Chapter 293: Haotian Hammer? Nothing Special
Under the watchful gaze of the Haotian Sect disciples, Tang Long stepped onto the iron chain bridge, his gray robes billowing in the fierce mountain wind. His expression was steely; he could not afford to lose this battle.
This duel was not just a personal fight but a pivotal showdown between the strongest young generation of the Haotian Sect and the Wuhun Hall. A loss would mean the Haotian Sect could not lift its head against Wuhun Hall for generations to come.
As the leading third-generation disciple and one of the potential future sect leaders, Tang Long was well aware of the Haotian Sect's precarious situation. Even so, he had shouldered the burden without hesitation, dedicating years to rigorous cultivation for this day.
"Tang Long, that man's name is Dai Yao. His martial spirit is a top-tier beast spirit, the Holy White Tiger. His spirit rings are formidable, and his fourth skill is a powerful thunder-based attack. Be very cautious in this battle," came a low voice beside him.
Surprised, Tang Long turned and saw Tang San's serious expression and nodded. Although he didn't know why Tang San was familiar with this opponent, the information was invaluable; he would not go into battle blind.
Taking a deep breath, Tang Long positioned himself firmly at the Haotian Sect's end of the iron chain bridge.
The interaction between Tang Long and Tang San did not go unnoticed, drawing curious glances from many Haotian Sect disciples. As Tang Long turned, Tang San's eyes glinted with resolve, his fists clenched tightly.
"Brother Tang Long, forgive me. I don't know how much Dai Yao has grown over the past five years, and I need you to push him to reveal his strength bit by bit. Each measure of power you force him to show brings me one step closer to victory. Please understand my selfishness—too many in this sect hold enmity against me. Only by letting the situation grow desperate can I assume the role of savior and perhaps earn forgiveness for my father's mistakes. Only then might he be allowed to return to the sect."
Across the bridge, Tang Long's gaze turned sharp as lightning, fixed on Dai Yao, who stood on the snowy mountainside in the distance. A dark gleam flashed in his hand as he summoned his Haotian Hammer. The massive weapon strained the bridge's chains under its weight, causing a visible dip beneath his feet.
Brandishing his hammer, he roared, "Tang Long, level 65 assault system Spirit Emperor. Martial spirit, Haotian Hammer. You from Wuhun Hall, come face me!"
The rugged power in his voice echoed along the iron bridge, and although he was only a Spirit Emperor, he bore a fierce aura reminiscent of Tang Xiao. His imposing figure drew cheers from the gathered disciples.
In response, Dai Yao smirked. Shifting his stance slightly, he lowered his body, then leaped forward with immense force, shooting into the air like a cannonball.
The snow beneath him scattered, kicked up by his explosive launch and forming a billowing cloud. In full view of the Haotian disciples, Dai Yao arched high into the sky and began a controlled descent, aiming to land on the opposite end of the bridge.
"Such strength and boldness!" Tang Xiao's eyes darkened with concern. Though Dai Yao hadn't made a move yet, his initial leap alone was enough to reveal his formidable physical power.
Using no spirit power, he had soared into the heavens with a single jump—this body was monstrous. Tang Xiao even felt a faint sense of unease, wondering if Tang Long, the Haotian Sect's ace, might actually lose this duel.
With a heavy thud, Dai Yao landed on the bridge. The impact reverberated with a booming sound, and the chains rattled as the bridge's anchor points on the mountainsides trembled, barely holding under the strain.
"This guy... he's strong!" Tang Long's gaze was intense as he watched Dai Yao. Thanks to his Haotian Hammer, he could easily balance himself on the swaying bridge, but Dai Yao's sheer physicality was intimidating.
Dai Yao rose slowly, meeting Tang Long's intense stare with a faint smile. "Dai Yao, level 59 assault system Spirit King. Martial spirit, Holy White Tiger."
