"Heavenly Tribulation Body — Embryo Form! Azure Tribulation Peak!"
With two thunderous cries, Xiao Hua's black robes billowed violently—despite the utter stillness of the air. In the next instant, his aura erupted like a volcanic storm, skyrocketing with an unstoppable force.
A blinding golden radiance erupted from his body. Mysterious runes emerged across his skin, pulsing with ancient energy. The golden glow and runes spiraled in a frenzy, then abruptly shattered like fragile glass—only to converge again, etching themselves into a ferocious beast-shaped tattoo between his brows.
The crimson hue in his right eye blazed into a molten gold, while the cyan in his left eye deepened into a piercing azure.
Behind him, an ethereal halo manifested. It resembled a sacred artifact, forged from regal golden lightning and graceful azure flame. Nine streams of each element intertwined and danced like celestial serpents, fusing into a radiant, ever-shifting ring that pulsed with transcendent might.
Within mere moments, the surging energy finally slowed. But by then, his aura had already climbed to the level of a one-star Dou Zun, matching that of Qing Hai!
When he was just a Dou Wang, activating the Heavenly Tribulation Body had propelled him across two major realms, straight into Dou Zong territory. But now, after reaching the eight-star Dou Zong level, the same technique brought a more modest leap—just two stars—after invoking the first two stages of the Heavenly Tribulation Body.
Even so, Xiao Hua's eyes gleamed with disbelief.
To become a Dou Zun... he hadn't expected this! He thought he'd merely touch the peak of the Dou Zong class, standing at the very threshold of the next realm.
'How far could I ascend… if I dared to invoke the third level?' Xiao Hua mused, a flicker of wild ambition flashing in his eyes.
"But this… will suffice."
His fists tightened slowly, each motion radiating terrifying might. Power coiled and surged in his palms like an untamed beast, so intense that even space itself seemed ready to tear under the pressure.
Though curiosity burned within him, caution prevailed.
It was not yet time to reveal everything. Unforeseen enemies might still lie in wait.
"A tattoo…?! Could it be the Xiao Clan's Clan Tattoo?"
Qing Hai's eyes narrowed sharply, involuntarily trembling as he stared at the beast-shaped mark between Xiao Hua's brows. Yet after a moment of scrutiny, he shook his head, speaking with firm certainty.
"No… it's completely different."
His gaze deepened. "Though it bears nine strokes like the Clan Tattoo, I've never heard of the Xiao Clan's mark taking the form of a beast. And this color—azure and gold? That's unheard of."
Still, his expression turned grim as he felt the violent surge of Dou Qi churning within Xiao Hua's body. His eyes drifted toward the halo behind Xiao Hua—the radiance pulsing with overwhelming might.
One-star Dou Zun.
There was no mistaking it.
"This aura… that halo… his strength has indeed reached the realm of Dou Zun."
Qing Hai's brows furrowed further, the storm in his heart growing heavier.
"I've never heard of such a terrifying secret technique…!" His voice carried a rare trace of awe. But as the words fell from his lips, they twisted into a cold, mocking laugh.
"But don't think such power qualifies you to act triumphant before me, boy."
His voice cut like steel—chilling, dismissive, yet laced with undeniable caution.
Although Qing Hai spoke with cold arrogance, he no longer dared to underestimate Xiao Hua—not even for a breath.
If just one of his trump cards was this terrifying… who knew how many more remained? Qing Hai wasn't foolish enough to gamble his life just to find out.
At that very moment, Xiao Hua and Qing Hai charged forward simultaneously, their figures blurring as they shot toward each other like streaks of light.
With a thunderous stomp, they kicked off the air beneath them, and a massive burst of aura exploded from their feet. The very space around them rippled violently under the force—like water struck by falling stars.
A silvery glow suddenly pulsed from the band around Xiao Hua's left arm. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into white metallic gloves, clawed and deadly, their edges gleaming with a chilling light. His hand, now enveloped in a surging aura of five distinct colors, clenched tightly—then rocketed forward with devastating power, his fist cloaked in swirling spatial force.
