Yu Xiaogang, seeing how ruthless Su Ming was, could no longer keep Tang Hao's secret. Given the current situation, Tang San had likely already revealed his Clear Sky Hammer, and with Ning Fengzhi's intelligence, it wouldn't take long for him to connect the dots. Yu Xiaogang urgently shouted, "Su Ming, stop! Are you insane?"
Su Ming calmly replied, "I'm not crazy. Don't worry, I won't kill him. Besides, Master, you seem to have forgotten that I can heal, and we also have Ning Shushu (Uncle Ning) here."
Ning Fengzhi chuckled, "This kid!"
Meanwhile, in Su Ming's mental space, Ah Yin couldn't help but express her concern, "Su Ming, do you really have to go this far?"
Su Ming directed part of his mental focus into the mental space, responding to Ah Yin, "Ah Yin, you've seen it too. Tang San is definitely not your son. If he were, how would he be able to create so many tools that don't belong to this world?"
"Where did his Mysterious Heaven Skill come from? And his mastery of those techniques and hidden weapons—those are skills that would take at least ten or twenty years to learn. Do you really think he could be this proficient at his current age? Even if he had started training in the womb, it wouldn't be possible!"
"Are you still convinced that he's some kind of prodigy?"
Ah Yin, still clinging to hope, stubbornly replied, "What if he's like you, a reincarnated soul who awakened his past life's memories at a certain age? Given that he mastered those techniques in his previous life, it's possible that he could relearn them quickly in this life."
Su Ming smirked. "You make a good point, but did you ever consider one crucial detail?"
Ah Yin looked confused. "What detail?"
Su Ming provided the undeniable truth, "Back when you and Tang Hao were being hunted by the Spirit Hall's Pope, several titled Douluo, and countless powerful enemies, Tang San was just a baby. Tang Hao only managed to break through to the 90th rank during that battle. With all the powerhouses present, both you and Tang Hao were struggling to survive. Are you really sure your baby son could have survived the shockwaves of such a battle?"
"Could you guarantee that you two, without even reaching the rank of a Titled Douluo, would be able to protect your child from harm?"
Ah Yin's eyes welled up with tears as she stammered, "What if... what if Hao did manage to protect him?"
"Hao escaped with Tang San after my sacrifice. With his immense strength, maybe he managed to protect our child."
Su Ming couldn't help but laugh, ready to shatter Ah Yin's last hope.
"The Clear Sky Hammer is known for its power to destroy. For Tang Hao to break through the ranks and escape, he would have used the secret technique of the Clear Sky Sect, the Ring Explosion, and the Great Sumeru Hammer. Do you really think he would've had the strength left to protect your child after that?"
"The most likely scenario is that your child didn't survive that battle. Tang San's soul likely crossed over from another world and took over your son's body."
Watching Ah Yin's tears fall, Su Ming felt a pang of guilt. She looked so heartbroken, like an innocent older sister mourning her loss. Damn it, I'm really not a good person, making such a beautiful soul cry. But he had no choice—Su Ming had to make her face the truth.
He gently wiped away her tears and sighed, "Ah Yin, take some time to calm down. You and I share a connection, so you know I wouldn't lie to you."
With that, Su Ming withdrew from the mental space.
Ah Yin remained silent as tears streamed down her face. Everything Su Ming said makes sense. Could baby Tang San really have survived that battle? She had once naively believed that Tang San's achievements were due to his exceptional talent, but now, she wasn't so sure.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang, seeing Su Ming's relentless approach, shouted to Ning Fengzhi, "Ning Sect Master, Tang San's father is the Clear Sky Douluo! What you're seeing now is likely Tang San using the Clear Sky Hammer to break free from Su Ming's control!"
Ning Fengzhi was taken aback by this revelation. Tang San is Tang Hao's son? And he has the rare twin spirits? Not only that, but Tang San was also skilled in using hidden weapons and poisons.
Could the bloodline of the Clear Sky Douluo really be this powerful?
At the same time, Chen Xin (Sword Douluo) and Gu Rong (Bone Douluo) frowned. If Tang San is really Tang Hao's son, they can't let him be killed by Su Ming, or Su Ming would be in danger. Their first concern was Su Ming's safety—not only because of Ning Rongrong's connection to him but also due to his valuable talismans.
Moreover, they didn't have a favorable opinion of Tang San. Since he was the son of Tang Hao and possessed twin spirits, it was only a matter of time before he returned to the Clear Sky Sect. Despite the alliance between the top three sects, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect had never really gotten along, especially due to their political differences—Seven Treasure supported the Heaven Dou Empire, while Clear Sky favored the Star Luo Empire. This long-standing tension made them wonder if it might be best to eliminate Tang San quietly.
Ning Fengzhi, as a sect master, understood this as well. Even if Tang San is Tang Hao's son, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't need to fear Tang Hao. Besides, he knew that trying to please both sides would likely result in failure on both fronts.
He quickly made his decision: He would stand by Su Ming.
However, Tang San couldn't be humiliated too much or have his foundation damaged, or else Su Ming would be in real trouble.
Ning Fengzhi spoke calmly, "Since that's the case, I'll ensure Tang San is protected, but he'll still have to take Su Ming's attack."
Ning Rongrong, who had initially felt upset upon hearing her father's decision to protect Tang San, soon realized her father was ultimately siding with Su Ming. This means the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect won't face near destruction like in the original story.
She also wondered, Will Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong, who also possesses a diary, spare the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for Su Ming's sake? Or will Su Ming have another way to prevent Bibi Dong from attacking the sect?
Shaking her head, she thought, Only time will tell. The future is uncertain.
