Heaven Dou Empire, west coast.
Ming Hongchen and his wife walked into an inn and knocked on a door.
Creak.
The door opened, and Kevin's face lit up. "Elder Ming, Sister Fengya, you're back."
Even at over 80 years of age, Xu Fengya still insisted everyone call her sister, never old.
"Since you've returned, we depart tonight," the Evil Emperor's voice came from inside.
"Alright." Ming Hongchen entered with his wife.
"Elder Ming, did you gain anything?" Yu Ziyan asked curiously once they sat down.
"We didn't find any trace of the Child of Nature. The Heaven Dou Empire seems unaware," Ming Hongchen said. "However, we gained something else by chance." He pulled out several booklets and laid them on the table.
"Cloud Sea Cultivation Method?" Kevin frowned in puzzlement.
"This is a set of meditation techniques created by Yang Yunhai of Yunhai Academy, together with Dugu Bo. They didn't name it, so I did. To me, Cloud Sea Cultivation Method fits." Ming Hongchen explained. "Take a look. The rest are soul master theories he published. These three volumes… they herald a new era."
"I was fortunate to witness their birth, and even to become friends with the one who created them."
Kevin and his wife exchanged startled looks, quickly flipping through the books. In no time, their faces showed deep shock.
"Elder Ming, they just gave you something like this?" Kevin asked in disbelief.
"Not gave. These have already been made public." Ming Hongchen sighed.
The couple was even more shaken.
"This truly is something that can reshape an era," the Evil Emperor said after skimming with spiritual power.
"Humans really are a race blessed by heaven."
"When we return to the Sun Moon Continent, I'll have my imperial brother release this widely," Xu Fengya said firmly. "This method alone can raise the strength of an entire continent. We can't let personal motives hold us back and cause our land to fall behind."
"Then we should have statues made for Dugu Bo and Xiao Hai," Ming Hongchen added. "Though they are not of the Sun Moon Empire, their contributions benefit all humankind. Such deeds must be remembered."
"Yes." Xu Fengya nodded slightly.
"Who would have thought this continent could produce such a figure," Kevin murmured. "I recall that the theory of absorbing higher-aged soul rings was also pioneered by this Yang Yunhai."
"This boy is destined to reach the pinnacle of this continent," Xu Fengya added. "We saw his partner absorb a 35,000 year soul ring at rank 50 with our own eyes. And in that forest, we even encountered a 100,000 year soul beast."
"That beast's attributes matched Yang Yunhai perfectly. Without surprise, it will become his ninth soul ring."
"What luck." Kevin clicked his tongue. "He must be heaven's favored child."
Ming Hongchen smiled faintly, then turned to the Evil Emperor. "Lord Evil Emperor, and you? Any gains?"
The Evil Emperor nodded. "When we return, something of utmost importance must be done." He sent a private transmission, and Ming Hongchen's face froze in shock.
"You understand what this means for humanity, for this world."
"I do." Ming Hongchen's face grew solemn. "When we return, I'll push this with everything I have."
"Be discreet. If word leaks before the right time, you know the consequences," the Evil Emperor warned coldly.
"I understand." Ming Hongchen nodded gravely. "It concerns the future of humanity. I'll handle it with utmost caution."
The others exchanged glances but dared not ask further.
"This is too important—it touches the fate of mankind. We'll discuss it in detail once we return," Ming Hongchen told them.
Their faces hardened, all nodding.
"And another thing," the Evil Emperor said. "Never speak of this on the sea. As for that Sea God… better to believe than doubt."
"Understood." Everyone agreed.
Time passed quickly. September arrived.
Beneath a waterfall deep in a forest, Tang San slowly opened his eyes. He looked toward his father Tang Hao with a faint smile. "Father, I've reached rank 50."
"Mm." Tang Hao stood slowly. His expression remained flat. "Your Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique has not yet met my expectations. But enough cultivation for now."
