The sound produced by Li Xun and Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul Fusion Skill was immense. Sometimes he wondered if Martial Souls possessed intelligence—the more something was lacking, the more it seemed to emphasize it.
Watching figures flying out of Gengxin City one after another, he pulled Ning Rongrong behind him in one swift motion.
"Something has happened at the mine! Let's head over first. Brother Hao, you organize reinforcements from the city to follow."
Tang Xiao stood in the air above Gengxin City, his gaze fixed on the tower spire above the mine, before swiftly leading the four elders toward Li Xun's location.
Tang Hao, upon hearing this, was about to move when Tang San grabbed his arm: "Father, the situation is escalating in the worst possible direction. Since they dared to create such a commotion, they must be prepared."
"This is now a battle between Title Douluo. Your strength has been compromised—it's best not to get involved."
Tang San stood on the city wall, using his Purple Demon Eyes to carefully scan the mine's situation.
The sound from earlier had only lasted a moment before silence fell, making him contemplate the possibilities.
His original intention was for the Sky Blue Bull Python to reverse the Clear Sky Sect's disadvantage in high-level combat power, but the death of the Fifth Elder had shattered his previous plans.
What he feared most was that the Sky Blue Bull Python had already lost its ability to resist. If that were the case, even if the Clear Sky Sect intervened now, it would be futile.
At this thought, Tang San's expression shifted unpredictably, his hand unconsciously tightening.
Had he inadvertently made things easier for Li Xun by bringing the Sky Blue Bull Python out of the Star Dou Great Forest?
Sensing the force transmitted through his arm, Tang Hao's mind raced, instantly grasping the underlying implications.
"Xiao San, although my strength has declined, in terms of combat power, I can still hold my own against ordinary Title Douluo. Moreover, if I don't appear now, the Seventh Elder will undoubtedly use it against me later."
"Father, haven't our experiences within the sect over the past two years made you see clearly?"
Tang San didn't release his grip, his gaze carrying a subtle hint: "We can go, but we must proceed slowly..."
Based on the ideals Tang Hao had always instilled in him, Tang San had initially held many aspirations for the Clear Sky Sect.
The number one sect on the continent, the continent's top Item Soul Spirit, formidable strength—each of these had been a source of pride in his heart.
However, all of this had been demystified after he and his father had spent an extended period within the sect.
In recent years, the Clear Sky Sect had suffered consecutive setbacks, yet they continually shifted all blame onto him and his father, fueling his growing dissatisfaction and disappointment.
In such a sect, even if he and his father were to die, there would likely be those who applauded.
If that were the case, why not treat the sect as a transient refuge—a temporary shelter for growth?
Tang Hao understood the deeper meaning, his face clearly reflecting his inner struggle.
After a moment of contemplation, he nodded.
Before long, the powerful experts of Gengxin City mobilized, rushing to reinforce the mine.
The Star Luo army also poured out in succession.
Tang Xiao stood mid-air, his Aura continuously intertwining with Sword Douluo's Domain: "Chen Xin, I anticipated your arrival, but I never expected to meet you under such circumstances."
He knew the Sky Blue Bull Python couldn't remain hidden forever. Although he had concealed it, his primary intention was to use it as a deterrent against Heavenly Dou and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
The Clear Sky Sect and Star Luo were in desperate need of visible combat power now...
Only when both sides achieved a balance in overt strength would Heavenly Dou become wary, deterring them from launching an attack lightly.
What he hadn't expected was that Sword Douluo and the others would dare abandon their troops to launch a surprise attack on the Sky Blue Bull Python in Gengxin City.
This was the Star Luo Empire's current defensive stronghold!
Tang Ming and the three Clear Sky Sect elders stood solemnly behind Tang Xiao, their expressions grave as they awaited reinforcements while also waiting for the Sky Blue Bull Python to break free.
Having cultivated for decades as Title Douluos, they immediately recognized the pagoda as a control-type skill.
The radiant, multicolored pagoda was gradually becoming illusory.
Time ticked away second by second.
They were waiting—waiting for this Soul Skill's effect to fade, waiting for the moment the Sky Blue Bull Python would counterattack.
That would also be when they made their move.
Sword Douluo, holding the Seven Kill Sword, chuckled softly: "I heard the ruler of ferocious beasts from the Star Dou Great Forest had appeared in Gengxin City, so I came to see for myself. Apologies for the disturbance."
Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo had already identified their respective opponents.
Hearing this, Tang Xiao knew further words were useless and tightened his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer.
Time continued to flow, and compared to several years ago, Li Xun and Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul Fusion Skill now lasted longer.
Three minutes.
Though no one knew what the Sky Blue Bull Python was experiencing inside the pagoda, those outside felt as if each moment lasted an eternity.
Li Xun's Soul Power circulated continuously within him.
