Chapter 148: The Pope Arrives in Secret
Su Mo had spent a year in the Slaughter City, and his relationship with Hu Liena had already developed.
In this time, his spirit power had also risen to rank 56, an impressive leap of five levels in a single year.
After breaking through to the Spirit King realm and absorbing the spirit ring of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, Su Mo had initially advanced to rank 51.
Now, a year later, he had climbed to rank 56.
To still gain five levels in a year after reaching the Spirit King realm was a testament to both his relentless effort and his god-tier cultivation talent.
In comparison, Hu Liena, who had already been at rank 51 over two years ago, had only reached rank 55.
In the original story, she was still one step away from Spirit Emperor after five years of training, meaning she usually advanced at a rate of two levels per year.
Su Mo's talent was simply too overwhelming.
Thinking about this, he couldn't help but feel a bit regretful for Qian Renxue.
If she hadn't been forced to go undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire, her spirit power wouldn't have been progressing so slowly.
After a year of constant battles, Su Mo had accumulated 44 consecutive victories in the Hell Arena, surpassing Hu Liena's 41-win streak.
And that was with Su Mo's help—without him, Hu Liena's record would have been even lower.
Unlike Su Mo, who could fight continuously, Hu Liena needed time to recover between matches.
Since he planned to complete the Road of Hell trial together with her, Su Mo had decided to use his Eight Spider Lances to transfer his own spirit power, accelerating her recovery.
"Su Mo, that woman will be coming to check on Nana soon. Be careful not to let her find out about you two just yet."
As Su Mo was watching Hu Liena's latest match from the audience stands, Bibi Dong's voice echoed in his mind.
By now, she didn't even need to manifest physically—she could communicate with him directly through her spiritual sense.
The "woman" she was referring to was, of course, the Pope, Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong's spiritual sense was tied to Su Mo, which meant she always knew when her other self was approaching.
She had warned Su Mo about this half a year ago.
The Pope's visits were always done in secret, ensuring that Hu Liena never noticed her presence.
"Understood," Su Mo responded with a nod.
He had no intention of being discovered by the Pope right now.
If she found out, there was a high chance she would attack him out of anger.
And if he couldn't escape, he would have no choice but to burn Bibi Dong's spiritual essence to survive.
That was something Su Mo wanted to avoid at all costs.
So, for the time being, he told Hu Liena that he needed to enter seclusion for training.
"The woman is here…"
The next day, Bibi Dong sensed the Pope's arrival and immediately informed Su Mo.
The last time this happened, she had been momentarily startled, wondering if the Pope might be able to sense her presence as well.
But after some observation, she realized that while she could perceive the Pope, the Pope could not perceive her—unless they got significantly closer.
As soon as she sensed the Pope approaching, Bibi Dong withdrew her spiritual sense into Su Mo's body, severing any possible connection.
At the same time, the Pope herself had indeed arrived in the Slaughter City.
She still cared deeply for Hu Liena, so whenever she had time, she would come to check on her.
She also made sure to pressure the King of Slaughter, ensuring that he continued to provide Hu Liena with adequate protection.
"Congratulations to the Hell Envoy for achieving 43 consecutive victories in the Hell Arena!"
Not long after, the Pope personally witnessed Hu Liena securing yet another victory.
"Forty-three wins… not bad."
She nodded in satisfaction.
The last time she had come, half a year ago, Hu Liena had only reached 24 wins.
Now, her streak had nearly doubled.
Seeing that Hu Liena's performance had improved since her last visit, the Pope left the Slaughter City feeling reassured.
She never stayed long and had no intention of revealing her presence to Hu Liena.
Unfortunately for her, she never bothered to investigate further.
Had she inquired more deeply, she might have heard rumors from the other Fallen Ones about Hu Liena's growing closeness to Su Mo.
But the Pope didn't even consider the possibility that Hu Liena might develop feelings for someone in the Slaughter City.
If she had, then in the original timeline, she would have noticed Hu Liena's unusual closeness with Tang San, who had been disguised as Tang Yin.
"The woman has left."
The next day, Bibi Dong's spiritual sense re-emerged from Su Mo's body, confirming that the Pope had departed.
With the Pope gone, Su Mo ended his so-called seclusion.
Time continued to pass.
Another six months went by.
Su Mo and Hu Liena's consecutive wins had climbed to 63 and 60, respectively.
…
Boom!
"Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique!"
"Eighty-one strikes!"
Beneath a roaring waterfall, a bare-chested Tang San swung his Clear Sky Hammer, executing the full sequence of the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique.
Though he had been able to use it before, he had never fully mastered it.
Now, under Tang Hao's guidance, he had finally perfected the technique.
As soon as he did, something within him shifted.
A bottleneck that had trapped him for over a month suddenly shattered.
"I'm about to break through!"
Realizing what was happening, Tang San exclaimed in delight.
Without hesitation, he sat cross-legged on the riverbank and began meditating.
Soon, his spirit power surged past the threshold.
He had reached rank 50.
"Well done, Xiao San. You've finally reached rank 50."
When Tang San opened his eyes, he found his father, Tang Hao, standing before him.
"Father!"
Tang San quickly stood up.
He was elated.
Not even seventeen years old, and he had already reached the Spirit King realm.
It was a significant achievement.
"I wonder if Su Mo has broken through to Spirit King yet…"
Tang San was filled with excitement and joy, but amidst it all, he couldn't help but think of Su Mo.
