was vast. He couldn't even stand against the man's shadow.
He was too weak.
If he wanted to help his father, he had to become stronger—much stronger.
He clenched his fists tightly. There were only two ways he could think of to gain power quickly.
The first was the Blood Demon Ritual. One night of sacrifice had raised his spirit power by five ranks and empowered his Blue Silver Grass. But the ritual needed fresh corpses—that was a major problem.
The second was to cultivate his Haotian Hammer.
Every new spirit ring he attached to a martial soul increased strength and spirit power alike.
"Teacher," Tang San said, excitement breaking through his grimness, "I want to begin training with my Haotian Hammer. If it's truly the number one weapon spirit in the world, mastering it will make me stronger faster, won't it?"
(END CHAPTER)
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