In the Divine Realm, within a rugged and treacherous gorge, thick and overwhelming malice and evil thoughts pervaded the area.
A faintly visible, twisted figure sat cross-legged above a muddy swamp in the center of the gorge, her face a hideous and grotesque shade of blue-purple.
At the same time, a clear excitement flickered deep within her eyes.
She sensed a faint ripple coming from the distant lower realms, a series of continuous and subtle fluctuations.
"Hehehe, although this boy's aptitude is somewhat lacking, his progress is quite fast. What has he gone through? The degree of his mental distortion is even more exaggerated than that girl's."
Accompanied by a low, hoarse, eerie laugh, the figure became even more twisted and grotesque.
Though she wasn't clear on the specifics, nor what had triggered this chosen successor of hers, she knew that the seed had already sprouted. All that was needed now was to wait patiently.
"Hmph, Asura, using my divine power as a whetstone for your successor. Even though you're the God of Law, you're still underestimating me too much. Such a pity for Tang Chen; his killing intent was overwhelming, but he lacked sufficient malice and had too weak a sense of self. Otherwise, he would've made a good successor."
This figure was none other than the infamous Rakshasa God, known for her vile reputation even within the Divine Realm.
Though the Divine Realm emphasized "balance," with even the two Divine Kings respectively overseeing the laws of goodness and evil, and the gods divided into dark and light factions, the Rakshasa God, as a first-level deity, was so twisted and mad that even the gods of the dark faction avoided her, unwilling to have too much contact.
"This time, you've really set your pride aside, clearing out most of the malice in the Slaughter City. But do you think that will stop my divine power from corrupting him?
"As long as his malice is sufficient, even the slightest touch will allow my Rakshasa power to grow using his own will as nourishment. Sooner or later, he will embark on the divine trial..."
In the Asura God's temple, a tall figure reeking of blood stood in the center, as sharp as a sword piercing the sky.
At this moment, his gaze was also briefly focused on Tang San, who was on Douluo Star.
"…Boy, try your best to withstand the erosion of the Rakshasa's evil thoughts. As long as you don't fall too deep, there's still hope. I've already given you quite a bit of leeway."
The Asura God was well aware of the traces of Rakshasa power lingering on Tang San.
In fact, even the incidents involving Tang Chen and Bibi Dong were deliberately allowed by him.
The difference, however, was that Tang Chen simply couldn't withstand the corruption of the Rakshasa power, while he had misjudged Bibi Dong.
He never imagined that Bibi Dong would not only survive the corruption but also directly begin the Rakshasa God trial, costing him an exceptionally excellent successor candidate.
He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
This time, he had cleansed most of the Rakshasa power from the Road to Hell.
"That damn Rakshasa, willing to abandon a successor just to spite me, this is endless."
Even now, the Asura God was unaware that Bibi Dong's Rakshasa God trial had been interrupted not by the Rakshasa God's will but by other hidden circumstances.
The Asura God's power severely restrained the Rakshasa God's power, and their relationship was naturally extremely hostile.
While there was a tacit understanding between them, along with the protection of the God of Destruction, the Rakshasa God's minor tricks were expected, but she wasn't foolish enough to confront the Asura God directly.
However, the Asura God hadn't completely eradicated all the Rakshasa power on the Road to Hell.
For Tang San's current state, the tempering of the Rakshasa's evil thoughts was an essential process.
There was no other choice.
Tang San's foundation was too shallow, and in his current state, he could never complete the Asura God trial.
While the Rakshasa God's power was perilous, it also served as a double-edged sword.
If Tang San could successfully withstand the corruption, both his will and his physical foundation would grow significantly.
Only then would he have the opportunity to inherit the Asura God position and contain the powerful and domineering Asura God power.
The Asura God had observed Tang San for a long time, and with this successor's temperament, he shouldn't meet the same fate as Tang Chen.
His concern was that Tang San might inadvertently begin the Rakshasa God trial like Bibi Dong.
So, he had made some minor adjustments on the Road to Hell to prevent history from repeating itself—something beyond the Rakshasa God's understanding.
"If necessary, boy, just find more ways to vent. You can make amends afterward..."
The Asura God sighed softly.
