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Chapter 240 Blood Echoes in the Heart Abyss Prove Kinship, Jade Mirror Reflects the Heavenly Melody in the Netherworld [Two-in-One]

Night settled in the embers of celebration.

The bonfire in the square of Hufeng City was reduced to a dim, red glow.

The flickering, scattered sparks of fire illuminated the newly renovated city wall, and also reflected Tang Hao's bewildered and helpless heart.

He returned to the spacious guest room that had been assigned to him, almost instinctively.

Push the door open, then close it.

He slid down against the cold door panel until he fell to the floor.

The dazzling starlight outside shone through the windowpane, casting a silvery glow, but it could not illuminate the chaos and turmoil in his eyes.

In his mind, Feng Mingyue's chanting melody, as clear as a spring, perfectly overlapped with the deepest, most obscure memory he had recalled during his foundation-building phase—a humming that, while enduring extreme pain, was also filled with infinite comfort and reluctance.

Each note was like a heavy hammer, slamming into the walls of his memory and breaking open the long-sealed passage.

Dim, without light.

Only that melody... and... the longing for a warm embrace.

The coldness and fear that followed the sudden loss... then came the discomfort of being forcibly stripped away and enveloped by unfamiliar surroundings...

More than a month of chaos... the turning point in the light of memory...

"Mother……"

This word, which had never truly taken on a concrete form, now carried a heavy, suffocating weight on his heart.

Having transmigrated to this world, and after confirming that he had no blood relation to the Tang family and that even the original owner's birth mother seemed to have already passed away.

To be honest, Tang Hao's first reaction wasn't sadness, but rather a quiet sense of relief.

But now, I suddenly discovered that my mother is still alive and well, and I even have an uncle. This is truly...

He felt not only disorientation, but also a sudden change in cause and effect.

"Saintess Feng Mingyue...my...mother?"

Tang Hao's lips moved silently, his fingertips digging deeply into his palm.

The sharp, stinging pain was enough to barely suppress the roar that was about to burst from his throat.

In his mind, he couldn't help but recall the plans and arrangements of the old Duke Rongguo, Tang Ling.

He finally understood why the other party was so determined to seize his identity using the Blood Pool Reincarnation Technique.

He actually wanted to obtain the Chenghuang bloodline from his biological mother and, together with the Tang family, pass on this "family bloodline"!
In an instant, anger surged through his veins like molten lava, threatening to consume him completely.

"boom--!"

It wasn't a real voice, but rather the dormant Chenghuang bloodline within him, which suddenly erupted like a sleeping volcano.

An ancient and majestic aura spread uncontrollably, a faint golden light emanated from its body, and a pair of illusory horns even flashed by on its back.

At the altar at the bottom of the sacred spring, during the days of guarding Feng Mingyue.

After confirming that her ball of [Primordial Holy Water] was sufficient, Tang Hao refined the replica reward, which he had reserved as a precaution, into his bloodline.

I never expected that I would completely refine my past tonight after learning about it.

It can be said that the purity of his Huang bloodline is now comparable to that of Feng Mingyang.

The only downside is that, at this critical juncture, the raging flames of his bloodline are pushing Tang Hao's sanity to the brink of collapse.

He still vividly remembered the scene when, during the time he was at the Free and Unfettered Sword Sect, his bloodline reached its limit and he couldn't control himself, so he angrily confronted Shi Yuechan.

Tang Hao gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse like the grinding of sand, filled with deep-seated hatred: "Tang Ling... the Rongguo Duke's Mansion... so ruthless! So vicious! Truly excellent!"

Originally, he only intended to let Tang Ling die peacefully of old age, and he didn't intend to do anything to those "brothers and sisters".

But now it seems very necessary for me to ensure that the Tang family bloodline continues "properly"!
Almost simultaneously, the space around him rippled like water, and two figures silently appeared.

One was charming and alluring, the other aloof and ethereal; they were Bai Jue and Yan Yumin.

Bai Jue's eyes flickered with a mixture of understanding and confusion, revealing a complex and contradictory expression.

"Just now... I heard the conversation between the Feng siblings very clearly. Could it be that my younger brother was stimulated and, with his bloodline pulsating, has undergone a further transformation?"

Yan Yumin frowned, her eyes filled with worry.

Her voice, though seemingly cold, was as gentle as a spring breeze, soothing the tension in Tang Hao's heart: "We were a little worried, so we secretly followed you when you went out. Are you... alright?"

She knelt down and gently placed her slender fingers on Tang Hao's violently trembling shoulders.

A gentle, peaceful water-based magical energy quietly flowed in, attempting to soothe his rampaging bloodline power and his emotions on the verge of collapse.

Tang Hao's body suddenly trembled, and he realized their presence.

He looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock, pain, and a hint of embarrassment at having his secret exposed: "You...you all heard it? You...you all know?"

