Tang San clenched her fists, her eyes burning red.
She looked ready to kill. The healing power—she could guess its source. It was Xiao Yexuan.
That damned Xiao Yexuan had shown up at the most critical moment, stopping Xiao Wu from sacrificing herself.
However, the person who stepped out of the void next left Tang San utterly stunned.
It was a woman in a white dress, appearing to be around thirty years old, with long azure hair cascading down her back.
She was the epitome of heaven and earth's beauty, as if she were the center of the universe—so breathtaking that everything else paled in comparison.
Tang San was all too familiar with this person.
This was clearly her mother, the Blue Silver Emperor—A'yin.
Why?
Tang San's mind was filled with confusion. Why had her own mother stopped Xiao Wu from sacrificing herself?
And Xiao Yexuan wasn't even here.
But soon, Tang San realized this might actually be a good thing.
Her mother wasn't powerless—in fact, she was incredibly strong.
She must have sensed Tang San's danger and come to help.
In a way, she had also saved Xiao Wu.
Even if Tang San didn't get Xiao Wu's sacrifice, she had already seen Xiao Wu's true loyalty. From now on, Xiao Wu would be her obedient dog. A 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone? They were as good as hers.
Overjoyed, Tang San put on a look of happiness and surprise, calling out to A'yin:
"Mom! It's so great that you came just in time! Otherwise, Xiao Wu and I would have been in danger… Mom… how did you become so strong?"
A'yin's presence radiated the overwhelming aura of a 100,000-year soul beast. The Giant Palm Black Tiger, a mere 10,000-year soul beast, instantly shrank back like a frightened kitten.
It didn't dare attack Tang San anymore.
Of course, the Giant Palm Black Tiger's fear was mostly due to Xiao Yexuan.
Tiger-type soul beasts were ferocious by nature—why would they fear a grass and a rabbit?
If anything, it would've devoured them to boost its own cultivation.
Seeing Tang San's smile, A'yin felt sick to her stomach.
How could such a disgusting person still call her Mom? A'yin had never had a daughter like this!
Her face twisted in disgust as she spat out:
"Tang San, I don't have a daughter like you. I never imagined you'd stoop so low as to trick Xiao Wu into sacrificing herself. She trusted you so much, was willing to do anything for you—and you manipulated her… You… I regret ever giving birth to you!"
Tang San frowned. The moment she saw A'yin's disgusted look, she knew something was wrong.
Her first thought? This A'yin was fake. Her gentle, loving mother would never treat her like this.
It had to be an imposter. Absolutely.
Without hesitation, Tang San raised her arm—and a poisoned needle shot from her sleeve.
The needle was nearly invisible. A'yin didn't even notice it at first.
Only when it was less than half a meter away did A'yin's expression turn to panic.
Whatever this thing was, it carried a terrifying power—enough to kill or severely injure her if it hit.
Luckily, Xiao Yexuan had been watching the whole time.
He knew Tang San's nature. The moment she raised her arm, he knew what she was planning.
Back when Tang San was six, she had done the same to the gatekeeper and Yu Xiaogang.
If either of them had said the wrong thing back then, they would've been killed on the spot.
So Xiao Yexuan knew Tang San was trying to murder A'yin.
With his strength and the fact that this was his territory, Xiao Yexuan easily spotted the hidden weapon and blocked it, saving A'yin.
Even if A'yin had been hit, Xiao Yexuan could've healed her instantly.
Tang San's face twisted with vicious satisfaction, as if the attack had already succeeded.
She just needed to grab Xiao Wu and escape. With Xiao Wu's infatuation, getting her to sacrifice herself again would be child's play.
But when she saw the poisoned needle frozen in midair, inches from A'yin's face, Tang San froze.
Her sure-kill move—blocked? Impossible!
"Third Brother! Run, get out of here!"
Xiao Wu had been awakened by Xiao Yexuan the moment Tang San raised her arm. She saw the hidden weapon too.
But her 100,000-year-old love-struck brain ignored the details. All she cared about was helping Tang San escape. Now that she had regained some strength, she believed she could hold off their pursuers.
But could Tang San really escape?
When Xiao Yexuan stepped out of the shadows with a smirk, both Tang San and Xiao Wu despaired.
If Xiao Wu could self-destruct, she would've done it already. But against Xiao Yexuan, she was powerless.
It was as if he held their very fates in his hands.
"What a wonderful performance today. Tang San, I must say—I'm impressed by your acting skills! Truly! Impressed!"
Xiao Yexuan clapped slowly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Tang San's face darkened. She wasn't stupid—in fact, she was cunning.
The moment Xiao Yexuan appeared, she realized her every move had been anticipated. Even her earlier escape had been allowed by him.
"Tang San, you've disappointed me deeply. If not for Xiao Yexuan showing me the truth today, I would've remained in the dark forever!" A'yin shook her head in despair.
Tang San glanced at A'yin. Now she was certain—this was the same mother who had been with her these past few days.
She could sense the familiar aura.
Her fists clenched. The evidence was undeniable—she had no defense.
But instead of remorse, Tang San glared at A'yin with pure hatred. Her own mother, siding with Xiao Yexuan to betray her?
She deserved death. How could Tang San have ever trusted her?
A'yin saw the hatred in Tang San's eyes and felt even more disappointed.
She had merely exposed Tang San's true nature and cut ties—yet Tang San reacted with murderous rage.
Truly, a dark and twisted soul.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yexuan glanced at A'yin. What had she just said?
She called him by his full name?
The bet was settled—A'yin had lost. And the price was becoming Xiao Yexuan's most loyal wife.
As his wife, she had no right to be so formal.
So Xiao Yexuan reached out and delivered a sharp smack to A'yin's backside.
"A'yin, what did you just call me? I don't like that. Get on your hands and knees—I'll teach you some manners!"
"Ah! Master… I-I won't do it again…" A'yin winced in pain but didn't want to be punished, especially not in front of others.
"Hmph! Double punishment!" Xiao Yexuan showed no mercy.
A'yin forced a bitter smile. Helpless, she lowered herself to the ground…
…and raised her hips obediently.
.....