Chapter 243: 262. My Mother's Soul Bone, Now a Prize
"What? This year's Soul Master Tournament reward is that generous? Damn… if only I'd been born twenty years later, I could've had a shot at winning a hundred-thousand-year soul bone."
"Hah, even if you were born twenty years later, what difference would it make? With your talent, no academy would let you within ten meters of the competing team."
"Alright, alright, just kidding. But really—Soft Bone Rabbit, Blue Silver Grass… those can even become hundred-thousand-year-level soul beasts?"
"You don't know the story behind that hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Grass, do you?"
"Oh? Tell me."
"Back then, the Clear Sky Clan had two prodigies—Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, the legendary Twin Stars of the—"
Before he could finish, a massive black hammer crashed down on their table. The two men didn't even have time to scream before they were smashed flat into the floor.
The shockwave rippled outward—the entire tavern collapsed under the echo of the Clear Sky Hammer. Every person inside was reduced to ruins, none surviving the slaughter.
Screams filled the streets outside as terrified bystanders fled.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
Tang Hao stood amidst the wreckage, the hammer still smoking in his hands. His eyes were crimson, his breath heavy, his arms bulging like enraged beasts. He struck his chest with his fists and roared madly to the heavens.
"Spirit Hall!" he bellowed. "It's you—it's you! You stole my Ah Yin from me!"
Lowering his head, Tang Hao clenched his fists until the veins bulged. Part of him burned to storm across the continent, smashing every Spirit Hall branch to rubble and reclaiming what they had taken. But another part hesitated—he thought of the Clear Sky Clan.
He loosened his grip, breathing raggedly. "No… I can't drag the sect into disaster."
Then his bloodshot eyes glared at the scattering survivors on the streets. Tang Hao's voice turned murderous. "Ah Yin was forced to sacrifice herself—her life and soul stolen by Spirit Hall. And all of you still live peacefully? Then die! Die with her as an offering!"
He hefted his hammer and roared again, swinging wildly in every direction.
By the time the dust settled, the area had been flattened into rubble—a field of blood and broken bodies buried under stone. Only then did Tang Hao's rage ease slightly.
"Spirit Hall," he growled, voice trembling, "enjoy your petty triumph while it lasts. When my son, Tang San, ascends as the Asura God, he will cleanse this filthy land—and your Spirit Hall will vanish forever."
The Clear Sky Hammer shrank and vanished from his hand. Pulling the brim of his hat low over his face, Tang Hao turned and disappeared into the ruins.
At Shrek Academy, Flender stood before the Shrek Eight Monsters, hands behind his back, his voice solemn but spirited.
"Little monsters, I have some good news for all of you today."
"What is it, teacher?" Ma Hongjun asked eagerly.
"The official rewards for the Soul Master Tournament have been announced," Flender said, his eyes shining. "Two hundred-thousand-year soul bones, and a rare spiritual head bone."
Tang San blinked. That's different from last time… When did Spirit Hall ever get this generous? A sly smile crept across his lips. Well then, if they're bold enough to flaunt such prizes, I'll graciously accept them before I destroy them all.
Yu Tianheng leaned forward. "Teacher, which bones, specifically?"
Flender replied, "A hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone. A hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit right arm bone. And a fifty-thousand-year spiritual head bone of mental focus."
The moment those words left his mouth, the reincarnated quartet—and Xiao Wu and Er Ming—fell silent.
What? Tang San could understand Spirit Hall having the Soft Bone Rabbit's arm bone; they must have recovered it after her death. But the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone—his mother's soul bone—how could it possibly be in Spirit Hall's hands?
My mother's leg bone… the one Father kept hidden in the waterfall cave behind Holy Soul Village… how could it have ended up with them? Tang San's thoughts whirled in shock.
Xiao Wu and Er Ming were equally stunned. Xiao Wu herself had witnessed Tang Hao killing her mother, seen with her own eyes the formation of that soul bone, and seen Tang Hao take it himself. How could it now belong to Spirit Hall?
Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng, oblivious to their turmoil, couldn't hide the glint in his eyes. Two hundred-thousand-year soul bones. If they won, the Soft Bone Rabbit Bone would clearly go to Xiao Wu, while the Blue Silver Emperor Bone could perfectly complement his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon with vitality power. The head bone could go to Er Ming. As for Tang San—what use was there giving divine treasures to a mere low-level Soul Ancestor?
Flender continued proudly, "You all are the most exceptional students I've ever taught. Apart from Oscar, Yu Tianheng, and Dai Mubai, most of you are still around twelve years old. If the tournament were delayed by two years, we'd have even more confidence. But as we are—a lineup with three Soul Kings—our team stands as one of the favorites to claim the championship!"
His encouraging words meant nothing to Tang San, who barely heard them. Win? Lose? What does it matter?
That Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone… is rightfully mine. Even if we win it, all I'll be doing is reclaiming what already belonged to my family.
But if the soul bone was in Spirit Hall's hands, did that mean his mother's remaining life seed had also fallen to them?
His heart pounded in confusion and rage.
When Flender dismissed the group, Tang San turned to Xiao Wu. Noticing her reddened eyes, realization struck him—an opportunity to earn her sympathy. He stepped closer and said gently, "Xiao Wu, that hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit soul bone—it must be important to you, right?"
The mention of her mother's relic made Xiao Wu's chest tighten with sorrow.
"That… that was my mother's," she said softly, her voice trembling.
"What? Your mother's relic?" Tang San's face twisted with feigned outrage. "That Spirit Hall… how despicable, to desecrate your mother's remains! Don't you worry, Xiao Wu. I, your Ah San giegie, will personally win that soul bone back for you!"
But Xiao Wu's heart wasn't moved—it hardened. She knew that soul bone had once been taken by Tang Hao after murdering her mother. If both her mother's and Ah Yin's bones had ended up in Spirit Hall's hands, then there must've been some exchange—a battle or betrayal between Tang Hao and Spirit Hall that led to their loss.
Her fists clenched under her sleeves. This wasn't about Spirit Hall. Her true enemy was Tang Hao.
Tang San's show of gallantry only deepened her loathing.
You… the son of that murderer, Xiao Wu thought bitterly. Don't stand there feigning righteousness. You covet my body, my spirit ring, my bones. Even if I welded myself shut, I'd never let you have me. I'd rather give my spirit ring and bones to anyone else than to you. You can dream on.
(END CHAPTER)
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