In Douluo Continent, he tricked Xiao Wu into giving him a soul ring.

"One-armed?" Upon hearing this, Lan Si was taken aback, and asked with some surprise, "Could it be Tang San and Tang Ritian?"

"Yes, it should be them." Qian Renxue nodded, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Should we go and kill them now?"

The First Evolution

“Tang Ritian isn’t the type to stay at Yuexuan for long; he’s probably already left. I reckon he wants Tang San to go to Haotian Sect. That’s a good opportunity for me to infiltrate.” Lan Si shook his head. Although he also wanted to kill Tang San, he recalled the Asura God he had seen in the Azure Lotus Space. As long as that guy didn’t give up on Tang San, killing Tang San would actually be a relief for him, because the Asura God would definitely arrange a body with better talent for him, and the kid would then disappear into the shadows.

Rather than that, it would be better to maintain the status quo and make Tang San more and more useless until even the God of Asura looks down on him.

..............

Three days later.

Transporting supplies also requires manpower. Tang Yuehua is a woman with no physical strength. Apart from having a Soul Emperor bodyguard, she usually entrusts the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family to send people to escort the supplies.

With Qian Renxue's connection, Lan Si easily blended into the escort team.

"Xiao San, let's set off now." Tang Yuehua led Tang San out of the Moon Pavilion, holding his hand.

Tang San had changed into a white robe, with a "Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moon" belt around his waist, from which hung a talismanic pouch. His appearance remained ordinary, but he was no longer the disheveled figure of a few days prior. Unsurprisingly, he had received guidance and encouragement from Tang Yuehua.

In the instant he passed Tang San, Lan Si immediately discerned the latter's cultivation level: level 56. A cold smile crept across his face. Only seven levels? Without the boost from his fifth spirit ring, six levels in two and a half years—an average of slightly more than two levels per year. It seemed that without the immortal herb, Tang San's spirit power growth rate wasn't much faster than the original Golden Generation. Moreover, the higher the spirit power level, the harder it was to increase. By the time Shrek Academy's so-called five-year agreement began, it would be considered good if Tang San reached level 60.

Tang San also seemed to sense someone watching him. He glanced around with cold eyes, but after realizing that they were just royal knights of the Heaven Dou Empire, he didn't think much of it. He boarded the carriage with Tang Yuehua.

The Haotian Sect is not far from Tiandou City, the capital of the Tiandou Empire, located in the mountains three hundred miles east of Tiandou City.

At the foot of the mountain was a dilapidated little village.

The supply convoy arrived at noon the next day, so smoke rose from chimneys all over the village.

Seeing that the group had arrived a month early, the villagers couldn't help but feel puzzled. They quickly called the village chief to greet them. He recognized Tang Yuehua's carriage and bowed to it, saying, "Lady Tang Yuehua, why have you come so early this time?"

"I had something to do, so I came back early," Tang Yuehua said calmly as she led Tang San down from the carriage.

"Lady Tang Yuehua, who is this?" The village chief asked with some confusion as he saw Tang San stepping down from the carriage with Tang Yuehua.

“She’s my nephew.” Tang Yuehua didn’t explain further, just replied casually, then changed the subject, saying, “The supplies are all here, you should quickly call the villagers to come and move them.”

After saying that, she instructed the soldiers escorting the supplies behind her, "You can go back now. Don't wait for me."

After arranging everything, Tang Yuehua led Tang San into the village. Because Tang Yuehua was not a Soul Master, they did not cross the iron chain bridge used by the Clear Sky Sect disciples for cultivation, as described in the original story.

There is a steep cliff behind the village, which is guarded by Haotian Sect disciples all year round. If Tang Yuehua arrives, or if there is an emergency in the village that requires notification to the sect, the people at the bottom of the cliff will lower a basket to send people up.

Lan Si, on the other hand, went into hiding after the group left the village.

The next morning, Tang San, led by Tang Yuehua, met Tang Xiao, the current sect leader of the Haotian Sect.

