Chapter 59: The Lightless Cave

Tang Hao asked that question for a reason.

Although Ye Qiu wasn't clear on it, how could someone like Tang Hao, the mighty Clear Sky Douluo, not understand? That little girl was, strictly speaking, still a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast. If she could become human, why couldn't other soul beasts?

As these thoughts ran through his muscle-bound head, Tang Hao suddenly raised his hand and knocked Ye Qiu on the head.

"Ouch—damn it!"

The sudden knock caught Ye Qiu completely off guard. He clutched his head and frowned at Tang Hao.

"Hmph! You're so young, but your thoughts are already so filthy!" Tang Hao snorted coldly, casually tossing the wine gourd in his hand aside. Ignoring Ye Qiu's indignant glare, he continued, "Compared to you, my little San is truly pure and innocent."

"Tch! What's the use of being pure and innocent if you can't get a wife?" Ye Qiu mocked, curling his lips.

"…"

Tang Hao's face darkened. He stood up abruptly and grabbed Ye Qiu by the back of the neck. "Since you're so curious and haven't tried with a soul beast before—why don't you give it a shot?"

"Whoa! Uncle Haozi—!"

"No way! I'm not into soul beasts, seriously—!"

Ye Qiu struggled fiercely, face turning pale, but he couldn't break free from Tang Hao's iron grip.

"Shut up!"

Tang Hao barked coldly, not wanting to hear another word. He soared into the sky, the cold wind whistling around them, silencing Ye Qiu. Still, his mind remained clear, and a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes.

That direction…

It was where Holy Soul Village was located!

So Tang Hao really was taking him to see her! Ye Qiu couldn't help but feel a little thrilled. If he succeeded—whether he bullied Ah Yin or not, that was a matter for later.

As they say: the son pays the father's debts.

Since Tang Hao had bullied and beaten him, then let Ah Yin pay him back instead!

…

As time passed and they flew closer, Tang Hao's expression grew increasingly somber and guilty.

Ye Qiu, however, sneered inwardly.

This old man looked deep and tragic on the surface, swinging that massive hammer with the righteousness of a hero—but deep down, he was just a selfish man. All he cared about was taking Tang San to the Blue Silver Forest to awaken his bloodline and return to his roots. But what about sending Ah Yin there instead? With the support of millions of Blue Silver Grass kin, wouldn't she have recovered long ago?

The Blue Silver Clan's yearning for a true monarch would've pushed them to help Ah Yin with everything they had.

Time passed quietly as Ye Qiu's thoughts drifted.

With the speed of a Titled Douluo, they arrived at their destination in less than half an hour.

A towering waterfall thundered down, splashing mist everywhere, shrouding the area in a foggy haze.

Thud!

"Ow—what the hell?!"

Tang Hao roughly tossed Ye Qiu onto the ground.

Damn it! Ye Qiu felt like he scraped his knees raw. Staggering to his feet, he patted his cold chest and clenched his teeth.

This humiliation… will be repaid.

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don't look down on a poor youth!

After a brief moment of internal hype, Ye Qiu looked up with a confused expression. All he saw was grass and trees—no living thing in sight.

"Uncle Haozi, what'd you bring me here for?"

Ye Qiu asked in confusion. Tang Hao didn't answer. Instead, he stood rigidly, staring straight at the waterfall, his muddy eyes full of inner struggle.

"Uncle Tang, where's the soul beast you mentioned?" Ye Qiu asked again.

Still no reply.

Ye Qiu rolled his eyes and muttered to himself. No use trying to get answers out of him.

Whatever. He remembered the path well enough—just had to wait for the right moment to dig up his wife.

Pah! I mean, dig up the grass.

Forcing a smile, Ye Qiu said, "Uncle Haozi, maybe we should forget this whole thing. I mean, if the soul beast you found is too ugly or weird, I really won't be able to go through with it."

"Shut up!"

Anger flashed across Tang Hao's face, his dull eyes suddenly sharp and intense, glaring at Ye Qiu.

"Ahaha…" Ye Qiu laughed awkwardly, giving in, "Alright, alright, I'll try. But at least pick a good-looking one, okay?"

Before Ye Qiu could finish his sentence—

Tang Hao sneered, as if making a decision, and grabbed Ye Qiu by the collar, hurling him straight into the waterfall.

"AHH SH*T! I WANNA GO HOME—!"

Ye Qiu cried out in shock.

With that kind of force, without any defense, he'd at least get an internal injury!

BOOM!

The waterfall exploded into a massive splash, almost as if it were going to stop flowing.

As Ye Qiu's figure vanished into the cascade, Tang Hao bent his knees slightly, cracking the ground beneath him, and followed right in.

…

Inside the cave behind the waterfall—

Ye Qiu had already activated his martial spirit and was kneeling on one knee. Though a little short of breath, his mind was sharp. Thanks to his powerful perception, he quickly scanned the layout of the cave.

At the center grew a Blue Silver Grass with golden markings—golden veins on a blue background, regal and unique. However, its leaves drooped lifelessly, looking sickly.

He also spotted a soul bone hidden within a crevice in the stone wall.

Snap! Splash!

Before Ye Qiu could react further, the sound of the waterfall erupting again reached his ears. The light in his eyes dimmed.

Boom!

A tall, burly figure landed beside him.

Unlike Ye Qiu, Tang Hao's powerful soul energy kept his robes and scruffy hair completely dry.

"Cough, cough…"

Ye Qiu coughed twice and slowly got up.

Water from his venomous black suit trickled to the ground, forming a small puddle. He stretched his body, and a few drops splashed onto Tang Hao.

"Uncle Haozi, if you keep tossing me around like that, I'm really gonna die…"

Tang Hao felt the water hit his face, frowned, and glanced sideways at Ye Qiu, a flicker of amazement in his eyes.

That tight black suit, the sharp venomous fangs—he had to admit, it hit the masculine aesthetic. Even Tang Hao, having seen it before, felt something stir.

Of course, what truly surprised him was this—

As the Clear Sky Douluo, the world's top strength-type soul master, his control over force was peerless. He had aimed to injure Ye Qiu just enough for a lesson. But the brat hadn't been hurt at all!

Clearly, Ye Qiu's martial spirit had incredible defensive power.

Watching Ye Qiu twist and stretch his body with loud cracks, Tang Hao coldly said, "Quit pretending. I can tell whether you're hurt or not."

"Hehe."

Ye Qiu laughed awkwardly, then stood up straight—completely dry.

At this moment, Venom's body resisted water, dust, and even fire.

Thump!

Tang Hao struck him again, patting his body.

"Your martial spirit is top-notch. It's no wonder you weren't injured."

"Cough cough. Uncle Haozi, one more hit and I really will be!"

Venom's shark-like fangs glinted with menace, and the imprints from Tang Hao's palm slowly faded on his tough black armor.

"Not bad, not bad! Most Soul Elders wouldn't be able to hurt you in a short time!"

Tang Hao hit him two more times before finally stopping.

"Haha, of course!"

Ye Qiu gladly accepted the compliment. But as his soul power drained, his smile faded slightly—not from injury, but from annoyance.

He knew if he hadn't spoken up, Tang Hao's hits would've soon reached Soul King level force!