"No way!" Tang Hao quickly shut down Tang San's thoughts.
"Behave yourself. Once we return, you must act as normal. When the time comes to fight Ye Hao, remember what I told you."
After issuing his warning, Tang Hao ensured no one was around before vanishing into the night.
Tang San, now fully aware of his burdens and his true lineage, gazed at the tent where Ye Hao resided.
"Just wait—I will personally end you and bring my mother back."
He muttered to himself before leaving.
"Tang San, Tang Hao… What a pair of oddballs. No, I must report this to my master."
God Realm
Inside the Death God's Temple—
"Death God! Get out here!"
The Sea God, clad in his divine attire, stormed into the temple, his face filled with rage.
"What now? What could possibly make the great Sea God so personally troubled?"
A figure draped in a black robe strolled out lazily. Under the robe, no emotions could be seen.
"Don't play dumb with me, Death God. Today, I'm putting my words on the table."
"Dare to make a bet with me?"
The Death God's expression became serious. "You think I'm afraid? Speak."
The Sea God smirked. "I haven't forgotten how your heir stole the Evil Demon Orca King."
"..."
The Death God looked annoyed. "How bored are you? Holding such a grudge over something so trivial—are you even a god?"
"I…" The Sea God was momentarily speechless.
"Recently, I've been searching the Douluo Continent, and I finally found another twin martial soul wielder."
The corners of the Sea God's mouth lifted.
"Twin martial souls? Don't tell me you're talking about that brat, Tang San?"
The Death God glanced at the Sea God with indifference.
"You…"
The Sea God coughed and steadied himself. "How did you know?"
"Hmph." The Death God sneered. "How could I not?"
"To be honest, that Tang San is my heir's enemy. You really have low standards, choosing Tang San. I advise you to think bigger—Tang San is no good. If you let someone like him ascend to the God Realm, chaos will follow."
The Death God warned.
The Sea God pondered deeply…
"So, do you accept or not? I choose Tang San as my heir, and you let Ye Hao be yours. Let's make a wager."
Hearing this, the Death God became intrigued. "What kind of bet?"
The Sea God smirked. "As you just said, Ye Hao and Tang San are enemies. You and I—one a Death God, one a Sea God. Ye Hao took the Evil Demon Orca King, which removed an important part of my Sea God's Nine Trials."
"So, let's bet—who is stronger? The Death God or the Sea God?"
The Death God's expression darkened, and the temple became suffocatingly tense.
"Are you insane? This will throw the Douluo Continent into chaos! Poseidon, I'm telling you—Tang San is not a good person. Are you sure about this?"
The Sea God nodded firmly. "Since I'm here, I must bet. If Tang San truly isn't worthy, I'll cancel his trials myself. That should ease your worries."
After a long moment of contemplation, the Death God sighed and nodded.
"Fine."
"So, it's a deal?"
"It's a deal."
With that, the Death God pulled the Sea God along.
"What are you doing?!" The Sea God was bewildered.
"We're going to the God Realm Committee."
"Why?"
"To get those five to officially witness our bet."
"Is that really necessary?"
"It's a must." The Death God stared at the Sea God with an intensity that sent chills down his spine.
"Tang San is truly a disaster. You'll see for yourself."
With that, the two gods sped off toward the God Realm Committee.
Meanwhile, an earth-shattering change was quietly taking place in Ye Hao's Death God's Nine Trials…
The Next Morning, the weather was perfect for a competition—clear skies, bright sunshine, and a refreshing breeze.
At the Royal Hunting Grounds, the tournament battles were underway.
As the advancement rounds neared their end, many eliminated teams had already lost hope.
For those still in the running, this was their final push.
The qualifiers and advancement rounds were just warm-ups—mere stepping stones.
The real battlefield was in Spirit City, where the final elimination rounds would take place. That was the true stage, where warriors earned their glory.
Unfortunately, only a few had the privilege to go.
