At Bibi Dong's command, Ju Douluo, Gui Douluo, Mo Xiong Douluo (Devil Bear), Gui Bao Douluo (Ghost Leopard), Ling Yuan Douluo, She Mao (Snake Spear) Douluo, Ci Xue Douluo (Porcupinefish), and ten other Douluos leapt into the air, confronting the blood-red colossal hammer descending from the sky.
Indeed, She Long and Ci Xue were also present. Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, had come to Spirit City in her capacity as the crown prince of the Tian Dou Empire to oversee the finals. Naturally, their two bodyguards had returned as well.
Boom—
A thunderous explosion, akin to divine retribution, shook the entire Spirit City to its core.
Any soul master below Level 70 immediately blanked out mentally. Those who were slightly closer even collapsed unconscious amidst the deafening roar.
Aside from the thirteen Douluos who had intercepted the blood-red hammer, Chu Chengzhou, Hu Liena, and others were among the closest. If it weren't for Chen Xin and Bibi Dong quickly deploying a layer of soul power barriers to protect both teams, some might have been directly killed on the spot.
The next moment, the thirteen Douluos who had joined forces to intercept were flung backward, and the attack of the blood-red hammer was neutralized.
Though the thirteen Douluos hadn't unleashed their True Body forms, and their soul power levels didn't exceed Level 95—some with weapon-type martial souls were even suppressed by the world's number one weapon-type martial soul, the Hao Tian Hammer—this alone demonstrated the immense power of Tang Hao's strike.
"Old Ghost!"
Seeing that their combined efforts still hadn't gained the upper hand, Yue Guan immediately called out to his old buddy, Gui Mei.
Having been close friends (or lovers?) for decades, Yue Guan only needed to raise an eyebrow for Gui Mei to understand what he wanted.
Instantly, Ju Yan and Gui Mei rushed toward each other, standing face-to-face, their four hands tightly clasped together like long-lost lovers reunited.
The next second, brilliant silver flames erupted from Gui Mei's body, while golden flames surged around Yue Guan's.
In this instant, the nine soul rings on their bodies lit up simultaneously, enhancing the dazzling gold and silver flames surrounding them.
"Killing God Domain! Great Sumeru Hammer, explode! Die!"
Tang Hao wasn't blind to the strange phenomena occurring with Ju and Gui. Recognizing their intention to unleash a Spirit Fusion Technique, Tang Hao wasted no time. A crimson domain materialized, exuding terrifying killing intent. He then released the nine soul rings infused into the Hao Tian Hammer and activated the Great Sumeru Hammer technique. The nine soul rings exploded all at once, transforming into an overwhelming surge of energy that flooded into his body.
Tang Hao knew that holding back wasn't an option. After all, a Spirit Fusion Technique launched by two level 95 Titled Douluos could pose a fatal threat to him, regardless of its type.
In an instant, Tang Hao's already formidable aura skyrocketed after the simultaneous explosion of his nine rings. His blood colored, demon-like Hao Tian True Body wielded the hammer now imbued with even greater power and brought it crashing down.
The Hao Tian Hammer martial soul, augmented by the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor soul ring, had low compatibility between the martial soul and soul ring. Perhaps Tang Hao's two hundred-thousand-year ninth-rank soul skills were rendered useless, but for someone wielding the Great Sumeru Hammer, losing those skills didn't matter.
As long as the quality of the soul rings was strong enough, even though every strike after detonating the rings was a basic attack, each strike became a critical hit. Its power might not be inferior to a hundred-thousand-year offensive soul skill.
"Seventh Soul Skill, Blood Demon Mad Bear True Body!"
Seeing Tang Hao about to interrupt Ju and Gui's Spirit Fusion Technique, at the critical moment, Mo Xiong Douluo roared. His seventh soul ring lit up as he unleashed his True Body form, blocking Ju and Gui.
Meanwhile, the other Douluos of the Spirit Hall unleashed their millennium-level offensive soul skills, confronting the blood-red hammer once again.
If they could hold off Tang Hao and allow Ju and Gui to release their Spirit Fusion Technique: Two-Pole Static Domain, Tang Hao would become a sitting duck, completely at their mercy.