Qing Hai's eyes narrowed, but he didn't hesitate.
A surge of deep blue Dou Qi enveloped his own fist like a tide crashing down. Without retreating, he swung—meeting Xiao Hua's fist head-on with a resounding roar of energy.
BOOM!!
The moment their fists collided, the sky split open—a pitch-black spatial fissure tore through the air like a wound in the heavens.
Both figures were violently thrown back from the collision, tumbling through the sky before they managed to stabilize themselves mid-air, fierce auras still clashing like storms between them.
Xiao Hua hovered steadily in mid-air, completely unfazed by the clash. In contrast, Qing Hai's expression had turned exceptionally grim.
How could it not?
In that explosive collision, Xiao Hua had only retreated two steps—while he, Qing Hai, had been forced back more than ten! That one exchange had made the outcome clear.
He had lost.
Qing Hai's eyes narrowed coldly. That brief contact had revealed far more than he wished to admit. Xiao Hua's physical body… was monstrous. Far more tyrannical than any ordinary Dou Zun he had ever encountered. But more than that—there was something unnatural within his Dou Qi. Something that made his instincts scream in warning.
Without hesitation, Qing Hai's vast and mighty Dou Qi surged like a tidal wave through his meridians. It gathered into his right palm before being drawn to his left, where he slowly pressed it downward—steady, focused, precise.
Suddenly—crack!!
Three arcs of sky-blue lightning erupted from his palm, coiling wildly around his hand like living serpents of light.
But Qing Hai's expression instantly darkened.
"What in the world is this lightning?! How did it pierce through my Dou Qi and strike directly at my soul!?"
His eyes widened in disbelief as he forcefully expelled the strands of lightning that had silently infiltrated his body. A brief but bone-deep chill ran down his spine.
In all his years… he had never encountered lightning like this.
Not even the famed Wind-Lightning—the very foundation of the Wind Lightning Pavilion's rise to power and dominance across the Dou Qi Continent—could compare to this eerie and devastating force.
Naturally, Xiao Hua had no intention of giving Qing Hai even a moment to breathe.
With a flicker of light, his figure vanished—only to reappear directly in front of Qing Hai like a ghost. His fist, wrapped in a swirling five-colored aura, blazed forward with explosive force, aiming straight for the center of Qing Hai's chest.
Qing Hai's eyes widened in alarm. He didn't have time to evade.
His reaction was a heartbeat too late.
He hastily raised his right arm to block—
BOOM!
The impact thundered through the sky. Qing Hai was sent flying like a broken kite, blood spraying from the corner of his lips. A sickening crack echoed as the bones in his right arm shattered completely, reduced to fragments under Xiao Hua's terrifying strength.
But that wasn't the worst of it.
A wave of searing agony shot through his very soul.
This time, it wasn't just a sharp prickling sensation—it was far worse. It felt like a thousand needles piercing his spirit, followed by an invisible fire slowly roasting his soul alive.
"Ugh—!" Qing Hai clenched his teeth, forcing himself to stabilize mid-air after being blasted several dozen feet away. His breathing was ragged, and his pupils shook violently from the pain.
He spun around, trying to widen the distance between them.
"Damn it!" he spat, panic flashing in his eyes.
When he looked back, Xiao Hua was already closing in again—relentless, merciless, like a predator that had locked onto its prey.
He had to suppress the mysterious force attacking his soul—and fast. But if he focused on that… he would leave himself wide open for another devastating strike.
A single mistake… and he might not survive the next blow.
Qing Hai's glare burned with venomous hatred.
Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he'd be forced into such a humiliating state—and by someone so young, no less. To be overwhelmed by a mere Dou Zong… it was an insult beyond words.
And what made it worse?
He was being suppressed.
If the other Honorable Elders of the Hall of Souls caught wind of this disgrace, his reputation would be utterly destroyed.
"Soul Chains!!" he roared.
