Outside the small town at the entrance to the City of Slaughter, Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang were heading southwest toward Heaven Dou City, preparing to return to Shrek Academy, which had been renamed from Blue Tyrant Academy.
Indeed, this time, the ones escorting Tang San to the City of Slaughter were not only Tang Hao himself but also Yu Xiaogang.
After the defeat at the hands of the Spirit Hall, Tang Hao's mindset had undergone significant changes.
The successive appearances of Bibi Dong, Su Cheng, Ah Yin, and Qian Renxue dealt a heavy blow to Tang Hao, making him clearly recognize his own shortcomings.
It also made him understand that although Tang San's talent was exceptional and even surpassed his own performance at the same age, he was far from being the best among the younger generation.
Not to mention the exceptionally powerful Su Cheng and the twenty-something Qian Renxue with a spirit power level of seventy, even Tang San's teammate Zhu Zhuqing from Shrek Academy was significantly stronger.
Additionally, a few days ago, when Tang San and Tang Hao visited Shrek Academy to see Yu Xiaogang, they learned more about the Spirit Hall.
The finals of the Soul Master Competition a year ago had involved many academy members.
Aside from the Spirit Hall Academy and Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, students from Godwind Academy, Heaven Water Academy, and Elephant Armored Academy also participated.
Because of this, many teachers and students were qualified to watch the match, and various pieces of information about the battle had long since spread widely.
Qian Renxue's hundred-thousand-year seventh spirit ring needed no further mention; she had already used it in her battle against Zhu Zhuqing.
In the finals, she even displayed an extraordinarily powerful double field and her terrifying self-created spirit skill, "Divine Judgment."
Yet despite this, she was still suppressed by Su Cheng, who had a lower cultivation level.
He too had a double field and two self-created spirit skills, "Bright Moon" and "Empty Mountain," which were renowned in the soul master world.
These pieces of information made Tang Hao feel an immense pressure.
Thus, Tang Hao no longer felt confident in teaching Tang San properly, nor did he have as much faith in his son.
Yu Xiaogang's profound theoretical knowledge was exactly the support he urgently needed.
Tang Hao planned to have Yu Xiaogang fully involved in all his actions and plans for Tang San's training.
But there was another crucial reason why he valued Yu Xiaogang.
That reason was Yu Xiaogang's past relationship with Bibi Dong, which might one day become a sharp blade against the Spirit Hall.
"Master, do you think bringing Little San to this place will significantly benefit his growth?"
Tang Hao looked at Yu Xiaogang beside him, seeking his opinion.
This was why he was willing to slow down their pace and spend more time bringing the merely Grandmaster-level Yu Xiaogang here.
"Absolutely," Yu Xiaogang said solemnly, a trace of uncontrollable horror flashing in his eyes. "Soul masters who grow up in an academy and those who grow up on the battlefield are fundamentally different levels of existence."
The bloody atmosphere in the small tavern just now was terrifying.
Although most of the vicious people inside were not even soul masters, the murderous intent from years of skirting the edge of life and death was astounding.
Hearing this, Tang Hao felt a bit relieved. He nodded and said, "Little San will need at least two more years to complete the trials of the City of Slaughter. What should we do to further his growth after that?"
"I do know of a place, but it's extremely dangerous."
"Where?"
"It's an island that very few people in the soul master world know about," Yu Xiaogang said, his eyes flickering with memories.
"The Spirit Hall once sent two thousand soul masters to this island, attempting to recruit the soul masters there. The result was a complete failure; fewer than a hundred returned alive, and they even lost two titled Douluo.
"The Spirit Hall calls that place the Devil's Island, but I know its real name: Sea God Island."
"Sea God?" Tang Hao's eyelid twitched. "And even the Spirit Hall failed there?"
"Exactly. I know this because I went there once, during the Spirit Hall's attack on Sea God Island. At that time, I was still with Bibi Dong and went along with them. I also know that the island is likely guarded by a level ninety-nine peerless Douluo, the so-called 'Sea God'."
