In their eyes, there was a captivating brilliance.
"We welcome the ancestor's emergence from seclusion."
"Congratulations to the ancestor for returning to the pinnacle!"
"Congratulations to the ancestor..."
As one reverent voice after another rose, figures likewise appeared.
Tang Hao and his son Tang San stood at the very front of the crowd, their expressions a complex mix of emotions as they looked at Tang Chen.
Excitement, agitation, anticipation...
"Xiaosan, I owe it all to you. Without you, my cultivation level could never have been restored," Tang Chen said to Tang San with grave solemnity. "From today on, you are the Young Sect Master of the Hao Tian Clan. When your cultivation level reaches that of a Titled Douluo, you will be eligible to inherit the position of Sect Master."
"Thank you for the ancestor's generous reward," Tang San bowed respectfully.
Tang Chen nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Tang Hao and said, "Hao'er, you will serve as the Hao Tian Clan's Sect Master for now. Xiaosan is still young and needs your proper guidance to excel."
"Yes, Tang Hao shall heed the ancestor's command," Tang Hao also bowed respectfully.
Immediately after, Tang Chen's gaze fell upon Tang Hu.
Tang Hu's body trembled.
One must know, in the time the sect had been in ruins, whether it was significant issues or trivial matters, or the livelihoods of over a hundred people, it was he who had managed them all.
For the sake of these Sect Disciples, his heart had been in turmoil.
At the age of twenty or thirty, his hair had already turned white.
"What kind of reward will the ancestor give me? Surely the Big Xumi Hammer or at least one of the Nine Absolutes of the Azure Sky," Tang Hu pondered inwardly.
Being a core disciple, learning one of the Nine Absolutes of the Azure Sky didn't seem too much to ask.
Meanwhile.
Tang Chen pondered for a moment before finally speaking, "Tang Hu, you've done a great job. Without you, the Sect Disciples might still be in disarray. The fact that the Hao Tian Clan has held out until our return is thanks to your efforts. You have worked hard during this time."
"To serve the sect," Tang Hu's expression became earnest as he responded aloud.
His heart began to waver with excitement.
Aside from other considerations, the more the ancestor emphasized his hard work, the more substantial the reward, right?
Tang Chen hesitated once more, then continued, "From today onwards, you need not concern yourself with the sect's affairs. Just take a good rest, relax, and then focus on your cultivation. Leave the effort to your Uncle Hao and your brother Xiaosan."
"Um, okay..." Tang Hu nodded subconsciously.
But then.
He quickly realized something was amiss.
Tang San had been granted the title of Young Sect Master, Tang Hao was acting as Sect Master, but aside from a verbal commendation, it seemed he got nothing at all?
What about the Hao Tian Clan's secret techniques?
Was not a single one intended for him?
He looked up earnestly at Tang Chen.
"Hahaha. Look at my memory," Tang Chen suddenly acted as if he just remembered something, slapping his forehead.
In contrast, Tang Hu's face brightened with hope once more.
"He forgot, the ancestor must have forgotten! Now he should award me the sect's secret techniques," Tang Hu's excitement rose again.
However.
To his surprise, he found Tang Chen's gaze shifting to Tang San, "Xiaosan, you are skilled in medicine, help your brother Hu with his health."
What? Help me with my health?
Tang Hu was stunned; this was not the result he had wanted.
The secret techniques of Hao Tian Clan, that's what I wanted.
"Yes," Tang San agreed, and actually took out a bottle of elixir, approaching Tang Hu, "Brother Hu, I could tell long ago that your health was not good. This is a medicinal pill I refined for you called Liuwei Dihuang Pills, very nourishing."
Tang Hu was bewildered. Do I need nourishment?
I'm not weak!
He rejected the thought of Liuwei Dihuang Pills.
But it was no use, Tang San was insistent on putting them into his hand.
"Alright, Hao'er, Xiaosan, you two stay," Tang Chen concluded.
"The rest of you may leave."
As Tang Chen spoke, he was already slowly descending.
Meanwhile, Tang Hu's gaze flickered for a moment, but in the end, he didn't say anything and turned to leave.
However, in his heart, unbeknownst to when, some resentment had taken root.
Resentment against Tang Chen, as well as against Tang San and Tang Hao.
These three generations truly didn't regard him as a person at all.
Soon.
Above the ruins of the Hao Tian Clan, only Tang Chen, Tang Hao, and Tang San were left.
