"Hmphh!"
A chilly snort echoed through the chamber as Qian Renxue's golden eyes flickered with icy malice.
"That Tang San… a two-faced scoundrel, audacious enough to provoke my little Hao repeatedly. He even dragged innocent soul masters into his schemes. What right does such a person have to walk this world?"
Her voice carried a venomous edge, yet the corners of her lips curled upward into a faint smile. "Continue. What happened next?"
The shadowy figure hesitated before responding. "Ye Hao disguised himself as Ye Ritian, abducted a girl named Xiao Wu, and lured Tang San into a duel. He not only defeated Tang San but also forcibly removed his external soul bone. Tang San is now gravely weakened. Without that soul bone, his future as a soul master…"
The shadow left the rest unsaid.
Qian Renxue smirked, her slender fingers caressing her cheek as her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Interesting… My dear Hao seems to have inherited her decisiveness. Ruthless yet effective. A true reflection of her spirit."
She crossed her legs elegantly. "What else do you have to report?"
The shadow hesitated, his demeanor growing more serious. "My Lady… I've discovered a secret about Ye Hao. I'm not sure if I should say it…"
Qian Renxue's golden eyes narrowed sharply. "Speak."
The shadow gulped, beads of sweat trickling down his temple. "Ye Hao… possesses a second martial soul."
Qian Renxue's expression didn't falter. Instead, a knowing smile spread across her face. "As expected, a twin martial soul."
The shadow continued hastily. "When his second martial soul manifests, Ye Hao's entire body glows with a deep green hue. His hands transform into spider-like appendages, and three pairs of emerald-green spider spears grow from his back. And that Tang San, this subordinate noticed that his second martial soul is Clear Sky Hammer."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue chuckled softly.
"The Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, is it? It aligns perfectly with his other martial soul—the Death Spider Emperor. A flawless complement. And Tang San's hammer…"
Her smile deepened as she connected the dots. "Tang San is likely a disciple of the Clear Sky Clan. If my suspicions are correct, he's Tang Hao's son."
The name Tang Hao brought a dark shadow over Qian Renxue's face. Her father's murderer, the man who had dealt her family a blow she could never forget.
The shadow knelt lower. "Young Master… shall I handle Tang San? Or perhaps…"
Qian Renxue's sneer silenced him. "With Tang Hao by his side? You think you can even touch him?"
The shadow trembled. "Forgive me, Young Master…"
Her tone softened slightly as she waved him off. "Let it be. If my little Hao has declared war on him, we may as well offer some assistance from the shadows. Let's see how far this game goes."
The shadow bowed deeply before vanishing into the darkness.
Qian Renxue reclined against her chair, her delicate features radiating both beauty and danger. "My dear brother… You've hidden so much from me. It seems I must visit you personally."
Back in Holy Spirit Village
The sun cast its golden rays over the quaint village as Ye Hao's purple light streaked across the sky. He had flown through the night, and by morning, he found himself hovering above Holy Spirit Village.
The scene below was almost unchanged from his memory—simple, peaceful, and filled with bustling villagers.
Descending toward the village's scenic back mountain, Ye Hao's sharp eyes scanned the vibrant greenery. This was the place where Tang San and Xiao Wu had once pledged their loyalty to each other. "Romantic, but that ends today," he muttered with a smirk.
Sitting cross-legged amidst the flourishing wildflowers, Ye Hao summoned the Death Spider Emperor. Its sinister presence loomed behind him, exuding an oppressive aura. He unleashed his soul power, letting the Death Spider Emperor's venom spread across the area.
A chilling transformation occurred—the lush greenery withered, the earth turned an ashen brown, and a deathly silence descended upon the forest.
Suddenly, Ye Hao felt a faint resistance to the venom's spread. His eyes gleamed with recognition. "Found you."
Following the venom's path, he pushed through the now-desolate forest until he reached a hidden cave sealed by a large boulder.
Activating the Death Spider Emperor's arm blades, Ye Hao struck the boulder with precision, shattering it into pieces. Dust filled the air as the cave revealed its secrets.
There, amidst the darkness, a radiant blue plant glimmered with golden streaks. Its vibrant energy pulsed with life, resisting the decay that surrounded it.
"The Blue Silver Emperor…" Ye Hao whispered, eyes narrowing with delight.
Without hesitation, he darted forward, scooping the Blue Silver Emperor into a burlap sack. "Sorry, Tang Hao. Looks like you'll be missing this when you get home."
As Ye Hao prepared to leave, his eyes caught sight of a black box tucked beneath a stone bed. Curious, he pulled it out, surprised by its unexpected weight.
Placing the box on the bed, he carefully lifted the lid.
A surge of energy erupted from within, filling the cave with an intense, life-giving aura.
Inside lay a bone, shimmering in blue-gold hues, exuding an overwhelming presence.
Ye Hao's breath hitched. "A 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor soul leg bone!"
Grinning like a fox, Ye Hao scribbled a note:
"Ye Ritian was here. Thanks for the bone!"
He placed the note inside the now-empty box and planted a random Blue Silver Grass in the dirt where the Blue Silver Emperor had been. With a few splashes of water, he patted the soil smugly. "Perfect. No one will suspect a thing."
With the soul bone in hand, Ye Hao sat cross-legged atop the stone bed. Holding the glowing treasure against his right leg, he began the absorption process.