"Senior, please save my father!"
As soon as Su Bai appeared, Xue Ke shouted excitedly toward him.
She had almost given up hope.
Although Su Bai was very strong, she thought it would take him time to arrive.
By then, it would be too late.
But to her surprise, Su Bai arrived instantly.
Xue Ke was overjoyed.
She hurriedly begged Su Bai for help.
Su Bai nodded to Xue Ke, signaling her to be at ease.
Tang Hao retracted the Clear Sky Hammer.
His face darkened as he glared at Su Bai, "It's you again!"
His rage surged to its peak.
Once, twice, thrice...
Every time he was about to succeed, Su Bai would intervene.
Even Qian Xunji didn't incite such murderous intent in Tang Hao.
But Su Bai, he hated him to the bone.
He wanted nothing more than to kill him immediately.
Old grudges aside,
Now, during his divine test, he couldn't afford to fail.
Moreover, his strength had increased significantly after completing the previous tests.
He was confident he could now rival Su Bai.
Tang Hao raised the Clear Sky Hammer and attacked Su Bai.
Hah!
Seeing this, Su Bai smirked disdainfully.
He raised his hands.
Instantly, his left hand summoned lightning and his right hand summoned a storm.
Su Bai combined the powers of lightning and storm, creating a massive lightning storm that swept towards Tang Hao.
Not good!
Tang Hao's expression changed.
He quickly assumed a defensive stance, placing the Clear Sky Hammer in front to block Su Bai's attack.
The speed and range of the lightning storm were immense.
Even if Tang Hao wanted to dodge, it was too late.
He had no choice but to try and withstand it.
Rumble~
Everything in the path of the lightning storm turned to rubble.
The palace, already damaged by Tang Hao, was now completely ruined by Su Bai's attack.
But no one paid attention to the destruction.
Emperor Xue Ye and Xue Ke were shocked by the scene.
So powerful!
They were both stunned by Su Bai's strength.
Emperor Xue Ye also felt a sense of relief.
He was glad he never made Su Bai an enemy.
Moreover, he was wise enough to have Xue Ke form a good relationship with Su Bai.
Otherwise, the Heaven Dou royal family might have been wiped out.
He would have been a sinner to the Xue family.
The lightning storm passed.
Tang Hao managed to defend himself.
But he was far from unscathed.
His clothes were torn, hair disheveled, and his body covered in wounds, looking very grim.
Tang Hao's eyes were filled with gravity.
He thought his strength had increased enough after completing the divine tests.
He believed he could now face Su Bai.
But to his surprise, Su Bai's strength had also grown.
This lightning and storm power was new.
Whether it was hidden before or recently acquired, Su Bai had clearly had his own fortunate encounters.
But Tang Hao wasn't willing to admit defeat.
He stood up, preparing to attack again.
Su Bai, amused, said, "Not bad, you can take a hit. But so what?"
Su Bai raised his right hand, summoning a wind god arrow, and fired it at Tang Hao.
Tang Hao's expression changed, and he quickly dodged.
But the wind god arrow had tracking abilities, making it impossible to evade.
The arrow changed direction mid-air, targeting Tang Hao again.
Tang Hao dodged repeatedly.
After several evasions, he realized the arrow's capabilities.
He stopped dodging and gathered his soul power, striking the arrow with the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Why..."
But the arrow continued its path. Tang Hao's face changed.
However, Tang Hao's combat experience was rich.
He used his waist to swing the Clear Sky Hammer, turning and striking again.
But it had little effect.
Tang Hao continued his assault.
One strike, two strikes, three strikes...
"Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, Nine in One!"
After eighty-one consecutive strikes, Tang Hao finally neutralized the wind god arrow.
Huff, huff~
But by then, Tang Hao's soul power was nearly depleted.
He knew he couldn't complete the sixth test with Su Bai around.
He glared at Su Bai with hatred, wishing he could drink his blood and tear his sinews.
Su Bai had foiled his plans repeatedly. If looks could kill, Su Bai would have died a thousand times over.
Tang Hao decided to retreat, planning to find another opportunity later.
Without hesitation, he turned and flew away.
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave!"
Su Bai mocked, firing a lightning spear at Tang Hao.
Splat~
"Ah!..."
Tang Hao screamed in pain but didn't stop, quickly disappearing from sight.
Su Bai had no intention of pursuing further.
He was very pleased with the abilities of the two hundred-thousand-year soul bones.
Previously, he needed to use the Immortal Azure Dragon Claw or Void Storm to defeat Tang Hao.
But now, with just the soul bone skills, he had Tang Hao fleeing.
And Tang Hao had a god's inheritance.
Yet, he was still no match for Su Bai.
Even if Qian Daoliu, an Ultimate Douluo, were to fight him, Su Bai was confident he could win.
But surpassing gods was still a distant goal.
It was only a matter of time.
He wasn't in a hurry.
"Senior!"
After Tang Hao fled, Xue Ke threw herself into Su Bai's arms, trembling.
Su Bai patted her back, comforting, "It's okay, I'm here."
At this moment,
Emperor Xue Ye approached Su Bai, bowing slightly in gratitude, "Thank you for saving our lives, senior."
"If it weren't for you, my Heaven Dou royal family...sigh..."
Emperor Xue Ye looked around at the devastated palace and sighed deeply.
He understood the importance of strength.
That's why he spent a lot to invite powerful individuals like Dugu Bo and Su Bai.
He feared such disasters.
Even with many soldiers, they lacked true powerhouses.
This scene was a result of that absence.
After some thought, Emperor Xue Ye said, "Senior, to show our gratitude, once the palace is restored, please honor us by attending a banquet."
"Alright."
Su Bai thought for a moment and agreed.
"Then please excuse me, I have many matters to attend to."
Emperor Xue Ye apologized and then instructed Xue Ke, "Xue Ke, please stay and accompany our honored guest."
After she nodded, Emperor Xue Ye left.
He had many issues to handle after the incident.
The most troubling was the death of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Prince Xue Beng during the chaos.
The royal family now had only Xue Ke left.
This incident made Emperor Xue Ye realize that for Heaven Dou to survive, they needed to rely on strong allies.
And Su Bai was the best choice.
Passing the throne to Xue Ke was the best option.
Because Su Bai had an interest in Xue Ke.
If they had children, it would be even better.
Given Su Bai's talent, his children would surely have great potential.
**********
This fanfiction is complete on my Patreon. If you want to read it, you can find it at patreon.com/Betek.