Compared to the heavy losses on both sides, Tang San seemed to undergo a subtle change.
In this great battle, though Tang San was undoubtedly the most dazzling figure among everyone, only he truly understood the immense difficulty of it all.
Though Tang San had always been confident—possessing various secret techniques from the Tang Sect and the Xuantian Gong cultivation method, which far surpassed anything in this world—his soul power was significantly deeper than that of his peers.
However, it was only after clashing with top-tier experts like Bibi Dong that he realized the true gap between them. If not for Ning Rongrong's long-range support, Tang San's performance in this battle would not have been so impressive, nor could he have barely fought Bibi Dong to a draw.
With Tang San's strength and his expertise in poisons, the toxins and injuries inflicted by Bibi Dong had little effect on him.
Nevertheless, Tang San still felt somewhat disheartened. He had failed to defeat Bibi Dong on the battlefield and hadn't completed the Trial.
Moreover, after absorbing so much energy, his Dark Blue Silver Grass began to make him more bloodthirsty. Even after the battle ended, Tang San remained restless for a long time, his blood still boiling.
While Tang San was meditating alone, Tang Hao arrived at his room.
Tang San quickly greeted him: "Father, why are you here? How are your injuries?"
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao had fought against Qing Luan Douluo and Lion Douluo, and though they were evenly matched, Tang Hao had sustained some injuries.
Tang Hao shook his head: "I'm fine. If not for the fact that Lion Douluo and Qing Luan Douluo's soul power surpasses mine, I could have easily crushed them with my strength."
"By the way, Xiao San, how do you feel about this battle? Did you notice any shortcomings when fighting Bibi Dong?"
After some thought, Tang San replied: "Father, in terms of combat experience and soul power level, there's still a significant gap between me and Bibi Dong. Not to mention, Bibi Dong has her Six-Winged Purple Light Wings, which make her much faster than me. Only in actual combat did I realize the extent of this disparity."
Tang Hao snorted coldly: "Xiao San, is this your understanding of your martial soul? Is this the result of your recent training with your great-grandfather? You've disappointed me greatly."
Tang San looked confused: "Father, is there something wrong with my cultivation?"
Tang Hao sighed: "Xiao San, you've always trained diligently, and your strength far surpasses that of your peers. But ultimately, there's a misconception in your cultivation path."
"Yu Xiaogang's initial guidance was commendable, but he's only a Soul Grandmaster with relatively weak combat ability. Once you reach the level of a top-tier soul master, his understanding falls short."
Tang San quickly interjected: "Father, Teacher only had my best interests at heart. Please don't blame him."
Tang Hao continued: "Xiao San, do you remember my original plan for you? Your Blue Silver Grass only needed to be cultivated to its peak. When it comes to actual combat, your reliance should be on your Hao Tian Hammer."
"The Hao Tian Hammer is renowned for its overwhelming might and dominance. Your hammer's soul rings are excellent and have significantly boosted your soul power. Yet, you've become overly reliant on your Blue Silver Grass and haven't fully unleashed the potential of your Hao Tian Hammer."
"I'll ask you this: when I, at Level 95, fought Lion Douluo at Level 97, you can see the gap between us. Yet, I didn't fall behind at all, and Lion Douluo ended up more injured than me. Do you know why?"
After some thought, Tang San replied: "Father, it's because the Hao Tian Hammer is the strongest weapon-type martial soul in the world. Its techniques are exquisite, especially the Hao Tian Nine Absolutes and the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique, which are among the strongest self-created soul skills in the soul master world."
Tang Hao shook his head: "Xiao San, your understanding of the Hao Tian Hammer is still too shallow. During this time, aside from teaching you the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique years ago, I never taught you the Hao Tian Nine Absolutes. Even your great-grandfather didn't teach you hammer techniques but instead focused on helping you improve yourself. Don't you see the reason behind this?"
"In the Hao Tian Sect, many can practice the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique and the Hao Tian Nine Absolutes, but few can master these two ultimate techniques to perfection."
"Take me, for example. Though I've mastered the Hao Tian Nine Absolutes, in actual combat, I prefer using the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique because it suits my aggressive and domineering personality better."
"On the other hand, your uncle is the opposite. He's more composed and immovable like a mountain, so he delves deeper into the subtleties of hammer techniques. His mastery of the Hao Tian Nine Absolutes likely rivals that of your great-grandfather, and he may even refine the techniques further."
Tang San seemed to gain some insight: "Father, as you said, my Hao Tian Hammer needs to carve its own path. In the past, I created too many soul skills, which made my abilities broad but not refined, and I neglected the essence of hammer techniques."