With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, over a dozen black chains laced with eerie purple light burst forth from the void beneath him. They shrieked through the air with the harsh, grating sound of grinding metal.
These chains weren't ordinary weapons. They pulsed with a sinister, soul-devouring energy. In a blink, they pierced through the air, their spear-like tips aimed directly at Xiao Hua's vital points—neck, heart, dantian—seeking to bind, cripple, or kill.
But Xiao Hua didn't falter.
A brilliant surge of five-colored aura erupted from his body. His figure flickered like a shadow in a storm as he twisted through the sky, narrowly avoiding the deadly chains.
Yet even as he evaded, his momentum didn't break.
Step by step, he continued pressing forward—unshaken, unstoppable—his cold gaze locked on Qing Hai like a blade at his throat.
Qing Hai's expression grew increasingly grim as Xiao Hua continued to advance, step by unrelenting step. Despite the deadly chains he had unleashed, the young man did not falter. There was no hesitation, no fear—only that cold, crushing pressure drawing ever closer.
"Lock the Soul!" Qing Hai snarled.
His left hand swiftly formed a complex hand seal, and with a sharp flick of his finger, the dark chains that hovered in the air suddenly shifted.
With a deafening clang, they moved with unnatural coordination, circling Xiao Hua in a strange, spiraling pattern. Within seconds, they had woven themselves into a formation—summoning forth an ominous, dark-purple mist that surged around Xiao Hua like a living storm.
The surrounding air twisted into a vortex of malice. The black fog churned, forming a howling purple tornado, with Xiao Hua trapped at its heart.
From within the swirling chaos, a strange suction force burst forth, invisible but sharp—aimed directly at the soul.
Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed.
He could feel it. That faint, barely perceptible tug at the edge of his soul. A discomfort, like a needle brushing against his consciousness.
But it was weak.
Laughably weak.
His soul had once withstood the baptism of Heavenly Astra Lightning—a lightning so devastating that even powerful Heavenly State soul would crumble under its might. Now, his soul was as firm as an indestructible fortress, dense and unyielding.
And that wasn't all.
Nestled deep within his body, the Celestial Ancient Frost exuded a constant protective chill, quietly guarding his soul from harm. In addition, the Heavenly Suppression Band on his arm radiated a subtle glow, forming a secondary shield against spiritual intrusions.
Between these layered defenses, Qing Hai's soul-based attack wasn't just ineffective—it was utterly useless.
"This technique is useless against me, old thing."
Xiao Hua's voice was cold, dismissive—cutting sharper than any blade. A glint of disdain flickered in his eyes as he stomped down hard on the empty air.
Boom—!
In that moment, a brilliant five-colored aura erupted from his body, like a surging tidal wave, sweeping in all directions. The vibrant energy surged forward and violently collided with the black chains surrounding him.
Screeeeech!!
A chorus of sharp, grating cries rang out from the chains, echoing through the sky. The moment his aura touched them, it was like sunlight piercing a nightmarish fog—burning away the darkness, scattering the shadows.
Qing Hai's pupils contracted. Disbelief surged in his heart. That technique… that formation… dispersed so easily?!
A flash of disbelief flickered in his eyes. The Soul Lock Formation, which had subdued countless enemies over the years, was destroyed by Xiao Hua effortlessly…
"Impossible..." he muttered in shock.
But Xiao Hua gave him no time to recover.
A cold glint shot through Xiao Hua's eyes as he vanished and reappeared above him in an instant. His silver gauntlet gleamed menacingly in the light as he clenched his fist, the five-colored aura boiling around it, and threw down a furious, merciless punch straight at Qing Hai's skull.
Qing Hai, jolted out of his daze, reacted just in time. With a sharp command, over a dozen black-purple chains burst from his back, surging upward to meet the strike. They twisted into a thick barrier just above his head.
Clang—!!
A sharp, thunderous metallic crash split the sky. The impact sent a visible, circular shockwave rippling outward, distorting space itself as it expanded from the clash between Xiao Hua's gauntlet and Qing Hai's black-purple chains.
