Chapter 294: Tang Long and Tang Hu
Tang Hu clutched the Haotian Hammer tightly as he crossed the chain bridge, each step echoing as he moved toward the site of Dai Yao's battle with Tang Long. With a powerful leap, he twisted mid-air and landed behind Dai Yao, positioning himself and Tang Long to encircle their opponent.
"Tang Hu!" Tang Long's eyes were wide with fury. To him, Tang Hu's intervention was humiliating.
"Tang Long, what's your stubbornness worth?" Tang Hu snapped. "You're losing ground—why aren't you using spirit skills? This fight is about Haotian Sect's honor!"
"That brat's not using his spirit on purpose; he wants to humiliate you! Well, he wanted me to join, so I will!"
Tang Hu's first yellow spirit ring glowed as his Haotian Hammer grew in size. With fierce determination, he swung it down toward Dai Yao. Even the seasoned elders nodded in silent approval, sensing that this strike contained Tang Hu's pent-up rage, pushing him to his peak strength.
Seeing Tang Hu's intensity, Tang Long gritted his teeth, casting an apologetic glance at Dai Yao. Then, he too activated his first spirit skill, charging with his Haotian Hammer alongside his brother.
The three stood on a narrow bridge, leaving Dai Yao nowhere to escape.
"Shall we intervene to help Dai Yao?" Ghost Douluo asked with a hint of concern.
"Dai Yao himself invited another opponent from Haotian Sect, so let's trust him," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied with a sneer. "Don't forget, he once took on our entire team single-handedly."
"Besides, look at Tang Xiao and Haotian Sect's elders. Do you think they'd allow us to step in?"
All eyes were fixed on the duel, Haotian Sect disciples clenching their fists in suspense as Dai Yao's relentless pressure weighed heavily on them.
"So, it's two against one now? This might finally get interesting." Dai Yao's lips curled into a slight smile as his spirit power surged, an overwhelming energy suddenly filling the air.
Sensing this, both Tang Long and Tang Hu's hearts skipped a beat. Realizing the threat, they poured their spirit power into their Haotian Hammers, boosting their intensity. Their weapons sliced through the air with a deafening whistle as they closed in on Dai Yao. But then came a resounding tiger's roar, silencing everyone as they stared in astonishment.
Dai Yao twisted sideways, extending his hands to catch both Haotian Hammers, one in front of him and one behind.
Boom!
The three remained locked in a standoff, but a tremendous force and roaring energy burst forth from the impact, causing the bridge to sway wildly. When the storm settled, everyone could finally see Dai Yao clearly.
His loose robes were stretched tight over a body rippling with muscle. White fur sprouted from his palms and face, while a golden "king" symbol marked his forehead, radiating an aura of majesty. Behind him, massive wings unfurled, casting a shadow over the entire bridge. He stood there like a human-shaped beast, imposing and unbreakable.
"Impossible!" gasped the Seventh Elder, leaning forward, disbelief etched across his face.
Tang Long and Tang Hu were the strongest among Haotian Sect's third generation, their power as Spirit Emperors surpassing even what the elders had achieved at that level. Now, with both using spirit skills to launch a pincer attack, they were still held back.
"What sort of martial spirit is that?" the Second Elder murmured, a frown creasing his brow. "It exudes a suppression I've only ever sensed from the Six-Winged Angel spirit of the Douluo in the Offering Hall. Could it be that his spirit rivals even that?"
Tang Xiao's face grew serious as well, sensing the gravity of the situation. Tang San stepped forward and explained, "Sect Master, Elders, Dai Yao's spirit is a mutated White Tiger spirit. He was once a prince of the Xingluo Imperial Family, but he defected to Wuhun Hall."
"A mutation, that explains it," the Second Elder replied thoughtfully.
"The Xingluo traitor," sneered the Seventh Elder. "A deserter and ingrate. Even with his talent, he's nothing but a pawn, bending to power."
On the bridge, Dai Yao could feel the diminishing force in the brothers' hammers. He taunted, "So, I overestimated you both. Together, and still so feeble. Is the so-called Haotian Hammer really 'Number One'?"
Dai Yao's words weren't explicit, but his mocking tone and look of disdain only deepened the heavy silence among the Haotian Sect. Defeated, they could do nothing but bear the shame.
