Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends.

Cinderella felt a warmth in her heart, but also a mix of emotions, as she sensed the sincerity in Tang San's words.

She held Tang San's hand and said softly, "I know that Xiao San is the most powerful. However, we must also be careful. Tian Dou City is not like Notting City. The forces there are complicated. We are new here, so we must be cautious in everything we do."

"I understand." Tang San gripped his sister's hand tightly, feeling the soft touch, and a sense of peace settled in his heart.

As long as he's there, he'll never let his sister suffer the slightest grievance.

Yu Xiaogang? He's nothing but a clown. If he behaves himself, all will be well. But if he dares to do anything wrong, Tiandou City might just be his burial ground.

……

Within the Moon Pavilion of Tiandou City.

From that day on, Tang Zhong would come every few days to treat Tang Hao.

The soft white light emanating from the healing scepter flowed like moonlight into Tang Hao's riddled meridians, attempting to soothe the old and new wounds on his body.

However, the hidden injuries at the Title Douluo level, especially the severe damage caused by the backlash of the exploding ring and the strange energy erosion of Gedo, could not be easily resolved by the healing soul skill of a mere Soul King.

Each treatment by Tang Zhong was like a careful intervention. He could only barely keep Tang Hao's injuries from worsening, and Tang Hao's true recovery was still a long way off.

At this moment, another treatment has just ended.

Tang Hao sat cross-legged on the soft bed, his bare upper body covered in crisscrossing scars, old and new, making him look ferocious and terrifying.

His face was pale, but compared to its initial deathly ashen color, it at least showed a faint trace of life.

Sweat soaked his disheveled hair, and his tightly pursed lips revealed the immense pain he was enduring.

He closed his eyes, feeling the lingering pain inside his body, as if he were being repeatedly pierced by countless fine needles, and his heart felt icy cold.

Tang Hao, who once dominated the continent and looked down on all heroes, never imagined that he would be like a fragile piece of porcelain, needing others to be so careful and repeatedly repaired in order to keep him from breaking.

Tang Zhong slowly withdrew the healing scepter, the martial spirit possession state was lifted, and sweat appeared on his forehead. This treatment had been extremely taxing on him.

He stood respectfully by the bedside, bowing his head, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the channeling is now complete. The blockage in your lungs has been somewhat cleared, but that foreign energy is extremely stubborn and deeply entangled with your old injuries. Forcibly removing it might damage your very source, so we can only proceed slowly, gradually wearing it down with gentle soul power. I urge Your Majesty to rest and recuperate, and absolutely not to use your soul power again, otherwise all previous efforts will be in vain, and the consequences will be unimaginable."

Tang Hao let out a barely audible snort as a response.

He didn't even open his eyes, as if taking another look at this reality of being powerless to control his own fate would cause the violence in his heart to spiral out of control.

Tang Zhong was already used to this. He bowed, quietly left the room, and gently closed the door.

Outside the door, Tang Yuehua had been waiting for a long time. Today, she was wearing a light purple floor-length dress, which made her skin look like jade and her temperament elegant.

But those eyes, which always held a gentle, watery smile, were now filled with an unyielding worry.

Upon seeing Tang Zhong come out, she immediately stepped forward and asked anxiously in a low voice, "Tang Zhong, how is my second brother today?"

Seeing his young mistress's undisguised concern, Tang Zhong sighed inwardly, but maintained the respectful demeanor of a subordinate, truthfully reporting, "Miss Yuehua, His Majesty Haotian's injuries are still not optimistic. The old wounds are deeply entrenched, and the new injuries are bizarre. My abilities are limited; I can only barely stabilize the injuries to prevent further deterioration and delay their flare-up. To completely cure it, only a peerless immortal herb or a healing expert at the Title Douluo level can intervene. Moreover, even if a method is found, it will require a long period of recuperation."

He had said this several times, but each time he repeated it, Tang Yuehua's heart sank a little further.

A peerless immortal herb? A healing-type Soul Master at the Title Douluo level? Which one isn't something you can only dream of?

Even with the hidden resources of Yuexuan and Haotian Sect, finding it would be no easy task.

Her slender fingertips unconsciously tightened around the silk handkerchief in her hand, and a hint of paleness flashed across her beautiful face.

After a moment of silence, Tang Yuehua managed to compose herself and nodded to Tang Zhong: "Thank you for your hard work. Go and rest. I will have the necessary medicinal herbs prepared as soon as possible."

"Yes, I'll take my leave." Tang Zhong bowed, but did not leave immediately. He hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Tang Yuehua, his voice lowering even further.