“The underground cell, the Mother-Child River, Feng Mingyang’s speculation, and the wine jug you smashed.” Bai Jue nodded slightly, a look of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

Her tone was calm and insightful: "This matter... is indeed too shocking, but with your older sister here, I will never let you bear it alone."

Yan Yumin placed her other hand on Tang Hao's cold hand, her voice firm and resolute.

Who you are is determined by your heart, not by blood! We will always stand by your side.

The two women exchanged a glance. They were already of one mind, and in that exchange of eyes, they had already completed a great deal of information exchange.

Bai Jue: "Yu Mian, do you still remember that old Chenghuang we encountered when we first arrived in the Northern Region of the Eastern Wilderness, severely injured and on the verge of death?"

Yan Yumin: "Of course I remember. At that time, she was already the totem symbol of the Hufeng clan. Although her aura was weak, her divinity remained. She saved our lives and guided us with her bloodline supernatural powers to help us rebuild our foundation."

The yellow horse was not only their benefactor, but also their mentor.

Bai Jue: "Yes, on my deathbed, I made a soul contract with her, swearing on my path that if the Hufeng clan were to be wiped out, I would take action to protect the royal bloodline's chance of survival without endangering my own life."

Yan Yumin was stunned for a moment: "How come I didn't know about this?"

Bai Jue: "When you perished back then, that contract, along with your memories, remained in my body. Otherwise, you probably wouldn't have been able to reincarnate successfully."

Unconsciously glancing at Bai Jue's rear end, Yan Yumin suddenly realized why he was willing to sacrifice one of his tails to seal the [Skin Thief].

She had previously thought it was just out of gratitude for Cheng Huang's kindness back then.

Yan Yumin's heart stirred, and she suddenly realized, "This matter can be considered an ancient and steadfast bond. Could it be that there is something between us and Tang Hao..."

“That’s right, that’s what I think too. The extraordinary bond between us might originate from this.” Bai Jue knew what she meant.

Yan Yumin: "Although this contract is inside your body, we were originally one. I can sense it, and that makes sense, but..."

Why were Feng Mingyang and Feng Mingyue not included, but Tang Hao was?
However, as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she came up with a reasonable explanation.

"He is the son of Feng Mingyue, the Holy Maiden of the Hufeng Clan, and the nephew of the current clan leader, Feng Mingyang. This identity naturally places him within the core bloodline of the Hufeng royal family."

"Moreover, he is also the disciple of True Monarch Jingguang. With this background combined with his bloodline identity, it can be said that Tang Hao is the only person who can truly connect and influence the two enormous forces and determine the future fate of the Hufeng Clan!"

In this way, their bond with Tang Hao... is indeed beyond what the two of them had previously understood.

Bai Jue's gaze fell on Tang Hao, growing increasingly profound.

“Indeed, the bloodline contract has long linked me with the Hufeng royal family. When Tang Hao appeared, possessing the blood of Chenghuang, that strange feeling originating from the depths of my soul quietly arose.”

"I always thought it was just about him personally... I never imagined that this feeling was also a silent guidance from the contract to me." Bai Jue said this with a hint of uncertainty.

She carefully recalled the scene when they first met and vaguely felt that the throbbing deep in her soul did not stem from any contract.

But... if it doesn't originate from here, where else could it come from?
Was it really love at first sight? Bai Jue didn't think so, but since there were no other clues at the moment, he could only assume it was.

Now that the contract's target is Tang Hao... protecting him is fulfilling their vow to Cheng Huang, and even more so, protecting the future hope of the Hufeng clan. This... perfectly aligns with their true feelings!
The two women exchanged another glance, thinking to themselves: No matter what lies ahead, we will definitely protect him.

Tang Hao didn't notice their deeper conversation, but the unwavering support and protection in Bai Jue and Yan Yumin's eyes were clearly conveyed.

Like a faint yet tenacious ray of light, it suddenly opened a crack in his bewildered inner world.

However, the truth about his mother, the family conspiracy, and the heavy burden of blood ties—these overwhelming pieces of information continued to tear him apart.

He took a deep breath, the icy air stinging his lungs. Forcibly suppressing the churning blood in his veins, he slowly closed his eyes: "I... need time."

Her voice was utterly exhausted.

Bai Jue and Yan Yumin remained silent, simply staying by his side.

The only sounds in the room were Tang Hao's heavy breathing and the distant chirping of insects outside the window, creating a somber silhouette.

Silent all night.

The first rays of dawn dispelled the last wisps of mist over Hufeng City.

Tang Hao was already sitting cross-legged on the futon by the window.

He appeared to be regulating his breathing, but his eyes held a dark, suppressed depth.

Calm on the surface, turbulent beneath.

The power of bloodline has been forcibly suppressed.

But the dark circles under his eyes and the fine lines etched between his brows all testify to the torment he endured last night.

"Tuk Tuk Tuk!"

The knocking was neither too loud nor too soft, carrying an indescribable sense of caution.

Tang Hao opened his eyes, and in the depths of the dark current, a cold light seemed to flash and disappear.