"So, you suggest that Little San go there for training?" Tang Hao's expression showed some hesitation as he heard Yu Xiaogang's description.
He understood the strength of a peerless Douluo. His grandfather, Tang Chen, was such a figure.
Yu Xiaogang noticed his worry and comforted him, saying, "It is indeed dangerous there, but not as terrifying as you might think. The soul masters on the island are not bloodthirsty. As long as you are not a member of the Spirit Hall, it is a suitable place for training."
"Alright, I will listen to you. Once Little San comes out of the City of Slaughter, we will send him to Sea God Island."
"No need to rush. There are a few things to do before that."
"What things?"
"Soul rings and soul bones," Yu Xiaogang said seriously. "Especially soul bones, which greatly enhance a soul master. To fully realize the potential of Little San's twin martial souls, enhancing his physical body with soul bones is crucial."
"I understand," Tang Hao nodded, inwardly admiring the other's meticulous thinking.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang sighed, "In fact, as far as I know, there are six ancient soul bones within the Spirit Hall.
"These six soul bones can only be used by soul masters with the Seraphim martial soul. Each of these bones is 99,999 years old, just a sliver away from the 100,000-year mark.
"If someone can utilize all six soul bones simultaneously, they could push them all to the 100,000-year level, thus becoming a god-like existence.
"These six soul bones are also known as the Angelic Raiment."
"Are you suggesting...?" Tang Hao's expression changed slightly.
"That's right." Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, his face growing even more serious. "That Qian Renxue from the Spirit Hall might very well be capable of wielding all six of these soul bones."
"..." Tang Hao fell silent upon hearing this.
After a long pause, he asked hoarsely, "Why didn't you mention this earlier?"
"I didn't say it earlier because I didn't want to put too much pressure on Little San," Yu Xiaogang said helplessly. "Haven't you noticed that Little San's mental state is a bit off lately?
"Especially after learning about the performances of Su Cheng and Qian Renxue in the finals, he was greatly affected and lost his previous confidence, which is very detrimental.
"In my view, for someone wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, losing confidence means it's difficult to unleash its world-dominating power."
"...You are right," Tang Hao sighed.
He felt increasingly sure that consulting Yu Xiaogang was the right decision.
Choosing him as Xiao San's teacher was indeed the best choice.
He only knew to pressure Tang San but didn't think of more detailed issues.
"Wait a minute." Tang Hao suddenly stopped, reaching out to halt Yu Xiaogang beside him.
"What's wrong?" Yu Xiaogang was puzzled for a moment.
But soon, he understood the reason for Tang Hao's stop.
From the woods on the other side of the mountain, several figures emerged...
Seeing the two people in the distance, Su Cheng was somewhat surprised.
He hadn't expected to encounter Tang Hao here, and not just him, even Yu Xiaogang was present.
It wasn't strange that Tang Hao would bring Tang San to the City of Slaughter for training.
What surprised him was that they arrived so early.
When he sensed the presence of these two, many thoughts flashed through Su Cheng's mind, to the extent that he momentarily forgot to observe Bibi Dong's changing expressions.
He suddenly realized this might be an excellent opportunity!
Since they coincidentally met, a fight was inevitable.
But how to fight, and what to do afterward, how to make good use of these people, was the key.
That powerful and meddlesome elder Asura God from the God Realm was indeed difficult to deal with.
But what if it was replaced by a newly ascended second-level Asura God?
As for whether Tang San was a pawn of the Asura God, it might not matter much.
Let him inherit it.
Compared to the most powerful Asura God King, a second-level Asura God inheritor was much easier to deal with.
In this way, in the future, he would only need to face the remaining four God Kings with unclear attitudes.
However, how Tang San should inherit this god position in the future, and when he should inherit it, would need to be decided and guided by himself.