Chapter 296: The Ultimate Battle
The expected roar of impact never came.
On the chain bridge, Tang San dashed forward, eyes locked on the swiftly approaching Dai Yao. With a powerful throw, Tang San hurled the Haotian Hammer, its heavy form spinning in the air, drawing a sharp arc before reaching Dai Yao's back. Meanwhile, from the front, Tang San's hands emitted an icy chill, flickering with several cold beams of light. Although the Haotian Hammer and Blue Silver Emperor spirit couldn't be used simultaneously, Tang San's training in Slaughter City had given him confidence in facing Dai Yao barehanded.
He understood Dai Yao's intentions all too well: by exposing Xiao Wu's true identity, Dai Yao hoped to sour the sect's view of Tang San, so that if Tang San lost today, he would face not only the sect's animosity but also their desire for Xiao Wu's spirit ring—a deadly trap.
"Such cruel intentions!" he thought, his strikes growing sharper.
In the blink of an eye, the two clashed hundreds of times on the bridge. Though Tang San couldn't match Dai Yao's raw strength, he avoided direct confrontation, launching hidden weapons from unexpected angles, each laced with killing intent. Even for Dai Yao, a single hit could prove dangerous.
However, Dai Yao skillfully parried each blow, maintaining his advantage. The hidden weapons might have been deadly, but so long as he stayed vigilant, Tang San's assault posed little threat.
"Such frightening power! In five years, this guy has grown even stronger," Tang San thought, his brows furrowing. "No wonder Tang Long and Tang Hu lost to him—he hasn't even used his augmentation skills yet!"
Resolved to avoid direct combat, Tang San's back hand formed a claw. In mid-air, the Haotian Hammer responded to his summons, shooting back toward Dai Yao's back in a swift arc.
It was a Tang Sect technique—Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon!
Facing Tang San head-on, Dai Yao had already noticed the Haotian Hammer's movement and frowned. His first spirit ring gleamed, and a protective white barrier enveloped him. Preparing to take the hit head-on, he planned to use the hammer's momentum to close the distance and crush Tang San up close. At such range, Tang San would have no chance.
However, Tang San, recognizing Dai Yao's intentions, quickly altered his plan. The Haotian Hammer swerved, aiming straight for the bridge beneath Dai Yao.
Ping!
With that direct hit, the worn bridge could take no more and snapped, sending both combatants tumbling into the gorge. Cries of alarm erupted from the disciples, who rushed to the cliff's edge, anxiously watching the darkness below.
A moment later, two figures surged up from the gorge, drawing every gaze skyward.
"Dai Yao has a flying spirit bone, but Tang San has gained flight too!" Excited whispers filled the air.
"This doesn't look good. Tang San is outmatched in both strength and speed. Skill alone can't bridge such a vast gap," Tang Xiao mused, frowning.
"Brother, don't worry. Tang San has come through much worse. He hasn't even played his true cards yet." Tang Yuehua stepped beside Tang Xiao, smiling with calm assurance. She knew Tang San's calculated nature well; if he had accepted this duel, he would have a plan to win.
Reassured, Tang Xiao's frown eased slightly. "The real battle starts now," he thought.
Above, Dai Yao's white wings beat gracefully, holding him aloft. He looked at Tang San hovering nearby, recognizing the ability from Tang San's mother, Ah Yin's, spirit bone. Though not strong in offense, the Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone's powers of regeneration and flight made it invaluable—even among ten-thousand-year spirit bones.
The energy within his own Green Lotus Spirit was higher-grade, and while versatile, it couldn't match the Blue Silver Emperor's mastery over the finer aspects of the body's restoration. Watching Tang San, a hint of regret crossed Dai Yao's eyes as he noted the spirit bone had already merged with Tang San.
Feigning surprise, he remarked, "Five years, and you've learned to fly."
Tang San let out a cold snort, eyes brimming with hatred. "You've yet to see all I've gained in these five years!"
In that moment, Dai Yao had nearly taken him out with a sudden attack. Had it not been for his reflexes honed in the trials of Slaughter City, that strike could have been fatal.
Gasping, Tang San's hidden hand released a light blue powder that dissipated into the air. Knowing he was outmatched, he had taken calculated risks to close the distance between himself and Dai Yao, setting multiple plans into motion. His main goal had been to scatter Blue Silver Emperor seeds across Dai Yao's body, and by breaking the bridge, he'd forced Dai Yao into the air, nullifying his close-range advantage.
Now it was time to strike back!