Tang Long and Tang Hu's faces twisted in frustration. They exchanged a look, then resumed their assault, charging in tandem with relentless blows. The air was thick with spirit power as their Haotian Hammers rained down on Dai Yao without pause.
But their attacks were futile; Dai Yao's speed and strength outmatched theirs by a wide margin. He could intercept Tang Long's strike with one hand and then use the same hand to block Tang Hu's blow. To him, their furious attacks were riddled with weaknesses.
Both Tang brothers were inwardly stunned. Desperation pushed them to reveal six spirit rings each, their fifth black rings lighting up.
"Fifth Spirit Skill: Human-Hammer Fusion!"
They shouted in unison, dark energy enveloping their Haotian Hammers, which now seemed to absorb all surrounding light as they fused with their hammers.
Seeing this, Tang San's gaze darkened. This move had forced him to rely on his second spirit skill in their previous bout. Now, he was curious—how would Dai Yao respond?
As Tang Long and Tang Hu activated their fifth spirit skills, cheers erupted from Haotian Sect's disciples, breaking the oppressive silence as they sensed a turn in their favor. But just as quickly, the cheers fell silent, choked off mid-breath.
Dai Yao stood on the bridge, surrounded by five spirit rings: yellow, purple, purple, black, black.
The crowd fell into shocked silence, even Tang Xiao staring dumbstruck at Dai Yao's unconventional ring configuration.
"His second ring is a thousand-year, and his fourth is ten-thousand-year? Impossible! Completely impossible!" the Seventh Elder cried out, horrified.
"A once-in-a-generation genius!"
Second Elder remained silent for a long time, finally exhaling four words with a heavy sigh.
He exchanged a look with Tang Xiao, and they both understood what needed to be done: Dai Yao cannot be allowed to leave! If he lived to reach the level of Titled Douluo, Haotian Sect would remain overshadowed for a hundred years. With the sect's aging leadership and a lack of young talent, their power would only weaken. At that point, should Wuhun Hall harbor hostile intentions, Haotian Sect might be erased from the continent altogether.
Today, they would expose all of Haotian Sect's strength if they had to, but Dai Yao would not leave alive.
Tang Long and Tang Hu, realizing the significance of their task, felt their spirit abilities almost falter. Tang Long, who had received forewarning from Tang San, was shaken now that he was witnessing Dai Yao's unprecedented spirit ring configuration firsthand. Together, they brandished their hammers, charging toward Dai Yao like two roaring black dragons, their battle cries rallying the disciples of Haotian Sect.
"Victory! We must win!"
Dai Yao's gaze sharpened as he watched the two Haotian Hammers hurtling toward him.
"As expected of the Haotian Hammer. Even from this distance, it manages to stir my nerves. But today, I'll crush Haotian Sect beneath my feet and shatter this so-called glory!"
Dai Yao's expression hardened, and his third spirit ring glowed, enveloping him in a dark golden aura that exuded an indestructible presence. As his strength grew, so too did the potency of his third spirit skill.
He could have used his more powerful abilities, like his fifth spirit skill, Eight Extremes Collapse, or even his two spirit bones, to defeat Tang Long and Tang Hu with certainty. But to utterly break the morale of Haotian Sect and compel the elders to reveal their full strength, he had to humiliate his opponents in the boldest way possible.
"Does he really think his third spirit skill alone can withstand our fifth?" thought Tang Long and Tang Hu in disbelief.
Boom!
The twin Haotian Hammers crashed down upon Dai Yao with a thunderous roar, only to be stopped cold as if seized mid-strike. The two hammer-wielders felt their attacks lose their ferocity, leaving their hammers limp and unsteady, like trapped eels. Tang Long and Tang Hu stared in disbelief. Their ultimate attacks had been effortlessly intercepted by Dai Yao, whose calm face betrayed no strain.
From the very beginning, Dai Yao had dominated the battle. For Tang Long and Tang Hu, facing him was like scaling an endless mountain; no matter how high they climbed, the peak remained out of sight.
They were Soul Emperors—the prodigies of Haotian Sect—and yet, even together, they couldn't force Dai Yao, a mere Soul King, to exert himself fully. The crushing realization brought a wave of unreality, as if the very ground beneath them were shifting.