While the Clear Sky Sect waited for the Soul Skill's effect to dissipate, they too were waiting—this single skill had temporarily immobilized all three parties.
As the last traces of radiance vanished, a starlight appeared at the pagoda's spire before the entire Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda transformed into shimmering stardust drifting into the sky.
In that instant, everyone present sprang into action.
Spirit Rings lit up one after another as various skills manifested.
"Buy some recovery time for the Sky Blue Bull Python."
Though Tang Xiao didn't know the pagoda's specific effects, his extensive experience gave him instinctive understanding of what to do.
The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand rapidly enlarged as he hurled it toward Li Xun: "Soaring Strike!"
Having fought him before, the Clear Sky Sect members already recognized Li Xun's threat.
Though Tang Xiao had been confronting Sword Douluo, most of his attention remained on Li Xun.
But Li Xun had anticipated this situation.
Facing the roaring Clear Sky Hammer, he placed his left hand around Ning Rongrong's waist while his right arm's Soft Bone Rabbit Spirit Bone flashed—activating the Teleportation skill.
He vanished from the spot with Ning Rongrong in his arms.
BOOM—
The moment they disappeared, the Clear Sky Hammer struck the ground with unstoppable force, the tremendous impact carving out a massive crater.
Amid the flying dirt and shattered stones, a colossal figure emerged, standing like a majestic mountain upon the earth.
"Be careful! Maintain distance!"
Seeing the sky-obscuring giant Buddha, Tang Xiao's expression turned severe.
The Clear Sky Sect elders started in alarm, cautiously observing the Thousand-Hand Buddha's movements while continuing their battle against Sword Douluo and the others.
"What is that!"
Many people in Gengxin City noticed the suddenly appearing colossal figure in the distance, exclaiming in astonishment.
This immediately drew more attention.
"So what those fleeing deserters said was true..." someone murmured.
On the city wall,
Tang San, who had been observing the situation, looked ashen-faced, his hands gripping the wall bricks so tightly that unconscious pressure left white marks on the originally solid bricks.
"This is impossible..."
Thump—
Tang San's lips trembled, his face alternating between green and pale, eyes revealing unconcealed agony.
He slammed his fists fiercely against the battlement: "What is this? How am I supposed to defeat him, Xiao Wu? Tell me, how can I defeat him!"
"How can I defeat him... to get my revenge?"
At this moment, he almost hated his Purple Demon Eyes. If he hadn't seen Li Xun standing atop that colossal Buddha statue, he wouldn't be suffering such agony and despair.
Tang Hao wasn't faring much better either.
He had heard about this during sect meetings and knew the elders were discussing countermeasures, but only when standing at the foot of the giant Buddha could one truly feel their own insignificance.
Tang Hao patted Tang San's shoulder and said with difficulty: "Xiao San... when you're not confident about resisting, you must bide your time."
After speaking, he looked up and sighed deeply, just like I did back then...
Just as Tang Xiao targeted Li Xun for attack, Sword Douluo's strike had already arrived.
However, just as it was about to hit Tang Xiao, Tang Ming swiftly moved to block it.
The Sixth and Seventh Elders of the Clear Sky Sect engaged Bone Douluo, while the Third Elder confronted Dugu Bo.
In that brief moment, both sides became locked in combat.
Standing atop the head of the True Several Thousand Hands, Li Xun observed the reactions of the Clear Sky Sect elders clearly, fully aware of their wariness toward him.
Unless one possessed absolute power or was a fool, no one would willingly confront such a colossal entity.
Ning Rongrong stood on the head of the True Several Thousand Hands, tightly wrapping her arms around Li Xun's waist: "Brother, am I being a bit of a hindrance here?"
"It's fine, just hold me tight."
Li Xun paid no attention to the Clear Sky Sect members, instead controlling the great Buddha to reach into the mine shaft.
Boom—
As the giant hand extended inside, the hard mine shaft instantly expanded several times its size.
Moments later, the Sky Blue Bull Python, still not recovered from the illusion, was dragged out by its head.
In pain, the Sky Blue Bull Python's eyes instantly cleared, and upon seeing the giant hand gripping it, felt terrified, frantically thrashing its body.
Unexpectedly, several more hands grasped it firmly, then smoothed along its body. Under the strain, the Sky Blue Bull Python's body instantly stiffened.
Just as it thought to counterattack, it felt the scenery before its eyes changing rapidly, its head suddenly spinning with dizziness.
From an outsider's perspective, it appeared as if a sky-obscuring, thousand-armed Buddha was wielding a hundred-meter-long whip, sweeping forth with unstoppable force.
Whoosh—
"Get out of the way!!"
Seeing the Buddha statue swinging the Sky Blue Bull Python toward their direction, Tang Xiao couldn't help but gasp sharply and shout loudly.
(End of Chapter)