Chapter 165: My Wife Is Gone

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Having taken the Blue Silver Emperor, Wang Li's ninth soul ring now had a candidate. He brought her back to the Sunset Forest.

The Ice and Fire Dual Eyes! 

Passing through the outer poison formation, Wang Li entered the valley. He wasn't sure if Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan were there at the moment. 

He didn't dare to recklessly sense their presence in case they were in seclusion, so he released his aura at the valley entrance to notify them. 

Moments later, a figure rushed out from the valley. She leaped into Wang Li's arms, her jade arms wrapping around his neck, and her long, fair legs entwined around his waist. She hung onto him completely. 

Dugu Yan pressed her face against Wang Li's, gently rubbing it as she softly spoke, 

"I missed you. It's been so long since you returned." 

Wang Li, smiling, held her waist and responded, 

"It's been hard finding an opponent worthy of fighting me. That's why I've stayed in the far north for so long. Sister Yan, why hasn't Grandpa come out?" 

Without a second thought, Dugu Yan answered, 

"Grandpa's not here. In recent years, the Emperor Xue Ye has been overworked. Not long ago, his body suddenly collapsed, and even the Imperial Physicians couldn't do anything. In the end, Prince Snow Star had to bring him over. Without you around, I've been focused on my training, so that's why I'm here." 

Wang Li narrowed his eyes. The Emperor Xue Ye had been in his prime just three or four years ago. It seemed impossible for him to suddenly fall ill due to overwork. Perhaps Xue Renxue couldn't wait to ascend to power, and that's why the Emperor Xue Ye's health had deteriorated. 

However, what intrigued him more was: 

"Oh, so Grandpa isn't here…" 

Wang Li's hands, which were wrapped around Dugu Yan's waist, subconsciously lowered, and it was clear his intentions weren't solely to support her. 

"Hmm!" 

Dugu Yan's face flushed, but she still cuddled close to Wang Li. 

... 

At the center of the valley, near the source of the Ice and Fire Dual Eyes. 

Wang Li took the Blue Silver Emperor from a bamboo tube and buried her at the boundary of the Ice and Fire Dual Eyes, where the temperature extremes of heat and cold balanced out, making the energy here especially concentrated. 

He then summoned his martial soul and used his soul skills to release life force, helping the Blue Silver Emperor adapt to her new environment quickly. 

Behind him, Dugu Yan, her face still flushed from earlier, curiously watched him as he finished. After a moment, she asked in confusion, 

"What is this? It's not the immortal herb I know; it looks like a regular Blue Silver Grass!" 

Wang Li smiled and explained, 

"This is a Blue Silver Grass with great potential. I want to use the Ice and Fire Dual Eyes to speed up its growth. This place's special effects on plants can help it grow rapidly." 

"For now, I'll let it grow on its own, but when the time comes, I can use my domain and the entire Sunset Forest's Blue Silver Grass to cultivate it into a 100,000-year soul beast." 

Dugu Yan understood immediately. When Wang Li needed it, it would likely be when his soul power reached level 90, and he would require a 100,000-year soul ring. 

She then added, 

"The Ice and Fire Dual Eyes really are magical. They can make plants grow hundreds of times faster. Some of the immortal herbs we've eaten before, after their seeds were scattered here, have already sprouted again." 

"This Blue Silver Grass may only take a few years to mature, but turning it into a 100,000-year soul beast won't be so easy." 

Wang Li nodded, then stood up and activated his soul power. His right arm glowed, and a Blue Silver Avatar manifested. He said, 

"Let the avatar watch over the Blue Silver Grass. I don't need to keep an eye on it every day. Sister Yan, do you still need to train? Shall we head into the city and let Grandpa know I'm back?"

Dugu Yan stretched her graceful body. With Wang Li back, she certainly wanted to spend more time with him, so she smiled and said, 

"I won't train for now. Let's go into the city. It's been so long since I've walked around the streets, and today's the perfect day for it." 

Soon, Wang Li and Dugu Yan, hand in hand, left together. 

As for the Blue Silver Avatar, it was left within the Blue Silver Emperor's body, allowing Wang Li to keep track of her status at any time. 

Heavenly Dou City! 

It had been a long time since Wang Li had been here, but the city was still as bustling as ever. After all, it was the capital of the Heavenly Dou Empire. If it had become desolate, the entire Douluo Continent would likely have few prosperous cities left. 