Tang Hao nodded: "That's only one reason. The real issue lies in your character. Your Hao Tian Hammer emphasizes overwhelming force, breaking through all techniques with sheer power. Yet, you lack the reckless abandon and unyielding determination required."
"Among the younger generation, I've only seen this quality in one person—Yang Xiong."
"Though Yang Xiong hasn't displayed overwhelming strength and has even concealed his abilities, his all-or-nothing attitude in battle is something you find hard to match."
"When I sent you to Slaughter City to train, it was to let you forge your own path amidst endless killing, to fight for survival with every ounce of your being."
"Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Back then, Slaughter City lacked enough people to support your training, so I had to resort to other methods, which were ultimately insufficient."
After hearing this, Tang San thought for a long time before asking: "Father, what must I do to grow stronger and truly surpass Yang Xiong?"
Tang Hao nodded: "Xiao San, the world only knows of the Hao Tian Sect's Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique and Hao Tian Nine Absolutes. In truth, the sect's true inheritance lies not in these two techniques but in an even stronger one called the Great Sumeru Hammer."
"This move is the foundation of the Hao Tian Sect's dominance and the reason the Hao Tian Hammer became the strongest weapon-type martial soul. Your great-grandfather's recent training with you was likely meant to guide you toward this path."
Tang San's eyes lit up with excitement: "Father, is the Great Sumeru Hammer really that powerful? Can it truly bridge the gap between me and Bibi Dong or Yang Xiong?"
Tang Hao nodded: "The Great Sumeru Hammer is extraordinary. In the entire Hao Tian Sect, only I have mastered it. Even your uncle, Tang Xiao, who has reached Level 97 and achieved mastery over hammer techniques, only understands its principles and cannot fully use it. Do you know why?"
Tang San looked puzzled. After all, his uncle had reached Level 97, and his hammer techniques had reached the pinnacle of mastery. How could he not have mastered the Great Sumeru Hammer?
"Father, how is this possible?"
Tang Hao sighed: "Your uncle carries too many burdens and overthinks things. He lacks the reckless abandon and overwhelming presence required."
"To master the Great Sumeru Hammer, one must embrace death, place oneself in a desperate situation, merge completely with the Hao Tian Hammer, and disregard all consequences—even if it means perishing."
"Back then, it was only during moments of utter despair and fury, when your mother's life hung by a thread, that I truly unleashed the full potential of the Great Sumeru Hammer."
Even with Tang San's current strength, hearing this sent shivers down his spine. Never before had he encountered a soul skill that demanded such immense risk.
Tang San gritted his teeth: "Father, I'm willing to bear all consequences. Please teach me the Great Sumeru Hammer."
Tang Hao nodded: "Xiao San, you've never faced setbacks in your life. Your cultivation journey has been smooth sailing, and at such a young age, you've already reached the level of a Title Douluo—a record in the soul master world."
"But the Great Sumeru Hammer is no ordinary technique. Several of our ancestors in the Hao Tian Sect died due to backlash while using it. This technique is passed down directly by the sect leader and can only be inherited by a true Hao Tian Douluo."
"Not only does it demand an extremely high level of physical strength, but it also requires a full set of high-year spirit bones. The pain involved far exceeds your imagination."
"At the core of it all is Ring Explosion."
Tang San summoned his pitch-black Hao Tian Hammer, now adorned with seven soul rings. Each ring's duration had nearly reached the level of Tang Hao's eighth soul ring. If he were to use Ring Explosion, the power and pain it generated would likely surpass Tang Hao's by countless times.
"Father, to grow stronger, to surpass everyone, I'm willing to face annihilation. No matter what, I will become the strongest in the world."
Tang Hao finally felt a sense of relief.
Over the next few days, under Tang Hao's guidance, Tang San began learning the soul power flow routes of the Great Sumeru Hammer and the specific precautions required to master it.
With Tang San's talent, he quickly grasped the principle behind the Great Sumeru Hammer and understood its immense danger.
But Tang San's killing intent surged, and his determination grew unwavering. The Great Sumeru Hammer would become his ultimate trump card in contending with the world's top experts.
…
The battle at Jialing Pass was incredibly brutal. In just one day, both sides suffered staggering casualties, leaving everyone solemn and serious.
Even Yang Wudi and others from the Body Sect, who had initially insisted on joining the battle, now began to grasp the Spirit Hall Empire's strength and the horrors of war.
After experiencing this battle, Ning Rongrong and the others, though drained of soul power and bearing numerous wounds, finally understood the ruthlessness of the soul master world's competition.
Perhaps Yang Xiong had protected them too well in the past. The endless slaughter on the battlefield drove people mad and robbed them of their sanity. Yet, amid this ceaseless carnage, they began to comprehend the true essence of combat and recognize their own shortcomings.
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