Tang Xiao gazed deeply at Tang San for a long while before finally speaking in a measured voice. "Good, good, good. You young people really do have vision. This is something your father and I never thought of back then. You're right — if you can truly escape from Sea God Island, it will have genuinely unlocked your potential. Go. I have your support."
Tang San asked carefully, "Uncle, are there any things I should be aware of on Sea God Island?"
Tang Xiao spoke in a low, serious tone. "Only one thing — do not kill anyone on Sea God Island. In truth, most sea Soul Masters are gentle by nature. Although they reject outsiders, they generally just drive them away. They won't kill. But if you strike first and take a life there, everything changes. The retaliation from the sea Soul Masters is more than you could ever withstand. Beyond that, be wary of sea Soul Beasts. While some of them are docile, there is no shortage of vicious ones among them. And because it's extremely difficult to discern their rank, you must exercise the utmost caution. Xiao San, come with me. Since the elders have formally recognized your identity, it's time I taught you some of our sect's secret techniques. This set of self-created Soul Skills was developed by your great-grandfather. Although your Clear Sky Hammer hasn't yet been fitted with Soul Rings, having this will at least give you an additional means of protecting yourself."
Ten days later. Setting Sun Forest.
Xiao Wu lay quietly nestled in Tang San's embrace, letting the surrounding scenery flash past like lightning. She had fallen fast asleep, both arms wrapped around Tang San's neck, her lovely face pressed tightly against his chest. He was carrying her entirely — one arm supporting her shoulders and back, the other cradling her long, slender legs. Her neatly braided scorpion tail hung over her own body.
The Eight Spider Lances propelled Tang San's body through the dense forest with ease. His memories of this place ran impossibly deep. Even without looking, he could clearly discern the direction he needed to travel.
In a forest brimming with Blue Silver Grass, Tang San was like a bird taking to the sky or a fish plunging into the ocean. If the sea was paradise for sea Soul Masters, then the forest was undeniably his domain. Had he encountered Qian Renxue in these woods, Tang San was absolutely certain he would prevail. This was his world.
Through the spiritual connection between his Blue Silver Domain and the surrounding Blue Silver Grass, Tang San could clearly sense where powerful Soul Beasts lurked and where passage was unobstructed. He moved through the forest without encountering any trouble whatsoever. Even when he crossed paths with a few Soul Beasts along the way, the Blue Silver Domain had already transformed his aura to match that of the Blue Silver Grass perfectly, wrapping his body in a disguise that drew no attention from ordinary creatures.
Each spring of the Eight Spider Lances carried them forward at least ten meters. Tang San looked down at the sweetly sleeping Xiao Wu in his arms, and an unmistakable smile of tenderness appeared on his face. "Silly girl, you're about to meet your in-laws. You're probably the most relaxed person in the entire world when it comes to meeting the parents."
His smile brimmed with doting affection, his heart already overflowing with warmth. Though he hadn't been away for that long, his yearning for his parents had only deepened. He had already made up his mind — once Spirit Hall was destroyed in the future and vengeance was secured for his parents and Xiao Wu, he would bring Xiao Wu here to settle down and stay by his parents' side.
With the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well's power, his mother's recovery time would be drastically shortened. Still, whether his father would live to see the day his mother was fully revived remained an unknown. But regardless, he would stay and wait alongside his father. He believed that one day, his mother would truly come back to life. And when that day arrived, their family could finally be reunited.
At last, that mountain peak came into view. Eager to be home, Tang San accelerated once more. The Eight Spider Lances bent sharply, then sprang, launching him dozens of meters into the air. He activated the flight ability of the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone. The instant the lances' spring momentum faded, the flight skill kicked in, hurtling his body toward the mountaintop like an arrow. Under the protection of his Blue Silver Domain, neither the poisons Dugu Bo had once laid down nor the aura of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well could harm Xiao Wu.
In truth, even Xiao Wu's original form could now fully withstand the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well's influence. The two divine herbs had done far more than simply restore her human shape.
The unique aura radiating from the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well invigorated Tang San's spirit. He looked around and saw that the various plants flanking the special little lake had grown even more lush.
A figure — one leg, one arm — stood there in stillness. Those gentle, warm eyes were already gazing in his direction.
"Dad!" Tang San called out, carried away by emotion, which stirred Xiao Wu awake in his arms. He retracted the Eight Spider Lances behind him, and using the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone flight skill, he became a streak of meteor light, descending from the sky while cradling Xiao Wu. He flew straight to his father and finally came to a stop before him.
Tang Hao looked much the same as before — still with wild, unkempt hair and beard, still missing a leg and an arm. But the light in his eyes seemed far more peaceful than when Tang San had last seen him.
