"Your Excellency, Poison Douluo, we've admitted our faults. May we leave now?"
Flender retracted his gaze, forcing a smile as he looked at Dugu Bo.
But Dugu Bo merely turned to glance at Qi Lin.
Qi Lin said calmly, "Do as you wish."
Only then did Flender finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Qi Lin, we'll be taking our leave."
"Farewell."
With that, Flender cast a complicated look at Qi Lin.
He knew that after today, Qi Lin and their group would truly part ways.
Though he and Shao Xin had exchanged a few words with Qi Lin during this time, they were no more than casual acquaintances.
Qi Lin responded with a smile. "Farewell."
Hearing that, Flender immediately called to the others, "Let's go! Xiao Ming, lead the way."
Though they had decided to leave Tian Dou Imperial Academy, it wasn't as if they were fleeing. They would at least stay the night.
Besides, Tang San still needed to copy down his mysterious "self-created soul skill" for Qi Lin.
"Yes, Headmaster!"
Qin Ming answered and took the lead.
As the Shrek group's figures disappeared into the distance, Dugu Bo seemed to sense something. He turned to Qi Lin and Dugu Yan.
"Yanyan, Qi Lin, you two head back first. I'm going to meet someone... interesting."
Qi Lin guessed that Dugu Bo was likely going to meet Tang Hao, so he reminded him, "Be careful."
Of course, Qi Lin wasn't too worried about Dugu Bo's safety.
Even though he didn't know Tang Hao had lost his sight and suffered a decline in strength...
After refining the Liuding Divine Flame Pill, Dugu Bo's soul power had risen to Rank 93, and even his spirit had evolved into the Jade Phosphor Flood Dragon King.
At this point, Dugu Bo might not be able to defeat Tang Hao, but he had more than enough power to ensure his survival.
After all, his original spirit, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, was already a top-tier spirit. And after its evolution, the Jade Phosphor Flood Dragon King could rival the best among top-tier spirits.
Dugu Bo glanced at Qi Lin in surprise.
Qi Lin clearly knew how powerful he was, yet he still offered that reminder. Could it be that he knew the identity of the powerful Titled Douluo protecting Tang San?
And if so, did that mean this person's strength was on par with—or perhaps even greater than—his own?
"…Alright, I understand."
Dugu Bo nodded. In the blink of an eye, his body vanished like a streak of green shadow.
After he left, Dugu Yan turned to Qi Lin, puzzled. "Qi Lin, do you really think the person Grandpa's going to meet can hurt him?"
Qi Lin smiled and nodded. "Don't worry. Your grandfather will be fine."
Only then did Dugu Yan's worry ease. She quickly changed the topic.
"After today, things between me and Yu Tianheng are officially over."
As she said this, there was a clear sense of relief in her eyes.
Even if things hadn't soured with Yu Tianheng, she had already realized her feelings for him had faded.
"Come on, Qi Lin, take me to your dormitory. I'm sure you won't turn me away, right?"
Qi Lin offered a warm smile. "Of course not."
---
Meanwhile, on a low hill outside Tian Dou Imperial Academy…
Dugu Bo stared intently at the disheveled, unkempt middle-aged man in front of him.
Despite the messy beard and weathered features, he recognized him at a glance.
The Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao!
Back in the day, Tang Hao and his older brother Tang Xiao had roamed the continent as the twin stars of the Clear Sky Clan. Naturally, Dugu Bo had met him before.
And only now did he piece it together.
Tang San and Tang Hao—they shared the same surname.
With Tang Hao secretly following Tang San around, it was clear he was acting as a hidden protector.
The only person worth such effort could only be Tang Hao's own son.
What puzzled Dugu Bo was this: If Tang San was Tang Hao's son, why was his spirit not the Clear Sky Hammer but instead the trash-tier Blue Silver Grass?
It was common knowledge that when both parents were soul masters, their child usually inherited the stronger spirit.
But Tang San's spirit… was Blue Silver Grass.
That made no sense.
As Dugu Bo mulled this over, Tang Hao suddenly spoke, his tone calm.
"Dugu Bo?"
"I know who you are."
His words were brief, his expression calm, yet his voice carried a distinct air of arrogance.
It was as if he were saying, You should feel honored that Tang Hao knows you.
Even though he was addressing a Titled Douluo, and even though his injuries had yet to fully heal…
Tang Hao still exuded that same overbearing presence.
Of course, the reason he acted this way was simple—he still saw Dugu Bo as the weakest Titled Douluo.
Poison was effective against many, but against powerhouses like Tang Hao, it was of limited use.
This made the ever-arrogant Tang Hao extremely confident.
Even if he was currently at less than half his peak strength, he still believed he could easily suppress Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo, hearing that lofty tone, studied Tang Hao's state—his injuries and his blinded eyes—then snorted coldly.
"I know you too… Tang Hao!"
Had this been before, Dugu Bo wouldn't have dared speak so boldly, even to an injured Tang Hao.
But now things were different.
With his soul power at Rank 93 and his evolved spirit, Dugu Bo was no longer someone to be underestimated.
Anyone who still saw him as the weakest Titled Douluo… was bound to pay the price!
Tang Hao was visibly surprised by his tone.
"So… I've been gone so long you've all forgotten the might of the Clear Sky Douluo?"
"Or do you think, just because I'm injured, you can defeat me?"
"If that's how it is, then I suppose I'll have to remind you."
"And let you understand something very clearly…"
"Anyone who dares to lay a finger on my son, Tang Hao will make them pay the price!"
He hadn't dared show himself inside Tian Dou Imperial Academy—for fear that causing a scene would attract the attention of Spirit Hall.
But outside the academy's grounds, he no longer had to hold back.
Dugu Bo coldly snorted. "So Tang San really is your son. And what of it?"
"I, Dugu Bo, have always acted as I pleased."
"Even if I'd known his identity beforehand, I still wouldn't have shown you any mercy."
Tang Hao's expression changed slightly, then broke into a cold laugh.
"Good, good, good!"
"Well said, Poison Douluo. How very bold!"
"Since you're so confident, let's see if your strength lives up to your words!"
Before the words finished echoing, a massive black hammer radiating terrifying power appeared in Tang Hao's hand.
Beneath his feet, nine soul rings rose up in turn:
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red!