"Leave. Now!"
Tang Hao's low growl nearly reignited his old wounds, driven by how utterly infuriating his son's words were.
How could he have raised such a fool of a child?
Did he seriously not understand the situation they were in? Of all the people in the world to provoke, he had to choose someone even Tang Hao wasn't confident in defeating.
He's only in his teens… and he acts like he's already a Titled Douluo—or even a god?
If Tang Hao could win, would he even need his son to speak up?
He really had to wonder where this kid got his intelligence from—not from him, clearly…
"…"
Seeing the displeasure on the stranger's face, Tang San reluctantly swallowed his thoughts, turned back, and muttered to Zhao Wuji and the others, "Teacher… we should go."
From the moment this mysterious man had appeared, Zhao Wuji recognized him—Tang San's father, the very same Clear Sky Douluo who had beaten him senseless that night.
When he saw who it was, both he and Tang San had assumed they were safe.
But Tang Hao's strangely cautious behavior now made him suspicious.
Could it be that even someone as strong as the Clear Sky Douluo doesn't have the confidence to beat that youth…?
There was no time to overthink it. Since the Clear Sky Douluo had ordered them to leave, they had to obey. If the enemy was that strong, staying behind would only be a burden.
Shuffling and rustling followed as the Shrek group began to retreat under Tang Hao's protection.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, having tasted the terror of Aether's might firsthand, already understood how lucky they were to have survived.
They kept their heads low, moving quickly, terrified that even the slightest misstep would provoke that terrifying youth.
Tang San, however, kept glancing back at Aether, the hatred in his eyes unmistakable.
"Brother… let it go. He's not someone we can fight right now."
Xiao Wu leaned on Tang San, catching the bitter unwillingness in his eyes.
But so what?
When that young man had flicked her aside so casually, she'd sensed it—an overwhelming aura she couldn't hope to match.
If he'd truly meant to kill them, they'd all be corpses by now.
Even in her pre-transformation days as a soul beast, she wouldn't dare claim she could win.
That was also why, despite initially wanting to summon Da Ming and Er Ming through her soul beast link, she ultimately decided against it.
Now that her soul power had reset after taking human form, even the two of them likely wouldn't change the outcome.
"Yeah, I know," Tang San replied perfunctorily, his thoughts swirling.
This man, a Titled Douluo who seems somehow connected to me, refuses to stand up for me…
Is it because he looks down on me—or because he looks down on my teacher?
Sure, he had technically helped them, but that arrogant dismissal… He has already chosen death.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao remained on high alert, still facing off with Aether.
The boy before him radiated no soul power, yet made his skin crawl with danger.
If only he knew what his son was thinking right now, the stress would've doubled.
"Clear Sky Douluo, huh…"
Aether held his No-Edge Sword across his chest. Judging from the previous exchange, it looked like he'd need to draw on some elemental energy.
His original power had been mysteriously sealed after his battle with the Heavenly Principle, so what remained to him now was the elemental energy from Teyvat.
Moments earlier, he had reached out and found the elemental energy within this Douluo Continent world surprisingly abundant—and, like in Teyvat, very much attuned to him.
"In that case… since you know who I am, can you show me a little respect and let this matter go?" Tang Hao asked cautiously.
Hearing his name, Tang Hao felt a small sense of relief. He was infamous across the continent for his recklessness. Surely this mysterious youth wouldn't fight to the death over something so trivial… right?
"Haha, I only happened to hear of you by chance. As for respect…" Aether chuckled dismissively. "I only respect two kinds of people—my friends and those who are exceptionally strong."
"From what I've seen so far, you remind me a little of a fire-club-wielding hilichurl I met back in Mondstadt."
Fire-club… hilichurl? Mondstadt?
Tang Hao's eyes narrowed in confusion. Was that some powerful fighter from another land?
He could count on one hand the people who rivaled him across the continent. He had never heard of such a name.
That fire-club hilichurl must be some hidden expert, then… like this strange youth before me, probably unknown to the Douluo world.
"In that case, allow me to thank you," Tang Hao said with pride, misinterpreting Aether's words completely.
So I'm one of those exceptionally strong people he respects! Didn't he say I was like that hilichurl expert from Mondstadt?
???
He's thanking me…? For comparing him to a hilichurl…?
Aether was honestly stunned. For a second, he forgot how to respond.
He was already in a bad mood today—and now this guy had the audacity to thank him?
Fine. Time to vent a little. He called forth his Electro element.
Crackle—
Violet arcs of lightning danced across Aether's body. His elemental pendant glowed brilliantly.
"Huh? You're going back on your word?" Tang Hao frowned, instantly sensing the divine pressure in the crackling thunder. He activated his soul power, summoning the Clear Sky Hammer in defense.
"Going back on my word? What word?" Aether looked confused. "Did I say I wouldn't pursue this?"
Tang Hao froze. Wait… wasn't that implied?
"You acknowledged my strength just now—and said I resembled your old friend, that fire… club guy. Doesn't that mean you're giving me face?"
Aether rubbed his temples, beginning to piece it together.
This man… may have misunderstood something very, very badly.
Just then, Paimon piped up from the side.
"Wait, a fire-club hilichurl? You mean those super common monsters? Where are they? I wanna see!"
She darted her eyes around excitedly. She couldn't always remember monster names, but she did remember that massive cauldron in the Mondstadt hilichurl camp. If she could cook with that, she'd be stuffed for a week!
"…You little punk! You mock me!"
Tang Hao's face twisted as realization dawned.
He still didn't know what this strange little floating creature meant by "monster," but the word "common" struck a nerve.
So that fire-club-wielding "expert" wasn't a peer—wasn't a hidden top-tier warrior.
He'd been mocked.
Played like a fool.
He couldn't take it. Not in front of his son. Not from a boy who looked barely past his teens.