Chapter 129: 146. Truly, Fortune Comes Without Effort
As the beneficiary of the previous timeline, Tang Hao detested anything that disrupted the natural course of destiny. Only when everything followed the fixed path could he peacefully watch his son ascend to godhood, take his seat as Lord of the Plane, and revel in the authority of ruling over all living beings.
However, in this new life, far too many variables had appeared. First, Ah Yin no longer loved him but Tang Xiao instead. Then, the ones pursuing him were no longer Spirit Hall but the Clear Sky Sect itself. Every turn of fate seemed to grow increasingly unfavorable to him.
And now—this Body Sect had emerged, taking advantage of the Clear Sky Sect's weakness to annex the Yu, Min, and Po Clans. Those three clans truly were a pack of ungrateful wolves. You were my Clear Sky Sect's dogs! Even if you no longer wanted to be mine, you should at least have become my son's dogs. Who gave you permission to join another sect on your own initiative?
As Titan recounted these humiliations, murderous intent surged within Tang Hao's heart, his eyes flickering dangerously.
By the end of the tale, Titan pleaded tearfully, "Master, please, you must bring justice for my clan!"
"Titan." Tang Hao placed a hand on Titan's shoulder, soothing him like a wounded hound. "It's my fault for failing you. But don't worry. I'll remember this grudge with the Body Sect. One day, I, Tang Hao, will avenge you."
"Thank you, Master!" Titan exclaimed, wagging metaphorical tails in pure devotion.
Then Tang Hao got straight to the point. "I came today to ask for your clan's help with one thing."
"Please speak, Master! Whatever it may be, even if it costs us our lives, we'll help you see it done!" Titan declared, pounding his chest in loyalty.
Truly, what a faithful dog. A shame he was crippled... Tang Hao cast a quick glance at Titan's severed arm before continuing, "There's no need for that much sacrifice, Titan. I only need the power of the Strength Clan to help me hunt for my ninth spirit ring."
"Ah, of course! You're already at level ninety. With one hundred-thousand-year ring, you'll become a Titled Douluo!" Titan's eyes shone with admiration. "Back when you were only a Spirit Douluo, you could slay multiple Titled Douluo. Once you advance, won't you be invincible under heaven?"
Hearing such flattery, Tang Hao felt awkward. He knew his own limits. His strength back then had relied heavily on the Asura God's favor. Now that his divine support was sealed, even as a newly ascended Titled Douluo, he might not be able to defeat someone like Qian Xunji, who had already reached level 95. The saying "every level of Titled Douluo is another realm of heaven" was no exaggeration.
"Master, please rest assured," Titan said eagerly. "I'll summon our clan's strongest fighters right away. We'll accompany you into the forest and help you claim the perfect spirit ring!"
"My thanks," Tang Hao replied simply.
That evening, Titan gathered the Strength Clan's elites to travel with Tang Hao on the hunt. Though many within the clan harbored some resentment toward Tang Hao, Titan's command and Tang Hao's fearsome reputation left them no choice but to obey.
Meanwhile, in the city of Coconut Grove, a handsome Soul King knelt before a graceful woman.
"Ah Rou, this is the key to my family's treasury. Inside lies our clan's wealth accumulated over a century. Marry me—I'm willing to entrust it all to you," the man said earnestly, holding out the key.
The woman's expression was troubled. "Wang Dafu, I know you're a good man, but I'm not that kind of woman."
"No matter what, please accept it," Wang Dafu pleaded. "Give me one chance—I'll prove that I'm the man most worthy to stand beside you!"
After some hesitation, Ah Rou nodded slowly. "Very well. I'll give you a chance. If you pass my test, I'll marry you."
As she reached out to take the keys, her delicate fingers brushed lightly against his hand, sending Wang Dafu's heart pounding wildly.
He kowtowed several times, tears brimming in his eyes. "Ah Rou, thank you for giving me this chance. I won't let you down!"
That night, Ah Rou activated her soul guide communication badge to speak remotely with Xiao Wu, deep within the Star Dou Forest.
"Xiao Wu, did you understand today's lesson?" Ah Rou asked.
Her daughter's youthful voice came through crisply. "Mother, some parts I still don't quite get, but it was amazing! You managed to take that rich man's money so easily. But Mom, what are you going to do to get rid of that fool afterward?"
"That's simple," Ah Rou replied, instructive and calm. "First comes the sweet honeymoon phase. Then you gradually change your attitude—constantly raising demands, attacking him physically and mentally until he starts believing he's worthless. Tell me, how could such waste ever be worthy of me?"
Xiao Wu listened wide-eyed, nodding energetically even if she didn't fully understand.
By the end, Ah Rou concluded, "Remember, Xiao Wu—when you come to the human world someday, you should train yourself the same way."
That night, Wang Dafu, having offered up most of his family fortune, was rewarded with a date in Coconut Grove City. He was ecstatic to escort Ah Rou beneath the lanterns of the city's Flower Festival.
Even through the soul guide link, Xiao Wu could see the splendor of the festival lights. Her heart swelled with longing, eager to one day take human form and experience such colorful joys herself.
Yet neither of the lovers realized that, from the shadows of Coconut Grove City, a pair of glowing green eyes was watching them intently.
Hidden in the dark, Tang Hao ignored Wang Dafu's attempts to woo Ah Rou. His gaze was fixed on the woman herself.
It happened by chance. On his way to the Star Dou Forest to hunt his ninth spirit ring with the Strength Clan, he had passed through this very city—and there, he saw her.
Though he was not yet a Titled Douluo, Tang Hao recognized her identity at a single glance.
"Master, shall we continue?" Titan asked in confusion.
"No," Tang Hao said quietly. "We don't need to. I've found the perfect spirit ring."
Titan blinked. "You have? Where?"
Tang Hao pointed straight at Ah Rou.
"She... could it be?"
"Yes," Tang Hao confirmed. "She's a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form."
Titan's eyes lit up in astonishment. "Master, Heaven truly smiles upon you! Who would have thought a spirit beast of one hundred thousand years would deliver itself to you!"
"Hahahaha! Even the heavens favor my Tang family!" Tang Hao laughed triumphantly. "Yet again, a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast walks right into my path. Truly, fortune has come without any effort!"
And indeed, he wasn't wrong. In this era, his beloved son was the Child of Fortune—if all the world's luck were divided into ten shares, Tang San held eight. Naturally, Tang Hao too basked in the overflow of that divine providence.
(END CHAPTER)
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