The Great Sumeru Hammer was the Clear Sky Clan's most powerful and revered technique. Its ultimate secret, Ring Explosion, was, much like the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, one of the foundations that allowed Clear Sky Clan spirit masters to dominate the Douluo Continent.
But the Ring Explosion technique wasn't perfect.
The Great Sumeru Hammer's Ring Explosion technique worked by forcibly detonating spirit rings, extracting the immense spirit power within to temporarily boost the user's strength. However, the cost was severe. After using Ring Explosion, all of a spirit master's spirit rings would vanish for three days, leaving them with only their raw spirit power. It took a full three days for the rings to recover. What's more, after using the technique, there needed to be a 36-day interval before attempting it again. Otherwise, there was a risk of permanently destroying the spirit ring.
Once a ring was destroyed, it could never be regained.
Tang Hao now found himself facing the consequences of overusing this technique. Back at the Strength Clan's compound, in the battle to escape from Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo, Tang Hao had detonated his first six spirit rings—everything from his first to his sixth. Though he had managed to escape, the continuous use of Ring Explosion left him severely weakened.
After fleeing what seemed like certain death, Tang Hao, Tang San, and Yu Xiaogang thought they were in the clear. But Bibi Dong had found them again. This time, Tang Hao quickly realized he wasn't strong enough to defeat her, especially with the added threat of Shadow Leopard Douluo attacking from the flanks.
To escape once more, Tang Hao had no choice but to use the Ring Explosion again. He detonated three more spirit rings, severely injuring Shadow Leopard Douluo before hurling his Clear Sky Hammer at Bibi Dong, buying just enough time to flee.
Though he succeeded in escaping, Tang Hao's body was in tatters. Worse still, Bibi Dong had inflicted several wounds that his Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone could not heal. These wounds were the result of her Eternal Wound technique, a sinister power that continuously eroded Tang Hao's body, preventing his recovery. The more he fled, the worse the injuries became, eating away at him little by little.
Despite the pain, Tang Hao pressed on, determined to get Tang San and Yu Xiaogang to the safety of the City of Slaughter. For days, he flew as fast as he could, carrying the weight of his injuries. But eventually, Bibi Dong caught up with them again.
Once more, Tang Hao had no choice but to fight. Telling Yu Xiaogang to take Tang San and run, Tang Hao faced off against Bibi Dong and Shadow Leopard Douluo. In a fit of desperation, he detonated three more spirit rings, injuring Shadow Leopard Douluo and barely managing to escape. But each time he used the Ring Explosion, the damage to his body grew worse, and the Eternal Wounds left by Bibi Dong only spread further.
Tang Hao's chest was a gruesome sight. Cross-shaped wounds glowed with a sickly green hue, spreading across his entire torso. With every movement, the wounds tore open, spilling fresh blood. Yet despite the agony, Tang Hao pushed forward, telling himself that he couldn't fall—not yet, not until Tang San reached the City of Slaughter.
But as the days passed, Tang Hao's situation only worsened. With each encounter with Bibi Dong, more of his spirit rings were destroyed. After another grueling battle, Tang Hao was left with only four spirit rings—his fourth, seventh, eighth, and ninth. His body was a wreck, nearly consumed by the Eternal Wound.
And still, Bibi Dong pursued.
Each time, Tang Hao sent Yu Xiaogang and Tang San ahead, sacrificing himself to hold off Bibi Dong and her forces. Each time, he detonated more spirit rings, but his luck ran out. By the time he detonated his fourth and eighth rings in a last-ditch effort to escape, two of them shattered beyond repair. Tang Hao was left with only his seventh and ninth spirit rings, barely able to fight back.
Days later, they were cornered again, this time just outside the City of Slaughter. Tang Hao, his body practically falling apart, looked at his son with tears in his eyes.
"Tang San," he said, his voice hoarse. "The town ahead is Hell Town, the entrance to the City of Slaughter is beneath the tavern's bar. Once you're inside, you'll be safe from Spirit Hall, but it's a place of darkness and death. You must learn to be ruthless, to survive at any cost."
Tang San stood frozen, overwhelmed by the reality of the situation. His father, the once-mighty Clear Sky Douluo, was now broken and bleeding before him, about to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Tang Hao placed a trembling hand on his son's shoulder. "I wish I could stay by your side, but I can't… The spirit bones I wanted to leave you—they'll fall into Spirit Hall's hands now. Live, Tang San. Live and become stronger than I ever was. Survive, for yourself."
Tears streamed down Tang San's face as his father summoned his Clear Sky Hammer one last time. With a final, pained look at his son, Tang Hao charged toward Bibi Dong and Shadow Leopard Douluo, fully aware that he was marching to his death.
"Father!" Tang San's heart shattered as he watched his father's back, knowing this was the last time he would ever see him.
Reluctantly, he turned and fled with Yu Xiaogang toward Hell Town, knowing there was no time to waste.
From the distance, Tang San glanced back, his vision blurred by tears. He could just barely make out the scene—his father's lone figure, wielding the mighty Clear Sky Hammer, battling against the overwhelming forces of Spirit Hall.
"Live, Tang San!" Tang Hao's voice echoed through the forest.
A blinding flash of light suddenly erupted in the distance, followed by a massive explosion.
"Boom!"
Tang Hao had detonated his spirit power, choosing to self-destruct in a final act of defiance, taking as many of his enemies with him as possible.
Tang San collapsed to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. His father was gone.
(End of Chapter)
Author's Note: Alright, Tang Hao has met his end. Now, the focus shifts to the City of Slaughter. You can bet the upcoming plot will be intense and full of surprises! Stay tuned!