Tang Hao returned to the secluded haven behind the cascading waterfall, his powerful senses scanning the area. He had procured the spirit tools he believed would aid the young man in his task, his mind focused solely on the fragile blade of Blue Silver Grass that represented his beloved Ah Yin. He expected to find the youth, Su Qing, diligently at work, perhaps already showing signs of progress in restoring his wife.
But the scene that greeted him was far from what he anticipated. The small patch of damp earth where he had carefully planted Ah Yin was now bare. His brow furrowed in confusion. Had the young man moved her? Perhaps to a more suitable location within the cave?
His eyes then fell upon a small piece of parchment lying where the Blue Silver Emperor had been rooted. He approached it cautiously, a sense of unease beginning to creep into his heart. He picked up the note, his calloused fingers trembling slightly, and began to read the hastily scribbled words.
"Tang Hao, I, Song Qing, will take good care of your beautiful wife."
The world seemed to tilt on its axis. The blood drained from Tang Hao's face, leaving it ashen. His grip on the parchment tightened until his knuckles turned white. The name… Song Qing. It echoed in the deepest recesses of his memory, a name he had tried to bury, a name that represented a potential threat he had attempted to eliminate four years ago.
Rage, raw and untamed, erupted within Tang Hao's chest, a volcanic fury that threatened to consume him entirely. His mid-length black hair, with its tell-tale streak of white, flailed wildly around his head as an uncontrollable surge of soul power ripped through his body. His usually deep-set black eyes blazed with a terrifying yellow light, the color of pure, unadulterated anger.
"SONG QING!!!" His roar tore through the quiet solitude of the hidden cave, the sound echoing off the rock walls and through the dense foliage, sending flocks of startled birds scattering into the sky. The sheer force of his outburst caused the surrounding spirit beasts, drawn to the area by the unusual activity, to instantly drop dead, their bodies collapsing lifelessly onto the forest floor.
Tang Hao stood there, his chest heaving, his entire being trembling with the intensity of his rage. He had been played. Tricked. By the very brat he had tried to kill. A brat who, at that time, had posed no direct threat, had lived peacefully, and had even shown kindness to others. But Tang Hao, blinded by his paranoia and his fear of the Spirit Hall's potential, had deemed him a threat simply because of his unparalleled talent and his connection to that organization. And now, that same brat had dared to steal his Ah Yin.
He finally managed to quell the immediate surge of his power, the yellow light in his eyes dimming slightly, though the fury still simmered beneath the surface. He needed to think. He needed to recall everything he knew about this Song Qing. How had the brat survived his attack? And more importantly, how could he possibly have known about Ah Yin's location and her true identity?
Fragments of memories from four years ago flickered through his mind. The five Titled Douluo who had intervened, shielding Song Qing from his attack. He remembered the power of the Ghost Douluo and the Chrysanthemum Douluo. He also recalled the unexpected arrival of the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, a volatile and unpredictable force. And then there were the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, and the Bone Dragon Douluo, Gu Rong, of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, their presence a clear indication of the immense value they placed on protecting Song Qing.
'Five Titled Douluo,' Tang Hao thought, his jaw clenching. 'That brat was more protected than I could have imagined.'
Now, four years later, that brat had not only survived but had grown powerful enough to seemingly outwit him. And he had Ah Yin.
Tang Hao's mind raced, trying to formulate a plan. He needed to get Ah Yin back. And he needed to make Song Qing pay for this audacious act of defiance. He considered his options. Directly attacking Song Qing would likely draw the attention of those five Titled Douluo again, not to mention the might of the Spirit Hall itself.
He thought about targeting Dugu Bo in Heaven Dou City. Dugu Bo had a connection to Song Qing, having protected him before. Perhaps by threatening him, he could force Song Qing to reveal Ah Yin's location. But Dugu Bo was a cunning and dangerous opponent, and engaging him in a direct confrontation in the heart of Heaven Dou City would be incredibly risky. It might also alert the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and he knew he couldn't afford to make enemies of them.