After taking a deep breath, he waved his hand to remove the simple restrictions placed inside the room.

"Please come in!"

The door was pushed open, and Feng Mingyang walked in alone.

He had changed out of his patriarchal attire and was now wearing a light blue outfit commonly seen in the Hufeng clan.

However, the majesty befitting a Nascent Soul cultivator and the composure of a clan leader were still difficult to conceal.

But at this moment, his gaze toward Tang Hao was extremely complicated.

Exploration, anticipation, reluctance... and a hint of barely perceptible tension and trepidation.

"Fellow Daoist Tang!" Feng Mingyang tried his best to make his voice sound calm.

He used the same address he always used, yet it inexplicably carried a hint of deliberate politeness: "Did you sleep well last night?"

Tang Hao stood up and nodded slightly.

The breakdown of last night was no longer visible on his face, only an almost icy calm remained: "I'm alright, is there something you need, senior?"

Walking to the table, Feng Mingyang poured himself a glass of water.

His fingertips unconsciously twirled his sleeve: "I don't come here without a reason. There are indeed some things I'd like to discuss with you, fellow Daoist."

He paused, his sharp gaze locking onto Tang Hao as if he were examining the most exquisite magical treasure.

"Your revelation of your Huang bloodline, your purification of the sacred spring, and your rescue of my sister have shaken our entire clan, and I myself am deeply grateful. However..."

He then changed the subject, his tone becoming more inquisitive.

"The Chenghuang bloodline is pure and vast, extraordinary. Our clan has passed it down for countless years. Apart from the sacred beasts and the most core direct descendants, no one else can possess such a pure bloodline. I wonder where your bloodline comes from?"

A test... has begun!
Tang Hao chuckled inwardly.

Although he did not hear Feng Mingyang and Bai Jue's conversation last night, according to Bai Jue's account, they should have basically confirmed their identities.

At this moment, the other party is pretending not to know and indirectly inquiring about the origin of their bloodline, which is indeed a bit difficult to bear...

Is it because they are wary of his status as a true disciple of the Qinghua Sect?

Or are you worried that a sudden reunion with family will have a greater impact on him?

Tang Hao looked up and met Feng Mingyang's probing gaze.

There was no panic in his eyes, only a bottomless abyss.

"The awakening of bloodline has a mysterious timing."

Tang Hao's voice was calm and even, and he spoke with ease, using a mix of truth and falsehood to cleverly conceal his mysterious cheat ability within the events.

When facing a great cultivator, he always speaks only the "truth" and would never deceive anyone.

After all, once you reach the Nascent Soul level, under normal circumstances, the other party can easily tell whether what you say is true or false.

"I still remember that underground cave in the Rongguo Duke's Mansion in Shengjing, where you and I found the strange amber that sealed the Holy Maiden Daoist. I found the amber to be extraordinary and even touched it with my hand..."

Feng Mingyang naturally remembered that scene, but when he thought of what his sister had said about the past yesterday, his fists clenched slightly.

Noticing this, Tang Hao paused for a moment before continuing.

"Not long after you left, a strange power entered my bloodline. At the time, I didn't know what that power was."

I added to myself that at the time, the main problem was that I didn't know how to use the [Power of Riding the Yellow] skill.

'The pull and resonance of shared bloodlines? That's the only explanation.'

Feng Mingyang's heart skipped a beat, and he swayed almost imperceptibly as he forcefully suppressed the turbulent emotions surging within him.

He felt a mixture of excitement at the confirmation, as well as heartache and overwhelming anger at the thought of what Tang Hao had endured over the past seventeen years, and his expression darkened slightly.

Tang Hao's answer seemed to explain the origin of his bloodline, but he made no mention of its root.

More subtly, by portraying themselves as "ignorant," they can guide the other party's thinking to the "truth" they already know.

Moreover, Feng Mingyang came with an answer in mind and didn't expect to get any other answer.

Tang Hao's answer was that as long as it wasn't too outrageous, passing the test would be a piece of cake.

As expected, Feng Mingyang stood up and did not ask any further questions.

He has already conveyed the message he needed to; excessive pressure will only backfire.

He gave Tang Hao a deep look, his eyes filled with complex and indescribable emotions.

“Fellow Daoist Tang, regardless of the origin of our bloodline, I, Feng, will never forget your kindness to the Hufeng Clan.”

With a flick of his wrist, a warm, smooth jade slip appeared in his palm.

"This is a melody composed by my mother, used to soothe the heat during the ascension of the Chenghuang bloodline. It's just a pity that she didn't have time to pass it on to the clansmen..."

A hint of reminiscence flashed in Feng Mingyang's eyes. He paused for a moment before handing over the jade slip: "Take it!"

"Now, only my sister, my fellow Daoist, and I are left in this world with the bloodline of Chenghuang."

Tang Hao stared at the jade slip.

It was as if I had seen the key to a turning point in my destiny.

He remained silent and did not answer immediately.

(End of this chapter)