Chapter 295: Tang San vs. Dai Yao – The Rematch After Five Years
"Who else dares?"
Standing upon the chain bridge, Dai Yao's voice resounded through the canyon, booming like a relentless war drum striking the hearts of the Haotian Sect disciples. In their eyes, Dai Yao had become an invincible figure. Silence blanketed Haotian Sect.
Tang Long and Tang Hu, still reeling from their defeat, stood on shaky legs, struggling to steady their breath while staring at Dai Yao. Beneath their fear, a steely resolve took hold. Summoning their Haotian Hammers once more, dark energy enveloped their weapons.
"If you wish to throw your lives away, I'm more than willing to oblige," Dai Yao said, hands behind his back, with a calm indifference that froze Tang Long and Tang Hu in place. Clutching their hammers tighter, the two brothers stood firm. Today, they had shamed Haotian Sect by losing to a Wuhun Hall representative—how could they return to the sect bearing such disgrace? They would rather fall in battle upon this bridge, preserving a sliver of dignity.
"Enough!"
A thunderous voice tore through the air, causing everyone to clasp their ears. Tang Long and Tang Hu turned to see Tang Xiao, his face a storm of anger, and they felt even more humiliated before their sect master.
"Have you not had enough?" Tang Xiao's gaze was hard, unyielding. "A loss is a loss; it simply means you were outmatched. If you wish to regain your honor, then train harder!"
Tang Long and Tang Hu, two of the sect's most promising third-generation disciples, had always trained with an intensity they believed matched the legacy of their predecessors, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao. They possessed an unspoken pride. Yet, this pride had made them complacent, something Tang Xiao had sensed but had struggled to address. Witnessing their crushing defeat to Dai Yao filled him with a profound sorrow.
They were the future of Haotian Sect. He could not allow them to throw their lives away on the bridge.
Moreover, he noted the sudden appearance of Dai Yao's eight-winged spirit bone, a rarity beyond even traditional spirit bones. The surge of power the wings gave him made it clear to Tang Xiao that his disciples stood no chance.
"Master…" Tang Long and Tang Hu murmured, their voices choked with shame.
"Return. Today's defeat is not your fault. Haotian Sect's honor is not for you youngsters to bear; that responsibility falls upon us elders."
Tang Xiao's words cast a somber air over the Haotian Sect disciples. Lowering their heads, Tang Long and Tang Hu trudged back to the sect, each step weighed down with the shame of losing in front of their comrades. As they passed by their fellow disciples, they saw judgment in their gazes, deepening their sense of disgrace.
"What is the purpose of your presence, Wuhun Hall?"
Tang Xiao's eyes locked onto Dai Yao, his voice a chill accusation.
After that last battle, a wild thought had entered Tang Xiao's mind—could Dai Yao actually be the one leading this visit?
"I already said it: I merely wished to witness the so-called might of the legendary Haotian Hammer," Dai Yao replied, a faintly mocking sigh escaping his lips. "But it seems none of you can even put up a fight."
Haotian Sect's disciples glared daggers at him, their hatred barely restrained.
As the cold mountain wind swept over them, Tang Xiao and Dai Yao maintained their fierce eye contact, neither willing to back down. After a long silence, Tang Xiao's voice cut through the air like steel.
"Must Wuhun Hall really press us this far?"
With a wry smile, Dai Yao replied, "How is this pressing you? We're simply engaging in friendly competition. I even let Tang Long and Tang Hu live, didn't I?"
"You may have spared their lives, but your actions were far crueler than killing them. Defeating them so brutally in front of their sect, shaming them to their very core…you've wounded their spirits."
"If their hearts aren't strong enough to bear this humiliation, their journey as soul masters ends here. Such cruelty at your young age!"
The elders of Haotian Sect saw right through Dai Yao's intentions and glared at him with icy disdain. They knew he was deliberately sowing despair. At this rate, they would not let him leave the mountain alive.
