At the moment Tang Hao's terrifying soul power was about to strike Chen Yi, the force that could have crushed a soul saint into severe injury hit an invisible, indestructible barrier. Like a silent wave breaking on coral, it dissipated without a sound—no earth-shaking explosion, no violent shockwaves. Everything was eerily quiet.
In the next moment, a figure in a blue shirt appeared silently between Chen Yi and Tang Hao. Standing there, he seemed to become the center of the world, isolating Tang Hao's terrifying pressure as if it were a wild beast, shielding Chen Yi behind him.
"Another person? When did he show up?"
"How dare he stand before a Title Douluo? Dead for sure!"
The bystanders, watching from afar in fear, could only gasp at the mysterious blue-shirted man's appearance. Facing a Title Douluo, especially one with nine spirit rings and a crimson ring, seemed suicidal.
But for Tang Hao, this moment brought a huge shock. He hadn't even noticed when or how this man arrived—like an illusion conjured out of thin air. The only explanation: this man's strength was unfathomable, likely surpassing even his own.
Tang Hao stared at the ordinary-looking middle-aged man with a deep, thunderous voice, tinged with fear and suspicion:
"Your Excellency... who are you?"
He searched his memory for a Douluo who could match the man before him; none fit.
Yet the elder ignored Tang Hao's question, not even glancing his way. His gaze landed directly on Xiao Wu, who was trying to retreat with Tang San, but he'd clearly witnessed everything.
A living 100,000-year transforming soul beast—such a find was heaven-sent. Under the elder's soul-piercing gaze, Xiao Wu felt as though she'd become a prehistoric beast's prey, her marrow freezing in terror.
Seeing himself ignored, Tang Hao's suppressed anger flared. When had the Clear Sky Douluo ever been so disrespected? Still, the man's overwhelming power forced Tang Hao to restrain himself, snorting coldly through his nose to draw attention.
The elder finally glanced at him, but his expression was one of detached appraisal, as if evaluating an object, utterly devoid of emotion.
Even Tang Hao, mighty as he was, felt a chill at the elder's attitude, realizing instantly that this man must also be a Title Douluo.
Yet despite the shock, Yu Xiaogang still believed Tang Hao was unbeatable. In his eyes, there were only two kinds of Douluo: the Clear Sky Douluo and everyone else. As long as Tang Hao was serious, the mysterious man before them couldn't possibly win.
Tang Hao, feeling uncomfortable under the elder's gaze, could no longer restrain himself. He barked coldly, voice sharp and murderous:
"Your Excellency... do you really wish to become my enemy?"
The elder still did not answer. It was as if Tang Hao's threat was merely the buzzing of a mosquito. He shook his head slightly, his tone regretful and disdainful as he spoke to his juniors:
"After Tang Chen, the situation with the Clear Sky Sect is just getting worse."
This line, though not loud, thundered in Tang Hao's ears.
'Tang Chen'—that name was both his greatest pride and most painful wound. This man dared utter his grandfather's name and judge the Clear Sky Sect so lightly?!
"You—!"
Tang Hao exploded in fury, logic and fear drowned by humiliation. The Clear Sky Hammer in his hands glowed black, radiating destructive power as he roared:
"You want a fight?!"
For the first time, the elder's lips curled in a faint, cold smile:
"You want a fight? Heh… when you demanded my sect's young master kneel like a slave, did you consider the consequences?"
"Young master?!"
Tang Hao's heart froze as if doused in ice. He looked at Chen Yi in disbelief—so he was a hidden sect's young master, protected by such a powerful guardian?
The elder's smile and emotionless tone made it clear that today's matter would not be simply resolved.
Without warning, Tang Hao's eyes blazed, his nine spirit rings shining, especially the blood-red one exuding monstrous ferocity. He charged at the elder, wielding the Clear Sky Hammer with earth-shattering force.
Even Chen Yi, standing behind the elder, unconsciously narrowed his eyes. But as the hammer approached, the elder didn't move a step. He did not summon his martial soul or reveal his spirit rings; he simply stirred his spirit power, interweaving it with pure soul force into an invisible net in front of him.
"Buzz—!"
The Clear Sky Hammer, wreathed in tens of thousands of pounds of force, struck the invisible net. But instead of an explosive shock, the terrifying power was absorbed, weakened, and dissolved layer by layer.
Only a fierce airwave spread from the two at its center, lifting the stone pavement and scattering it skyward. As the shockwave threatened to sweep up nearby buildings and terrified onlookers, the elder flicked his left hand, releasing a gentle yet majestic soul force that diverted the destructive blast harmlessly into the sky.
"Whoosh—"
The wind howled overhead, then gradually dissipated. The distant crowd watched in awe, sighing with relief and gazing at the elder with reverence and gratitude.
Afterward, the elder looked back at Tang Hao, whose face had grown ugly, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt:
"Rank 95—a solid foundation, but just so-so. Back then, you had just broken through rank 90 and managed to defeat the former Pope. Was that really enough? Use everything you have—show whether you're worthy of the title 'Clear Sky'."
Tang Hao's heart churned. That last attack had secretly used the full force of the Clear Sky technique, yet the opponent easily neutralized it and even protected the surroundings. The elder's terrifying spirit power reminded him of his own grandfather!
Who is this man?! When did such a terrifying powerhouse appear on the continent?
Realizing he could not win, Tang Hao decided to send his people away before things got worse. He covertly transmitted a message to Yu Xiaogang:
"Hurry! Take the master and the girl, leave Nuoding City, go to Heaven Dou City and find Tang Yuehua. Quickly!"
Yu Xiaogang, stunned for a moment, saw Tang Hao's grim gaze and understood the situation's gravity. He ignored his own pain, grabbed the stunned Tang San, and shouted lowly:
"Let's go! Your father is giving us a chance to escape!"
Tang San, though filled with hatred for Chen Yi, understood the urgency and responded quickly, grabbing Xiao Wu. The three, ignoring their wounds, fled down the street, using the chaos between Tang Hao and the elder to escape.
Chen Yi's eyes flashed coldly. How could he let the ducks in his mouth fly away? A flicker of thunder appeared at his feet as he ghosted after Tang San's group.
"That little beast dares!"
Tang Hao, seeing this, tried to intercept Chen Yi, but the elder instantly appeared before him, staring as if at a trapped beast:
"Why don't you worry about your own situation first?"
...
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