"With the bridge down, no battlefield needs to be set. The entire sky shall be our arena, and this fight will only end when one of us falls!" Dai Yao said, his eyes coldly fixed on Tang San.
"I couldn't agree more," Tang San replied, meeting his gaze unflinchingly.
As the two stared each other down, tension thickened in the air, and a chill swept across the mountaintop. When the first snowflake fell between them, Tang San made his move.
His third spirit ring flashed, releasing a purple web that extended downward into the gorge, a strand of Blue Silver Grass anchored in its center. The onlookers watched in confusion, uncertain of Tang San's aim. But soon, they had their answer.
Manipulated by Blue Silver Emperor, the web looped back like a viper, positioning itself beneath Dai Yao before closing in on him.
"What skill! Just like how he used the Haotian Hammer to loop back earlier!" Even the Spirit Hall's Title Douluo couldn't help but admire Tang San's technique. Despite his disadvantage, he repeatedly turned the tide with clever tactics.
"Again with this trick?" Dai Yao muttered, preparing to evade.
"Too late!" Tang San sneered, activating his second spirit ring. A warm aura exploded between them, enveloping them in its light.
"Blue Silver Domain! Second Spirit Skill—Parasite!"
With a flash, tangles of Blue Silver Emperor vines burst from Dai Yao's body, binding his limbs. Although Dai Yao's powerful physique would normally shrug off such binds, the Blue Silver Domain enhanced their durability, buying Tang San precious seconds.
By the time Dai Yao had torn free of the Blue Silver Emperor vines, the web had closed in from below, wrapping around him.
"Dai Yao, it's time to end this!" Tang San's eyes blazed with vengeance, turning a shade of blood red as a chilling killing intent erupted from his body, spreading through the sky.
His fifth black spirit ring lit up, forming a radiant golden spear in his right hand, crackling with a terror-inducing aura. Tang San had hidden the Blue Silver Domain within the Killing God Domain to deliver this one fatal strike against Dai Yao.
Under the icy pressure of that aura, even the mighty Title Douluo felt an eerie suppression.
"This is bad—it's the Killing God Domain!" Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exclaimed in unison, suddenly realizing that Tang San, too, was a Killing God who had emerged from the Slaughter City. They were deeply shaken.
"Quick, we have to save Dai Yao!" The same thought flashed through both of their minds. But just as they were about to intervene, two powerful auras crashed into them, halting their movements with a forceful jolt.
"A deal's a deal," Tang Xiao said with a calm smile. "This duel is between them, and no one is allowed to interfere." His strength, combined with that of the Seventh Elder, was enough to restrain Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. Tang Xiao watched Tang San intently, a look of pride gleaming in his eyes.
Though Tang San's physical strength couldn't rival Dai Yao's, he cleverly used his abilities as a control-type spirit master, continuously restraining Dai Yao and creating an opening for his final, peak strike. Such genius talent was something that even Tang Xiao felt he couldn't match.
If Tang San's blow hit that purple webbed prison, all the shame endured by the Clear Sky Sect today would be avenged. The Spirit Hall would not only lose face but also a prodigy with the potential to dominate his generation. And Tang San and Tang Hao might finally have a chance to restore their names within the sect. Tang Xiao's heart surged with anticipation, hoping for that golden spear to pierce through Dai Yao right then and there.
Even the Seventh Elder, who held a grudge against Tang San, set aside his feelings at that moment, hoping with all his heart that Tang San would succeed in striking down Dai Yao.
"Third Brother, should we go help Dai Yao?" On a distant snow-covered mountain, Qian Jun Douluo, clutching his Panlong Staff, watched Tang San's fierce attack with surprise and turned to Azure Luan Douluo beside him.
Azure Luan Douluo's eyes were fixed on the golden spear in Tang San's grip, silently calculating its deadly potential. Infused with the Killing God Domain, this spear radiated sharpness and chilling killing intent. Though Dai Yao's physical resilience was extraordinary for his age, he doubted whether even Dai Yao could withstand this strike.
Though hesitant to save Dai Yao and hoping to create an opportunity for his disciple to pursue someone of higher standing, Azure Luan remembered Feng Wutong's plea to look after Dai Yao. Sighing, he thought, "If she finds out I let him die, she'll never forgive me." So he resolved that, even if it meant failing the mission, he would save Dai Yao.
"Save him!" he ordered, gathering spirit power in his palm. But his eyes widened in surprise. From the heart of the purple webbed sphere, an ominous presence began to emerge—a presence so powerful it felt like a great beast awakening.
"Wait!" Azure Luan Douluo quickly stopped Qian Jun and the others. Seeing their puzzled expressions, he grinned. "It seems the kid still has a hidden trump card!"
