Somewhere within Sunset Forest, a small thatched hut.
Tang San emerged from within, crouching at the entrance to wash several bloodstained garments.
Ever since their hasty escape from Heaven Dou City, he and his father had paid a heavy price just to survive the relentless pursuit.
Tang Hao, already severely wounded, had become even more fragile.
He remained unconscious for several days before barely waking.
Tang San stayed here to care for him.
Just like in the past, he didn't find it tiresome—in fact, he even enjoyed it.
Because now, he was no longer a lonely orphan without parents!
Suddenly, from inside the hut, came a roar from Tang Hao:
"Urgh… where's the wine?!"
Tang San immediately returned inside.
Tang Hao lay on the bed, his entire body wrapped in white bandages. One arm and one leg were missing, making him look utterly miserable.
His bloodshot eyes looked like those of a crazed demon.
Tang San quickly stepped forward and poured a cup of tea, placing it near his father's mouth, saying:
"Dad, we're still in Sunset Forest—there's no wine here right now…"
Tang Hao instantly burst into curses. "Bastards! Those bastards! They all deserve to die! Every last one of them!"
"I'll kill them! I'll wipe them out!"
Tang Hao raged like a madman, shouting until he began to cough violently and finally stopped, panting heavily.
Tang San looked at him with concern.
This scene had played out many times already.
His once-proud father had now fallen from grace, trampled upon—it was no wonder he couldn't accept reality.
Tang San sighed and said, "Dad, we still have hope. You'll get better…"
Tang Hao calmed down and slumped into defeat, saying:
"Xiao San, it's not your place to comfort me. Do you think I don't know my own condition? Maybe I once had a sliver of hope to regain my Title Douluo status, but now—after using that forbidden technique—I'll never break through again."
Tang Hao struggled to sit up, and when he looked at the empty pant leg where his leg used to be, sorrow overwhelmed him. Grabbing at his hair, he let out a howl.
Tang San gently patted his back and suddenly said:
"Actually, it's not entirely hopeless. Dad, I heard that the recent divine miracle was from the Sea God. Now, Sea God Island has issued a riddle, said to be linked to the Sea God's inheritance. If we obtain it, then wouldn't that mean—"
"Enough, Xiao San! Let me teach you something—keep your feet on the ground. Stop dreaming!"
Tang Hao cut him off with a cold sneer, clearly not holding out any hope.
"You think the heavens are going to toss down a meat pie just for us? If that really happens, I'll slit my own throat—what a waste of a lifetime of cultivation!"
He snorted dismissively, completely uninterested.
Tang San's expression turned awkward, not daring to argue.
"Alright then, since you made it to Heaven Dou City, you should be able to get me some wine next time. Don't forget…"
With that, Tang Hao turned over to face the wall and went to sleep.
Staring at his father's fallen state, Tang San clenched his fists, filled with helplessness.
Who could ever understand the pain of a broken home?
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Yuanzhen had finally managed to persuade Liu Erlong to return.
Previously, due to a scheme by some clan soul masters, her companion—the Crimson-Bearded Fire Dragon—was killed.
Liu Erlong was so enraged that she immediately quit the clan.
Now, Yu Yuanzhen was practically willing to threaten her with his own death to bring her back.
He pulled her by the arm and said:
"Erlong, we won't force you to become clan head again, but you can't deny your bloodline. The clan just wants to support you."
As they spoke, the two entered the main hall.
Upon seeing Liu Erlong, the senior soul masters all stood up at once.
Only Yu Xiaogang remained seated at the end, unwilling to acknowledge Liu Erlong's higher status.
A soul master beside him suddenly grabbed his shoulder and forcibly yanked him to his feet.
"I—" Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red. How humiliating!
The soul master beside him gave him a cold glare.
Yu Xiaogang had no choice but to bow respectfully.
Liu Erlong sighed. "Uncle, I really have no interest in being clan head. I already swore an oath. Don't press me anymore. As for the Sea God's inheritance—I should be grateful I didn't go after him to settle the score! He turned me from a Fire Dragon into a Water Dragon…"
"Don't say that…" Yu Yuanzhen responded as he gave the crowd a signal.
Bang—!
At that moment, more than twenty senior soul masters simultaneously knelt before Liu Erlong.
Yu Xiaogang was among them, forced down by the soul master beside him.
A dull crack sounded—his face went pale and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
His ankle was broken!
Everyone stared at Liu Erlong—and at the Crimson-Bearded Fire Dragon behind her.
Having absorbed the remnants of Liu Erlong's fire-attributed soul power, the new Crimson-Bearded Fire Dragon had reached the 10,000-year level—equivalent to a six-ring Soul Emperor.