Upon hearing Dai Yao's level, several Haotian Sect disciples laughed. A level 59 Spirit Master against a level 65, and with Haotian Hammer as his opponent? The result seemed obvious.
"Has Wuhun Hall run out of warriors? Sending a mere level 59 Spirit Master to provoke us?" The Seventh Elder sneered.
"Don't underestimate him. Look carefully at his face," the Second Elder cautioned.
The Seventh Elder fell silent, as did the others, turning their eyes to Dai Yao's youthful face. Their expressions shifted to shock—he could only be around twenty years old!
A Spirit King at twenty? Such terrifying talent! No one in the Haotian Sect could match it, not even Tang Hao in his youth. Only Tang San, who had recently come to the sect, possessed comparable potential.
"Wuhun Hall has produced another prodigy," the Second Elder murmured grimly. With such talent, Dai Yao was destined to be a dominant force, further diminishing Haotian Sect's prospects.
"So, level 59?" Tang San smirked. "Life in Wuhun Hall's luxury must have softened you, Dai Yao, made you complacent. Five years ago, you were higher level than I was, but now we're the same. What a waste of talent."
With the same spirit power level, Tang San thought, I'll be the one with the upper hand. Today, I'll have my revenge.
"Since your name is Tang Long," Dai Yao said lightly, "then logically, there should be someone in your sect named Tang Hu, correct? If so, why don't you both come at me together? Otherwise, this is going to end very badly for you."
His nonchalant tone only fanned the flames of anger among the Haotian disciples, who cursed and shouted from the sidelines. Tang Hu shook with rage, barely restrained by the Seventh Elder from charging onto the bridge himself.
"You're too arrogant," Tang Long snapped, tightening his grip on his Haotian Hammer. He was determined to give Dai Yao a lesson in respect.
"Such stubbornness," Dai Yao sighed mockingly. "When I arrived, I heard someone mention that stepping off the bridge between the two mountains would mean a loss. How about we use the same rule?"
"Agreed," Tang Long replied firmly.
Though no one formally announced the start of the fight, the tension between the two combatants had crystallized. Every eye from Haotian Sect was glued to the iron bridge, and the titled Douluos of Wuhun Hall looked on, intrigued, eager to see the heights Dai Yao, once the Golden Generation's shining star, had reached.
Tang Long adopted a fighting stance, but to his surprise, Dai Yao remained unfazed, calm, and didn't even release his martial spirit.
"Arrogant fool!"
Fury surged within Tang Long. Gripping his Haotian Hammer, he charged forward, his heavy steps pounding the bridge. As he neared, he leapt high, grasping the hammer's hilt with both hands, swinging it down with full force in a devastating arc toward Dai Yao.
Seeing Dai Yao still unarmed, many disciples of Haotian Sect smirked, picturing his imminent end, pulverized by the mighty hammer. But in the next instant, their expressions froze.
Boom!
Dai Yao calmly raised his right hand to meet the descending hammer. The impact echoed like thunder, causing the bridge to shake violently. Dai Yao's body absorbed the force, adjusting his center of gravity to balance out the blow, while Tang Long was sent hurtling backward.
A deathly silence fell over Haotian Sect. Only the whistling mountain wind filled the void. Disbelief etched onto every face; some disciples, mouths open in anticipation of victory cheers, suddenly fell silent as though an invisible hand had strangled the words in their throats.
"H-How is that possible…?"
A stunned whisper broke the silence, mirroring everyone's thoughts.
"His physical strength is astounding!" observed the Second Elder gravely.
Tang Xiao sighed softly. Though he had anticipated Dai Yao's physical power, he hadn't expected it to be so formidable. Even without any spirit abilities, the sheer weight of the Haotian Hammer alone was enough to push most Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon spirit masters to their limits. Yet here was Dai Yao, casually blocking the blow barehanded, without even activating his martial spirit. This was beyond anything they'd imagined.
Tang San's face darkened. Dai Yao was as infuriatingly powerful as he had been five years ago.
