Chapter 135: Transition

The Blue Silver King's words made the remaining consciousness within the Blue Silver Emperor sapling Ah Yin tremble faintly.

Even the 100,000-year soul ring, now devoid of sentience, rippled slightly in response.

Vines extended from the Blue Silver King in all directions, pointing toward the floating sapling and soul ring before it.

The 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor sapling visibly withered at an alarming rate.

Meanwhile, the power of the 100,000-year soul ring flowed steadily through the vines, slowly merging into the Blue Silver King's body.

...

Temporary lodging at Shrek Academy.

Tang Hao, who had been unconscious, suddenly snapped his eyes open. "Ah Yin! Don't leave me! Ah Yin!"

He tried to sit up but overexerted himself, tumbling off the bed and crashing onto the floor.

Cough!

Tang Hao spat out several mouthfuls of blood.

"Damn it… that energy suppressing my injuries is gone."

"Did it run out?" He recalled the soul rings that had reappeared after his Ring Explosion.

"I have to go back." Gritting his teeth, Tang Hao staggered to his feet.

Footsteps approached. Not wanting others to see his weakened state, he straightened up and sat rigidly on the bed.

"Dad, you're awake!"

Tang San was the first to rush in, followed by the rest of Shrek's group.

"Yeah, I'm awake." Tang Hao looked at his son, who had thrown himself into his arms. "Xiao San… can you forgive me for not telling you the truth?"

"The enemy was just too powerful, I "

"It's fine. It's all fine now." Tang San pulled back, his expression solemn. "It was the Spirit Hall, wasn't it? Mom died because of them."

At the mention of the Spirit Hall, fury twisted Tang San's face.

Whether it was the words of the six-winged angel woman in the sky or the answers he'd pried from Yu Yuanzhen afterward, everything pointed to one truth:

His mother hadn't been human. She was likely the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor.

And his martial soul wasn't ordinary Blue Silver Grass it was inherited from her.

"Xiao San, where's Yu Yuanzhen?" Tang Hao scanned the room but didn't see him.

"He…" Tang San hesitated. "He left with Liu Erlong, taking Yu Tianheng's body."

"Before leaving, he left a message."

"He hopes you'll take me to the Clear Sky Sect and urge them to reemerge."

"That guy Yu Yuanzhen…" Tang Hao sighed. "He's afraid. He's scared of the Spirit Hall now."

"But then again, who isn't?"

If not for that strange energy inside him amplifying his Ring Explosion to kill above his level he could never have severely injured Golden Crocodile Douluo.

A 98th-rank Title Douluo wasn't just for show. In his condition, detonating rings was already incredibly difficult especially during that final battle against an unknown Title Douluo.

Even after his nine soul rings inexplicably returned, he still failed to kill his enemy.

His Clear Sky Hammer seemed severely damaged. The ninth ring Ah Yin's ring had been severed, along with its slot.

He might be stuck at rank 89 for life.

Without internal injuries, he could still kill weaker Title Douluo like Dugu Bo. But in his current state, even fighting was a luxury.

Even if his body could heal naturally, the moment he engaged in one intense battle might be the moment Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao perished.

"Xiao San, Grandmaster, Dean Flender the three of you stay. Everyone else, leave."

The crowd exchanged glances. At Zhao Wuji's prompting, everyone except Tang San, Yu Xiaogang, and Flender filed out of the tent.

"Flender, Yu Xiaogang… can I trust you?"

Tang Hao's question made the three tense.

Tang San remained silent, but Yu Xiaogang stepped forward resolutely.

"Clear Sky Douluo, you have our word. Flender and I are both Tang San's teachers."

"Right. What Xiaogang said." Flender nodded.

If we say no now, we might not walk out alive.

Though an auxiliary Soul Master had privately revealed Tang Hao's horrifying injuries, no one knew if he could still muster enough strength to kill Flender.

That auxiliary Soul Master had said Tang Hao's wounds were old yet mere hours ago, he had crushed Yu Yuanzhen, fought Bibi Dong to a standstill, crippled Golden Crocodile, and slain an unknown Title Douluo.

This record was no less impressive than when he'd killed the Spirit Hall's former pope, Qian Xunji.

Back then, Qian Xunji had reportedly died shortly after returning to the Spirit Hall with grave injuries. One Title Douluo and countless Soul Douluo and Soul Sages had perished in that pursuit.

Tang Hao's reputation was built on blood.

As Flender pondered what Tang Hao might say next, the man spoke:

"I can't fight anymore. If I engage in battle now, I'll likely die."

"Dad!" Tang San paled, immediately reaching to check Tang Hao's pulse.

Tang Hao didn't resist, letting his son examine him.

Soon, Tang San's face filled with shock. "Dad… you've been fighting with injuries like this all along?"

"Exactly." Tang Hao patted Tang San's head and smiled. "But the Spirit Hall's rabble? Even injured, slaughtering them is as easy as butchering dogs."

"Enough of that." Tang Hao waved dismissively. "Xiao San, about your mother… you probably learned something while I was unconscious."

"I'll explain more later. Right now, there's something urgent."

"Flender, Yu Xiaogang I need your help." Tang Hao's tone turned grave.

"Of course, Douluo. Flender will assist however I can." Flender maintained his composure.

"Indeed. Your matters are ours." Yu Xiaogang nodded.

Seeing their earnest promises, Tang Hao relaxed slightly. If he were still capable of fighting, he wouldn't be relying on others.

"Your mother's soul bone is in a cave in the valley behind Spirit Village. I need you to retrieve it no, first confirm if it's even still there."

"You're observant. You might spot things we missed."

"You mean… someone might have taken Mom's soul bone?" Tang San frowned.

"I'm not sure." Tang Hao sighed. "My original ninth soul ring is gone severed during that battle with the unknown Title Douluo."

"It's my fault for being careless." His voice grew wistful. "If Ah Yin's ring were still here, I'd know immediately if something happened in that cave. Now, I can only rely on intuition…"

He trailed off, but he knew Tang San would understand. The boy had always been precocious.

"Find Mom's remains and soul bone… Understood." Tang San nodded solemnly.

Tang Hao explained the precautions and how to dismantle the cave's barrier.

Soon after, Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San set off for Spirit Village.

Meanwhile, beyond Douluo Star, in the distant cosmos

The Asura God noticed that the power he'd left with Tang Hao to safeguard Tang San had been completely exhausted and used at an alarming frequency.

No doubt about it Kindness and Evil would be knocking on his door soon.