**CHAPTER 13: HOLY SPIRIT VILLAGE**
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Two days had passed since Tianlong and Zi Ji left the clan, and at the last moment, Gu Yuena had decided to join them.
The carriage moved slowly along a narrow dirt path, flanked by lush green hills and fruit trees swaying gently in the breeze. The sky was clear, and the morning light bathed the landscape in a serene glow. The road, though simple, seemed to breathe tranquility.
But in the distance, a small village surrounded by rustic wooden fences finally came into view. Simple mud and stone houses lined up in orderly rows, their roofs covered with straw. Children played with straw balls and sticks, while adults carried tools, water, or baskets full of freshly harvested vegetables.
This was Holy Spirit Village.
Tianlong was the first to leap from the carriage. His golden eyes scanned the surroundings with interest. Gu Yuena and Zi Ji followed closely, both skillfully concealing their auras, though even disguised, the trio's appearance was entirely out of the ordinary.
As they walked down the main dirt street, wary glances began to accumulate around them. Villagers paused their tasks, whispering to each other with tense expressions. It was rare for strangers to arrive here—especially a trio as unusual as this.
"They don't look like city folk..." murmured an old peasant, frowning.
"Did you see that boy's eyes? And the woman's silver hair? That's witchcraft..." whispered another woman, shielding the child by her side.
Tianlong ignored the whispers, but his sharp hearing caught a conversation ahead between two young men:
"Hey, did you hear? Our village finally has a new spirit master. It's the blacksmith's son. They say the village chief took him to Nuoding Academy a few days ago."
Tianlong paused for a moment, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.
"So he's already at Nuoding Academy, huh..." murmured Tianlong.
Gu Yuena glanced at him sideways. "Someone you know?"
The question wasn't just curiosity. She knew everyone Tianlong knew, at least from this era.
So... who was this boy that made him show such a curious expression? Could it be someone who appeared in his memories of the future?
Tianlong didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked around.
"Maybe we should ask someone where the village blacksmith lives," he suggested, stepping forward to approach an old man in worn linen clothes.
But before he could take a step, Zi Ji spoke calmly:
"No need."
Both turned to face her.
"I just conducted a full spiritual scan of the village's surroundings. I detected a powerful presence to the north, in a secluded area. He's there... and he's already noticed us too," she said, her eyes narrowing as she looked into the distance.
Tianlong nodded.
"Let's go."
Crossing small gardens and wooden sheds, the trio reached a hillside where a simple house stood alone, isolated from the rest of the village. Its walls were cracked, the wood weathered by time and neglect. But just in front of the house, a man awaited them.
Even from a distance, his presence was like a crushing boulder.
He was a disheveled man, with stubble and dark eyes, wearing soot-stained clothes. To his right stood a massive silver hammer, head down, pulsing with a red aura.
Nine soul rings floated around his body.
The last one... was red.
A legendary hundred-thousand-year ring.
This was the man they had come to meet:
Tang Hao.
Without warning, the air grew heavier. A chilling killing intent descended on the trio like a suffocating curtain.
"Death God Domain, huh," murmured Tianlong, observing it.
Immediately, a red mist spread across the field, making the air heavy, almost unbreathable. The ground trembled beneath their feet. Gu Yuena frowned slightly but stood firm. Tianlong didn't even blink.
"Human, you shouldn't show that aura to a child," said Zi Ji, stepping forward to stand in front of Tianlong and Gu Yuena.
Her gaze turned icy.
The pressure Tang Hao exuded was suddenly repelled. An overwhelming aura took over the hillside, black as the abyss and tinged with purple.
Behind Zi Ji, a colossal dragon head formed in the air, roaring silently. The sky darkened. The clouds retreated. The world seemed to hold its breath.
Tang Hao narrowed his eyes and asked:
"You... Are you from the Spirit Hall?" he asked, his voice cold and menacing.
Before the confrontation could escalate, Tianlong raised a hand and stepped forward, saying:
"If the Spirit Hall wanted to send someone after you... why would they send two children?"
Tang Hao hesitated. His eyes shifted to Tianlong. Then to Gu Yuena. And then to Zi Ji.
His eyes narrowed.
"You..." He frowned. "You're not human."
As a rank 95 Titled Douluo, Tang Hao had sensed their auras the moment they approached. They were far too similar to one he had known intimately in the past—that of a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form.
But the boy... He felt nothing. Nothing but an irritating calmness.
