During the journey, Tang Yuehua had been lost in thought about one particular question.
"Xiao San... is truly someone who has lived two lives?"
Ye Hao's words had struck her like lightning. The claim that Tang San was a reincarnated soul was something Tang Yuehua found difficult to accept.
"What? Don't believe me?" Ye Hao glanced sideways at Tang Yuehua.
"How can I? Putting aside your personal grudge with Xiao San, there's also... your annihilation of the Clear Sky Clan..." As she spoke, Tang Yuehua's emotions visibly surged.
The hatred for her clan's destruction was carved into her very bones - something she would never forget, even in death.
Suddenly, Ye Hao's eyes flashed. In an instant, he seized Tang Yuehua's wrist and pulled her close.
"You—" Tang Yuehua gritted her teeth against the pain, her eyes burning with resentment.
"I've warned you before - don't keep directing your killing intent at me. I may not be a good person, and destroying the Clear Sky Clan was a last resort. Who told you to stand in my way? The Spirit Empire is about to rise, and when it does, the Clear Sky Clan would have fallen regardless. Whether sooner or later, the outcome would have been the same." Ye Hao's gaze was icy.
Then, his lips curled into a smirk. "Remember what I said? If you keep harboring murderous thoughts toward me, then shouldn't I..."
In that moment, Tang Yuehua felt a chill crawl down her spine. Trembling, she met Ye Hao's eyes - the malice in them was unmistakable.
"N-no, you can't—" Her entire body shook violently.
"I have no interest in touching you." Ye Hao snorted and released her wrist. He then sat cross-legged in the carriage, entering meditation. He sensed his long-stagnant soul power was finally showing signs of a breakthrough.
In stark contrast, Tang Yuehua was utterly terrified. Once a radiant and dignified figure, she had never imagined she would be reduced to such a state.
Curled up in the carriage corner, she wept silently, arms wrapped around her knees as she stared blankly at the ceiling.
She was like a golden canary trapped in a cage - her freedom lost forever.
---
Dragon Prosperity City was said to have been built by one of the former four subsidiary clans of the Clear Sky Clan - the Defense Clan. Its walls stood thick, towering and majestic.
At this moment, within the city walls...
Tang San, draped in a black cloak, emerged from a dark alley in wretched condition.
"Seven days... These Clear Sky Clan dogs stick to me like leeches. No matter where I go, they always catch up."
Tang San's mind raced. Could it be... that besides the Clear Sky Clan, there's someone else tracking me?
"Damn it—!" His face twisted in fury. The relentless pursuit had left him utterly exhausted.
"Sea God Island remains thousands of miles away. I need to move faster. Once I reach the sea, the Clear Sky Clan won't dare follow."
With this resolve, Tang San set off again.
But the constant ambushes by Clear Sky Clan disciples had forced him off course. Now he found himself in the easternmost reaches of the Douluo Continent, with Dragon Prosperity City being somewhere he'd stumbled upon by accident.
"Clear Sky Clan... You all deserve to die. I wish I could destroy you with my own hands."
With Tang Hao dead and the Clear Sky Clan's hostility laid bare, Tang San no longer cared about anything in this world.
Even Xiao Wu was gone. His life, apart from revenge, stood empty.
The bustling streets offered lively contrast to the outside chaos - a true refuge from turmoil.
Suddenly, Tang San's eyes narrowed. A group of burly men in black leather armor strode through the crowd with imposing presence.
Among them walked an elderly man with white eyebrows and beard, accompanied by a young girl sporting twin ponytails and a slender figure. The group passed by Tang San, heading toward a grand building in the distance.
"That's the Speed Clan - their patriarch, Bai He!"
"It really is the Speed Clan. Didn't expect today to be the gathering of the four great clans."
"With the Strength Clan wiped out by unknown forces, only the Defense, Speed and Breaking Clans remain. Ever since that incident years ago, the three clans have maintained close ties. Today must be their scheduled meeting."
Tang San listened carefully. So today marked the three clans' gathering.
He'd heard about these clans from the deceased Tai Tan. They were once subsidiary clans of the Clear Sky Clan. When the Spirit Hall besieged the main clan, the Clear Sky Clan abandoned them to fend for themselves. Understandably, they held deep resentment.
Unlike Tai Tan who'd remained blindly loyal, the other three clans were far more rational.
"The three clans' gathering has nothing to do with me. The Clear Sky Clan's forces will arrive soon - I need to leave."
But as he walked, Tang San suddenly stopped.
The Clear Sky Clan and the three clans despise each other. Currently cornered - pursued from behind with a long journey ahead to Sea God Island - the path remains fraught with uncertainty. I must shake off the Clear Sky Clan.
An idea struck him.
Why not use the three clans? If I can manipulate them into clashing with the Clear Sky Clan, they might even kill a few elders for me.
Decision made, Tang San changed course toward the Defense Clan's territory.
The Defense Clan, masters of architecture, had built Dragon Prosperity City.
Concealing his aura, Tang San scouted the area. The Defense Clan's structures impressed with their scale and grandeur - among the finest he'd seen.
"Strange... The three clans' people entered, but I can't find a single hidden entrance?"
As he considered scaling the wall, he spotted an approaching group - led by someone familiar.
Tai Long, former Shrek Academy member and survivor of the destroyed Strength Clan, had joined the Defense Clan.
Today's gathering aimed to discuss countermeasures against Spirit Hall attacks. The Strength Clan's annihilation served as grim reminder - the other three clans had to prepare.
"Tai Long." Tang San transmitted his voice using soul power.
Tai Long froze mid-step.
"...Brother San?" He rubbed his ears, wondering if he'd misheard.
"Tai Long, what's wrong?" a Defense Clan disciple asked.