"Ancestor, treating Tang Hu this way, isn't it a bit…"
Tang Hao hesitated for a moment, still couldn't help but ask.
Everyone present was no simple character and naturally noticed Tang Hu's unusual behavior.
"A bit too much, you mean?"
Tang Chen retorted.
Tang Hao nodded.
However, Tang Chen shook his head, "I don't think it's too much, after all, Tang Hu knows too much. Even without others intervening, I've been considering getting rid of him."
Upon hearing this, both Tang Hao and Tang San, father and son, had a look of shock on their faces.
Following that, a chill ran down their spines.
Indeed, in this nearly one year's time, their every meal and routine had been taken care of by Tang Hu. Who knew what Tang Hu might have discovered.
After all, they had sacrificed the lives of many sect disciples to renew their own blood and extend their lives. If this came to light, their reputations would be completely ruined. How would they continue to mix in the Soul Master world?
"Forget about it, there's no need to care about him for now, just keep an eye on him normally. I've asked you to stay because there's something important I need to discuss."
Upon hearing Tang Chen's words, both Tang Hao and Tang San focused their attention on him, waiting for what he would say next.
In return, seeing their gaze upon him, Tang Chen continued, "Thanks to Xiaosan, who helped to purge the blood poison from my body, and over this year, I have finally managed to suppress that detestable creature within me completely.
However, it's only suppressed completely, I don't have a way to eradicate it."
"What!"
"That creature's power is so great!"
Tang Hao and Tang San were astonished.
They had originally thought that a year's time would have been enough for Tang Chen to return to his peak, but it seemed they were off by more than a little.
Seeing the nervous look on the faces of father and son, Tang Chen instead smiled, "Don't be nervous, although the hidden danger still exists, it no longer poses a threat to me. As long as I don't exert my full strength against anyone, that creature won't have an opportunity."
"And, I have a way to get rid of it."
Tang San asked, delighted, "Really?"
"Of course it's true." Tang Chen nodded with a smile, "I'm going to Sea God's Island, I'll ask Great Priest Bossi to use Sea God's Light to refine that beast completely. Afterwards, I'll return to Slaughter City to start the ninth trial, assuming godhood."
"When I return, it will be the moment when all the enemies in the world tremble. I will make the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect flow with blood, and I will have Qin Xiao flayed and sliced!"
Tang Chen's voice was filled with hatred and a cold murderous intent.
The bodies of both Tang Hao and Tang San involuntarily shuddered.
"Then I, Hao'er, will wait in Hao Tian Clan for the ancestor's triumphant return!"
Tang Hao bowed slightly, with his fists encased in his palms.
"Waiting for the ancestor's triumphant return." Tang San copied Tang Hao's actions.
"Hahaha, you father and son just wait to join me in reigning supreme."
Tang Chen laughed heartily, his voice unable to conceal his triumph.
He could already foresee, once he returned as a god, which being in the world wouldn't prostrate before him?
Amidst his loud laughter.
Tang Chen's figure turned into a streak of light, rushing towards the sky.
For a long time after.
When Tang Chen's figure completely disappeared from view, father and son Tang Hao and Tang San slowly retracted their gaze.
Suddenly, Tang San remembered something, "Dad, you didn't show the ancestor the distress letter from the Xingluo Empire."
Tang Hao waved it off unconcernedly, "I deliberately didn't show it to the ancestor. The ancestor is at a critical juncture; as long as he successfully ascends to godhood, the whole landscape of Soul Land will undergo drastic changes. By then, whether the Star Luo Empire, Tiandou, or even the Martial Soul Hall still exist is uncertain.
So, for now, let them deal with their messy troubles in Xingluo Empire themselves. Even if they can't handle it and are destroyed, it doesn't matter to us; the more chaotic the future situation is, the better it suits Hao Tian Clan to grow stronger!"
After hearing Tang Hao's words, Tang San silently nodded, "Understood."
He knew there was no need to say anything more.
Tang Hao's words contained gargantuan ambition.
However.
He liked it.
```
"A year."
"Today marks a full year since we arrived on Sea God's Island, yet Qin Xiao shows no signs of awakening."
On Sea God's Island, in front of the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar, Ning Rongrong looked at the statue-like Qin Xiao with an incredibly complex expression.
It wasn't just her, on this day, Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, Dugu Yan, and others were present as well.
Looking at Qin Xiao, they all wore faces of anxiety and anticipation.
Indeed, it was anxiety because...
