While Li Zhexian's side was discussing their countermeasures—
Tang Xiao and the four elders of the Clear Sky Clan were also holding a secret deliberation.
"Seventh Elder's blood debt absolutely cannot be brushed aside!"
"Our Clear Sky Clan has mobilized all its elites. If we shrink back in fear just because the enemy is strong, how will our sect have any standing on the continent in the future?!"
"We've been hidden for over a decade. Our reputation is no longer what it once was. We were even removed from the Upper Three Sects! If we retreat again today without battle, our sect will become a laughingstock!"
"Li Zhexian and the others are not without concerns either. This is Heaven Dou City. Countless civilians lie beneath us—though we certainly do not care for that!"
Even though more than ten Titled Douluo had not fully released their auras—
the pressure faintly leaking out already made the wind and snow surge violently.
The civilians of Heaven Dou stared at the towering figures within the blizzard, hearts flooded with awe.
Anyone with eyes could tell—
The Heaven Dou side already held the advantage.
The reason no one had struck yet…
Was simply because they were concerned for the people below.
After more than ten breaths—
Tang Xiao finally spoke, his voice piercing through the thick snowstorm:
"Spirit Hall is watching from the shadows."
"None of us wish to let Spirit Hall reap the benefits."
"But the death of the Seventh Elder must have an explanation."
"So why not…"
"Let me and Li Zhexian battle one-on-one."
The moment he said this—
Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and even the drifting Wind Bailong nearly laughed out loud.
But before anyone else could respond—
The Snow Empress spoke first.
"Humans truly are shameless."
Her voice was cold—like jade shattering into ice.
And then—
Under the stunned gazes of all—
The falling snow surged together, forming a massive pale crystalline palm—
Which instantly swung toward Tang Xiao.
Tang Xiao's expression tightened sharply.
Nine spirit rings rose one after another beneath him.
His seventh ring erupted with deep black light.
"Seventh Spirit Ability—Clear Sky True Body!"
The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand expanded hundreds of meters.
The pitch-black hammerhead crackled with thunder, like a mountain forged from lightning.
Tang Xiao's arms bulged like pillars as he swung the titanic hammer with full force—
Crashing into the snowy giant palm.
BOOOOM—!!!
Amidst the earth-shattering roar, the wind and snow intensified fiercely, and the raging thunder light was submerged by the heavy snow.
As the snow curtain surged, a burly figure was sent flying backward until the four Elders jointly stepped forward and barely managed to steady his form.
This scene—
Even made Dugu Bo, atop the serpent's head, twitch fiercely at the corner of his eye.
Tang Xiao swallowed the blood rising in his throat, lifting his gaze in shock toward the graceful, hazy silhouette.
This Spirit Beast's strength was far beyond what he had expected.
Suppressing his turbulent blood essence, he still stood straight and unbowed.
"Li Zhexian may be young, but he already stands among the peak of today's powerhouses. He cannot be regarded as an ordinary junior."
"Since that's the case… your strength seems passable."
The Snow Empress said lightly:
"I will fight you."
She raised her hand again—
Tang Xiao's expression shifted, and the four elders surged with Spirit Power simultaneously, preparing to intercept.
At that same moment—
Second Elder Tang Yue spoke:
"If the Sect Master personally takes action, he will be accused of bullying the younger generation."
"Then let me face Li Zhexian instead."
"Still shameless." The Snow Empress' tone turned colder.
The falling snow began gathering again.
But just then—
Li Zhexian suddenly spoke:
"Senior Snow Empress, please stay your hand for now."
The Snow Empress' delicate hand withdrew smoothly, returning to gently stroking Liite Yazi in her arms.
Tang Xiao and the elders let out a subtle sigh of relief, as did Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and the others, all turning their gaze toward the white-robed youth in the swirling snow.
"Since the Second Elder insists on fighting me…"
Li Zhexian said calmly:
"Then I will accept."
Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and the others immediately frowned.
"Zhexian, we hold the advantage. You don't need to accept their challenge."
Dugu Bo said slowly:
"Second Elder Tang Yue is the foremost elder of the Clear Sky Clan. His strength is second only to Tang Xiao—he has already reached Level 94 as a Titled Douluo."
"And with the Clear Sky Hammer… even if he's not a Super Douluo, he's very close."
In the Titled Douluo realm, each level was a world of difference.
The gap between Level 94 and Level 95 was an even greater watershed.
"Please be at ease, Seniors." A hint of burning fighting spirit flashed across Li Zhexian's eyes.
"Since I dare accept, I naturally have confidence."
On the other side—
Tang Xiao frowned.
"Second Elder, are you confident?"
"Yes."
Tang Yue gave only a single word—but it was firm as iron.
He was certain: below Level 95, he had no rivals.
No matter how monstrous Li Zhexian was—
To fight across levels and defeat an ordinary Titled Douluo as a Spirit Emperor was already a miracle.
Could he possibly defeat a Level-94 Titled Douluo?
"I will personally kill Li Zhexian… and avenge the Seventh Elder!" Tang Yue's fists clenched, joints crackling sharply.
It was his negligence leading the team at the Seven Sects Re-Selection that resulted in the Seventh Elder's death.
This revenge—
Rightfully belonged to him.
The Third Elder Tang Cang, Fourth Elder Tang Yuan, and Fifth Elder Tang Gang all nodded.
None of them doubted—
That the Second Elder would win.
"Very well. Then this battle will be yours."
Tang Xiao declared solemnly.
The news that Li Zhexian would fight the Clear Sky Clan's Second Elder swept across Heaven Dou City like the raging storm.
The entire city roared with excitement.
"Can Lord Sword Wine win?!"
"Of course! Lord Sword Wine will definitely defeat him!"
"But that Second Elder Tang Yue is a Level 94 peak powerhouse!"
"Hmph! If Lord Sword Wine could kill the Seventh Elder, he can at least fight the Second Elder to a draw!"
Though worried, Yu Tianheng, Feng Xiaotian, and the others still held firm faith in Li Zhexian. "I see that Brother Zhexian's inscription on the Titled Douluo Tower is not yet finished!"
"This Second Elder might just become another glorious line in his legend!"
Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and the other girls pressed their lips tightly together, anxiety clouding their brows.
Many Spirit Masters climbed to rooftops or high towers—
All staring at the two figures confronting each other in the snowy firmament.
The moment the ink fell upon parchment—
Li Zhexian's form blurred into the wind and snow.
The next heartbeat—
He turned into a streak of white rainbow, merging with the blizzard.
Seeing this, Tang Yue let out a low growl.
His arm muscles bulged like coiled dragons, and the Clear Sky Hammer swept up violently.
The hammer's wind carried crushing force—
Shredding the falling snow, shaking the heavens—
Roaring forth like a collapsing mountain.
One man with one sword—
Ethereal, swift as a startled swan.
Sword tip and hammer head met directly—
No flourishes.
No tricks.
Only raw force.
BOOM—!!!
BOOM—!!!
A deafening explosion tore through the sky.
Visible shockwaves rippled outward—
In an instant, clearing several kilometers of snow and revealing a bright blue sky.
Li Zhexian drifted back more than ten steps, the tiger's mouth of his sword hand splitting open.
But his entire arm shone with jade-like radiance—
And the wound healed completely in the blink of an eye.
Tang Yue was also forced back several steps before stabilizing, his hammer hand trembling uncontrollably.
Along with numbness—
A razor-sharp force shot up the hammer handle into his arm—
Like ten thousand needles piercing at once, impossible to ignore.
One single exchange—
And the two seemed evenly matched.
The swirling snowfall once more descended—
Slowly covering both figures separated by tens of meters, restoring their hazy forms.
But their killing intent—
Was now even sharper, even heavier…