The former Pope of the Spirit Hall, known as the "Secret Chamber Douluo"—Qian Xunji.
Putting aside the emotions of hatred and enemy history, at this moment Tang San couldn't help but feel like he had become another version of Qian Xunji.
The son he cherished like a precious gem, someone he held in his mouth for fear it would melt, in his palm for fear it would shatter—was now standing directly against him.
Just like how Bibi Dong had once opposed her closest people for the sake of an outsider, so now did Wulin.
The more Tang San thought about it, the angrier he became. His hand shot up, wanting to summon his "Seven Wolves" [a metaphor or perhaps an actual weapon] and give his rebellious son a good beating.
But when he saw Wulin's face—so much like his mother's, Xiao Wu—Tang San couldn't bring himself to strike.
He slowly lowered his hand and dismissed the idea of a "fatherly lesson with the Seven Wolves."
Instead, he began projecting a mental image using divine consciousness, preparing to "reason things out" and teach his son the age-old family motto: "There is no such thing as a wrong parent."
Tang Wulin, being close in divine consciousness to Tang San, was easily drawn into the spiritual visualization.
He intended to use his own divine sense to shatter the mental projection immediately—he had no interest in any of Tang San's preaching.
But Tang San's divine power was faster.
The first image of the visualization? Tang San's father—Tang Wulin's grandfather—Tang Hao, in a close-up that filled the entire screen.
Wulin had no choice but to stay and watch.
The scene depicted a twenty-thousand-year-old memory from Tang San's past.
It was just after the Grand Final of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. Xiao Wu had dropped the Yearning Heartbroken Red, which exposed her identity as a soul beast to the Spirit Hall, putting her in mortal danger.
The group tried to fight back but were easily overpowered.
Then, Tang Hao arrived—carrying the Clear Sky Hammer, breaking into the Spirit Hall with murderous force.
His Killing God Domain swept through like a chaotic symphony, destroying everything.
He saved Tang San and Xiao Wu.
After persuading Xiao Wu to leave, Tang Hao had a heartfelt conversation with Tang San, setting the stage for the Tang family's generational teachings.
This included their house rules and the philosophy found in the opening lines of the Xuan Tian Treasure Record: "The Path to Death."
"It's been eight years, hasn't it, Xiao San? I abandoned you for so many years—do you hate me?"
"No, I don't hate you."
"Why not?"
"Because you're my father. You gave me life."
"Without you, there would be no me."
"A child never has the right to resent their parent."
The scene was short but impactful.
For Tang Wulin, it hit hard—like a giant moral boulder crushing his chest.
He suddenly felt lost and uncertain.
Before he could question the validity of these moral principles, Tang San launched phase two of the mental offensive.
"Wulin, don't you want to resurrect your adoptive parents?"
"In the gods' war, mortals suffered."
"Tang Ziran and Lang Yue died in the chaos."
"I have a way to bring them back, and even make them divine officials—granting them eternal life, just like your brother-in-law Dai Yuehao's parents, Dai Hao and Huo Yun'er."
"But if you keep fighting me like this, their resurrection will be forever delayed."
"So, Wulin, be a good son."
"Help your father find a worthy genius to inherit the two Divine King positions and help me kill Di Tian."
In the end, Tang Wulin was still too young and got completely outmaneuvered by his old man, Tang San.
That massive moral boulder finally found an outlet: his adoptive parents—Tang Ziran and Lang Yue.
Now that the tension had been released, Tang Wulin stared at Tang San's divine form and said coldly:
"Please address me by my full name—Tang Wulin, the 'Tang' from Tang Ziran!"
"As for the rest—whatever you decide, Father, I have no objection."
Tang Wulin, having emotionally stabilized, finally understood something:
Under the immense pressure of Di Tian, he had no other choice.
He and his father Tang San were like grasshoppers tied to the same string, waiting to be executed.
Whether it was resurrecting his adoptive parents Tang Ziran and Lang Yue, or bringing back Ouyang Zixin and saving Gu Yue Na—it all depended on breaking Di Tian's deadly grip.
Which meant: within one year, Di Tian must die.
And so, Tang Wulin followed Tang San.
Without a moment's rest, they began tackling one problem after another before the year was up.
Meanwhile, in the Sun-Moon Federation
On the southern coast of the continent…
Due to the formation of the Golden Coiling Dragon Vine Wood from the Golden Dragon King's divine core, a vast forbidden zone had emerged.
No mortal—human or beast—could approach it.
Even soul beasts and soul masters needed immense strength just to get close.
At the very center of the vine wood, a golden light enveloped Di Tian's core.
Without Di Tian's permission, no one in the Douluo plane could force their way in.
Within that golden barrier, besides Di Tian, was Gu Yue Na.
She hadn't come by choice—but was dragged there.
She had waited patiently for a moment when Di Tian was distracted elsewhere and then seized the opportunity to escape—returning to the core of the Star Dou Forest.
With the Tree of Life rooted, a massive infusion of human life force, and the nearby Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the Star Dou Forest's core had become the best cultivation spot on the plane.
It was the perfect place for Gu Yue Na to break through her limits, surpass her past as the Silver Dragon King, and fulfill her goal of once again crushing Di Tian underfoot.
However, just as she reached the Lake of Life and leaped in for spiritual training…
The rainbow-colored collar around her neck suddenly tightened. Its connected cords snapped taut, and just like a bungee jumper, Gu Yue Na was yanked back mid-leap—flung all the way back across the continent and into Di Tian's golden barrier.
Now she stood there again—by Di Tian's side, silver-haired and violet-eyed.
Unfortunately, Di Tian, seated cross-legged, completely ignored her.
All Gu Yue Na could do was stand awkwardly, and while she did, she witnessed the entire "father-son drama" between Tang San and Tang Wulin from afar.
With nowhere to hide, and at their level of divine strength, the Douluo plane had no secrets. Eavesdropping across continents was effortless.
From their conversation, Gu Yue Na finally had an answer to a long-held mystery.
Why did Tang Wulin's first love—Ouyang Zixin—vanish so thoroughly?
If not for Di Tian's spiritual records, Tang Wulin might never have known: it was his own biological father who killed his first love.
Just as Gu Yue Na's thoughts were spiraling, Di Tian, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.
(End of Chapter)