The chains trembled under the pressure—then, with a resounding crack—
They shattered.
But they had done their job.
Though destroyed, the brief obstruction was enough to slow the momentum of the blow, giving Qing Hai just the sliver of time he needed to retreat—narrowly escaping the full wrath of Xiao Hua's devastating strike.
As Qing Hai retreated, the lingering shockwave from Xiao Hua's fist continued to roar forward, slamming into the earth below.
BOOM!!
The yellow ground shattered violently, collapsing into a wide crater as debris and dust shot skyward.
'What the hell is with this damned brat?!'
Qing Hai's face darkened, eyes twitching at the destruction left behind. Despite the black-purple chains absorbing part of the impact, the residual force alone was enough to pulverize the land…
The sheer physical power—it was monstrous.
'Damn it... there's no choice.' A bitter curse rang in his heart.
Frustration surged through him like a tidal wave. Gritting his teeth, he raised his hand—and a flicker of dark light flashed.
In his palm appeared a black jade with the word 'Soul' etched deeply into its surface.
Crack—!!
With a grim expression, he crushed it without hesitation.
BOOM—!
A muffled explosive sound erupted in the air. Instantly, the surrounding space began to slowly fluctuate, like waves drawn across a mirrored surface.
Swoosh—! Swoosh—!!
A strange, powerful wind howled, surged violently around them as a thin, dark-purple line split across the sky like a blade cutting through fabric. Within seconds, the line ripped open, stretching wide into a gaping spatial crack.
Under Xiao Hua's sharp gaze, a figure began to slowly step out from the space.
The figure that emerged was a bald old man, draped in purple robes, his white beard flowing like wisps of smoke. A diamond-shaped mark gleamed ominously on his forehead, exuding an otherworldly aura.
He cast a quick glance at Xiao Hua, his gaze briefly scanning him before sweeping past to land on Little Fairy Doctor. But then, his eyes flicked back to Qing Hai—and instantly, his brows knitted tightly, a deep frown overtaking his features.
"Qing Hai…" The old man's voice was sharp, tinged with disbelief. "You were beaten this badly by a young man…?"
There was no mistaking the shock in his tone.
Still, his eyes flashed with uncertainty and disbelief. He could sense it clearly: Xiao Hua was relying on a secret technique, forcefully elevating his strength to the Dou Zun level. That explained the strange fluctuations and unnatural rise in power.
Yet… even with that in mind, how could a youth under twenty, who hadn't even reached Dou Zun on his own, suppress someone like Qing Hai—a genuine Dou Zun?
The scene before him left him speechless.
"Enough, Qin Tian. He might be carrying the 'key' of the Xiao Clan. Our leader's orders are clear—we must obtain it, no matter the cost."
Qing Hai's voice was grim, his expression growing darker under Qin Tian's probing gaze. He didn't need to be reminded how miserable and disgraced he already looked.
"Since the leader desires him, there's no point wasting time," Qin Tian replied coldly. His gaze shifted toward Xiao Hua, sharp and probing.
"Still... are you sure you don't want to ask the young lady behind you for help?"
Xiao Hua chuckled, his voice filled with quiet disdain.
"When there are two old dogs on the verge of death, asking her to dirty her hands would be a little too cruel."
A faint twitch crossed Qin Tian's face.
"Sharp tongue, brat." His eyes narrowed, and a glint of killing intent flashed within the cold darkness of his pupils.
"Be careful. There's something off about this ki—"
Before Qing Hai could finish his warning, Xiao Hua vanished.
Bang!
He reappeared in front of Qing Hai like a thunderclap, too fast to react to. His left fist, wrapped in a violent five-coloured glow, smashed down without mercy—slamming directly into Qing Hai's face.
"Brat, you dare—!"
Qin Tian's furious roar shook the air as he struck out, his palm sweeping sideways like a collapsing mountain, aiming to crush Xiao Hua's ribs.
