Chapter 70: Is Swinging the Clear Sky Hammer Just a Matter of Having Hands?
"Hao'er!"
From the mountains behind Tang Hao, Tang Zhen and Tang Xiao clenched their fists tightly. They believed in Tang Hao's strength—this battle would surely be spectacular.
With a flap of his wings, Qian Xunji transformed into a golden meteor and landed on the platform, a dozen meters in front of Tang Hao. "Alright then, since you're so confident, I'll play along."
Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red soul rings appeared beneath Qian Xunji. His aura surged violently as his full level 96 cultivation exploded outward.
Likewise, the same soul ring configuration appeared beneath Tang Hao. As soul power surged around the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand, the hammerhead expanded to ten times its original size. A domineering aura erupted from it, completely matching Qian Xunji's presence.
As the two revealed their soul rings, nearly all the soul masters present widened their eyes in disbelief. Two scarlet rings—hundred-thousand-year soul rings!
Everyone became alert, including Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, Sword and Bone Douluo, and Yu Yuanzhen. A Title Douluo with two hundred-thousand-year soul rings—how powerful would that be?
"Fifth soul skill—Holy Sword."
Qian Xunji's fifth ring lit up as he made the first move. A golden sword condensed in his hand, which he immediately hurled toward Tang Hao like a blazing meteor aimed at his chest.
Some experienced soul masters were puzzled—why throw a weapon-type soul skill? Wasn't that a waste?
Tang Hao snorted softly and moved simply—his left foot stomped heavily on the ground. With a loud boom, the earth cracked beneath him. He stretched his right arm, hammer in hand, behind his back. His whole body tensed, muscles bulging and glowing with a powerful black light. His heel lifted, supporting himself solely on his toes. The fabric on his left leg burst, revealing rock-hard muscles. In the next instant, the Clear Sky Hammer swung.
There was no sound. The swing was utterly silent. Apart from A Yin, who used her Blue Silver Domain to observe, no one below the Title Douluo level even saw the hammer's trajectory.
The Holy Sword shattered upon impact with the Clear Sky Hammer, dissolving into golden flames. The hammer then smashed into the ground.
BOOM—
A terrifying shockwave erupted, sending dust into the air. Sword Douluo felt the sheer might of the hammer—he would need his fifth soul skill just to block such a blow.
Tang Zhen and Tang Xiao were thrilled. This was true power. This was the world's strongest weapon-type martial soul—the Clear Sky Hammer!
But before Tang Hao could follow up with another strike, he found he couldn't lift the hammer. A quick scan with his spiritual power revealed Qian Xunji standing atop it. His second soul ring dimmed as a phantom became solid. With a playful smirk, Qian Xunji raised his glowing hand.
Damn it—he'd been tricked!
Tang Hao realized he had no chance in close combat without the hammer's weight and destructive force—especially not against Qian Xunji's angelic enhancements.
"Tang Hao, do you know why no one uses the Clear Sky Hammer in actual battles? Why soldiers always use spears—or if hammers, they use short, arm-length ones?"
"First, flexibility—a smaller hammer still deals damage. Second, to prevent this exact situation. Once someone steps on your weapon, it's useless."
With that, golden light burst from Qian Xunji's palm. Tang Hao was flung back, crashing into a mountain wall and leaving a Tang Hao-shaped imprint.
The Clear Sky Hammer—with its long handle and massive head—was completely impractical on the battlefield. If someone stepped on it, it was stuck. One spear and you were done. Only a fool would use it in real combat.
If you could really dominate with such a weapon, wouldn't a spiked club or a halberd be even better? More flexible, more deadly.
The crowd on the surrounding mountains fell silent—including those from Spirit Hall.
What just happened? The Pope won already? Two moves and Tang Hao was floored? But the power that just burst from the dust... wasn't even that strong.
As the dust settled, everyone saw Qian Xunji standing proudly atop the water barrel-sized Clear Sky Hammer, arms behind his back, gazing calmly at Tang Hao embedded in the wall.
"Mighty Battle Spirit Hammer. Proud Clear Sky Sect. The so-called number one sect's heir—has he already fallen?"
Tang Hao's body trembled. He dropped from the wall and stood back up, chest scorched, his leather coat bearing a clear palm print from Qian Xunji's strike. The humiliation burned within him like a volcano.
He extended a hand to retrieve the Clear Sky Hammer—without it, he couldn't even unleash one-tenth of his strength. But would Qian Xunji allow it?
Golden soul power surged around Qian Xunji, wrapping around the hammer and cutting off Tang Hao's control. The hammer trembled briefly, then fell still.
Even if Tang Hao wanted to recall it, he'd have to break through the soul power barrier first. The Clear Sky Hammer, formed of soul power, was tangible—and could be restrained.
And re-summoning a martial soul took several seconds. This wasn't a soul master tournament—you didn't get a minute to prep.
Qian Xunji spread his arms. "Come, Tang Hao. Reclaim your Clear Sky Hammer. Kick me off your martial soul."
"Domain of the Killing God!"
Furious beyond reason, Tang Hao activated his Killing God Domain. A murderous aura exploded outward. He vanished, reappearing by the hammer to grab its handle, ready to unleash the Clear Sky Sect's secret technique.
Even without his martial soul, Tang Hao's six soul bones and level 93 body gave him Soul Douluo-level strength. But against Qian Xunji with full martial soul possession, it wasn't enough.
Qian Xunji activated his Angel Domain, repelling the Killing God Domain. Golden power condensed into a whip in his hand. He lashed out.
The golden whip struck toward Tang Hao's forehead. He blocked with his arm, but a sharp sound rang out, leaving a clear mark.
"This isn't a weapon—it's transformed soul power."
Qian Xunji increased his soul power. The golden whip split into two. One struck Tang Hao's chest, sending him flying again into a wall, dust falling all around.
Tang Hao's eyes reddened. The attacks weren't heavy—but they hurt. If his muscles weren't tensed, every lash would tear flesh.
But that wasn't what enraged him—it was the humiliation. Qian Xunji was toying with him. If only he still had his hammer, he wouldn't be in such a disgraceful state.
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