As soon as Shrek Academy's teachers began whispering over Tang San's safety, fate dropped someone unexpected at their doorstep.
"I am his aunt."
Tang Yuehua's voice was calm, refined. She nodded slightly toward Yu Xiaogang, her demeanor full of noble grace.
An… aunt?
Yu Xiaogang and Flender traded wary glances, neither daring to lower their guard. It was too convenient. They had just been wrestling with Tang San's connection to Tang Hao, debating whether to hand him over to the Clear Sky Sect, and now—suddenly—a woman appears claiming to be his relative.
Coincidence? Impossible.
"Ms. Tang Yuehua," Yu Xiaogang said slowly, suspicion gleaming in his deep-set eyes, "if you truly are from the Haotian Sect, then please—release your Clear Sky Hammer."
On the continent, nothing authenticated identity more clearly than revealing one's Martial Soul. If she were genuine, if the hammer truly manifested, then trust could follow.
But Tang Yuehua only shook her head, a faint, curt smile curving her lips.
"Sorry. My Martial Soul awakened differently."
Yu Xiaogang frowned. Of course she knew what his words implied. But the world did not wait politely for explanations. If she truly was Clear Sky blood, why hide it? If she was an enemy spy using trickery, then hesitation meant danger.
"I am not with Martial Soul Hall," Tang Yuehua added, this time her composure cracking into earnest urgency. "If I were, I wouldn't be wasting breath here. I would have already struck, taken Tang San by force. Do you think I'd bother with words?"
Flender and Yu Xiaogang exchanged a hushed council.
Her words rang with sense. Martial Soul Hall wielded overwhelming power—if this elegant woman had truly been one of theirs, their little academy would have been crushed already.
Still… trust did not come easily.
At last, Yu Xiaogang decided. "Then we should let Tang San decide for himself."
Tang San
At that moment, Tang San sat by himself at the window of his dormitory, gazing into grey skies. His mind was a blur of unresolved questions.
Recently, from Titan's mouth, he had learned fragments about his father—secrets long buried. But why… why had his father suddenly clashed openly with Martial Soul Hall?
Not just clashed—stormed directly into their holy city, hammer raised against their Pope, nearly shattering the Papal Palace itself. Reckless. Suicidal. And yet… glorious.
He was proud. Proud to call the youngest Titled Douluo, Tang Hao, his father.
But that pride twisted with confusion and dread.
Was it true? Had Martial Soul Hall stolen his mother away? Why, if so, had his father hidden her existence from him all these years? What connection tied her fate to their most dangerous enemies?
Rumors of "wife-snatching" spread like wildfire, and every whisper needled his heart, maddening him.
He hadn't dared tell even Xiao Wu.
Lost in his storm of thoughts, Tang San nearly jumped when Yu Xiaogang's palm landed on his shoulder.
"Xiao San," his teacher said gravely, "there is someone here. She claims to be… your aunt. Do you want to meet her?"
Tang San froze. "An aunt?"
The word struck him like a thunderclap.
He had never heard of one. In Shenghun Village, his childhood had been lonely. No aunts. No maternal relatives. No visitors. His father had never once mentioned such a person. And now, all of a sudden…?
"She says she is your aunt," Yu Xiaogang explained. "But she does not bear the Clear Sky Hammer."
The confusion in Tang San's chest deepened until it felt unbearable.
Shrek Academy Hall
Tang Yuehua's poised fingers reached out, brushing against Tang San's cheek with surprising tenderness. Her eyes shimmered, not with calculation, but with an aching sorrow.
But Tang San stepped backward, slipping out of the touch. His guard was raised, suspicion darkening his gaze.
"I'm your aunt," Tang Yuehua said softly, frowning a little.
"...I'm sorry. I can't just believe you."
To him, the word aunt was as foreign as this woman's perfectly composed figure. Everything Yu Xiaogang explained only raised more doubt. How could one of Clear Sky blood claim such kinship without awakening the hammer?
"You look so much like her," Tang Yuehua whispered, lowering her hand.
Tang San blinked. "Her…?"
"Your mother."
The breath caught in his chest.
"You… you know my mother?" he pressed, desperate now. "Where is she? Tell me!"
But Tang Yuehua only shook her head, sorrow flashing across her delicate features. "I do not know where she is."
"Then at least tell me who she was!"
"Forgive me. I know little of the circumstances back then. Only your father can answer those questions."
Tang San's chest sank. Just when he thought he'd gained a clue—it vanished.
"I can't trust you." His voice dropped low, filled with disappointment. Was this to be his fate—always dangling pieces of truth, never the whole?
But Tang Yuehua pressed softly, urgently. "Tang San, your situation is very dangerous. Martial Soul Hall's eyes are everywhere. I am here to take you back to Clear Sky Sect—only there will you be safe."
Though her words rang earnestly, Tang San shook his head hard. "No. I won't go with you."
Xiao Wu
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu hummed gently to herself as she walked alone through the grove toward Shrek's dormitory. In Tiandou City, she no longer dared go out lightly.
Here, unlike the simple Suotuo City, titled Douluo could descend at any time. If she was discovered—
"Ah!"
Her feet left the earth as a sudden force coiled around her body, binding her like a trapped insect against a tree.
A smirk gleamed down from above.
"Little rabbit, where are you hopping off to?"
It was Lu Yuan. His spirit power pinned her effortlessly while his grin spelled trouble.
Xiao Wu stiffened. "You…?" Her eyes flashed with guarded wariness—far too many times had she suffered at this man's hands.
"Run," he whispered playfully, his finger tracing over her cheek.
"R-rogue! You… what are you trying to do?" Panic rippled through her voice.
Here, in the woods, even screaming would be useless.
She trembled, remembering the crude conversations she'd overheard from Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. Words about humans, about lust and hunger.
And one line in particular burned into her head.
'The more they struggle, the more excited they get.'
Humans were too strange. And now, terrifyingly, she was the prey.
"Relax, little rabbit," Lu Yuan chuckled darkly. "I only want to ask questions. Answer truthfully and I let you go."
Xiao Wu blinked rapidly. "…Q-questions?"
"Yes. Has Little Pepper returned to Shrek recently—or any word from her?"
"Little… pepper?" Xiao Wu blinked blankly. "Who?"
"Your teacher, Liu Erlong."
Comprehension clicked. "Ah. Teacher Erlong… she left a while ago. No one has seen her since."
Disappointment flashed across Lu Yuan's face.
So… Liu Erlong was avoiding him? Refusing all contact?
His jaw tightened, frustration smoldering.
"Well?" Xiao Wu asked timidly. "Now that I've answered, can you let me down?"
But Lu Yuan shook his head, his grin sly once more.
"No, little rabbit. I'm in a bad mood tonight. Sit down and drink two cups with me first."
Xiao Wu's eyes widened in horror.
Wine!? With him?
Her heart pounded. The forest wind whispered faintly. And above her, Lu Yuan's grin only grew wider.
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