Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 270 You Can Deceive Yourself

……

At midnight, the moonlight poured down like mercury into the quiet forest behind Shrek Academy.

Tang Hao brought the newly awakened Tang San to this place, where the only sounds were the chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Tang San kept his head down, looking dejected, still feeling lost about the weakness of the Blue Silver Grass and his future path of cultivation.

Tang Hao stopped and turned to look at his son, his gaze deep and complex, his sternness concealing an unspeakable concern.

"Little San, raise your head." Tang Hao's deep and powerful voice echoed in the forest.

Tang San slowly raised his head, looking at his father's resolute face, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He opened his mouth, but didn't know where to begin; a thousand words choked in his throat.

Tang Hao saw his son's struggle and pain, and sighed softly: "I know you suffered a setback in the competition, witnessed the strength of other soul masters, and realized the shortcomings of your own martial soul. But that doesn't mean you should give up on Blue Silver Grass."

Tang San paused slightly, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Dad, but the Blue Silver Grass has too obvious flaws. I am powerless against those powerful martial souls. If I continue to cultivate it, I'm afraid I will never become stronger and will never be able to protect the people I want to protect."

Tang Hao shook his head, his gaze growing increasingly profound: "You must understand that every martial soul has its unique characteristics, and Blue Silver Grass is no exception. It may seem weak, but it possesses tenacious vitality and limitless potential. You think it's weak because you haven't truly unearthed its power yet."

"And do you really think your Blue Silver Grass... is just ordinary Blue Silver Grass?"

"Ordinary Blue Silver Grass?" Tang San was stunned. "My martial soul... is there anything special about it?"

Tang Hao's eyes were complicated: "I can't tell you the reason about your Blue Silver Grass for now. But next, I will take you to a place to help it complete its evolution."

"Evolution?" Tang San's eyes flickered.

He had heard his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, mention the possibility of martial soul evolution—when certain conditions are met, a soul master's martial soul may undergo an acquired transformation, either by absorbing rare and precious materials or by benefiting from a special soul ring.

For Beast Soul Masters, if they can obtain a high-quality Soul Ring corresponding to a superior Soul Beast after reaching level 50, it is highly likely to trigger the evolution of their Martial Soul!
For example, a Soul Master who possesses the Ghost Vine Martial Soul may have their Martial Soul evolve into the Ghost King Vine if they obtain a Ten-Thousand-Year Ghost King Vine Soul Ring.

However, this is unattainable for the vast majority of Soul Masters, not only because ten-thousand-year-old Soul Beasts are powerful and hard to find, but also because they require the exact age to match. Without the support of a major sect or a force like the Spirit Hall, it is almost impossible to achieve.

"But Dad, I'm only level 36 now. It's not time for me to absorb the next spirit ring yet, let alone withstand a ten-thousand-year spirit ring," Tang San said in confusion.

Only high-quality ten-thousand-year spirit rings can trigger evolution; ten-year, hundred-year, and thousand-year spirit rings do not possess this potential.

“Your Blue Silver Grass is special; it can evolve without a spirit ring. I didn’t originally plan to let you acquire this ability so soon, but seeing your current condition, I have no choice but to bring it forward,” Tang Hao said in a deep voice.

"We'll discuss the specific reasons later. Get ready, and we'll set off after dawn."

He originally planned to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul for Tang San after Tang San reached the Soul Saint level, but now that his son has been severely injured due to the Martial Soul problem, if he delays any longer, he fears that his mentality will completely collapse.

Although Tang San was full of confusion, he did not ask any questions and only whispered, "I understand, Dad."

……

At the same time, Xuanming, who had left the Spirit Temple, also arrived outside Shrek Academy.

Previously, when they clashed outside Tian Dou City, he used the soul bone skill of the Ice and Fire Dragon Crown to block Tang Hao's Haotian True Body. At the same time, he also took the opportunity to leave a spiritual mark on Tang Hao, just like the thing that the Ice Dragon King left on Arou and Xiaowu before.

With this mental imprint, he could accurately pinpoint Tang Hao's location when he got close, without Tang Hao noticing his surveillance.

Now, he could clearly sense that Tang Hao was inside Shrek Academy.

"What do you want to do?" Blue-gold vines emerged from the soul tool and wrapped around Xuanming's wrist.

"Which Ah Yin are you?" Xuanming asked.

“Big one,” said Big Silver.

“The Ice Dragon King has probably already told you quite a bit, so I won’t go into it again,” Xuanming said.

“Originally, I didn’t need to discuss this with you, but you are, after all, one with the Ah Yin I know.”

Over the years, nourished by the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire, Ah Yin has recovered to the ten-thousand-year level, but if she wants to return to the hundred-thousand-year level and be resurrected as the true Blue Silver Emperor, it will take several more decades.

If Tang San were to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul at this moment, Ah Yin would forever lose the chance to be resurrected as an emperor.

"Simply put, considering Xiao A Yin's resurrection, I cannot allow Tang San to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul," Xuan Ming said calmly.

"I'm discussing this with you now because Tang San is Xiao Wu's friend, and also your son. Otherwise, I could have just killed him to eliminate any future trouble."

“I’ve killed quite a few people, one more won’t make a difference.”

"So, you either cooperate with me and at most let Tang San's Blue Silver Grass evolve to the Blue Silver King level. Or, if he awakens the Blue Silver Emperor, I will kill him."

