Lake of Life, Titan Giant Ape

In the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, ancient trees towered into the sky and spiritual energy hung thick in the air. Ordinary soul masters would never dare set foot here.

Following his senses, Ling Yun raced onward and finally passed through a dense primeval forest. The view before him suddenly opened up.

A lake as pure as a sapphire lay quietly embedded in the heart of the forest. Its waters were crystal clear, radiating an overwhelmingly rich aura of life. Mist drifted above the surface, dreamlike and ethereal. This was the Lake of Life, the sacred land of soul beasts.

Yet the atmosphere by the lake was anything but peaceful.

On the open ground beside the lake, a fierce battle had just ended. Tang Hao, tall and shrouded in a black robe, stood proudly with an enormous Clear Sky Hammer in hand. His breathing was somewhat ragged, yet his fighting spirit burned fiercely. At his feet lay a colossal python covered in azure scales, with a single horn growing from its head—the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Sky Azure Bull Python! At this moment, the Sky Azure Bull Python's aura was weak, and it bore injuries all over its body. It had clearly been defeated by Tang Hao.

Not far away, Tang San supported Xiao Wu, whose face was pale and whose lips were stained with blood. His eyes brimmed with rage and despair. Tears slid down Xiao Wu's beautiful face as she looked at the injured Sky Azure Bull Python.

On the other side stood a gigantic black ape as large as a mountain—the forest king, the Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming! It pounded its chest and let out furious roars, yet it did not dare approach rashly. It too had been injured, and Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer had left a deep terror in its heart.

"Tang Hao! You've gone too far!" Xiao Wu cried hoarsely. "Da Ming, Er Ming, and I have no grievances against you. Why are you determined to wipe us out?"

Tang Hao snorted coldly, his voice rough. "No grievances? You are a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who took human form and infiltrated the human world. That alone is a capital crime! What's more, you approached Little San—who knows what you were plotting? Today, I will uphold justice and take your soul ring and soul bone to pave the way for Little San!"

So Tang Hao's claim that he had brought Tang San here to obtain his fourth soul ring had been a lie. His true target was Xiao Wu! He had long seen through her identity and kept silent until the tournament ended, only then choosing to strike in the Star Dou Great Forest. This would not only grant him a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone, but also avoid causing a massive uproar in the human world.

"Dad! Don't!" Tang San stood in front of Xiao Wu and said agitatedly, "Xiao Wu truly cares for me! She has never harmed me!"

"Foolish!" Tang Hao rebuked him. "Those not of our kind are bound to harbor different intentions! She may be sincere now, but who can say she will not change later? A hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone are real power! Move aside!"

Tang San stubbornly shielded Xiao Wu and refused to yield.

A cold glint flashed through Tang Hao's eyes as he prepared to attack by force.

Just then, a calm voice suddenly rang out. "What a fine 'upholding justice,' and what a fine 'those not of our kind are bound to harbor different intentions.' Tang Hao, your tyranny truly has not changed in decades."

Everyone was startled and turned toward the voice. Beside the Lake of Life, a youth in green robes had appeared at some unknown time. He stood with his hands behind his back, calmly watching them. It was Ling Yun!

"Ling Yun?!" Tang San and Xiao Wu exclaimed at the same time, disbelief written across their faces. Why was he here?

Tang Hao's pupils abruptly contracted as he stared fixedly at Ling Yun, his expression becoming incomparably grave. He had not even noticed when Ling Yun had appeared! This boy's strength was even more unfathomable than it had been during the tournament!

"Ling Yun, this is none of your business! Leave at once!" Tang Hao shouted in a low voice, his words carrying a threat.

Ling Yun smiled. His gaze swept over the injured Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape before finally landing on Xiao Wu and Tang San. "I saw injustice on the road, so I drew my blade to help. I don't like watching you bully the weak with your strength. Is that a problem?"

"You!" Tang Hao choked with rage as lightning flickered over the Clear Sky Hammer. "Boy, don't think you can act arrogantly just because you have some strength! Making an enemy of my Clear Sky Sect will not end well for you!"

"The Clear Sky Sect? Is it that impressive?" Ling Yun's tone held a trace of contempt. "I'm meddling in this matter today, no matter what. If you want to fight, I'll oblige you. If not, take your son and get out of the Star Dou Great Forest."

Overbearing! Incomparably overbearing! He had actually told the Clear Sky Douluo to get lost!

Tang San looked at Ling Yun, his emotions incomparably complicated. He hated Ling Yun for taking away his glory, yet at this moment, Ling Yun had stepped forward to protect Xiao Wu...

Xiao Wu also stared blankly at Ling Yun. The youth who had once frightened her now stood like a great mountain between her and danger.

Tang Hao laughed in extreme anger. "Good! Good! Good! Since you seek death, I'll grant it to you! Let me show you the true Clear Sky Hammer!"

Boom!

Tang Hao's nine soul rings suddenly lit up! Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red! The final one was actually a hundred-thousand-year soul ring! A terrifying aura swept outward like a storm, making even the waters of the Lake of Life ripple!

The Clear Sky Hammer True Form appeared, transforming into a colossal hammer like a towering mountain. Carrying a world-destroying might, it smashed toward Ling Yun! Ninth Soul Skill—Haotian Sky-Overlord Strike!

This was Tang Hao's full-force strike, powerful enough to split mountains and sever rivers!

Faced with this terrifying attack, Ling Yun's gaze narrowed slightly. He could sense that the power and laws contained within this hammer strike far surpassed those of an ordinary Titled Douluo.

But he did not retreat.

The Chaos Dragon God Martial Soul roared within his body! The First Origin Soul Ring, disguised as a black ten-thousand-year soul ring, and the Second Origin Soul Ring, likewise disguised as a black ten-thousand-year soul ring, lit up simultaneously! Though they were merely disguised, the power of the Origin Soul Rings was utterly real!

[Dragon Emperor Earthshaker Wave]! [Dragon God Sky-Rending Claw]!

Ling Yun threw both fists forward! Dark-golden light gathered around his right fist, forming the phantom of a massive dragon claw that tore through space! The power in his left fist condensed inward, drawing upon Earth Power to form a terrifying shockwave!

The two fists merged as one and met that sky-overlord hammer strike head-on!

Rumble, rumble, rumble—!!!!

It was as though two stars had collided.