Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends.

She was especially willing to try those possible, little-known methods of rapid cultivation, even if they had side effects, as long as they were within a controllable range.

Last but not least, there's Tang San, the chosen one.

Although the Douluo Continent may have undergone significant changes due to their arrival, Tang San, the former Chosen One, still possesses extraordinary talent. Therefore, it is essential to firmly control him and continuously deepen his dependence and loyalty.

Tang San's growth rate is destined to be rapid. As long as we keep him firmly in our grasp, we will have no shortage of resources and prestige in the future.

Based solely on his reputation as the son of Tang Hao, he has no worries about prestige.

Moreover, in order to seek revenge, Tang Hao will spare no effort in training her and Tang San.

Thinking of this, Cinderella calmed down a little. One must take things one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time.

At least now, she is no longer the Cinderella in the fairy tale world who could only passively wait for the prince to rescue her.

Her fate was sealed.

The next day, after the course ended, Cinderella reappeared in Yu Xiaogang's office.

"Master~"

Cinderella's voice was so sweet it could drip honey. Today she wore a light blue dress that made her skin look like snow and her golden hair flow like a waterfall, making her look like an exquisite porcelain doll.

"When I was cultivating yesterday, I seemed to have gained some new insights into controlling my soul power, but I still feel like I'm missing something. Could you take another look at it for me?"

Yu Xiaogang was engrossed in studying an ancient book when he heard this. He looked up and saw Cinderella. His face immediately broke into a smile, though it was still stiff.

He genuinely liked this student who was talented, had a sweet tongue, and was highly regarded by Haotian Douluo.

"Oh? What new discovery has Cindy made? Tell me quickly!" Yu Xiaogang put down his book, adopting an attitude of sharing everything he knew.

Cinderella shared her thoughts on some subtle adjustments to the path of soul power. These thoughts were a mix of truth and falsehood, containing both her genuine insights and some flaws that she deliberately left out, seemingly reasonable but actually requiring profound theory to correct.

Yu Xiaogang took the bait and immediately began to launch into a long and detailed analysis, citing classical texts to prove that Cinderella's idea was very creative, but that a certain aspect could perhaps be optimized. He then proceeded to bring out several thick books to support his point of view.

Cinderella feigned sudden realization, her eyes filled with admiration: "So that's how it is! Master, you know so much! Can I borrow this book to take a look? Just for one night!"

She pointed to one of the rather old-looking handwritten copies and looked at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang hesitated for a moment. The notebook was a rare copy that he had painstakingly copied back then, but looking at Cinderella's expectant eyes and thinking about Tang Hao's possible attention, he gritted his teeth and said, "Take it. Be careful and don't damage it."

"Thank you, Master! You're the best!" Cinderella happily took the notebook and carefully hugged it to her chest.

As Cinderella left Yu Xiaogang's office, her sweet smile vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of unease.

This tool is really useful.

……

In the evening, Tang San, having finished forging and repairing iron at the blacksmith's shop, appeared on time downstairs at Dormitory 3, covered in sweat and exhausted, to pick up Cinderella and go to the cafeteria for dinner.

Seeing the weariness that Tang San couldn't hide on his delicate face, and the eagerness to become stronger in the depths of his eyes, Cinderella's heart stirred slightly.

She reached out and gently wiped away the sweat and a bit of coal dust that had accidentally gotten on Tang San's forehead with a clean handkerchief, her movements gentle.

"Little sister, you must be tired. Dad is really too strict with you." Cinderella's tone was full of just the right amount of heartache.

"However, I believe that with Xiao San's hard work, she will soon master that powerful hammer technique, and her soul power level will definitely increase rapidly!"

Feeling Cinderella's care and encouragement, Tang San's frustration and depression caused by Tang Hao's teaching methods instantly dissipated, and a warm current flowed through his body.

He nodded vigorously, his eyes resolute: "Yes! Sis, don't worry, I will definitely become stronger as soon as possible! I will never let you down!"

Seeing the pure and fervent dependence and protectiveness in Tang San's eyes, Cinderella knew that this most important lever was still firmly in her hands.

