Unfortunately, Tang Xiao was ultimately one of the top experts in the continent's Soul Master world, and his eighth soul skill was an extremely powerful ultimate move—it wasn't something that could be neutralized so easily.
"Boom! Boom!"
The massive hammer, carrying the might of shattered space, struck down, knocking away the Coiling Dragon Staffs thrown by Demon Subduing and Thousand Jun Douluo, before smashing into the Two Extreme Static Domain.
"Boom—"
This hammer seemed to strike a solid object, producing an intense explosion.
The next second, the entire Two Extreme Static Domain collapsed and shattered.
Spewing blood, their faces pale, and their bodies covered in countless fine wounds, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, who were clearly heavily injured, plummeted from midair.
Although Tang Xiao's hammer hadn't directly landed on their flesh, within the alternate space, the two of them had no defensive measures while in their Martial Soul Fusion state. They were still affected by the space-shattering power attached to the Shattering Hammer.
The fine spatial cracks sliced across their bodies, making it impossible to maintain the Two Extreme Static Domain. Injured and suffering from the backlash of having their Martial Soul Fusion Skill forcibly broken, the fact that the two hadn't been outright killed was already a testament to their resilience.
At the instant the Two Extreme Static Domain shattered, Tang Hao broke free. Without hesitation, he flipped his hand and swung his hammer toward Demon Subduing and Thousand Jun Douluo.
A blood-colored giant hammer roared downward. Just as they retrieved their knocked-away staffs,Demon Subduing and Thousand Jun Douluo felt their hearts tighten and hurriedly raised their weapons to block.
"Boom—"
The blood-colored giant hammer, as large as a small mountain, smashed down. Unable to release any powerful techniques in time,Demon subduing and thousand Jun were struck solidly, sent flying like cannonballs before crashing heavily into the ground below.
Fortunately, both of them were in Martial Soul True Body form, which served as a unique kind of defensive soul skill with extremely high resistance. Otherwise, taking a direct hit from Tang Hao's Great Sumeru Hammer, infused with the energy of his hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring, would have left them grievously wounded without a doubt.
"Retreat!"
Tang Xiao had no intention of fighting the Spirit Hall to the death and signaled Tang Hao to withdraw.
Among all the factions on the continent, the Clear Sky Clan was arguably the most aware of the Spirit Hall's true strength. While it was possible to take down Golden Lion, Demon Subduing, Thousand Jun, and Chrysanthemum and Ghost with the help of Sword Douluo, doing so would bring disaster upon the Clear Sky Clan.
If Sky Invincible truly acted seriously, unless Grandfather Tang Chen returned, no one in the Clear Sky Clan could stop him.
Moreover, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had also played a role in this battle. If any of Golden Lion's group were to perish, they would have implicated their allies as well.
Had it been during the Clear Sky Clan's prime, Tang Xiao wouldn't have cared about dragging others down—after all, with Grandfather Tang Chen around, the clan never needed allies.
But times had changed. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was a crucial ally they couldn't afford to sacrifice. Otherwise, when the time came for the Clear Sky Clan to re-emerge and take revenge on the Spirit Hall, they would find themselves isolated.
Hearing this, Tang Hao glared resentfully at Golden Lion Douluo, who was still being restrained by Chen Xin. Then, he swooped down, grabbing Tang San and Xiao Wu before rapidly retreating from the battlefield.
"Ning Sect Master, Sword Douluo, many thanks for your aid. Today's favor will surely be repaid in the future!"
After addressing Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, Tang Xiao followed Tang Hao in withdrawing from the battlefield.
Seeing Tang Hao leave with Tang San and Xiao Wu, there was no point in continuing to fight Golden Lion Douluo. Chen Xin disengaged, soaring into the air above Mu Yang and the others, positioning himself beside Huo Lie and Shui Yanyu.
Chen Xin understood that after ruining the Spirit Hall's plans, Golden Lion, Demon Subduing, and Thousand Jun would likely retaliate.
By himself, he couldn't hold them all off.
And this was exactly when a good "cheering squad" would come in handy.
There was no need for the three Title Douluo to take action—just standing there to bolster their momentum would be enough to make Golden Lion's trio back down.
After all, they were on their way to Spirit City for the Soul Master Tournament. Spirit Hall could capture soul beasts that had taken human form and eliminate traitors of the Soul Master world, but ambushing a competing team mid-journey would be disgraceful.
"Fourth Brother, do we chase?"
Demon Subduing and Thousand Jun, who had been smashed to the ground by Tang Hao's hammer, flew back into the air and turned to Golden Lion Douluo for instruction.
If they pursued, as long as Chen Xin didn't intervene, a three-on-two fight wasn't a hopeless situation—they might actually have a chance to take down Tang Hao and Tang Xiao.
Hearing this, Golden Lion Douluo's expression shifted before he waved his hand.
The Twin Stars of Clear Sky Clan were indeed worthy of their reputation. Their strength was comparable to or even surpassed that of veteran powerhouses like himself. Even if they caught up, the three of them might not be able to keep Tang Xiao and Tang Hao there.
Besides, Golden Lion Douluo knew that Tang Hao still had a trump card.
Back then, even Qian Xunji, at rank 95, had taken two Title Douluo with him and still suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of a newly advanced Tang Hao. The deciding factor wasn't just his hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring, but the Clear Sky Clan's supreme secret technique—the Great Sumeru Hammer.
If Tang Hao detonated all nine rings, the three of them might not even be enough to withstand him alone.
Without Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo's Two Extreme Static Domain to suppress Tang Hao, recklessly chasing after him would likely result in them becoming the hunted instead.
What Golden Lion Douluo didn't realize was that, due to the rarity of those who understood its mechanics, he only knew of the Great Sumeru Hammer's massive drawbacks. He had no idea that Tang Hao had yet to fully recover from the backlash of his battle all those years ago, nor that Tang Hao wouldn't dare to use ring detonation at this moment.
"Ning Sect Master, Spirit Hall will remember what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan did today. I hope you won't regret it in the future! Take Chrysanthemum and Ghost Elders—we're leaving."
A cold glint flashed in Golden Lion Douluo's eyes as he spoke in a deep voice. Then, after issuing a final order to Demon Subduing and Thousand Jun Douluo, his figure vanished from the battlefield.
Watching Golden Lion and the others disappear into the distance, Ning Fengzhi fell silent.
Regret?
Perhaps. But he knew he had no other choice.
The enmity between Tang Hao and Spirit Hall was irreconcilable. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan ever openly clashed with Spirit Hall, Tang Hao would be their most valuable ally—one who would never betray them at a critical moment. Today, he simply could not stand by and watch Tang Hao fall into Spirit Hall's hands.
I need more allies.
Recalling the information his spies had gathered on Spirit Hall's hidden strength, Ning Fengzhi clenched his thoughts inwardly.
Setting aside the Heaven Dou Empire's million-strong army, in terms of pure soul master power, even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Heaven Dou Empire joined forces, they would still be no match for Spirit Hall. To ensure the survival of his sect after breaking ties with Spirit Hall, he needed to either strengthen his forces or secure more like-minded allies.
With that thought in mind, Ning Fengzhi's gaze shifted toward Huo Lie.
Blazing Fire Academy was not only strong in the present, but its future was also extremely promising.
Given the talent displayed by Mu Yang, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang, their future achievements would undoubtedly reach at least rank 95, if not higher.
Not to mention, in recent years, Blazing Fire Academy had grown increasingly close with Sky Water Academy. And Sky Water Academy also had a Title Douluo and two exceptional prodigies—their future was just as bright.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123