But Xiao Hua's body moved with ghostly precision. His right hand surged forward, five-coloured Dou Qi bursting like a storm. In an instant, his fist met Qin Tian's palm head-on, space around them distorting from the violent energy.
Bang!
The sky cracked open as a dark spatial line tore through the clouds, ripping across the heavens like a scar.
Xiao Hua remained rooted in place, completely unmoved by the impact.
Qin Tian's pupils contracted. A flicker of disbelief flashed across his face.
'What monstrous strength…?!'
Qin Tian's interference did nothing—it didn't slow the momentum, nor did it buy Qing Hai even a second to escape.
BOOM!
Xiao Hua's left fist carried through with unstoppable force, slamming ruthlessly into Qing Hai's face. The old man let out a choked grunt as his body was blasted over twenty meters back, before crashing violently into the yellow-cracked ground, blood splattering midair.
Xiao Hua didn't spare him a single glance. His gaze turned to Qin Tian—cold, piercing, deadly.
"It's your turn now… old dog."
His voice was like winter steel—calm but filled with killing intent.
A violent shockwave burst out between the two as their auras clashed. Dust exploded into the sky, and both figures were forced back a few steps. But neither flinched. After regaining their footing, they locked eyes—fury against defiance.
"I would have never thought there would come a day when a mere Dou Zong dares to challenge the Hall of Souls," Qin Tian said, his low voice dark and gloomy.
"You come to the Tager Desert, wanting to forcefully bring me to the Hall of Souls and trying to rob the 'key' by force…" Xiao Hua sneered, his tone mocking, dripping with scorn. "And now you have the face to ask whether I dare to strike?"
He raised his fist slowly, five-colored Dou Qi spiraling wildly around it like a storm. "Let's stop talking about what I dare to do—let's see if your corpse is still intact when I'm done."
"Big words from the mouth of a mere brat!" Qin Tian's expression turned grim, his aura sinking into an icy chill as Xiao Hua's words echoed in his ears. He had never imagined that a day would come when someone so young would speak to him with such contempt.
But no matter what he thought, he dared not underestimate Xiao Hua in the slightest. Their brief clash had revealed more than enough.
That overbearing physique… that monstrous strength… Even ordinary Dou Zuns would find him a nightmare to contend with. Yet what truly disturbed Qin Tian wasn't just Xiao Hua's brute force—it was his Dou Qi.
When they collided, Qin Tian felt jolts of searing pain—like lightning laced with fire—piercing through his defenses, bypassing his Dou Qi, and stabbing directly into his soul.
Only then did he realize—this was what Qing Hai had tried to warn him about. The very reason he had been suppressed so swiftly.
"Unfortunate indeed… it seems the Hall of Souls will lose two Honorable Elders today." Xiao Hua's voice was calm, yet each word carried a deadly chill. "Now, whether those are just 'big words' or not—how about I let you feel them for yourself?"
With no further warning, Xiao Hua stomped the air. The space beneath his feet quaked, and his body transformed into a radiant five-colored streak, tearing through the sky and leaving behind a dazzling, divine arc. In the blink of an eye, a deafening boom ripped through the wind, and the surrounding temperature surged.
"Let's see if you have the strength to back up that arrogance!"
Qin Tian roared, stomping down with such force that the air itself cracked. His figure became a menacing dark-purple blaze, shooting straight toward Xiao Hua. Behind him trailed a ghostly streak of darkness—cold, oppressive, and filled with killing intent.
The two clashed—fist against fist, palm against palm—dodging, striking, countering with deadly precision. Their glowing figures danced violently through the sky, each exchange tearing open spatial cracks and unleashing waves of destructive force across the heavens.
Amid the fierce exchange, Qin Tian's heart trembled from the sheer might behind Xiao Hua's blows.
'This damned brat! What kind of hellish training did he go through to forge such a monstrous physique?!' Qin Tian cursed inwardly, gritting his teeth as he narrowly evaded another bone-shattering strike.
Without missing a beat, he retaliated with a fierce palm strike, his hand enveloped in a sinister, purple-hued Dou Qi that pulsed with malice.