Wang Li accompanied Dugu Yan through the city, shopping for clothes and jewelry, eating, and drinking. Only when the evening came did they return home. 

When they met Dugu Bo, he was delighted to see Wang Li. Dugu Bo had been requested by the royal family to treat the Emperor Xue Ye, but after examining the Emperor's condition, he concluded that the only person capable of saving Xue Ye was Wang Li. 

Dugu Bo smiled and said, 

"Xiao Li, you're back! Now Xue Ye has hope. I don't know if Yan Yan told you, but Emperor Xue Ye's health has deteriorated due to overwork. He's very weak now." 

Wang Li nodded, 

"Sister Yan told me. From Grandpa's condition, it seems there's more to this than meets the eye." 

Dugu Bo's smile faded as he spoke seriously, 

"That's right. There's more to it. The Emperor Xue Ye was poisoned, which caused his weakness. Holding that position, he must always be on guard against both visible and hidden threats. Unfortunately, he couldn't avoid the deadly poison lurking in the shadows." 

"They're claiming it's from overwork to avoid causing panic. But the poison isn't a single type—it's a mix of several toxins. Even with my expertise in poison, I can't distinguish each one. After mixing, it becomes even more unpredictable. I'm powerless to find an antidote." 

"Perhaps only your miraculous second soul skill can suppress the poison on us. Even if the Emperor Xue Ye's body is riddled with mixed toxins, your power should be able to forcefully suppress them." 

Wang Li, however, was already lost in thought. He knew that if he saved Xue Ye, he would inevitably become a potential enemy to the Spirit Hall. 

But he wasn't afraid. His strength was now sufficient to dominate the continent. 

When he was weak, many things were beyond his control. But now, with his power growing, it was time to think about the future. 

The Spirit Hall's ambition for unification could actually be a good thing. Perhaps, once the continent was unified, there would be fewer conflicts. 

However, Wang Li was not a part of the Spirit Hall, so he would be seen as an enemy. 

This was troublesome. After all these years since his arrival in this world, Wang Li's focus had always been on increasing his power. Now that he had the strength, he pondered, 

"I have power now. Why can't I use it to end all the conflicts on the continent according to my will?" 

"Still, I must wait. If I act too soon, I'll become a target. After future wars break out, I'll sweep through all the strong opponents with overwhelming strength and end the chaos. Only then can we have lasting peace." 

Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Wang Li looked at Dugu Bo. He knew Dugu Bo owed Prince Snow Star a favor, which is why he had helped so much. Wang Li didn't want to put him in a difficult position, so he said, 

"Grandpa, I should be able to suppress the poison on Emperor Xue Ye. You can ask the royal family about it. When I have free time, I'll enter the palace to treat him." 

Dugu Bo nodded with a smile. Besides owing Snow Star a favor, he was also a guest elder of the Heavenly Dou Empire and received a stipend from the royal family. He couldn't just stand by and watch the Emperor Xue Ye die like this. 

"That's good. It should be in the next day or two."

Tang San immediately bowed and greeted her, 

"Aunt, I am Tang San." 

Tang Yuehua carefully examined Tang San. His face was ordinary, his expression cold, and his entire body exuded an intimidating aura. The thick killing intent around him made her heart tremble slightly. She had seen many nobles and warriors over the years, but none of them had an aura as chilling as his. 

She sighed softly, her brows furrowing. "You've been to the Slaughter City?" 

Tang Hao nodded without hesitation. "Yes." 

Tang Yuehua sighed again. "No wonder. The murderous aura on him is too strong. If this continues, he will eventually lose himself to it. You brought him here so I could help him, right?" 

Tang Hao said solemnly, "His mind is firm, but the killing intent he carries is too deep. It will make it difficult for him to integrate into the world outside. Yuehua, you're the most suitable person to help him learn restraint. I want you to teach him how to refine his temperament and suppress the bloodlust in his heart. Once he can fully control his killing intent, he can leave." 

Tang Yuehua hesitated. She was deeply aware of the dangers that came with excessive killing intent. Even among the nobles she taught, those with violent tendencies were difficult to correct. Tang San, having just come from the Slaughter City, was likely even more challenging to handle. 

