Chapter 80: Taking Hostages — Tang Hao's Ruthless Measures Begin
"After him!!"
Seeing Tang Hao flying straight toward Notting City, Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed with a flash of realization. With a sharp cry, she instantly increased her flying speed.
Beside her, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yueguan, Ghost Douluo Guimei, Thousand Jun Douluo, and Dragon Subduing Douluo all surged forward with full force to catch up.
But unfortunately for them, aided by the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, Tang Hao was still faster.
After soaring across a large stretch of dense forest—
Tang Hao suddenly dropped like a meteor, slamming into one of the bustling streets of Notting City.
Boom!
He shattered the street upon impact, leaving a large crater as smoke and dust exploded upward in all directions.
Cough cough… What happened? So much dust…
It looks like something just fell from the sky?
Wait, was that a person?!
…
At that moment, the streets of Notting City were filled with traffic and pedestrians.
Vendors on both sides shouted to attract customers.
But when Tang Hao fell like a shooting star and smashed the pavement—
The blast of air scattered dust everywhere, howling outward in all directions, forcing the crowds to retreat as they shielded their faces and squinted through the haze.
In the swirling clouds of dust—
A figure suddenly burst out like a bullet.
"Clear Sky Nine Techniques—Zhen Move!"
As he shot out of the smoke, Tang Hao sped through the streets, clutching the Clear Sky Hammer with his left hand and slamming it into the ground repeatedly.
With each thunderous blow, powerful spirit force surged out, launching the nearby civilians into the air like cannonballs, hurtling them toward Bibi Dong and her team.
"Your Holiness! Be careful!!"
Seeing the flying civilians coming at them like projectiles, Chrysanthemum Douluo cried out in shock.
"Save them!"
Realizing that Tang Hao was using the citizens of Notting City as human shields, Bibi Dong was filled with anger.
Unless they were willing to let the civilians fall and die, they had no way to continue the chase.
Perhaps it was her awakening from the misguided love she once had for Yu Xiaogang, or the clarity she found in her love for her daughter Qian Renxue—
Either way, a trace of Bibi Dong's former compassion resurfaced.
Maybe it was also out of fear that if Tang Hao escaped, he would expose this event to the entire continent.
Regardless, this time, Bibi Dong chose not to abandon the civilians used as hostages.
She summoned her Death Spider Emperor spirit and fired web after web, catching the airborne civilians and safely lowering them to the ground.
At her command, Yueguan, Guimei, Thousand Jun Douluo, and Dragon Subduing Douluo also joined in the rescue from midair.
Meanwhile, from afar in Spirit Hall, observing through the Shangqing projection—
Lin Yan watched Tang Hao sacrifice civilian lives to stall Bibi Dong's group and secure his escape.
A cold smirk crossed his face.
"So despicable."
In the original story, Tang Hao's flaws were mostly limited to his initial neglect of Tang San and his blind loyalty to the Clear Sky Sect.
As the continent's top talent before Tang San, and the youngest-ever Titled Douluo, Tang Hao's character always gave off a tragic hero vibe, like Qiao Feng from Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils—bold, righteous, full of sorrow.
But unlike Qiao Feng, who was raised among the common folk, Tang Hao was born a noble, the heir of the Clear Sky Sect. He belonged to a completely different class from ordinary people.
To use innocent civilians as pawns like this? That was pure villain behavior.
Still, Titled Douluo were human too. Lin Yan could understand Tang Hao's desperation to survive—no matter the cost.
…
Inside Notting City—
After Bibi Dong and the others finished rescuing the civilians hurled by Tang Hao's hammer strikes, he was long gone.
"Damn it! That Tang Hao is too cunning!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo clenched his fists in frustration, furious at the method Tang Hao used to throw them off.
"They won't escape forever. When we return, announce that Yu Xiaogang is now an accomplice of the fugitive Tang Hao and his son. List him as one of Spirit Hall's top fugitives."
"Also, tighten surveillance on anyone associated with them. If they dare show themselves, send troops immediately to eliminate them."
Looking toward the direction Tang Hao had vanished, Bibi Dong's tone was icy as she clutched her scepter.
Then she turned to Thousand Jun Douluo and Dragon Subduing Douluo and added,
"Tell the Grand Priest once you return that this Haotian Douluo, Tang Hao, is no ordinary foe. If he appears again, the Grand Priest must dispatch more elders. Never forget how dangerous he and his son are to Spirit Hall."
…
Once it was all over—
Lin Yan felt a twinge of regret upon realizing Spirit Hall had failed to eliminate Tang Hao, Tang San, and Yu Xiaogang.
But ultimately, he didn't mind.
He knew well how Tang San was meant to become the Sea God—his path involved several key items: the immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the external spirit bone Eight Spider Lances, and the Vast Sea Cosmic Shield.
Yet due to Lin Yan's interference, the plot had already deviated drastically. Tang San likely hadn't even killed the Mandrake Snake for his first ring, and the Eight Spider Lances might already be out of reach.
If Lin Yan could seize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and deny Tang San the chance to strengthen his body or ingest immortal herbs—
And prevent him from obtaining the Vast Sea Cosmic Shield—
Then Tang San would be nothing more than a talented spirit master.
Becoming the Sea God? A pipe dream!
…
Elsewhere, after fleeing an unknown distance on Luo Sanpao's back—
Tang San and Yu Xiaogang finally slowed their pace when they realized no one was pursuing them.
Not long after, Tang Hao caught up with them.
Once he did, he immediately prepared to lead them somewhere new.
He realized that Spirit Hall most likely knew about his presence in Saint Spirit Village. There was no way they could return.
Under Tang Hao's lead, the three of them began heading toward a remote branch of the Star Dou Forest, away from Spirit Hall's influence.
Along the way, none of them considered seeking help from friends or relatives.
They knew that Spirit Hall had likely placed anyone close to them under surveillance. Seeking aid would be walking straight into a trap.
Right now, the best course of action was to find a secluded place and lie low.
(END CHAPTER)
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