Half a year passed in the blink of an eye...
Morning came, bright and sunny.
In the heart of Sunset Forest, the massive Death God Temple stood towering and majestic. Ye Hao stepped out of the temple, stretching toward the sunlight with a vigorous yawn. His upper body was bare, revealing sharply defined eight-pack abs gleaming with a bronzed glow under the sun.
Unbeknownst to him, nearly half a year had passed since Ye Hao arrived in Sunset Forest. During this time, he constantly danced on the edge of life and death.
Under Xiao Hong's meticulous arrangements, his daily "lessons" consisted of battling powerful soul beasts. Occasionally, he sent letters to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, reassuring them to remain calm.
Most importantly, Ye Hao was still alive! No rumors of his demise should spread!
"Xiao Hong! Spidey! Let's head home!"
Not long after, a series of thunderous booms echoed from the distant forest.
Ye Hao smiled faintly, turned back, and activated the Death God's Heart to envelop the area. The Death God Temple, Xiao Hong, the Death Spider Emperor, and other belongings were securely stored away.
"Where to next?" Xiao Hong's voice echoed in Ye Hao's mind.
Ye Hao chuckled. "Of course, we're heading back to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. It's been over half a year since I left. Otherwise, the academy folks might really think I'm dead."
Thinking of this, Ye Hao shook his head in exasperation. Don't believe rumors, and don't spread them. Start with yourself.
In no time, Ye Hao unfolded Six-winged Light Purple Wings on his back and, using the flight skill from the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone, sped toward Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Meanwhile, near the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Tang San sat quietly on a cliff. Before him stood a furnace, its contents seemingly undergoing refinement. Tang San focused intently on the furnace, his expression one of utmost seriousness.
So absorbed was he that he didn't notice Dugu Bo silently arriving behind him.
Dugu Bo stood there quietly, observing Tang San. For half a year, Tang San had remained in this place under Dugu Bo's watch. During this time, Dugu Bo, who had always believed himself to be the unrivaled master of poison, discovered something astonishing.
The thirteen-year-old boy was his equal in poison mastery—and far more ruthless than he had imagined.
He still remembered the Soul-Breaking Mother-Child Poison that Tang San had given him not long ago.
Initially, Dugu Bo dismissed the gift as useless. After all, he was a Titled Douluo. Not long ago, his soul power had even advanced to level 92, purging all toxins from his body and making him appear a decade younger.
However, during a real test, Dugu Bo's attitude completely changed. The sheer power unleashed by the seemingly insignificant iron spheres left him stunned.
From that day onward, Dugu Bo began to regard Tang San with respect. Their relationship could now be described as "plain and unremarkable."
Neither friends nor foes.
At Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Ye Hao retracted his Six-winged Light Purple Wings as he gently landed on the ground.
It had been more than half a year since his last visit. The academy looked the same, and it was class time, so the training grounds were empty.
Standing there, Ye Hao felt a twinge of nostalgia and unfamiliarity. After being away for so long, returning now felt like stepping into a strange place—eerily reminiscent of his first visit.
He lingered for a while before slowly heading toward the Emperor Team's training grounds.
Since Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong joined the academy six months ago, Ye Hao hadn't had the chance to greet them. He wondered how these two beauties were faring.
The back mountain of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was breathtakingly beautiful. Towering trees encircled the area, their shade covering a lush landscape of flowers, rocks, and greenery. The academy had designated this space for the Royal Battle Team's training.
With the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament approaching, the training atmosphere was fervent.
Excluding Ye Hao, the Emperor Team now consisted of nine members. Only Ye Hao was missing to complete the roster.
Among the trees, Zhu Zhuqing crouched, her lithe body pressed against a tree trunk. She scanned the surroundings cautiously, ready to pounce at any movement.
Suddenly, a blue bolt of lightning descended from the sky, accompanied by a dragon's roar. Yu Tianheng launched an attack from above.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression darkened. Yu Tianheng had recently advanced to Soul Ancestor and obtained his fourth soul ring.
