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In the following period, the Douluo Continent remained relatively peaceful.
The only noteworthy event was the manhunt for Tang Hao, the former Hao Tian Douluo—no, it should be called the manhunt for Tang Hao, the greatest villain in history.
After all, Tang Hao was no longer a Title Douluo.
During this time, a group of ancient Soul Douluos who had long disappeared from public view suddenly seemed to regain their vitality. They scoured the Douluo Continent frantically in search of Tang Hao's whereabouts.
Setting aside the Spirit Hall's bounty, the fact that Tang Hao—a mere Soul Douluo—possessed five soul bones was enough to drive them wild with desire.
This was especially true for those elders stuck at level 89, on the verge of becoming Title Douluos.
After all, Title Douluos and ordinary soul masters were fundamentally different beings.
Once they broke through, they could gain a lifespan of 300 years, with an additional 100 years for every level they advanced. For these old men with dwindling lifespans, obtaining Tang Hao's soul bones was almost equivalent to gaining another chance to break through.
Unfortunately, they didn't understand the key to breaking through as a Title Douluo. Even with more soul bones enhancing their bodies, it would be useless without grasping the essence of cultivation. However, Ye Wen wasn't planning to reveal this secret just yet.
But these old men, facing the imminent exhaustion of their lifespans, didn't care about such nuances. Their minds were consumed by one thought: kill Tang Hao and seize everything he possessed.
After all, soul bones not only enhanced physical strength but also indirectly extended one's lifespan. For these dying elders, it was like spotting a lifeline while drowning.
Deep within the Sunset Forest—
Tang Hao rested in a dark, sunless cave, recovering his strength.
"Damn bastards! Have these old geezers gone mad? Why do they attack me on sight?"
Tang Hao was utterly frustrated. He had been enjoying fine wine in the city when he was suddenly ambushed by an unfamiliar 89th-level Soul Douluo. If it weren't for his mastery of the Hao Tian techniques, he might have been killed on the spot.
Fortunately, even though his cultivation had dropped, his physical strength still matched that of a Title Douluo. In the end, he managed to kill his attacker. However, this exposed his location, and soon after, a group of people came to hunt him down. Forced into a desperate situation, he had to use the "Exploding Ring" technique to narrowly escape.
This was partly Tang Hao's own fault. Since Tang San entered the City of Slaughter, Tang Hao had been slacking off, waiting for his "good son" to emerge.
What Tang San didn't know was that Tang Hao periodically checked on his progress.
After all, the City of Slaughter was an eerie place. Tang Hao feared that his beloved son might get trapped there forever. He even planned to intervene if Tang San couldn't hold on during critical moments.
As for the rules?
The City of Slaughter was nothing compared to the future heir of the Hao Tian Sect. Breaking the rules was a small price to pay.
If he felt like it, Tang Hao could simply eliminate everyone except Tang San, forcing him to win or invalidating the match entirely.
Though his strength had plummeted, Tang Hao still held significant confidence within the City of Slaughter.
The only person he truly feared in the City of Slaughter was the King of Slaughter. However, the City had rules: the King of Slaughter couldn't attack the Killing Gods unless they initiated combat.
But Tang Hao wasn't planning to destroy the City of Slaughter—he merely intended to disrupt a match. Surely, the King of Slaughter would grant him this much leeway.
Tang San hadn't disappointed Tang Hao either. He had already won ten consecutive killing matches. At this rate, it would take him three to four years to complete the Hell Road trial and become the next Killing God.
However, Tang Hao's neglect of city announcements—though they rarely concerned him—had led to his current predicament.
Now, the entire Douluo Continent was paying close attention to a man missing his left leg.
And Tang Hao, brazenly drinking in city bars, made it nearly impossible to remain hidden.
The relentless ambushes and pursuits were wearing Tang Hao down. He had no choice but to retreat to the Sunset Forest to avoid disaster.
Tang Hao resolved to investigate who had orchestrated this scheme once he recovered.
Even those near-Title Douluo-level experts were hunting him—this was no trivial matter. He believed that with a little effort, he'd uncover the truth behind it all.
News of Tang Hao's plight reached Tang Yuehua, who relayed it back to the Hao Tian Sect.
At this moment, the Hao Tian Sect harbored no intention of rescuing this "sect criminal." Many secretly hoped he would die outside. However, upon learning that Tang Hao possessed five soul bones—including a heritage soul bone belonging to the sect—they lamented the loss of one of them.
For some unknown reason, the Hao Tian Sect had experienced rapid growth. From having only two Title Douluos during its decline, it now boasted eight Title Douluos guarding its hidden stronghold.
Tang Xiao glanced at the seven elders opposing the idea of rescuing Tang Hao and sighed deeply.
That incident… it was truly a sin.
But recalling the past he shared with his younger brother Hao, Tang Xiao ultimately made up his mind.
"Hao's matter concerns the sect's heritage. Since none of the elders are willing to go, I will personally handle this."
Without waiting for the elders' objections, Tang Xiao promptly left the mountain gate.
Whether out of duty or personal sentiment, Tang Xiao felt it necessary to bring Tang Hao back.
He had no interest in Tang Hao's soul bones. The foundation of the Hao Tian Sect had never relied on external objects like soul bones.
What truly elevated the Hao Tian Sect above all other soul masters on the Douluo Continent were the world-renowned Exploding Ring technique and the Great Sumeru Hammer.
If Tang Hao were to die now, these two ultimate techniques would be lost forever. Even with numerous Title Douluos, the Hao Tian Sect wouldn't be able to challenge the Spirit Hall's dominance—it would merely repeat past failures.
At this moment, Tang Xiao was unaware of Tang San's existence, assuming he had perished during Tang Hao's battle with Qian Xunji.
Currently, Tang Xiao had just entered the realm of a 97th-level Super Douluo, possessing strength worthy of his ancestors.
If not for the Hao Tian Sect's restrictive rule of passing down its ultimate techniques exclusively to the Hao Tian successor, there would be no need for Tang Chen to return. In a few decades, Tang Xiao alone could restore the Hao Tian Sect's glory.
After all, with the Exploding Ring technique, he could compensate for any cultivation deficiencies. Once he reached level 98, Tang Xiao would possess the power to be called "Invincible on Earth."
In this era, Qian Daoliu was at most a demi-god—not even a quasi-god.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so thoroughly defeated by Bo Saixi, who was on par with the Deep Sea Demon Whale King—a demi-god herself.
Thus, the Hao Tian Sect, as a family-based faction, was far too narrow-minded. It had essentially sealed its own fate.
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