Boom—
The blood-red hammer was unstoppable, instantly nullifying the millennium-level soul skills unleashed by the Douluos. Its momentum didn't wane as it sent Mo Xiong Douluo, who was in his True Body form, flying. Finally, at the moment Ju and Gui fused, the hammer struck their bodies.
Boom, boom, boom—
Three consecutive explosions rang out. A massive blood-red bear, along with a golden and black figure, crashed heavily onto the square in front of the Pope's Hall.
It wasn't that the combined strength of ten Douluos couldn't stop Tang Hao's hammer; rather, in their haste, the Douluos hadn't had time to unleash their ultimate moves.
Of course, after the reduction from the thousand-year-level soul skills of ten Douluos, even with the amplification of the Killing God Domain and suppression of opponents, Tang Hao's hammer had lost most of its force. After knocking Mo Xiong Douluo—who was in his True Body form—flying, the blow that landed on Ju and Gui likely carried less than ten percent of its original power.
Though the hammer's power wasn't too great, being Level 95 Titled Douluos, Ju and Gui were still within their limits of endurance. The real trouble came from the backlash caused by forcibly interrupting their Spirit Fusion Technique.
Yue Guan was relatively fine. Although Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was a plant-type weapon spirit, its nature was yang, and since a soul master and their martial soul were one, his physique wasn't necessarily weaker than that of a beast-type offensive Titled Douluo at the same level. Accounting for the hammer blow and the martial soul backlash, he was merely temporarily incapacitated.
Chu Chengzhou: Here's the question—Dai Mubai ate Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and achieved an indestructible body. Why does Yue Guan, who has this martial soul, end up being such a sissy?
But Gui Mei was different. His physique wasn't as robust as Yue Guan's, and having already taken a hammer blow earlier, he was now half-dead.
Of course, Mo Xiong Douluo fared poorly too. Underestimating Tang Hao and overestimating himself, his True Body form was obliterated by a single hammer strike. Though he didn't immediately concede defeat, he was left unable to rise.
"Hmph, so what if you outnumber me? You're still no match for me!"
Having gained the upper hand, Tang Hao showed no mercy. While boasting, he continuously swung his giant hammer at the Spirit Hall's Douluos as if playing a fun game of whack-a-mole.
"Sword Uncle, I never expected Tang Hao to be so strong. If you were to face him, do you think you could handle him?"
Watching Tang Hao, who resembled a demon god on the aerial battlefield, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but transmit a message to Chen Xin beside him.
Upon hearing this, Chen Xin gravely shook his head and replied, "If I'm not mistaken, Tang Hao's soul power has reached level 96.
With years of accumulated strength, in a casual sparring match, Tang Hao can only slightly surpass me. But once he uses the Hao Tian Sect's Great Sumeru Hammer, I wouldn't stand a chance.
Fengzhi, with Tang Hao's current strength, he ranks among the top on the continent. Unless Qian Daoliu appears, there's no one in the Spirit Hall who can restrain Tang Hao."
"The Invincible of the Sky?"
Upon hearing Chen Xin mention Qian Daoliu, Ning Fengzhi frowned.
This so-called "Invincible of the Sky" from the previous generation of Angel Douluo (the next generation hadn't appeared yet, and the current one was the deceased Qian Xunji) was a towering mountain pressing down on countless soul masters across the continent.
The Spirit Hall's dominance in the soul master world wasn't just due to the sheer number of soul masters under its banner—it was primarily because it had this supreme powerhouse guarding it.
Otherwise, when Tang Chen of the Hao Tian Sect was still active, the old king would've stepped down, and a new king would've ascended.
Shaking his head, Ning Fengzhi stopped pondering matters beyond his control.
For the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Qian Daoliu was an insurmountable existence. For now, he hoped that Tang Hao, who harbored a vendetta against the Spirit Hall, would cause them more trouble in the future. Otherwise, the idle Spirit Hall might keep targeting his sect.
Facing the combined assault of eleven Douluos, Tang Hao grew stronger with each exchange. However, after defeating Ju, Gui, and Xiong, and severely injuring Porcupinefish and Snake Spear, Tang Hao began considering retreat.