Tang San's gaze swept past his father's face and settled on his mother behind him. In the less than year he'd been away, the Blue Silver Emperor had flourished remarkably. The great grass blades were now nearly a foot wide and over five meters long. The single golden vein that had once traced each blade had become three. The very moment Tang San touched down, nearly every blade rippled, surging quickly toward him and Xiao Wu, gently wrapping around their bodies.
Warm, tender maternal love enveloped Tang San and Xiao Wu in an instant. Tang San froze, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face. But these were no longer tears of sorrow — they were tears of overwhelming joy.
Xiao Wu stared, somewhat dazed, blinking at the broad grass blades that had coiled around her as well. Despite lacking a soul, her eyes gradually reddened.
Tang San could clearly sense that his mother's recovery was progressing far faster than he had imagined. In less than a year, the aura she radiated was already comparable to that of a several-thousand-year-old plant-type Soul Beast. What surprised him most was the intelligence emanating from the Blue Silver Emperor. His mother was clearly conscious — her soul still existed. This was the complete opposite of Xiao Wu's situation.
From his mother's current state, Tang San immediately deduced that the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well alone could not account for such rapid recovery. She had originally been a hundred-thousand-year plant-type Soul Beast. The Ice Fire Yin Yang Well had merely served as a catalyst, supplemented by the guidance of his own blood that he had provided back then. His mother was recovering at a truly astonishing rate. At this pace, there was a genuine possibility that the family would be reunited within his father's lifetime.
Tang Hao smiled — a warm, gentle smile, utterly devoid of the old Clear Sky Douluo's imposing presence, as if all the years of hardship had been washed clean. "Your mother is very happy you've come back. She's welcoming you."
"I know. I know," Tang San said, his voice choked with emotion.
Tang Hao raised his remaining hand and wiped the tears from Tang San's face. "What are you crying for? You should be happy."
Tang San hurriedly dried his tears and nodded firmly. "Yes, I should be happy. Dad, Mom's recovery is far faster than I imagined. I believe she will absolutely return to how she was before."
The light in Tang Hao's eyes brightened considerably. "I believe it too. Xiao San, do you know? In all the time you've been away, these have been the happiest days I've had in nearly twenty years. Watching your mother's body grow a little more each day is all the fulfillment I need. After all these years, we can finally be together. Though a father and son shouldn't need to say thank you, you found this place for your mother…"
As he spoke, he clapped his hand firmly on Tang San's shoulder. Father and son exchanged a look, and in that silence, everything was understood.
The Blue Silver Emperor withdrew from Tang San and Xiao Wu's bodies, leaving behind just a single blade that gently caressed Xiao Wu's head. The leaf swayed softly, catching a teardrop that fell from Xiao Wu's eyes. A wave of sorrow immediately radiated from the Blue Silver Emperor.
Tang San knew his mother had noticed Xiao Wu's condition.
The bond between Tang Hao and his wife was extraordinarily intimate. His gaze instantly fell upon Xiao Wu, and he let out a heavy sigh. "Not long ago, your mother and I both sensed that you were in danger. Xiao Wu, she…"
The moment Xiao Wu was mentioned, the tears Tang San had just stemmed threatened to fall again. He pulled the delicate figure tighter against him and recounted everything that had happened since his departure.
When Tang Hao heard that Xiao Wu had used the sacrifice technique to save Tang San, the ferocity and dominance that had long since faded from his eyes returned in full. His single fist clenched tight. The Blue Silver Emperor trembled violently, every single blade quivering — as though weeping without sound.
Tang San continued, describing his subsequent adventures — the founding of the Tang Sect and everything that followed — in full detail.
When Tang San finished, the tension gradually drained from Tang Hao's face. He looked at his son, then at Xiao Wu nestled in his arms. "When it comes to handling these matters, you're better than I ever was. Take good care of the Single Attribute Four Clans. Back then, I was partly responsible for their downfall. Xiao San, the sins I committed — you've had to bear them all…"
He trailed off, but the guilt in his eyes made Tang San's heart clench with pain. Had his father truly been wrong? No. If it had been him in that same situation back then, he would have made the very same choice.
"Dad, I'm your son. And you did nothing wrong." His words came out firm and resolute. There was no elaborate comfort — just that single sentence, yet it visibly eased the weight on Tang Hao's expression. To have a son who understood him — what could possibly matter more than that?
Tang San turned his gaze toward his mother. "Dad, Mom, rest assured — I will bring Xiao Wu back to life. But for a long time to come, I'm afraid I won't be able to visit you. I've come back this time because I also want to ask you to grant me one thing."
Tang Hao blinked in surprise. "What is it?"
