Chapter 175: Old Tang… Could I Have Lost My Parents?!
"They say the Fire of Life burns within Phoenix Mountain. If we can absorb it, our soul power will greatly increase."
"How do you even know that?" Xie Xie asked curiously, squinting at Le Zhengyu.
"My grandfather told me, of course!"
Before coming to Douluo University, Le Zhengyu's grandfather had warned him about the three-month training mission at Phoenix Mountain—how it might delay his cultivation—and then shared some insights about the area's hidden opportunities.
After all, as commander of the Southern Legion and a high-ranking official of the Federation, his grandfather had access to classified reports concerning the Federation's phoenix search program. The files on Phoenix Mountain's unique environment were within his level of clearance.
Granting his grandson a few "special privileges" was nothing out of place.
"Why are you all staring at me like that?"
Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and the others all turned toward him, their expressions unreadable.
"Nothing," Xie Xie muttered. "Just another privileged brat, that's all."
"Hey! Take that back!"
The two began bickering immediately until their teammates stepped between them. If they kept it up, the team would fall apart before even making progress.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi sighed quietly—both were calm-natured, the steady balance of the group. But now, with one loudmouth troublemaker and another proud know-it-all, it was going to be a lively journey.
The fire in the northern corner of the Blazing Plains looked different from anywhere else.
Though it glowed and danced like normal flame, touching it caused no pain—only a warm, soothing sensation that sank into the skin.
"It's hot—it's hot! It's burning hot!" Xie Xie yelped the moment he put his hand near a fiery stone. "Ow! That's real fire!"
He waved his hand frantically, his expression twisted in pain.
Le Zhengyu chuckled. "Most are Life Flames, but true flames still exist among them."
"Phoenix Mountain borders the Star Dou Forest, and rivers connect directly to the Lake of Life at its core. Influenced by that lake's residual energy, Phoenix Mountain breeds a unique variety of flame—alive and brimming with life force."
Sure enough, when calmly absorbing it, the warmth felt blissful, like soaking in a hot spring.
But suddenly, Tang Wulin's eyes snapped open.
A faint tremor passed through his chest. His heart lurched—something deep within him whispered of loss.
"Old Tang… what's happening to me?"
Within his sea of consciousness, the Tang God King slowly opened his eyes from meditation. He flicked his fingers, divining briefly, then shook his head.
"It's nothing. You're probably just overthinking."
"No, I swear it feels like I've lost something really important."
Tang Wulin frowned. He didn't own much to begin with—what could he lose?
Then his expression froze.
"Important… don't tell me—I've lost my parents?!"
Curse those Evil Soul Masters!
The Tang God King's expression turned instantly black.
Boy, are you even listening to yourself?!
He knew Wulin wasn't referring to him, but even so, the phrasing hurt.
Wulin clenched his fists—he was certain it was the Cult's doing. They must have gone after his parents again.
Those damned heretics!
I'll wipe out every Evil Soul Master on the continent one day!
"…Calm yourself," Tang San said quietly, studying the threads of fate.
In truth, nothing had happened. Wulin's foster parents were safe. He had marked them with his divine seal; if they died, their souls would instantly reach him, the inheritor of the realm itself.
When the Divine Realm returned, they would live again.
It was part of his plan—a safeguard and, dare he say, a necessary lesson for Wulin's growth.
Of course, not referring to his true parents… those were another matter entirely.
"You're fine," Tang San told him. "You're just imagining things."
"Maybe…" Tang Wulin sighed, trying to laugh it off.
But before he could relax, a booming roar thundered from far away.
Near a volcano at the Blazing Plains' northern ridge, bolts of lightning struck in rapid succession. The explosions were deafening, shaking the air and forcing nearby soul masters to cover their ears.
Streams of purple lightning crashed into the molten crater, triggering violent tremors as the volcano threatened to erupt.
Around its base, several ice-type soul masters poured frigid energy into the earth to freeze the lava in place.
Dozens of black-robed, hooded figures formed a ritual circle around the volcano. At its center stood a colossal violet wolf, electricity crackling across its fur.
Seventh Soul Skill—Martial Soul True Body.
The oppressive presence of a Titled Douluo filled the sky.
Evil Soul Masters.
Holy Spirit Cult.
They had come to Phoenix Mountain again!
Did they not know the Federation had heavily fortified this area?
Clearly, they'd decided that this phoenix—this divine creature—was worth any risk.
The Thunder Wolf Douluo, his voice booming like contained thunder, barked coldly into the magma below.
"Stop resisting!"
"You can't escape me. I won't show mercy like the last fool who faced you. Life or death—it doesn't matter. The choice is yours."
"Beast! Will you live—or will you die?"
Silence. The magma only bubbled like boiling blood.
"Fine," the elder snarled. "Three… two… one!"
His face darkened.
"So be it. Foolish creature—you reject kindness, you'll taste my wrath instead!"
"Ninth Soul Skill—Soul-Devouring Heavenly Thunder!"
A thunder pillar as thick as a water tank crashed down into the volcano, filling it with blinding light.
A shriek echoed—piercing, heartbroken.
A pair of blazing crimson wings burst from the molten crater, momentarily revealing the shape of an enormous fiery being—before it plunged back into the magma.
"Is it dead?" a cultist whispered nervously. "The Lord won't be pleased if—"
"Silence!" the elder snapped. "A beast for sacrifice doesn't need to live comfortably! Half-dead is still alive enough!"
Still, the noise had surely drawn attention.
If the Federation arrived, everything would be ruined.
He whistled sharply.
"All units—attack! Drag that beast out now!"
A hundred Evil Soul Masters charged, malicious energy flooding the volcano like ink.
Within the chaos of the Blazing Plains, Tang Wulin froze mid-conversation.
A faint, crystal-clear voice echoed inside his mind.
"Help… me…"
The blood of the Golden Dragon within him roared awake, his veins burning gold.
That one fragile plea had stirred his very soul.
"Old Tang! What was that?!"
Again, the cry resounded, growing weaker.
"Help… me…"
The Golden Dragon King's bloodline surged uncontrollably; even its divine seal began to tremble.
"Hmph!"
Tang San snorted sharply. Deep within Wulin's consciousness, the Sea God's Trident pulsed with cerulean light, suppressing the rebellious bloodline once more.
"…Not certain yet," Tang San murmured. "But I have a feeling—I know exactly what this is."
His gaze turned distant, sharp as divine lightning.
"This must be the phoenix you're all looking for."
(END CHAPTER)
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