He had shown off enough—it was time to take his son and flee. Otherwise, if the Worship Hall members arrived, he might not escape.
Moreover, while the simultaneous explosion of nine rings had boosted his strength, the side effects of this ultimate technique were severe. He shouldn't risk his life for temporary satisfaction.
Immediately, after repelling the Spirit Hall members with his hammer, Tang Hao dispersed his Hao Tian True Body, scooped up Tang San, and fled through the air toward the outskirts of Spirit City.
The Hao Tian Hammer wasn't a flight-type martial soul, and the presence of the True Body form wasn't conducive to escaping.
"Hmph, causing chaos in my Spirit City and thinking you can leave without paying a price? Soul Devouring Spider Empress, attach!"
Seeing Tang Hao, who disregarded martial ethics, fleeing with his son, Bibi Dong coldly snorted and unleashed her Soul Devouring Spider Empress martial soul.
If she let Tang Hao escape unscathed, where would she put her face as the Pope of the Spirit Hall?
Accompanied by an eruption of dark green soul power, Bibi Dong's elegant and majestic image as the Pope transformed drastically. Dark green web patterns spread across her forehead, three pairs of dark green spider legs sprouted from her back, her arms turned into similar dark green spears, and her lower body was enveloped in a layer of green light, resembling a humanoid dark green spider.
Unlike the typical Titled Douluo configuration of yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, although Bibi Dong was also a Titled Douluo, her Soul Devouring Spider Empress martial soul didn't have all nine soul rings attached—only seven.
Shockingly, after the Soul Devouring Spider Empress martial soul attached, Bibi Dong's soul rings displayed a configuration of six black and one red.
Not only did she possess a hundred-thousand-year seventh soul ring, but judging by the depth of color, the first to sixth soul rings also reached at least fifty thousand years.
"Sixth Soul Skill, Everlasting Wound!"
With a fierce shout, Bibi Dong's sixth soul ring lit up. Amidst a surge of soul power, the two jade-green giant scythes formed by her arms rose simultaneously, crossing diagonally as they slashed a massive green cross-shaped wave of energy toward Tang Hao, who was fleeing mid-air.
Everlasting Wound: Physical defense ineffective, energy defense reduced by 50%. Once struck, the wound would endlessly spread.
The victim had only two outcomes: either eliminate the invasive foreign energy left by Everlasting Wound or perish in agony as their soul power drained away.
At this moment, Bibi Dong focused entirely on Tang Hao and didn't notice Xiao Wu's gaze filled with hatred as she looked at her. When Xiao Wu glanced at her hundred-thousand-year seventh soul ring, her eyes brimmed with nostalgia.
Clearly, Xiao Wu recognized that Bibi Dong's second martial soul, the Soul Devouring Spider Empress's seventh soul ring, was none other than her mother Rabbit's hundred-thousand-year soul ring!
"Not good!"
Sensing the rapidly approaching threat from behind, Tang Hao, who was fleeing with his son, narrowed his pupils. A flash of dark light emanated from his torso, and a transparent protective barrier abruptly materialized.
Thirty-thousand-year Black Dragon Armor Torso Bone Skill: Dark Light Shield.
The next second, the green ripple descended. Upon contact, the green ripple seemed illusory, passing through the dark protective barrier and directly striking Tang Hao's spine.
Clearly, Tang Hao's thirty-thousand-year energy-type defensive bone skill hadn't fully blocked Bibi Dong's Everlasting Wound, which ignored physical defense and halved energy defense.
Poof—
The protective soul power was instantly shattered, and the green ripple carved a massive cross-shaped wound on Tang Hao's back. A torrent of bright red blood gushed from the wound.
Realizing his spine was nearly severed by the attack, Tang Hao endured the excruciating pain from his back and didn't dare slow his flight speed. Instead, he accelerated even more.
In the blink of an eye, Tang Hao vanished into the horizon.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, Bibi Dong coldly snorted and retracted her Soul Devouring Spider Empress martial soul.
Although her soul power level surpassed Tang Hao's, restrictions from the Rakshasa God Trial limited her strength, preventing her from pursuing Tang Hao with the intent to capture him.