Xiao Hua recognized that it was too late to evade. Without hesitation, he chose to take the hit head-on—while simultaneously driving his own attack straight toward Qin Tian's chest.
Qin Tian never imagined Xiao Hua would be so ruthless—even to himself. The boy had willingly taken a direct hit just to land a blow. While Qin Tian knew Xiao Hua had confidence in his body, that kind of mindset… that brutal decisiveness… was far beyond what any ordinary youth should possess.
The moment their blows landed, both were blasted backward by the shockwaves. But the damage they suffered was worlds apart.
Xiao Hua's domineering body only forced him to slide back through the air, a single bead of blood trickling from the corner of his lips. Qin Tian, however, was in far worse shape—blood spewed from his mouth as his body was hurled through the sky. It took him several moments to stabilize, his breath ragged and face pale.
But Xiao Hua gave him no chance to recover.
Like a bolt of divine lightning, he surged forward with relentless momentum, not giving even a heartbeat's pause.
Seeing this, Qin Tian panicked. He immediately turned to flee, hoping to gain distance. But his heart sank the moment he looked back.
Xiao Hua wasn't just overwhelmingly strong—his speed was terrifying.
No matter how far or fast Qin Tian fled, Xiao Hua was always right behind him.
Worse, Xiao Hua moved unpredictably—vanishing and reappearing in flashes of speed. In an instant, he would appear above Qin Tian, dropping from the sky like a meteor. His fists, wrapped in terrifying force, crashed down with no warning. Qin Tian had no time to dodge—only time to brace for impact.
Each time he was struck back, Qin Tian used the momentum to retreat, even at the cost of injuries—desperate to create distance. He have no intention on clashing against someone with domineering body like Xiao Hua.
But Xiao Hua never gave him even a breath to recover. He was a relentless storm, chasing with unyielding ferocity.
Across the vast yellow earth, two trails cut through the sky—a radiant five-colored streak hot on the heels of a dark-purple glow. The former pursued like divine judgment. The latter fled like a cornered beast.
Just as Xiao Hua was about to unleash another burst of speed, an enormous dark-purple serpent suddenly tore through the sky, lunging at him with the speed of lightning. Its eerie glow flickered like ghostly fire, casting long shadows across the battlefield.
Xiao Hua narrowed his eyes and halted his pursuit. He took a step back and swiftly dodged the enormous serpent that had suddenly appeared. However, this allowed Qin Tian to gain quite some distance, and Xiao Hua could not catch up immediately as long as the serpent blocked his path.
After pulling back, his gaze narrowed as he swept his eyes over the enormous snake with a scrutinizing look and slight irritation. He was curious—where had this damn snake come from?
The serpent wasn't a real beast—he could tell immediately. It was formed from countless chains, each link brimming with strange metallic energy. A thick, dark-purple fog clung to its surface, radiating a chilling, oppressive aura that made even the air feel heavy.
Shifting his gaze, Xiao Hua spotted Qing Hai in the distance—his face deathly pale, twisted in pain and hatred. The glare he shot at Xiao Hua was venomous.
Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. He had assumed Qing Hai was already dead, especially after taking that brutal blow to the face while he was locked in battle with Qin Tian.
Naturally, that included Qin Tian as well. But in a way, he was glad Qing Hai had survived—only so he could send that summoned serpent and buy Qin Tian the distance he desperately needed.
"Brat, go to hell!" Qing Hai roared furiously, sending the dark-purple serpent hurtling toward Xiao Hua. His mind was completely consumed by the desire to kill Xiao Hua and redeem himself, to the point he had forgotten that Xiao Hua was no ordinary Dou Zong.
Xiao Hua's gaze was icy as he stared down the massive serpent surging toward him, the sound of rushing wind screaming in its wake. He drew in a slow, steady breath, then suddenly clenched his fist, the veins on his arm bulging with power.
Rather than retreat, Xiao Hua advanced.
