Boom—
The sky exploded with a roar as the Sky Blue Bull Python swept past Tang Xiao, the resulting air currents causing his clothes to flap violently.
This wasn't a Soul Skill or Innate Skill, but rather the effect of pure physical force.
His scalp tingling, Tang Xiao's expression changed abruptly.
The elders of the Clear Sky Sect also looked grim, quickly abandoning Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo to retreat rapidly.
After their last encounter with Li Xun, they had discussed countermeasures.
The conclusion was either retreat or guerrilla tactics, until Li Xun's Soul Power was completely depleted.
But the current situation posed a dilemma.
If they retreated now, the Sky Blue Bull Python would undoubtedly be in danger.
Losing such a major combatant would return the Clear Sky Sect to their previous predicament, or even worse.
"Buddha Transformation."
However, the Clear Sky Sect's retreat didn't mean Li Xun would let them off so easily.
Standing atop the True Several Thousand Hands, Li Xun clasped his hands together sharply. Countless massive palms extended upward from the great Buddha's back, then descended upon Tang Xiao like a tidal wave.
The Sky Blue Bull Python was also swung fiercely by the foremost arms, though most of its attacks were directed at the ground.
"God and Demon Dual Slash, Sword Douluo Chen Xin."
The Seven Kill Sword hummed ominously as waves of murderous Sword Qi swept forth. Sword Douluo's attacks targeted both Tang Xiao and Tang Ming directly.
"Clear Sky Nine Wonders, Vibration Word Technique."
Tang Xiao's face darkened, surprised that the palms of the Buddha summoned by Li Xun could extend even further.
Quickly retreating, black light flashed from the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand as he deflected the continuously assaulting giant palms away.
"Clear Sky Avatar, Chaotic Cloak."
With his seventh and ninth Spirit Rings glowing at his feet, the Clear Sky Hammer instantly enlarged. Tang Xiao's face flushed red as he used his waist to drive his arm, leveraging the momentum to spin rapidly, completing quick rotations in a short time.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Clear Sky Hammer swung repeatedly, smashing one massive wooden hand after another while deflecting waves of Sword Qi elsewhere. Utilizing the Vibration Word Technique and Chaotic Cloak, Tang Xiao swiftly withdrew from Li Xun and Sword Douluo's attack range by riding the impact forces.
Little did he know that Sword Douluo and Li Xun's true targets weren't focused on him at all—the moment Tang Xiao exited the attack range, they shifted their focus.
Tang Ming, a ninety-fifth rank Title Douluo and currently the second strongest member of the Clear Sky Sect, naturally received special attention.
"Great Sumeru Hammer, Ring Detonation!"
Tang Ming's expression changed drastically as he detonated all six of his lower Spirit Rings simultaneously—this was the maximum power his current body could unleash.
Swinging his hammer continuously, he blocked attack after attack. Faced with the choice between a Sword Qi slash and a giant palm, he gritted his teeth and made his decision.
The Clear Sky Hammer instantly expanded in size. Tang Ming positioned it vertically before him, preparing to withstand the True Several Thousand Hands' assault head-on.
Boom!
A fist resembling a small meteor struck head-on, crashing heavily into the Clear Sky Hammer. A constant buzzing filled Tang Ming's ears as the scenery before him rapidly receded. He shot backward like a meteor, smashing into the city wall of Gengxin City.
Thud!
Cracks appeared in the sturdy city wall. Tang Ming felt as if his internal organs had shifted, lying in the dent in the wall as he spat out a mouthful of blood: "Fortunately..."
His choice had been correct. Had he been struck by Sword Douluo's Sword Qi, his injuries would likely have been even more severe.
Meanwhile, the Third Elder, Sixth Elder, and Seventh Elder weren't faring much better either.
With one less Fifth Elder, they were no match for Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo, forced to rely on the combined defensive skill Clear Sky Protection to hold their ground.
The golden barrier trembled incessantly. As Tang Xiao and Tang Ming retreated, Li Xun and Sword Douluo were about to shift their focus toward them.
"Fall back first," Seventh Elder urged anxiously. "This is unsustainable."
