Chapter 12: It Has Nothing to Do with Bibi Dong
In Tang San's eyes, there was no safer place in the world than the Clear Sky Sect.
He had just learned that the sect had suffered heavy losses because of his father, its strength crippled and forced into seclusion from the world.
If his father were willing to bow his head and admit his mistakes, there was still a chance for them to return.
But Tang Hao only shook his head, his expression filled with helplessness and guilt.
"Xiao San, I've long been expelled from the sect. I'm no longer a man of the Clear Sky Sect—how could I have the face to return?"
He placed a hand on his son's shoulder, his voice heavy with emotion.
"You are my son, and Tang family blood runs in your veins. Your uncle will surely recognize you. But the Clear Sky Sect values strength above all. If you return like this, you won't be able to convince anyone."
Tang Hao's gaze turned solemn.
"I want to send you to a place for tempering. If you can return safely, you'll have every right to stand tall before the sect."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes instantly lit up.
"Father, where do you plan to send me?"
"It's a place filled with killing and death," Tang Hao said slowly. "The City of Slaughter."
"The City of Slaughter?"
Just hearing the name sent chills down Tang San's spine.
Tang Hao continued, his tone grave and calm.
"The City of Slaughter is dangerous beyond measure, but it's also a place where your strength and murderous intent can grow rapidly. It's a paradise for the fallen. Once a Soul Master enters, they can no longer use their soul rings or soul skills—only their own body, skill, and will to survive."
He paused, then added,
"Within the city lies a massive Hell Arena. To win each battle, you must kill every opponent in your group—only then will you live. It's a place where one misstep means death."
"But if you can achieve one hundred victories, you'll be qualified to walk the Hell Road. Those who successfully pass it are granted the Death God Title and the Death God Domain, greatly enhancing their power."
As Tang Hao spoke, Tang San's blood began to boil with excitement. His eyes shone with burning determination.
"Father, what about the hidden weapons I've created? Will they be useful there?"
Tang Hao nodded.
"Of course. The restriction only forbids soul ring skills. Your self-created techniques, soul bone skills, and any kind of hidden weapons or killing tools are all allowed."
Tang San's heart raced faster.
He had plenty of hidden weapons, as well as techniques like Mysterious Jade Hand, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and Purple Demon Eye.
With these, he was confident he could carve out his own path in the City of Slaughter.
"Father, when shall we depart?"
"No need to rush," Tang Hao replied. "Before we go, I'll take you to hunt a soul beast so you can obtain your fourth soul ring."
Tang San froze in surprise, his brows knitting together.
"But Father, I'm only at rank thirty-three. How can I obtain the fourth ring already?"
Tang Hao didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out a small, exquisitely carved wooden box from his chest.
"Xiao San, this is a gift your mother left for you. Open it—you'll understand."
Tang San's eyes widened in surprise and excitement as he carefully took the box and opened it.
A faint blue light immediately filled his vision.
Inside the box lay a shimmering blue soul bone, shaped like a human leg bone. Its surface pulsed with dazzling azure light, emanating a boundless, powerful energy.
"Father… this is?" Tang San asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"This," Tang Hao said with a gentle tone, "is your mother's right leg soul bone—the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone."
"A… a hundred-thousand-year soul bone?!"
Tang San's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Father, this soul bone… you're giving it to me?"
Tang Hao nodded firmly.
"Yes. This is your mother's legacy to you. It perfectly matches your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. Once you fuse it, your soul power will surge, and you'll gain two hundred-thousand-year soul bone skills."
"With this, I'll feel much more at ease sending you to train in the City of Slaughter."
Tears welled up in Tang San's eyes as he held the precious soul bone close, his heart filled with gratitude and sorrow.
"Mother… thank you for leaving me such a precious gift…"
Tang Hao gently patted Tang San's shoulder.
"Xiao San, fuse it now. I'll stand guard for you."
"Alright."
Tang San sat cross-legged on the ground, steadying his breathing as excitement surged within him. He pressed the soul bone against his right leg, allowing it to slowly merge into his body.
As the soul bone's energy flowed into him, a warm and soothing current coursed through his veins, filling every part of his body with comfort.
——
By the time the sky began to brighten, Tang San finally awoke from the fusion.
He could feel the astonishing transformation within him—his expression lit up with joy.
Tang Hao immediately asked,
"Xiao San, the fusion's done? How do you feel?"
"Father, it's exactly as you said! My soul power broke through the bottleneck of rank forty… I actually jumped seven whole levels! This is unbelievable!"
Tang Hao smiled faintly.
"That's normal. A hundred-thousand-year soul bone that perfectly matches your martial soul—raising your rank by seven at your level is expected. Now, tell me, what two skills did you gain?"
Excitement glimmered in Tang San's eyes.
"Mother's soul bone granted me flight and powerful regeneration."
"Flight and regeneration—both practical and invaluable. Excellent."
Tang Hao's eyes softened with pride.
"Xiao San, you're only twelve, yet you've already reached the level of a four-ring Soul Ancestor. You've surpassed me at your age. Your future has no limits."
"Father, thank you… and thank Mother too. I'll work even harder!"
Tang San knew grief wouldn't bring back the dead. The only thing left for him now was a burning conviction—to avenge his mother and Xiao Wu.
He would turn sorrow into strength and grow stronger as quickly as possible.
Tang Hao rose and said,
"Xiao San, there are still many things I need to teach you. Let's go—on our way to the Star Dou Forest, we'll talk."
"En."
Father and son set off together toward the forest.
Along the way, Tang Hao personally demonstrated techniques for using the Clear Sky Hammer, explaining the mysteries of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method.
He also told Tang San that his uncle Tang Xiao was now the current sect master of the Clear Sky Sect, and his aunt Tang Yuehua managed Moon Pavilion in Heaven Dou City. Should he ever need help, he could turn to them.
But as Tang San listened, a faint unease settled in his heart—his father's tone sounded like that of a man leaving his last words.
He couldn't help but worry.
Never had he imagined that his proud and unyielding father, once known as the invincible Clear Sky Douluo, would one day be forced into such a desperate corner by the Spirit Hall's Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Tang San silently swore to himself—he would conquer the City of Slaughter, walk the Hell Road, return to the Clear Sky Sect with honor, redeem his father's name, and someday unite the sect to challenge the Spirit Hall's tyranny.
——
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and the others followed Ning Rongrong back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After hearing about their ordeal at Shrek Academy, Ning Fengzhi, along with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, was utterly shocked.
"To think the long-vanished Clear Sky Douluo would reappear…" Ning Fengzhi muttered, his expression dark. He had never met Tang San or Xiao Wu personally and could not understand how their identities had been exposed.
Everyone knew that Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo were Bibi Dong's most trusted subordinates.
After thinking carefully, Ning Fengzhi frowned.
"Something about this doesn't add up. Ghost Douluo discovered Xiao Wu's soul beast identity and killed her on the spot rather than capturing her alive. That's a complete waste of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. If this were truly Bibi Dong's command, she'd never allow that."
Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly.
"I thought the same. On the way here, I kept analyzing this incident. Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo do not need soul rings—and Bibi Dong, who does, would never give up a hundred-thousand-year soul ring for just a soul bone. This doesn't match her personality at all."
The truth behind the tragedy of Xiao Wu's death… perhaps had nothing to do with Bibi Dong.
End of Chapter