Chapter 167: Gu Han vs. Tang Xiao, Scoring a Second Score.
"Three of you, this isn't a good place to fight. Please follow me to the back hills."
Gu Han gestured for permission.
"Okay."
"Brother Gu, please lead the way," the three of them replied, following Gu Han to the clearing where they had last fought Tang Hao.
Along the way, Tang Yuehua would occasionally steal glances at Gu Han, making Tang Xiao and Tang Hao look filled with regret. If they had known Gu Han was so effective against young girls, they would not have brought their younger sister.
Tang Xiao, in a fit of rage, slapped Tang Hao on the back, causing him to stumble. Speechless, Tang Hao glared at his older brother, as if to say, "You were the one who agreed to my younger sister coming here. What the hell is this to me?"
Tang Xiao glared back. "You dare to glare at your older brother? You want a beating, don't you?"
Tang Hao pouted. "You're the older brother. I won't argue with you."
Gu Han, walking in front, felt the burning gaze from behind him. He paused, turned, and stared curiously at the bewildered trio of siblings—more precisely, the winking duo of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao.
"What's wrong with you?"
Hearing this, Tang Yuehua quickly lowered her head and whispered, "No, nothing. My two brothers are always like this. Don't mind, Brother Gu."
Her voice was so soft, as thin as a mosquito's. If it weren't for Gu Han's excellent hearing, an ordinary person wouldn't have been able to make out what she was saying.
"Ahem, nothing."
Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, in unison, covered their mouths with their right hands, coughed softly, and waved their hands.
Afterward, Tang Hao took the initiative and stepped forward, pressing Gu Han's shoulder as he walked forward, whispering, "Brother Gu, my third sister has fallen in love with you. You're quite charming! This is the first time I've seen her act this way."
Gu Han gave a dry laugh, "I didn't do anything. Besides, I already have Dong'er."
"Hey, I knew you were a gentleman, Brother Gu. Since you're not interested in my sister, tell her as soon as possible. Otherwise, with my sister's personality, I don't know what she'll do and cause Her Highness the Saint to misunderstand."
Tang Hao felt a little disappointed when he heard this. After all, there weren't many people who caught his eye, and Gu Han was one of them. He was definitely worthy of his third sister, but unfortunately, she was already taken. But things still needed to be made clear.
Gu Han's mouth twitched slightly. No, I didn't do anything. Including the time of Master's wedding, he and Tang Yuehua had only met twice. And he suddenly came over and told her, "Woman, I already have someone I like. Give up."
Damn, was he sick?
If he really said that, no matter how tactful his words, the whole thing would make him look like a self‑indulgent psychopath.
Besides, this wasn't the first time he'd seen this situation. It wasn't just during school; since arriving in Spirit City, he'd received more than one love letter, though Bibi Dong had blocked all of them.
Quite a few girls were indeed attracted to him, but at most, it was just a matter of lust. He'd keep a distance. A few years later, when they'd matured, they'd look back on this moment with a smile.
Still, he replied to Tang Hao, "Brother Hao, don't worry. I'll save you some trouble."
The four of them reached an open space behind the mountain. Gu Han and Tang Xiao stepped forward, while Tang Hao and Tang Yuehua watched from a safe distance.
After exchanging greetings, they released their spirits and spirit rings.
Tang Xiao's Clear Sky Hammer, unlike Tang Hao's, was shrouded in the familiar purple lightning and powerful aura. Among the Spirit Sages Gu Han had encountered, he was in the top tier.
"Tang Xiao, martial spirit Clear Sky Hammer, level 78 Power Attack Battle Soul Saint."
Tang Xiao swung the Clear Sky Hammer, his muscles sturdy and his demeanor calm and majestic. The spirit rings at his feet were arranged in the following order:
yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
Gu Han's spirit ring configuration was simple enough. The three siblings had seen the fourth spirit ring years before, but the seventh, orange‑gold spirit ring, was particularly striking.
"What kind of spirit ring is that?"
