Half an hour later, Zhu Zhuqing finally finished absorbing the Clawed Nether Beast's spirit ring, albeit with some difficulty.
Seeing her eyes open, Lin Fan asked, "How do you feel?"
Zhu Zhuqing answered joyfully, "Teacher, I think your advice was right."
"This spirit ring granted me a skill called Dark Nether. After activation, it increases my movement speed by 20% and boosts the damage of all my spirit skills by 50%. It feels even stronger than Rongrong's enhancement."
Zhu Zhuqing excitedly described the effects of her newly acquired spirit ability to Lin Fan.
"Very good. It suits you well. I initially thought this beast would only boost your attack power—didn't expect a speed bonus as well," Lin Fan nodded in satisfaction.
"Most likely, it's because the ring is highly compatible with your martial spirit."
"Then, shall we head back, Teacher?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.
"Yes. Let's go."
Lin Fan then took Zhu Zhuqing back to the Doyuan courtyard.
As soon as they stepped inside, Lin Fan noticed the interior had been thoroughly cleaned and looked completely refreshed.
"As expected, having a woman in the house makes all the difference," Lin Fan remarked sentimentally.
"You're back," came Tang Yuehua's voice from behind them.
She entered the courtyard carrying groceries.
"Greetings, Mistress," Zhu Zhuqing greeted politely.
"No need to be so formal—come, sit." Tang Yuehua waved her hand, smiling. "Since you're back, I'll start cooking."
Lin Fan's face changed at once. He hurried over to take the groceries from her hands. "Yuehua, your hands are made for playing the zither—let me cook instead. You chat with Zhuqing."
Having tasted Tang Yuehua's cooking twice before, Lin Fan dared not try a third time.
It wasn't her fault. After all, she had been a noble lady in the Clear Sky Clan and later lived in Yuexuan with personal attendants. Cooking simply wasn't in her skill set.
"Mistress, I think Teacher is just concerned for you. That's why he doesn't want you in the kitchen," Zhu Zhuqing, herself of noble upbringing, tactfully added.
She had already recognized that Tang Yuehua wasn't an ordinary woman. Though she couldn't sense any spirit power, the woman's elegant attire and graceful aura marked her as someone from a distinguished background.
"Don't cover for him. He's always disliked my cooking," Tang Yuehua said with a playful tone, handing the groceries to Lin Fan.
"Enough about him. Zhuqing, where are you from?" she asked, turning to the girl kindly.
"I'm from the Star Luo Empire, Mistress."
"Oh? That's quite far. Why did a young girl like you come to the Heaven Dou Empire? Did you meet Lin Fan there?"
Tang Yuehua continued the conversation to ease Zhu Zhuqing's discomfort.
Zhu Zhuqing wasn't particularly talkative by nature, but she answered every question politely and without holding anything back, especially given Tang Yuehua's identity.
Lin Fan watched the two women chatting happily and silently excused himself to prepare lunch in the kitchen.
Ten days later—
Tang Hao returned to his son Tang San's side and resumed watching over him from the shadows.
That night, Tang Hao quietly took the sleeping Xiao Wu out of the dormitory.
At the time, both Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were away, so Xiao Wu had been sleeping alone.
"Who's there?!" Xiao Wu awakened abruptly as the night wind stirred her. She found herself in a small forest and immediately noticed a tall figure standing with his back to her.
She grew intensely alert.
"Could it be that I've only just arrived in Heaven Dou City, and someone has already discovered my identity?" she thought, heart racing.
Tang Hao slowly turned around and pulled back the hood of his cloak.
"Xiao Wu, don't be afraid. I'm Tang San's father—Tang Hao," he introduced himself calmly.
"San-ge's father?" Xiao Wu blinked in confusion.
She found it hard to believe this disheveled, weather-worn man could be Tang San's father.
Then Tang Hao released his Clear Sky Hammer martial spirit.
"You've seen San's other martial spirit, right? Does it look familiar?"
"You are his father…" Xiao Wu stared at the hammer in his hand, now fully convinced.
"I didn't originally plan to show myself to you, but you've come to Heaven Dou City and even plan to participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament with Tang San."
"I had no choice but to come out and warn you. Heaven Dou City is crawling with powerful spirit masters—Spirit Douluo, even Title Douluo. At any time, someone could see through your ten-thousand-year spirit beast identity."
Tang Hao's voice carried both helplessness and concern. Deep down, he admired Xiao Wu's courage—for the sake of his son, she had dared to come to Heaven Dou City.
But it was reckless. This wasn't a backwater like Suo Tuo City. One misstep and her identity would be exposed.
If not for the Lovesick Heartbroken Red immortal herb in the original story, Xiao Wu would never have made it out of Heaven Dou alive.
"You… you know who I am?" Xiao Wu was shocked.
"Of course. I could tell from the very first moment you appeared in front of San. I'm a Title Douluo, after all."
"You don't think Lin Fan spared you because he's a kind person, do you? He just couldn't defeat me, that's all," Tang Hao added, clearly confident in his strength.
"So that's it… I always wondered why Lin Fan didn't attack me. Thank you, Uncle," Xiao Wu finally understood Lin Fan's mercy.
"Don't thank me yet. I can watch Lin Fan, but if another Title Douluo shows up, I won't be able to protect you," Tang Hao said seriously.
"I had no choice but to come out and persuade you to go back to where you belong. At least wait until you've reached your mature stage before returning."
"Don't take my warning lightly. You know who Ning Rongrong is, right? She returned to her clan recently, and her father may come to visit Flender soon. He always brings a Title Douluo with him."
"A Title Douluo even stronger than Lin Fan."
Tang Hao's voice was stern, making it clear how serious the situation was.
Xiao Wu felt a deep sorrow. Did this mean she would have to leave Tang San, after all these years?
She recalled the vows Tang San had made to her. If she stayed, she might end up being a burden to him.
"Uncle, since you're a Title Douluo… isn't there any way to hide my spirit beast aura? I don't want to leave San-ge," Xiao Wu said with tears in her eyes.
"You like my son that much? You're not afraid he'll abandon you if he finds out your true identity?" Tang Hao asked, his expression softening.
"I trust San-ge. He won't care what I am," Xiao Wu answered firmly.
"Very well. I do have a way to hide your identity—have you absorb my wife's ten-thousand-year spirit bone, the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone."
"But I need you to promise me one thing: once you reach your mature stage, you must return the bone."
"Also, after absorbing it, you're forbidden to use any of its spirit abilities."
Tang Hao's tone was heavier than before, as though he had made a major decision.
"Blue Silver Emperor?" Xiao Wu was stunned.
"Yes. Tang San's mother was just like you—a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast who became human. That's why I spared you the first time I saw you," Tang Hao said, his eyes filled with a distant sorrow.
"I understand. If it means I can stay by San-ge's side, I'll do it," Xiao Wu nodded resolutely.
"Good."
Tang Hao gave her the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone to absorb and cloak her spirit beast aura.
If Lin Fan knew what Tang Hao had just done, he'd probably laugh out loud.