Douro Continent

Chapter 436 Haotian's Triumph, A New Beginning (Part 2)

Beside the fire, besides her, there were two other people: Tang San, who was still unconscious lying on the ground, and Tang Hao, who looked extremely disheveled and was covered in tattered clothes.

Looking at Tang Hao alone, Xiao Wu would never imagine that he was the powerful figure who dared to openly insult the Spirit Hall in front of the Pope's Palace and single-handedly fight against several Title Douluos.

"You're awake." Tang Hao's deep and resonant voice rang in Xiao Wu's ear.

Nodding silently, Xiao Wu's gaze remained fixed on Tang San. "Thank you."

Tang Hao waved his hand and said, "No need to thank me. From a Soul Master's perspective, I should imprison you and kill you when Tang San needs you, giving him your Soul Ring and Soul Bone. However, from a husband's perspective, I would make a different choice."

Tang Hao raised his head and looked at Xiao Wu. As if drawn by a special attraction, Xiao Wu couldn't help but look at him. At that moment, Tang Hao's eyes were no longer cloudy, but exceptionally bright, even eclipsing the stars in the night sky.

"Is it because of my relationship with Tang San?" Xiao Wu asked in a low voice.

Tang Hao shook his head, shifting his gaze from Xiao Wu to Tang San lying on the ground, a faint smile appearing on his face. If Tang San saw this scene, he would be very surprised, because in his memory, he had never seen Tang Hao smile.

"Because of his mother. Before, I always thought he was more like his mother. Kind, thoughtful, and persistent. But when I saw him with you, I suddenly realized that he actually resembles me more. Just as silly as me. Girl, do you know? Tang San's mother, like you, is also a 100,000-year-old soul beast. The only difference between her and you is that she is a mature 100,000-year-old soul beast, while you are only a juvenile."

"What...what did you say?" Xiao Wu exclaimed, "Tang San's mother was also a soul beast?"

Tang Hao nodded silently, but didn't continue the conversation. "You should leave. Staying with the mistress will only do him harm."

Xiao Wu asked absentmindedly, "Are you against us being together?"

Tang Hao laughed nonchalantly, "No. Why would I object? Didn't I make the same choice back then? It's just that you are different from me and his mother. When I was with his mother, my soul power had already exceeded level 70, and his mother was a mature 100,000-year-old soul beast. But what level are you now?"

"You're incredibly bold. Didn't your elders teach you that a 100,000-year-old soul beast that hasn't reached maturity is the target of every soul master? If it weren't for that flower, if I hadn't been the first Title Douluo to see you, you would probably have already become someone else's soul ring or soul bone."

"You've been by the mistress's side the whole time?" Xiao Wu asked in surprise.

Tang Hao shook his head. "No, but I'll be here for a long time. Go back to where you belong. You'll be safest there. When he can protect you and you can protect yourself, I won't object to you meeting. But definitely not now."

Xiao Wu bit her lower lip, mustered her courage, and said, "Could I wait until he wakes up before I leave?"

Tang Hao said calmly, "Do you think he'll let you leave like this after he wakes up? Go ahead. It's very close to the Star Dou Great Forest. If I'm not mistaken, that's your home. Let me give you a piece of advice: don't leave there before you reach maturity. Back then, I thought I was strong enough, but my ending with Xiao San's mother was still a tragedy. I don't want to see the same tragedy on my child."

Xiao Wu nodded silently, slowly walked to Tang San's side, squatted down, and gazed closely at his seemingly ordinary face. A single, crystal-clear tear slid down from the corner of her eye, landing squarely on Tang San's chest.

Raising her slightly trembling hand, she gently stroked Tang San's face. "You are the first man to comb my hair, and the only one. Forever and ever. No matter what our future holds, there is no room in my heart for anyone but you."

Ignoring Tang Hao's presence, Xiao Wu lowered her head and gently kissed Tang San's lips, leaving behind a salty taste tinged with tears and her unique scent. She abruptly stood up, sprang into the air, and disappeared into the distance in a few leaps.

Looking in the direction where Xiao Wu disappeared, a glint of light appeared on Tang Hao's aged face. "What does it matter if they are human or beast? Beasts' emotions are often more genuine."

