After the previous battle, Tang Xiao was well aware of the dangers of confronting Yan head-on, especially the devouring power of his flames, which could render any close-range attack useless.
Therefore, Tang Xiao chose a more cautious strategy—long-range attacks.
His figure spread out in the air, and the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand suddenly expanded, almost covering half the sky.
Golden soul power radiated from it, dazzling like the scorching sun.
Tang Xiao took a deep breath. The soul power in his body surged like a breached dam, converging onto the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Heaven-Smiting Strike!"
Tang Xiao roared.
With a swing of his arm, the enormous Clear Sky Hammer tore through the sky, carrying a howling sound that seemed to rip the heavens as it hurtled toward Yan.
Facing such a powerful blow, Yan didn't show the slightest hint of fear. Instead, an even more fervent fighting spirit appeared on his face.
He knew Tang Xiao's strength and understood the weight behind this strike.
The skill of his million-year torso bone—Whale Force Shockwave was instantly unleashed.
A radiant crimson-gold light burst out from Yan's body, filled with immense energy fluctuations, surging like ocean waves.
At the center of this light, a powerful ripple of whale force quickly took shape, spreading out violently from Yan's body in all directions.
When the golden radiance of the lear Sky Hammer collided with the ripple of whale force, the entire battlefield seemed to freeze.
The two forces clashed fiercely in midair. Golden soul power and crimson-gold whale force collided and tore at each other, erupting with a thunderous roar.
That sound was like rumbling thunder, shaking the heart and soul, causing the entire battlefield to tremble.
Under the impact of this force, the towering mountains on either side of Tianqie Pass also seemed to feel the pressure, beginning to shake violently.
Huge boulders tumbled down, and dust flew into the air.
The soul masters of the Star Luo Empire were left dumbfounded by this sudden turn of events.
They had never witnessed such a magnificent battle scene, nor imagined that human power could reach such heights.
Just as they thought the collision would end in a stalemate, something unexpected happened.
The ripple of whale force gradually gained the upper hand in its clash with the Clear Sky Hammer.
The ripple, like a giant whale opening its mouth, slowly devoured the golden light of the Clear Sky Hammer.
In the end, when the ripple of whale force fully enveloped the Clear Sky Hammer, an even more deafening explosion rocked the battlefield.
With that explosive boom, the Clear Sky Hammer was forcibly shaken away by the whale force ripple.
Tang Xiao's body staggered backward in the air as well.
His face turned pale, and a trace of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth—clearly, he had sustained a serious injury.
Yet even so, his eyes remained firm and unyielding, showing no intention of retreat.
"So this is the power of a million-year soul bone? Truly formidable."
"Uncle!"
Just as Tang Xiao was catching his breath, Tang San's voice suddenly rang out.
Worried about his safety, Tang San wanted to fight alongside him.
But Tang Xiao knew very well that now was not the time.
"Little San, don't worry, I can hold on! Let him witness our Clear Sky Formation. Watch carefully!"
Tang Xiao could not activate the Clear Sky Formation alone; it required the cooperation and coordination of many elite disciples of the Clear Sky Sect.
These disciples played important roles during the operation of the formation, jointly providing energy support so that the Clear Sky Formation could unleash its formidable power.
As soon as Tang Xiao finished speaking, the Third Elder of the Clear Sky Sect shouted loudly:
"All disciples, heed my command assist the Sect Master in deploying the Clear Sky Formation!"
"Yes!"
With a unified roar at the Elder's order, hundreds of Clear Sky Sect disciples responded in unison, their voices echoing like thunder through the sky.
Their stances were upright, and the Clear Sky Hammers in their hands no longer seemed like cold weapons but totems bearing the legacy and strength of the Clear Sky Sect across generations.
In that moment, each disciple focused their mind and heart, pouring their soul power without reservation into the Clear Sky Hammer, transforming into strands of pitch-black light that converged from all directions.
Those black beams intertwined and coiled in the sky, ultimately condensing into a complex and mysterious energy array, tightly enveloping Tang Xiao at its center.
Within the array, black light fused with golden soul power, creating a strange and wondrous spectacle.
Standing at the core of the formation, Tang Xiao felt the power flowing from each disciple. His eyes began to shine with a blazing light, and his aura surged like a volcanic eruption unstoppable.
"Clear Sky Formation—activate!"
Tang Xiao's deep and powerful voice echoed across the battlefield.
As his words fell, the entire formation burst into radiance in an instant.
The reason the Clear Sky Sect could become the number one sect in the world was not solely due to the strength of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, but also because thier Self created techniques possessed remarkable strength.
When the powers of those individuals converged, the overwhelming pressure they released shocked every Soul Master present.
Yu Xiaogang was overjoyed at the sight and exclaimed in admiration:
"This is the power of the Clear Sky Sect! Truly worthy of being the number one sect in the world!"
Tang San also showed a look of delight. Before this, he had never heard of the Clear Sky Formation—he had only heard his father Tang Hao mention the Grand Sumeru Hammer.
The appearance of the Clear Sky Formation greatly boosted the confidence of the Soul Masters from the Star Luo Empire.
On the other side, the worshippers of the Spirit Empire could no longer remain calm.
The Seventh Worship, Demon Subduing Douluo, tightly gripped the Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand and said angrily:
"The Clear Sky Sect is shameless, actually using the power of an entire sect to deal with Yan! Your Majesty, allow us to enter the battle!"
"Wait a bit longer. So what if it's the power of a whole sect? I believe Yan can defeat them."
Qian Renxue had absolute confidence in Yan.
Before the battle began, they had already made their strategic arrangements.
To minimize unnecessary casualties, regardless of how powerful the enemies or their lineup might be, Yan had to be the first to enter the battlefield and, with his own strength, completely crush them and shatter their psychological defenses.
Although Tang Xiao had the support of the formation, he was still facing Yan in a one-on-one battle.
As a top-tier powerhouse, Yan naturally didn't want others interfering in his duel with Tang Xiao.
Looking at the Clear Sky Formation, Yan's expression slightly changed.
He could feel the terrifying might contained within that power, far surpassing what Tang Xiao could produce alone.
This only further ignited the fighting spirit in his heart.
Yan pushed the power of the flames within his body to the extreme. Scarlet-golden flames surged like a burning ocean, mighty and overwhelming.
A massive sword of flame condensed in his right hand.
On the blade, the flames slithered like living creatures, occasionally erupting with explosive roars, releasing a destructive aura.
At this moment, Yan seemed to have merged with the Flame Sword, like an invincible god of fire.
The scarlet-golden brilliance was dazzling, as if it could illuminate the darkest depths of the sky.
Seeing that, Yu Xiaogang was dumbfounded.
Sensing the incredibly powerful flame aura from the blade, Tang San furrowed his brows slightly, his pupils suddenly shrinking.
"Could that also be a divine weapon—the Sword of the Fire God?"