Dawn broke as the sun rose in the east.
Ye Qiu's long-ingrained biological clock caused him to open his eyes early.
Looking down at Xiao Wu, who was still curled up in his arms, he noticed a trace of moisture on her lips. Her face, still a little chubby due to her age, looked peaceful and innocent. Unable to resist, he gently pinched her soft cheek.
Carefully, he slipped out of bed, went outside as usual, found a secluded corner, climbed onto a tree branch, and quietly watched the purple mist rise from the eastern horizon…
...
"Phew…"
Today's training with the Purple Demon Eye finally came to an end. It was time to prepare.
Returning to Dormitory Seven, Ye Qiu wrote down his destination and placed the note beside Xiao Wu's pillow.
Just four simple words:
"Hunter. Do not worry."
The Soul Hunting Forest was not open to just anyone. It was a restricted area filled with captive soul beasts, and entry required a special token.
In other words, a warrant issued by Spirit Hall—one that could only be exchanged for gold soul coins at the Notting City branch.
---
Upon arriving at the Spirit Hall branch, Ye Qiu was stopped the moment he entered.
"Spirit Hall is sacred ground. Not just anyone may enter! Show your Spirit Master credentials!"
"I've just reached level ten and would like to purchase a Soul Hunting Forest token. Could you please show me the way, sir?"
Not wanting to cause trouble, Ye Qiu took out his Notting Academy enrollment certificate and released a trace of soul power.
"A Soul Hunter?" The guard frowned. "Just a kid like you? I suggest you hire some help…"
"Thank you for the reminder, brother. I will—"
"Alright, come with me."
The guard didn't say much more. He had seen countless ordinary children like this, and he didn't know how many had perished in the Soul Hunting Forest.
You can't reason with someone courting death—offering advice was already kindness.
Spirit Hall was extremely efficient. Ye Qiu completed all procedures quickly, though the price was steep, draining nearly eight or nine tenths of his savings.
After carefully storing the warrant, he went to the street and retrieved the gunpowder he had prepared long ago at his workplace.
---
Unnoticed by Ye Qiu, a pair of weathered eyes watched his every move.
As he passed through a narrow alley, the number of pedestrians thinned.
Whoosh!
A black figure descended soundlessly and stood directly in front of him.
"What—"
Before Ye Qiu could even finish speaking, his body froze.
An overwhelming pressure crashed down on him, making it impossible to move.
Beneath his black stockings, his eyes locked onto the figure before him.
A burly man, wearing a black bamboo hat, his face covered in thick stubble that obscured his features entirely.
Yet Ye Qiu knew exactly who he was.
Tang San's dead father.
Haotian Douluo—Tang Hao.
Cold sweat streamed down Ye Qiu's forehead as panic surged through him.
Damn it… is he going to make a move now?
A hoarse voice echoed in his ears. Tang Hao's lips barely moved, yet the sound rang directly inside Ye Qiu's mind—clear, sharp, forming a single line.
"Outside the city. Eastern forest."
After casting Ye Qiu one final glance, the figure vanished.
Thump!
"Huff… huff…"
Ye Qiu collapsed to the ground, gasping desperately for air. In Tang Hao's presence, he had even forgotten how to breathe.
His entire body was drenched in sweat, droplets falling from his chin onto the ground.
"Heh… the Haotian Sect really is protective of its own," he muttered bitterly.
"To think a Title Douluo would personally deal with his son's love rival…"
After struggling to his feet, Ye Qiu hesitated briefly before heading toward the eastern forest outside the city to keep the appointment.
Since Tang Hao hadn't attacked him directly, the immediate danger seemed lower.
Before a Title Douluo, he was nothing more than an ant. Even running would be meaningless.
He also wanted to know—was Tang Hao acting for his son's future wife… or for the hundred-thousand-year soul ring?
---
Notting City wasn't large, but it wasn't small either.
After leaving the city gates and walking for half an hour, Ye Qiu finally arrived at the meeting place.
Tang Hao was already there.
He stood upright, unmoving, his bamboo hat fluttering gently in the wind. Despite his silence, he carried an indescribable sense of dominance.
"I wonder what business you have with me, senior?" Ye Qiu asked respectfully.
Tang Hao didn't turn around.
Without emotion, he spoke directly, "Kid, leave that girl. She's not good enough for you."
Ye Qiu feigned ignorance. "Are you referring to Xiao Wu? Are you her family member?"
Careful not to involve Tang San or expose anything sensitive, he chose his words cautiously.
"You don't need to know," Tang Hao replied coldly. "Leave this place. Never appear before that girl again."
"Why?" Ye Qiu frowned. Whether sincere or not, he genuinely wanted to hear the reason.
"You're nothing but a coward," Tang Hao said calmly.
"A piece of trash who broke through level ten months ago, yet still doesn't dare to hunt a soul."
"…!"
Ye Qiu hadn't expected his private conversation with Xiao Wu to be overheard.
When Xiao Wu learned he had reached level ten, she repeatedly offered to help him hunt a soul ring—but he had always refused.
Tang Hao had seen all of it… and concluded he was weak.
"Is that all?" Ye Qiu replied quietly. "Senior, I think I can—"
"Enough!" Tang Hao interrupted. "I've said it already. You're not worthy of her."
The oppressive aura surged once more, crushing down on Ye Qiu.
Yet Ye Qiu stood straight, enduring it, a cold smile tugging at his lips.
Heh… when you say 'her,' do you mean Xiao Wu… or it?
Tang Hao frowned beneath his hat as the pressure intensified. Seeing Ye Qiu still struggling, a malicious thought suddenly arose.
He changed his mind.
"Heh… this is the price for hurting my son's woman."
His tone was casual—like crushing an insect.
"What?!" Ye Qiu's pupils shrank in shock.
Tang Hao had exposed the truth.
He intended to kill him to silence everything.
A faint crimson glow seeped out from beneath the bamboo hat as terrifying killing intent surged forth.
No—this is a mental attack! And… the Killing God Domain!
Ye Qiu had thought Tang Hao wouldn't kill him.
He was wrong.
---
In his mind, blood poured like rain. Mountains of corpses and seas of blood surged forward, massive waves crashing endlessly.
Beneath the black stockings, the Sharingan operated at its absolute limit, resisting desperately—blood mixed with tears streaming down his face.
But the gap was too vast.
The stalemate shattered.
For a brief instant, Ye Qiu's mind went blank.
In that final moment, he seemed to see Xiao Wu sacrificing herself for Tang San, following her predetermined fate.
Uncontrollable hatred surged forth.
His body stiffened.
He fell heavily to the ground.
His breathing faded to nothing.
Tang Hao stepped forward and kicked Ye Qiu's head.
No response.
Just a lowly ant—unworthy of a second glance.
With Haotian Douluo personally taking action, there was no need for inspection. This was the pride of the strong.
Satisfied, Tang Hao turned and left.
---