Tang Hao is indeed dead!
The news was like a bolt of lightning, and Tang Xiao's head buzzed.
He was fifteen years older than Tang Hao, but this age gap had never affected their relationship.
Back then, he had gone on an expedition with Tang Hao, and during that time, they met Ah Yin and both fell in love with the same gentle, considerate, beautiful, and generous girl.
However, as the elder brother, he did not want to compete with his younger brother. In the end, he chose to step back and return alone to the Clear Sky Sect to inherit the family's responsibilities, so that he could support Tang Hao and Ah Yin.
Later, Tang Hao caused a great disaster. Spirit Hall came to demand punishment, and the one leading them was Qian Daoliu.
The previous sect master at the time, Tang Zhen—father of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao—although he managed to persuade Qian Daoliu to retreat with the help of the agreement between Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu, he was so enraged that he vomited blood and ultimately died of heart failure.
If Tang Xiao had not advanced to Titled Douluo at that time, the Clear Sky Sect might have been completely removed from the ranks of the top three sects due to the lack of a leader.
But even though the entire Clear Sky Sect was almost destroyed because of Tang Hao, Tang Xiao still stood firm and believed that his brother was right.
And now what did he hear?
His brother, whom he had loved dearly for years, had died in the Star Dou Great Forest, and his whole family perished there, leaving no descendants.
With his mind in turmoil, Tang Xiao suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. His vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this familiar scene, Qian Daoliu was unmoved.
It was true that he had once shared a friendship with Tang Chen, but that was only a friendship.
Not killing Tang Hao back then had already been a great concession to Tang Chen. Now that the survival of Spirit Hall was at stake, he could no longer afford to consider Tang Chen's feelings.
Looking coldly at the panicked members of the Haotian Sect carrying Tang Xiao away, Qian Daoliu let out a cold snort, then turned and flew toward Heaven Dou City.
Like Qian Renxue, he also wanted to know how a legitimate member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could know the Qian family's secrets.
And from the way he spoke, it was as if he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
---
At this moment, Yu Xiaowei was not at home. Accompanied by Yang Wudi, he had gone to the Strength Clan.
The purpose of this trip was simple: to bring the Strength Clan under his command.
Tai Long, still slightly weak, followed behind. After his ordeal, his originally gorilla-like body had shrunk quite a bit.
To Yu Xiaowei, the Strength Clan was not unfamiliar.
Back in the academy, he had often defeated Tai Long, and even crushed Tai Nuo—nicknamed the King of Strength—using pure force.
Afraid of retaliation, Tai Tan never came to avenge them. Perhaps he feared that the Strength Clan could not withstand the wrath of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
So Yu Xiaowei was familiar with the Strength Clan, though their relationship was far from harmonious.
He also knew that the Strength Clan leader, Tai Tan, was extremely loyal to Tang Hao. Even though his family had nearly been destroyed because of Tang Hao, his loyalty had never wavered.
For this reason, Yu Xiaowei had kept his distance from them—until now, when the time was right.
They traveled far south of Heaven Dou City and stopped in front of a large manor.
Looking at the high, thick walls, Yang Wudi couldn't help but sigh.
When the Clear Sky Sect was attacked by Spirit Hall, the four single-attribute clans were forced to leave and were then massacred by Spirit Hall.
Among them, Yang Wudi's Po Clan suffered the most. Not only did his only son die in battle, but even his own brother, Yang Wushuang, was captured.
And the reason he so easily agreed to follow the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family was that Yu Xiaowei had promised to rescue Yang Wushuang from Spirit Hall.
Two burly men stood at the entrance to the manor. As strong and tall as Tai Nuo, they watched the passersby with sharp eyes.
When they saw Yang Wudi, their stony expressions immediately melted into smiles, and they knelt on one knee in greeting.
"Tai Xing and Tai Guang welcome Clan Head Yang!"
Yang Wudi smiled proudly and said, "I've come to see Tai Tan. You may carry on."
"Uh…"
Tai Xing and Tai Guang glanced at each other, then awkwardly looked at Yu Xiaowei standing beside Yang Wudi.
The Strength Clan knew this strange youth all too well.
Their clan was known for raw strength, and they were proud of it.
But this youth had shattered that belief.
He had first beaten Tai Long, then broken Tai Nuo's wrist in an arm-wrestling match—Tai Nuo being a seasoned Soul King who had specialized in strength for years.
Even Tai Tan went out personally, only to return bruised.
Since then, he'd declared that Yu Xiaowei was never to set foot in the Strength Clan again.
Yet here he was, brought by Yang Wudi. They couldn't just stop him—but letting him in didn't feel right either.
Yang Wudi, aware of the awkward tension, narrowed his eyes. Yu Xiaowei had already explained his previous conflict with the clan.
He snorted coldly and said unhappily, "What, you won't let someone I brought enter your front gate?"
"No, not at all."
"Then why are you two still standing around? Move!"
Ignoring them, Yang Wudi walked in. Yu Xiaowei smiled and followed. Tai Long hesitated, sighed, and trailed after them.