Ever since losing to Su Mo, he had treated him as a rival, constantly pushing himself to surpass him.
"You've done well, reaching the Spirit King level before turning seventeen. You're even more talented than I was back then!"
"Now that you've mastered the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique and broken through to rank 50, it's time for you to take another step forward."
"Follow me."
After praising Tang San, Tang Hao turned and motioned for him to come along.
He was finally going to help Tang San awaken his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline.
Tang Hao had known how to do this ever since Tang San was born, as Ah Yin had told him the method.
However, he hadn't let Tang San undergo the awakening until now because he hadn't been strong enough.
Now that Tang San had reached rank 50, it was finally time.
"Yes, Father!"
Tang San was puzzled but followed obediently.
"Are we going to hunt for my spirit ring?"
He asked curiously as they walked.
After all, taking the next step usually meant obtaining a new spirit ring to fully stabilize his breakthrough.
"No, just follow me and you'll see."
Tang Hao shook his head, leaving Tang San even more confused.
If it wasn't about getting his fifth spirit ring, then what was it?
Curious, Tang San followed Tang Hao all the way to his mother's resting place.
"Xiao San, have you ever wondered why your Blue Silver Grass martial soul comes from your mother, yet hers is a Blue Silver Emperor while yours was just an ordinary Blue Silver Grass?"
Standing before Ah Yin, Tang Hao gently stroked the leaves of her plant form while speaking to his son.
Tang San was stunned for a moment.
It was a question he had thought about ever since learning that his mother was the Blue Silver Emperor.
However, he had never asked because he assumed his father didn't know the answer.
But now it was clear—Tang Hao knew the truth.
"Father, you know why, don't you?"
Tang San asked excitedly.
"Yes. It's because your Blue Silver Emperor bloodline has yet to awaken."
Tang Hao turned to him and nodded.
"Close your eyes. Focus on the Blue Silver Grass around you. Feel it with your heart…"
Tang Hao then began guiding Tang San through the process of awakening his bloodline.
Tang San immediately followed his instructions.
Not long after, a powerful sensation surged through him, and his consciousness trembled.
When he opened his eyes, he instinctively walked deeper into the forest.
Eventually, he found the source of the voice that had been calling him—a translucent old man.
With the Blue Silver King's assistance, Tang San underwent the awakening ceremony, his body wrapped in countless strands of Blue Silver Grass, forming a cocoon around him.
"Awaken, my child!"
Even Ah Yin's spirit somehow manifested to aid in the process.
Tang San vaguely sensed her presence, though he couldn't see her clearly.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao, who had followed, saw nothing at all.
When Tang San finally emerged from the giant cocoon of Blue Silver Grass, his entire appearance had changed.
His jet-black hair had turned a striking shade of blue.
His skin and facial features had transformed, from an ordinary youth into an exceptionally handsome young man.
"This…"
Tang Hao was completely stunned.
If he didn't already know this was his son, he would have doubted his own eyes.
But when he saw Tang San's hair, now the same color as Ah Yin's, he became even more convinced.
"Ah Yin, do you see this?"
"Our son has successfully awakened the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline. He looks so much like you…"
Looking at Tang San's new appearance, Tang Hao murmured to himself, his eyes filled with nostalgia.
"Father, what happened to me…?"
Tang San finally noticed his transformation and was utterly shocked.
"Put your clothes on first."
Rather than explaining, Tang Hao tossed him a set of clothes.
Even though Tang San was his son, seeing him standing there completely exposed still felt awkward.
"Ah!"
Tang San finally realized that not only had his hair changed color, but his clothes had also completely disappeared.
Hurriedly, he grabbed the clothes his father had thrown and put them on.
With his new appearance, the moment he dressed, he looked like an elegant and refined young noble.
Seeing this, Tang Hao frowned slightly.
His son looked too delicate now, lacking the imposing presence he had hoped for.
However, he knew that this transformation was proof that Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor bloodline had fully awakened.
His son had not only changed in appearance but had grown much stronger.
"Not bad. Now you finally have some of my past brilliance!"
Tang Hao chuckled and praised him.
"Come with me. Your mother left something special for you as well."
Without wasting more time, he led Tang San back to where Ah Yin was resting.
Tang San followed curiously.
When they returned, he noticed his father holding a small box.
"This is the treasure your mother left for you."
As Tang San approached, Tang Hao opened the box, revealing a shimmering Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone.
"This is… my mother's spirit bone?"
The moment he saw it, Tang San felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity and warmth.
He immediately recognized it as something that belonged to his mother.
A mix of emotions surged through him.
He wanted the spirit bone, but knowing it came from his mother's body made it difficult to feel happy about receiving it.
"Absorb it. This is your mother's gift to you. Don't let it go to waste."
Tang Hao patted Tang San's shoulder before taking out the spirit bone and handing it to him.
"Yes, Father."
Hearing his father's words, Tang San took the Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone with a heavy heart and began the absorption process.
A deep hum filled the air.
Once the process was complete, Tang San's spirit power had risen to rank 53.
"Good. Now that you've awakened the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline and absorbed your mother's spirit bone, it's time to find a suitable spirit ring for you."
Tang Hao smiled.
"Father, there's no need!"
"When my Blue Silver Emperor bloodline awakened, I automatically condensed my fifth spirit ring."
Tang San quickly explained.
To prove it, he summoned his spirit rings and demonstrated his new fifth spirit ability to his father.
"In that case, I'll take you to your next training ground."
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