Then there was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan itself. They had shown a clear interest in protecting Song Qing. Perhaps targeting one of their members, or even their young mistress, Ning Rongrong, who had been seen with Song Qing four years ago, could draw him out. But attacking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was akin to suicide. Their influence and power were immense, and they had two of the strongest Titled Douluo in the continent protecting them.
And then there was the ever-present threat of the Spirit Hall. He knew that in the past four years, they had been searching for him relentlessly.
The reason was clear: Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, the teacher of the Holy Son, Song Qing, wanted to kill him.
Her rage at his attack on her beloved disciple four years ago would not have diminished. If he were to appear openly in Heaven Dou City, targeting anyone connected to Song Qing, she would undoubtedly sense his presence and come after him with the full force of the Spirit Hall.
The image of Bibi Dong's cold, beautiful face, twisted with fury, flashed in his mind. He knew her capabilities, her ruthlessness. Engaging her in a direct confrontation was a battle he was not certain he could win.
Tang Hao sank to his knees, his head bowed in frustration and despair. He had been able to keep Ah Yin safe for so long. And now, because of his past actions and the unexpected cunning plan of Song Qing, she was in the hands of his enemy.
~~
Thousands of miles away, the wind roared in Song Qing's ears as his Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings propelled him through the sky at an incredible speed. He glanced back in the direction of the waterfall, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. Tang Hao's reaction would be… monumental.
As he continued his flight, his thoughts turned to Bibi Dong. It was time to set the next stage of his plan in motion. Reaching into his storage spiritual tool, he retrieved a sleek, black communication spiritual tool. With a focused burst of soul power, he sent a mental message across the vast distance separating them.
'Teacher,' Song Qing transmitted, his mental voice calm and respectful, 'I believe Tang Hao might be heading towards Heaven Dou City soon. I haven't the details to bore you with, but let's just say I've done something that has likely driven him completely mad by now. It might be wise for you to come to Heaven Dou City secretly and stay somewhere near Senior Dugu Bo's residence. Just in case.'
The response was instantaneous, a sharp, almost electric jolt in his mind.
'Qing'er!' Bibi Dong's mental voice echoed, filled with a thrill that sent a shiver down Song Qing's spine. A cold, dangerous look settled in her amethyst eyes, which seemed to gleam with an inner light. 'That wretched Tang Hao! Finally, an opportunity to make him pay for daring to lay a hand on my precious Qing'er!' The memory of finding her eight-year-old disciple gravely injured four years ago still burned in her mind like a fresh wound. Revenge had been a long time coming.
Without a moment's hesitation, Bibi Dong made her decision. She would leave the affairs of the Spirit Hall in the capable hands of the Grand Elder, Qian Daoliu. He held a status even higher than hers within the organization, and she knew she could trust him implicitly.
She swiftly made her way to the Grand Elder's secluded chamber, her movements purposeful and decisive. Qian Daoliu, his eyes closed in meditation, sensed her arrival and opened them, a hint of surprise in their ancient depths.
"Pope," he greeted her respectfully.
"Grand Elder," Bibi Dong replied, her voice firm. "I need to go to Heaven Dou City. There is a matter that requires my personal attention." She chose to be truthful about her destination, knowing that the Grand Elder possessed an uncanny ability to see through deception.
Qian Daoliu's brow furrowed slightly. "Heaven Dou City? Is something amiss?"
"There is a… potential threat that I need to address personally," Bibi Dong said, her gaze unwavering. "I will entrust the affairs of the Spirit Hall to your capable hands in my absence."
The Grand Elder studied her for a long moment, his gaze piercing. Then, with a slow nod, he said, "Very well, Pope. I trust your judgment. I will inform the others that you have entered a period of seclusion."
Bibi Dong offered a curt nod of gratitude and swiftly departed, her mind already focused on the journey to Heaven Dou City and the prospect of finally confronting Tang Hao.