But when she looked at her second brother—once a hero, now a man weighed down by past regrets—she couldn't refuse. 

After a brief silence, she finally nodded. "Alright, leave him here. But I must warn you, Second Brother, what I teach has nothing to do with spirit power or combat. If he wants to stay, he must follow my rules." 

Tang Hao said without hesitation, "That's exactly why I brought him here. He needs more than just strength; he needs refinement." 

Tang Yuehua then looked at Tang San and said in a serious tone, "From today onward, you will stay in Yuexuan. During your time here, you must follow my instructions. I will teach you how to control yourself, how to act with nobility, and how to interact with the world around you without relying on force." 

Tang San nodded, his expression calm. "I understand." 

Tang Yuehua's gaze softened slightly. "Then go freshen up first. You can't stay in Yuexuan looking like this. I will have someone prepare clean clothes for you." 

Tang Hao patted Tang San on the shoulder. "Remember, Xiao San, this is part of your training. Don't treat it lightly." 

Tang San nodded firmly. "I won't, Father." 

With that, Tang Yuehua led Tang San inside, while Tang Hao stood at the entrance, watching his son disappear into the depths of Yuexuan. A trace of relief appeared in his tired eyes.

"Aunt!"

Tang Yuehua nodded, acknowledging her nephew out of respect for Tang Hao. From what Tang Hao had said, if Tang San could be properly trained, he might eventually return to their clan.

She then excitedly turned to Tang Hao and said, 

"Second Brother, let's go upstairs first. I'll prepare a warm bath to freshen you up, and then we can have a meal together."

However, Tang Hao shook his head. He was still worried about A Yin and said to Tang Yuehua, 

"Yuehua, please help me properly train Xiao San. I have to leave for now. Once Xiao San is ready, he'll know where to find me. I'll help him hunt soul rings and improve his strength. Only then will he have the strength to return."

Without waiting for Tang Yuehua's saddened expression, Tang Hao turned and left with determined strides, heading away from Yuexuan.

After Tang Hao left, Tang Yuehua turned to look at Tang San. For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that her nephew gave off a strange, unsettling vibe.

It was understandable. Tang San had consumed human flesh in the past, and the sinister aura, like that of a Soul-eating Spider, was repulsive to all living things.

But Tang Yuehua just assumed it was because Tang San had recently come from the Slaughter City. Tang Hao had been the same when he returned from there, though Tang San seemed even more heavily affected.

Putting on a smile, Tang Yuehua waved her hand and said, 

"Xiao San, come upstairs with me. Tell me how you've been all these years. You must have suffered quite a lot under Second Brother's strictness."

Thinking back to the difficult days in Holy Soul Village, when they could barely afford a meal, Tang San felt a mix of emotions. But those days were now behind him, and everything was on the rise.

His father had his reasons for everything and was now doing his best to plan his path forward—perhaps even a path toward divinity…

Tang San shook his head, clearing those thoughts away. 

"It's nothing, Aunt. It's all in the past."

With that, Tang San followed Tang Yuehua upstairs. Meanwhile, Tang Yuehua gestured for someone to handle the injured guard. Anyone who dared to stir up trouble like that had no place in Yuexuan.

Of course, Tang Yuehua wouldn't be the one to handle such messy matters personally.

---

After Tang Hao left, he made his way back to the Waterfall Valley without delay.

Halfway there, a smile appeared on his face. 

"A Yin, it's almost time. Once Xiao San is ready, I can finally stay by your side forever. Never to part again."

But upon arriving at the Waterfall Valley, as Tang Hao entered the cave behind the waterfall, he found something that drove him into a frenzy.

A Yin was gone. His wife was gone. The small mound, where she had once rested, was now unrecognizable, as if it had been disturbed by someone.

Tang Hao let out a furious scream, 

"Who took A Yin from me? I will never forgive you!"

He quickly opened the hidden compartment in the stone wall, only to find that even the remains of A Yin—the bone from her right leg—was also missing.

In a state of near madness, endless killing intent surged from his chest. He flew out of the cave and ascended to the mountain peak, howling into the air, 

"A Yin, where are you?"

In his mind, a list of potential enemies flashed before him. Whoever had this kind of power, capable of finding this place, could only be one possibility: 

"Spirit Hall!"

(End of Chapter)