Tang San looked at Xiao Wu beside him, his eyes soft with tenderness. "Xiao Wu and I — our marriage. I would like to formally engage to Xiao Wu with you both as witnesses. Once she has fully recovered, we'll be married immediately. Please give us your blessing." As he spoke, he took Xiao Wu's hand and knelt before his parents.
Tang Hao looked at his son with a flicker of surprise, but his weathered face was quickly overtaken by a broad smile. "Good, good, good. Xiao Wu is a wonderful girl. To have a wife like her is your blessing. We agree. We agree." Looking at the bewildered Xiao Wu, Tang Hao's eyes grew moist as well. Though Tang San hadn't gone into extensive detail about everything they had endured together in the Star Dou Great Forest, how could he not imagine what those two children had suffered? He had walked that same path himself, and all the more could he understand the bond between his son and Xiao Wu.
Two blades of the Blue Silver Emperor rose silently, each gently taking one of Tang San and Xiao Wu's hands, then bringing their hands together and intertwining them firmly. The same warm, tender emotion once again flooded around Xiao Wu and Tang San, embracing them both.
Just then, a blue-gold light shimmered from Tang San's body. Six Soul Rings materialized soundlessly around him. The dazzling crimson sixth Soul Ring flickered into view, and a beam of red light rose from it, merging into Xiao Wu's body. Her vacant eyes instantly regained their luster.
This time, Tang San did not restrain Xiao Wu's soul from emerging. The two locked eyes, then simultaneously bowed deeply to Tang Hao and Ah Yin.
Tang Hao laughed heartily, lifting their joined hands with his own. "To have such a daughter-in-law — what more could a father ask for? Xiao San, you must take good care of Xiao Wu from now on. She is your fiancée."
Large tears rolled down Xiao Wu's cheeks. The soul that had temporarily returned to her body trembled with powerful emotion as she softly called out two words: "Dad… Mom…"
A blade of the Blue Silver Emperor rose and quivered gently as it drifted before them. Its broad leaves trembled, and a single golden thread slowly separated from the leaf, moving with a will of its own as it wound around Tang San's finger — his left ring finger — and then Xiao Wu's — her right.
A golden glow burst forth. The threads, bathed in radiant light and suffused with gentle emotion, transformed into two delicate golden rings that settled upon their fingers.
Tang San and Xiao Wu stared in astonishment at the faint golden glow on their hands, which kept emanating a wondrous sensation. In that instant, they felt their minds and hearts connect — as though their very souls had been bound together by that miraculous golden thread, never to be parted.
Tang Hao smiled warmly at the young couple before him. "That is your mother's wedding gift to you. I don't have much to offer. But your mother and I will always be here, blessing you. Xiao Wu, get well soon. We're all waiting for the day you truly become our daughter-in-law."
Xiao Wu threw herself into Tang San's arms, clinging to him tightly, sobbing beyond words.
It still wasn't perfect — not yet. But he and she were finally, properly together. Those golden rings were a symbol of their love. In that moment, every plant surrounding the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well seemed to dance joyfully in the wind, offering its blessing to these two who loved each other.
…
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Clan Leader, are you truly agreeing to let Rongrong go on an adventure with Tang San and the others?" Bone Douluo said, his brows deeply furrowed.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "The Great Master is right. Spirit Hall, as things stand, is virtually insurmountable for us. None of us will become the core strength capable of standing against Spirit Hall in the future. But the Shrek Seven Devils are different. Those seven children — Rongrong included — possess extraordinary, heaven-blessed talent. Only when they've truly come into their own will we have the strength and opportunity to oppose Spirit Hall. Let them go. If they always grow under our wing, they'll never learn to soar independently through the heavens. The Shrek Seven Devils complement each other in temperament, and their bond is stronger than that of any siblings."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin nodded. "The Clan Leader's decision is correct. Rongrong has already reached the sixtieth rank. Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she's considered one of the stronger members. Although her Martial Soul has evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, whether she can truly wield the power of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda still depends on her own effort. Her time cultivating at Shrek Academy already proved the Clan Leader's judgment was sound. These seven young people, together, may very well become the seven miracles of the future."
Bone Douluo sighed with a bitter smile. "It's not that I disagree — I simply can't bear to part with Rongrong. In our entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she's the sole heir qualified to inherit the position of Clan Leader."
Ning Fengzhi replied with firm resolve. "Jade that isn't polished never becomes a fine instrument. I can't bear to part with my daughter either. But if I keep her by my side, will that prevent the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan from declining? Though I'm reluctant to admit it, we are already on a downward path. Even the Tian Dou Empire harbors a measure of wariness toward us. Whether the clan can experience a revival does not rest with us. It rests with Rongrong. When the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shines with all nine lights, that will be the moment our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan evolves and re-emerges in the world of Soul Masters."