As he muttered to himself, he raised his hand and slapped Tang San. Tang San let out a low groan, moved his body, and slowly opened his eyes.

"Dad!" Upon seeing Tang Hao, Tang San jumped up excitedly from the ground. Although his body was still weak, his spirit was extremely high. Eight years! More than eight long years! How could he not be excited to see his father again?

"Sit down." Tang Hao pointed to the ground in front of him. Unlike his calm demeanor when facing Xiao Wu, his expression turned serious again when facing Tang San.

Tang San quickly sat down in front of Tang Hao. He looked around but couldn't find the figure he was hoping to see, and his excitement immediately faded a bit.

"No need to look anymore, she's already gone. Don't worry, she's safe," Tang Hao said calmly.

"She's gone? Why did Xiao Wu leave?" Tang San couldn't help but ask.

Tang Hao said in a deep voice, "Because she has to leave. I only have one question for you: in your current situation, are you capable of protecting her?"

"I..." Hearing his father's words, Tang San couldn't help but recall the promise he had made to Xiao Wu. To protect her for life. Yes, with his current strength, how could he possibly protect her? Against those truly powerful Soul Masters, his strength was utterly insignificant.

Tang Hao frowned as he looked at Tang San's absent-minded expression. "She's safe. She's returned to where she belongs. Only there will she be safe. A real man should be able to let go. It's not too late to look for her when you truly have the power to protect her."

"Dad, you don't object to me being with Xiao Wu?" Tang San looked at Tang Hao in surprise.

A hint of confusion flickered in Tang Hao's eyes. "Eight years have passed, mistress. Do you hate me for abandoning you for these eight years?"

Tang San shook his head. "No, I don't hate."

"Why?" Tang Hao asked.

Tang San was somewhat relieved. Although he hadn't seen Xiao Wu again, at least she was safe. That was the most important thing to him. A natural smile appeared on his face. "Because you are my father, you gave me my life. Without you, where would I be? Children never have the right to blame their parents."

Hearing Tang San's words, Tang Hao felt his heart skip a beat. Looking at his fourteen-year-old son in front of him, he could no longer suppress his emotions and suddenly pulled Tang San into his arms, his strong arms holding his son tightly.

From birth until now, this was the first time Tang San had felt Tang Hao's love for him. The feeling was so real, even though he had lived through two worlds, this was the first time he had experienced this feeling. Even Grandmaster, whom he had always regarded as a father, had never given him this feeling.

Tang Hao's movements were rough, and the strength of his arms even made Tang San's bones crack slightly. But being embraced by his father in his steel-like arms, Tang San felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation. Family love, is this what family love feels like?

"I know you have many questions for me." Tang Hao pushed Tang San aside, making him sit down in front of him again. Tang San noticed that his father's eyes were a little red.

Tang San nodded.

Tang Hao said, "The voice you heard when you used your weapon spirit true form that day was mine. There are many things you don't need to know yet, because you don't have the ability to know them. From now on, you will cultivate according to my arrangements. When you meet my requirements one day, I will tell you everything. Cough cough."

At this point, Tang Hao coughed twice and spat out a mouthful of dark red blood to the side.

"Dad, are you hurt?" Tang San tried to get up, but Tang Hao held him down.

"It's nothing, I just aggravated an old injury today." Tang Hao's expression returned to calm, as if he wasn't the one who was injured.

"Of the questions you want to know, I can answer two of them first. First, everyone else at Shrek Academy will be fine. Everyone has their own choices. It's also time for you two to part ways. The master leads you in, but the practice is up to you. The master is undoubtedly an excellent teacher. But by always staying by his side, your progress hasn't been enough."

"Secondly, it's about Xiao Wu. Aren't you wondering why Xiao Wu, a 100,000-year-old soul beast, isn't very strong?"

Tang San nodded immediately; this was also a question that had been on his mind all along. Even Grandmaster's description of 100,000-year-old soul beasts was very simple. After all, that group was far too small, and Grandmaster had never studied it in depth. Because there simply wasn't a subject for study.

Tang Hao said, "Let me explain this to you simply, and you'll understand."

(End of this chapter)