As for the other Douluos present, perhaps agile-type Gui Bao Douluo and flight-type Ling Yuan Douluo could catch up, but given Tang Hao's strength, pursuing him would be tantamount to offering themselves up for slaughter.
"Tsk~", Chu Chengzhou clicked his tongue.
One moment Tang Hao was showing off, the next he was fleeing, and then he was taught a lesson by Bibi Dong. Truly, the world was unpredictable and ever-changing.
Of course, although Tang Hao, who had been strutting around, was ultimately taught a lesson, it was undeniable that his strength was formidable.
If there were a ranking of soul master combat power on the continent, Tang Hao would undoubtedly be on it, and his rank would be very high.
Had Everlasting Wound not ignored defenses, it would've been unclear who would win in a duel between Bibi Dong, whose strength was restricted, and Tang Hao, who had detonated all nine rings.
To say the least, the Rakshasa God Trial was truly detrimental—it offered rewards far inferior to the Sea God Trial and imposed restrictions on strength.
Otherwise, in the original storyline, when Bibi Dong hunted Da Ming and Er Ming, despite their strength surpassing ordinary hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, they wouldn't have lasted more than a few moves against Bibi Dong.
On the other side, in the Worship Hall of Spirit City.
Before the solemn statue of the Angel God, a figure clad in blue robes and golden armor stood quietly.
Though this figure appeared young, around thirty or forty years old, with handsome features, neatly combed golden hair, and a faint smile, he didn't seem particularly tall or imposing. Yet, his profound aura, akin to a vast ocean, made people feel compelled to prostrate themselves simply by his presence.
This was the Great Worship of the Spirit Hall, the guardian of the Angel God, the true helmsman of the Spirit Hall—the so-called "Invincible of the Sky," the previous generation Angel Douluo, Qian Daoliu, who once rivaled Tang Chen of the Hao Tian Sect, known as the "Unrivaled on Land," and was collectively referred to as the "Two Peaks" of the soul master world.
Behind Qian Daoliu stood six figures exuding impressive auras—six of the Spirit Hall's elder council members, all Titled Douluos with soul power levels of at least 96.
"Great Worship, are we just going to let Tang Hao escape?"
Seeing the battle at the Pope's Hall gradually subside with Tang Hao's escape, Second Worship Jin E Douluo frowned and asked Qian Daoliu, who had his back to them.
"Let him go. Regarding Ji'er's incident, it was our fault in the first place."
Qian Daoliu waved his hand dismissively.
Perhaps Qian Daoliu wasn't a good person, but he was undeniably fair-minded.
Otherwise, the real culprit behind the murder of his son Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong, wouldn't have ascended to the position of Pope of the Spirit Hall.
And pinning the blame on Tang Hao was also a necessity.
How could they publicly declare that the death of the former Pope Qian Xunji wasn't caused by Tang Hao but by the current Pope Bibi Dong?
Family shame shouldn't be aired publicly, and for the sake of his granddaughter Qian Renxue, Qian Daoliu had no choice but to wrong Tang Hao.
And precisely because of this, Tang Hao had managed to remain free until now.
Otherwise, with the Spirit Hall's strength and influence, if they were determined, Tang Hao would've been hunted down and obliterated long ago.
"Great Worship, this Tang Hao possesses extraordinary talent. Within just over a decade of reaching Titled Douluo status, his strength has grown to this extent. Who knows, he might become another Tang Chen in the future."
Third Worship Qing Luan Douluo hesitantly remarked.
As the third elder of the Spirit Hall, Qing Luan Douluo was quite old and had lived through the "Two Peaks Era." Her understanding of the true strength of the continent's supreme powers far exceeded that of ordinary Titled Douluos.
"Hoh? Another Tang Chen?"
Qian Daoliu chuckled lightly and said nothing further.
He admitted that he had lived in Tang Chen's shadow his entire life. After decades of competition, he had always been overshadowed by Tang Chen. Even the goddess he admired remained infatuated with Tang Chen.
But what could he do about it?
I, Qian Daoliu, may not be able to defeat you, Tang Chen, and my son Qian Xunji may not be able to defeat your grandson Tang Hao, but I have a wonderful granddaughter!
