Chapter 298: Six Titled Douluos
Boom!
Suddenly, a deafening thunderclap exploded in the sky, followed by lightning bolts streaking down like silver serpents, splitting the sky and illuminating the heavens and earth. In the midst of this celestial storm, the twelve hidden weapons fired from the Peacock Plume became trapped in a net of lightning, immobilized as though suspended in mud.
"What kind of spirit skill is this?" Tang Xiao muttered in shock, staring at the sky as his skin prickled from the electric charge in the air.
"Judging by its power, this ability surpasses a typical fifth spirit skill and approaches Spirit Emperor-level techniques!" the Second Elder said, his voice thick with surprise. "And to unleash it instantly—could this guy really be some kind of monster?"
Since Dai Yao had ascended to the Spirit King level, his fourth spirit skill had grown significantly stronger, thanks to his studies in the Archive Pavilion, where he delved into lightning-based skills. Additionally, his spirit power was boosted by the Thunderous Hell Vine, amplifying his already formidable abilities.
Tang Long and Tang Hu, wide-eyed, now understood just how vast the gap between them and Dai Yao truly was. The ferocity of Tang San's attacks as a control-type spirit master was already extraordinary. Yet no matter how he struggled, Dai Yao effortlessly remained in control, suppressing Tang San at every turn.
Far above, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos simultaneously breathed heavy sighs of relief. If Dai Yao had perished here, they would have had a hard time explaining it to the Pope.
"Good thing Dai Yao had a trump card," Ghost Douluo muttered, his voice tinged with relief. "Otherwise, if he'd died here, I'd have no idea how to face that girl Zhuqing."
Chrysanthemum Douluo shot him a sidelong glance, a hint of jealousy in his eyes. "You certainly treat your apprentice well," he remarked coolly.
Ghost Douluo fell silent.
In his usual soft voice, Chrysanthemum Douluo continued, though this time his tone was serious. "I never expected that kid Tang San to return to the Clear Sky Sect. With their backing, his cultivation will surely advance swiftly! And the way he attacks—with weapons and techniques that defy explanation—is unlike anything I've seen. Letting him grow unchecked will make him a true enemy of Spirit Hall."
Ghost Douluo nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on Tang San in the sky. "Once we return, we must report this to Her Majesty the Pope and see to it that he's removed as soon as possible."
In the sky above, Dai Yao extended his right palm, fingers splayed, gazing down at the entire Clear Sky Sect as if trying to suppress it beneath his hand. The fourth black ring on his body radiated an ominous light.
It was his fourth spirit skill—White Tiger Thunder God Strike!
Countless bolts of lightning crackled around him, each shift of Dai Yao's fingers directing the strikes and snaring the metal components of Tang San's Peacock Plume within the web of electricity.
"This… This can't be real! My Peacock Plume, one of the top-ranked mechanical hidden weapons of the Tang Sect… How could it be stopped?" Tang San's disbelief quickly turned to a twisted look of rage. It was as though something sacred had been defiled.
The Peacock Plume was the trump card of his arsenal, meant to shock the Douluo Continent, making its grand debut with the death of Dai Yao. Yet, it had failed.
With a disappointed humph, Dai Yao's voice cut through the silence that had descended upon the Clear Sky Sect.
"It seems that's all you had up your sleeve, Tang San," he scoffed. "How disappointing."
Every Clear Sky disciple fixed Dai Yao with crimson eyes filled with hatred. In response, Dai Yao sneered, "Very well. I suppose it's time you saw my trump card."
Dai Yao slowly raised his left hand, from which sharp metallic claws extended, shining with a chilling gleam. The Clear Sky Sect elders gasped at the sight.
"Another… external spirit bone? No wonder his physique is so powerful," Tang Xiao exclaimed. "Even the Clear Sky Hammer can't break through his defenses!"
The eight wings at his back, combined with these metallic claws, clearly signified not one but two external spirit bones.
The Second Elder stifled his shock, barely managing to keep his voice steady. "The luck of this boy is truly terrifying," he muttered.
The elders exchanged tense glances, wordlessly affirming their shared resolve: they would not let him leave here alive, no matter the cost.
