Tang San had returned!
For the Heaven Dou Empire, this was undoubtedly another great piece of news.
An eighty-seventh rank Spirit Douluo, and on top of that, someone who had inherited the legacy of the Sea God. Tang San's position in everyone's hearts skyrocketed, second only to Chen Feng himself.
"An inheritance of the gods! Ordinary people may never have the opportunity to see such a legend in their lifetime. Yet, several soul masters have now appeared with qualifications for divine inheritance—Chen Feng, Tang San, and even the Spirit Hall's Angel inheritance!"
"Heaven favors Heaven Dou! A two-to-one ratio—even if Spirit Hall truly raises one god, how could one god possibly stand against two?"
Tang San's reappearance sent a wave of exhilaration throughout the empire.
Whether it was the royal family of Heaven Dou, the teachers of Shrek Academy, or Tang Hao—whose body trembled from emotion—none could restrain their excitement.
On the walls of Jialing Pass, Emperor Xue Ye, despite his frail body, forced himself to attend in person.
The Royal Knight Regiment lined up in ceremonial formation, banners fluttered, horns sounded.
Civil and military officials, as well as major sect leaders, all rose from their seats in the honored guest section, craning their necks in anticipation.
Upon the red carpet, a tall young man strode forward.
Handsome features, flowing blue hair, and grasping a massive golden trident—who else could it be but Tang San?
"Xiao San! Is it really you?"
Tang Hao rushed forward, gripping Tang San's shoulders with trembling hands, looking him up and down.
Years of harsh training had given his son a more mature and steady aura. At the sight of his father, Tang San's handsome eyes grew misty.
"Father!"
Kneeling with the trident in one hand, Tang San bowed before Tang Hao.
"Good, good, good… It's enough that you've returned!"
Tang Hao, overwhelmed with relief, tried to pull his son back to his feet—yet to his shock, Tang San's body felt as heavy as a mountain.
Tang Hao froze. His strength was more than enough to swing the Haotian Hammer, weighing tens of thousands of jin, yet he could not immediately raise his own son?
His gaze instinctively fell upon the weapon Tang San was holding. That unfathomable weight clearly came from the trident itself.
Seeing his father's confusion, Tang San's lips curled with pride.
"Father, this is the divine weapon granted to me after passing the Sea God's trials. I hold complete authority over it. Its name—the Sea God Trident!"
With a gentle tap of the trident upon the ground, the earth trembled slightly.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Most present were veterans of the spirit master world, yet never had they seen such an incomparably heavy weapon.
The Sea God Trident? So this… was a true divine artifact?
"This trident weighs 108,000 jin," Tang San explained. "But in my hands, it weighs only 108 jin."
As he spoke, Tang San's gaze drifted toward the Haotian Sect's section.
After his return, he hadn't had time to learn about the events of the continent in the past few years. He had only heard that the battle was raging here at Jialing Pass, so he had rushed over immediately.
Besides himself, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun also stood at his side, both of whom had just broken through to the rank of Spirit Douluo.
But what Tang San hadn't expected… was that the Haotian Sect had returned to the world stage?
At Jialing Pass, nearly two hundred direct disciples of the sect were gathered, while Tang Xiao and the five Haotian Sect Elders sat among the honored guests.
In that instant, Tang San's gaze locked onto them.
Before leaving for the seas years ago, he had agreed with the sect because of Tang Hao's past. Now, it was finally time to fulfill that promise.
"Father, about the sect…" Tang San muttered with sharp eyes, glancing at the elders of the Haotian Sect.
Tang Hao slapped his forehead, as if suddenly remembering.
"I haven't had the chance to tell you—your father and the sect have reconciled!" Tang Hao said, pulling Tang San forward.
"Reconciled?" Tang San was stunned.
He clearly remembered the resentment the elders had held toward his father. Because of Tang Hao's actions, some of their closest kin had perished in Spirit Hall's retaliation.
For years, Tang Hao had been unable to return, not only out of guilt, but also because the five elders firmly opposed his return. Even Tang Xiao, as Sect Master, had been forced to compromise.
And now… reconciled?
Why?
Tang San was baffled. He remembered the three conditions the elders had placed upon him for his father to return.
The first was to become a Spirit Douluo—he had achieved it.
The second was to acquire a 100,000-year spirit ring—he had achieved it.
The third was to slay a Titled Douluo of Spirit Hall—though he hadn't yet. Was there any lack of opponents here on the battlefield?
With the divine trident in his hands, even as a Spirit Douluo, he was no weaker than an ordinary Titled Douluo, and he had absolute confidence in taking one down.
Now that the conditions were nearly fulfilled… his father had already been welcomed back?
Were those conditions merely a trial set by the sect to temper him?
Tang San smiled bitterly. Though he didn't understand what had happened, reconciliation was naturally a good thing. He knew his father's heart—Tang Hao had never ceased yearning to return to the sect. If so, then so be it.
Tang Hao suddenly added, "Xiao San, do you know why I could return to the sect? It was because the Chief Elder stood against all opposition to make it happen. Come—pay your respects to him!"
Pulling Tang San along, Tang Hao passed by the five elders' seats. In an unassuming corner, a meditating figure slowly opened his eyes.
"Kneel, quickly! This is the Chief Elder," Tang Hao said with a smile.
Tang San looked carefully… and his entire body froze.
What the—!?
Wasn't this Chen Feng!?
How had someone with the Seven Kill Sword martial soul become the Chief Elder of the Haotian Sect?!
How was this even possible?
In his mind, a thousand alpacas stampeded—Tang San and Chen Feng had always been rivals.
Since the beginning of his cultivation, Tang San had been known as a genius, a "monster" among his peers. No opponent his age could stand before him—except for Chen Feng.
To Tang San, Chen Feng was like a destined nemesis. Even when he went overseas, he had constantly treated Chen Feng as his imaginary opponent, his lifelong rival to surpass.
And now, this man sat as the Chief Elder of the Haotian Sect?
In that instant, Tang San's belief wavered.
Seeing his son frozen, Tang Hao frowned and urged, "Why are you still standing there? Quickly pay your respects to the Chief Elder!"
Glancing at his father, Tang San gritted his teeth. Though unwilling, he ultimately followed his father's command—dropping to his knees and pressing his forehead to the ground.
Disciple of the Haotian Sect, Tang San… pays respects to the Chief Elder!