He wasn't fond of such underhanded methods, but if Tang San failed, it was uncertain how long it would take to find another successor.
Moreover, as an innate deity, his moral compass differed from that of humans.
Not to mention, he was merely diverting part of the Rakshasa God's methods.
The real culprit was still that evil god.
Moments later, the Asura God turned and left the temple.
As the God of Law in the Divine Realm, he had numerous affairs to manage and countless life planets to oversee; he didn't have the time to linger on this matter.
In the opulently decorated top floor of Moon Pavilion, three people, now reunited, sat closely together.
At this moment, Tang San had already removed his mask.
Tang Yuehua gently caressed his stiff and slightly unnatural face, her eyes red as she softly said, "Your name is Tang San, right? You look so much like your father when he was young. You've suffered all these years, haven't you?"
She was well aware of the Spirit Hall's wanted notice. Although she was indignant, there was nothing she could do.
Moreover, due to Su Cheng's presence in Moon Pavilion, she had learned about some things over the past few years through various channels.
"Yes, Aunt, my name is Tang San."
Tang Yuehua's hand was warm and soft.
Being touched like this, Tang San couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in his heart, and the dense bloodlust between his brows slightly dissipated.
"Tang San... Tang San..."
Muttering this name softly, Tang Yuehua's expression was a mix of sorrow and joy.
Back then, Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and Ah Yin traveled together, and Ah Yin was the youngest of the three.
Tang Hao naming his son Tang San was all too obvious.
She turned to look at her brother's aged face, her lips trembling, but in the end, she could only sigh lightly, tears welling up in her eyes, "Brother, how did you end up like this?"
Tang Hao, however, seemed indifferent, chuckling lightly, "Silly girl, when did you become such a crybaby?"
Tang Yuehua's expression finally showed a hint of anger.
"Isn't it because of you? How many years has it been? You didn't leave a single word. It was only recently that I heard from elsewhere that you had appeared in Spirit City..."
At this point, her voice faltered, and she subconsciously glanced at Tang San beside her, her expression hesitant.
After a moment's hesitation, she bit her lip and whispered, "San's mother..."
"…Ah Yin... She's revived..."
Tang Hao, after a long silence, finally replied with difficulty.
As he spoke, his fists clenched tightly, and his desolate face was filled with pain, a familiar sense of powerlessness overwhelming him.
Again, it was the same, every time it was the same...
The words Ah Yin had spoken when they parted, the nightmare-like images that haunted him, once again flashed through his mind...
"She... she was captured by people from Spirit Hall."
Finally, Tang Hao's voice was hoarse as he delivered this response.
"…"
Hearing this, Tang Yuehua seemed to have something to say but held back.
In that fierce battle at the Spirit Hall, compared to the grand appearances of Xiao Wu, Bibi Dong, Tang Hao, Su Cheng, Qian Renxue, and others, the brief presence of Ah Yin was undoubtedly just a minor role, barely noticeable.
Few people knew her true identity; at most, a few perceptive individuals might have speculated something based on Tang Hao's vague words, but even they probably didn't dwell on it much.
Thus, the majority of attention remained on the 100,000-year-old spirit beast in human form, the re-emergence of the Clear Sky Douluo, the powerful Spirit Hall, and the two prodigies, Qian Renxue and Su Cheng.
However, Tang Yuehua was clearly different. Although her strength was modest, she had deep connections with the royal family and nobility of the Heaven Dou Empire, giving her access to a wealth of information. Through this, she caught glimpses of the truth.
More importantly, she knew Ah Yin's true identity.
When she first learned of Ah Yin's resurrection and appearance, she was shocked and bewildered for quite some time.
Later, she conducted inquiries based on this and learned some additional information.
Although Spirit City wasn't a place anyone could freely enter, it wasn't entirely closed off either. After all, Spirit Hall had been more active in recent years, and its ties with the outside world had grown stronger.
"Brother, I... I heard someone say they saw Sister-in-law in Spirit City. She... she appeared to be moving freely, not as if she were imprisoned by the Spirit Hall..."
"Enough!"
Tang Hao abruptly stood up, interrupting her words, breathing heavily, and his eyes flashing with a bloody light.