"Who are you? And what do you want with me?" said Tang Hao, not deactivating his martial soul, still on guard.
Tianlong crossed his arms, calm, and said:
"Hey, old man. I'm Tianlong. This is my sister, Gu Yuena. And this is my mother, Zi Ji."
"We came here so you could teach me forging."
Tang Hao remained silent for a long moment. His eyes passed over Tianlong again, assessing.
A few minutes ago when he felt these three entering the village, he thought of several things, like maybe they were from the spirit hall, but it also didn't make much sense for the spirit hall to send a powerful woman but with two children together.
He thought of many things at once, but he never imagined their reason for coming was for him to teach forging.
So, with a slightly relieved sigh, and without a word, he deactivated the Clear Sky Hammer, turned his back, and walked toward the house.
"I don't teach anyone. Go away."
The door closed behind him with a dry thud.
Tianlong stood still for a moment, then let out a faint smile.
"Knew it wouldn't be that easy."
He turned to the two women.
"Alright. Let's go."
But before taking the first step, he spoke clearly, directing his words toward the house:
"Normally, when a spirit beast dies... that's the end of it."
Gu Yuena and Zi Ji exchanged glances, a faint curiosity sparking in their eyes, but neither interrupted.
Tianlong continued, his voice now aimed directly into the house.
"But some spirit beasts—especially plant-type ones—don't follow that rule. Because when they die, they leave behind a seed. A seed with their memories, their soul... everything."
Inside the house, Tang Hao, seated at an aged wooden table, held a bottle of alcohol. His hand trembled, nearly dropping the bottle.
"A seed…?" he murmured, his mind instantly drifting to something he had buried years ago, not far from there.
"If that seed sprouts... over time, that beast's soul can return. Leading to... a complete rebirth."
Tang Hao stood abruptly, his heart racing.
"Why... Why didn't I ever think of that?" he murmured, almost in shock, his eyes wide.
Outside, Tianlong continued speaking:
"But it's a shame...
He paused.
"Because even if it rebirths, it would still take time. Decades. Perhaps... fifty thousand years. For it to recover its former cultivation base."
Tang Hao closed his eyes and lowered his head. The faint glimmer of hope that had sparked in his heart was quickly crushed.
"Fifty thousand years... not even my son's bones will last that long..."
He sighed sadly and brought the bottle of alcohol to his lips with trembling hands.
But then he heard the kid's voice outside again.
"But that's why I came here today."
Tang Hao paused, listening with curiosity.
"In exchange for teaching me forging... I'll tell you where to find a certain place."
Silence.
"A place where plant-type spirit beasts grow a thousand times faster. Where one that needed fifty thousand years to reach a hundred thousand... can fully rebirth in no more than fifty years."
"Fifty... years?" Tang Hao's voice trembled. He stood, knocking over the chair in the process, and slammed his fist on the table.
He was currently 49 years old, and as a Titled Douluo, living another fifty years wouldn't be difficult at all.
Outside, Tianlong sighed.
"But... alright. Seems like you're not interested."
He looked at the two women beside him.
"Sister. Mother. Let's go."
But before he could take a single step—
—BOOM!
The house's door was flung open with a deafening crash.
Tang Hao appeared in the doorway like a bolt of lightning.
His eyes were red. His hands, trembling. His presence wavered between despair, hope, and contained rage.
"Wait."
Tianlong stopped, a victorious smile on his lips.
Tang Hao took a few steps forward. His piercing gaze met Tianlong's.
"...Kid, don't toy with me... Are you really telling the truth?"
Tianlong smiled faintly.
"Every word."
Tang Hao clenched his fists. He remained silent for a long moment, eyes closed, reflecting.
Finally, he exhaled deeply and spoke in a low but firm tone:
"If that place really exists... then I can agree to teach you."
He paused.
Gu Yuena took a step forward, her purple eyes half-closed and her face grim.
"Hmph... And why should we trust you?" Her voice was cold but restrained. "How do we know that after seeing this place, you'll still keep your word and teach Tianlong?"
Tang Hao looked at her silently. The aura around him remained steady and unshakable, like a mountain—not aggressive, but impenetrable.
Tianlong then raised a hand, a faint smile on his lips.
"I understand the doubt..." he said calmly. "But honestly... I don't think the legendary Clear Sky Douluo is the kind of man who breaks his word."
He paused, and the golden glint in his eyes sparkled with provocation.
"Or is the fame exaggerated?"