Moreover, being a soul beast, it theoretically had a lifespan of tens of thousands of years.
If it stayed in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, it would become a heirloom guardian!
Even if Liu Erlong had no intention of leaving, just losing such a powerful beast was already a massive blow.
"Erlong, your uncle is begging you—please don't leave…"
"The clan will support you fully and promise not to interfere in your personal matters. You will be the clan's uncrowned queen…"
Just as Yu Yuanzhen was about to kneel, Liu Erlong caught him.
Her face full of exasperation—why do they keep insisting she take charge?
A few days later, the excitement in Heaven Dou City about the Sea God's inheritance had reached a fever pitch.
Many people were arriving from all over, hoping to feel the remnants of the divine miracle.
Of course, nothing could be sensed anymore.
This time, Dan Heng was again invited by Spirit Hall—it was said to concern Qian Renxue's divine awakening.
Without much thought, he took leave and went.
Qian Daoliu did not accompany him.
Alone, Dan Heng arrived at Spirit Hall, where Hu Liena was already waiting at the entrance and led him to a room.
The room was elegant, spacious, and well-lit.
Inside, there was only one person—Bibi Dong, dressed in a silky home robe, revealing her smooth, fair shoulders, smiling softly:
"Mr. Dan Heng, please have a seat."
As she approached, her fragrance filled the air. Her strikingly beautiful face was softened by a gentle smile.
"…?" Dan Heng was a bit confused.
He sat down and quickly scanned the room. It looked suspiciously like a private residence.
Bibi Dong bent over to pour him water.
As the neckline of her robe dipped low, a large swath of fair skin was revealed, swaying slightly with her movements, carrying a seductive aroma.
"Mr. Dan Heng, Xue'er's divine awakening was truly thanks to you. We really must thank you properly…"
Dan Heng picked up the teacup—somewhat surprised.
Why was this teacup as big as a bowl?
He took a sip and asked directly, "Where is Qian Renxue?"
Bibi Dong's expression immediately turned a little hurt. "Mr. Dan Heng, does she really have to be here for you to stay? I'm right in front of you—can't that be enough to make you linger a moment longer?"
Her eyes reddened, glistening with unshed tears—vulnerable and pitiable.
A woman known for her cold elegance now revealing such fragility was a jarring contrast.
If Chrysanthemum Douluo were here, he'd probably be so shocked he'd drop his jaw.
"…?" Dan Heng remained unmoved, only finding her behavior bizarre.
If not for Poseidon dragging him into this with a favor and asking him to help Qian Renxue, he wouldn't have any connection to Bibi Dong at all.
Now she's putting on an act—for whom?
He stood up, about to leave.
"Mr. Dan Heng, please don't go! I just missed you so much. We don't have to do anything—can't we just chat?"
Bibi Dong clung to his sleeve, pleading pitifully.
Dan Heng frowned—of course he wasn't staying.
This woman looked soft but was actually extremely difficult to deal with. Like a beautiful snake, once you showed the slightest weakness, she would completely ensnare you.
Creak—!
He shook her off forcefully—his sleeve actually tore off.
"…"
Dan Heng's face twitched.
At the same time, the door swung open.
"Why are you blocking me? Are you hiding something shameful in there?"
Qian Renxue stormed in and almost ran straight into Dan Heng.
She froze for a moment. Upon seeing him, her anger vanished instantly. She then pretended not to notice and moved forward, seemingly trying to fall into his arms.
"???" Dan Heng nearly laughed from exasperation.
He sidestepped to let her pass, and took the opportunity of the open door to quickly leave.
He had no intention of staying!
Besides, with just one glance, he could tell that Qian Renxue's divinity had fully awakened.
There was no longer any need for him to be involved.
"Mr. Dan Heng…"
Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue spoke in unison.
Then, they looked at each other.
Bibi Dong quickly stuffed the torn sleeve of Dan Heng's robe into her own neckline, as if afraid Qian Renxue would try to snatch it from her.
"You...!"
Qian Renxue was truly enraged this time.
Her fair face was laced with fury, and her eyes glared wide in anger.
"I thought you wanted to repair our mother-daughter relationship, but turns out, you were after Mr. Dan Heng all along?! Mr. Dan Heng is a married man, and you still haven't given up?!"
Qian Renxue shouted furiously.
Bibi Dong's beautiful face turned bright red. She stammered, "No... it's not like that..."
Their just-repaired mother-daughter bond was instantly put to the test!
"You misunderstood, Xue'er. There's nothing between Mr. Dan Heng and me. I just wanted... I just wanted to thank him, after all..." Bibi Dong fumbled to explain.
