The colossal Haotian Hammer, vast enough to blot out the sun, descended from the heavens carrying a terrifying aura of annihilation, as though it would crush the Golden Crocodile into paste with a single blow.
Below, the Golden Crocodile unleashed the power of his hundred-thousand-year spirit bone. His body transformed into a towering Divine Crocodile, meeting the immense might of the Great Xumi Hammer head-on.
A thunderous boom erupted.
When the two collided, even the void itself seemed to shatter.
A Super Douluo of level ninety-eight, the Golden Crocodile's power was unquestionable when he used the ability of his hundred-thousand-year spirit bone. Apart from Qian Daoliu, the level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo, no one could withstand such might.
Yet Tang Hao, with only level ninety-six cultivation, wielded the Haotian Sect's secret art, the Great Xumi Hammer, and managed to unleash a power that rivaled the Golden Crocodile's.
The earth crumbled under the pressure, everything within ten kilometers turning to dust. If Oscar had not used spatial power to isolate the battle, the destructive shockwaves would have devastated an area spanning dozens of kilometers.
The clash of two Super Douluo at full strength drew countless gazes; to ordinary people, such beings were no different from gods.
The Divine Crocodile roared, its cry splitting the sky and revealing radiant light behind the clouds.
Tang Hao also shouted back, "I'll see this through to the end!"
The Divine Crocodile and Great Xumi Hammer wrestled fiercely. After a long struggle, both were forced backward, neither gaining the upper hand.
Tang Hao, having matched the Golden Crocodile once again, grew even more confident in his strength.
So this was the so-called strongest beneath the Peerless rank? Nothing special at all.
The Golden Crocodile, too, looked at Tang Hao more seriously. This youth, merely at level ninety-six, could unleash such terrifying power.
In the path of raw strength, he had already surpassed Tang Chen of the past.
The Golden Crocodile had believed that, aside from Tang Chen and his elder brother, no one on the continent could make him go all out. Yet now a junior had managed to do just that. Arrogant as Tang Hao was, his power justified it.
Still, in the Golden Crocodile's eyes, Tang Hao was impressive,but not his match.
The Divine Crocodile's massive body plowed a trench several kilometers long into the ground. Stabilizing himself, he glared at Tang Hao. "Boy, you've got some skill, but this farce ends here."
Golden light burst forth from his body again. His nine spirit rings pulsed rhythmically, and the blood-red ninth ring flared with crimson radiance.
"Ninth Spirit Skill: Golden Tide,Heaven-Rending Claw!"
The Divine Crocodile's enormous claw shone with blinding golden brilliance, its metallic domain surging madly as it condensed into a devastating weapon of pure destruction.
Even feeling the sharp aura from afar made one think they'd be sliced to pieces.
The attack was so powerful that even Tang Hao frowned slightly.
Tang Xiao and Tang Kun, watching intently, couldn't help but feel tense. Though Tang Hao had inherited his grandfather Tang Chen's ring-exploding divine technique and hadn't fallen behind in earlier clashes, the Golden Crocodile's power had now reached unimaginable levels after stacking several techniques.
Even the Title Douluo observing from afar could sense the overwhelming sharpness through the barrier of space. How much worse would it be for Tang Hao facing it directly?
Tang Hao calmed his mind. Having come this far, he would not retreat.
He still had one trump card,ring explosion.
Using it would ruin his chances in the later matches, but he had no choice. Even if it meant sacrificing the rest of the tournament, he would take down this old crocodile.
Blood-red light flared in his eyes. The Killing God Domain fully awakened, merging with the Haotian Hammer.
Facing the incoming claw, Tang Hao lifted the hammer and crushed his first five spirit rings.
A thunderous explosion followed.
Two yellow, two purple, and one black ring shattered, and Tang Hao's aura skyrocketed, nearly matching the Golden Crocodile's.
The shattered rings turned into golden motes of light that condensed behind him into a faint golden halo, like a divine ring. Though faint, it radiated immense power.
The Haotian Hammer swelled in his grip, turning into a blood-red mountain that radiated pulsating energy.
"Ring Explosion!"
Tang Hao swung the hammer down toward the oncoming golden claw.
Another deafening crash shook the earth.
The land sank another thirty meters, the sky quaking as if it would collapse. The claw tried to tear through the heavens, smashing against the empowered Haotian Hammer. Tang Hao was forced back slightly, but his eyes blazed with fury.
"If you've got the guts, then come! Nine-ring explosion!"
The remaining three black and one red rings all shattered at once, the golden halo behind him turning brilliant and divine.
All the explosive power gathered into his final strike. Since the Golden Crocodile relied on absolute strength, Tang Hao would crush him with greater might.
The Haotian Hammer, like a blood-red mountain, flared with terrifying power, its handle bending under the force.
The two collided once again.
The explosion this time was even greater. Tang Hao did not retreat; instead, his hammer forced the golden claw downward, driving the Divine Crocodile back and carving a trench in the ground.
Seeing this, the Golden Crocodile was astonished. He hadn't expected this junior to have even mastered Tang Chen's divine technique.
"You think that was my full power?" he roared. "Ninth Spirit Skill: Abyssal Crocodile King Drill!"
Under the second hundred-thousand-year ring's glow, the bent golden claw transformed into a massive drill, radiating ultimate metallic energy.
The Divine Crocodile began a death roll, spinning like the world's largest golden drill, aiming to pierce through the Haotian Hammer itself.
Each rotation created shockwaves so powerful that the surrounding space barrier absorbed them to prevent collateral damage.
Everyone watching was speechless with awe. Such power was beyond imagination.
Both combatants poured out every ounce of spirit power. Tang Hao, fueled by the nine-ring explosion, had reached strength equal to a level ninety-nine Douluo.
