Tang Hao looked at Yin Yang's displeased expression and said, "You seem to think I kept Xiao Wu around for her soul ring and soul bone?"
"Isn't that the reason?" Yin Yang countered. What other reason could there be?
"Yin Yang, would you like to hear my story?" Tang Hao's tone suddenly dropped, and he seemed to fall into a memory. Since Yin Yang had already sworn an oath, there was nothing left to hide.
"Sure, I've got time. Let's talk as we walk." Yin Yang turned back in the direction of Shrek Academy. Since he had already sworn not to report back to his sect, there was no point in returning. It was better to stay and protect Ning Rongrong.
Tang Hao nodded and walked alongside Yin Yang. Along the way, he told him all about his entanglements with Spirit Hall, leaving no detail unspoken.
This included the fact that his wife was a 100,000-year soul beast who sacrificed herself for him.
However, after hearing Tang Hao's story, Yin Yang didn't show much surprise. This puzzled Tang Hao. "Since reaching the Title Douluo rank, has your heart grown so strong that such things fail to stir you?"
Yin Yang shook his head. "That's not it. Of course, I'm surprised. But I've already felt this shock before. I didn't expect that the Sect Master's guess would be completely accurate."
Now that he was a Title Douluo, Yin Yang was one of the highest-ranking members of his sect. Having dedicated decades of loyalty to the sect, Ning Fengzhi no longer kept anything from him. He had already been informed about the speculation regarding Tang Hao, Spirit Hall's grudge, and the matter of the Twin Martial Souls of Tang San.
"The Sect Master? You mean Ning Fengzhi? Did he deduce everything just by guessing? As expected of the man known as the wisest Sect Master," Tang Hao said in surprise.
"Indeed. The Sect Master also speculated that the boy traveling with Xiao Wu, Tang San, is your son, right? And he's a Twin Martial Soul wielder as well?"
Hearing this, Tang Hao was even more astonished. He hadn't met Ning Fengzhi in over a decade, yet the man seemed to know everything about him.
Seeing Tang Hao's expression, Yin Yang smugly said, "Tang Hao, when it comes to strength, the Sect Master may not compare to you. But in terms of wisdom, you're probably a 100,000-year soul ring away from catching up."
"Well said. I'm impressed." Tang Hao rarely admired others, but now Ning Fengzhi had become the second person he respected for his intellect—the first being the Grandmaster. "So, Yin Yang, you should now understand why I won't harm Xiao Wu. I don't want Tang San and Xiao Wu to follow the same tragic path as me and Ah Yin."
Yin Yang nodded. "I get it, but even if I don't say anything, other Soul Douluo or Title Douluo who see that girl won't just let it go. To be honest, I don't think Spirit Hall was wrong in what happened back then. After all, soul masters hunting soul beasts is the law of this world. Even if the soul beast is your wife, it's no exception."
"So, are you saying I was wrong?" Tang Hao suddenly clenched his fists. Ah Yin was his reverse scale—he wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking ill of her.
"You weren't wrong either. As her husband, it was your duty to protect your wife. In the end, the conflict between you and Spirit Hall wasn't about right or wrong—it was a matter of perspective."
Yin Yang's insight was sharp, and his words made Tang Hao unclench his fists. Tang Hao fell into deep thought. Over the years, hadn't he come to the same realization? But even if there was no right or wrong, the fact remained that Spirit Hall had killed his wife. He couldn't rest until he avenged her.
If it came to attacking Spirit Hall in the future, it wouldn't be about some lofty notion of "justice against evil," but simply personal vengeance for his wife.
Yin Yang's perspective came from Tianlin's reflections. Tianlin had always been annoyed by one thing: Tang San's grudge against Spirit Hall was understandable, but why did he have to stand on some moral high ground? Why couldn't he just openly say it was for his mother and Xiao Wu? Avenging one's family wasn't a shameful thing.
Spirit Hall might have been ambitious, but not everyone in it was evil. Over the years, Tianlin had noticed that Qian Renxue genuinely cared about the common people.
Under her guise as Xue Qinghe, she often advocated for the people. The living standards of the commoners in the Heaven Dou Empire had visibly improved under her governance, while the power of the nobility was steadily being diminished.
The widespread praise for Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's wisdom was proof of this.
Even if Tianlin were to oppose her in the future, he wouldn't hide behind claims of justice. It would simply be because Spirit Hall would never spare the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for not surrendering. His position was merely one of protecting his sect.
Over the years, Tang Hao has come to understand this perspective. The question was whether Tang San would realize it in the future.
As they talked, they arrived back at Shrek Academy. By this time, Tang San and the others had already entered the fourth trial.
The examiner for the fourth trial was the Immovable King, Zhao Wuji, who seemed intent on personally testing the children.
Seeing this, both Yin Yang and Tang Hao clenched their fists. Using seventy-six levels of spirit power to bully a group of children who hadn't even reached level thirty? How shameless.
"Tang Hao, once these kids finish their trial, I'm thinking of inviting Zhao Wuji to a little test in the nearby woods tonight. Interested?" Yin Yang said with a dangerous smile.
"Since the Thunder Hawk Douluo invites me, how could I decline?" Tang Hao shared the same thought.
Poor Zhao Wuji had no idea he was about to experience double the trouble compared to the original story.
Zhao Wuji gave Tang San's group one stick of incense worth of time to strategize.
Tang San and Xiao Wu introduced themselves first, just like in the original story. Both were at level 29.
The last to introduce herself was a curvy young girl—Zhu Zhuqing—who was a level 27 Agility-Type Battle Soul Master, unchanged from the original.
The real surprise was Ning Rongrong. Her introduction shocked Tang San and the others.
"Ning Rongrong, level 29 Support-Type Soul Master, Martial Soul: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? The one known as the strongest support-type tool martial soul on the continent? And you're level 29, the same as me and Xiao San?" Xiao Wu exclaimed.
It was well-known that support-type martial souls were harder to cultivate than battle martial souls. Yet Ning Rongrong's cultivation speed was astonishing.
In the original story, Ning Rongrong had been level 26 when she first appeared, which was more reasonable. However, over the years, although she hadn't consumed any true immortal pills like the Heaven Mending Pill, Tianlin had frequently refined ordinary pills to aid her cultivation.
Additionally, she had worked much harder than in the original story. That was why her level was so high. If she hadn't spent so much time refining her multitasking abilities, she might have already broken through level 30.
"You don't need to look at me like that. It's all thanks to my Sword Brother's help. Let's focus on passing this trial first!" Ning Rongrong said shyly, uncomfortable with everyone staring at her.
Although they were curious about who this "Sword Brother" was, this wasn't the time for questions. The priority was figuring out how to last one stick of incense against Zhao Wuji.