Though Tang Hao was only at Rank 94 now, two levels below Qianjun Douluo and Jianglong Douluo, a gap still existed even among Title Douluos. Tang Hao had mastered the unique skills of the Clear Sky Clan and wielded the top-tier Clear Sky Hammer spirit, allowing him to fight above his level.
Thanks to A Yin's sacrifice, which gave Tang Hao his 100,000-year ninth spirit ring, his strength far exceeded that of other Title Douluos at the same rank. Are two levels higher? That was nothing to him!
Unleashing the Zhen technique, one of the nine Clear Sky Sect techniques, Tang Hao roared as he swung his Clear Sky Hammer, sending Qianjun Douluo and Jianglong Douluo flying. He quickly found himself locked in combat with Bibi Dong.
Under the relentless pressure of Tang Hao's fierce assault, Bibi Dong struggled to keep up. Even after summoning her Death Spider Emperor form, she was forced to continually dodge his attacks, unable to pursue Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
"Protect the Pope!"
Seeing Tang Hao furiously swinging his Clear Sky Hammer and repeatedly attacking Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, Qianjun Douluo, and Jianglong Douluo rushed back into the fray.
Faced with two Rank 94 Douluos, Yue Guan and Gui Mei, and two Rank 96 Super Douluos, Qianjun, and Jianglong, Tang Hao was finally forced onto the defensive.
But the moment he noticed Bibi Dong preparing to chase after his son, Tang San, and Yu Xiaogang, he roared in anger and went berserk. Activating his seventh spirit ability, the Clear Sky Hammer True Body, he transformed the massive hammer into both weapon and shield, fiercely swinging it around his body to block attacks from all sides while relentlessly charging toward Bibi Dong.
Even as the four Douluos fought desperately against him, Tang Hao's unyielding determination to protect his son made him a force to be reckoned with. Bibi Dong and the others found themselves struggling to pin him down.
Despite Spirit Hall holding the upper hand overall, Tang Hao's massive Clear Sky Hammer True Body allowed him to skillfully counterattack. He blocked countless strikes from the four Douluos, all while launching devastating blows at Bibi Dong.
Still, battling five Title Douluos simultaneously, Tang Hao's body began to accumulate numerous wounds. Were it not for his clever tactic of keeping Bibi Dong close, thus limiting the other Douluos' ability to attack freely, he likely would have been forced to retreat already.
But Tang Hao wasn't running. He was sacrificing himself to buy time for Yu Xiaogang and Tang San to escape.
Meanwhile, with Tang Hao roaring behind them, fending off the five Spirit Hall Douluos, Yu Xiaogang pulled Tang San along, but their pace was painfully slow.
"Luo San Pao, come out!"
Gritting his teeth, Yu Xiaogang summoned his spirit, the devolved Pigbeast Luo San Pao. Once small and harmless, Luo San Pao had grown into a large, plump pig over the past month—big enough to ride.
Seeing his teacher summon this huge, ugly pig, entirely different from the Luo San Pao of the live streams, Tang San was momentarily stunned.
"Xiao San, get on!" Yu Xiaogang urgently motioned for him to mount the pig.
Time was of the essence! Though Luo San Pao was large and fat, he could still run at a decent speed. And being Yu Xiaogang's spirit, Luo San Pao wouldn't tire out easily, able to keep running until Yu Xiaogang's spirit power was exhausted.
"Teacher, are you serious...?"
Tang San, dumbfounded, could hardly believe his teacher was asking him to ride a giant pig to escape. The idea of fleeing on such a ridiculous mount was too embarrassing to even consider.
"Xiao San, hurry up! Lord Hao is risking his life to hold off Spirit Hall for us. The sooner we escape, the sooner he can find a way to get out too!"
Though Yu Xiaogang was equally mortified, there was no time for shame. He urged Tang San to quickly join him on the pig.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Tang San could only grit his teeth and climb onto the pig's back.
"Luo San Pao, run!"
As soon as Tang San mounted the pig, Yu Xiaogang slapped Luo San Pao on the rear. With a loud squeal, Luo San Pao bolted forward.
"You're not getting away!"
Despite Tang Hao's efforts to hold back the five Douluos, Bibi Dong had been inching closer to Yu Xiaogang and Tang San. Upon seeing them flee on a pig, her eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"Bloodsucking Spider Spikes!"
She unleashed her sixth spirit ability, launching a barrage of bloodsucking spikes at Tang Hao, forcing him to defend himself with his hammer. Seizing the moment, Bibi Dong shot into the air, aiming to intercept Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
Though Title Douluos could fly, their speed wasn't particularly fast, but it was enough to catch up with the fleeing pair.
"You won't hurt my son!"
Seeing Bibi Dong closing in on his son, Tang Hao roared in fury. Gripping the Clear Sky Hammer, he too shot into the sky to block her path.
"Now's our chance!"
The instant Tang Hao took to the sky, exposing his back, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Qianjun Douluo, and Jianglong Douluo all saw an opening. They launched their strongest attacks at him.
"Ninth Spirit Ability: Petals of Destruction!"
"Ninth Spirit Ability: Heaven-Breaking Strike!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo summoned a golden tornado of razor-sharp petals, shredding everything in its path, while the two Super Douluos unleashed their colossal Heaven-Breaking Strikes, sending their massive dragon staffs crashing toward Tang Hao.
"Clear Sky Protection!!"
Sensing the danger, Tang Hao roared, activating the Clear Sky Hammer's protective ability. He swung the hammer to block the incoming blows.
With a deafening crash, Tang Hao managed to block the two dragon staffs, but the force of the combined attacks sent him crashing to the ground, leaving a massive crater in the forest below.
Far away, flocks of birds scattered in fright.
Seeing Bibi Dong closing in from behind, Yu Xiaogang began to panic.
"There's no other choice!"
Though deeply embarrassed, Yu Xiaogang bit the bullet. He pulled out a white radish from his storage device and, still riding the pig, quickly stuffed it into Luo San Pao's mouth.