"Miss Yuehua, tomorrow is the routine time to send messages back to the sect. Should we also send back the message regarding His Majesty Haotian?"

Upon hearing this, the air in the corridor seemed to freeze instantly.

Tang Yuehua's delicate body trembled slightly, and her fingers, which were twisting the silk handkerchief, suddenly tightened.

Send a message to the sect? Report my second brother's whereabouts?

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. The sect, her father had long since passed away, and now her eldest brother Tang Xiao was in charge.

The eldest brother was upright and honest. Although he was heartbroken about what happened to the second brother back then, he also had some complaints.

If the sect were to find out that my second brother is critically injured and hiding here with me...

What will happen?

Should they immediately send someone to meet and protect him? Or should they reprimand their second brother for implicating the sect, or even forcibly take him away to distance themselves from the situation, or make a decision that is even more detrimental to their second brother?

Tang Yuehua dared not gamble.

She knew all too well the true colors of those elders in the sect. Back when her second brother got into trouble, they insisted on handing him over to appease the Spirit Hall's anger, but it was only after her father strongly suppressed the argument that the matter was dropped.

Now that their father has passed away, even though the eldest brother is the sect leader, he may not be able to completely suppress those dissenting voices.

With my second brother in such a state, how can he possibly withstand the internal strife and potential turmoil within the sect?

Moreover, a secret, selfish desire that even she herself was unwilling to delve into was quietly entwining her heart like a vine.

If someone from the sect comes, they will definitely take my second brother away. But what about her?

Can she still stay by his side day and night, taking care of him, and becoming the only person he can rely on, just like she does now?

No, she can't take that risk.

Second brother belongs to her now, and can only belong to her.

Thinking of this, a resolute glint flashed in Tang Yuehua's eyes. She raised her head, looked at Tang Zhong, and her tone returned to its usual gentleness, but with an undeniable firmness: "I still won't."

She paused, as if considering her words, her voice soft yet clear: "Tang Zhong, as you can see, Second Brother's injuries are difficult to heal, and he is exhausted both mentally and physically. It is precisely the time when he needs to rest absolutely."

"The situation within the sect is complex. If my elder brother and the other elders were to learn of my second brother's condition, their concern might backfire. Visits, inquiries, and even arguments would disturb my second brother's peace and quiet, which would do more harm than good to his recovery. Right now, the most important thing is for my second brother to rest and recuperate here in peace."

Chapter 144 Soul Power Breakthrough Pill

Tang Yuehua's words were reasonable and logical, entirely based on Tang Hao's injuries, while concealing her own selfish thoughts that were unacceptable to the world.

Tang Zhong listened quietly, his weathered eyes looking at Tang Yuehua as if they could see through her flawless disguise and into the deepest struggles and desires in her heart.

Having followed Tang Yuehua for many years, watching her grow from a naive young girl into a noblewoman who now runs Yuexuan and navigates the world of powerful figures, how could he not see through her hidden thoughts?

However, as a subordinate and an outer disciple of the Haotian Sect, there were some things he could not say and could not interfere with.

In the end, he simply sighed inwardly, lowered his eyes, and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. The message sent tomorrow will not mention His Majesty Haotian."

"Okay, go ahead." Tang Yuehua secretly breathed a sigh of relief and waved her hand.

Tang Zhong bowed again, then turned and disappeared silently at the end of the corridor.

In the deserted corridor, only Tang Yuehua remained. She stood there alone for a long time before slowly turning around, her gaze complex as she looked at the tightly closed door.

Inside the door was her brother, whom she had loved for half her life, now as fragile as glass.

Outside the door lay the concealment and choices she made to keep him by her side.

A trace of guilt, like a tiny venomous snake, gnawed at Tang Yuehua's heart. She knew that what she was doing might betray the sect's trust and her elder brother's entrustment.

But... so what?

Tang Yuehua slowly raised her hand and gently pressed it against her wildly beating heart. There, she felt an almost morbid sense of satisfaction and peace.

As long as her second brother is here, within her reach, he needs her care and relies on her protection...

So even if this tranquility is stolen, built on lies and selfishness, she is still happy to accept it.

Tang Yuehua took a deep breath, suppressing all the complex emotions in her eyes, and put on a gentle and charming expression again. She gently pushed open the door and went inside.

Inside, the lingering smell of medicine mixed with the stench of blood had not completely dissipated.

Tang Hao remained seated cross-legged, like a silent stone statue, with only his slightly rising and falling chest proving that he was still alive.

"Second Brother." Tang Yuehua walked to the bedside, her voice so soft it could melt water. She picked up a warm, damp towel and gently wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and the sweat stains on his neck.

