The Star Dou Forest loomed vast and dark.
Alone.
After his father's merciless rejection, Tang San was left abandoned in its depths.
The forest that had once been filled with laughter and warmth now brimmed with dread. He knew even a Soul Elder here could be prey in moments—the red-eyed serpents coiling high in branches, the tusk-faced tigers stalking through long grass.
Even the air smelt of ambush and death. Without his father's oppressive pressure to drive beasts away, he would be meat within minutes.
Clenching his fists, Tang San's body blurred, Ghost Steps flashing as he scaled the towering canopy. His Purple Demon Eye bloomed, scanning beyond the sea of green beneath the horizon.
"…!"
Through the veil of distance, he saw banners. Armor. Gleaming symbols of Spirit Hall embroidered on gilded cloaks. A column of soul masters moved with steady discipline, Bishops and Contras at their helm, their presence like a beacon.
And at the heart—brilliant and peerless, the noble figure of Bibi Dong.
Tears sprung unbidden to Tang San's eyes. So this is God's mercy. Father throws me away, but Spirit Hall—at least for now—may give me a place to stand. Even if only because of Teacher.
His thin throat cracked as he shouted, stripping a branch into a crude flag, waving it desperately.
"Here! Zu Shi Niang, I—Tang San—am here!"
The patrol swiveled instantly, Spirit Hall's experts on full alert.
Moments later, a purple-green gale burst through the trees. Her silhouette descended upon him, her scepter gleaming.
"Xiao San!"
Her tone carried both relief and joy. She grasped his weak shoulders, scanning his condition and the edges of the forest sharply. Her voice dropped frigid as ice.
"…Why are you alone? Where's Tang Hao?"
"He's—" Tang San's words stuck.
"You must be vigilant. If he fled, he may lurk still. The villain could strike again. Ghosts, Yueguan, watch for ambush!"
"Yes!" Ghost Douluo's phantom voice rasped, Yueguan's chrysanthemum light swirled delicately as their guards spread again.
But Bibi Dong's eyes did not leave him. Her composure cracked, nerves pouring raw through her heart. For nights she had not slept, eaten little, her mind chained to frantic questions: Was Xiaobei safe? Was he being hurt by Tang Hao's filthy hands? Would his heart cool and drift further from her warmth?
And now Tang San stood here, shaken, but Xiaobei still absent.
"Speak," she commanded fiercely, dignity torn aside in panic. "What of Xiaobei? Why are you the one here?"
Tang San's throat burned. To lie would achieve nothing. He bowed his head and spoke.
"A woman robbed him. Even Tang Hao could not keep hold of Teacher. She—took him."
The stillness cracked the camp into uproar.
"A woman?" voices echoed incredulous.
"What woman could steal prey from Tang Hao's hands?"
"Before the Pope, no female in the world stands above Tang Hao's strength."
Murmurs swirled, dozens of faces tight with confusion.
Bibi Dong's brow furrowed, breath chilling. "…Describe her."
Tang San steadied his breath and painted the memory—purple-black scales, dragon-like allure, the suffocating demonic power of Zi Ji tearing even Tang Hao's grip.
Elders of Spirit Hall frowned thinly. One grey-bearded soul master—High Elder Ye of the archives—rubbed his robe, muttering, "Purple-red armor, soul power riveted in scales… This is not human."
Gasps spread.
The Elder raised his beard, intoning: "The ancient records spoke of such. At a hundred-thousand years, some soul beasts can take human form. The Blue Silver Emperor was proof enough. If Tang Hao wrestled with such a beast… and lost Xiaobei to her maw… it can only mean this woman is one of the forest's old fierce guardians, long hidden from human eyes."
The words carried weight. Even Tang San paled; his mother Ah Yin's specter interlaced with the truth.
He clenched his fists. Zi Ji. So even a beastess dares covet Teacher. I'll find him. No matter what.
Bibi Dong's eyes froze still, then sharpened. "…So. A beast dares lure him away. Good."
Her rage nearly rattled the forest. Even Spirit Beasts… even you covet what is mine. Xiaobei will not be stolen by anyone—beast, man, or sect.
"Capture the Titan Ape alive," she commanded. "If that woman lairs in the deeps, the ape will know the paths. It will speak—or choke on venom."
The army bowed instantly.
"Zu Shi Niang…" Tang San's lips trembled.
Her eyes pierced him again, reading deeper. A note of suspicion edged her tone. "Xiao San. You say this woman stole him. And what of Tang Hao? Why did he leave only you?"
The words lashed like whips.
Tang San flinched. Known. She knows.
Silence hung. Then he raised his head sharply, bitter resolve in his eyes.
"No. I am not his son. Not anymore." His teeth ground steel into the air. "Anyone who harms my Teacher is my enemy—and Tang Hao abandoned me."
Firm eyes blazed across Bibi Dong's chest.
A hush rippled. Ghost and Yueguan darted eye contact. Elders whispered.
The High Elder stroked his beard, offering explanation: "Impossible that he is Tang Hao's spawn. His martial soul is a Blue Silver Grass, weak at birth. Without Subei's aid, he would remain inferior. If he were that man's child—surely he would inherit Haotian's hammer, not a weed."
Murmurs settled, agreement quickening. For once, Tang San's denial fit into their narrative.
Bibi Dong's face, however, gentled just slightly. His eyes had declared the true pledge—a vow to the same place as her heart.
She exhaled hard.
"Good. Very good. Then remember, Xiao San—Tang Hao is our enemy. Never forget it."
Tang San bowed, eyes wet but unbroken.
"Yes, Zu Shi Niang. From this day—I have only one Master."
Bibi Dong turned away sharply, robes snapping.
"Form the net. Round up the forest kings. That beast will lead us to Xiaobei. He will be found."
Far in the depths, Titan Ape shivered miserably. I didn't even do anything… why do they want me dead?!
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