Tang Hao and Tang San's current physical conditions are far inferior to the versions of themselves in the original world timeline, where Tang San had the Eight Spider Lances and the Ice and Fire Alchemical Body. Both their spiritual power and physical states are significantly weaker, making them completely unqualified to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
The black-and-white dog's soul ring, with a lifespan of slightly over 8,000 years, was already at the very limit of what Tang San's body could endure. Any higher, and he likely wouldn't have been able to absorb it. However, with the assistance of the Mysterious Heaven Technique, Tang San managed to successfully absorb the first soul ring for his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul.
Looking at the first soul ring, which shimmered with a mix of purple and black hues, excitement filled Tang San's eyes. Without hesitation, he then absorbed the external soul bone from the black-and-white dog's lungs.
External soul bones connected to internal organs are exceedingly rare on the continent—so rare that fewer than ten such examples have been recorded. For Tang San to obtain such a soul bone was the result of an explosion of luck following the sacrificial battle of his father, Tang Hao.
After absorbing the soul bone, Tang San opened his eyes and felt that his body had not only completely recovered but also improved significantly. Moreover, since the external lung bone came from the black-and-white dog, with boundless stamina, Tang San could sense a dramatic increase in his energy levels.
With every breath, Tang San felt as though his body was recovering. Although this was an illusion caused by the stimulant-like effect of the external soul bone, the physical exhilaration gave Tang San a newfound confidence.
"My current strength is at level 37. After absorbing the black-and-white dog's soul ring, my Clear Sky Hammer gained a berserk-type spirit ability. When activated, it boosts my strength, attack power, and speed by 50%. It's truly an exceptional spirit skill."
"But… Father, where are you now?"
Thinking of Tang Hao, tears welled up in Tang San's eyes. These tears were not only for Tang Hao but also for the full set of soul bones that Tang Hao possessed.
Tang San thought to himself: if he could inherit all of Tang Hao's soul bones, he could immediately break through to the Soul Ancestor level and even guarantee to become a Soul King within a year. With his inherent advantage of a head soul bone skill, he could reach the rank of a Titled Douluo within at most 20 years, living a carefree life with Xiao Wu.
"Ah, Xiao Wu! I need to see Xiao Wu!"
As the thought of his beloved sister crossed his mind, Tang San's eyes turned red, and he began panting heavily, like an infatuated bull in heat, his entire body trembling with excitement.
Normally, although Tang San wasn't a good person, his personality wouldn't be this extreme.
However, the problem lay in the fact that Tang San had recently consumed a large amount of soul beast flesh. While his strength rapidly increased, his spiritual power had become polluted. Additionally, under the influence of the Mysterious Heaven Technique, his bloodline further fused with that of the Man-Faced Demon Spider, leading to a decline in his intelligence.
With Tang Hao no longer by his side, Tang San's emotional state had already been severely impacted. The external lung bone, which acted like a stimulant, pushed him over the edge, causing him to lose complete control.
At this moment, Tang San's hair stood on end, his pupils bloodshot, his mouth wide open with saliva dripping from the corners. His upper body was exposed, covered in filth, making him look like a madman in the throes of insanity. Yet Tang San himself was completely oblivious to his condition.
After a long while, the overly excited Tang San finally remembered that there was still a treasure hidden in the black-and-white dog's lair. He stepped over the corpse of the black-and-white dog and entered the area it had guarded, carefully examining the strange herb it had often licked but never consumed.
After some time, Tang San finally recalled the name of this peculiar herb from the records of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.
"Leaves like dragon scales, stems like dragon tendons, nine flowers blooming, born of decay—this is the legendary Strengthening Divine Herb, the Nine Dragons Grass, a rare immortal treasure!"
Tang San carefully recollected the effects and usage of the Nine Dragons Grass.
The Nine Dragons Grass cannot be consumed directly; doing so would cause the internal organs to fail under intense medicinal power, leading to their rupture and death. Instead, it must be processed by extracting its juice and mixing it with other herbs to create a medicinal liquid, which is then injected into the muscles. Through physical training, the medicinal properties are gradually activated.
Once the Nine Dragons Grass takes effect, it stimulates the growth of bones, muscles, and internal organs that have reached their limits, granting the user a powerful body and incredible vitality, as well as a certain resistance to toxins.
However, extreme caution is required during its use. Without a balanced internal energy technique to neutralize its effects, only small amounts can be injected over a long period. Otherwise, the medicinal power of the Nine Dragons Grass may cause a backlash, reducing the user's rationality and making them irritable, simple-minded, and eventually leading to death as their internal organs fail.
Tang San recalled the properties and risks of the Nine Dragons Grass but felt no hesitation in his heart. Excitedly, he retrieved various herbs from his Moonlit Night on Twenty-Four Bridges, began juicing and concocting the mixture, and then used specially crafted hollow needles originally designed for injecting poison.
After briefly examining his body, Tang San eagerly injected himself with the mixture. As the needles pierced his muscles, he felt a surge of heat coursing through his body.
He could hardly wait to experience his rebirth!
But where is Tang Hao now?
...
Inside a prison cart, Tang Hao wore prison clothes, his limbs broken, his thumbs and pinkies severed. A thick iron chain pierced through his collarbone, and his martial soul and soul power were sealed. He sat silently with his head lowered, like a dog stripped of its dignity, appearing utterly defeated.
Earlier, after Tang Hao and Kaos clashed, Kaos was left gravely injured and barely alive. While Tang Hao fared slightly better, he too was left without the strength to flee.
Although the God of Asura's divine sense briefly awakened again and perceived Tang Hao's broken body, this time it chose not to interfere. Instead, it sent a message to its true form in the God Realm before falling back into dormancy.
Captured by other Spirit Hall soul masters, Tang Hao was restrained. Kaos, barely kept alive by healing soul masters, personally broke Tang Hao's limbs and severed his fingers.
Even if Tang Hao somehow recovered his soul power and martial soul, his broken body would render him no match for an ordinary Soul Sage.
Kaos, now recovering with aid from Spirit Hall's healing soul masters, escorted Tang Hao to the Spirit Hall to present him as an offering, ensuring the criminal who killed the former Pope, Qian Xunji, would face justice.
As the news of Tang Hao's capture spread, it caused a great stir. Upon reaching Spirit Hall's headquarters, the Pope dispatched Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and numerous experts to receive him. With the healing soul masters' help, Kaos himself had mostly recovered.
As the prison cart approached Spirit City, the once-clear sky suddenly turned dark and oppressive. A terrifying aura engulfed the entire convoy.
Anger, murderous intent, and malice…
The overwhelming emotions seemed to materialize, attacking the minds of every soul master indiscriminately.
Slaughter, death, destruction…
The chilling presence pressed heavily on everyone's chest. Even Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, both rank 97 Titled Douluos, felt suffocated.
In their horrified gazes, a tall middle-aged man appeared before the convoy. With seven black and two red spirit rings swirling around him, his killing intent twisted the air, creating a suffocating pressure that sent shivers down everyone's spines.