[Time remaining to enter the secret realm: thirteen days. Host, please proceed to the entrance as soon as possible.]
Early the next morning, the system once again disturbed Lin Fan's dreams.
Unlike yesterday, when Lin Fan awoke this time, there was a snow-white beauty lying beside him, her flawless figure nestled against him.
As he sat up, the woman—Bibi Dong—shifted, her jade-like hand still resting against his chest. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open.
"Mm!" With a soft cry, Bibi Dong immediately flushed and buried her face shyly into the quilt.
"You're awake." Lin Fan rose, putting on his clothes.
"Hmph, just go. This time… just treat it as me still trying to digest the power of the Rakshasa God." Bibi Dong's voice carried a touch of arrogance, but it was clear she was also giving herself an excuse to step down gracefully.
"Wish me luck then, in obtaining God's inheritance at the City of Slaughter." Lin Fan smiled lightly.
There was no need for more words. After all, the two had already shared an entire night of heartfelt conversation.
Lin Fan packed his belongings and left Spirit Hall, walking out of Spirit City.
"Wish you success." Standing atop the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong gazed into the distance, her eyes following Lin Fan's fading silhouette.
"Xiao Wu!"
Tang San jolted awake from a nightmare, springing upright from a makeshift wooden board.
Beside him, a fire still burned faintly, while Tang Hao leaned against a tree trunk, pretending to sleep.
Hearing Tang San's desperate cry, Tang Hao opened his eyes and walked over.
Before he could speak, Tang San clutched his arm anxiously.
"Dad, how's Xiao Wu? I dreamed she was… saying goodbye to me!"
Tang Hao's expression wavered, hesitation and guilt flashing across his face. For a moment, he couldn't bring himself to answer.
"Say something! What happened to Xiao Wu?!" Tang San's voice cracked with urgency.
Tang Hao finally sighed, speaking heavily, "Xiao San… It's my fault. I shouldn't have let Xiao Wu go back. I underestimated Lin Fan… When I was taking you out of the Star Dou Forest, I saw three crimson halos shining in the sky."
"No… no! You must have seen wrong!"
"Pff!" In a surge of grief and anger, Tang San coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Xiao San! Don't scare me!" Tang Hao hurriedly held him up.
"I… I have to see her! I have to find Xiao Wu!" Tang San staggered to his feet, shoving Tang Hao's hand aside, and stumbled toward the depths of the forest.
This time, Tang Hao didn't stop him. He simply followed close behind, releasing his soul power so that any soul beast that appeared instinctively backed away.
Thus, Tang San stumbled and ran unimpeded for hours until he reached the lakeside once more.
With a splash, he dove straight into the water, swimming desperately toward the small island at its center.
By the time Tang Hao followed across the water, Tang San was already frantically searching the ruined island.
"Xiao Wu! Where are you?!"
But the island was devastated—clear signs of a fierce battle.
Near a broken boulder, Tang Hao's gaze darkened. He bent down and picked up a small comb and a green butterfly ribbon.
"Xiao San… aren't these Xiao Wu's things?"
Hearing her name, Tang San's trembling hands shot forward, snatching the items.
"No… no…!"
Holding the comb and ribbon tightly, Tang San fell to his knees, raising his face to the sky.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
A heart-wrenching wail erupted from his chest, so sorrowful that even the forest itself seemed to mourn with him. The sound echoed far and wide, shaking the hearts of those who heard it.
Tang Hao simply stood aside, letting his son release the anguish in his heart.
After a long while, when Tang San had quieted, Tang Hao finally walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Xiao San… I know this pain. I felt the same when I lost your mother. But the dead cannot return. Only the living can carry out vengeance. You have twin spirits—when they both reach their peak, that will be the time for our revenge."
He patted Tang San's back gently. "For Xiao Wu's sake, you must stand strong. Only by growing stronger can you avenge her."
Tang San's eyes blazed with fury through his tears.
"Revenge… Yes! Revenge!"
"I swear, in this lifetime, I will avenge Xiao Wu!"
"Spirit Hall… Lin Fan… mark my words! I will one day take your heads and offer them to Xiao Wu in the heavens!"
His anguished vow pierced the heavens as he once again screamed into the sky.
But exhaustion and grief overwhelmed him. Soon after swearing his oath, Tang San collapsed, still clutching Xiao Wu's comb and ribbon tightly.
Tang Hao sighed heavily, then hoisted his unconscious son onto his back, leaving the Star Dou Forest completely.
Slowly, peace returned to the lakeside once again.
[Time remaining to enter the secret realm: ten days. Host, please proceed to the entrance as soon as possible.]
After three days of sword-flight, Lin Fan finally returned to Heaven Dou City.
He could have gone straight to the City of Slaughter… but he had promised Tang Yuehua he would be in seclusion for about half a year. Now that months had passed and the Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament was already over, he couldn't just disappear again without a word.
Tang Yuehua was, after all, the first woman he ever loved, and the one who had silently supported him from the very beginning.
Since there was still time before he had to enter the secret realm, Lin Fan decided to visit her.
After a long journey, he first went back to the private residence he had purchased.
Although Tang Yuehua wasn't home—likely at Yuexuan—the courtyard flowers were thriving, and there were signs of fresh water having been poured that very morning. The house itself was spotless, dust-free.
Even if she didn't stay here, she visited every day to water the flowers and clean.
Lin Fan's heart softened. The more he saw, the heavier his guilt became.
"Ah… I wonder how little Yueyue will feel if she learns about the grudges between me, her second brother Tang Hao, and her nephew Tang San."
After all, not long ago, he and Bibi Dong had killed Xiao Wu. When Tang Hao and Tang San returned to find her gone, suspicion would surely fall on him.
"Forget it. Why think so much? In the end, I only killed a soul beast." He shook his head, unwilling to dwell on it.
After bathing and changing into fresh clothes, he headed toward Yuexuan.
The streets of Heaven Dou City bustled with chatter. Most people were enthusiastically discussing how the Shrek Academy team had won the championship on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Of course, Qian Renxue's disguised academy team hadn't returned yet, still traveling on the road back from Spirit City.
When Lin Fan finally arrived at Yuexuan, the area was quiet. No music drifted from inside; likely everyone was resting after lunch.
"Stop right there! This is the Royal Etiquette Academy grounds. No outsiders allowed!" Two unfamiliar Heaven Dou soldiers barred his path.
Just then, the familiar steward, Olde, hurried out after hearing the commotion.
The moment he saw Lin Fan, his eyes widened. He quickly stepped forward with respect.
"Lord Swordshadow, you've returned from seclusion?"
Lin Fan nodded. "Long time no see, Steward. Is Madam Yue inside?"
Yes, yes. She gave lessons all morning and is now resting on the top floor.
Please, follow me.