Standing over two meters tall, with a broad back and a muscular build, a face that looked as if it had been carved by a knife and axe, bearing a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Tang Ritian, and short, graying hair, he was like the core of the entire Haotian Sect just by standing there.

At first glance, Tang San recognized the other party's identity and quickly bowed down, saying, "Tang San greets the Sect Master."

Tang Xiao did not suggest that Tang San get up, but simply said indifferently, "In what capacity have you come today? As my nephew, or as a sinner of the sect, to atone for your father's sins?"

"As your nephew," Tang San replied without hesitation, not believing his father had done anything wrong.

"Then why do you still call me Sect Master?" Tang Xiao's gaze softened considerably.

"Uncle." Hearing this, Tang San felt a warmth in his heart and quickly changed his address.

"Get up." Tang Xiao sighed softly and sat down on the sofa next to him.

Tang San slowly stood up, and then heard Tang Xiao say, "I already know about your father's matter. How is Brother Hao...?"

Tang San shook his head: "My father is not well. He already suffered severe internal injuries, and more than two years ago, in order to protect me, he had his arm cut off by the Pope of the Spirit Hall. Now his spirit power has dropped to level 81. This is a letter he asked me to deliver to you."

As he spoke, Tang San took out a letter from the Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Bright Moon.

"Sigh." Tang Xiao sighed again, reaching out to draw the letter from Tang San's hand into his own. He opened it and read it. The letter detailed how Tang Ritian had wronged the sect, promising to atone in the future. He went on and on, finally getting to the point: Tang Ritian's cultivation had declined, making him insufficient to intimidate the King of Slaughter, and he requested Tang Xiao's presence in the capital to meet the King of Slaughter.

Afterwards, he could secretly protect his son Tang San.

Upon seeing Tang Ritian's request in the letter, Tang Xiao was caught in a dilemma, because as the head of a sect, he could not leave the sect at will.

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside the door: "Where is that bastard? Who let that bastard in? Get that bastard out of Haotian Sect right now!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a burly man in gray robes walked in, looking anxious. "Sect Master, something terrible has happened! The Seventh Elder has broken in with a group of people. He says he wants to..."

"What else do you want?" Tang Xiao frowned.

"He said he also wanted to expel the bastard... Tang San from the Haotian Sect." The gray-clad burly man didn't utter the word "bastard" aloud; instead, he turned his gaze to Tang San beside him.

"Yuehua, did anyone see you bring Xiaosan in?" Tang Xiao looked at Tang Yuehua with a solemn expression. The thing he feared most had finally happened.

"There's something you might be interested in. This morning, two mysterious men walked into Yuexuan, one of whom was one-armed," Qian Renxue said with a smile.

"One-armed?" Upon hearing this, Lan Si was taken aback and asked in surprise, "Could it be Tang San and Tang Ritian?"

"Yes, it should be them." Qian Renxue nodded, a murderous glint flashing in her eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Should we go and kill them now?"

“Tang Ritian isn’t the type to stay at Yuexuan for long; he’s probably already left. I reckon he wants Tang San to go to Haotian Sect. That’s a good opportunity for me to infiltrate.” Lan Si shook his head. Although he also wanted to kill Tang San, he recalled the Asura God he saw in the Azure Lotus Space. As long as that guy didn’t give up on Tang San, killing Tang San would actually be a relief for him, because the Asura God would definitely arrange a body with better talent for him, and the kid would then disappear into the shadows.

Rather than that, it would be better to maintain the status quo and make Tang San more and more useless until even the God of Asura looks down on him.

..............

Three days later.

Transporting supplies also requires manpower. Tang Yuehua is a woman with no physical strength. Apart from having a Soul Emperor bodyguard, she usually entrusts the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family to send people to escort the supplies.

With Qian Renxue's connection, Lan Si easily blended into the escort team.

"Xiao San, let's set off now." Tang Yuehua led Tang San out of the Moon Pavilion, holding his hand.

Tang San had changed into a white robe, with a "Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moon" belt around his waist, from which hung a talismanic pouch. His appearance remained ordinary, but he was no longer the disheveled figure he had been a few days prior. Unsurprisingly, he had received guidance and encouragement from Tang Yuehua.

In the instant he passed Tang San, Lan Si immediately discerned the latter's cultivation level: level 56. A cold smile crept across his face. Only seven levels? Without the boost from his fifth spirit ring, six levels in two and a half years—an average of slightly more than two levels per year. It seemed that without the immortal herb, Tang San's spirit power growth rate wasn't much faster than the original Golden Generation. Moreover, the higher the spirit power level, the harder it was to increase. By the time Shrek Academy's so-called five-year agreement began, it would be considered good if Tang San reached level 60.

Tang San also seemed to sense someone watching him. He glanced around with cold eyes, but after realizing that they were just royal knights of the Heaven Dou Empire, he didn't think much of it. He boarded the carriage with Tang Yuehua.

The Haotian Sect is not far from Tiandou City, the capital of the Tiandou Empire, located in the mountains three hundred miles east of Tiandou City.

At the foot of the mountain was a dilapidated little village.

The supply convoy arrived at noon the next day, so smoke rose from chimneys all over the village.

Seeing that the group had arrived a month early, the villagers couldn't help but feel puzzled. They quickly called the village chief to greet them. He recognized Tang Yuehua's carriage and bowed to it, saying, "Lady Tang Yuehua, why did you come so early this time?"

"I had something to do, so I came back early," Tang Yuehua said calmly as she led Tang San down from the carriage.

"Lady Tang Yuehua, who is this?" The village chief asked with some confusion as he saw Tang San stepping down from the carriage with Tang Yuehua.

“She’s my nephew.” Tang Yuehua didn’t explain further, just replied casually, then changed the subject, saying, “The supplies are all here, you should quickly call the villagers to come and move them.”

After saying that, she instructed the soldiers escorting the supplies behind her, "You can go back now. Don't wait for me."

After arranging everything, Tang Yuehua led Tang San into the village. Because Tang Yuehua was not a Soul Master, they did not cross the iron chain bridge used by the Clear Sky Sect disciples for cultivation, as described in the original story.

Chapter 313 Tang San Regains 'Xiao Wu'

———Updated at 7:30———

"The competition begins!" Hearing the Seventh Elder's curse, Tang San was also furious. The moment the Second Elder finished speaking, his fourth spirit ring suddenly lit up. Without any warning, more than a dozen Blue Silver Grass vines shot up from Lan Si's body and instantly solidified.

Tang San activated his Blue Silver Grass's fourth soul skill, Blue Silver Prison.

Just when Tang San thought the Blue Silver Cage was about to trap Lan Si, Lan Si merely swung the Haotian Bamboo Shoot and gently tapped the Blue Silver Cage. With a muffled bang, the Blue Silver Cage instantly shattered into pieces.

Lan Si hoisted the Haotian Bamboo Shoot and said in a serious tone, "You bastard, this Blue Silver Grass was inherited from that monstrous soul beast, right? I have to say, it's really useless. It'll break at the slightest touch. You should use your Haotian Hammer instead."

When their martial souls clashed, the Blue Silver Cage shattered. Caught off guard, Tang San undoubtedly suffered a backlash, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"As you wish." Lan Si's "bastard" undoubtedly touched Tang San's sore spot. In his shock and anger, he let out a fierce shout. The four yellow and purple soul rings disappeared, and five extremely strange purple-black soul rings swirled out. The Blue Silver Grass quickly switched into the Clear Sky Hammer and smashed it fiercely towards Lan Si.

Lan Si smiled coldly, stepped forward, and without using Flash or any other skills, he simply used his soul power, roughly equivalent to level 54, combined with his own powerful physique, to meet the attack with a hammer.

Boom! The two hammers collided, and to the great surprise of the Clear Sky Sect disciples present, Tang San, whose soul ring configuration was far superior to 'Tang Song', did not gain the slightest advantage.

On the VIP platform, a look of surprise flashed across the Second Elder's eyes. He turned to the Seventh Elder and said, "Seventh Elder, it seems that although Tang Song has been somewhat aloof in recent years, he has never neglected his cultivation."

