noveltune Chapter 18: Tang 3's Birth, Ah Yin's Hope for Resurrection
Chapter 18: Tang 3's Birth, Ah Yin's Hope for Resurrection
The drizzle gradually stopped, and the morning light pierced through the clouds, illuminating the devastated Haotian Sect.
Tang Hao had been kneeling on the edge of the pit for a whole night.
The blue-gold seed in his hand emitted a faint yet tenacious light, a warm light that seemed to comfort him, or perhaps to express his reluctance to part with it.
Tang Xiao stood not far behind his younger brother, wanting to go forward several times, but stopped each time.
Some pains can only be endured on your own.
"Brother Hao..."
In the end, Tang Xiao walked over and placed his hand on Tang Hao's shoulder.
"Get up first, there are still many things to take care of."
Tang Hao slowly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, but the mad killing intent had subsided and turned into an unfathomable coldness.
He carefully collected the seeds before standing up.
"How are Father and Second Brother?" Tang Hao's voice was terribly hoarse.
"Father's old injuries have relapsed, and with the new ones, his condition is very bad." Tang Xiao's expression was solemn. "Second Elder was ambushed by Ghost Douluo and was seriously injured, but fortunately, his source energy was not damaged."
Tang Hao nodded, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield.
Disciples of the Haotian Sect are clearing the battlefield, moving the wounded, and collecting the remains of their fallen comrades.
Everyone's face was filled with grief and indignation, but their movements were orderly and efficient. No one cried; there was only silent resilience.
This is the Haotian Sect.
"What about the casualties?" Tang Hao asked.
"One hundred and thirty-seven people died in battle, more than two hundred were seriously wounded, and the number of those with minor injuries is countless." Tang Xiao's voice was low. "If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had not arrived in time, the casualties would have been even greater."
Tang Hao turned his gaze to the distance.
Ning Fengzhi was directing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's support Soul Masters to treat the wounded, while Chen Xin stood with his sword in hand, vigilantly surveying his surroundings.
Yu Luomian of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex clan led his clansmen to help clean up the battlefield.
"The Haotian Sect will remember this favor," Tang Hao said.
"I have already expressed my gratitude to them on behalf of the sect." Tang Xiao paused, "But Ah Yin's identity..."
"A-Yin is my wife, and she's a member of the Clear Sky Sect." Tang Hao interrupted his brother, his tone resolute. "That will never change."
Tang Xiao looked at his younger brother and finally nodded: "I understand. I will talk to Father."
As the two were talking, Tang Wei walked over.
The elder's face was grim, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent: "The Spirit Hall's surprise attack this time was clearly premeditated. We had just left when they arrived. The timing was so precise that there must be a traitor within the sect."
Upon hearing this, both Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's expressions changed.
"Investigate," Tang Hao said, uttering only one word.
"We're already investigating," Tang Wei said. "Anyone who has recently left the sect or had contact with the outside world is within the scope of the investigation."
"Not only that," Tang Xiao added, "The fact that the Spirit Hall was so certain of Ah Yin's identity means they already had the intelligence. Ah Yin has only been at the Clear Sky Sect for a few months; before that, she had been traveling with Brother Hao..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: the problem likely stemmed from an earlier point.
Tang Hao clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white.
If that's the case, then he also bears responsibility for Ah Yin's death.
It was his failure to protect Ah Yin; he underestimated the power of the Spirit Hall.
"Now is not the time to blame yourself." Tang Xiao saw through his brother's thoughts. "The most urgent task is to rebuild the sect, treat the wounded, and guard against the Spirit Hall's comeback."
"They won't be coming back anytime soon," Tang Wei analyzed.
"Qian Xunji was seriously injured, Demon Bear Douluo fell, and Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo were also injured. The Spirit Hall suffered far more losses than expected in this battle and needs time to recuperate."
"But the hatred has already been sown." Tang Xiao looked into the distance. "Next time, it will be a fight to the death."
The three remained silent.
The mountain wind blew by, bringing with it the smell of scorched earth and blood.
A childish voice suddenly rang out: "Uncle Hao."
The voice was soft, with a hint of hesitation, yet exceptionally clear.
Tang Hao's body trembled, and he slowly turned around.
Not far away, a black-haired boy wearing shorts and a short-sleeved shirt stood there, holding a baby wrapped in a blue cloth in his arms.