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Second Team had secured their place. Soon, they would reclaim their title as the Emperor Team and represent the Heaven Dou Empire in the finals.
The fights were intense, but everyone was eagerly waiting for one specific match—Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Second Team versus Shrek Academy.
It was the final round of the advancement competition.
Yet, to everyone's surprise, Ye Hao did not participate. Instead, he sat leisurely in the spectator stands.
This left many spectators deeply disappointed.
"Damn it…" Tang San clenched his teeth. He desperately wanted to steal back the Blue Silver Emperor—his mother.
Ye Hao, meanwhile, seemed utterly relaxed. He rested his hands behind his head, watching the battles unfold. Occasionally, he glanced toward the Shrek Academy team.
That was when he noticed something—Tang San's eyes had changed.
His gaze was no longer calm or calculating. Instead, it was filled with deep hatred and murderous intent.
It was as if he wanted to kill Ye Hao on the spot.
The only thing missing was the words "I will kill you" written on his face.
Ye Hao remained indifferent, letting out a disdainful snort before heading back to his dorm alone.
"Ye Hao, hand over the Blue Silver Emperor!"
As soon as he stepped outside the arena, he encountered the last person he wanted to see.
"Tang San?" Ye Hao rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Good dogs don't block the road. If you know what's good for you, step aside."
"Who are you calling a dog?!" Tang San erupted in fury.
"Whoever responds to it, obviously." Ye Hao's casual remark made Tang San's eyes turn blood-red. He clenched his fists, ready to strike.
But soon, reality overpowered his impulse, and he ultimately held back.
Taking a deep breath, Tang San spoke in a low voice, "Ye Hao, I hope you can give me that Blue Silver Grass."
Hearing this, Ye Hao raised an eyebrow in surprise. Was this really the same Tang San he knew?
From the information his spider messenger had delivered that morning, Ye Hao already knew that Tang San had sought out Tang Hao last night and learned the true identity of the Blue Silver Emperor.
"No way. I obtained it myself, so why should I give it to you?" Ye Hao rejected him outright.
"Ye Hao, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!" Tang San dropped all pretense and revealed his sinister side, like a rabid dog baring its fangs.
"That Blue Silver Grass is something I found. Why should I give it to you?" Ye Hao scoffed. "Tang San, the one who's shameless here is you. I've seen the murderous intent in your eyes more than once. I know our enmity runs deep, but do you know why I target you?"
Tang San remained silent.
"It's because you're despicable!" Ye Hao pointed at Tang San's nose, berating him.
"You act self-righteous, imposing your morals on others. If someone dares to offend you, it's a death sentence. But when you avoid trouble yourself, you call it wisdom. You're nothing but a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong."
"Remember when you and that old Jack first arrived at Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy? The gatekeeper merely said a few words to you, and you already wanted to take his life. I bet you had your silent sleeve arrow ready to fire, didn't you?"
"Shut up!" Tang San's face contorted in rage. He couldn't refute it—because it was the truth. An undeniable truth.
"If you say one more word, I'll kill you right now!" Tang San issued his final warning.
But Ye Hao remained unfazed and continued, "And let's not forget how much dirt you have on your name. Do you still remember old Jack from Holy Soul Village? He took care of you when you were young. But just because he said a single bad thing about Tang Hao, you heartlessly drove him out of your home."
"You are an unfilial ingrate who tramples on human lives as if they were nothing. You preach about respecting teachers and upholding righteousness, but you don't even understand the meaning of those words. Someone like you doesn't deserve to exist in this world!" Ye Hao declared firmly.
Tang San was so enraged that he trembled violently, his teeth grinding against each other audibly.
"Ye Hao, I swear on my life—I will kill you!!!" Tang San's vision darkened, and he nearly fainted from sheer fury.
"Kill me?" Ye Hao chuckled mockingly. "You should worry about yourself first. A clay Buddha can't even cross a river—you can barely keep yourself afloat, yet you still have time to obsess over me?"