As long as my precious granddaughter Qian Renxue inherits the Ancestral God's divinity and restores the glory of the Angel God, Tang Chen and his ilk would be nothing more than ants.
Tang Chen: Ants? If it weren't for that damned Rakshasa God, I'd be the Supreme God King right now. Forget you, insignificant Qian Daoliu—even your Ancestral Angel God would have to bow before me!
Little Tang Hao can remain as an opponent for my granddaughter.
After all, the path to godhood is long and arduous. Having an opponent with passable strength isn't bad.
As for Tang Hao being a senior?
Qian Daoliu didn't believe any contemporary soul master could rival his granddaughter Qian Renxue.
Do you understand the value of Innate Level 20 soul power? Do you understand the significance of the Angel God Trial?
The next day, a group of over a thousand people departed grandly from Spirit City.
The soul master tournament had concluded. Though there was a minor… no, major incident afterward, it didn't affect the participating teams from the Tian Dou Empire embarking on their journey home.
However, Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu weren't among the main group returning to Tian Dou City. By now, they were riding Fire Phoenix Summon Xiao Hong, heading toward the Great Star Dou Forest.
Chu Chengzhou's soul power had broken through to Level 50 before the finals began, and it had already been delayed for half a month. Since Spirit City was relatively close to the Great Star Dou Forest, Chu Chengzhou decided to make a trip there to obtain his fifth soul ring before returning to Tian Dou City.
As for safety, Chu Chengzhou wasn't worried. His only adversaries were the Star Luo Empire, and perhaps Tang San, who might have already labeled him as a "marked man."
But the assassins sent by the Star Luo Empire wouldn't know he was heading to the Great Star Dou Forest, and Tang San was likely still recovering under his father's care, with no time to seek revenge.
As the sun set and the moon rose, night fell over the outer regions of the Great Star Dou Forest.
Under the towering Sky Azure Tree Summon, a campfire burned, crackling as it consumed firewood, occasionally spitting out small sparks.
Beside the campfire, Chu Chengzhou quietly watched Xiao Wu, who was refining the effects of the Yearning Heartbroken Red. Her soul power aura steadily climbed.
Previously, to avoid drawing attention, Chu Chengzhou hadn't allowed Xiao Wu to consume the Yearning Heartbroken Red. Otherwise, a participant with the strength of a Soul Emperor would've been too conspicuous.
Even with techniques to conceal soul power and disguise soul rings, a Soul Emperor was still a Soul Emperor. It was difficult to truly masquerade as a weaker individual in front of powerful opponents, and it was easy to expose flaws.
But now that the soul master tournament had ended, Xiao Wu could naturally consume the Yearning Heartbroken Red and enter a phase of rapid advancement.
After a long while, Xiao Wu's soul power aura surged dramatically, breaking through another limit.
Several minutes later, as her soul power aura gradually stabilized, Xiao Wu opened her eyes.
"Not bad, Xiao Wu, your soul power has surpassed mine again," Chu Chengzhou said, whether out of helplessness or joy.
Indeed, the King of Flowers lived up to its reputation. Xiao Wu's soul power level had only recently entered the realm of a Level 53 Soul King, but after consuming the Yearning Heartbroken Red, it skyrocketed to Level 60.
Keep in mind, this was the Soul King stage. Each level increase required significantly more accumulation than in the three- or four-ring stages.
"Hehe, Big Sister Xiao Wu will always be you Big Sister Xiao Wu! Mwah~, here's your reward!" Xiao Wu smiled, leaned forward, and kissed Chu Chengzhou.
"Alright, go condense your sixth soul ring. Once you're done, we'll find my fifth soul ring."
Wiping the saliva from his face and ruffling Xiao Wu's rabbit ears, Chu Chengzhou laughed.
"Ugh, you're always messing with my ears. What's wrong with you?"
Xiao Wu swatted Chu Chengzhou's hand away in annoyance.
"A quirk? Xiao Wu, if this counts as a quirk, then I've got plenty of quirks~!"
Raising an eyebrow, Chu Chengzhou teased.
Xiao Wu: "."
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