SWDnovel Chapter 21 Heaven-Shaking Douluo—Tang Zhenyun!
Chapter 21 Heaven-Shaking Douluo—Tang Zhenyun!
The night was as dark as ink. In the inner courtyard of the Haotian Sect, there was a quiet courtyard.
Tang Zhen lay on the hard wooden bed, his face ashen, his breathing so faint it was almost imperceptible.
His shirt had been unbuttoned, revealing a shocking purplish-black handprint—an old wound left from a fierce battle with an evil spirit master many years ago.
After forcibly activating his soul power to fight against Qian Xunji, he completely erupted, and his days were numbered.
Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, Tang Wei, and Tang Kun stood solemnly by the bedside, their expressions grave.
Tang Kun's chest was wrapped in thick bandages, with faint traces of blood seeping out—the wounds left by Ghost Leopard Douluo's sneak attack.
Tang Xiao's face was filled with grief, while Tang Hao lowered his head, his hands clenched tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.
"Father..." Tang Xiao's voice was hoarse. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to begin.
Tang Zhen slowly opened his eyes.
Those eyes, which once looked down upon the world, are now dim and lifeless, but the majesty and wisdom deep within them remain undiminished.
His gaze slowly swept over the four people beside the bed, finally settling on Tang Hao.
"Hao'er..." Tang Zhen's voice was weak, but unusually clear, "I've heard about what happened to A Yin."
Tang Hao's body trembled violently, and he raised his head, his eyes bloodshot.
"She's a good girl," Tang Zhen said slowly, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
"So what if she's a soul beast? Once she transforms into a human, she's already a human. She was willing to self-destruct for the sake of the sect. The Clear Sky Sect will remember this kindness."
"Father..." Tang Hao's voice choked with emotion.
"You don't need to blame yourself," Tang Zhen interrupted him. "Today's situation is not your fault."
"The Spirit Hall has coveted our sect for a long time. The matter of Ah Yin is just an excuse. Even without her, they would find other reasons to cause trouble."
Tang Zhen turned his gaze to Tang Xiao: "Xiao'er, you are the sect leader. The path ahead is yours to lead everyone."
Tang Xiao knelt on one knee: "Please give your instructions, Father."
"First, investigate the mole within the sect." Tang Zhen's eyes suddenly sharpened. "The Spirit Hall's timing for this operation was too perfect. They received the news the moment you left. There must be a traitor within the sect. Tang Wei will be in charge of this matter. It's better to investigate wrongly than to let one go."
Tang Wei solemnly replied, "Don't worry, Elder Sect Master, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly."
"Second..." Tang Zhen paused, his breathing suddenly becoming rapid, and he coughed up several mouthfuls of dark red blood clots.
Tang Xiao hurriedly stepped forward and used his soul power to smooth his meridians, but Tang Zhen waved his hand to stop him.
"Second, relocate the clan." Tang Zhen said, emphasizing each word.
"This place is no longer safe. Although the Spirit Hall has retreated today, the hatred has been forged, and they will never let it go. The next time they come, it will be with overwhelming force. The Clear Sky Sect... needs time to recuperate."
"Relocate the clan?" The four men's expressions changed simultaneously.
The Haotian Sect has been established for a thousand years, and its foundation is entirely located here.
Moving one's ancestral home means abandoning a thousand-year-old legacy and starting all over again.
"We must relocate." Tang Zhen's tone was resolute. "If we stay here, we can only be passively attacked. The Spirit Hall's influence is spread throughout the continent, and we cannot afford to confront them head-on. Only by leaving their core of power and going to a place that is beyond their reach can the Clear Sky Sect have a chance to breathe and a hope for revival."
Tang Xiao remained silent for a long time before finally nodding emphatically: "I understand."
"Third..." Tang Zhen's gaze fell on Tang Hao again, his eyes full of expectation, "Hao'er, you are the most outstanding genius of the Clear Sky Sect in a hundred years. You became a Title Douluo at the age of forty-four and also obtained a 100,000-year soul ring. Your future is limitless."
"But you must remember," Tang Zhen's voice suddenly turned stern, "the grudge of today must not be forgotten, but it must not be hasty. Although you are strong, you are still no match for Qian Daoliu. The power of a level 99 Limit Douluo is beyond your imagination."
Tang Hao clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white.
"Endure." Tang Zhen stared into his son's eyes. "For the sake of the Clear Sky Sect, for the child Ah Yin left behind, and for your own sake, you must endure. Before you truly possess the strength to contend with Qian Daoliu, do not attempt revenge."
"But..." Tang Hao gritted his teeth, "Ah Yin's grudge..."
"Revenge must be taken, but not now," Tang Zhen said sternly. "If you go to fight the Spirit Hall now, what will you achieve besides throwing your life away? Will you deprive the Clear Sky Sect of its last hope? Will Ah Yin sacrifice herself in vain? Will her child lose its father before it's even born?"
A barrage of questions left Tang Hao speechless.
"Survive, become stronger." Tang Zhen's tone softened. "When you truly stand at the pinnacle of Soul Masters, you can repay today's shame and hatred a hundredfold."
Tang Hao took a deep breath and slowly knelt down: "Your son... will remember your teachings, Father."
Tang Zhen nodded in satisfaction, his gaze finally turning to Tang Kun: "Kun'er, your grandson... is named Tang Yu, right?"
Tang Kun quickly replied, "That's right."
"Innate full soul power, mutated golden Clear Sky Hammer..." A strange light flashed in Tang Zhen's eyes. "Although I did not see it with my own eyes, the fact that Hao'er could be enlightened just by the aura of his martial soul shows that this child is extraordinary."
"You flatter me, Elder Sect Master," Tang Kun said modestly, but his eyes were full of pride.
"Take good care of him," Tang Zhen said solemnly. "The future of the Haotian Sect may lie in these children."
Tang Kun felt a chill run down his spine and nodded emphatically.
After explaining all this, Tang Zhen seemed to have exhausted all his strength.
He slowly closed his eyes, and his breathing gradually faded away.
"Father!" Tang Xiao and Tang Hao exclaimed in unison.
Tang Xiao rushed to the bedside and, trembling, reached out to check Tang Zhen's breath.
A moment later, he slowly knelt down on the ground, his forehead resting on the edge of the bed, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Tang Hao was the same.
Seeing this, Tang Wei and Tang Kun also knelt down on one knee at the same time.
Outside, the sunlight broke through the clouds, and golden rays filled the courtyard.
The once mighty Douluo, Tang Zhen, the previous sect leader of the Haotian Sect, thus perished.
Three days later, the Haotian Sect held a simple yet solemn funeral.
There were no foreign guests invited, no grand celebrations, only the entire clan of over a thousand disciples, dressed in mourning clothes, standing solemnly in front of the ancestral tomb on the back mountain.
Tang Xiao, as the current sect leader of the Haotian Sect, stood at the forefront.
Behind him were three titled Douluo: Tang Hao, Tang Wei, and Tang Kun. Behind them were the hall masters and deacons of the Clear Sky Sect, as well as all the sect disciples.
"Ancestors above, my father Tang Zhen, is being laid to rest in the ancestral mausoleum today." Tang Xiao's voice echoed in the silent valley.
"My father dedicated his entire life to the sect, and even on his deathbed, he was still concerned about its future."
"Today we swear here and now: the thousand-year legacy of the Haotian Sect will never end in our hands. The shame and hatred of today will be repaid a hundredfold in the future!"
"We will repay you a hundredfold!" Thousands of disciples roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
Tang Hao stood behind his elder brother, watching his father's coffin slowly sink into the tomb. There were no tears in his eyes, only an unfathomable coldness.