But as he reviewed his previous life, Tang San realized something incredibly awkward—many of his fortuitous encounters all originated from Xiao Wu!
In his past life, unaware that Xiao Wu was a soul beast, he had recklessly chased after her when she was captured by the Titan Giant Ape. That led him to an encounter with the Man-Faced Demon Spider, which gave him his third spirit ring and his first external spirit bone—Eight Spider Lances!
When obtaining his fourth spirit ring, he chose the Earth Demon Spider. Coincidentally, Xiao Wu was attacked by another Man-Faced Demon Spider, and Tang San absorbed its poison, evolving his Eight Spider Lances even further.
He hadn't known about Xiao Wu's grudge against Spirit Hall. He thought the Yearning Heartbroken Red flower could conceal her soul beast aura, so he brought her with him to the Spirit Master Tournament, feeling at ease. But that triggered a chain of events: Spirit Hall's soul bone prize was won, his bond with Xiao Wu deepened—and Spirit Hall's murderous attention was drawn.
Because of all that, Spirit Hall began hunting Xiao Wu. After returning from the Slaughter City, Tang San gave up his mother's soul bone to save Xiao Wu, letting her escape. Moved to her core, Xiao Wu later sacrificed herself for him.
Thanks to Xiao Wu, Tang San later earned the recognition and sacrifice of the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python—two top-tier soul beasts.
It was also because Xiao Wu had died once that Tang San had a reason to replace his low-year spirit rings, and because Xiao Wu became the scabbard for the Asura God's sword, they were able to achieve Dual God Fusion. Tang San inherited both the Sea God and the Asura God's positions.
In short: Without Xiao Wu, Tang San's path would have been many times more difficult. Whether he could even reach the peak, let alone achieve Dual God Fusion, would've been uncertain!
But now a moral dilemma appeared—
In his past life, Tang San had no idea any of this would happen. He gave everything for Xiao Wu out of pure devotion. The world favored him, and he gained both fame and power. It could be said that he won big, with almost no losses.
But now—he knows everything. He knows Xiao Wu's true identity.
He knows her relationship with the Titan Giant Ape. If she were taken again, would he truly rush to save her with a sincere heart?
He knows the Man-Faced Demon Spider will attack her. Could he just sit there and wait for the moment to "heroically rescue the damsel"?
He knows about her grudge with Spirit Hall. Can he still take her to the Spirit Master Tournament in good conscience?
Because if Xiao Wu never reveals her identity at the tournament, Spirit Hall won't target her. None of the tragedies would unfold. She wouldn't sacrifice herself, and Tang San wouldn't get the 100,000-year sixth spirit ring to show off with.
If Xiao Wu doesn't die for him, he won't have the excuse to replace his weak early soul rings.
And if that never happens, how would Dual God Fusion even be possible?
All of it was built on his wife dying once!
Tang San's young face wrinkled like a withered chrysanthemum in distress.
In his past life, he swore that anyone who wanted to hurt Xiao Wu would have to step over his dead body. He had no knowledge of the future and acted out of love.
But in this life? He knows everything that's going to happen!
Rebirth, to Tang San, was now a test of morality.
If his love for Xiao Wu was truly absolute, he wouldn't ignore her fate. He would never allow her to sacrifice herself again. Knowing what lies ahead, he would find ways to help her avoid it all.
But the truth is… the optimal path in this life was to repeat the past, walk the same road, let Xiao Wu sacrifice herself, let the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python sacrifice themselves, and then use Dual God Fusion to soar to the top.
If he didn't walk this path, his future accomplishments would be far more limited. He might end up rejecting the Sea God's position and only inherit the Asura God's role.
But Tang San wasn't willing to settle for just that!
So between his love for Xiao Wu and his personal ambition, faced with this ethical dilemma, Tang San ultimately chose—
His future!
"I'm sorry, Xiao Wu. But rest assured, once I stand at the peak again, I will never let anyone hurt you again!" Tang San said firmly.
This damn rebirth... looks like he was destined to put on an act for the rest of his life. Still, Tang San swore, his love for Xiao Wu had never wavered.
Notting City Soul Master Academy
In a messy room cluttered with piles of soul master theory materials, a flat-topped youth was slumped over a desk, seemingly asleep. But soon, he awoke with a start.
He stared around in confusion, looking completely bewildered.
That flat-topped man was none other than Yu Xiaogang, the No. 1 theoretical master in the Soul Master world.
"W-Why am I here?"
Out of habit, he stood up and walked to the door. Pushing it open, he folded his hands behind his back, chest puffed out, chin held high—as if nothing in the world could shake him.
But when he saw the sign outside that read "Notting City Soul Master Academy," he froze.
This… this was his old study? This was the place he once lived for a time?
So now… what is this?!
Yu Xiaogang was shocked to realize—his Title Douluo strength at Rank 93, his Golden Holy Dragon Martial Soul—were all gone. All that was left was the 29th rank Grand Soul Master level, and his Martial Soul had reverted to the feeble Luo San Pao?!
His mind turned to mush.
It took him a long time to process what had happened—he had been reborn. Returned to the past!
This was the lowest point of his life: when he had discovered that Liu Erlong, the woman he loved, was actually his cousin. Unable to accept it, he ran away.
He later found shelter at Notting Academy thanks to an old friend, where he muddled through for a time.
And it was here that Yu Xiaogang's fate changed. He accepted Tang San as his disciple, and from there, Tang San skyrocketed to fame under his careful guidance. He became a shining star on the Douluo Continent.
And as the saying goes: "When one man rises, even his chickens and dogs follow." As Tang San's teacher, Yu Xiaogang's name was cleared of the "waste" label. He rose to become the leading authority on soul master theory, and across the continent, he was revered as The Master, the Mentor of the Shrek Gods.
He trained all seven members of Shrek's elite, and became a titan in the academic world.
With Tang San's support, Yu Xiaogang later achieved greatness in combat as well. His Luo San Pao evolved into the Golden Holy Dragon, and he eventually became a Title Douluo.
Strength, fame, wealth, status—in his later years, Yu Xiaogang had everything. That dark past had long been buried in his memory. The friend who helped him through his darkest days—the dean of Notting Academy—had been long forgotten.
And now, standing in the familiar surroundings, as his brain worked through the details like unraveling thread, he finally remembered it all.
(End of Chapter)
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