Tang Hao remained silent for a few seconds, his gaze still locked on Tianlong. Then, he let out a faint sigh and responded firmly:
"You've got a sharp tongue, kid."
He took a step forward.
"But you've also got courage... and too much information to be ignored."
Tang Hao then shifted his gaze, looking at the road behind them.
"Alright. If this place really exists, then we'd better leave now."
Tianlong nodded.
"The place is in the Sunset Forest. It'll take almost two days to get there if we go straight."
Tang Hao frowned slightly, thoughtful.
"Sunset Forest..."
"You should prepare before we go. We'll need endurance, energy, and perhaps some discretion."
Tang Hao let out an affirmative grunt and turned.
"Wait here."
He re-entered his house, leaving the three outside. A faint silence hung in the air, broken only by the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.
Gu Yuena narrowed her eyes, watching the door.
"He seems better now."
"He is," replied Tianlong, crossing his arms. "But he's also starving for hope. And that's enough for now."
Zi Ji remained silent, her eyes turned to the sky. She was quite curious to see where her son would lead them.
A place that makes plant-type spirit beasts grow a thousand times faster is definitely not an ordinary place. She knew this because she had seen such a place before: the Lake of Life, located in the central region of the Great Star Dou Forest.
A few minutes later, the door opened again. Tang Hao reappeared, now wearing a darker robe and a small pouch tied to his waist.
Before Tianlong could say anything, Tang Hao spoke:
"Before we head to the Sunset Forest... there's a place I need to visit."
He looked directly at the group.
"It's in the direction of the forest, so it won't get in our way."
Tianlong tilted his head slightly.
"Alright. Let's go."
Tang Hao immediately turned, leaping forward with impressive speed. The trio followed closely, disappearing along the winding trails of the region.
During the journey, no one spoke a word. The landscape gradually changed—from open plains to hills covered in denser vegetation. The sound of wild birds echoed in the distance, mingling with the rush of an unseen stream.
After nearly two hours of running nonstop, they slowed their pace.
A narrow valley appeared before them, hidden among natural rock formations. There, in the shade of ancient trees, a small clearing revealed itself. At its center, a waterfall cascaded gently over the stones, forming a crystalline pool below.
It was truly a beautiful and peaceful place.
But there was also something melancholic there.
Without a word, Tang Hao began slowly ascending a narrow path along the edge of the waterfall. The trio followed in silence until they reached the top of a cliff shaded by a single ancient tree. Beneath it grew a small blue-tinted plant with golden streaks that pulsed softly, as if breathing.
Tang Hao knelt before it.
It was a simple Blue Silver Grass… but the spiritual power emanating from it was refined, pure—unlike any other of its kind.
Gu Yuena narrowed her eyes. Zi Ji frowned slightly.
"Is this… a Blue Silver Grass?" murmured Zi Ji, surprised and curious.
Gu Yuena stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the plant.
"It's more than that… this lineage is exceptionally pure."
Tang Hao didn't respond immediately. He gently stroked one of the leaves with his index finger, as if touching something too precious to be disturbed.
"Ah Yin," he said in a low voice. "That's her name."
Zi Ji observed him for a moment and said softly:
"So… this was your companion."
Tang Hao nodded slightly. His eyes remained fixed on the plant.
"My wife."
For a moment, silence hung in the air.
Tang Hao then moved his hand, as if about to start digging around the base of the plant.
But before he could touch the soil, Tianlong stepped forward.
"Wait."
Tang Hao turned, confused.
Tianlong closed his eyes for a moment, and a soft light glowed above his head. In a flash of energy, a small creature floated out from his spiritual sea.
An orange fox with large, shining eyes and a pair of draconic horns on its head.
"Xiao Bao," said Tianlong. "I need your help."
Xiao Bao spun in the air, excited.
"What does the master desire?"
Tang Hao raised his eyebrows, surprised by this new hundred-thousand-year spirit beast appearing.
"Can you enhance her cultivation?" asked Tianlong, pointing at Ah Yin.
Xiao Bao circled around the Blue Silver Empress, analyzing.
"Yes. She's alive, but in a weakened state. With my aura and an external boost… I can accelerate her recovery."
Tianlong then opened his spiritual storage bag. From within, he retrieved a small crystal vial containing a thick golden liquid that seemed to glow under the sunlight.
"You told me this can drastically increase the cultivation of any spirit beast, right?"