Tang Long, meanwhile, was reeling through the air, with no foothold to regain balance and mere seconds from falling into the abyss below. In a desperate move, he flung his hammer downward, using the recoil to grab hold of the bridge's chains and pull himself back up onto the swaying bridge. His face showed pure shock.
"How did you do that?"
Dai Yao lowered his right hand casually, his expression as serene as ever, as though nothing of note had happened.
"I told you, if you have a brother named Tang Hu, better call him up here. Otherwise, you'll lose alone—and it'll be ugly."
This time, Tang Long didn't see Dai Yao as merely arrogant; he was truly strong. But he refused to call Tang Hu. This battle was a matter of honor—not just for the Haotian Hammer but for his pride as a spirit master.
With a roar, Tang Long charged once more. Since Dai Yao hadn't yet used his martial spirit, his pride would not let him resort to spirit abilities, either. The two clashed repeatedly on the bridge, but the exchange quickly turned one-sided.
It was less a battle and more of a cat-and-mouse game. Dai Yao casually fended off Tang Long's relentless attacks with a single hand, unmoved from his spot on the bridge. Dai Yao's real-world combat prowess, honed through battles at Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena and the rigorous trials in the Slaughter City, had become almost flawless. Forsaking spirit skills to meet Dai Yao in raw combat was simply playing into his strength.
Tang Long fought harder, but the outcome became painfully clear. The disciples of Haotian Sect watched in horror as their invincible third-generation leader was toyed with like a mere plaything.
Disgraced and humiliated, many clenched their fists so tightly that blood seeped from their palms. The defeat of Tang Long wasn't just a personal humiliation but a slight to the entire Haotian Sect. But how could they blame Tang Long? If he was outmatched, they certainly stood no chance.
"So, this is the so-called 'Haotian Hammer?' Nothing special. The so-called 'Number One Sect' is little more than empty words."
Dai Yao mocked Haotian Sect without pause, his confidence unwavering. With six titled Douluos backing him, Dai Yao had no need to fear any repercussions. Knowing that the two factions within Wuhun Hall were trying to use each other to weaken Haotian Sect, his goal was to provoke the elders of Haotian Sect into a rash response, forcing the Wuhun Hall elders into action.
"Enough!" Tang Long roared, veins throbbing in his forehead as his spirit power surged. He nearly activated a spirit ability, but held back at the last second. Since Dai Yao hadn't used his martial spirit, Tang Long felt it would be beneath him to use spirit abilities. In his mind, that would mean admitting defeat.
Dai Yao's taunts were pushing him to the edge.
Just then, a figure in gray robes dashed from Haotian Sect, racing onto the bridge.
"Tang Hu!"
The Seventh Elder's voice was a mix of shock and anger.
"Elder, I can't stand this insult any longer. As a disciple of Haotian Sect, I won't tolerate it. Since he wants me to fight, I'll give him his wish!" Tang Hu declared.
The Seventh Elder, poised to stop him, froze momentarily, sighing deeply as he let his arm fall.
"Let him go. Tang Long's pride keeps him from using spirit skills first, but it's clear he's outmatched. Perhaps adding Tang Hu will turn the tide."
"Two against one? There's no honor in that…"
"Enough." Tang Xiao's voice was final. The elders, though reluctant, fell silent, shifting their attention back to the battle on the bridge.
Tang Xiao's thoughts, however, went further. He clenched his fist, his gaze briefly flicking toward Tang San in the crowd.
"If Tang Long and Tang Hu win, all will be well. But if they lose, it'll be Tang San's moment to rise, the perfect opportunity to redeem our family's honor."
"Brother Hao, A Yin, forgive my neglect over the years. This is all I can do for you."
He and Tang Hao had once been as close as brothers, and seeing Tang Hao's hardships, including the loss of those two spirit bones, was heart-wrenching. Now, he was ready to pave the way for Tang San to reclaim the Haotian name's honor, placing his final hope in Tang San.
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