A glint of greed flashed in Tang Hao's eyes as he sneered.
"Excellent. No matter how you obtained those three hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, your hundred-thousand-year spirit bones… they'll be mine!"
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast always produced a spirit bone. With three hundred-thousand-year spirit bones in addition to the one from the Blue Silver Emperor, Tang Hao could have four hundred-thousand-year spirit bones!
With so many spirit bones, the resurgence of the Clear Sky Clan would only be a matter of time.
At that thought, Tang Hao's earlier frustrations faded away. Even the revelation that Tang San might not be his biological son was pushed to the back of his mind.
"Take my spirit bones?" Dai Mubai laughed disdainfully.
"Tang Hao, your imagination is quite bold."
"If I'm not mistaken, you should be fully equipped with spirit bones, correct?"
"Six spirit bones—oh no, wait, it should be seven. You must also be carrying the Blue Silver Emperor's spirit bone," Dai Mubai said calmly, showing no sign of fear despite Tang Hao's overwhelming killing intent and soul power.
"You're right, boy. If you kill me, you'll obtain seven spirit bones, including one hundred-thousand-year spirit bone and two legacy bones of the Clear Sky Clan."
"Though not hundred-thousand-year bones, the two legacy bones are rare treasures."
"Unfortunately for you, your strength is insufficient. If you trained for another ten years or so, I might not be your match. But now? You're merely a Soul Sage!" Tang Hao said savagely.
"Old man, enough nonsense. Your era has passed!" Dai Mubai's expression turned sharp.
"I'll send you to meet Qian Xunji today!"
Qian Xunji (in the afterlife): What does this have to do with me?!
Dai Mubai's transformation was complete. His body became a blur of white light as he charged toward Tang Hao.
"Brat, such arrogance!"
Though Tang Hao was injured and unable to exert his full strength, his Rank 95 power was still formidable.
Spinning in place, Tang Hao raised the Clear Sky Hammer high and swung it toward Dai Mubai. He didn't use any spirit abilities—this was the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, relying solely on raw strength and momentum.
The tiger claws and the Clear Sky Hammer collided with a deafening "Boom!"
Dai Mubai was sent flying backward instantly.
"Hiss—!"
Regaining his footing, Dai Mubai took a deep breath, his face a mix of pain and awe.
As expected of the Clear Sky Douluo—injured or not, a casual swing of his hammer was no small feat.
Yet, while he felt the immense power of one of Douluo Continent's strongest individuals, he couldn't help but smirk.
"So this is the so-called pinnacle of power on the Douluo Continent?"
"Brat, you're still spouting nonsense at death's door!" Tang Hao roared.
"You'd better hope that wasn't your full strength," Dai Mubai replied, his tone cold.
In the blink of an eye, Dai Mubai's body turned a shimmering gold. He pounded his chest twice, the sound echoing like a bell—"Dong! Dong!"
Golden Bell Shield activated. His body gleamed brighter than pure gold.
"What is this?" Tang Hao's eyes narrowed. Dai Mubai hadn't used soul power or spirit bone abilities, yet this transformation left him visibly changed.
"Curious? Want to learn?" Dai Mubai taunted.
"…Yes." Tang Hao nodded reflexively, intrigued despite himself.
"Figure it out yourself," Dai Mubai said, smirking.
Tang Hao: "…"
This brat dares to toy with me?
Before Tang Hao could respond, Dai Mubai shot forward like a streak of golden light, crashing toward him with immense force.
"Slaughter Domain!"
Centered on Tang Hao, the surrounding hundred meters turned into a white, oppressive world.
"Holy King Domain!"
Centered on Dai Mubai, another hundred meters turned golden in response.
Domain versus domain.
"A congenital domain? Your spirit is impressive…" Tang Hao muttered, his tone carrying rare praise.
The Clear Sky Hammer, while unmatched in strength, lacked an innate domain.
Although the two domains canceled each other out, Dai Mubai's Spirit Sage-level soul power was two major ranks below Tang Hao's. Moreover, the Holy King Domain was particularly effective against beast spirits, not tool spirits like the Clear Sky Hammer.
As a result, Dai Mubai found himself at a slight disadvantage in their domain clash.
The golden Dai Mubai collided with the Clear Sky Hammer again.
"Dong!"
This time, he wasn't knocked back.
The Golden Bell Shield didn't just provide unparalleled defense—it also enhanced Dai Mubai's strength to extraordinary levels.
Tang Hao's hands trembled as he barely managed to keep hold of the hammer. His palms went numb from the impact.
"Such immense power!" Tang Hao exclaimed.
It was the first time he had lost in a contest of strength, and to a Soul Sage, no less!
For someone like Tang Hao, such an outcome was unacceptable.
Recovering quickly, Tang Hao spun again, preparing another strike. The Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, with its ability to accumulate power over successive strikes, would eventually overpower any opponent.
They clashed several more times, and while Tang Hao found himself consistently pushed back, Dai Mubai began noticing his technique.
"He's stacking the power of the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique... Why hasn't he detonated his spirit rings?"
"Wait—he's not refusing to use them; he can't. Most of his injuries must've come from overusing the detonation technique in the past."
"He's avoiding it out of fear!"
Realizing this, Dai Mubai flapped his wings and retreated.
"Tang Hao, if this is all you've got, then tomorrow will be your death anniversary!"
"First Spirit Ability: Holy King Barrier!"
"Third Spirit Ability: Holy King Vajra Transformation!"
"Fifth Spirit Ability: Holy King Demon Transformation!"
"Seventh Spirit Ability: Holy King True Form!"
"Roar—!"
Dai Mubai activated his first, third, fifth, and seventh spirit abilities in succession. His aura skyrocketed, undergoing an earth-shattering transformation.
Unlike typical beast spirit masters, whose Spirit Avatar transformed them into their respective spirit beast forms, Dai Mubai's Spirit Avatar manifested as Holy King Armor, a battle suit derived from a three-hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.
Beast forms, while powerful, limited mobility and adaptability. Dai Mubai, as a human, had trained in human combat techniques. The armor allowed him to maintain his agility and utilize his full fighting potential.
With his buffs active, Dai Mubai's presence surged to the level of a Titled Douluo.
This time, Tang Hao couldn't remain calm.
"Seventh Spirit Ability: Clear Sky Avatar!"
For a Titled Douluo, unleashing their Spirit Avatar signified a fight to the death.
Tang Hao had no choice. If he didn't go all out, he might truly fall here.
(To Be Continued...)