Tai Xing and Tai Guang watched them go with helpless expressions. With their rank, they didn't dare block a close friend of the clan chief.
The Strength Clan's manor reflected their personality—tall, crude buildings, a raw natural beauty.
There were no ornamental stones, springs, or gardens—only chunks of iron ore and weapon molds scattered about.
Yang Wudi led Yu Xiaowei through the area, eventually arriving at what looked like a blacksmith's workshop.
Inside, an elderly man with short white hair hammered away at a red-hot weapon embryo. His forging technique was the unique casting art of the Tang family—the strongest in the land.
Yu Xiaowei was surprised that Tang Hao had passed down this skill to Tai Tan. No wonder Tai Tan was so loyal.
This discovery made Yu Xiaowei frown. He had underestimated how difficult persuading Tai Tan would be.
They stood silently, not wanting to disturb the forging process—a serious taboo. Even if Yang Wudi and Tai Tan were old friends, interrupting would provoke a backlash.
The forging session lasted until sunset.
Only after finishing a beautiful longsword did Tai Tan notice them.
He smiled warmly at Yang Wudi but immediately scowled when he saw Yu Xiaowei.
Seeing the tension, Yang Wudi stepped forward jokingly.
"Old gorilla, what's wrong? Not happy to see me?"
"No, it's just that someone unwelcome came with you."
Tai Tan frowned, displeased. "Old goat, you came just to disgust me with this brat?"
Damn it—because of this Yu Xiaowei, he'd been beaten up by Yu Yuanzhen and embarrassed before his clan.
But he couldn't retaliate, which had deeply angered Tai Tan.
Yu Xiaowei snorted, pointing at Tai Long.
"Come on, Senior Tai Tan. Your grandson provoked me first."
"And when the young got beaten, the old came; then the older came. If I were part of your family, I'd be ashamed."
Tai Long wished the ground would swallow him.
Tai Tan was livid, his face red. Just as he was about to lash out at Yu Xiaowei, he suddenly paused and looked closely at Tai Long.
His eyes bulged. Rushing forward, he grabbed Yu Xiaowei by the collar.
"Yu Xiaowei! What happened to my grandson!?"
"Is this how you abuse students at Lanba Academy?"
Yu Xiaowei wiped the spit off his face and pouted at Tai Long.
"Ask your grandson."
Tai Long said with a bitter smile, "Grandpa, he didn't hurt me. He saved me. Otherwise, I'd be a corpse now."
"Uh…"
Tai Tan looked embarrassed. He dropped Yu Xiaowei and yelled, "Who did it then? Tell me, I'll grind them to dust!"
"Ahem—"
Yu Xiaowei cleared his throat. "Tang Hao did it."
"What?!"
Tai Tan froze. The fury on his face turned to horror.
That name was sacred to him—a godlike master.
And given Tang Hao's character, how could he do something so vile?
"You little brat! How dare you slander my master!"
Furious, Tai Tan raised his hand to slap Yu Xiaowei.
Yang Wudi's face changed. He gripped his Soul-Breaking Spear, ready to act.
Bang!
Yu Xiaowei casually took the blow before Yang Wudi could move.
Everyone was stunned—even Tai Tan.
He was a Soul Douluo with Level 85 power, known as the Hercules. That slap should have crushed a mere Soul Master.
Yet Yu Xiaowei stood firm, only slightly rooted to the ground.
Smiling, Yu Xiaowei said, "Senior Tai Tan, how does my strength compare to Tang Hao's?"
Hearing Tang Hao's name again, Tai Tan's breath grew heavy. He struck again—but Yu Xiaowei remained steady, not even using his martial soul.
"Impossible…"
"Exactly. You've just witnessed the impossible. So why can't Tang Hao poison your grandson?"
Tai Tan looked at Tai Long, who solemnly nodded.
His last hope shattered. Tears filled his eyes.
Yu Xiaowei stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and recounted everything that had happened in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Hearing how Tang Hao attacked everyone at Lanba Academy, severely injuring and poisoning them, Yang Wudi was furious.
"Tch, I knew Tang Hao wasn't a good person!"
"He caused a disaster, yet let us four clans suffer the consequences!"
"Old gorilla, is that the master you respect?"
"He couldn't even recognize your grandson's martial soul. Is he blind? Damn beast even used your grandson to threaten my young master!"
Tai Tan covered his head, muttering, "Stop… don't say any more…"
Yu Xiaowei calmly described how he had asked Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi to develop an antidote after returning.
He didn't exaggerate—he only told the truth.
But the more he spoke, the worse Tai Tan felt.
His master attacked his grandson, while his master's enemies came to save his grandson.
He began to doubt everything. Who had he been loyal to all these years?
Tai Tan looked at Tai Long, hoping to find something different—but Tai Long only nodded again.
All hope lost, Tai Tan broke down in tears.
Yu Xiaowei stepped forward and softly said:
"Senior Tai Tan, on behalf of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I invite you to join us."
"What do you say?"