"Tang Long and Tang Hu are the most talented among our third-generation disciples. Since they have been defeated, it seems no one else of their age here can match you," Tang Xiao said, his voice low but firm. "But if you truly wish to test Haotian Hammer's might, I can arrange for a second-generation disciple to fight you."
A shocked murmur spread through the crowd. Haotian Sect was divided into four generations: the first were the elder leaders; the second included Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's peers. Many of the second-generation disciples had been targeted and severely injured by Wuhun Hall during the sect's forced seclusion, and only a few had survived unscathed. Those who did were mostly of lesser talent and had not advanced beyond the Soul Sage level.
To pit these warriors against a younger Wuhun Hall challenger would be a hollow victory at best—and a humiliating defeat at worst.
"If they are willing, I won't mind." Dai Yao's smirk widened.
The disciples bristled with anger, many glaring at him with barely veiled hatred. They knew there was no choice but to accept; as the so-called "number one sect," they had to meet Wuhun Hall's challenge, even if they felt helpless.
Then, a voice rang out from within the ranks of Haotian Sect.
"Sect Master, let me fight."
Everyone turned to see who was speaking. It was none other than Tang San.
"Silence! You—a disgrace! What right do you have to represent Haotian Sect?" the Seventh Elder roared, pointing an accusing finger at him.
Some of the Haotian Sect elders appeared thoughtful. Though Tang San was also a Soul King, he had recently defeated Tang Hu with ease and possessed the formidable Killing God Domain. There was a chance he could put up a fight against Dai Yao.
"Seventh Elder, while Tang San has never been part of Haotian Sect, he carries Hao's blood—he carries our blood. Blood runs thicker than water; let him take the stage," Tang Yuehua said gracefully.
The Seventh Elder opened his mouth to object, but the Second Elder interrupted him, "Seventh Brother, enough."
The Seventh Elder reluctantly fell silent, while the Second Elder approached Tang San and regarded him thoughtfully. With a kind smile, he said, "Tang San, I understand why you came to Haotian Sect. If you defeat this person from Wuhun Hall, I will grant you and your father a chance to be recognized by the sect."
"Do you accept?"
Tang San clasped his hands together, nodding resolutely. "The sect is in need; I have no reason to refuse. I will win this battle for the sect."
"Good. Then we await good news," the Second Elder replied, visibly pleased.
Nearly every disciple of Haotian Sect now looked to Tang San with hope. Despite the bitterness surrounding his father's role in the sect's isolation, Haotian Sect had been forced into a corner, and they desperately hoped for a savior—even if that person was the son of Tang Hao.
Tang Xiao observed the scene, satisfaction flickering in his gaze. This was precisely why he had set the stage with his earlier words: to make way for Tang San. As long as Tang San won, then Tang Hao could be reintegrated into the sect.
Watching Tang San approach him, Tang Xiao smiled and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Do your best. If you lose, I will take responsibility."
"Thank you, Uncle!" Tang San nodded firmly and then turned, stepping confidently onto the chain bridge.
Through the slit of his mask, Tang San fixed his gaze on the enemy who had forced him and Xiao Wu apart. His heart pounded faster, his blood surging with intensity. Taking a deep breath, he summoned the calmness instilled by a year's training at Yuexuan, quickly steadying himself.
"Xiao Wu, don't worry. Today, I will put an end to this foe," he thought, clenching his fist. "After fulfilling my five-year promise with the Shrek Six Devils, I will find you again. I will always protect you."
Dai Yao watched as the masked figure approached. This disciple's attire, a striking blue robe, set him apart from the gray-robed disciples of Haotian Sect. And though he wore a mask, his long blue hair made his identity unmistakable to Dai Yao.
Feigning surprise, Dai Yao scoffed, "What's this? Has Haotian Sect become a haven for cowards who hide behind masks in battle?"
"Dai Yao, your words are worthless. Today, you will die. I will avenge what happened in Wuhun Hall," Tang San said, his voice cold and brimming with killing intent as he pointed at Dai Yao.