Nearby, Dai Mubai and the others were already shocked beyond words. Dai Mubai had always assumed Tang San was just a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect. Who could have guessed that he was actually the son of the youngest Titled Douluo in history—Clear Sky Douluo himself?
This filled Dai Mubai with joy and excitement. It was an unexpected but huge surprise! He already had a good relationship with Tang San, especially after their life-or-death experiences in the Star Dou Forest. They were practically sworn brothers now. Dai Mubai believed that as long as he stayed by Tang San's side, he would essentially have the backing of a Titled Douluo!
And considering that Tang San was a twin spirit wielder, in a few years, he could likely surpass even Bibi Dong. After all, the Clear Sky Hammer was known as the most powerful weapon spirit in the world!
Suddenly, a sound interrupted their thoughts: Shhh, shhh, shhh!
Wooden spikes pierced through the massive tree, and blood began to drip down the spikes. The onlookers couldn't help but shut their eyes in horror. Could Su Ming have killed Tang San?
The giant tree stopped expanding, and then—boom!—it exploded into countless shards of wood.
This happened because Su Ming had ceased injecting spirit power into it; otherwise, Tang San wouldn't have been able to break free.
Tang San emerged, drenched in blood, with numerous broken wooden spikes embedded in him, making him look like a human porcupine. His head was spinning, and his vision blurred. He couldn't afford to collapse here!
Forcing himself to sit cross-legged, Tang San activated his Mysterious Heaven Skill, hoping it would soothe his damaged meridians and alleviate his pain. He also needed to restore his depleted spirit power, having used everything in his final effort to break free of Su Ming's control.
After freeing himself, the Clear Sky Hammer in Tang San's hand began to fade away, but not before everyone had seen it. It really is the Clear Sky Hammer!
Yu Xiaogang quickly pleaded, "Sect Master Ning, please help!"
Ning Fengzhi didn't waste any time. Tang San had received the lesson he deserved, but he hadn't expected Su Ming to be so ruthless. It seems Tang San isn't particularly well-liked. Both my daughter and Su Ming seem to dislike him. Why?
Ning Fengzhi released his martial spirit. "Seven Treasures, Six Exalts, Augment!"
A seven-colored light enveloped Tang San, healing him.
Ning Fengzhi then turned to Su Ming. "Alright, let Tang San recover here. Su Ming, shall we find a place to have our conversation?"
Su Ming nodded, glad that it seemed Ning Fengzhi was more interested in his talismans than Tang San's hidden weapons. That was a good sign.
Su Ming led Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong to the secluded area where he and Rongrong had trained. It was quiet and private. Using Wood Release, Su Ming fashioned chairs and a table from nearby trees and brought out some food and drinks from his soul tool. If we're going to talk business, we might as well do it right.
Ning Fengzhi and his companions were impressed by Su Ming's meticulousness.
"Su Ming, can we now talk about the specifics of our cooperation? What kinds of talismans can you make at the moment?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
Su Ming began explaining, "As you've already seen, besides the Exploding Talismans and Space Talismans, I can also create Defensive Talismans. But for someone like you, Ning Shushu, the defensive ones may not be of much use."
"I'd recommend starting with the Space Talismans and the Exploding Talismans. Offensively and defensively, they're more than enough."
"However, talismans come in different grades. A fourth-grade defensive talisman might block a Spirit Elder's attack, but anything stronger or from a genius-level opponent would render the talisman less effective."
"And right now, I can't make higher-grade defensive talismans. They also consume a lot of my energy, so I won't be able to supply many in a short time."
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment before responding, "Alright then. Su Ming, I'll start by ordering one hundred fourth-grade defensive talismans, one hundred first-grade space talismans, fifty second-grade space talismans, twenty third-grade space talismans, and three fourth-grade space talismans. As for the exploding talismans, the more, the better—any grade."
"I've noticed that using multiple exploding talismans at once increases their damage. Is that right?"
Su Ming nodded. "Exactly. But be careful not to blow yourself up. You saw earlier that I gave myself a protective barrier before using them."
Ning Fengzhi agreed, thinking it was a manageable risk. Just throw them farther away. It's a solid offensive tool.
Su Ming glanced at Gu Rong and hesitated before asking, "Ning Shushu, how many people in your sect can use space-related spirit abilities?"
Gu Rong suddenly felt a chill. What's this feeling?
Ning Fengzhi, a little confused, replied, "Aside from Gu Shushu, not many."
Su Ming shook his head. "That's going to be a problem. To make space talismans, I need the essence blood of spirit masters or spirit beasts with space-related abilities. I was lucky enough to encounter a thousand-year Lightning Rabbit in the Star Dou Forest, and with Xiao Wu's help, I was able to make some."
"Other materials are secondary, but the essence blood is essential."
Su Ming then turned to Gu Rong with a smile. "Bone Grandpa, how about you donate a few drops of your essence blood? Since you're a Titled Douluo, just one drop could be diluted into dozens, maybe even a hundred portions of lower-grade material."
Gu Rong's immediate reaction was, Wait... So that cold feeling I had earlier came from this kid? Su Ming really is a little demon! And who the hell are you calling Grandpa?!
His mouth twitched as he retorted, "Kid, do you have any idea how exhausting it is to lose even a single drop of essence blood? It'll take me a long time to recover!"
Despite his complaints, Gu Rong didn't outright refuse. He wasn't just thinking about the sect's younger members—he knew these space talismans were crucial for Ning Fengzhi's safety. After all, he and Chen Xin couldn't protect him perfectly every time.
Without waiting for further discussion, Gu Rong made a small cut on his hand and painstakingly extracted two drops of essence blood. His face had already turned a bit pale, a clear sign of his temporary weakness.
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GOT IT