The Seventh Elder nodded in satisfaction. "Indeed."

None of them doubted that the Tang Song in front of them was a fake, because appearances can deceive, but martial spirits cannot.

"So strong." Feeling the recoil force transmitted from the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand, Tang San was shocked. He did not expect that Tang Song, who was unremarkable in appearance and whose soul power was even two levels lower than his own, would be so powerful. He had three ten-thousand-year soul rings and two nine-thousand-year soul rings, and the Clear Sky Hammer had already reached a terrifying weight, yet he still could not shake the other party in the slightest.

Lan Si had no intention of getting entangled with Tang San, because he didn't know Tang Song's five soul skills at all. If too much time passed, he would easily reveal his flaws and arouse the suspicion of the six titled Douluo on the stage. So he simply used the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique.

At this time, Tang San had received more than two years of systematic training from Tang Ritian. Lan Si was certain that Tang San had also reached the highest level of the Chaotic Cloak Technique, achieving the state of "Nine Returns to One." The next step was to see who had mastered it better and had greater strength. Lan Si planned to use this move to distinguish their identities.

As expected, upon seeing Lan Si unleash the Chaotic Cloak, Tang San immediately revealed a hint of disdain and also unleashed the Chaotic Cloak.

As the two powerful forces clashed, two black hurricanes suddenly erupted in the center of the square. The hurricanes spun rapidly around the two men like lightning, then collided repeatedly, causing the square ground to crack and dust to rise everywhere.

The moment the final hammer blow was delivered, the nine elements collided, returning to their origin. Two black dragon-shaped energies rose simultaneously, intertwining in the air before finally exploding.

A black iron hammer flew out of the smoke and dust, crashing heavily to the ground and creating a shallow crater.

The entire arena fell silent, everyone wondering who had won.

As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, the figures of the two people were revealed.

Tang Song held the Clear Sky Hammer in one hand and pressed it against Tang San's chest, while Tang San fell to the ground, spitting out blood, his face full of disbelief.

He lost. He actually lost. Despite having a soul power two levels higher than his opponent and a stronger soul ring configuration, and using the same Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique at its highest level, Nine Returns to One, he still lost to his opponent.

"You lost. If I hadn't held back, you would have been doomed. It's time to fulfill your bet. Quickly shout 'I, Tang San, am a bastard!' Then go to the graves of your fallen comrades in the Haotian Sect, kowtow thirty-six times, and swear never to set foot in the Haotian Sect again." Lan Si said these infuriating words with a straight face.

The other Haotian Sect disciples who hated Tang San also realized what was happening and chimed in, "Quickly shout 'I, Tang San, am a bastard!'..."

"You...you all..." Tang San looked at Lan Si, then at the group of Haotian Sect disciples, and spat out another mouthful of blood. This time it wasn't from being beaten by Lan Si, but from being so angry.

The Seventh Elder, who was on the high platform, had long disliked Tang San. He stood up and shouted, "You bastard, if you're going to gamble, you have to accept the consequences! Quickly call him..."

"Shout it out quickly..." The Haotian Sect disciples who hated Tang San echoed again.

Forced by everyone, Tang San had no choice but to look to his closest aunt and his uncle, who was also the sect leader, for help.

Tang Yuehua and Tang Xiao exchanged a glance and shook their heads helplessly. Although they held high positions in the Haotian Sect, they could not engage in favoritism or corruption. Tang Xiao sighed and said, "Xiao San, you have to accept the consequences of your bet."

Upon hearing this, Tang San's previous goodwill towards Tang Xiao vanished instantly, a barely perceptible resentment flashing across his eyes. Finally, under the pressure of the Seventh Elder of the Clear Sky Sect and many disciples, he shouted three times, "I, Tang San, am a bastard."

Then he went to the graves of his fellow Haotian Sect members who had died because of him, kowtowed thirty-six times, and swore never to set foot in the Haotian Sect again. Finally, he slunk out of the Haotian Sect.