"Ha! I've made more enemies than I can count. Who are you exactly? If you're just another nobody, you're better off sparing yourself the embarrassment of being remembered only for your loss!" Dai Yao's brow arched, his arms crossing as a look of supreme confidence and arrogance took over his face. The composed, scholarly young man had vanished, replaced by the spirited youth who had once crushed his opponents single-handedly in the tournament.
Seeing this demeanor, Tang San's heart tightened. This familiar look had haunted his dreams for five years. With a snort, he declared, "You'll know my name soon enough! First Soul Skill: Bind!"
Five soul rings manifested around Tang San, the first one glowing as he raised his arm. A Blue Silver Grass vine shot forward, wrapping itself tightly around Dai Yao's foot.
"Oh? Blue Silver Grass… So, you're Tang San!" Dai Yao feigned surprise, as though he had only just recognized him. Pretending to be taken aback, he sneered, "If you're really Tang San, then why hide behind a mask? Are you really that ugly?"
Dai Yao knew exactly what Tang San had endured in these five years. But pretending to be ignorant gave him a thrill, a perverse delight in baiting Tang San with such casual disdain.
Tang San said nothing, channeling his spirit power to strengthen his bind on Dai Yao's foot.
Dai Yao looked down, amusement sparking in his eyes as he tested the Blue Silver Grass's strength. Curious about the limits of its evolution into the Blue Silver Emperor, he exerted pressure, feeling some resistance.
"It's surprisingly tough for a Blue Silver Emperor vine. Interesting… but that's all it is." A golden "King" character blazed on his forehead as he surged more force through his foot. The vine snapped, its pieces falling into the abyss below.
"The evolution of my Blue Silver Grass into the Blue Silver Emperor has made it remarkably resilient. It's strong enough to give Dai Yao some trouble. If I amplify it with the Blue Silver Domain, it will be even more effective," Tang San noted with satisfaction, a plan to defeat Dai Yao forming in his mind.
Raising his left hand, a dark light coalesced as the Haotian Hammer appeared. He sprang forward with resolve, his footfalls echoing across the chain bridge. The sight of that familiar figure brought a surge of anger to his voice as he shouted, "Dai Yao, five years ago, you forced Xiao Wu and me apart and left me hunted by Wuhun Hall. Today, I will settle this once and for all!"
"Settle it? That depends on whether you're strong enough. And as for Xiao Wu…she was a 100,000-year soul beast. For a human to hunt a soul beast is entirely justified. Where's the fault in that?" Dai Yao countered, a fierce battle spirit igniting in his eyes.
Only Tang San could make Dai Yao feel such a surge of competitive excitement.
Dai Yao's words sent a ripple through the Haotian Sect disciples. Just like Tang Hao, Tang San had fallen in love with a 100,000-year soul beast who had taken human form. Seventh Elder, already harboring a deep grudge against Tang Hao's family, erupted with fury.
"Second Brother! Tang San and Tang Hao are cut from the same cloth!" the Seventh Elder spat, glaring. "I suspected Wuhun Hall wouldn't leave us alone for no reason. This boy has surely provoked their wrath upon us!"
"Seventh Elder," Tang Xiao interjected, his gaze icy. "Do you think that if not for Tang San, Wuhun Hall would have left us in peace?"
The Seventh Elder knew well that Wuhun Hall viewed Haotian Sect as a threat—a force to be destroyed on their path to conquer the continent. His words had been more an outlet for his grief over his son's death than a genuine accusation.
"Enough, Seventh Brother," the Second Elder sighed, "let's just watch the battle. We'll discuss everything afterward. If I'm not mistaken, this could be the defining duel of our generation."
With a scowl, the Seventh Elder fell silent. Though many disciples held their misgivings about Tang San, they could not deny that, right now, their hopes rested on him.
As the Haotian Sect disciples, the elders, and the concealed Title Douluo from the Supreme Pontiff Hall and the Spirit Hall's temple watched, all eyes locked onto the two figures advancing toward one another on the narrow bridge.
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