"Oh, there aren't any... huh?? There are?!" Tang San was utterly dumbfounded. Were they joking with him? Gods existed in this world?! There really were gods?!
Unexpectedly, even Tang Hao beside him nodded in agreement: "The current Pope of Spirit Hall, Qian Xun Ji, possesses the Six-Winged Angel as his Martial Soul. He claims to be the spokesperson of gods, and that Spirit Hall is where deities spread their teachings in the mortal world."
Tang San's mouth fell slightly open, his eyes wide with astonishment. Six-Winged Angel? Angels existed in this world!
Truthfully, he had vaguely guessed that gods might exist here. Among the top-tier Beast Spirits were divine creatures like the Phoenix, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger. As for their Clear Sky Sect's Clear Sky Hammer Spirit, to put it plainly, it was essentially a powerful hammer-type Divine Tool.
With divine beast spirits, divine tool spirits, and now angel spirits - if gods didn't exist in this world, the origins of these Martial Souls would be impossible to explain.
"Reaching level one hundred makes one a god. The visions you saw during your spirit awakening likely included the founder of Slaughter City. There are many theories about Slaughter City's formation, but the most credible is that it's a special domain left behind by a supreme expert who broke through the hundred-level limit," Tang Xiao explained.
"A place similar to Spirit Hall?"
Tang Hao nodded: "Your mother Hongyan's Martial Soul was extremely unique - a Slaughter Wraith formed from the killing intent of Slaughter City. It possessed abilities similar to Beast Spirits and could even draw power from Slaughter City itself. When using Spirit Avatar, her killing intent would multiply, making it no weaker than the Clear Sky Hammer."
"That's why I suspect your second Martial Soul can't be summoned due to insufficient killing intent. In other words, you've only awakened half of it."
This theory aligned with Tang San's own speculations. Normally, once awakened, a Martial Soul should be summonable. However, there were many anomalies during awakenings - like Tang San's aunt Tang Yuehua (Tang Hao's sister), who awakened the Clear Sky Hammer Spirit with an innate domain, yet her Soul Power remained perpetually stuck at level nine, preventing her from becoming a Soul Master.
"Father, then—" Before Tang San could finish, Tang Hao raised his hand to stop him.
With a grave expression, Tang Hao said: "I know what you want to ask. Slaughter City isn't a place you can enter and leave as you please. Although I'm a God of Slaughter who can use the God of Slaughter Domain to counter some of Slaughter City's rules, Soul Masters possessing this domain are considered major threats to them. Your mother was only permitted to meet me alone within specific areas at designated intervals. If I brought you into Slaughter City, it would likely draw the Slaughter King's attention."
"If the Slaughter King learned you possess Twin Spirits, including one from Slaughter City, he might imprison you there forever, forcing you to become one of Slaughter City's denizens."
From their conversation, Tang San could deduce that those born in Slaughter City weren't permitted to leave. Their entire beings - even their lives - belonged to Slaughter City and its king. His father must have gone through tremendous hardships to bring him out of that place all those years ago.
However, just as the atmosphere was growing tense, Tang Xiao, standing to the side, suddenly broke into a knowing smile. He slapped Tang Hao heavily on the shoulder and said with a laugh, "Hao-di, you're still the same as ever, shouldering all the responsibility alone. Don't forget, you're a member of the Clear Sky Sect."
Tang Hao was startled and quickly replied, "Elder Brother, you mustn't. If this matter were to mobilize the entire sect, it might—"
This time, it was Tang Xiao who interrupted Tang Hao. "No need to say more. You protect the Clear Sky Sect, and the Clear Sky Sect will help you in return. That is the true meaning of a sect's existence. What of Slaughter City? If they're willing to lend some of their killing intent to help Xiao San awaken his Martial Soul, then we certainly won't treat Slaughter City unfairly. But if they refuse, then let's see whose killing intent is stronger—theirs or the might of our Clear Sky Hammer!"
There was a reason Tang Xiao had become the sect master of the Clear Sky Sect. When Tang San displayed his Twin Spirits, Tang Xiao knew immediately that the next leader of the Clear Sky Sect had emerged. If the sect stood idly by and refused to help, even if Tang San later became incredibly powerful, his feelings toward the sect would inevitably grow distant.
"However, this matter indeed shouldn't be rushed. We need to plan carefully. Moreover, several elders are currently at critical junctures in their cultivation. It might be better to wait a few years until they break through to Titled Douluo—that would be more secure."
Clearly, Tang San had no say in this decision. Watching the two argue, a long-lost warmth slowly rose in his heart.
"Alright, Hao-di, let's stop arguing. Let Xiao San rest well—tomorrow he still has his Registry Ceremony to attend." Tang Xiao wrapped an arm around Tang Hao, who was still resisting the idea of borrowing the sect's strength, and pulled him out of the room.
After closing the door, Tang Xiao said, "Stop being so stubborn. As a father, you should be thinking about giving the best to your child, not solving every problem alone like before."
These words struck Tang Hao's weak spot—the soft spot of a father. With a sigh, Tang Hao nodded and accepted the suggestion.
Suddenly, Tang Xiao seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, right. After the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony this morning, Ning Fengzhi asked if you'd be interested in arranging a childhood betrothal. His daughter happens to be the same age as Xiao San."
===================
Early the next morning, as usual, Tang San sat on the small hillside practicing the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique. This was the most basic Soul Skill of the Clear Sky Hammer, capable of strengthening the body and, when mastered to the highest level, paving the way for more advanced Clear Sky Sect Soul Skills.
Thus, for Clear Sky Sect disciples who had awakened the Clear Sky Hammer, mastering the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique was crucial.
Tang San didn't practice for too long, as today was the day of his Registry Ceremony. Of course, the ceremony itself wasn't the most important part—what mattered was that afterward, he could hunt his first Spirit Beast and attach a Soul Ring to his Clear Sky Hammer. Only with a Soul Ring could he truly become a Soul Master.
(End of Chapter)