Chapter 86: 103. Ah Yin's Sacrifice
Tang Tian summoned his Clear Sky Hammer, nine brilliant rings circling his body. Pointing the massive hammer toward Tang Hao, he bellowed, "Force you? You shame the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Hao! For this soul beast, you murdered your own brothers. For this soul beast, you threw away the sect's honor and bore a child with it! And you dare say the Clear Sky Sect forced you?"
Left without a choice, Tang Hao also called forth his Clear Sky Hammer, shouting, "Father, step aside! I don't want to fight you, nor do I want to harm you!"
"How amusing," Tang Tian replied coldly. "You think you can harm me? Tang Hao, you have a mere eight rings. What gives you the courage to speak that way to a Titled Douluo? Today, as your father, I'll teach you a lesson."
The tension between father and son was on the verge of exploding when—
"Wait!"
Ah Yin suddenly stepped forward, her voice slicing through the standoff.
Both men stopped, their eyes immediately turning toward her.
"You witch!" Tang Tian growled, his eyes red with fury. "You bewitched both of my sons into fighting each other, and you seduced my younger one into mating with you. What excuse could you possibly offer?"
Ah Yin gave a cold, bitter smile. "You think I bewitched your son into lying with me?"
"Isn't that the truth?" Tang Tian retorted.
Ah Yin sneered. "The real truth, I'm afraid, only your beastly son knows."
Turning to Tang Hao, her expression hardened. "You've been running everywhere, deliberately provoking Spirit Hall, the most powerful organization of Titled Douluo on the continent. You've found every fancy excuse imaginable—but all of it was just to get my soul ring and soul bone. And now look at you: instead of bringing Spirit Hall down on your head, you've drawn your sect into hunting you. What a pitiful farce!"
"Ah Yin, it's not like that!" Tang Hao said hurriedly.
"Don't take me for a fool," she said coldly. "You may have sealed my soul power, but don't forget—I am the Blue Silver Empress. Every blade of blue silver grass under heaven can serve as my eyes and ears."
"Since you want my soul ring and soul bone so badly… I'll give them to you." Her gaze softened as she turned toward Tang San. "None of your sect's people wish for him to live. But I want him to. Take him, protect him, and I'll offer myself to you in sacrifice."
Ah Yin looked down at the chubby infant in her arms. Somewhere along the way, the disgust she'd once felt had faded. Somehow, this small, ugly child had come to hold a place of weight in her heart.
With tears trembling in her eyes, she gently pushed Tang San into Tang Hao's arms.
"Ah Yin, you don't have to do this! I can still fight our way out!" Tang Hao pleaded, taking the baby.
"Ha…" she laughed faintly, her voice filled with sorrow. "I know what you're thinking. Tang Hao, promise me—take Tang San and run. Let him live. In return, I'll give you everything."
"Ah Yin—" Tang Hao faltered.
"Stop stalling! Do you agree or not?!" she snapped harshly.
"Yes, yes—I agree!" Tang Hao replied quickly.
Without another word, Ah Yin's body glowed as a blood-red domain of sacrifice spread outward. From the ground, blue silver vines sprouted and coiled around Tang Hao and Tang San.
Tears fell from Tang Hao's eyes. Once again, fate had brought them to this end. Once again, he had to accept Ah Yin's final gift with grief hidden behind his eyes.
He cried out mournfully, "Ah Yin, no—!"
(But within, he was thinking: At last. Again, I receive her ring and bone with tears—Ah Yin, pour your love into me, become one with my hammer. I'll make good use of your sacrifice…)
Nearby, Tang Tian and the Clear Sky disciples watched the rare and awe-inspiring sight of a soul beast's voluntary sacrifice.
"Sect Master, should we stop them?" one disciple asked nervously.
"Stop them? And how exactly do you plan to stop a sacrifice in progress?" Tang Tian snapped. "Once it begins, no one can interrupt it."
Besides, Tang Xiao was crippled, leaving Tang Hao as his only heir. Unaware of the massacre that had taken place within the valley, Tang Tian intended to bring Tang Hao back to inherit the sect. As a father, he had no reason to ruin his son's fortune.
Tang Hao nearly spread his arms in bliss as he stood bathed in the crimson light, ready to welcome the ninth and final ring. But then—
"Ah Yin, no—!"
A voice echoed from a path among the rocks, filled with desperation.
Ah Yin, Tang Hao, and Tang Tian all turned instinctively toward the sound.
There, emerging from a side path, was a half-paralyzed man pushing himself forward in a wheelchair.
When Tang Hao recognized him, his expression sank like iron. "Tang Xiao!"
"Xiao, you're here," Tang Tian said in surprise.
"Brother Xiao!" Ah Yin exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with joy. In that instant, Tang San seemed to fade from her mind; before Tang Xiao, even her son appeared insignificant.
"Ah Yin, stop! Don't do this!" Tang Xiao cried, staring at the glowing sacrificial aura surrounding her. His face twisted with anguish.
"Brother Xiao… I'm sorry," Ah Yin said, tears falling. "My body is already tainted—defiled by that beast Tang Hao. I even bore his bastard child…"
"It doesn't matter," Tang Xiao said quickly, his voice trembling. "No matter what's happened, I still love you."
"You—" Tang Tian's veins bulged with rage. Both of my sons? Both disgusting masochists for the same soul beast?!
Tang Hao clenched his fists in jealous fury. Even now… even now, her heart is still with Tang Xiao. Why?! After all I've done… why!?
The domain of sacrifice devoured Ah Yin's body faster and faster. Tang Xiao struggled to wheel himself closer, but the powerful energy field repelled him instantly.
Not even a Titled Douluo could halt a soul beast's sacrifice—what hope did a cripple have?
"It's useless, Brother Xiao," Ah Yin said softly, tears streaming. "Once the offering begins, it can't be stopped."
Watching them, separated by the shimmering field, pouring out their hearts to one another, Tang Hao's mind twisted in jealousy. Yet when he heard Ah Yin's final words, his bitterness turned to smug satisfaction. Tang Xiao, you may have her heart, but her body belongs to me. She bore me a son, and her power will soon become mine. When my son ascends to godhood, even her heart will be mine. You'll die as nothing more than a crippled loser.
But then—Ah Yin's voice rang out once more, cutting through his thoughts.
"However," she said, her tone calm but chilling, "the target of my sacrifice… can be changed."
(END CHAPTER)
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