Tang Hao had overestimated his flying speed.
The last time he escaped from Spirit Hall's pursuit, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang had initially fled together on Luo San Pao. This allowed Tang Hao, who was alone, to seize the opportunity to escape with his Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone's flying ability. Given his cultivation, he managed to outrun his pursuers.
But now, things were different. He wasn't alone—he was carrying both Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. On top of that, his body was still wounded, forcing him to continuously activate his leg bone's healing skill, "Wildfire Can't Destroy, Spring Wind Revives." This constant drain on his spirit power meant his current strength was far less than it had been before.
Tang Hao glanced back at the rapidly approaching pursuers. His expression grew grim.
If things continued like this, it would only be a matter of time before they were caught by Spirit Hall's forces. The only way to increase their speed was to reduce their weight. That would give them a fighting chance.
His eyes slowly shifted toward the unconscious Yu Xiaogang, whom he was carrying under one arm. After the earlier battle, Yu Xiaogang had reverted from his Beast Spirit fusion, back to his normal form—albeit with badly scorched clothes, especially around his backside.
Tang Hao hesitated. His instincts told him to drop this burden, to save himself and his son. But there was a dilemma: Yu Xiaogang wasn't just anyone. He was Tang San's respected teacher, someone still capable of educating his son. Could they afford to discard him now? Teachers like Yu Xiaogang weren't easy to come by, especially in their current circumstances.
Meanwhile, Tang San, carrying guilt from his teacher's recent injury, made up his mind. He clenched his fists, determined not to abandon Yu Xiaogang.
"Father, go ahead and focus on flying as fast as you can," Tang San said resolutely. "I'll try to hold them off."
Tang Hao was surprised. He couldn't imagine what his son could do to stop Spirit Hall's elite. But knowing his son had always been resourceful, Tang Hao decided to trust him. There were still several kilometers between them and the pursuers, and he estimated they had at least ten minutes before they'd be caught.
It was worth giving Tang San a chance.
"Alright, do what you can. I'll go full speed," Tang Hao replied, his voice firm.
He poured the last of his dwindling spirit power into flying, pushing himself to the limit. Meanwhile, Tang San turned his attention to the enemies behind them. Taking a deep breath, he activated his Purple Demon Eye to get a clear view of their pursuers. Then, summoning his Blue Silver Grass, he initiated his next move.
"Second Spirit Ability: Lightning Strangling Vine!"
Blue Silver Grass shot out from Tang San's palm, transforming into thick, vine-like tendrils that whipped through the air toward Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo. The vines quickly expanded, swelling like balloons before suddenly bursting, releasing a foul-smelling green mist into the sky.
This was a strategy Tang San had picked up from his teacher Yu Xiaogang—an adaptation of his infamous stink bomb technique.
As the sickening mist spread, Bibi Dong, sensing danger, slowed her approach. But Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and the others weren't so lucky. They plunged directly into the cloud of stench, and instantly recoiled, coughing and cursing.
"What is this? It stinks to high heaven!"
"That brat Tang San must've cast this!" Chrysanthemum Douluo complained, his face twisted in disgust. "He's just like that useless teacher of his—disgusting!"
Despite their revulsion, the Spirit Hall Titled Douluo pressed forward. The mist was nauseating but ultimately harmless. After their previous encounter with Yu Xiaogang's much more potent stink bombs, they were mentally prepared this time. They wouldn't let such tricks stop them from pursuing Tang Hao.
As the Douluo emerged from the foul cloud, Tang San, realizing his tactic had failed, quickly reached for his next weapon—his Zhuge Crossbow. With a flick of his wrist, a barrage of arrows shot out toward the advancing Douluo.
But the arrows, though well-aimed, couldn't even penetrate the Douluo's protective spirit power barriers.
Seeing both his poison mist and crossbow fail, Tang San clenched his teeth in frustration. He was out of options. The enemy was closing in fast, and he had no way of stopping them.
Behind him, Tang Hao, sensing the futility of his son's efforts, called out, "How did it go, Little San? Did you stop them?"
Tang San's voice was filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Father. I couldn't stop them…"
Fearing his father might throw away his teacher in desperation, Tang San quickly added, "But Teacher can! Father, do you have any way of waking the Teacher up? If he can use his abilities, he might be able to help us escape!"
Tang San recalled how Yu Xiaogang's unique abilities had saved them before. His teacher's stink bombs and flight-enabling farts could potentially stall the enemy long enough for them to get away. If only they could rouse him!