Tang San walked along the stone-paved path, casually plucking wildflowers by the roadside to weave into a garland that he placed on his head. He hummed a little tune as he strolled leisurely toward home.
As soon as he stepped into the village—
An elderly man with snow-white hair, old Jack, caught sight of him.
His gaze locked onto Tang San as though magnetized, unable to look away.
He had intended to greet the child, but upon seeing Tang San's flower crown and overly refined demeanor, he froze in place, words caught in his throat.
The greeting he'd been about to say was swallowed by the sight before him.
"Is that really… San'er?"
Jack's mind reeled in disbelief.
For a moment, his worldview was thoroughly shaken.
But then he sighed.
Kids being kids—what's wrong with dressing up a little?
Hunching his back, Jack quickly turned away and walked off in a hurry, afraid that Tang San would spot him and strike up conversation.
Crash!
The moment Tang San stepped through the door, he was greeted by the all-too-familiar sound of a liquor bottle smashing on the ground.
"San'er! Get your old man some more booze!"
"I know you're back—quit dawdling!"
Tang Hao, deep in drunken stupor, swayed as he barked hoarsely, his arms flailing wildly.
"Drink yourself to death, why don't you…"
"All you ever do is drink. Is there anything useful you actually do?"
Tang San muttered quietly, grumbling under his breath even as he dutifully fetched an opened bottle and handed it over.
But something about him seemed… off today.
"Ah Yin? You've come back…?"
Tang Hao's bleary eyes were clouded like a mist-covered sky.
As he stared at the familiar face, memories of his late wife, Ah Yin, came flooding back.
"This is all your fault. Ah Yin died because of you."
"It's your fault! Give her back to me!"
In an instant, his gaze sharpened—he finally realized it was Tang San standing before him.
Bloodshot eyes ablaze with fury, he snatched up a whip and lashed it mercilessly at Tang San.
"I brought you into this world—and you repaid me by getting Ah Yin killed!"
Tang Hao swigged more liquor, then spat alcohol onto the whip between strikes, intensifying the pain.
"AH! AHH! AHHH—!!"
Sudden, scorching pain erupted across Tang San's back, shocking and agonizing him. He couldn't help but scream.
What the hell was going on with Tang Hao today?
Smack! Smack! Smack!
The whip lashed down again and again.
Within seconds, Tang San's back was covered in swelling bruises and welts, purple and blue.
His anger exploded like a powder keg.
He was a once-proud genius disciple of the Tang Sect.
After being flung into this world, he had swallowed his pride every day, serving Tang Hao without complaint. And now the man dared to beat him?
This was the ultimate humiliation.
Tang Hao, you've already declared your death!
---
Sunset Forest.
A stormy wind howled, echoing like the roar of countless beasts.
Lin Feng's group moved swiftly through the forest.
Suddenly, a deep and sorrowful cry echoed through the air, drawing everyone's attention.
Looking up, they saw a crippled Firewing Sky Dragon flapping its massive wings with all its strength, stubbornly hovering midair.
Its golden scales glistened under the sun, and its intelligent eyes radiated immense power and wisdom.
"Whoooosh!"
It roared again, its wingbeats thunderous as it circled above their heads.
"Whoa—Feng'er, your luck is off the charts!"
"You actually ran into a wounded ten-thousand-year Firewing Dragon!"
"If you can absorb this soul ring, your power will jump to another level!"
Dugu Bo was visibly thrilled, gazing upward in excitement as he spoke.
"To be honest, I think this dragon is at least twenty thousand years old."
"With Feng's current strength, absorbing this ring would be extremely dangerous."
"Maybe we should look elsewhere for a safer soul beast."
Lin Ye frowned after examining the dragon, immediately voicing his objection to Dugu Bo's reckless idea.
"Don't worry, Father. I've taken an immortal herb that greatly enhanced my physical body."
"I'm completely confident I can absorb this soul ring."
Lin Feng replied calmly, a confident smile on his lips and unshakable determination in his eyes.
More importantly, he had the Fire Crystal inside his body to reinforce him.
Right now, his body was practically as strong as a juvenile Flame Beast.
"That's right, Uncle Lin."
"Both Lin Feng and I absorbed higher-age rings for our fourth soul ring."
"I know his strength better than anyone—he can do this."
Although Dugu Yan sounded full of confidence, a flicker of worry still lingered in her heart.
What if something went wrong while Lin Feng absorbed the ring?
"Grandpa, Father, Yan'er—my mind's made up. I want to take down this soul beast myself."
"No one interfere."
"I want to use this chance to truly test my current strength."
Lin Feng gazed at the Firewing Dragon, eyes gleaming with both eagerness and anticipation.
Boom!
Just as Lin Feng released his martial soul—
The Firewing Sky Dragon suddenly dove from the sky.
With wings flapping, it landed directly before them—and knelt down.
"Huh? What's it doing?"
"Did Lin Feng's aura scare it that badly?"
Dugu Yan's eyes widened in disbelief.
Everyone exchanged baffled glances, completely unsure of what the dragon was up to.
Moments later, the dragon flapped its wings again and slowly ascended, letting out a deep cry.
"It wants us to follow it," Lin Feng muttered.
Somehow, he could feel fate stirring once more.
"Let's go! There might be something incredible waiting for us!"
Lin Ye's eyes lit up with understanding and excitement.
The group followed the dragon through the woods until they arrived at the mouth of a mysterious cave.
"Lin Feng, are we really going in?"
"This place feels creepy… I have a bad feeling about this."
Dugu Yan clung tightly to Lin Feng's arm, her body trembling slightly, voice laced with anxiety.
"We've come this far—how could we turn back now?"
"Besides, Grandpa and Father are with us."
"Don't be afraid, Yan'er."
Lin Feng squeezed her hand reassuringly.
One after another, they entered the dim and narrow passageway behind the Firewing Dragon.
The cave air was damp and heavy, making it difficult to breathe.
Finally, they arrived at a sheer cliff wall deep within the cavern…
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