"I'll detonate my rings."
Third Elder gritted his teeth, shattering the first four Spirit Rings at his feet. A surge of immense power erupted from within him.
Though the Clear Sky Sect's secret technique could temporarily boost strength, it carried a severe drawback: the user would be unable to wield Soul Power for three days after its effects faded. Internal discussions had concluded that Ring Detonation should only be used in dire emergencies, with at least some members preserving their strength to avoid leaving the sect completely vulnerable.
As their power skyrocketed, the golden barrier formed by the three elders gradually stabilized. Tang Xiao and Tang Ming returned with grim expressions to reinforce them.
Having already lost Fifth Elder, the Clear Sky Sect could afford no further casualties—or it would face utter ruin.
Fortunately, Seventh Elder and the others had already withdrawn some distance. With Tang Hao and the ring-detoning Tang Ming's assistance, they soon escaped Li Xun's attack range.
"Close call."
Tang Ming wiped the blood from his lips with his sleeve and exhaled in relief.
"What's going on? Their aggression feels... subdued," Seventh Elder remarked after catching his breath at a safe distance, watching Sword Douluo's gradual retreat with puzzlement.
The recent skirmish felt different—whether it was the giant Buddha or Sword Douluo, neither seemed fully committed to engaging them.
Tang Xiao fell silent, deep in thought.
Noticing Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo moving closer to Li Xun, he suddenly realized the truth and paled. "They never intended to fight us—their true target was Sky Blue Bull Python all along!"
"Those attacks were just to drive us away, preventing collateral damage to the Soul Beast."
"We've been played!" The elders stiffened, fury and dread coiling in their chests.
"We must kill Sky Blue Bull Python. It cannot fall into Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's hands," Tang Xiao declared, gripping his Clear Sky Hammer until his knuckles turned white.
Tang Ming and the others nodded grimly, stepping forward to glare at the giant Buddha clutching the unconscious Sky Blue Bull Python.
They had previously agreed: Li Xun must be eliminated before he reached level 90. If he absorbed this Soul Beast, the Clear Sky Sect would face an insurmountable threat.
"It seems they've figured it out," Sword Douluo remarked lightly, standing beside Li Xun.
"Too late. Two of them have detonated their rings—they're more pressed for time than I am."
The Sky Blue Bull Python had already collapsed from relentless pounding. Li Xun manipulated the True Several Thousand Hands to bind it in segments, then shielded it with dozens of arms. Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo took positions before the colossal Buddha, smirking at Tang Xiao's group.
Though they knew what needed to be done, Tang Xiao felt paralyzed before the sky-obscuring Buddha and the three Douluo. His Clear Sky Hammer trembled in his grasp, yet he couldn't advance.
Tang Ming and Third Elder shared his helplessness. Even ignoring Li Xun's Spirit Avatar, just Sword Douluo's trio posed an impassable barrier—and their ring detonation's boost was fleeting.
Poison Douluo watched the motionless group, stroking his beard as he chuckled: "If you're not making a move, we'll be taking our leave."
Silence.
Tang Xiao gritted his teeth until they creaked.
He knew this was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School giving him a choice.
Whether to end things here or risk losing another elder to keep the Sky Blue Bull Python.
Tang Ming pondered for a moment before seeming to reach a decision: "Sect Master, I can hold on a little longer."
"..." The Seventh Elder remained silent. As part of the preservation faction who had long advocated withdrawing from the Star Luo Empire, he had always been averse to such life-risking endeavors.
"No need. The current outcome is only slightly worse than before the Sky Blue Bull Python arrived..."
Tang Xiao sighed: "Let them go"
He didn't know how long Li Xun's Spirit Avatar could last, but such a massive form must require terrifying energy consumption.
So Li Xun didn't count in the calculation.
If he performed Ring Detonation, his power could temporarily surpass Sword Douluo's, but in prolonged combat he would have no capacity to protect others.
Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo were also threats. If Tang Ming and the Third Elder's Ring Detonation expired mid-battle, they would likely fall on the spot.
As sect master, he didn't dare gamble.
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