"Are you feeling any better? Tang Zhong said it will take some time, but don't worry, you'll get better eventually."

Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against Tang Hao's sensitive skin on the side of his neck, bringing a slightly cool touch and a barely perceptible tremor.

Tang Hao's body stiffened slightly, but he didn't flinch or open his eyes. He simply let out a muffled response from deep in his throat: "Hmm."

He was well aware of the severity of his injuries. However, this long, crippled recuperation was more painful for him than being slowly tortured to death.

Every breath he took reminded him of his current powerlessness.

But he had no other choice.

The soul power within his body was like a frozen river; the slightest disturbance caused excruciating, tearing pain.

He now has difficulty even gathering a wisp of soul power, let alone wielding the Haotian Hammer.

If he had known this would happen, he would have rather endured the pain and not sought treatment; at least then he would still have the ability to take revenge.

He was like a tiger whose teeth had been plucked, filled with boundless killing intent and hatred, yet unable to even roar.

Tang Hao now only felt a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart, a powerlessness mixed with his longing for Ah Yin, his worry for the children, and his confusion about revenge.

Tang Yuehua felt a pang of pain in her heart as she looked at Tang Hao's tightly furrowed brows and furrowed jawline.

She knew what her second brother was thinking, and it was precisely because she knew that she was even more afraid.

She feared that once he recovered, he would leave without hesitation and disappear from her world again.

She feared that his heart would forever hold only the memory of the deceased Ah Yin and the child far away, leaving no room for her whatsoever.

No, she couldn't lose him again.

Tang Yuehua put down the towel, picked up the ginseng soup that had been kept warm beside her, stirred it gently with a small spoon, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to warm it up, and handed it to Tang Hao's lips, her voice carrying a hint of pleading that was barely perceptible: "Second brother, drink some ginseng soup to replenish your vital energy. Your body is weak and you need to be properly nourished."

Tang Hao finally opened his eyes slowly.

Those eyes, once sharp as a falcon's, were now bloodshot, cloudy, and empty, reflecting Tang Yuehua's beautiful face, which was filled with worry and affection.

He looked at the spoonful of soup being brought to his lips, and at his sister's slightly red eyes, filled with so many complex emotions, and felt a mix of emotions welling up inside him.

Do you hate this powerless dependence?

some.

Grateful for this timely shelter?

Yes, there was. There was also a trace of longing for this faint warmth, which even he himself was unwilling to admit, amidst this boundless despair.

Tang Hao silently opened his chapped lips, letting Tang Yuehua feed him the warm ginseng soup.

……

On the other side, deep within the Spirit Hall and the Papal Palace.

Bibidon dismissed her attendants and sat alone on the magnificent yet cold papal throne.

The hall was empty and quiet, with only the soul-guiding lamps embedded in the dome and pillars emitting a faint glow.

She lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on her outstretched palm.

There lay there quietly a pill the size of a longan. The pill was pale gold in color, with fine cloud-like patterns on its surface, emanating a gentle yet strange energy fluctuation.

Soul Power Breakthrough Pill.

This was a pill she had specially commissioned and refined at a considerable cost, through the Spirit Hall's unique channels, from the now-famous potion-making witch, Godot.

The medicine has a single and clear effect, helping those Soul Masters who have been stuck at a low level for many years due to their limited aptitude to forcefully break through the barrier.

Holding the pill, Bibi Dong's usually dignified and profound purple eyes, which occasionally flashed with a hint of barely perceptible ferocity, now appeared somewhat empty and lost in thought.

It was as if she could see a long, long time ago through this tiny pill.

Bibi Dong recalled the young man in the Spirit Hall's library who always carried a pile of thick books, his brows furrowed, but his eyes exceptionally focused and bright.

Yu Xiaogang.

Her... Xiao Gang brother.

Back then, Bibi Dong was not the powerful Pope of the Spirit Hall who is feared by all forces on the continent. She was just a saintess with unparalleled talent, on whom her teacher Qian Xunji placed high hopes, but who felt lonely because of her high position.

Yu Xiaogang, the son of the sect leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect, one of the three upper sects, was of noble status. However, due to the malignant mutation of his martial soul, his soul power could never break through level 30 in his lifetime, and he suffered endless ridicule and contempt from others.

They met in the vast collection of books in the Spirit Hall.

Chapter 145 Her Little Gang Brother

In Bibi Dong's eyes, her brother Xiao Gang was very knowledgeable and had an almost obsessive research and unique insights into martial spirit theory. He often expressed views that surprised and impressed her, a proud daughter of heaven.

Moreover, unlike others, Xiao Gang did not respect her because of her status or become infatuated with her because of her appearance.