BTTH : Emperor Yang

Back then, in the eyes of the Hall of Souls’s upper echelon, Xiao Yan, Yao Lao, and even Wei Yang were nothing more than insignificant ants, far too trivial to warrant attention.

Yet in the blink of an eye, those ants from the past had suddenly grown into monstrous existences that even the entire Hall of Souls now felt helpless against.

By the time the Hall of Souls finally began to take them seriously, those three had already reached a level that could no longer be easily shaken. Looking back on that growth speed now, it felt like a dream—one that left behind nothing but endless regret.

If only they had taken the matter seriously back then. Just sending out a single Ban Sheng would have been enough to erase them early on. How could things have ended up like this?

”Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame will reappear before long. When that time comes, the Hall Master will definitely make a move. If the clan can obtain the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, the plan will advance significantly, which can be considered compensation for losing the Human Hall.”

”Let’s return and inform the Hall Master first.”

The Hall of Souls’s Vice Hall Master’s eyes flickered rapidly. A moment later, the space around him rippled, and his figure slowly faded away.

”The last time we competed for the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame and failed, our Hun Clan’s grand plan was forced to be delayed. This time, our Hun Clan must obtain it.”

”Once it’s in our hands, we no longer need to abide by that so-called Ancient Clans Pact. By then, once our clan’s true powerhouses act, Falling Star Pavilion will be wiped out entirely!”

”Hmph, Xiao Yan, Wei Yang, you two just wait. My Hun Clan repays every slight. You destroyed our Human Hall—next time, we will destroy your Falling Star Pavilion.”

His fading figure disappeared into the horizon, leaving behind only a cold, venomous whisper lingering in the air for a long time.

Although the destruction of the Hall of Souls’s Human Hall hadn’t been publicly announced, a shock of this magnitude was impossible to keep hidden forever.

Thus, about half a month later, the news spread across the entirety of Central Plains like it had sprouted wings, causing a massive uproar. The original source of the rumor could no longer be traced, but countless powerhouses confirmed the truth.

This was no different from dropping a heavy bomb into a deep, still lake—sending towering waves crashing across the Central Plains. Among all major forces, none understood the Hall of Souls’s terrifying strength better.

That giant had ruled over the Central Plains with unmatched dominance. Even the Pill Tower had repeatedly suffered losses when clashing with them. So despite many factions being oppressed by the Hall of Souls in the past, none dared to retaliate.

All they could do was swallow the hatred and endure in silence. Now, hearing this explosive news, many couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

The one capable of annihilating one of the Hall of Souls’s Three Heaven Gang Halls instantly became the focus of attention. People everywhere were guessing which mighty existence had made the move.

Destroying the Human Hall—one of the Heaven Gang Three Halls—was a feat even the Pill Tower had never achieved in past battles. However, though rumors flew in every direction, no concrete information surfaced.

The parties involved did not step forward to claim anything, leaving many disappointed. What shocked people even more was that the Hall of Souls remained strangely silent about the matter. No retaliation. No outrage. Nothing.

This was extremely unusual.

With the Hall of Souls’s usual behavior, how could this be?

There was only one possibility—the one who made the move was someone even the Hall of Souls didn’t dare provoke. In the days that followed, the atmosphere across the Central Plains grew subtly oppressive.

Many major forces chose to withdraw behind their mountain gates, quietly observing developments.

A heavy, storm-before-the-storm tension spread across the land. Everyone could sense it—a world-shaking battle might erupt at any moment.

”Oh? Xiao Yan chose to strike at the Human Hall?”

Above a city, Wei Yang and Ah Da hid within the spatial layers, their gazes drifting across the city below.

Countless whispers reached their ears clearly.

They had already returned to the region near Falling Star Pavilion. Passing by this city, they casually swept their senses across it and happened to overhear the situation, so they paused. After listening for a moment, they understood what had happened.

The outside world might not know who destroyed the Human Hall, but Wei Yang naturally did. It was definitely done by their Falling Star Pavilion.

”Shame I wasn’t there. The souls of all those Hall of Souls powerhouses would’ve been such a feast,” Ah Da said, licking his lips regretfully.

”I don’t know about the ordinary ones, but those few Hall of Souls Tian Zun souls definitely didn’t get away. Xiao Yan probably gathered them up before leaving. If you want them, just ask him when we get back,” Wei Yang said with a sideways glance.

Small fry like this—one look and he knew exactly what Ah Da was craving.

”Thank you, Master!” Ah Da’s eyes lit up with excitement. He bowed deeply.

That single sentence was all he needed. With that permission, he could boldly ask Xiao Yan for them.

After stepping into Ban Sheng, Ah Da was far from satisfied. He wanted to break into Dou Sheng next. How could he not fight for every opportunity?

”You having a goal is a good thing. Since you want to work hard, anything I can help with, I naturally won’t hold back,” Wei Yang waved his sleeve. ”Come on, let’s go back.”

Space twisted slightly, and the two of them vanished.

The next moment—

Above the Star Realm.

High in the azure sky, clouds drifted lazily, and the warm sunlight spilled down like a gentle tide, filling the world with a relaxed, drowsy atmosphere.

Shhh!

In the silent sky, ripples spread layer by layer, and two black-clad figures stepped out from within the spatial distortion.

It was Wei Yang and Ah Da.

As soon as they appeared, Wei Yang scanned the outer perimeter of the Star Realm. Sensing no abnormalities, he nodded lightly. Then his brows rose slightly.

It seemed the Hall of Souls had truly chosen to swallow this loss for now?

Relief loosened his chest a little, but at the same time, a heavier feeling settled in. For the Hall of Souls to endure such massive losses without retaliating... there was only one possibility—they had something even more important to focus on.

Shi Clan, Yao Clan, Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame...?

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, he didn’t linger. He stepped forward toward the spatial barrier of the Star Realm. Like passing through a curtain of water, the barrier rippled, and their figures slipped inside.

Back Mountain of the Star Realm.

”Daddy!”

Wei Yang looked at the little girl diving toward him with black-and-white Dou Qi wings flapping behind her.

A rare warmth softened his expression as he opened his arms. He caught Wei Shuo’s tiny body mid-pounce, and a wave of gentle warmth flooded his heart. This little cotton-padded jacket really was unbelievably sweet and clingy.

He had just thought that when—the little cotton-padded jacket instantly changed faces. She frowned, puffed her cheeks, grabbed his face with her soft little hands, and glared at him.

”Daddy, you’re the worst! You lied! You said you’d be back soon, but you were gone for half a year! I’m mad at you!”

”Oh? Shuo’er is mad at Daddy?” Wei Yang chuckled. ”Then Daddy brought Shuo’er a present. Do you still want it?”

”Yes.”

The little one nodded hard without hesitating even a breath.

The moment she heard gift, the joy in her eyes almost spilled out. Yet she still put on a serious expression and declared, ”Being mad is being mad, but I’m still taking the gift.”

Wei Yang couldn’t help laughing. He pinched her small nose.

”What kind of twisted logic is that? Who taught you that? Once you take Daddy’s gift, you can’t stay mad anymore.”

”Mm... fine. Then I’ll forgive Daddy this once. Only this one time,” she said, as if showing great generosity, while still emphasizing every word.

”You little brat. All you know is how to be sneaky and act cute to your dad,” Wei Yang teased, giving her a playful smack on the butt. ”With how mischievous you are, who’s going to dare marry you when you grow up?”

”Giggle— I don’t want to get married anyway!”

The little girl clung to Wei Yang like a baby koala, twisting around and laughing nonstop, her tiny head burrowing into his chest again and again.

**