```
"Father, how are you feeling?" Tang San asked, looking at Tang Hao lying on the ground as he slowly opened his eyes.
The first person he saw was Tang San.
"What happened to me?" Tang Hao asked, sitting up on the ground and looking around at the familiar surroundings.
They were still in Sunset Forest.
"We're still in Sunset Forest. Father, what were you doing up ahead? When I found you, you were already lying on the lawn," Tang San said with a puzzled expression on his face, filled with question marks.
"I went ahead to scout and noticed something suspicious. I saw a black fog, and just as I was about to walk forward, the fog shocked me, and the next thing I knew, I woke up and saw you," Tang Hao explained.
"I can't figure out what it was. Everything's quiet now, as if nothing happened."
Tang Hao, a Hao Tian Douluo, wasn't able to find out the reason and had even had an accident. Thankfully, he was still alive and not worse for wear.
Tang Hao continued to explain to Tang San, relying on his memory of the situation.
"I'm just glad you're safe," Tang San replied with a smile.
"Hiss—"
"Xiaosan, have you absorbed the Spirit Ring yet? The Fifty-Thousand-Year Mandala Snake Spirit Ring is also decent, not too bad," Tang Hao said as he stood up and looked at Tang San.
After all, he was Tang San's father. Even though something unpleasant had happened just a short while ago, in his eyes, it was as if nothing had happened at all. It was business as usual.
Because he wanted to set a good example for Xiaosan. Facing difficulties without backing down, bravely confronting them.
"Yes, I successfully absorbed it," Tang San said.
"The absorption of this fifty-thousand-year Spirit Ring went smoothly. It might be because the soul beast was young, making it easier to absorb."
"That's good to hear, a good sign indeed," Tang Hao said.
"Since nightfall is approaching, we should hurry on our way. At night, the soul beasts in the forest come out to look for food, such as younger soul beasts. It's also when they engage in battles with each other, just like humans, competing for survival where the weak are eliminated or even eradicated.
Xiaosan, do you understand what I'm saying? No matter what trouble you encounter in the future, you must learn to protect yourself first," Tang Hao advised.
"Understood!" Tang San earnestly replied, aware that his father was reminding him that in the future, he would still have to rely on himself.
"We've finally made it out of Sunset Forest. Let's find an inn and rest for the night," Tang San suggested to his father.
"Dear guests, here are your room keys. Your rooms are on the third floor. Please keep your room key safe," the proprietress of the inn said.
She had her eyes fixed on Tang Hao and Tang San throughout, almost as if her eyeballs were about to fall out, as if she had never seen men before!
"Please wait a moment," a woman's voice called out.
Tang Hao and Tang San stopped and looked back.
A woman had approached and stopped the two of them.
"Do you need something?" Tang Hao asked.
With a smile, the woman looked at Tang Hao.
"Well, there's nothing in particular, I was just wondering if you need any services. Our inn has everything. Just say the word, and we'll make sure you're satisfied."
```
The woman said to Tang Hao.
"Hiss——!"
He gripped the Hao Tian Hammer tightly in his hand!
Soul Power flashed.
"I'm sorry, I misspoke, and I'm very sorry to have disturbed you. Please, forgive me,"
the woman stammered.
She was so frightened that her speech was staccato.
Tang Hao had only intended to scare her, he had no plans to actually harm the woman!!
Tang Hao knew what the woman meant, and although he became a widower in his earlier years, he did not need such services!
After that, Tang Hao and Tang San returned to their dwelling.
"Father!"
Tang San said.
He looked deeply burdened; Tang Hao had noticed something off about him ever since they entered the inn.
"Xiaosan, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't hold it in."
"Tonight is a good opportunity for us father and son to talk. Just say what you want to say, and I'm all ears," Tang Hao replied, staring intently at Xiaosan.
"Father, do you remember Xiaowu from Shrek Academy? You personally promised that if I could return from Slaughter City, you would agree to let us be together, and you also agreed that I could go find Xiaowu. Do you still remember that?"
So this was what Tang San wanted to ask about!
In that moment, Tang Hao's face turned red.
He was the one who had personally told Xiaowu not to come looking for Tang San anymore.
Moreover, Tang San could not protect her; she would only bring more trouble to him!
"Hmm, that girl from Shrek Academy? Are you certain she's still alive? After she left, I have no idea where she went!"
Whether she is dead or alive, I have no clue!
Truthfully, Tang Hao's only hope was that Tang San would not repeat their mistakes and end up unable to protect the woman he loved most. It was better to let go, as that was the best way to protect her.
"You want to go find her, don't you?"
"You don't know if she is alive or where to find her," Tang Hao said bluntly.
Upon hearing this, Tang San's expression became uglier.
He was very worried about Xiaowu; after all, it had been many years since they last saw each other.
Father's words made him more determined to find Xiaowu. He had to see her alive or find her body!
"It's said that she has been in the forest these past few years. You don't need to worry too much; she can take care of herself as a human,"
Tang Hao revealed, indicating that Xiaowu had been living in the forest all these years.
Xiaowu is still alive, what a relief!!
Father knows quite a bit!
Sometimes, Tang Hao secretly observed Xiaowu's whereabouts!
He had kept this from Tang San, not wanting to disrupt his son's training with news of Xiaowu's location.
"Xiaosan, do you also wish to make the same mistakes I did, to end up unable to protect the one you love the most? What's the point? It'll only bring more sorrow to them, and you might even risk their life," Tang Hao said, referring to how his wife, Ah Yin, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, had sacrificed herself to protect him!
Ah Yin was indeed a soul beast, just like Xiaowu.
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast is always on the brink of danger, targeted by the Martial Soul Hall!
"Father, I can protect Xiaowu. Please believe in me; I have grown up," Tang San pleaded seriously, hoping that Tang Hao would agree to let him search for Xiaowu.
At that moment, his heart was already outside.
"People from the Martial Soul Hall have been secretly searching for Xiaowu's whereabouts. You say you can protect her, but with what? And with your current abilities, can you really protect Xiaowu? Last time, if I hadn't stepped in to help, Xiaowu would probably already have fallen into the hands of the Martial Soul Hall by now,"
Tang Hao said candidly.
His words sharply implied that Tang San's current abilities were hardly enough to contend with the people from the Martial Soul Hall!
...