Da A Yin was silent for a moment, then said, "Can I see my son?"

“He is not your son.” Xuanming’s voice was cold. “The son you gave birth to died at birth.”

"What do you mean?" Da A Yin's tone turned cold.

"Didn't Arou and Xiaowu tell you?" Xuanming retorted. "Tang San has been making all sorts of strange and bizarre things since he was a child—unusual martial arts techniques, sophisticated hidden weapons... Do you think a child could make those?"

"Of course, you can deceive yourself; that's your prerogative. Just like you used to, force yourself to ignore all the suspicious things; at least that way it won't be too painful."

Da A Yin fell silent. "You still have time to consider," Xuan Ming said.

"They should be heading to Blue Silver Forest tomorrow. I need to get there earlier and make preparations before they arrive. Now, let my little Silver come out."

"They're here!" a cheerful voice rang out.

"lead the way."

……

The next morning, after a night's rest and having recovered somewhat, Tang San briefly explained to Flander before leaving with Tang Hao.

Flanders secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Tang Hao entrusted his son to Shrek Academy. If Tang San really had a mental breakdown, who knows what that ruthless man who once killed the Pope would do!
"Flander, where's Xiaogang?" Liu Erlong asked as he walked over. "The children are all waiting for him to assign training tasks."

"Xiao Gang?" Flander was taken aback. "He hasn't come back yet?"

I went out yesterday afternoon. The Martial Soul Temple isn't far, and even if I wanted to catch up, I should have returned this morning...

Liu Erlong frowned: "Where did he go?"

"Uh... I'm not too sure either. Tang San's mentality is unbalanced because of his martial soul problem, so he should be trying to find a solution." Flander tried to remain calm. "Maybe he went to find Tang Hao."

"Tang Hao?" Liu Erlong was slightly taken aback.

“Alright, Erlong, Xiaogang is Tang San’s teacher. It’s only natural that he would try to help his disciple in this predicament. Don’t overthink it,” Flander advised. “Let’s focus on training the children first.”

Although Liu Erlong still had doubts, he did not ask any further questions.

After all, she had witnessed Tang San's depressed state, so Yu Xiaogang's concerns were understandable.

……

Meanwhile, inside a side hall of the Martial Soul Temple.

After diverting the Serpent Spear and the Porcupine Douluo, Qian Renxue finally confronted Salas.

Under duress, Salas, unable to withstand the pressure, had no choice but to reveal what happened back then.

"You mean, my father knew about their affair all along?" Qian Renxue's face turned completely icy cold.

Salas bowed deeply: "Your Highness, you can ask Elders Chrysanthemum and Ghost about this matter. They were responsible for protecting His Holiness the Pope back then, especially Moon Gate, who knows the most about His Holiness's affairs."

"Then why didn't anyone say anything?" Qian Renxue asked coldly.

Yu Xiaogang left the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan and went to Wuhun City, where he joined the Spirit Hall and stayed for nearly ten years!

She had known her mother for nearly seven years, and they dated for at least two years, even going to Poseidon Island together.

Why didn't anyone warn the saintess when there were so many people around her?
"Your Highness, this is all your father's wish, we... dare not say anything," Salas said nervously.

Back when things were just starting to look up regarding Bibi Dong, Yue Guan had already informed Qian Xunji and asked him whether he should send Yu Xiaogang away or warn the kid to stay away from Bibi Dong.

But Qian Xunji didn't give any response or make any arrangements; he even pretended not to see it!

This kind of indulgence was something that not only Bibi Dong, but even they all thought Qian Xunji had tacitly approved!
After all, this was in Spirit City, right under the Pope's nose! Yu Xiaogang, as a master of theoretical studies at the Spirit Hall, devoted most of his time to theoretical research, despite his poor talent as a spirit master.

Back then, the relationship between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Spirit Hall was far different from what it is now. Even the Clear Sky Clan, which is now irreconcilable with the Spirit Hall, was on good terms with the Spirit Hall back then.

As a sacred place for soul masters, the Spirit Hall treated Yu Xiaogang, the son of the leader of the three upper sects, with great courtesy.

For nearly a decade, Yu Xiaogang has almost entirely immersed himself in the Spirit Hall's library, and his theoretical knowledge is something even the elders in the hall can hardly match.

While his title of "master" is partly due to his background, his theoretical attainments are certainly not undeserved.

After all, high-level Soul Masters are busy with their own cultivation and regard their collection of books as worthless paper.

Only a Great Soul Master like Yu Xiaogang, stuck at level 29, would bury himself in books all day long.

However, when Qian Xunji suddenly expelled Yu Xiaogang from Wuhun City and removed him from the Wuhun Hall forever, the title of "Master" gradually became a source of irony.

The Pope is the absolute authority in the world of Soul Masters; those whom the Pope despises shall be despised by all.

"Why did my father suddenly remove Yu Xiaogang from the list back then?" Qian Renxue pressed.

"This humble servant truly knew nothing of this matter!" Salas hurriedly replied.

Qian Renxue frowned.

According to Salas, Yu Xiaogang was expelled less than a year before she was born, and shortly after the Spirit Hall's failed expedition to Seagod Island.

Why did that relationship suddenly break down? How could her mother, as her father's disciple, be with him? Was it because Yu Xiaogang did something during the trip to Poseidon Island that caused them to turn against each other, allowing her father to take advantage of the situation?

(End of this chapter)