Although the road ahead is long and the reputation points are hard to obtain, with Tang San's unreserved trust and hard work, coupled with her own wisdom and methods, she may very well be able to forge a unique path to becoming a strong person in this small city of Nottingham.

The potion will come sooner or later.

Your reputation will surely increase as well.

A bright smile returned to Cinderella's face.

"Let's go, Xiao San, let's go eat. It seems the cafeteria has your favorite braised pork today."

"Okay, sis, eat more."

……

Nottingham, in the backyard of the blacksmith's shop.

Tang Hao sat leaning against the shadows in the corner of the wall, holding a nearly empty wine barrel in his hand, his murky gaze unfocused on a point in the void.

He didn't get completely drunk today, but the image of Tang San forging iron during the day was playing back in his mind with unusual clarity.

That child... no, he can no longer be considered a child at all.

His hammer swings had long since shed their initial awkwardness, replaced by a precision and fluidity that even surprised him, and even carried an indescribable sense of rhythm.

He actually mastered the incredibly complex power generation techniques and leverage methods of the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique in such a short time.

Eighty-one strikes, executed in one go. Although his strength and experience were not yet at their peak, he had already mastered the spirit of the blows.

How long has it been?

Tang Hao couldn't remember clearly, but it seemed like it hadn't been more than a few months.

The foundation he originally planned to slowly build over several years was surpassed by Tang San at an almost monstrous speed.

His father, a titled Douluo who was once hailed as a once-in-a-century genius of the Haotian Sect, had nothing left to teach him.

A feeling of emptiness and powerlessness, like a cold tide, instantly overwhelmed Tang Hao.

Once upon a time, he was the legendary Haotian Douluo, the most dazzling star of the Haotian Sect, a figure admired by his peers and feared by his enemies.

Holding the Haotian Hammer, he looked down upon the world with unparalleled joy!

He was still Ah Yin's upright and supportive husband, a safe haven she could rely on.

At that time, they looked forward to the future and the birth of their child, believing that happiness would last forever.

Chapter 119 Ah Yin

But what about now?

The sect was closed because of Tang Hao, and I wonder what its state is now.

She offered herself as a sacrifice before Ah Yin, her life ending in death, leaving behind only a seed of blue silver grass.

He, the man who once stood at the pinnacle of the mainland, could only hide in this remote town like a rat in the gutter, numbing himself day after day with the cheapest alcohol to escape reality.

Even when teaching her own son, she appears so clumsy, ineffective, and even annoying.

Agin... If only you were still here. You could have raised the children well, and they wouldn't be so... distant from me now.

Tang Hao could clearly sense the dissatisfaction and impatience hidden deep in Tang San's eyes.

The child yearned for power and strength, but his father, aside from this set of hammer techniques, seemed unable to offer him any substantial help. Instead, his own decadence and alcoholism became a hindrance and obstacle to his growth.

A strong, overwhelming bitterness and self-loathing surged into Tang Hao's heart. He suddenly tilted his head back and poured the last bit of wine from the barrel down his throat.

He felt no warmth whatsoever, only icy despair.

As for Cindy... that girl they picked up, she was obedient and sweet-talking, and she and the mistress depended on each other for survival. In this family, Tang Hao felt like an outsider.

"Hehe...hahaha..." Tang Hao let out a low and bitter laugh, the sound echoing in the empty backyard, carrying endless self-mockery and sorrow.

He picked up the empty barrel, wanting to take another sip, only to find that not a drop was left.

Tang Hao irritably threw the wine barrel aside, making a loud bang.

He can't go on like this anymore.

He no longer cared about this crippled body, not for his own sake.

It was for the mistress, for Cindy, and even more so for... Gintoki.

The child that Ah Yin gave her life for cannot be ruined in the hands of this useless man.

Xiao San and Cindy are both incredibly talented, almost astonishingly so. Nottingham City, this small pond, can never contain them. They need a wider world and better resources to truly grow.

Therefore, they need an innocent background that won't attract the Spirit Hall's pursuit at any time.

In his current state and identity, remaining by their side is not a form of protection, but rather the greatest burden and hidden danger.