"Tang San, I've said enough. I won't repeat myself. I know plenty more of your dirty secrets. In the end, the one who will pay the price won't be me—it'll be you."
Tang San gritted his teeth. "Just wait. Tomorrow, I will cripple you, no matter what it takes. If it weren't for the tournament rules forbidding killing, I would use my full strength to ensure you don't even know how you died."
"Is that so?" Ye Hao smirked. "I look forward to it."
Before leaving, Ye Hao casually added, "I'll break your ribs, cripple you, and make you experience the most excruciating pain imaginable."
"Just like how you treated those six people in Soto City…"
With that, Ye Hao strode away, his previous good mood completely ruined by Tang San. He was thoroughly irritated.
"You… Ye Hao, you…" Tang San stood there, his mind reeling.
"No, impossible! He's Ye Hao, not Ye Ritian. How could he possibly know?!"
"AHHHHHH!!!" Tang San clutched his head, rolling on the ground in agony. He had no retort, no argument—Ye Hao had rendered him speechless and filled him with self-doubt.
After a moment of contemplation, Tang San's expression darkened. He muttered to himself,
"No, I am not wrong. You are the ones who are wrong. I am the law! Nothing I do can ever be wrong!"
—
Morning passed quickly, and in the afternoon, Ye Hao spent his time training alone.
Tomorrow was the battle against Shrek Academy, and he had promised to "defeat all seven alone." As a man of his word, he had to uphold his promise—there was no room for dishonesty.
Ye Hao knew one thing for sure: tomorrow's match would be a brutal fight, unavoidable.
—
That night, Ye Hao once again visited Xue Qinghe's tent. As soon as he stepped inside, he noticed that Xue Qinghe didn't look well—his dark circles were especially noticeable.
"Brother Xue, didn't sleep well last night?" Ye Hao sat down and asked.
Xue Qinghe shot him an annoyed glare. "What do you think? Someone took advantage of me yesterday, and I was too frustrated to sleep all night. You brat, what are you doing here again?"
Clearly, Xue Qinghe had become wary of Ye Hao, keeping a safe distance.
Ye Hao chuckled and signaled Zhuzhu to enter.
Then, the Death God's Heart on Ye Hao's hairpin flashed with dark light, sealing off the entire area.
"Zhuzhu, why are you here?" Xue Qinghe's expression turned serious. Unlike yesterday, Zhuzhu's presence today meant there was urgent business.
"It was at my request. Go ahead, Zhuzhu," Ye Hao prompted.
Zhuzhu nodded. "Yes. At my master's command, I have been monitoring Tang San's movements. Last night, Tang San secretly met with Tang Hao."
"What?!" Xue Qinghe was shocked. "What did the father and son discuss?"
"Tang San questioned Tang Hao about the true identity of the Blue Silver Emperor in my master's possession. Without hesitation, Tang Hao told him everything, word for word. Now, Tang San intends to take the Blue Silver Emperor back and plans to use his Clear Sky Hammer in tomorrow's match to severely injure my master."
As Zhuzhu finished, Xue Qinghe's face darkened. He slammed the table, snorting coldly,
"What audacity! Tang Hao, I've spared you long enough, but now you dare to act first? It seems those two are tired of living! Once the tournament is over, I'll make an example out of them!"
It was clear—Ye Hao had become Xue Qinghe's bottom line. Anyone who crossed it would die.
"I was also surprised when I learned this in the morning," Ye Hao said while munching on some rabbit meat. "With the qualifiers nearly over, tomorrow's match against Shrek Academy will determine everything. After that, we'll depart for Spirit Hall in Spirit City."
Chewing thoughtfully, Ye Hao continued,
"Since tomorrow's match is crucial, I'll need to go all out."
"If Ma Hongjun takes the stage tomorrow, I must make that damned fatty pay for his words!" A raging fire ignited in Ye Hao's heart.
"Little brother, above all else, prioritize your safety! Don't push yourself too hard," Xue Qinghe gently advised.
