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The severe injuries inflicted on the nine elders weighed heavily on Tang Xiao's mind. However, Dao Ba's blade techniques were overwhelmingly fierce. In just a moment of distraction, numerous cuts appeared on Tang Xiao's body, causing blood to flow freely.
At this rate, Tang Xiao believed defeat was inevitable.
This couldn't continue—
"Hao Tian Shield!!!"
Tang Xiao unleashed the only defensive ultimate technique of the Hao Tian Hammer, creating distance between himself and Dao Ba.
Dao Ba, who had been thoroughly engrossed in his frenzied assault, frowned in displeasure.
"Don't run, you scum of the Hao Tian Sect!"
Unfazed by Dao Ba's insults, Tang Xiao immediately activated his martial soul's True Body.
Raising his voice, Tang Xiao declared, "Elders, retreat! Leave these two villains to me."
Sensing the change in Tang Xiao's spirit energy, the elders' expressions shifted, and they quickly withdrew to a safe distance.
Perhaps the nine elders were too weak, making Chen Youyu feel she could pursue them at any time. She stood idly by, watching Dao Ba with interest to see how he would respond.
Dao Ba could feel Tang Xiao's aura growing stronger, but opponents who could fully engage him in battle were rare. His fellow disciples were off-limits for such intense sparring, and now that he finally had someone like Tang Xiao to fight unrestrained, he didn't want it to end so soon.
From mid-air, Tang Xiao looked at Dao Ba with a cold sneer in his heart. What an arrogant brat—he'd regret this later.
"Nine Rings Explode—Great Sumeru Hammer!!! Attack!!!"
In the earlier battle, Tang Xiao had only detonated the first five spirit rings, holding back from unleashing his full strength. The aftermath of ring detonation was too severe, and entering a state of absolute weakness on a battlefield like this would be perilous.
But now, facing these two opponents, he had no choice but to go all out. Otherwise, not only would he perish, but the nine elders would also meet their end here.
However, Dao Ba showed no fear. Instead, a dazed, ecstatic smile flickered in his eyes.
"Perfect! This kind of power is worthy of being my opponent!"
"Frenzied War Blade Technique—Thunderclap!!!"
As Tang Xiao swung down his Great Mustard Hammer, Dao Ba leaped into the air, transforming into a crimson bolt of lightning resembling an enraged dragon, charging upward.
Buzz——!!!!!!!!!!
The clash of their overwhelming soul skills unleashed a hurricane-like storm akin to a Category 10 typhoon, forcing the nearby Hao Tian Sect elders to squint their eyes.
Chen Youyu stood calmly in place, the raging winds around her shielding her from the flying sand and gravel.
Meanwhile, the eldest elder of the Hao Tian Sect stared incredulously at the two combatants, muttering under his breath.
"Their martial souls… haven't even touched."
Despite their ferocious clash in mid-air, where blades and hammers should have collided, there was nearly a meter of space between them. Yet, this absurd scene radiated an astonishing force, wreaking havoc on the surrounding land.
Tang Xiao could hardly believe what he was feeling as he clashed with Dao Ba. Having detonated all nine of his spirit rings, he believed he had reached the level of a 99th-tier Limit Douluo. But what was this young man before him? How could he match him evenly?
What did their earlier battle even mean?
From the start, the opponent had only been using a single ten-thousand-year spirit ring to fight him.
Realizing the truth, Tang Xiao's eyes filled with resentment.
He understood now—the young man had held back during their earlier battle, simply to enjoy sparring with him.
Tang Xiao was familiar with the Ring Fusion technique, but how could a mere ten-thousand-year spirit ring produce such a powerful boost?
A more terrifying thought surfaced in Tang Xiao's mind.
He wanted to dismiss it, but the undeniable evidence of Dao Ba's current strength left no room for denial.
This guy's spirit rings were fake. He had used some unknown method to disguise the colors of his spirit rings.
The first exchange lasted nearly ten seconds before the two separated. Dao Ba, however, was even more exhilarated, raising his blade once again to charge at Tang Xiao.
Dao Ba's immense strength further confirmed Tang Xiao's suspicions.
If this was true, even with the Great Mustard Hammer, Tang Xiao wouldn't be able to defeat him. Once the effects of the ring detonation wore off, their side would become sitting ducks.
Humiliation—unprecedented humiliation.
But Tang Xiao was no longer the hot-blooded youth of the past. He was the steady leader guiding the Hao Tian Sect's revival.
"Retreat!!!"
With a hoarse shout, Tang Xiao yelled the moment he broke away from Dao Ba.
Seeing the nine elders still frozen in place, Tang Xiao felt a pang of frustration. Engaging Dao Ba once more in furious combat, he roared,
"We're no match for them! Escape while you can! Preserve the legacy of the Hao Tian Sect!"
The anguish in his voice finally snapped the nine elders out of their daze.
Though they didn't understand why Tang Xiao, who had just displayed godlike might, had made such a decision so quickly, they trusted his leadership, which had never failed them over the years.
Seeing the nine elders turn to flee without hesitation, Tang Xiao felt a slight sense of relief.
"Father, I haven't let you down."
With that thought, Tang Xiao prepared to fully obstruct Dao Ba, whom he considered the strongest opponent, buying time for the elders to escape.
But at that moment, a hearty laugh rang out, causing Tang Xiao's expression to darken.
"Hehehe, that won't do. Master specifically instructed us to ensure none of you from the Hao Tian Sect survive."
Tang Xiao watched as a burly, seemingly simple-minded fat man flew over from a distance. Though he didn't know the man's exact strength, an ominous feeling grew stronger within him.
Wang Bao—one of Ye Wen's five personally trained disciples, nurtured since before birth. Though his initial talent was average, continuous resource investment had allowed him to reach Title Douluo status before the age of forty.
"Don't even think about running.
Seventh Soul Skill—True Body of Martial Soul—True Dragon Treasure Furnace!!!
Ninth Soul Skill—Seal Heaven, Lock Earth, Refine All Living Things!!!"
In an instant, something despair-inducing happened.
A massive, transparent golden furnace descended, sealing off a five-mile radius and forming an airtight space.
Chen Youyu, who had grown bored of fighting earlier, remarked with admiration, "As expected of Sixth Brother—this move is truly terrifying."
Wang Bao scratched his head humbly. "All thanks to Master, hahaha."
Taking advantage of the brief lull in conversation, the nine elders abandoned their plan to scatter and instead focused their efforts on breaking through the colossal prison.
These Ten Elites were far too bizarre. Just two of them, ranked relatively low among the group, had already reduced their ten Hao Tian Hammer masters—boasting the world's number-one weapon-type martial soul—to such a sorry state.
If another one joined the fray, they'd be utterly doomed. As their sect leader had said earlier—run, run as fast as possible. If they didn't, they'd lose their chance forever.
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