After a long while, the God of Asura calculated again and again with a furrowed brow—yet remained completely baffled. There had been no indication of any such deviation.
He glanced once more at the Douluo Continent through his divine vision and, at last, had no choice but to accept the truth.
Fortunately, while the story had gone off-script, it was still within his broader plan. After all, his original goal was to pair the 100,000-year-old soul beast with one of the Haotian twin stars to produce a vessel fit for his precious one to possess. Whether or not they truly loved each other had never mattered to the God of Asura.
Still, the unexpected turn of events prompted him to keep a closer eye on Douluo Continent.
A few days later, relying on sheer willpower, Tang Xiao crawled back to civilization and contacted the Haotian Sect.
Eventually, the now-crippled Tang Xiao was brought back to the sect. Tang Tian, sitting in the Sect Master's seat, looked at his paralyzed son with deep sorrow.
Tang Xiao—one of the famed Twin Stars of Haotian, bearer of the top-tier martial spirit, the Haotian Hammer, and born with full innate soul power. If fate had not intervened, he was destined to become a Super Douluo and make his name resound across the continent.
He might even have reached the peak of power, stepping into the realm of Limit Douluo, ensuring the continued glory of the Haotian Sect.
But now, all of that was ruined. Tang Xiao's spine had been shattered. Whether he could even become a Titled Douluo was uncertain, let alone a Super Douluo.
Of the two pillars supporting the future of Haotian Sect, one had collapsed. The loss was one the sect could hardly bear.
Looking at the lifeless expression on Tang Xiao's face, Tang Tian slammed the armrest of his seat, roaring with rage:
"Who was it? Xiao'er, tell me—was it the Spirit Hall? Or some other force? How dare they harm the genius of my Haotian Sect? Do they think we're weak now that I'm gone?"
Tang Xiao hesitated bitterly. The truth was humiliating—he had been stabbed in the back by Tang Hao, who had even stolen the woman he loved.
But now, he was crippled, and the woman he loved was in Tang Hao's hands. Bitterness and hatred welled up inside him. He needed the sect's strength to find Tang Hao and take Ah Yin back.
Having made up his mind, Tang Xiao opened his mouth and said:
"Father… this wasn't done by outsiders."
He then recounted how he and Tang Hao had met Ah Yin, how they both fell in love with her, and ultimately, how Tang Hao turned against him.
By the end, Tang Xiao pleaded: "Father, Tang Hao struck me down to steal his brother's wife. He even kidnapped the woman I love most. Please, father, let the Haotian Sect give me justice."
Upon hearing the full story, Tang Tian spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor.
"You… you brothers let yourselves be toyed with by some enchantress—so much so that you came to blows!" he cried out in grief.
Had this been the work of another force, Tang Tian could have responded with vengeance and fury. But to think it was fratricide—brother against brother—caused by a woman… He was devastated.
That the Haotian Sect would lose a peerless talent over a woman filled Tang Tian with immense regret.
In the main hall, the elders whispered amongst themselves:
"Who would've thought the Haotian brothers would end up fighting over a woman?"
"Truly a femme fatale."
"A sorceress… leading the Haotian Sect to ruin."
Seeing that the mood in the hall was growing dangerously hostile, Tang Xiao quickly spoke up to clarify:
"Father, elders, this wasn't Ah Yin's fault. She and I were in love—it was mutual affection. This is all Tang Hao's doing!"
"Silence!" Tang Tian snapped, cutting him off. "If not for that enchantress, would you two have come to this?!"
But the damage was done. Tang Xiao was finished. Of the Haotian Twin Stars, only Tang Hao remained. Whether it was her fault or not, Ah Yin would bear the blame.
"Where is Tang Hao? That unfilial bastard—bring him back to face me!" Tang Tian roared.
A sect elder stepped forward. "Reporting to the Sect Master: Tang Hao is currently missing."
"Missing?!" Tang Tian's beard bristled in fury. "Then issue a bounty. I want the whereabouts of that traitor Tang Hao!"
And so, the Haotian Sect issued a bounty notice for Tang Hao.
That the continent's number one sect would put out a bounty on one of its own disciples stirred great commotion across the land. Spies and informants sprang into action. Soon, the scandal of the Haotian brothers turning on each other over a woman spread like wildfire.
Spirit Hall – The Pope's Palace
"Haotian's twin stars, killing each other? Hahahaha! Excellent! Just excellent!" Pope Qian Xunji nearly held a banquet in celebration upon hearing the news.
"Congratulations, Your Holiness. Tang Xiao is no longer a threat to the Spirit Hall," offered Golden Bell Douluo, one of the temple guardians.
Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction. "If only Tang Hao were crippled too, that would be ideal."
Silver Hammer Douluo, his eyes gleaming, offered a suggestion: "Your Holiness, perhaps we should also investigate Tang Hao's whereabouts, secretly stoke the conflict between him and the Haotian Sect, and let them destroy each other. Then we can reap the rewards."
"Very good. Do as you suggested," Qian Xunji approved, eyes shining.
Spirit Hall – Worship Hall
The situation with Tang Hao and his companions reminded Qian Daoliu of his own past. He and Tang Chen had once both loved the same woman. But Xixi had only loved Tang Chen. Realizing he had no chance, Qian Daoliu had withdrawn voluntarily.
To love her meant knowing when to let go. He had chosen to step aside and preserve dignity. He never expected that Tang Chen's descendants would cause such a disgrace.
Far away, Qian Renxue smiled faintly upon receiving the news.
"Xue'er, what has you so pleased?" Qian Daoliu asked.
Qian Renxue replied, "Grandfather, in my past memories, Tang Hao and Ah Yin loved each other deeply. Tang Xiao chose to step aside. The brothers were at peace, the couple loving. There was never any fratricide or wife-snatching."
"Then why the change?"
Qian Renxue sighed. "Love is a double-edged sword. Some wield it to manipulate the hearts of others; some become slaves to it, unaware of how they're being used. But to the gods, love is just a string—pulling at their pawns to fulfill divine schemes. Back then, the Angel Trial was sabotaged by the Sea God, causing me to fall in love with Tang San. If I'd focused on eliminating him rather than taming him, perhaps the Spirit Hall would have…"
She paused, then chuckled bitterly, "But even so—what would've changed? He revived once. He could revive again."
Hearing her experience, Qian Daoliu felt a deep sense of helplessness. He looked up at the angel statue in the Worship Hall and remained silent for a long time. At last, he asked:
"This time, with the Primordial God overseeing all, surely you won't endure such disgrace again. Xue'er, since you mentioned divine intervention—do you believe there's a god behind this as well?"
Qian Renxue nodded. "Yes. Without divine manipulation, how could brothers turn on each other, the younger steal the elder's wife, and future lovers become bitter enemies?"
At that moment, she remembered her past self and showed a complex expression.
She added with a wry smile, "In that case, Tang San's future is going to be… quite the ride."
"We've been given a second chance. And this time, a god has our back."
(End of Chapter)
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