Tang Xiao asked the same question as Tang Hao.
Gu Han shook his head slightly. "This is a personal secret. Please forgive me for not sharing it."
"Since that's the case, then please begin."
Hearing this, Tang Xiao didn't ask any more questions. The Clear Sky Hammer suddenly grew larger, its face a full man's width. He swung it with a thunderous force, its mere presence enough to intimidate many Soul Saints into battle.
Gu Han's figure was graceful, his longsword drawing a mysterious arc in mid‑air, perfectly avoiding the Clear Sky Hammer and striking Tang Xiao in the face.
"Hmm!"
Tang Xiao's eyes widened, and he stomped hard on the ground, leaping back to avoid the sword.
Gu Han did not pursue. He stood with his sword in hand, white clothes and hair fluttering in the wind, calm and relaxed.
Tang Xiao's eyes grew serious. He was worthy of being the rival chosen by his grandfather. Definitely not to be underestimated.
"Excellent swordsmanship. Let me show you the true power of my Haotian skills, the Nine Haotian Techniques."
"Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul True Body!"
Tang Xiao's seventh ring lit up, activating his Martial Soul True Body, and his aura surged.
Clear Sky Hammer Soul Masters reach a crucial peak at the Soul Sage stage.
"Empty Word Technique!"
The hammer turned, surrounding energy converged on Tang Xiao. Moments later, he shot out like a cannonball, cracking the ground beneath him.
"Beng Zi Jue!"
The hammer struck with devastating force, enough to split Mount Huashan. Its aura locked the opponent in place, forcing a confrontation.
Gu Han lips curved. At the moment of attack, he vanished from sight.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Teleport."
Tang Xiao knew this skill. When he disappeared, he immediately swept in.
"Guan Zi Jue" crackled with lightning, forming a thunder pool. The hammer sliced through the air.
Gu Han did not appear behind him. Instead, he pulled back a little.
Tang Xiao's attack missed. He frowned. Haodi had warned: Gu Han is unpredictable.
His face darkened. He sniffed, turning savage.
"Sha (Stop) technique!"
Immediately, Tang Xiao moved with erratic speed and accuracy, closing the distance and striking.
"Chan (Grip) technique!"
The hammer's force latched onto Gu Han like a magnet.
"Interesting."
Tang Hao had relied on chaotic cloaks. Tang Xiao, however, clearly mastered the Nine Clear Sky Techniques—a different breed.
Combining offense with defense, movement unpredictable, flickering through attacks. This was Haotian skill perfected by Tang Chen.
"But it's still not enough."
Gu Han's sword arced like a spring breeze, erratic yet elegant, slipping through defenses.
The Tai Chi sword, soft yet firm, drew Tang Xiao into rhythm. No maneuvering could break it.
Cold sweat beaded on Tang Xiao's forehead.
"As Brother Hao said: effective against Clear Sky Hammer."
But no: his own skill was the limiting factor.
"...Ah... Well‑timed."
Gu Han's second soul skill activated:
"Second Soul Skill – Ice Spirit Guardian."
Blue‑white ice armor surrounded him—not for defense, but to amplify all attributes.
His second ring now reached 1700. His overall realm bonus rose from 10% to 25%.
Gu Han danced with the Black Frost Sword, forming yin‑yang fish patterns. Sword tip pressed on the hammer handle, swirling into Tai Chi patterns, striking Tang Xiao's wrist.
Most force absorbed by Tai Chi energy. Gu Han's grace eased the sword into a blind spot, locking the wrist.
Boom!
The Clear Sky Hammer dropped onto the ground, creating a spider‑cracked crater.
Tang Xiao dodged and swung a fist.
Gu Han sidestepped, grabbed the wrist, pulled gently, staggering him. He kicked Tang Xiao in the stomach and sent him flying over ten meters.
Tang Xiao stared at the sky, disbelief etched on his face:
"I lost."
"I actually lost despite Clear Sky Nine Techniques..."
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(End of this chapter)