Meanwhile, news of Bibi Dong's impending departure reached Qian Renxue through her grandfather. The usually composed and aloof Holy Maiden felt a jolt of surprise, quickly followed by a surge of anticipation. Her mother rarely left the Martial Soul City, and a sudden, secret trip to Heaven Dou City could only mean one thing, in Qian Renxue's mind: it had to be related to Song Qing.
Ever since Song Qing had left for Shrek Academy, despite having accepted her confession of feelings while also being honest about his affections for other women, Qian Renxue found herself thinking about him more and more. His unique charm, his extraordinary talent, and the brief moments of shared intimacy had left an indelible mark on her heart. The thought of potentially seeing him again in Heaven Dou City filled her with a nervous excitement.
She wasted no time in seeking out her mother, her silver-blue eyes pleading. "Mother, Grandfather said you are going to Heaven Dou City? Can I come with you?"
Bibi Dong, who was already preparing for her journey, looked at her daughter with a hint of surprise. Qian Renxue rarely showed such eagerness for anything. "Renxue? What interest do you have in going to Heaven Dou City?"
"I… I just want to see the capital city," Qian Renxue stammered, a slight blush rising on her cheeks. She knew her mother would see through her flimsy excuse.
Bibi Dong's amethyst eyes narrowed slightly, a knowing look in them. She suspected her daughter's true motivation. "It is a long and potentially dangerous journey, Renxue."
Qian Renxue persisted, her voice filled with a newfound determination. "I don't care, Mother. I want to go. Please?" She continued to pester her mother with relentless enthusiasm until Bibi Dong, with a sigh, finally relented. Perhaps having her daughter along would be a good distraction.
And so, Bibi Dong, accompanied by Qian Renxue, set off towards Heaven Dou City, their journey shrouded in secrecy.
Meanwhile, Song Qing, having arrived in Heaven Dou City much faster than Tang Hao, made his way directly to Senior Dugu Bo's mansion. The old Poison Douluo, looking somewhat disheveled as usual, greeted him with a mixture of surprise and suspicion.
"Little brat? What are you doing here? I thought you were at Spirit Hall and still recovering?" Dugu Bo's green eyes narrowed, sensing that something significant had occurred.
Song Qing, looking around to ensure their privacy, pulled Dugu Bo aside. "Senior, I need you to be on high alert. Tang Hao might be coming here."
Dugu Bo's expression instantly shifted from suspicion to alarm. "Tang Hao? The Clear Sky Douluo? What in the world would bring him here?" The name alone sent a shiver down his spine. He had faced Tang Hao once before and knew the sheer terror the man could inspire.
"Let's just say I might have… acquired something that belongs to him," Song Qing said with a wry smile, deliberately being vague. "He's likely to be quite angry. I need you to promise me that you won't leave Heaven Dou City under any circumstances. He might try to target you to draw me out."
Dugu Bo's eyes widened, a mixture of fear and disbelief swirling within them. He didn't know what Song Qing had done, but it must have been incredibly audacious to provoke Tang Hao to this extent. "You… you provoked Tang Hao? Are you insane, brat?"
Song Qing shrugged nonchalantly. "Perhaps. But I need you safe, Senior. Promise me you'll stay put."
Despite his fear, Dugu Bo nodded grimly. He owed Song Qing a debt, and he wouldn't abandon him now, even if it meant facing the wrath of Tang Hao. "Alright, little brat. I'll stay put. But you better have a damn good explanation for all of this."
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Dugu Yan, her eyes lighting up with joy, rushed towards Song Qing and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "Little Qing! You're here! What a wonderful surprise!"
Song Qing smiled warmly, returning her hug. Dugu Yan had always been fond of him. "It's good to see you too, Sister Yan."
While Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan peppered Song Qing with questions, he subtly directed his attention towards a small pot he had placed in a sunny corner of the mansion's courtyard. Inside the pot was a single blade of Blue Silver Grass, seemingly ordinary except for the faint, intricate patterns that ran along its length. It sat bathed in the morning sunlight, absorbing its life-giving energy. No one, not even Dugu Bo, with his vast knowledge of plants, paid it any particular attention. To the untrained eye, it was just another unassuming blade of grass.