The boy looked to be only six or seven years old, with a few barely noticeable strands of gold in his hair; it was Tang Yu.
His face was somewhat pale, and his eyes held complex emotions beyond his years—sadness, anger, and a deep sense of powerlessness.
Tang Yu walked up to Tang Hao and carefully handed him the baby in his arms.
"Uncle Hao, this is...your child, left behind by Aunt Yin."
Tang Hao's gaze fell on the baby, and he froze as if struck by lightning.
The baby was very small, with wrinkled skin, sleeping peacefully with his eyes closed, his breathing weak but even.
Tang Hao reached out his hand, trembling, and took the child.
When that soft, warm little body fell into his arms, an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart—grief, guilt, and love, all intertwined, almost suffocating him.
The child seemed to sense something, his little brows furrowed, and then he opened his eyes.
Those were eyes as clear as sapphires, just like Ah Yin's.
The father and son looked at each other.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
"Uncle Hao, please name the child. Aunt Yin hasn't had a chance to name him yet," Tang Yu said softly.
Tang Hao lowered his head and gently pressed his face against the child's cheek, tears silently streaming down his face.
"Tang San".
"Let's call him Tang San."
"Ah Yin once said that if she gave birth to a boy, she would name him Tang San."
Tang Yu's heart skipped a beat.
Indeed, history has a powerful inertia.
Even if Ah Yin didn't elope with Tang Hao, and even if she was resting and pregnant at the Haotian Sect, the child would still be named Tang San.
Despite his shock, Tang Yu felt a mix of emotions when he saw Tang Hao's pitiful and pained state.
Looking at the seed in Tang Hao's hand, Tang Yu said softly, "Uncle Hao, Aunt Yin left that seed, which means there is still hope."
"The Blue Silver Emperor is a plant-type soul beast with the most tenacious vitality. As long as the seed is still there, it will definitely be able to grow again."
Tang Hao suddenly looked at him: "You know about the Blue Silver Emperor?"
Tang Yu then realized he had let something slip, but since it was too late, he could only bite the bullet and say:
"I read in a book that the Blue Silver Emperor is the king of plant-type soul beasts, possessing the strongest vitality and regeneration ability. As long as the primordial seed is not destroyed, there is a possibility of rebirth."
A glimmer of light rekindled in Tang Hao's eyes.
He clutched the seed to his chest tightly, as if holding onto his last hope.
"Thank you, Xiaoyu," Tang Hao said solemnly.
Tang Yu shook his head and looked toward the distant horizon, in the direction of Martial Soul City.
He knew that today's events were just the beginning.
The real storm is yet to come.
Wuhun City, Papal Palace
When Qian Xunji returned to the Papal Palace, it was already late at night three days later.
The Papal Palace stands majestically in the night, its golden roof gleaming coldly in the moonlight. Sculptures of six-winged angels overlook the entire city, sacred and awe-inspiring.
But the pope who returned tonight was utterly devoid of holiness.
Qian Xunji's golden papal robe was tattered and covered in dust and dried blood.
The six wings behind him were dim, and the three wings on the left even showed obvious signs of breakage, which were the wounds left by withstanding Tang Zhen's full-force attack.
His face was as pale as paper, his breathing was disordered, and every step he took aggravated the hidden injuries in his body.
After leaving the Clear Sky Sect, he did not immediately return to Martial Soul City, but instead stopped at the Martial Soul Main Halls along the way to heal his injuries.
Tang Zhen's desperate counterattack with that hammer blow contained a shockwave that nearly shattered his internal organs.
What made Qian Xunji even more uneasy was Tang Hao's final strike that killed the Demon Bear Douluo—a pure and brutal destructive power that completely exceeded his understanding of the Clear Sky Hammer.
At that moment, Tang Hao didn't seem like a newly promoted Title Douluo; he seemed more like a ferocious beast awakened from ancient times.
"Your Holiness the Pope."
The Templar Knights guarding the Papal Palace knelt on one knee, their voices filled with undisguised astonishment.
They had never seen the Pope in such a disheveled state.
Qian Xunji ignored him and walked straight into the Papal Palace.
The heavy palace doors slowly closed behind him, isolating him from the outside world.
The hall was empty and quiet, with only the eternal lamps on the two walls emitting a soft light that illuminated the glory of the angels and gods of past generations depicted in the murals.