Hearing this, Ye Hao felt warmth in his heart and smiled at Xue Qinghe. "Sis, thanks for your concern. But soon, I won't be calling you 'sis' anymore."
"Oh?" Xue Qinghe was puzzled and immediately asked, "What do you mean? You're my little brother, and I'm your sister. What's wrong with that?"
"You'll understand once we reach Spirit Hall," Ye Hao said mysteriously.
He continued, "Yesterday, I used the Death God's Heart to contact Xiao Hong. He and Xie Hu have safely arrived at Spirit Hall and have successfully settled the Evil Demon Orca group."
"I have to admit, strong people are always in demand. That damn dog Xiao Hong has already become a revered figure in Spirit Hall. I don't even understand how he managed it."
It all traced back to the time when Xiaohong displayed his overwhelming power while creating the artificial ocean. His strength had left everyone—from the lowest Spirit Hall disciples to the highest-ranking elders and Titled Douluos—utterly shocked. Even Pope Bibi Dong and Grand Worship Qian Daoliu were no exception.
Now, that dog had practically become a symbol of Spirit Hall. People flocked to seek his guidance every single day.
"Little brother, how confident are you in tomorrow's battle?" Xue Qinghe asked seriously.
"One hundred percent!" Ye Hao's confidence was sky-high.
At that moment, an idea flashed through Ye Hao's mind, and he smiled slyly. "Sis, if I win, can you grant me a request?"
Seeing the grin on Ye Hao's face, Xue Qinghe's expression darkened immediately. She waved him away without hesitation.
"Go, go, go! Hurry up and get some rest. You have a match first thing in the morning. I'll be cheering for you!" Xue Qinghe impatiently gestured for him to leave, clearly worried about a repeat of last night's antics.
She had already lost sleep once; tonight, she was determined to get a peaceful rest.
"Fine…" Seeing this, Ye Hao had no choice but to drop the matter. But just as he was about to leave, his gaze fell upon the Blue Silver Emperor placed in the corner of the tent. An idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Instead of leaving, he picked up the Blue Silver Emperor and placed it in front of Xue Qinghe.
"Little brother, what kind of scheme are you cooking up now?" Xue Qinghe asked, perplexed.
"Planning to mess with Tang San a little," Ye Hao said with a smirk before removing the Death God's Heart from his hairpin.
In an instant, the Death God's Heart floated mid-air, emitting a beam of violet light that enveloped the Blue Silver Emperor.
Immediately, the Blue Silver Emperor's leaves and vines surged with new life, its golden patterns growing even more radiant.
As the divine power of the Death God poured into it, the Blue Silver Emperor underwent a transformation.
Its branches and leaves expanded wildly, filling every corner of the tent, gently swaying as they radiated a soothing aura.
The plant emitted a projection of a woman. She appeared to be in her early thirties, wearing an elegant blue-gold dress that accentuated her celestial beauty. Her deep blue eyes shimmered like sapphires, and golden silk ribbons floated around the hem of her skirt, releasing a faint, enchanting fragrance into the air.
"I suddenly feel like becoming Cao Cao," Ye Hao murmured to himself.
"?? Who is Cao Cao?" Xue Qinghe had never heard of the name before.
Ye Hao quickly shook his head. "No one. Just a very inspiring figure. It's more of a mindset."
"A mindset?" Xue Qinghe tilted her head in confusion, unable to comprehend.
"Tang Hao, that old bastard, really has some damn good luck," Ye Hao sighed.
Xue Qinghe: "..."
Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "Little brother, between me and this Ah Yin, who is more beautiful?"
Ye Hao hadn't expected this question at all.
Without hesitation, he replied, "Of course, it's you, Sis!"
This was an obvious trick question—Ye Hao knew exactly how to answer.
"Hmm! That's more like it." Xue Qinghe nodded in satisfaction, her face lighting up with a smile.
"Big Sis, can you take off your disguise now?"
"You…" Xue Qinghe instinctively took a few steps back, staring at Ye Hao with a serious expression.