Qian Renxue glanced into Bibi Dong's neckline—and let out an angry laugh.
"How exactly do you plan to thank him? By not wearing a bra? And you... besides, you have no relationship with Mr. Dan Heng whatsoever!"
"That last time you wore that outfit—I couldn't even bear to look at it! I thought you just hastily put on the wrong clothes because you were worried about me, but now I see, you deliberately dressed like that to seduce Mr. Dan Heng?"
The more Qian Renxue spoke, the angrier she got. She lunged forward and tugged at Bibi Dong's clothes.
Immediately, a large, pale breast bounced out.
Just as Qian Renxue had said—Bibi Dong truly had no shame.
She quickly tucked herself back in, shielded her neckline, and clutched Dan Heng's sleeve tightly.
"Xue'er! Do you not even trust your own mother?!"
Bibi Dong said in anger.
Qian Renxue said coldly, "You want me to trust you? Fine. Then give me Mr. Dan Heng's sleeve!"
Bibi Dong took two steps back—clearly unwilling.
That sleeve was her spoils of war, a keepsake. How could she possibly hand it over?
Qian Renxue snorted coldly and gave Bibi Dong a disappointed look.
"I see now. I should never have held out any hope for you!"
With a glare at Bibi Dong, she turned and walked out, heels clicking sharply on the floor.
"Bang—!"
The door slammed shut.
Bibi Dong's face shifted between red and pale, her eyes filled with shame, worry... but not even a hint of regret.
She walked over to the spot where Dan Heng had just sat and plopped down.
Looking at the tea cup Dan Heng had used—still warm—she bit her lip.
This, too, was all part of her carefully laid plan. As expected, Mr. Dan Heng had taken just one sip before leaving.
As for the rest, she would drink it all—one sip at a time.
(PS: This is canon-based content. Considering how abstractly the story treats Yu Xiaogang, isn't it fair game now to be even more outrageous with Dan Heng?)
Several days later.
The elusive Sea God Poseidon, whom Dan Heng had been searching for, was actually in Sunset Forest—busy with something big!
He truly wanted to pass on his divine seat and go off wandering the world!
So now, he had to prepare for it.
Poseidon rose into the sky and spread his arms.
With a low hum, a towering pillar of blue light suddenly appeared—piercing the heavens and anchoring into the earth.
It quickly spread outward.
All the scenery swallowed by the blue light began to dissolve, deconstructing into fundamental elements, then rapidly reorganizing into a towering sea-blue spire.
"I need to use my brains. I can't let my successor be a bunch of misfits..."
Poseidon muttered to himself.
As the blue light expanded to a hundred-meter radius, the disturbance finally caught the attention of the Divine Realm.
"Poseidon! What nonsense are you up to now?!"
Suddenly, a beam of dark gray light fell from the sky.
The God of Asura appeared beside Poseidon in an instant.
"I'm just looking for a few successors. Sure, the Divine Realm can't interfere with the mortal world, but this should be fine, right?"
Poseidon said casually.
"..." The God of Asura stared at him.
Seeking successors and leaving behind a divine trial was fine.
But doing it as blatantly as Poseidon just had? That was another story.
If every god did this, wouldn't the mortal world turn into each god's personal backyard?
"You must be punished."
The God of Asura said solemnly.
Poseidon shrugged. "Fine, fine... whatever."
But in his heart, he was even more relieved: The sooner they kick me out, the better. Let them worry about Dan Heng and that Silver Dragon King. I'm done!
Yes—the real reason he wanted to leave was the terror Dan Heng brought him!
The God of Asura squinted at Poseidon, sensing something strange in his condition.
"Since you've already caused such a spectacle... you might as well go all the way and make it convenient for the Divine Realm to observe..."
The God of Asura suddenly said.
"???"
Poseidon was stunned, then instantly enraged.
"You damn Asura! You want me to do all the work while everyone else reaps the benefits?!
"I take the blame, and they get the rewards? There's no way I'm agreeing to that!"
Naturally, Poseidon was unwilling.
But—it was already too late!
The God of Asura pointed at the blue pillar of light, and a stream of gray divine power fell from the sky, merging into it.
Immediately after, several glowing orbs appeared in the sky—each representing a different god, all jumping in to get a piece of the action.
Poseidon was furious, shouting in rage. This was utter humiliation!
They dared to take advantage of him?
But unfortunately, he had been in the wrong to begin with—and couldn't change the situation now!
At that moment, near the edge of the blue pillar of light—in a small thatched hut—
Tang San and his father stepped outside.
Looking at the divine miracle that had appeared right before their eyes, both were utterly dumbfounded...
(End of Chapter)