Two black shadows flashed through the night, one chasing the other.
Moments later, a hundred li outside Heaven Dou City, above the edge of the Sunset Forest.
Tang Hao, clad in black robes, and Dugu Bo screeched to a halt; the sudden stop whipped up a fierce wind that instantly bent the surrounding trees sideways.
'You actually kept up with me—impressive,' Tang Hao said coolly.
Though old injuries still plagued him, with the spirit power of a ninety-fourth-Rank Titled Douluo he was confident he could outrun most of his peers.
Dugu Bo snorted in disdain.
'Is matching your speed supposed to be rare?'
'This old man hasn't even gone all-out yet!'
Tang Hao's eyes narrowed, a gleam flashing within them.
'Interesting. I hope in a moment…'
'…your mouth is still as tough!'
Facing Dugu Bo, Tang Hao shelved his earlier casual arrogance; he would not treat this opponent as lightly as he had Zhao Wuji.
Before the words had even left his mouth, spirit power erupted from him, a mountain-heavy Aura crashing toward Dugu Bo.
In an instant eight spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—rose in sequence beneath his feet.
Yet as the final ring appeared, the very air seemed to solidify, a heart-shaking pressure spreading outward.
A crimson ring slowly ascended!
Dugu Bo's pupils shrank violently.
'A… a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!'
He had never imagined Tang Hao's ninth ring would be of that caliber.
The events of those years had been supremely secret; even Dugu Bo knew few details, so the sight left him stunned.
'Exactly—a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!'
'Now do you still think this Clear Sky Douluo is just an empty title?'
'So what if it's a hundred-thousand-year ring!'
'You think this old man fears you?'
Dugu Bo gave a cold snort and quickly regained composure.
Having taken the earth dragon golden gourd, his Spirit had evolved into the Jade Phosphor Dragon Emperor, and his Spirit Power Level had reached the ninety-fourth Rank.
Though outclassed in spirit rings, the gap was not so wide as to drive him to despair!
'Hah!'
With a low shout a vast emerald dragon shadow manifested behind him.
Ring after ring spiralled up from his feet.
Though he lacked a hundred-thousand-year ring, the pressure he released was scarcely weaker.
'Fine—if you want a fight, you'll have it!'
'Clear Sky Avatar!'
Tang Hao roared. Old wounds still ached, so he would finish this fast, holding nothing back.
In a flash the mountain-sized true form of the Clear Sky Hammer condensed.
Terror-steeped pressure burst forth like a breached dam, cascading toward Dugu Bo.
'Then let's fight!'
'Seventh Spirit Ability—Jade Phosphor Dragon Emperor Avatar!'
Dugu Bo's expression hardened; he loosed a long cry, jade light surging skyward as an enormous dragon clad in emerald scales and twin horns reared up.
The Dragon Emperor roared, its might rivalling the Clear Sky Hammer; within its draconic pressure coiled a denser, venomous green miasma—its oppressive Aura even slightly superior.
'Impossible!'
Tang Hao was shaken, incredulous.
He could not fathom how Dugu Bo's Spirit had become this.
Wasn't it supposed to be the Jade Phosphor Serpent?
There was no time to ponder; though blades had yet to cross, Tang Hao sensed the danger and struck first in a thunderous move.
'Sky-Cleaving Strike!'
Clutching the Clear Sky Hammer, Tang Hao flashed two or three spirit rings, his strength skyrocketing, muscles bulging along arms and legs.
He leapt, appearing above the dragon, and smashed downward.
Normally Dugu Bo favoured a caster style while Tang Hao was a pure warrior; at this moment Dugu Bo should have fallen back.
But he showed no intention of yielding.
Within the dragon's eyes, golden pupils flared as the ninth spirit ring blazed.
It was one of Dugu Bo's rare single-target, high-damage Spirit Abilities.
'Dragon Emperor's World-Shaking God-Light!'
The Jade Phosphor Dragon Emperor opened its maw; a condensed beam of jade-green divine light shot out like a heaven-piercing pillar, colliding with the descending Clear Sky Hammer.
Boom——
A fearsome blast detonated mid-air, a ring-shaped shock-wave erupting and sweeping in every direction.
For several li the ground was levelled, dust billowing, devastation everywhere.
Within the smoke Tangao staggered back several steps, a muffled grunt escaping him.
The clash had aggravated his old injuries.
Yet he ignored the pain, eyes wide with shock.
He couldn't understand—wasn't Dugu Bo famously weak in single combat?
How had he become so formidable?
Especially the venom: stronger than ever, laced with draconic might, it pierced Tang Hao's spirit power defence and corroded his body.
Dugu Bo, too, was driven down by the hammer, his Avatar sinking several metres.
Yet he felt exhilarated, laughing aloud.
'Hahaha—the mighty Clear Sky Douluo is nothing more than this!'
Tang Hao snapped; eyes bloodshot, heaving like a bull.
He roared.
'Insolence! The Clear Sky Sect is not to be insulted!'
'Slaughter God Domain!'
Crimson Killing Intent exploded around him, a frigid Domain of slaughter spreading outward.
As it activated Dugu Bo's face changed; he felt every aspect of himself suppressed.
And Tang Hao's onslaught followed instantly!
'Great Sumeru Hammer!'
Battle Intent blazed in Tang Hao's eyes as he swung the Clear Sky Hammer, pressing the attack.
A technique only the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect could Cultivate, it erupted with pure, overwhelming force.
Dugu Bo's expression shifted.
In the next instant his eighth spirit ring lit.
'Eighth Spirit Ability—Time Freeze!'
A jade-green radiance shot from his eyes.
Time solidified; even the air seemed suspended.
The power enveloped Tang Hao, locking his body in place.
Seizing the moment Dugu Bo inhaled, his ninth ring flaring again.
'Ninth Spirit Ability—Dragon Emperor's World-Shaking God-Light!'
The dragon opened its maw, gathering jade light.
Within the frozen Tang Hao, consciousness still turned, all earlier contempt replaced by grave focus.
If this strike landed undefended he would be gravely wounded—perhaps killed.
He had to break free!
But the eighth Spirit Ability held him utterly immobile.
He could struggle loose—given time.
To break free instantly there was only one option: Ring Explosion!
The ultimate Profound Truth of the Great Sumeru Hammer!
Ring Explosion demanded a terrible price; once used, all spirit rings vanished, leaving only spirit power, and would not return for three days.
After a single use, another thirty-six days must pass before it could be invoked again.
Given the choice Tang Hao would never employ it.
But now… he had no choice!
(End of Chapter)
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