In front of the enormous dark-purple serpent, his figure seemed tiny—but it radiated the unshakable will of a gallant warrior, poised to slay a beast many times his size.
Without hesitation, he extended his finger and slammed it down toward the incoming serpent with devastating force.
"Ancient Desolate Hand, First Finger: Imprisoning Endless Land!"
The instant his finger pierced the air, the surrounding space shuddered violently. The once calm energies of heaven and earth were instantly roused into a raging storm, churning madly above Xiao Hua. Dark clouds burst forth, swallowing the sky in a sea of blackness as deafening thunder roared across the heavens.
With a thunderous roar, the gathered energy exploded outward—condensing into an immense, golden-green finger that towered over a hundred meters, descending with the weight of the heavens themselves.
At this moment, Xiao Hua's expression was solemn and composed. Ever since creating a new technique that fused the Heavenly Lightnings within that secluded valley, his control over high-grade Dou Techniques had grown sharper, more refined.
One such technique was the Ancient Desolate Hand—the same technique he had once used to block the devastating strike of the Black Plague Whale.
In the past, he had to forcibly gather the energy of heaven and earth by using his own Dou Qi, resulting in severe backlash that nearly crippled his finger. But now, he could maneuvered the vast energies of heaven and earth with effortless ease, as naturally as moving the palm of his own hand, the backlash naturally disappeared.
Now, that colossal golden-green finger drew in the surrounding energy of heaven and earth, shaking the skies beneath its immense pressure. It radiated an ancient, overwhelming aura as it descends majestically, smashing toward the dark-purple serpent with an unstoppable terrifying momentum.
Bang!
A deafening explosion rocked the battlefield.
The dark-purple serpent stood no chance. The moment it collided with the golden-green finger, it shattered apart completely, dissolving into fragments of broken chains and dissipating fog. Meanwhile, the massive finger remained unshaken, its divine might undiminished.
As the creator of the serpent, Qing Hai was directly affected. The backlash struck him immediately—his blood surged uncontrollably, nearly causing him to cough it out on the spot.
"This... Did that brat just casually use a Tian-Class Dou Technique?!"
Qin Tian was utterly stunned as he watched Xiao Hua unleash a Tian-Class Dou Technique without the slightest hesitation, as if it were nothing more than an everyday move.
He simply couldn't believe it—a young man of Xiao Hua's age, casually wielding such a fearsome technique without anyone ever hearing about it.
A bitter envy gnawed at Qin Tian's heart.
He knew well that even Jia Nan Academy, with all its resources, didn't possess a single Tian-Class Dou Technique.
If it had been the Xiao Clan at the height of their former glory, perhaps it wouldn't have been so shocking. But the Xiao Clan of today—fallen and broken—could not possibly have hidden such a powerful technique from the world.
That only left one explanation.
Xiao Hua must have stumbled upon an extraordinary fortuitous encounter—perhaps the legacy of some ancient sect, or the inheritance of a long-forgotten powerhouse.
The thought made Qin Tian's heart burn with jealousy.
While Qin Tian was still reeling in disbelief, Qing Hai found himself in an even more desperate situation.
The colossal golden-green finger, its momentum undiminished, tore through the shattered remnants of the serpent and continued its unstoppable charge straight toward him.
Qing Hai watched in horror as the colossal golden-green finger descended toward him, its imposing presence blotting out the sky. He wanted to move—he desperately tried—but an invisible pressure pinned him in place, locking his body in a death grip.
Moreover, he could feel it clearly—the colossal finger had locked onto his very soul.
No matter where he ran, no matter how fast he moved, it would chase him to the ends of the earth, until either he died... or someone far stronger intervened.
"Qin Tian! What are you doing?! Save me!!"
Qing Hai roared, his voice shrills with panic as he struggled helplessly. The chilling sensation of death loomed ever closer, suffocating him.
But Qin Tian didn't move.
He remained frozen in place, still trapped in a stunned daze. By the time Qing Hai's desperate cries reached him, it was already far too late.