"Nothing... Must've imagined it." Tai Long shook his head. "No way Brother San would be in Dragon Prosperity City."
"Tai Long—" Tang San's voice echoed clearly this time.
"You all go ahead. I have something to handle." After dismissing the others, Tai Long followed the voice.
Tang San stepped out from the shadows, removing his black cloak.
"Tai Long, it's been a while." His face was covered in dust and dried blood.
"Brother San! What happened to you?" Tai Long's face twisted in rage at the sight.
"I'm being hunted," Tang San said, his voice breaking. "I have nowhere left to turn. Can you find me a place to hide? I'm begging you."
This was the first time Tang San had ever pleaded with anyone. His tearful appeal, combined with Tai Long's grandfather's deep reverence for Tang Hao's family, made resistance impossible.
Without hesitation, Tai Long thumped his chest. "Of course! Come with me!" He immediately led Tang San into the Defense Clan's compound.
Unbeknownst to them, hidden in the shadows...
"Tang San entered the Defense Clan. What's he planning?" Zhuzhu, concealed in darkness, watched everything unfold.
---
Outside Dragon Prosperity City, a fast-moving carriage rolled through the gates. After much difficulty, Ye Hao had finally arrived.
During the journey, his soul power had broken through to level 78.
Inside the carriage, Ye Hao lounged comfortably while Tang Yuehua reluctantly massaged his shoulders.
Truly, this was the life of an emperor...
"Master, Tang San has entered the Defense Clan," Zhuzhu's voice echoed in Ye Hao's mind.
"Tang San went to the Defense Clan?" Ye Hao raised an eyebrow. "He's trying to redirect his pursuers—using the Defense Clan as shields against the Clear Sky Clan's hunt. How cunning."
He turned to Tang Yuehua with amusement. "Your precious nephew is hiding with the Defense Clan to escape the Clear Sky Clan's pursuit. Given their longstanding feud... I suspect blood will soon be spilled."
Tang Yuehua's brow furrowed. She understood immediately—Tang San was sacrificing the Defense Clan to save himself, reigniting old grudges that would inevitably lead to violence.
"I can't believe..." She bit her lip, unable to articulate her disgust.
"Ah!" Ye Hao suddenly grinned. "According to Zhuzhu, it's not just the Defense Clan—the Speed Clan and Breaking Clan are here too."
He leaned against Tang Yuehua, breathing in her floral scent.
"What a spectacle this will be! Three Clear Sky Clan elders versus three clan leaders. This is a show I can't miss."
Ye Hao's smile widened. Tang San's move was brilliant—and utterly ruthless. This could spark a full-scale war.
After Ye Hao had ordered the destruction of the Strength Clan, he'd left the other three clans untouched. Now, Tang San's actions might achieve what Ye Hao hadn't bothered to do himself.
Among the three clans, Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan was particularly formidable. His "Soul Breaking Spear" martial soul rivaled even the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Madame Yuehua, we're about to witness something extraordinary. Will the three Clear Sky Clan elders prevail, or will the clan leaders prove stronger? I can't wait to find out."
Tang Yuehua remained silent, her beautiful eyes clouded with unease.
---
Elsewhere in Dragon Prosperity City...
The Clear Sky Clan's forces, led by the Seventh Elder, had gathered. Three elders and forty-two disciples stood ready—eighteen others had already fallen to Tang San's hidden weapons.
"That bastard!" The Seventh Elder seethed. "I'll kill him myself! The Clear Sky Clan has never suffered such humiliation!"
"Seventh Brother," the Fourth Elder said grimly, "our scouts report Tang San has taken refuge with the Defense Clan. He's clearly using them as shields."
"So what?" The Fifth Elder slammed his fist down. "We'll storm the Defense Clan and demand he be handed over! Do they dare harbor our enemy?"
"Fifth Brother is right!" The Seventh Elder's eyes burned with fury. "Clear Sky Clan! We march on the Defense Clan to reclaim our criminal!"
The disciples roared in agreement. Their rage had been building over days of pursuit, watching brothers fall to Tang San's traps.
As one, they stormed toward the Defense Clan's headquarters.
---
Inside the Defense Clan compound...
Under Tai Long's arrangement, Tang San was hidden in a secluded room.
"Brother San, rest here. No one will find you." Tai Long grinned, oblivious to the catastrophe he'd invited upon his clan.
"Thank you, Tai Long." Tang San smiled until the door closed. Then his expression darkened.
He immediately sat cross-legged, desperately recovering his soul power.
"With the Defense Clan's strength, they should hold off the three elders. Especially with the Speed and Breaking Clans present—Yang Wudi is invincible among Soul Douluos. I'm safe for now."
Pulling healing medicines from his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges, Tang San began treating his wounds.
---
In the Defense Clan's great hall...
Three clan leaders sat in solemn conference. Among them was Bai He of the Speed Clan, his granddaughter Bai Xiangxiang standing behind him.
A gray-haired man covered in scars—Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan—slammed the stone table.
"Old Rhino, the Spirit Hall has already destroyed two great sects. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family are gone. We're next! I've brought my entire clan. After years apart, it's time we stood together."
"The Strength Clan is gone. Old Ape is dead." Niu Gao, leader of the Defense Clan, sighed heavily. The loss was a wound that wouldn't heal.
"Don't worry," Bai He said coldly, fists clenched. "The Spirit Hall will pay for what they've done."
Hidden nearby using the Death God's Heart, Ye Hao listened intently. So the three clans were uniting against the Spirit Hall. Understandable, given the Strength Clan's annihilation.
"The Clear Sky Clan elders will arrive soon," Ye Hao mused. "If they weaken each other enough... I can reap the rewards."
His figure flickered, vanishing completely...