Chapter 114: Fleeing in Defeat
"Clear Sky Nine Techniques!"
In a situation where his domain was at a disadvantage, Tang Hao immediately resorted to another one of his greatest strengths—the secret technique of the Clear Sky Sect.
The massive Clear Sky Hammer in his hands swung wildly, causing the very wind and clouds to shift, with thunder and lightning swirling around him.
Radamantis, undeterred, soared on his winged dragon, meeting Tang Hao's fierce attacks head-on.
The collision between these two titans darkened the sky, and waves of terrifying soul power rippled out like scorching heat, spreading in all directions. Ordinary soul masters wouldn't be able to withstand such a clash. Only Titled Douluo-level experts like Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi, along with Soul Douluo Balendine and Xilufei, could remain nearby to watch. Meanwhile, the three Soul Saints, Quinn, Gordon, and Looney, had already retreated far away.
"Will His Excellency Wing Emperor be able to defeat this wretched Tang Hao?" Yang Wudi couldn't hold back his question any longer after watching the battle for some time. Of everyone present, if anyone hated Tang Hao the most, Yang Wudi ranked second; no one would dare claim first! He wished for nothing more than to see Tang Hao torn to pieces, but that also made him the most anxious of the group.
"Master will surely win!" Xilufei replied confidently, not just out of admiration for Radamantis but also from an objective assessment of the situation:
"Radamantis's soul power is at level 96, while Tang Hao's is only level 95. Once soul power surpasses level 95, every additional level represents a massive qualitative leap. This gap can't be bridged by the quality of martial souls, soul bones, or soul skills alone."
Radamantis's other devoted follower, Balendine, chimed in, "Although Tang Hao has the secret techniques of the Clear Sky Sect, his body is riddled with lingering injuries, made worse by his battle with Lord Shura. There's no doubt that His Excellency will claim victory in this fight!"
Just as Xilufei and Balendine predicted, as time went on, Tang Hao gradually found himself on the defensive. Even after detonating his first four soul rings in rapid succession, he was still unable to escape Radamantis's overwhelming pressure.
"Damn it, damn it!"
Tang Hao's expression had grown increasingly grim. He swung his Clear Sky Hammer with all his might to fend off Radamantis's relentless attacks, but each impact from the winged dragon sent blood surging through his chest.
By now, detonating four soul rings had pushed Tang Hao to his limit. In his previous fight with Shura, detonating his ninth soul ring had already drained over half his life force. If he pushed himself to overextend again this time, even he didn't know how long his ravaged body would last.
No! This cannot happen!
Tang Hao wasn't afraid of death, but Tang San still hadn't reached the level he envisioned. He needed to pass on the Clear Sky Sect's secret techniques to Tang San, and more importantly, Tang San still needed his protection. Without Tang Hao to act as a deterrent, many things could take a drastically different turn.
As Tang Hao struggled to hold his ground, Radamantis suddenly stopped his attack and backed away a few meters.
"Not too late. You're quick enough!" Radamantis suddenly shouted toward something behind Tang Hao.
Startled, Tang Hao's instincts screamed danger, and he immediately dodged to the side.
In the next moment, a massive golden-winged roc pierced through the sky, causing the clouds to churn violently as it soared toward Radamantis and stopped in front of him.
Standing atop the golden roc, Aiakos responded calmly to Radamantis, "A mere tribe of strength is not worth my effort."
"Ninety-seven!"
Tang Hao's face changed dramatically when he saw Aiakos. His teeth almost chattered as he spoke.
The soul power radiating from Aiakos unmistakably belonged to a level 97 Titled Douluo.
Run!
Tang Hao didn't hesitate for even a second. He turned and fled.
Tang Hao, who had a grandfather who was a level 99 peerless Douluo, knew all too well the gap between Titled Douluo above level 95.
A level 97 Titled Douluo could easily handle two level 95 Titled Douluo. Even if Tang Hao detonated all his nine rings, he couldn't make up for that difference. Moreover, with the level 96 Radamantis eyeing him like a hawk, staying would only lead to certain death!
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Aiakos and Radamantis shouted in unison as they launched themselves after Tang Hao.
"Time to go all out!"
To save his life, Tang Hao had no other choice. Although detonating his soul rings would severely shorten his lifespan, it was still better than dying here.
In an instant, his ninth soul ring—the one belonging to his wife—shattered. The energy from the 100,000-year-old soul ring surged into his Clear Sky Hammer, turning the black hammer a deep crimson red.
"Sky-Crushing Strike!"
Tang Hao lifted the blood-red hammer over his head and slammed it down toward Aiakos and Radamantis, who were closing in on him.
"Ninth Soul Skill: Maximum Vigilance!"
"Ninth Soul Skill: Cosmic Illusion!"
Faced with Tang Hao's most powerful attack, neither Aiakos nor Radamantis dared to underestimate him. Their own 100,000-year soul rings flared up as they released their most powerful skills in response.
The three forces collided with an earth-shattering explosion, the violent energy distorting the space around them. Ripples spread out, and the air itself took on an eerie hue from the clash.
As the dust settled, Tang Hao had disappeared. It was clear that he had used the massive boost from detonating his soul ring to escape the battlefield.
Aiakos and Radamantis exchanged glances and shook their heads. Neither of them could sense Tang Hao's presence anymore.
Radamantis sneered, "That guy sure knows how to run for his life, doesn't he?"
Aiakos also smirked with disdain. "If he didn't have some tricks up his sleeve, he would've been dead long ago, especially with an Ultimate Douluo hunting him down. He wouldn't have made it this far."
After a pause, Aiakos turned toward a specific spot in the distorted space and shouted, "Sect Master Ning, you've been watching for quite a while. Aren't you going to step out and say something?"
As soon as his words fell, the space twisted, and a massive black hole slowly opened nearby. Ning Fengzhi, accompanied by the Sword and Bone Douluo, emerged from it.
Ever since Ning Fengzhi had intervened to save Tang San and the 100,000-year spirit beast in front of Nine Stars Palace, he knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Nine Stars Palace would have an irreparable rift. To prevent Nine Stars Palace from suddenly turning hostile, he had stationed many spies around Sunset Forest.
With the commotion Tang Hao had caused, especially the sight of the massive Clear Sky Hammer and the 100,000-year ninth soul ring, the older spies of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect immediately deduced Tang Hao's identity and rushed back to inform Ning Fengzhi.
Upon hearing that Tang Hao had attacked Nine Stars Palace and was engaged in a fierce battle with one of their unknown Titled Douluo experts, Ning Fengzhi wasted no time. He quickly set out with the Sword and Bone Douluo, waiting for the right moment to act.
(End of chapter)
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