"Yes!" replied Xiao Bao enthusiastically. "It's a rare treasure, capable of increasing a beast's cultivation by thousands of years. Does the master want me to use it on this Blue Silver Grass?"
"Yes. Do it," replied Tianlong.
But before he could hand over the vial, Tang Hao stepped forward, his expression hardening.
"Hold on. What the hell is that? And what are you planning to do with her?" asked Tang Hao.
Tianlong calmly raised the vial.
"This liquid is a treasure. I want to use it to help her reach, at least, a thousand years of cultivation," said Tianlong, without revealing what the golden liquid was, as although he had some trust in Tang Hao, he didn't want him to know that it was actually a part of his own blood. If Tang Hao found out, Tianlong wasn't sure what a man in love might do with that knowledge—perhaps kill him and extract all his golden blood.
Tang Hao remained rigid. He still didn't seem convinced.
"And who's this hundred-thousand-year spirit beast floating around you?"
"This is Xiao Bao. He's… special," Tianlong crossed his arms. "He's not just strong—he has natural expertise in cultivating Immortal Herbs and spiritual plants. His presence can also accelerate growth and strengthen the lineage of plant-type spirit beasts," said Tianlong, looking at the small fox who once managed the Immortal Herb garden of the Dragon God.
Tang Hao pursed his lips.
"You could be saying anything. How do I know this isn't some kind of poison?"
Tianlong didn't respond immediately. Instead, he knelt and extended his hand toward another common Blue Silver Grass nearby.
Then, he poured a single drop of the golden liquid onto it.
Instantly, the small leaf trembled. The plant glowed and grew before their eyes, expanding in size and radiance. Its spiritual aura surged several times over. That simple Blue Silver Grass gained at least a hundred years of cultivation from just one drop of the liquid.
Tang Hao's eyes widened.
"This…"
He took a step back, surprised, and nodded to the two, confirming they could use it on Ah Yin.
Tianlong extended the vial toward Xiao Bao.
"Go ahead."
Carefully, Xiao Bao hovered above the Blue Silver Empress. He opened his front paws and, with a fluid motion, poured the golden contents over the plant. At the same time, his aura expanded, enveloping Ah Yin in a bluish mist. Tiny specks of light began to swirl around her, like fireflies.
The plant glowed intensely. Its leaves trembled. Roots burrowed deeper into the soil. Then, suddenly, a wave of energy erupted from the ground, enveloping everyone in the clearing.
A figure of pure spiritual energy emerged from the plant's center. A young woman with long blue hair and shining eyes. Her body was translucent, made of pure light, but her smile… was unmistakable.
"Ah Yin…" murmured Tang Hao, his voice choked.
The energy in the air seemed to pulse with life. Ah Yin floated for a few seconds, her eyes wandering over each of them… and then landing on Tang Hao.
She smiled.
Zi Ji observed in silence, her gaze narrowing.
"Her cultivation…" she murmured. "It's increased to 5,000 years."
Tang Hao fell to his knees.
"You're really here…"
The spiritual figure of Ah Yin slowly faded, like mist in the wind. But the plant itself remained, now more vibrant than ever.
Tang Hao rose slowly. He walked to Tianlong, his eyes still teary, and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Thank you."
Tianlong nodded with a faint smile.
"Now… can we go?"
Tang Hao took a deep breath. Then, carefully, he removed the Blue Silver Empress from the soil, wrapping its roots in a spiritual cloth he took from his bag.
"Yes."
He turned, ready to leave. But Tianlong cleared his throat.
"Before we go, there's something you need to know."
Tang Hao stopped. He turned with a more serious look.
"What kind of thing?"
Tianlong crossed his arms.
"The place where we're going to plant her… it's inside a cave."
"And?"
"That cave already has an owner."
Tang Hao frowned.
"Someone from the Spirit Hall?"
Tianlong shook his head, saying no.
"No. It's Dugu Bo. The Poison Douluo."
Tang Hao raised an eyebrow. And then… shrugged.
"Dugu Bo, huh? Shouldn't be a problem. It's not like we're going to rob him."
He turned to the path and added with a faint, ironic smile:
"I just want to plant an Ah Yin in that place. But… if he doesn't agree through dialogue, then I'll handle it another way."
Gu Yuena rolled her eyes. Zi Ji nodded with a faint smile. Tianlong, for his part, remained calm…
…But in his mind, he thought:
"You just want to plant a flower… but I want to steal everything he has in there… Since that was one of the reasons I came here."
"Hehehe."
.....