Even Tang Yuehua, with her calm temperament, was so frightened by his sudden violent reaction that her face turned pale.
"...Sorry."
Tang Hao wiped his face and weakly sat back down.
Did he really not understand what Tang Yuehua was saying?
Did the events of that day, replayed over and over in his mind, leave him without suspicion or doubt?
Of course not.
He just didn't want to believe it, didn't want to admit it.
Spirit Masters had various methods, and Spirit Hall was known for its despicable actions. There might be other hidden truths.
Thinking this way only strengthened his resolve to investigate the Blue Silver Grass Forest as soon as possible.
"Maybe I got the wrong information, Brother. You'll definitely be able to rescue Sister-in-law in the future."
"…"
But Tang Hao didn't say anything more; he just nodded blankly.
On the other side, Tang San frowned slightly, suddenly realizing he might have overlooked something.
Although he had been one of the witnesses that day, his mind had been entirely consumed by Xiao Wu's sudden death. Even his perception of the outside world had become hazy and unclear.
In fact, his mother's appearance hadn't caused much of a ripple in his heart. He barely remembered the conversation between his parents.
All his memories of that day were actually filled in later, based on Tang Hao's descriptions.
But now, with their conversation and their reactions, it was clear that the events of that day were not as simple as Tang Hao had described. Some more authentic, vague memories began to resurface...
As these thoughts crossed his mind, a hint of black mist unintentionally flickered deep in Tang San's eyes.
"Oh right, Brother, there's something else I need to tell you." At this moment, Tang Yuehua seemed to remember something and suddenly spoke again. "Over a year ago, two young people about Xiao San's age came to visit me."
"?"
Tang Hao, who had just pushed those images back into the depths of his mind, looked puzzled upon hearing this.
People coming and going in Yuexuan wasn't unusual, was it?
But then he reacted, his face stiffening, "You mean...?"
Tang Yuehua didn't leave him in suspense and said directly, "One of them was Su Cheng, the now-famous elder of Spirit Hall, and the other was Zhu Zhuqing, the personal disciple of the Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong."
"Spirit Hall's elder—"
Before Tang San could finish his sentence, another more urgent voice interrupted him.
Tang Hao's expression changed drastically as he fixed his eyes on Tang Yuehua, his powerful aura already gathering.
If Su Cheng had recognized her identity, and then Bibi Dong had also been drawn in, waiting to ambush them here, wouldn't he and Tang San be walking right into a trap?
Not to mention that strange young man; Bibi Dong's current strength had also significantly increased compared to their last confrontation.
Tang Yuehua was momentarily stunned by Tang Hao's reaction.
For some reason, she seemed to see a trace of nervousness and... fear in his eyes?!
It was probably just her imagination...
She calmed herself and slowly shook her head, "I don't think so. He just noticed something special about my domain and asked me to help purify the killing intent for Bibi Dong's disciple. Nothing more. I believe that if he had known my identity, he wouldn't have let me go so easily."
Hearing this, Tang Hao finally relaxed.
If it was just about the domain, then there was no problem.
The most inconspicuous aspect of Tang Yuehua was precisely her spirit and domain, which were entirely different from those of the Haotian Sect members.
"Aunt, you just mentioned the elder of Spirit Hall and the Pope's personal disciple. What do you mean?" At this point, Tang San finally got a chance to speak.
"After joining Spirit Hall for less than a year, Su Cheng was promoted to elder, and as for Zhu Zhuqing, I don't know much about her. I only learned of her identity when they came to Moon Pavilion that day. But that girl is indeed very strong; if I'm not mistaken, she should already have the strength of a Spirit Emperor."
"Spirit Emperor?!" Tang San's expression changed, "And Su Cheng..."
He steadied himself before continuing, "Why was Su Cheng made an elder? Aren't all Spirit Hall elders supposed to be Titled Douluos?"
"In theory—"
"Enough." Tang Yuehua's explanation was cut off by Tang Hao.
He turned to his son, "Their current situation has little to do with you. What, are you losing confidence? Are you afraid?!"
Tang San was taken aback, not understanding why his father was suddenly angry. But he shook his head and said, "No, I just wanted to learn more about the enemy."