Yet the Golden Crocodile was no weaker,his true martial form, two hundred-thousand-year abilities, and overlapping domains placed him beyond the level of a typical Super Douluo.
After a long struggle, both were blasted apart. Tang Hao staggered back, using his hammer to stay upright, blood trickling from his lips.
The Golden Crocodile fared no better. His golden scales were cracked, and the tip of his drill-like claw was worn flat.
Both stood panting, nearly drained of spirit power, glaring at each other, unwilling to concede.
Oscar was stunned. Tang Hao, at level ninety-six, had fought the Golden Crocodile, level ninety-eight, to a draw.
It was incredible. Once, Tang Hao had used ring explosion to deliver a god-level strike at level ninety-eight. Now, using the same technique, he had fought a peerless opponent to a standstill.
If the Golden Crocodile had not possessed his hundred-thousand-year rings, Tang Hao might have even won.
Seeing that neither could continue, Bai He appeared like a flash of white light.
"Haotian Sect versus Angel Temple,the first match ends in a draw!"
Tang Xiao and Tang Kun quickly carried Tang Hao and their second brother away for healing.
Oscar waved his hand, and time itself seemed to flow backward. The devastated plain restored itself in an instant.
The spectators could only gape in awe. But they had grown used to the Eternal Emperor's miracles,such feats seemed only natural for him.
This was the first draw in the Seven Sects Tournament. Both sides earned one point.
Next to step forward were Xiaotian Douluo Tang Xiao and Qingluan Douluo Lin Qingfeng.
Qian Daoliu had no intention of fighting; none present could challenge him anyway.
Not everyone was like Tang Hao, who could fight two levels above his rank.
And Qian Daoliu was certainly no Golden Crocodile,he wouldn't be matched by a junior two ranks lower.
If Tang Hao fought him, Qian Daoliu would show him what true despair meant.
Still, Tang Hao's draw with the Golden Crocodile had established his power. None thought the Golden Crocodile weak; they simply realized Tang Hao was too strong,strong enough to transcend his realm.
From now on, the name "Haotian Douluo" would once again resound across the continent.
If Tang Hao broke through to an even higher level in the future, he might yet become another Haotian legend.
As the crowd murmured in awe, Tang Xiao and Lin Qingfeng released their martial spirits,Haotian Hammer and Azure Luan Divine Bird.
Both possessed the ideal configuration of two yellow, two purple, and five black rings,the most balanced for a Title Douluo, since hundred-thousand-year rings were rare treasures.
Most importantly, both were level ninety-seven. At this level, combat was decided by skill and control.
Lin Qingfeng smiled slightly. "Tang Hao's power was beyond expectation. I wonder how you compare to your brother."
Tang Xiao snorted. "You think the title 'Twin Stars of Haotian' came from nowhere?"
Lin Qingfeng's smile faded. "Then let me see your strength for myself."
His spirit rings glowed as his body blurred into a cyan streak rushing toward Tang Xiao.
"Final Wind Sphere!"
Tang Xiao stood his ground, raising the Haotian Hammer as thunder flared around him. His spirit rings lit up as he met the Azure Luan's attack head-on.
Qingluan Douluo's mastery of wind let him create vacuums by drawing away air, making his movements elusive and dangerous.
Fortunately, Tang Xiao was no weaker. Though unlike Tang Hao, he did not rely solely on brute force; his technique was exquisite, the true inheritance of their grandfather's art.
He was a master of every Haotian skill,Chaos Cloak, Haotian Nine Absolutes, Haotian Formation, Great Xumi Hammer,each move precise and deadly.
The fusion of spirit skills with sect techniques made his attacks unpredictable and hard to defend.
Before long, both activated their seventh rings, transforming into their martial true forms midair.
When Lin Qingfeng realized he couldn't win through skill, his eyes flashed, and his eighth ring lit up.
"Let's see you handle this!" He turned into a massive, elegant Azure Luan diving toward Tang Xiao.
"Eighth Spirit Skill: Sky-Sea Resonance!"
As the attack erupted, the great bird's wings stirred the air, creating a vacuum that trapped Tang Xiao within.
Then it swooped in for the kill.
Tang Xiao's expression hardened. He swung the Haotian Hammer, unleashing the Haotian Nine Absolutes, each strike forcing the Azure Luan back slightly while he searched for an opening.
Finally, he found it. After knocking the Azure Luan back, he activated his eighth ring. "Eighth Spirit Skill: Thunder Annihilation!"
Lightning gathered around the Haotian Hammer, and with a thunderous crash, he shattered the Azure Luan's eighth skill before smashing his hammer down at Lin Qingfeng.
In the original legends, Tang Xiao had once fought the Azure Luan, Lion, and Lightwing Douluo simultaneously by forming the Haotian Formation with his sect.
Now, though without that formation, he faced only one opponent.
One-on-one, victory was almost certain.
His brother had drawn against the Golden Crocodile; he had to win this match no matter what.
After all, even if both their elders fought together, they could not defeat Qian Daoliu.
Only by winning this battle could they preserve their honor.
Seeing his eighth skill broken, Lin Qingfeng's expression darkened. He activated his ninth ring. "Ninth Spirit Skill: Eternal Cry of the Azure Luan!"
The brilliant Azure Luan transformed into a divine bird radiating dazzling light, diving toward Tang Xiao with unstoppable might.
Tang Xiao showed no fear. He raised his hammer, thunder swirling, and unleashed his own ninth ring. "Ninth Spirit Skill: Roaring Heavens, Settling the Thousand Mountains!"
Their powers collided in midair.
After a long struggle, the Azure Luan was sent flying backward, blood spilling from Lin Qingfeng's mouth.
Tang Xiao stood firmly in place, gazing down with calm dominance.
In this battle, Tang Xiao was victorious.
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