Just as Tang San recovered from his shock, he saw Dai Yao extend his metallic claws in a threatening gesture, igniting his fury anew.
"An external spirit bone? Impossible… How can you have another external spirit bone? And one with such sharpness—capable of slicing through iron… Is it… the claw bone of the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear?" Tang San stammered.
Indeed, the secret of Dai Yao's second external spirit bone had been hidden even from those outside Spirit Hall.
Dai Yao's gaze held an amused glint as he acknowledged Tang San. "Very perceptive, Tang San. I'm impressed you recognized my spirit bone." His eyes bore into Tang San with a cold indifference that only deepened the bitterness Tang San felt in his heart.
It was a bitter, creeping despair that seeped into Tang San's very soul. He had exhausted every card—Killing God Domain, the Blue Silver Overlord Spear, and even the Peacock Plume—yet Dai Yao remained unharmed.
"Tang San, you've tried time and again to kill me. Now, I won't hold back against you. Consider it an honor to die by the power of my external spirit bone!" Dai Yao's left claw radiated a sharp, metallic aura. While caught in the Blue Silver Prison, he had prepared for his counter, channeling the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear's skill with calculated patience.
Tang San had schemed against him constantly, but Dai Yao had been doing the same, seizing every opportunity to turn the tables on him. Slowly, Dai Yao raised his left claw, intending to release a devastating strike.
He had no real intention of killing Tang San—he needed him alive to draw out Xiao Wu's sacrifice, after all. Instead, he planned to force the Clear Sky Sect into revealing their full strength to protect him.
Indeed, Xiao Wu's spirit ring was not Dai Yao's ideal match; he would have preferred a Dark Evil God Tiger. However, seizing Xiao Wu's spirit ring was a tantalizing chance to turn the tables on Tang San in the most devastating way.
Although Dai Yao was a twin martial soul wielder, the Chaos Green Lotus martial soul could not manifest in the world until he became a Title Douluo, or even a deity. Moreover, the Chaos Green Lotus did not require him to hunt soul beasts to attach soul rings; it could condense soul rings on its own.
For a long time, it could be said that Dai Yao effectively only had one martial soul.
Thus, the existence of Xiao Wu's soul ring reset ability became incredibly important. By reviving Xiao Wu, he could reset his earlier hundred-year and thousand-year soul rings, allowing him to absorb stronger ones.
At that time, he might even be able to absorb multiple 100,000-year soul rings.
The enhancements brought by such soul rings to his body would be incalculable. Moreover, Xiao Wu's soul ring, being a 100,000-year soul ring, could also serve as a transitional power.
"Not good, hurry and save Xiao San!"
Tang Yuehua had lost her usual calm and elegance. Clutching Tang Xiao's sleeve, she anxiously exclaimed.
Tang Xiao's eyes glinted with cold light. His powerful and overwhelming aura was released as he suddenly shot into the sky. Just as he prepared to block Dai Yao's attack on Tang San, a figure clad in golden armor stood in his path.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, does the Spirit Hall truly intend to fight us to the death?"
Tang Xiao's cold voice rang out as he faced Chrysanthemum Douluo.
The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand was massive, and just one glance at it felt as though a heavy stone was pressing against one's chest.
Nine soul rings slowly emerged, their intense pressure crashing toward Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Feeling the force, Chrysanthemum Douluo groaned, knowing that as a Rank 94 Title Douluo, he was no match for Tang Xiao's Rank 95 Clear Sky Hammer wielder.
Just as Chrysanthemum Douluo was about to falter, a shadowy figure appeared at his side. With the arrival of Ghost Douluo, the pressure on Chrysanthemum Douluo lessened significantly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed in relief and gave Ghost Douluo a grateful look. He then turned to Tang Xiao with a chilling gaze. A sudden thought crossed his mind, and he smiled up at Dai Yao in the sky:
"Haha! Does your Clear Sky Sect think it can threaten us? Dai Yao, just do what you need to. If anything happens, we'll take responsibility!"
"Alright!"
Hearing this, Dai Yao was momentarily stunned but then laughed heartily.
