After cultivating for a long time, Tang San opened his eyes. His aura unconsciously radiated outward, and his entire body exuded a sense of impatience. His bloodshot eyes brimmed with agitation, showing signs of emotional instability and even the early symptoms of inner demons taking over. The sinister energy escaping from his body made him almost indistinguishable from an evil soul master.
"Forty-sixth level, forty-sixth level… not enough, this still isn't enough!"
Tang San had been back at the Clear Sky Sect for about seven and a half months, not yet eight, and had managed to increase his rank by five levels—an achievement that most people wouldn't dare to imagine accomplishing in their entire lifetime. However, in Tang San's eyes, this speed was far too slow, leaving him irritable and restless. He couldn't help but yearn to return to the Soul Beast Forest, where he could slaughter and devour wantonly, just as he had done in the past.
"Xiao San, calm down. You've already done very well. Keep your mindset steady and don't lose control."
A steady voice resonated as a tall man emerged from behind the trees. He walked up to Tang San and placed a hand on his shoulder, channeling his profound soul power into Tang San to soothe his turbulent energy.
"Father, I…"
Hearing the concern in the man's voice, Tang San's emotions gradually stabilized, though there was still a trace of impatience in the corners of his eyes.
"It's alright, Xiao San. You've already done everything you can."
The tall man sat beside Tang San, his voice calm and soothing, his demeanor exuding a serene yet firm presence.
Although Tang San addressed this man as "Father," and the man bore an almost identical appearance to Tang Hao, he was not Tang Hao. At this moment, Tang Hao was still imprisoned in the Spirit Hall dungeons, awaiting judgment after the conclusion of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
This man was Tang Xiao, the current sect master of the Clear Sky Sect and Tang Hao's elder brother, also known as the Clear Sky Douluo.
The reason Tang San called Tang Xiao "Father" stemmed from events that occurred on the day he returned to the Clear Sky Sect.
When Tang Chen returned to the sect, his presence immediately restored its backbone. The worries about the sect's future survival vanished in an instant. Some members even suggested that they should immediately retaliate against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan, leading to an atmosphere of chaos and fervor within the sect.
However, when Tang Chen revealed Tang San's identity and prepared to announce his return to the Clear Sky Sect's genealogy, the previously chaotic voices abruptly unified into resistance.
From Tang Xiao, the sect master, to the remaining three elders, from the elderly to the children who hadn't yet awakened their martial soul, every member of the Clear Sky Sect knelt in protest. They wept over the harm Tang Hao had caused to the sect and vehemently opposed the return of Tang Hao's son, Tang San, to the Clear Sky Sect.
Some even resorted to extreme measures. Elderly sect members who had grown up under Tang Chen's guidance ended their lives by slamming their heads into pillars or severing their hearts meridians, using their deaths to express their opposition to Tang San's return.
Even with Tang Chen's overwhelming authority, nearly the entire sect stood united in rejecting Tang San's return as Tang Hao's son.
Though the Clear Sky Sect was known for its strength against outsiders, it was equally unyielding when dealing with internal matters.
Faced with this internal crisis, even Tang Chen, a peerless Douluo, had no choice but to compromise.
In the end, Tang San was allowed to return to the Clear Sky Sect, but not as Tang Hao's son. His lineage was formally transferred to Tang Xiao, and he returned under the guise of being Tang Xiao's son.
While this resolution felt somewhat superfluous, it gave a face to both the sect members and Tang Chen, allowing Tang San to barely re-enter the sect.
However, even with this change in parentage, Tang San still faced constant hostility within the sect. From the elders to the children playing in the dirt, everyone treated him as an outcast. Even young children, influenced by their parents, would cry and flee at the sight of Tang San.
Tang San's daily life was filled with hostility. His room was often vandalized, manure was thrown at his door, and his meals were laced with special surprises. Some even attempted to poison him. Despite punishments meted out by both Tang Chen and Tang Xiao, these actions never ceased.
The most radical among them imitated the elders who had died protesting Tang San's return, attacking him or causing disturbances before taking their own lives.
In the end, Tang Chen and Tang Xiao had no choice but to order Tang San to move to a remote corner of Clear Sky Peak, where he lived in isolation. No one was allowed to enter the area, which finally brought an uneasy peace between Tang San and the sect.
To Tang San, however, life in the Clear Sky Sect over the past few months was worse than his days in Holy Spirit Village before awakening his martial soul. Aside from his great-grandfather and father/uncle, no one in the sect treated him kindly.
Several times, Tang San felt the urge to kill, to use his hidden weapons and poisons to eliminate those who tormented him. However, due to the disparity in strength and other factors, he ultimately held back.
Unbeknownst to Tang San, the resentment he endured as a stand-in for Tang Hao's mistakes was subtly altering his feelings toward his biological father. The negative emotions he accumulated in daily life began to shift toward Tang Hao. However, the physical distance between them created a filter that made this change difficult for others to notice.
Over these months, Tang San never stopped cultivating or using his devouring skills. Unlike Tang Hao, Tang Chen would venture into the Star Dou Forest to capture ten-thousand-year soul beasts, killing some for resources and bringing others back to Clear Sky Peak as sparring partners for Tang San.
Tang San's daily routine was grueling: wake up, devour, endure beatings, devour again, train under the waterfall with Tang Xiao, recover through devouring, and finally endure the pressure of the Slaughter Domain under Tang Chen's supervision while purifying his soul power with the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
If not for the ample resources, the devouring skill, and the restorative properties of soul beast flesh, Tang San would have long since died from the harsh training.
The five-level increase over the past eight months was due in part to his devouring skill and the Nine-Dragon Herb. However, credit also went to Tang Chen's meticulous training plan and Tang Xiao's relentless efforts, which pushed Tang San to the limits of his potential. This forced him to reach the same level of strength he had in the original story at this point.
Although this intense regimen would leave Tang San with significant hidden injuries and long-term issues, neither Tang San nor those around him cared much about the future.