The Spirit Hall has spies everywhere. Once they discover that you are still alive and with two exceptionally gifted children, the consequences are unimaginable.

leave.

Once this thought arose, it grew wildly in Tang Hao's heart like weeds.

He must leave and hide in the shadows; that is the best way to protect the children.

On the surface, he wanted to create the illusion that the father had run away from home and disappeared, so that the two children would have a relatively clean background.

Only in this way can Tang San and Cindy completely get rid of the ever-explosive identity of being the son of the Haotian Douluo, and continue to walk in the world of Soul Masters with a relatively clean identity.

Moreover, he would hide in the shadows, watching the children grow up and protecting them.

As long as he has a breath left, he will never let anyone harm the child that Ah Yin protected with her life.

As for instruction, that theoretical master named Yu Xiaogang, although a good-for-nothing, still had some knowledge in his head.

With me keeping an eye on him in the shadows, he wouldn't dare to be careless. Besides, that girl Cindy is incredibly cunning; she knows how to extract value from Yu Xiaogang.

Thinking of this, Tang Hao felt a little more at ease, but what followed was a deeper loneliness and pain.

He thought of Ah Yin again.

That gentle, warm woman whose smile could melt away all the coldest ice.

If she were here, she would definitely have handled everything well, right? She's always so smart and resourceful.

A surge of longing for Ah Yin welled up in Tang Hao's heart. He stood up unsteadily, casually kicked the empty wine barrel aside, and his figure disappeared into the night.

……

Not far from Holy Soul Village, Tang Hao arrived at an extremely secluded cave.

He skillfully parted the vines and crawled inside.

The cave was damp and dark, except for a small patch of soil at the deepest part, which emitted a faint scent of life.

There, a slender blue silver grass grew, its leaves displaying faint golden veins, emitting an extremely faint and soft halo in the darkness.

Although the blue silver grass was incredibly slender, the familiar yet tenacious life force it contained instantly brought tears to Tang Hao's eyes.

This was the only chance of life left after Ah Yin's sacrifice; it was Tang Hao's last hope and his only reason to live.

Tang Hao's imposing figure appeared deep within the cave. He cautiously approached the blue silver grass, as if afraid that his presence would disturb it.

Then he slowly squatted down, stretched out his rough hands covered with old cocoons and scars, and gently stroked the tender grass leaves.

“A-Yin…”

"I've come to see you."

The cave was silent except for Tang Hao's heavy breathing and the occasional dripping of water.

“Our child, Xiao San, has grown up.”

"His talent is excellent, truly excellent. He possesses innate full soul power and twin martial souls. He learns things very quickly. I have already taught him the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique. He has mastered it very well, even better than I imagined."

As Tang Hao spoke, a smile that looked more like a grimace appeared on his face.

"And then there's Cindy, the girl we picked up. She's also very talented, no less gifted than Xiao San, and her martial soul is quite unique, called Crystal Dancing Shoes. She and Xiao San have a very good relationship, she takes good care of Xiao San, and Xiao San listens to her a lot. With her by Xiao San's side, I'm actually quite at ease."

Tang Hao had never said these words to anyone before; it was only here that he revealed his sorrow.

As he spoke, he couldn't help but recall another side of himself over the past few years.

In recent years, apart from alcoholism and decadence, Tang Hao has not been completely idle.

Whenever his reason was overwhelmed by alcohol and overwhelming hatred, he would quietly leave Holy Soul Village and Notting City to search for the Spirit Hall branches in remote areas.

He had no plan, no goal, driven entirely by a destructive impulse.

Then, he would use the most violent methods to smash those branch halls into ruins and slaughter all the soul masters inside.

Each bloody outburst could only temporarily alleviate the excruciating pain and anger in his heart, but what followed was a deeper emptiness and disgust for his own depravity.

But he remained lucid until the very end, so he chose remote branch temples that were far from the center of power and where information was scarce.

Because these branch halls of the Spirit Hall were located in remote areas, information was transmitted slowly. By the time the Spirit Hall noticed the abnormality, he had already fled.

Tang Hao knew that he absolutely could not let his madness bring disaster to Nottingham City and to his two children.