This was a line Tang Xiao had said not long ago, now thrown back at him by Chrysanthemum Douluo. Tang Xiao's face darkened, and he said with irritation,
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, if Tang San dies today, none of you will leave the Clear Sky Sect alive!"
"Haha, I'd like to see if your Clear Sky Sect has the strength for that!"
Ghost Douluo's raspy voice echoed, filled with mockery.
This time, the Spirit Hall had brought six Title Douluo, three of whom were from the Hall of Elders. Tang Xiao's words were nothing short of laughable to them.
High above, Dai Yao fiercely brought down his left palm, sending a piercing beam of light streaking toward Tang San.
Not only that, but Dai Yao's eight wings flapped, propelling him forward to follow the light and strike Tang San.
Seeing this, Tang San felt a chill in his heart, knowing he was at a life-and-death juncture. Countless strands of Blue Silver Emperor grew wildly, wrapping around him to form a cocoon in an attempt to withstand Dai Yao's terrifying attack.
Once the cocoon was complete, he released the Clear Sky Hammer, placing it before him, and pushed the healing effects of the Blue Silver Emperor's soul bone to their maximum.
"Xiao San!"
Tang Hao roared, his eyes red with rage.
With no reservations left, he shot toward Tang San with a deafening sound as he broke through the air.
Two shadows once again blocked his path. Tang Xiao shouted furiously:
"Get out of the way!"
Swinging the Clear Sky Hammer, several soul rings lit up, and the hammer grew to the size of a mountain as he attempted to break through their encirclement.
"Not a chance!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo sneered, joining forces with Ghost Douluo as multiple soul rings lit up. Together, their combined aura surpassed Tang Xiao's by a margin.
At that moment, two streaks of gray light shot up from the Clear Sky Sect. Two Clear Sky Hammers smashed down on Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
They were none other than the Second Elder and Seventh Elder of the sect.
"Two more Title Douluo?! The Clear Sky Sect actually has three Title Douluo?! In just twenty years of isolation, their strength has grown beyond what it was at their peak!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo was shocked.
"Sect Master, go save Tang San. Leave these two to us. We've got a few old scores to settle with them."
The Second Elder spoke calmly.
Despite his thin frame, the moment he gripped the Clear Sky Hammer, an invincible aura radiated from him.
Although he wanted to save Tang San, he also wanted to keep the Clear Sky Sect's strength hidden. In his view, the appearance of three Title Douluo was already enough to make the Spirit Hall tread carefully.
Tang Xiao said nothing and flew toward Tang San.
The Second Elder frowned at Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, who showed no desire to fight.
"What? Are you giving up on stopping the Sect Master?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled sinisterly. "Heh, who said there were only the two of us here at the Clear Sky Sect?"
The pupils of the Second Elder and Seventh Elder shrank.
A sharp screech erupted from below the snowy mountain, followed by a white streak of light shooting skyward, surpassing Tang Xiao and heading for him.
Screech!
The talons of a great bird scraped against the Clear Sky Hammer, creating sparks and ear-piercing sounds.
"Damn it! It's that hidden Title Douluo from the Spirit Hall! And they're appearing now, at the worst possible moment!"
Tang Xiao cursed internally.
With a surge of power, the Clear Sky Hammer unleashed its adhesive force, catching the Spirit Dove Douluo off guard. Unable to escape, she was struck head-on and groaned before retreating.
As a newly ascended Title Douluo, she couldn't withstand a Rank 95 attack.
However, the brief delay she caused was enough.
In the sky, Dai Yao's attack struck the cocoon of Blue Silver Emperor. In an instant, the strands were cut as easily as tofu, exposing Tang San.
"Xiao San!"
Tang Xiao's anguished cry echoed.
In front of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Yuehua fell to her knees, clutching her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears of despair. She muttered faintly,
"Xiao San… Xiao San…"
The disciples of the Clear Sky Sect were overcome with sorrow. Although they had once resented Tang Hao for implicating the sect, Tang San's relentless struggle had won their respect.
"Stay alive, Tang San!"
Tang Long's gaze was complex as he watched Tang San fall. His thoughts were hopeful but knew they were futile.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the devastating claw strike landed on Tang San, who blocked it with the Clear Sky Hammer.
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