Zhu Zhuqing, having consumed immortal herbs, had achieved a significant boost in physical abilities. After half a year of cultivation, her soul power reached level 39, just shy of Soul Ancestor.
At her age, Zhu Zhuqing's soul power ranked among the highest in the team, trailing only the herb-enhanced Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
"Thunder Dragon Claw!"
"Nether Slash!"
Zhu Zhuqing's third soul ring and Yu Tianheng's first soul ring lit up simultaneously. In an instant, the tree beneath them split in two, black smoke curling from the charred wood.
The two landed unscathed, their eyes filled with fighting spirit. Lightning crackled as Zhu Zhuqing leaped into the air, her agile movements mesmerizing.
A radiant nine-colored light enveloped them both. Ning Rongrong stepped out from behind a tree, holding her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Her soul power, too, had reached level 39.
"Nine Treasures bestow strength and speed," Ning Rongrong chanted.
With her buffs, Zhu Zhuqing and Yu Tianheng's aura intensified. As their blows clashed, two emerald turtle shells suddenly appeared, absorbing the impact.
Shi Mo and Shi Mo's brother, though not yet Soul Ancestors, were formidable in defense. Wielding turtle shells, they engaged Zhu Zhuqing and Yu Tianheng simultaneously.
Zhu Zhuqing darted like a black flash through the forest, while Yu Tianheng's thunderous fists pounded relentlessly against the shells. Despite their strength, Shi Mo's arm began to tingle under the barrage.
As a thick green mist spread across the field, everyone retreated cautiously. From the poisonous haze, Dugu Yan emerged, her snake tail dragging behind her. After consuming immortal herbs, her martial soul had evolved into the Jade Phosphor Serpent Queen.
Overhead, Yu Feng hovered while Oslo prowled below. The two exchanged silent glances, then charged at each other with blinding speed.
Just as their attacks were about to collide...
Their strikes were effortlessly intercepted.
Startled, they turned to see a familiar figure between them.
"Ye Hao?"
The entire team froze in shock.
Ye Hao stood calmly, gripping Yu Feng and Oslo's fists in each hand. Their attacks had been completely neutralized.
After a moment of disbelief, joy filled the air. Ye Hao had returned, stronger than ever. This greatly increased their chances of winning the upcoming tournament.
For years, the championship had alternated between the Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire, with Heaven Dou Empire coming up short.
This year, however, Heaven Dou finally had a shot at victory.
Ye Hao turned to face his teammates, smiling. "Everyone, I'm back!"
Meanwhile, at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Tang San carefully opened the furnace. Using his Mysterious Jade Hand, he retrieved three one-inch-long black needles and placed them in a prepared box.
Dugu Bo, watching from behind, was baffled. "What's so special about those tiny needles that you're treating them like treasure?"
Tang San smirked, his eyes glinting with vengeful determination. "These needles can kill any enemy, including a Titled Douluo."
He stored the needles in his Moonlit Night on the Twenty-Four Bridges and turned to Dugu Bo.
"Old Poison, don't you believe me?"
Dugu Bo scoffed. "Those little things? Killing a Titled Douluo? Do you think Titled Douluos are weaklings who rise to power without hardships?"
Unfazed, Tang San replied, "You'll see. When the time comes, even the King of Hell won't dare delay their death."
He named them Hell's Invitation—his secret weapon, to be used only in dire circumstances.
"Old Poison, what are we practicing today?" Tang San asked.
Dugu Bo laughed. "Practice? Go home, little monster!"
"Home? Where to?"
Annoyed, Dugu Bo kicked him lightly. "Don't play dumb. I mean go back to where you came from! Or do you really plan to keep me company here forever?"
Tang San's eyes lit up. He had been here for six months, wholly absorbed by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Now, after intense cultivation, his soul power had reached level 37.
Although he hadn't achieved immunity to water and fire like Ye Hao, he had grown significantly stronger.
Damn, what the hell is this chapter?! Trash San is still friend with Dugu Bo, bruh it seems like nothings happening.