But Dai Yao was struggling too. Using only his third spirit skill to withstand two Haotian Hammers wielded with fifth spirit skills was pushing him to his limit. Yet the risk was worth it, judging by the looks of dismay and self-doubt on Tang Long and Tang Hu's faces.
Feigning ease, he quietly used his green light to repair his strained meridians.
"What a disappointment. So this is Haotian Sect? Your fame precedes you, yet seeing it today… not much to speak of."
He shook his head with mock regret. The feigned frustration on his face, as if lamenting the lack of a worthy challenge, cast a pall of despair over Haotian Sect's disciples.
Despair began to spread among the ranks.
"Tang Hu! Buy me some time!" Tang Long shouted suddenly, gritting his teeth.
Tang Hu looked confused for a moment but quickly understood. After witnessing Dai Yao's overwhelming power, he knew even their sixth spirit skills might not be enough. Their only hope now lay in Haotian Sect's ultimate skill—the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique!
The sixth black spirit ring flared to life, and silver veins spread across Tang Hu's Haotian Hammer, unleashing an aura intense enough to pressure even Dai Yao. Meanwhile, Tang Long spun rapidly, gathering momentum for the lethal technique. The combined weight and fury of his hammer grew with every rotation, his soul power gathering for the ultimate strike.
Witnessing this, the elders of Wuhun Hall watched with bated breath. The Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique—its reputation alone was enough to strike fear. Even the three hidden elders from the Offering Hall couldn't help but feel tense; they had seen Tang Chen wield the Haotian Hammer, an experience they would never forget.
"Too naïve if you think I'll let Tang Long gain the time he needs." Dai Yao scoffed.
He glanced at Tang Hu, who was standing guard, and then at Tang Long as he gathered power. Dai Yao's eyes glinted with cold amusement.
If he attacked Tang Hu, he'd be delayed just long enough for Tang Long to complete his technique. Conversely, if he went for Tang Long, Tang Hu would press him from behind, forcing him into a pincer he couldn't win.
In an instant, Dai Yao's eight wings emerged, tearing through his cloak. The holy tiger wings dissipated into white light that combined with his newly unveiled wings, creating an even stronger aura. With a single flap, he vanished and reappeared in front of Tang Hu. Time seemed to slow down.
He saw Tang Hu's eyes widen in disbelief. Dai Yao's hand shot forward like a spear, piercing the gap in Tang Hu's defense and landing directly on his chest.
The impact caved in Tang Hu's chest and sent pain surging through him, forcing a spray of blood from his mouth. His sixth spirit skill unraveled, and his spirit power erupted chaotically within him. Tang Hu barely managed to grab the chain bridge to keep himself from falling.
Dai Yao, unfazed, spun and hurtled toward Tang Long like lightning.
Tang Long was shaken, but he remained confident. Enveloped in the protective aura generated by the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, he knew it would be nearly impossible for Dai Yao to penetrate it.
But as he caught Dai Yao's unflinching gaze, a feeling of foreboding crept in.
"Eight Extremes Collapse!"
With a low growl, Dai Yao's fist struck the protective aura, causing it to ripple as if impacted by a tidal wave.
Before Tang Long could react, he felt a devastating force pierce his shield and slam into his chest, sending him reeling backward on the bridge.
"W-what…" Tang Long stammered as he staggered to his feet, clutching his chest in shock and disbelief.
How could Dai Yao bypass his protective shield without shattering it?
Dai Yao withdrew his fist, a slight smile on his face. His knowledge of Tang San's skills enabled him to exploit the technique's weaknesses. The Eight Extremes Collapse, with its compressed soul power, was perfectly suited for exploiting the Chaotic Cloak's energy shield, amplifying Dai Yao's strike.
The entire scene left the battlefield in stunned silence.
In a flash, the duel had ended decisively. Haotian Sect's disciples were frozen, unable to comprehend how their two greatest fighters had been so utterly outclassed. Despair and helplessness filled their hearts as they began to realize that no one in Haotian Sect could challenge Dai Yao. Was their sect forever doomed to this remote, bitter wilderness?
As they looked upon Dai Yao once more, many felt an involuntary mixture of fear and rage.
Meanwhile, Tang San clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with determination. The time had come for him to step forward.
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