Chapter 242: 261. All of You Worked Two Hundred Times Harder?
"And what about you, Fatty?" Tang San asked suspiciously. "You've always had trouble suppressing your evil fire. Without any immortal herb enhancements, how did you advance so quickly?"
Ma Hongjun sighed deeply, his tone heavy with sentiment. "Ah San, you understand me best. In my previous life, because I failed to train hard enough, I missed my chance at inheriting the Fire God's position. I only became the weaker Phoenix God, and because of that, my beloved Bai Chenxiang grew old and died on the Douluo Continent. Now that I've been reborn, I refuse to let such a tragedy repeat. For Bai Chenxiang, no matter how painful the evil fire is, it's nothing compared to my longing for her. Even without an immortal herb, I'll close that gap through sheer effort—if one time's not enough, then one hundred times, two hundred times over!"
(Truthfully, his heart had long since been filled by Xiao Wu. Bai Chenxiang was just a convenient shield, but to brush off Tang San's question, he resurrected his old "deep affection" as an excuse.)
"Yeah, that's right," Oscar chimed in quickly. "Ah San, we've all seen how hard Fatty works. That guy's used nothing but pure willpower to withstand the burning force of his own fire."
"Is that so?" Tang San said, moved. "Fatty, no matter what happens in this life, I'll find a way to cure your evil fire. We Shrek brothers will become gods again—like before."
Then Tang San turned to Oscar. "And you, Oscar? What's driven your improvement?"
Oscar's expression darkened, filled with mock resentment. "Ah San, I don't know if you realized it, but in our last life, Ning Rongrong… she loved you all along. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame you—it's her fault, that fickle woman. In this life, I swear she'll look up to me. I'll make her chase after me—then I'll throw her aside without mercy, to wash away my humiliation. To do that, I have to train with everything I've got. If one effort isn't enough, then one hundred, two hundred times over!"
(In reality, after being reborn, Oscar's heart had long been healed by Xiao Wu. Ning Rongrong was just a stranger to him now. But to fool Tang San, she served as the perfect scapegoat.)
Tang San's eyes softened. In truth, he had long known Ning Rongrong carried feelings for him in their past life—feelings she never confessed because he forbade any closeness between her and Oscar. He'd always felt a quiet sense of superiority about it, though he would never admit it aloud.
"Oscar, I'm sorry," Tang San said sincerely. "I never realized how much trouble there was between you two back then. If you'd come to me, I would've helped you reason with Ning Rongrong. But… what's done is done. Whatever you choose to do this time, Oscar, I'll support you completely."
"Really? Thank you, Ah San," Oscar said earnestly.
Then Tang San turned his gaze toward Tai Long. "And you? How did your cultivation improve so much?"
Tai Long scratched his head, thinking, then answered solemnly, "Young Master, you already know my background. I grew up listening to my grandfather's stories about Lord Tang Yuehua and yourself. My admiration for you is boundless—as endless as the flowing river. To me, you're as worthy of reverence as your father. My grandfather told me my destiny was to serve you faithfully. Even as a cripple with one arm and half my strength, I'll give everything I have. If one effort isn't enough, then one hundred, two hundred times harder—I'll train until the day I can truly assist you."
"…So," Tang San said blankly, face twitching, "you too? Two hundred times the effort?"
He was starting to doubt reality itself. How could everyone around him be working two hundred times harder? Now it seemed like he was the only one slacking off!
Still, each of their answers felt convincing enough. Tang San accepted them without further question.
Meanwhile, in Spirit Hall's Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong sat upon the throne.
A red-robed cardinal entered, carrying a golden tray. Lifting the crimson silk veil, he revealed three spirit bones resting beneath.
Bibi Dong's voice was calm but commanding. "Announce to the continent that this year's Soul Master Tournament will award these three spirit bones to the victors. One: the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone. Two: the hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit Right Arm Bone. Three: the fifty-thousand-year Wisdom Head Bone of Spirit Concentration."
"As you command, Your Holiness," the cardinal replied.
Thus, two years after Spirit Hall's initial proclamation of a "hundred-thousand-year spirit bone prize," the truth was finally unveiled on the eve of the great tournament.
The entire continent erupted in excitement—though among the wiser few, suspicion brewed.
In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Gu Rong furrowed his brow at the report. "A hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor bone… could it be from that ten-thousand-year soul beast?"
"Who else could it be?" Ning Fengzhi said gravely.
"But how did Spirit Hall acquire it?" Gu Rong pressed. "Could it be that Qian Xunji wrested it from Tang Hao back then?" Although he knew of their fateful clash, many details remained unknown. He frowned. "Either way, this has the stench of a trap. By showcasing these bones, Spirit Hall might be trying to lure Tang Hao out."
"Then what should we do?" Gu Rong asked.
Ning Fengzhi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "We'll observe quietly. Tang Hao showed immense power even before his ascension as a Titled Douluo. Now that he's reached that level, he's an apex predator. If Spirit Hall wants to cage this tiger, they'll have to risk their own flesh and blood."
Elsewhere—
Tang Hao had emerged from seclusion. Stretching his shoulders, the 96th-level Super Douluo revealed his overwhelming aura.
"It's been years," he muttered. "Spirit Hall… the vendetta from that day—it's time I collect interest." Standing tall, he added, "I should also check on Little San. He must have absorbed the immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Well by now. He's probably preparing for the tournament."
With that, Tang Hao set off toward Heaven Dou City.
On the way, he stopped by a roadside Soul Master tavern. Entering, he placed nine copper soul coins neatly on the counter and said, "Two bowls of cheap barley wine and a plate of fennel beans."
"Yes, sir! Right this way," said the waiter cheerfully.
Tang Hao found a seat, eating and drinking quietly. Soon, the chatter of two nearby soul masters reached his ears.
"Hey, did you hear? Spirit Hall's posting two hundred-thousand-year spirit bones as prizes for the tournament!"
"Oh? Which ones?"
"They say one's from the Blue Silver Emperor—and the other's from the Soft Bone Rabbit."
(END CHAPTER)
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