Yan and Qian Renxue were preparing for the attack on the Star Luo Empire.
On the other side, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing stepped onto the solid land of the continent, their hearts heavy.
After some investigation, they were shocked to find that half of the once-glorious Star Luo Empire had already fallen under the control of the Spirit Hall Empire.
At this moment, they were within the boundaries of the Spirit Hall Empire, which originally belonged to the Star Luo Empire.
Dai Mubai's face was ashen, his fists clenched tightly, his eyes flashing with unyielding determination.
As the crown prince of the Star Luo Empire, he could not tolerate the humiliation his empire had suffered.
"The Spirit Hall is going too far! How can they trample on the land of my Star Luo Empire! I, Dai Mubai, swear to lead my people and take back every inch of land that belongs to us!"
Tang San, seeing this, gently patted Dai Mubai's shoulder and comforted him:
"Mubai, I understand how you feel, but the road to vengeance requires careful steps. The Spirit Hall's power is vast, and we need to plan carefully. Right now, the most important thing is to return to Star Luo City and prepare for the battle ahead."
"Yes, Big Brother Dai. Let's return to Star Luo City first, then we can plan our next moves."
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also stepped forward, comforting Dai Mubai, one on each side.
Tang San planned to first meet his mother, then go to the center of the Star Dou Forest to check if the Sky Blue Bull Python was still at the place Xiao Wu had mentioned.
It was not far from the place where he and Tang Hao had secretly trained, where the stone chamber behind the waterfall held the remains of his mother.
He then laid out his plan:
"Mubai, Rongrong, Zhuqing, you all go ahead to Star Luo City. I have some personal matters to attend to."
"Little San, you're not coming with us?"
"Mm. You go ahead. Once I handle my personal affairs, I will join you soon."
Dai Mubai nodded. Though anxious, he understood Tang San's reasoning.
"Alright, Little San, we'll meet at Star Luo City! You must be careful. We're all waiting for you to come back!"
"Mm. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
With that, the four of them parted ways for the time being.
Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing began their journey back to Star Luo City.
Meanwhile, Tang San turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Tang San walked heavily, slowly arriving at the waterfall nestled deep among the mountains.
The water flowed like a silken ribbon, and the roaring sound seemed to echo with the past when he and his father, Tang Hao, had trained here, their laughter ringing through the air.
However, the cruel reality felt like a sharp blade, deeply piercing his heart.
His father, the man who had protected and taught him, was gone forever, killed by Yan and the people of the Spirit Hall.
Tang San took a deep breath, stepping through the splashing water into the familiar yet unfamiliar stone chamber.
The room was dimly lit, with only a faint light streaming through the crack, illuminating the small mound of earth.
It was the resting place of his mother, Ah Yin.
Years had passed, and the mound remained as it was at first, but the Blue Silver Grass above it had grown taller.
Tang San slowly knelt down, and the moment his knees touched the ground, all his strength and restraint turned into tears, falling silently.
He gazed at the Blue Silver Grass, as if he could see his mother's gentle gaze, hear her soft words.
With a choking voice, he poured out the pain in his heart:
"Mom, I've been unfilial. I couldn't protect Dad. He's... he's gone, and he didn't even leave behind a complete body."
Tang San's tears fell onto the soft leaves of the Blue Silver Grass, as if each drop carried his longing for his mother and the grief over his father's death.
The Blue Silver Grass seemed to sense his pain, trembling continuously, before spreading out and embracing him.
Wrapped tightly by the Blue Silver Grass, Tang San instantly felt the comfort and warmth from his mother.
In this warmth, it seemed as if he had forgotten all his worries and pain, quietly falling asleep.
The next day, Tang San woke up.
In the years that had passed, he had never slept as deeply as he did last night.
He knew there were still more important matters to attend to, and that he had to leave.
"Mother, these years, I have experienced much and grown a lot. I know, you have always been with me, giving me strength. I am no longer the child who needs protection from you and father. I have passed the Nine Trials of the Sea God, becoming the heir of Sea God, possessing the Sea God's Trident."
Tang San said as he took out the Sea God's Trident from his chest.
The golden light circulated around him, adding a touch of divinity to his presence.
"Mother, this is the Sea God's Trident."
Holding the Sea God's Trident, Tang San was filled with confidence.
"Mother, everything you and father went through is the sin of the Spirit Hall! I swear, I will kill Yan with my own hands, destroy the Spirit Hall, and avenge you both!"
At this point, a firm and resolute glint flashed in Tang San's eyes.
He lifted his head, letting the tears flow freely down his face, and continued speaking:
"Mother, I still have important things to do, I can't stay and accompany you. Please rest assured, I will not fall into despair. I will carry your and father's hopes and walk towards a more glorious future."
After speaking, Tang San deeply bowed three times, bidding farewell to his mother, and also to his past self.
He then stood up, wiped away his tears, turned, and left the stone room, passing through the waterfall, stepping onto the road again.
He was heading to the center of the Star Dou Forest, to find the Sky Blue Bull Python.
Tang San arrived at the center of the Star Dou Forest.
Passing through the dense trees, a broad water surface appeared before him.
The lake's surface was as calm as a mirror, resembling a sapphire embedded deep in the forest, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, so beautiful it seemed unreal.
Tang San looked around, his heart both eager and anxious.
He had heard from Xiao Wu that the Sky Blue Bull Python was a soul beast with over a hundred thousand years of cultivation, the ruler of this forest.
His gaze carefully searched the surroundings, hoping to find a trace of the soul beast.
But there seemed to be nothing here.
"Da ming, I am Tang San, Xiao Wu's friend. Are you still here?"
Tang San tried to communicate his intentions to the Sky Blue Bull Python.
However, there was no response.
He couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Could it be that I am in the wrong place? Or perhaps Da ming is no longer here?"
Thinking of this, Tang San released his martial soul and the eighth soul ring, trying to attract the attention of the Sky Blue Bull Python with Xiao Wu's soul and aura within the soul ring.
But to his disappointment, there was still no reaction from the lake.
"Looks like it's really not here."
Tang San sighed, putting away his martial soul and soul ring, feeling a little disappointed and unwilling, and was about to leave.
At the moment he turned to leave, an inexplicable premonition surged within him.
He didn't know where this premonition came from, but his intuition told him that the Sky Blue Bull Python might no longer be here, and perhaps he would never see it again.