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"Ahhhh!"
Tang San watched his severed arm spin away from his body as a piercing agony exploded through him.
Turning his head, he saw only emptiness where his right arm used to be, blood gushing like a fountain.
Through all the battles he'd endured until now, this was the first time Tang San truly felt the taste of death.
Even though Oscar's aura had plummeted to its lowest, that suffocating sense of danger only grew stronger, locking tightly around him.
The crowd snapped back to awareness at the sound of Tang San's scream.
Seeing his missing arm and the torrent of blood, they were stunned beyond belief.
"How is that possible? Tang San was dismembered in an instant?!"
"He's the heir of two godhoods—the strongest of all three gods!"
"So this is the disciple of Lan Minghua… the true depth of the Tianlong Empire!"
Tang San ignored their shock—only one thought remained.
Run.
Run now.
Run fast!
Before the stunned eyes of all, Tang San discarded all dignity. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track erupted beneath his feet, layering phantoms as he madly fled into the distance.
Oscar chuckled softly. "Now you want to run? Far too late."
As he spoke, his index and middle fingers relaxed.
The sword light of the second and third strikes shot from his fist.
Though released one after the other, the two beams closed in on Tang San near-simultaneously.
A chill colder than death itself rushed up Tang San's spine. Relying solely on his desperate survival instinct, he barely twisted his body aside.
Shhk!
Both sword lights landed on his body. One severed his left leg; the other pierced straight through his abdomen.
Had he not forced that slight deviation, the third strike would have cut him in half at the waist.
Though these two blows didn't kill him, his left leg and belly were both split open by massive wounds, blood surging uncontrollably.
"Oscar! Must you force me to the end?!"
Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, his voice a furious roar.
But he conveniently forgot how moments ago he himself had been intent on killing Oscar without mercy.
Had Oscar not been powerful, he'd already have died by Tang San's hand.
Now, with death upon him, Tang San suddenly howled for mercy.
Oscar smiled faintly, not bothering to reply. He just continued gathering his strength.
He could perform the Five-Finger Fist-Heart Sword, but only the basic execution—and it required time to prepare.
If, right after the first sword, Tang San had charged in without fear of death, he might still have had a tiny chance.
But his fear erased even that sliver.
After one breath, Oscar finally answered, "Tang San, today one of us dies, so why waste breath with this nonsense?"
"N-No, it doesn't have to end like this! We can still negotiate!" Tang San said quickly. "Let me go, and I swear I'll never trouble you again!"
Oscar narrowed his eyes, looking at him with lazy amusement. "Your father and sister died by my master's hand—was that negotiable too?"
"And even if you don't come after the Tianlong Empire again, what about the rest? Don't forget—your side has other god-ranked fighters. Can you speak on their behalf?"
Tang San raised his remaining hand, confidently declaring, "Of course I can. If you spare me, I'll kill them myself to make sure they never trouble you again!"
At that, the armies of the Spirit Hall, Sea God Island, and Xingluo Empire all went livid.
They had followed Tang San into war against the Tianlong Empire, expecting that even if they didn't get to feast, they'd at least drink the soup.
Who could have imagined that for his own survival, Tang San would turn on them first?
Teeth clenched, eyes filled with hatred, many wished to flay him alive.
But at their level of strength, they could only rage inwardly.
Just then, Tang San made his move.
"Oscar, die for me!"
The Sea God Trident—flung earlier with his severed right arm—happened to fall right behind Oscar.
It erupted with blinding light, transforming into a streak of blood-red brilliance, stabbing straight at Oscar's back.
"Oscar! Watch out!" Zhu Zhuqing shrieked, voice cracking with terror.
But Oscar's expression remained utterly calm.
He neither dodged nor flinched. Instead, he released his ring finger—unleashing the fourth sword of the Five-Finger Fist-Heart Sword!
That blade of light was countless times faster than the trident, straight and lethal.
Tang San only glimpsed it for a fraction of a moment before it punched through his chest, leaving a gaping hole where his organs vanished entirely.
He vomited blood in a violent spray, his aura crashing to rock bottom.
If he hadn't been bolstered by two god powers, he'd already be dead.
Oscar wasn't unscathed—
the Sea God Trident pierced through his back and out his chest, tip slick with his blood.
He coughed a mouthful of red, but still maintained the stance of the Five-Finger Fist-Heart Sword.
Oscar lifted his head toward the heavens and shouted to Lan Minghua, "Master! Watch my final sword—see if it carries even a trace of your style!"
Lan Minghua, for once not joking, replied with a solemn nod. "Very well. Show me."
Then he glanced coldly at the gods of the Divine Realm. If any dared intervene, he would strike with full force and kill them on the spot.
The Five God Kings paled. Swallowing their indignation, none dared make a move.
Oscar lowered his gaze to Tang San, a faint smile rising. "Tang San, your time is up."
As his words fell, his little finger released—the fifth strike of the Five-Finger Fist-Heart Sword.
Hum!
The sword light seemed to cross the river of time itself. In that instant, all things in the world halted, leaving only that blade in motion.
The allied forces roared in desperation. Tang San might have spoken vile words, but they could not deny one thing—
As heir to two godhoods, he was their strongest combatant.
If he died, the coalition would fall for sure.
But the sword light was far too fast. No one could even see it clearly, let alone block it.
Tang San's crimson eyes widened. Even if he had the will, his body had no strength left to resist. He could only watch death approach.
Shhk!
A soft sound—
Tang San's head flew skyward, his body falling separately beneath it.
Tang San.
God King Tang.
Slain.
Oscar, unable to hold on any longer, dropped to one knee in midair, coughing continuously.
He had won.
With Tang San's death, the coalition's morale collapsed. Even Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue were shaken.
They too soon perished beneath the concentrated assault of the Tianlong Empire's forces.
The battle ended in total victory for the Tianlong Empire.
The Divine Realm fell silent. Their plan—plotted for years—was instantly ruined.
And now, in this situation, they had no means to compel Lan Minghua to ascend.
Zhu Zhuqing helped Oscar to his feet, but instead of resting, he looked upward and declared loudly:
"Having endured fifty-four trials, the tribulation clouds—"
Before he could finish, a sandal whistled through the air and smacked him cleanly in the face.
Lan Minghua glared darkly. "Tribulation your ass! You trying to recite plagiarized lines here? Believe it or not, I'll bury your head in the dirt!"
Oscar rubbed his head awkwardly. "Ahem, Master, I was just trying to set the mood. So? Am I qualified to follow at your side now?"
As Lan Minghua's senior disciple, he knew his master's greatest enemy was the Divine Realm.
Every god up there possessed strength not inferior to Tang San. Now that he had slain Tang San himself, he felt he had proven his worth.
Lan Minghua crushed his confidence with a blow. "Remember what I told you four years ago? When you reach the rank of Titled Douluo, seeing me will be like a mote of dust beholding the heavens. Pretty boy, now I'll show you my true strength."
At those words, the gods of the Divine Realm tensed in alarm.
Lan Minghua raised his hand like a sword, lifting it high. His aura of sword intent withdrew completely, coiled inward.
"Watch closely—this sword opens the Heavenly Gate!"
(End of Chapter)