Even if he had reacted earlier, he knew—deep down—that there was nothing he could have done to stop the terrifying momentum of that ancient finger.
Qing Hai's fate had been sealed the moment Xiao Hua unleashed that strike.
Rumble!!
The massive finger finally made contact with the ground, pressing down with deceptive gentleness.
Yet that "gentle" touch contained a power so monstrous that the earth itself caved inward, forming a massive crater with a deep, echoing boom.
The boundless energy of heaven and earth, stirred into a frenzy by the attack, erupted outward in devastating waves. Sand and debris were hurled into the air like a storm, while even the invisible air itself was compressed under the sheer might of the collision.
Sensing the oncoming destruction, Qin Tian reacted instantly. His hands blurred into motion, forming a series of complex seals. In the blink of an eye, countless black chains tinged with an eerie purple light burst forth, swirling rapidly to weave a formidable barrier before him.
Bang!
The devastating waves surged toward him. Fortunately, his barrier completed just in time, barely shielding him from the initial impact. However, its strength was far too weak compared to the overwhelming force, and it shattered like fragile glass within seconds.
With his natural Dou Qi defense scattered, the relentless shockwave slammed brutally against Qin Tian's body.
With a deep, resounding explosion, Cao Zhen's figure was sent hurtling backward, flying several tens of miles away. His balance completely collapsed, unable to control the violently churning Dou Qi within him, causing him to crash heavily into the ground.
Bang!
Yet even then, his body didn't stop. The force continued to drive him back, dragging him across the landscape for hundreds of miles before he barely managed to stabilize himself.
Qing Hai's face had turned deathly pale, as if all the blood had drained from his body.
Blood continued to pour from his wounds, several of his bones shattered beyond repair. In the end, he could no longer hold on and involuntarily coughed up a large mouthful of blood.
He ignored the agonizing pain coursing through his body and forced himself upright, lifting his heavy eyelids with extreme difficulty. Deep within his gaze, fear and unwillingness flickered as he stared at the young man standing proudly in the sky. His face was grim, darker than ever. He had truly underestimated the bottomless depth of the young man's techniques.
This time, he fully understood what it meant to kick an iron plate—one so hard and burning hot that it seared to the bone.
His eyes shifted toward the place where the colossal ancient finger had descended. All he could see was a vast crater, so deep that its bottom was nowhere in sight.
His heart trembled uncontrollably. Unable to suppress his fear, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva that tasted of iron. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. This... this was the terrifying result of Xiao Hua's overwhelming technique.
Even with all his strength, he knew—replicating such destruction was something far beyond his current ability.
Moreover, he believe within that bottomless hole...
Qing Hai's figure had already been completely annihilated—shattered into nothingness, leaving not even a fragment behind.
After obliterating Qing Hai, Xiao Hua's expression remained unchanged—calm, detached, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
He slowly turned, his icy gaze locking onto Qin Tian.
"Old thing, it's your turn."
His voice was chilling and indifferent, as though he were simply announcing the day's weather.
Hearing that frigid voice, Qin Tian felt a chill run down his spine.
Fear gripped his heart.
Regret gnawed at him bitterly—if he could turn back time, he would never have agreed to join this operation, let alone respond to Qing Hai's call for help.
Only now did he truly understand—Xiao Hua's earlier words about the Hall of Souls losing two of their Honourable Elders were not a provocation, not arrogance.
They were merely stating a cold, brutal fact.
No matter what he said now, no matter what excuses he offered, it would not change his fate.
Panic surging, Qin Tian turned sharply, attempting to tear open a spatial crack to escape.
But Xiao Hua, merciless as ever, gave him no chance.
With a flash, the five-colored glow shot forward, relentlessly pursuing the dark-purple trail across the skies.
One fleeing.
One chasing.
Their trails burned brightly across the heavens, a fierce pursuit that heralded the end.
An end the Hall of Souls had never foreseen.
Despite sending two Honorable Elders and risking exposure to the outside world... they had never imagined they would suffer such a crushing, humiliating defeat.
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