Tang Hao felt a slight relief in the small blacksmith's shop of Holy Soul Village. He had just barely dodged a major catastrophe. Despite being in the public eye during the livestream, it seemed that the vast number of people named "Tang Hao" and "Tang San" scattered across the continent helped him avoid detection by the Spirit Hall—for now.
Still, as a former Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao couldn't afford to be complacent. His brows furrowed as he turned to his son.
"Xiao San, aside from the people in the village, does anyone else know who you are?" Tang Hao asked in a low, cautious voice.
Tang San fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. A figure surfaced in his memory.
"There is one person," Tang San said, finally speaking. "He's a Soul Grandmaster from three months ago who oversaw my spirit awakening. His name is Su Yuntao. He works at the Spirit Hall branch in Nuoding City. He knows my name, but he doesn't know yours."
Tang San paused, hesitating. "Father, do we need to… kill him?"
Tang Hao's face darkened as he mulled over the suggestion. He didn't want to leave Holy Soul Village, not yet. He still had hope of finding Ah Yin, his lost wife. However, if Su Yuntao suspected anything, then it could spell disaster for him and his son.
After a long silence, Tang Hao finally replied. "I'll go check him out. If he's figured us out and plans to report to the Spirit Hall, I'll deal with him, and then we'll leave. If not, we'll stay put for now and wait."
Killing someone was never the ideal solution, Tang Hao reflected bitterly. Even if Su Yuntao was silenced, the villagers of Holy Soul Village all knew his and Tang San's names. Was he supposed to kill them all too? He wasn't a butcher. Not to mention, he didn't believe the villagers had connected the dots between them and the Clear Sky Douluo or the son of a former Titled Douluo.
Besides, Tang Hao who had appeared during the livestream was unrecognizable compared to his current disheveled self. Even his father wouldn't recognize him now. Tang San's appearance had also changed since then, especially his hair color. That alone would throw off most people's suspicions.
For now, Tang Hao believed that staying visible in the village and not hiding would help lessen suspicion. Acting overly cautious might have the opposite effect.
As for Su Yuntao in Nuoding City, Tang Hao wasn't eager to kill him immediately. Doing so could attract unwanted attention. If Su Yuntao went missing, the Spirit Hall might start investigating his activities, possibly uncovering Tang San's awakening three months ago. That could lead to more questions they didn't want answered.
So, Tang Hao decided to observe first. Only if Su Yuntao showed signs of suspicion and a desire to report them to the Spirit Hall would he take lethal action. But that was a last resort. He didn't want to abandon his search for Ah Yin just yet.
Meanwhile, in the Spirit Hall branch in Nuoding City, Su Yuntao was preparing his plan. After exiting the livestream, he had wasted no time. Knowing the gravity of the situation, he swiftly wrote a detailed letter, explaining his suspicion that Tang San might be the son of the infamous Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao. He attached the letter to a white carrier pigeon and sent it to a nearby city, where the Spirit Hall courier would carry it to Spirit City.
Satisfied with his work, Su Yuntao resumed his duties in the Spirit Hall branch as if nothing was amiss. He knew the danger he was in, fully aware that Tang Hao might suspect him. But as they say, fortune favors the bold. Whether he lived or died, he had set the wheels in motion. If Tang Hao decided to kill him, at least his letter would ensure that revenge followed.
By the time Tang Hao arrived in Nuoding City, Su Yuntao had already covered his tracks. Tang Hao observed him for a while but found no signs of unusual activity. Deciding that Su Yuntao hadn't realized anything, Tang Hao left the city, his guard dropping slightly. He even followed the path to Spirit City, looking for couriers, flying spirit masters, or messenger birds, but found nothing suspicious.
Back in a nearby city, however, the truth was being carried through the skies. The Spirit Hall courier division had already received Su Yuntao's letter via carrier pigeon. A Soul Elder with a flying-type martial spirit had been dispatched immediately, soaring towards Spirit City at top speed to deliver the vital intelligence.
Days passed quickly.
As the new school term began at the Spirit City Junior Spirit Academy, Lin Yu immersed himself in his studies. His mornings were filled with lessons on the written language, soul master theory, and the history of both soul masters and soul beasts. Lin Yu's goal for coming to Spirit City had always been to learn as much as possible, and he threw himself into his studies with dedication.
In the afternoons, he could be found in the academy's library, reading everything he could get his hands on. By evening, he'd return home and continue his cultivation.
This routine left Hu Liena feeling increasingly frustrated. Since Lin Yu's arrival, she had been trying to grow closer to him, hoping to foster a bond. But after the first few days, Lin Yu's obsession with learning left her sidelined. He barely paid her any attention, which left her feeling helpless.
How was she supposed to win him over if he was more interested in books than in her?
Hu Liena found herself in a dilemma, one she had never faced before—resentment towards a serious student!
Meanwhile, in a remote city close to Spirit City, a flying spirit master arrived, carrying an urgent letter from Su Yuntao. Upon reading its contents, the receiving department realized that it contained crucial information about the whereabouts of the notorious Clear Sky Douluo and his son, Tang San. The letter was quickly rushed to the Pope.
In the Spirit Hall's grand office, Bibi Dong was meticulously reviewing the latest reports. A knock came at the door.
A solemn temple knight entered, bowing respectfully. "Your Holiness, we have received a letter from Nuoding City in the Heaven Dou Empire. It concerns the Clear Sky Douluo and his son."