High in the sky, the golden spear in Tang San's hand fully formed, rippling with powerful waves of authority. The weapon's brilliance seemed to pulse beyond his control.
"Dai Yao, this is your end!" Biting his tongue to anchor his focus, Tang San tasted blood and gripped the Blue Silver Overlord Spear tightly.
With a sharp cry, the golden spear pierced the air, traversing the sky in a brilliant arc, blazing toward the purple webbed sphere with a long, blazing tail. The terrifying sharpness of that blow forced weaker disciples to close their eyes against the force.
But just then, a thunderous heartbeat reverberated through the purple webbing. It was as if an ancient beast was stirring within the cocoon, and an ominous foreboding swept through the Clear Sky Sect disciples.
Rip!
The purple web split apart, and those who dared to keep their eyes open stared intently. When they finally made out the figure within, their pupils shrank in shock, and the cheers from Clear Sky Sect fell abruptly silent, leaving an oppressive stillness.
Suspended in midair, Dai Yao's eight white wings beat steadily. His previously bulky figure, enhanced by the White Tiger Vajra Transformation, had slimmed back to its usual form, yet his aura was entirely transformed. Gone was the gentle scholar-like demeanor. Now, even the blind could sense the raw, suffocating power radiating from him. A single glance from him felt like being targeted by a primeval beast at the apex of the food chain.
Surrounding him, five spirit rings floated with an otherworldly glow. His fifth black spirit ring shone brilliantly, and this was precisely his fifth spirit skill—White Tiger Titan Form.
In his hand, he held the golden spear, Tang San's peak attack. Clasped firmly in Dai Yao's grip, the spear was utterly immobilized.
"H-How can this be? That terrifying spear was stopped… by him—barehanded?" a Clear Sky Sect disciple stammered in disbelief.
"Is he even human?" others murmured, reeling in shock. "If even this can't bring him down, are we truly powerless against him?"
Dread rippled through the sect disciples. Tang San's attack had been so potent that just standing near it had nearly paralyzed them with pressure. And yet, even that attack had failed to harm Dai Yao.
The elders of the sect watched Dai Yao with guarded eyes, a hint of recognition in their expressions. The Second Elder turned to Tang Xiao, brows knitted in thought.
"Sect Master… could it be that what we're sensing from him is Titan's aura?" he asked.
Tang Xiao swallowed hard, nodding. "It seems so. Years ago, Hao hunted a Titan Giant Ape, and the spirit ring gave off a similar aura. But there's something slightly different here."
Tang Hao was the only verified soul master known to have slain a Titan Giant Ape. Tang Xiao, having witnessed his brother absorb the spirit ring, sensed the faint aura of a Titan in Dai Yao's spirit ring—yet mixed with an icy chill, unlike anything he remembered.
"Whether or not it's from a Titan Giant Ape, this spirit ring must come from a creature of that caliber. It's almost unimaginable that he had such a stroke of fortune!" the Second Elder murmured, eyeing Dai Yao with a mixture of envy and awe.
"This… this can't be! How did you block my fifth spirit skill so easily?" Tang San's voice trembled with disbelief.
The Blue Silver Overlord Spear wasn't merely his most powerful single-target strike; it was also imbued with the bloodlust of the Killing God Domain. Even if Dai Yao could catch it, Tang San had expected the residual killing intent to at least wound him. But there Dai Yao stood, completely unharmed.
"You look puzzled?" Dai Yao sneered, enjoying Tang San's disbelief. He tightened his grip, and before everyone's astonished eyes, the golden spear cracked, its shaft splintering as he crushed it barehanded.
Even Tang San's confidence was shaken as he connected the dots. Hu Liena must have passed the Slaughter City's trials too. Dai Yao had likely acclimated to the Killing God Domain's aura through repeated battles with her.
With a cold expression, Tang San recalled his Blue Silver Grass, halting in midair.
Sensing Tang San's retreat, Dai Yao crossed his arms, a smug smile playing on his lips. "What's wrong, are you giving up?"
Every disciple of the Clear Sky Sect gazed at Tang San, filled with anxious hope. Of all their combatants, he had performed the best thus far. If Tang San couldn't stop Dai Yao, no one in the sect could.
With all eyes on him, Tang San slowly raised his head, his gaze burning with hatred as he fixed his eyes on Dai Yao. With steel in his voice, he declared, "You're strong, Dai Yao. Even my most powerful spirit skill can't harm you. But you're wrong if you think that will save you. My true strength… has never been in my spirit skills alone."
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