Impossible… how is this possible? How could you have reached level 98!
And that ninth spirit ring—how can it possibly be a hundred-thousand-year level?!
Tang Hao's eyes widened in disbelief. His gaze fell upon Lin Fan's spirit rings, and what he saw was completely different from what he remembered.
He clearly recalled the first time he had met Lin Fan—his spirit rings were ordinary, his strength not even enough to defeat Tang Hao.
But now?
After all these years where Tang Hao had been stuck without progress, Lin Fan had not only surpassed him, but even his spirit rings had transformed into terrifying hundred-thousand-year rings.
A 98th-level cultivation could barely be understood… but black spirit rings turning into scarlet-red hundred-thousand-year rings—this was beyond comprehension.
Lin Fan said calmly:
"This is precisely why Senior Tang Chen chose me as acting Grand Elder of the Clear Sky Clan, instead of your elder brother or the five clan elders."
"So, Tang Hao, return to the Clear Sky Sect with me, admit your wrongs before the direct-line disciples, and follow me to negotiate reconciliation with Spirit Hall."
Tang Hao's eyes burned with fury as he roared:
"I know I've wronged the Clear Sky Sect, but to reconcile with Spirit Hall? Never! I'd rather die! Otherwise, how could I ever face Ah Yin's spirit in the afterlife?"
Lin Fan's tone remained calm, but carried a sharp edge:
"Are you certain? I only have one month for this mission. Half of that time has already passed. If, by the end of the month, you still refuse to return, you will be permanently expelled from the sect. Your name will be erased from the clan's genealogy, and you will never again be honored in the ancestral hall."
"Furthermore, as a show of sincerity toward Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect will join hands with them to hunt you down. This was the decision of your grandfather Tang Chen, your elder brother, and the five clan elders together."
"When that time comes, there will be no place left for you in this world. For the sake of your elder brother Tang Xiao, your little sister Tang Yuehua, and even your still-growing son Tang San… you had better think carefully."
Lin Fan's voice, though plain, carried a heavy threat.
If not for the Shura Sword and the inheritance of the Shura God, Lin Fan would never have wasted time here—he would already be on his way to Seagod Island.
Tang Hao's face twisted with inner struggle. He knew Lin Fan spoke the truth. Yet the memory of Ah Yin sacrificing herself before his very eyes, all because of Spirit Hall, burned within him.
At last, his expression hardened.
"Even if it means being branded unfilial and ungrateful, I cannot forget the sight of Ah Yin's sacrifice. I would rather die than return to the sect. I will never forgive Spirit Hall. I will have my revenge!"
Lin Fan's eyes narrowed coldly.
"Stubborn fool. Before I left, I promised your elder brother and sister that I would bring you back—dead or alive. If you wish to die, at least let it be before their eyes."
"So now, I can only take you back by force. Otherwise, how could I ever face Yuehua?"
The air trembled.
Clang—!
The clear cry of a sword resounded as Lin Fan drew the Azure Shadow Sword, slashing toward Tang Hao.
Tang Hao raised the Clear Sky Hammer to block.
Boom!
The impact sent him crashing backward, smashing hard against the rocky cliff wall.
"Such terrifying force… so this is the might of level 98!"
His arm holding the hammer was numb from the shock. Pure strength alone favored the Clear Sky Hammer, but with soul power widening the gap, Lin Fan's strike had overwhelmed him.
Without pause, Lin Fan swung his sword twice more, unleashing two intersecting arcs of azure sword qi. He followed closely behind, blade thrusting forward.
Tang Hao hastily deflected the sword qi, only to find Lin Fan's real blade already stabbing from behind the attack.
"His speed… even faster than before!"
Tang Hao's expression darkened. Though his Clear Sky Hammer held unparalleled strength, Lin Fan's speed and power together were overwhelming.
"Haotian Bodyguard!"
He quickly activated his defensive skill, the Clear Sky Hammer, spinning around him in protection.
But Lin Fan sneered:
"With just this, you think to take revenge?"
A black spirit ring lit up around him.
"Fifth Spirit Skill—Sword Shadow Clone!"
Five doppelgängers of Lin Fan appeared, each with the might of a 91st-rank Title Douluo, and besieged Tang Hao all at once.
Lin Fan's voice rang out amidst the assault:
"For the sake of a single hundred-thousand-year soul beast, you cast aside the sect that raised you, your family that guided you, your father who died in anger, and your grandfather's orders. Tang Hao—are you a man, or merely a beast?"
"Answer me!"
Tang Hao could not even find a chance to speak as the clones' relentless blades rained down.
Lin Fan pressed on:
"Even the Haotian Bodyguard you now use was taught to you by the Clear Sky Sect. Since you no longer recognize the sect, why use its skills? Do you feel no shame?"
Tang Hao's face grew uglier with each word. His rage exploded at last. Blood-red light surged from his body as killing intent filled the air.
"Enough!"
He unleashed both the Killing God Domain and his Clear Sky True Body, blasting apart Lin Fan's clones with a single mighty strike.
"Lin Fan! Do you think being stronger gives you the right to lecture me? The name of Haotian cannot be insulted! If you have the ability, kill me here and now!"
Lin Fan snorted coldly.
"You… dare still claim the name Haotian?"
"Even if I am not of the Tang bloodline, as acting Grand Elder, it is my duty to awaken you from your stubborn madness."
The Azure Shadow Sword transformed, his Qingming Sword Domain expanding outward.
Countless swords manifested in the air, descending upon Tang Hao like a storm of dragons.
Tang Hao roared in defiance:
"Then come! Eighth Spirit Skill—Heaven-Shaking Hammer!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Sixth Spirit Skill—Tempest Sword Style!"
The dragon-like sword array instantly twisted into a raging tornado, engulfing Tang Hao in its fury.
Rip—!
Pfft—!
Blood sprayed from Tang Hao's lips as he was battered into the cliffside once more. The mountain itself quaked from the impact.
His clothes were shredded, his body covered in sword scars, his hair disheveled.
He coughed violently, spitting blood.
Lin Fan hovered above, one hand behind his back, sword in the other, robes fluttering in the wind.
The contrast between him and Tang Hao could not have been sharper.
"Tang Hao… will you still resist?"
Tang Hao staggered to his feet, leaning heavily on his hammer. His voice was low and grim:
"I said it before… I will fight you to the very end."
Lin Fan's eyes sharpened.
"Then let me show you the true gulf between us."
He dismissed the Azure Shadow Sword.
In his hands appeared a massive, blood-red greatsword. The sky itself was dyed scarlet by its murderous aura.
Five hundred-thousand-year spirit rings rose around him—each blazing crimson, the last one veined faintly with gold.
Tang Hao's pupils shrank.
"A twin spirit… You actually possess a twin spirit!"
At last, he understood why Lin Fan had so desperately sought the lives of Xiao Wu and the others.
Tang San, awakened by the sounds of battle, arrived just in time to see. His heart trembled violently.
"Five… five hundred-thousand-year rings?! One of them must be Xiao Wu's… Damn you, Lin Fan!"
His hatred boiled, but facing Lin Fan's godlike figure, the fury in his chest had no choice but to hide itself.