"Your Highness, if he does not awaken today, then he..." Dugu Yan's voice was filled with worry.
She didn't even finish her sentence...
But Dugu Yan also knew that even without her saying it, the others would surely understand her thoughts.
The words of the Sea Horse Douluo, no one could forget. If a soul master on land failed to complete a task given by His Majesty the Sea God within a year, they would be eradicated by the brand left by the Sea God Divine Power.
Normally, given Qin Xiao's strength, they would never worry. However, the situation was different than usual. Since accepting the task left by the Sea God, Qin Xiao had stood in front of the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar on Sea God's Island, turned to stone for a full year, and today was the final deadline.
Meng Yiran said, "Let's not worry too much, everyone. Don't forget, His Highness's trial is not the same as ours. He is undergoing the Sea God's Nine Quests, which are the trials of the Sea God for the inheritor of godhood; the restrictions may not be as strict as ours."
After hearing Meng Yiran's words, everyone's eyes slightly brightened.
To put it bluntly, Meng Yiran's thoughts had also crossed their minds, or rather, it was their wishful thinking for Qin Xiao.
"Idealism is sharp-edged, reality is skeletal."
"His Majesty the Sea God most likely wouldn't go easy on his own inheritor, and might even be more severe."
At that moment, an ethereal voice shattered everyone's illusions.
The group instinctively looked over, only to see a figure in a red dress, Bossi, walking gracefully towards them.
Following her were seven figures shrouded in black robes.
Their identities were the same as the Sea Horse Douluo's, guardians of the other sacred pillars.
Today was undoubtedly an important day. They all wanted to see what sort of fate His Majesty the Sea God's inheritor would meet.
Some even believed that even if he were to awaken today, he might not be able to complete the trials left by His Majesty the Sea God.
"What, could it be that His Highness is really going to fall here?"
"No, that's impossible."
"Your Highness, please wake up."
"..."
After hearing Bossi's words, people like Zhu Zhuqing could no longer control their emotions.
Deep sadness.
Immense sadness.
They couldn't bear the pain of seeing someone they liked, or rather loved, disappear before their eyes.
"Calm down and face reality."
Seeing this, Bossi frowned and said, "If he knew you were all so distressed, he would be troubled..."
But Bossi's comforting words were ineffective.
Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, and others didn't listen to a word she said.
Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong fell to the ground as if they had lost all strength, scenes of their time with Qin Xiao flashing through their minds like a slide show.
Dugu Yan still remembered, it was this mysterious man who had saved her and Du Gu Bo's lives with a magical Immortal Herb, fulfilling Du Gu Bo's lifelong wish.
She was grateful.
With his strength, appearance, character, age, Qin Xiao was extremely attractive to a girl like her.
Unconsciously, they had fallen for their savior.
With Du Gu Bo's encouragement, she had boldly confessed her feelings to Qin Xiao.
It was only that Qin Xiao never accepted, but she thought this trip to the sea would be her chance; surely Qin Xiao had a place for her in his heart, didn't he?
But was this budding romance going to end before it could blossom?
She felt extremely unwilling and reluctant to let go.
Ning Rongrong, too, cried bitterly.
Unlike Dugu Yan, Qin Xiao had not saved her life, but she held feelings for Qin Xiao nonetheless.
Frankly speaking, from their first meeting, she had been drawn to Qin Xiao.
It wasn't love at first sight, just immense curiosity towards this mysterious man.
And curiosity is a vital ingredient in the development of sentiments for another person.
Only through a deeper understanding could she slowly come to like him.
Ning Rongrong found many commonalities with Qin Xiao and didn't even realize when she started to miss him whenever he wasn't around.
Upon learning of Qin Xiao's demise, she felt as if there was nothing left to live for.
That's when she knew she liked Qin Xiao.
She had silently made a wish that, as long as Qin Xiao returned, she would never leave his side again.
"I thought the journey to Sea God's Island was just the beginning."
"Could it be that this journey ends before it even starts?"
As Ning Rongrong thought this, her face turned deathly pale.
She felt as if an invisible hand had brutally squeezed her heart.
The pain was so intense, it almost left her breathless.
"Wu wu wu..."
"Wu wu..."
Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran were much more straightforward.
No longer caring if they might disturb Qin Xiao, they each embraced him, sobbing.
Before long, their tears had soaked through Qin Xiao's clothing.
"It's such a pity, truly a pity."
"I thought we would witness the dawn of a golden age. In the end, it all turned out to be a disappointment."
```
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT