Tang Hao spoke evenly, "With your aura leaking outward like that, how could you ever conceal yourself in the world of Soul Masters? When you have washed away all the dross, I will tell you everything. Only then will I be able to decide my own future."
Washed away all the dross? Tang San was momentarily stunned, but he didn't press further. He simply followed his father and slipped away without a sound.
Hu Liena wiped her tears dry and walked quietly down the hillside. She gathered her emotions together, her expression gradually turning calm. She knew she had no right to let sentimentality govern her.
Both her parents had died when she was young. It was Spirit Hall that had raised her and her brother. Spirit Hall had nurtured them, given them everything they had today. Just how much her teacher had invested in her — Hu Liena understood that better than anyone.
That debt of gratitude alone was something she could never hope to repay in an entire lifetime.
So on the day she had held her coming-of-age ceremony, she had sworn an oath: to dedicate her life to Spirit Hall.
Emotions were a luxury she simply could not afford. And besides, that man came from the Clear Sky School.
She dared not think about it any further. Only by forcing herself not to recall those brief moments she had walked the Path of Hell with him could her heart find peace again.
"Girl." A somewhat shrill voice called out from ahead.
Hu Liena looked up. Two figures stood waiting for her in silence.
At the sight of them, Hu Liena's heart stirred involuntarily. Two years. After two years, she would no longer have to fight for survival in a world of slaughter.
"Elder Ghost. Elder Chrysanthemum."
The two before her were none other than Ghost Douluo Gui Mei and Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan. Pope Bibi Dong had dispatched both Titled Douluo here to await Hu Liena's return — a testament to how highly she was valued.
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled. "Congratulations, girl. The fact that you made it out safely is the greatest triumph of all. Once we're back at the Papal Hall, we'll throw you a celebration."
Ghost Douluo still looked as phantasmal as ever. He stepped forward and patted Hu Liena on the head. "Let's go. Her Holiness the Pope has been waiting for you. Over these two years, she came here three times. Each time she left, her eyes were full of disappointment and worry. I think she'll be very happy to see you return."
Hu Liena's eyes stung with warmth. Thinking of everything her teacher had done for her, the feelings she harbored for Tang San were finally pushed down. She followed the two Titled Douluo toward Spirit Hall with almost desperate eagerness.
She had no idea that after she and Tang San had departed, the entirety of the City of Slaughter had been painted in a layer of terrifying crimson.
Ten days later. Heaven Dou City.
Though ten days had already passed, Tang San had still not recovered from the atmosphere of the City of Slaughter. Two years of vigilant living had instilled in him the habit of suspecting everything.
Although the immense killing intent he had accumulated had been internalized within the Clear Sky Hammer and transformed into the Slaughter God Domain, he still frequently found himself in a state of extreme tension.
Tang San knew this wasn't healthy, but two years of ingrained habits — and life in that world of darkness — were not so easily shaken off.
Arriving once more in Heaven Dou City, the icy heart he had forged in the City of Slaughter thawed just a fraction. Still, he didn't understand why his father had brought him here, to the capital of the Tian Dou Empire.
Fortunately, his appearance had changed so drastically that even if he ran into someone he knew in Heaven Dou City, they would never recognize him.
Tang Hao led Tang San into the city. The pair made for an odd combination. Though Tang San also wore plain clothes, his transformed appearance and bearing made him easy to notice.
A handsome face, a complexion slightly pale, an aura that was both restrained and noble, and an invisible cold killing intent that radiated from his person — all of it drew attention.
Tang Hao, by contrast, still looked every bit the disheveled vagrant. He had never made any effort to tidy up his appearance. If one looked closely, one could detect the deadness in those muddy, jaundiced eyes. The truth was, Tang Hao's heart had died long ago — back when Tang San's mother passed away.
They walked all the way to the most bustling district in the center of Heaven Dou City, where Tang Hao finally stopped in front of a tall building.
Tang San instinctively followed his father's gaze and looked up. It was a five-story structure. Even in Heaven Dou City, that counted as a fairly imposing building. The first impression it gave was one of refined elegance.
The overall architectural style carried a classical flavor. On the plaque above the entrance were simply two characters: Moon Pavilion.
Not many people were entering or leaving, but one could tell from a glance that those who did were either richly dressed or possessed an exceptional bearing. Men and women alike.
"Dad, what is this place?" Tang San asked.