Originally, he had wanted to keep Tang San here longer until the technique was perfected. But with the road to the Slaughter City ahead, and knowing its trials, he had to reconsider. Without a Wisdom Skull Bone and seeing Tang San's earlier impulsive actions, he couldn't risk leaving him unprepared.
As one who had walked out of the Slaughter City as its Death God, Tang Hao knew the Hell Road demanded not just strength, but spiritual power and state of mind.
And he also couldn't wait any longer to confirm whether Ah Yin's soul bone was in Yang Yunhai's hands. His old injuries were now suppressed—he could act again.
"Xiao San, tell me—how do you judge your combat ability?" Tang Hao asked, his tone level.
Tang San hesitated. He almost said "not bad," but the image of Yang Yunhai defeating him again and again came to mind. His fists clenched. "Still far off."
'So his mindset still wavers.' Knowing his son, Tang Hao saw it instantly. "Then do you know what you lack?"
Tang San froze, unable to answer.
"What is the essence of real combat?" Tang Hao pressed.
"Eyes and hands as one, predicting the enemy?" Tang San recalled the Tang Sect's hidden weapons teachings.
Tang Hao's expression darkened. "Combat is not drills. True combat is a struggle of life and death."
He lectured at length, then said, "Your mind and control are good. But you lack one thing—the purest killing intent. Now, feel my aura!"
His pupils contracted.
Boom—an overwhelming murderous will erupted from him, filling the clearing.
"..."
"Rest for today. Tomorrow we depart." Tang Hao's voice was cold. "I'll take you somewhere to cleanse yourself. Only when your heart is calm will I take you to cultivate killing intent."
"Yes, Father." Tang San bowed his head solemnly.
Days later, they reached a nameless forest.
"This place has the soul beast you need," Tang Hao said, pointing at the ground. "Sit."
Tang San obeyed.
"Release your Blue Silver Grass and sense with your heart."
Tang San did so, but after long effort, opened his eyes helplessly. "Father, aside from faint fluctuations from the grass, I sense nothing else."
'As I feared.' Tang Hao frowned. Without the Wisdom Skull Bone, Tang San's spiritual power was still lacking. He couldn't yet awaken the Blue Silver Domain. That meant one less lifeline for the Hell Road.
"Come with me." Tang Hao decided not to waste time. He would at least bring Tang San to meet the Blue Silver King that Ah Yin had once spoken of.
"Yes." Tang San stood quickly and followed.
They moved at high speed, reaching the forest's depths an hour later.
'This should be it.' Tang Hao spotted the twin massive ancient trees Ah Yin had described. With a burst of speed, he brought Tang San past them into a clearing filled with Blue Silver Grass.
"Here?" Tang San's eyes widened. The Blue Silver Grass here was lush, many already cultivated to the thousand-year level.
But Tang Hao's expression sank. Though new grass had overgrown, he recognized the slightly sunken ground ahead—once home to an ancient plant. The Blue Silver King.
But now, it was gone.
The Blue Silver King was missing! Who would help Tang San awaken his martial soul a second time?
'Could it be Yang Yunhai? But how would he know of this place? Did he force Ah Yin, who regained some consciousness, to reveal it?'
Countless suspicions flared. Tang Hao's resolve to go to Heaven Dou City hardened further.
Without the Blue Silver King, the second awakening could still occur upon reaching Soul Saint, when martial souls transformed into Martial Soul True Body. That breakthrough alone could cause the awakening.
But for now, there was nothing here.
"Let's go," Tang Hao said evenly, masking his anger.
"Yes." Tang San's eyes gleamed faintly as he glanced around.
'So much Blue Silver Grass…' part of him longed to devour it, strengthen his martial soul. But recalling his father's warnings and the punishments of the past year, he quickly squashed the thought and followed obediently.
'No matter how strong Blue Silver Grass becomes, it will never rival the Clear Sky Hammer.'
(End of Chapter)
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