A Clash of Another Martial Soul

"Fine, I don't know how you found out! But since you're looking forward to it, then try my hammer!"

Tang San clenched his teeth and struggled to climb up from the ground. He suppressed the fear in his heart, tensing every muscle as he prepared for battle.

His left hand gripped the Clear Sky Hammer tightly. His purple eyes, like two dazzling gemstones, stared fixedly at Blade, gleaming with determination.

"Heh, that's more like it. Come on, same rules—you go first." Blade held his sword in one hand, its tip pointed at Tang San. His expression was blank, but there was a trace of mockery in his voice.

The moment Blade finished speaking, Tang San roared, "Take this!" His voice shook the air, filled with determination and fury. Then, dragging the Clear Sky Hammer with both hands, he took several large strides and rapidly closed in on Blade.

Tang San poured all of his Soul Power into the Clear Sky Hammer. At that moment, it was as though the entire world's focus had gathered upon him. The Clear Sky Hammer, the number one Tool Spirit under heaven, burst forth with blinding radiance. Its light was as brilliant as the sun, casting the surrounding world into comparative darkness.

He raised the Clear Sky Hammer high and smashed it down at Blade with all his strength. The force carried by that hammer was enough to shake mountains, as though it would pulverize every obstacle before it.

Blade quietly sensed the heavy, overwhelming strike, yet a smile curled at the corner of his lips. If I want to crush Tang San's mentality from every angle, the best way is naturally to reveal my Body Spirit and let him see the true power of Twin Martial Souls.

Soon, Blade stopped hesitating. His Body Spirit silently activated at that moment. It was as though some boundary had been shattered, and behind Blade appeared the imposing image of Blade as an adult Stellaron Hunter.

That figure was even more terrifying to behold—utterly cold and devoid of emotion, radiating suffocating killing intent. His Body Spirit had blood-red pupils, deep and mysterious, as though they could devour all light. His bracers were made of coral gold and unknown beast hide, crafted with such exquisite skill that only Xianzhou artisans could have forged them. They were both noble and practical.

He wore a pair of durable short boots, planted firmly upon the ground, and a long-tailed ancient trench coat draped over his body. The coat swayed lightly in the wind, lending him an air of elegance. His attire was primarily black, with dark gold and traces of blue-violet patterns woven through it, understated yet luxurious.

Many bandages were wrapped around his body, each layer seeming to record his battles. The scarlet ribbon behind him was tied into a knot like a blooming Red Spider Lily. Its inner lining was a vivid red, forming a sharp contrast with the black exterior. Red Spider Lily patterns were engraved across the surface of his clothes, as if recounting his story.

Due to the blessing of Shuhu, the Abundance Envoy, Blade's long hair was a distinctive dark navy blue, fading into dark red at the ends, making him seem both mysterious and alluring. His hair was divided by ornaments into twin ponytails, and every step he took carried an impossible-to-ignore presence. His earrings flashed with a cold gleam, while the left earring was attached to a red streamer that fluttered in the wind, adding a touch of wildness.

All of this perfectly recreated Blade's image, a beauty that surpassed mortal standards. It was as though he were a warrior who had descended from another world, ready to leave behind a legend of his own in this one.

At that moment, Blade held Shizun's Sword in his hand. The blood-red phantom behind him moved like his shadow, following his every action. The instant he raised his sword, the phantom moved in sync, as though it had merged with the real Blade, directly meeting the Clear Sky Hammer, hailed as the number one Tool Spirit under heaven in this world.

Tang San's attention was completely focused on that strike. His rage and determination had clouded his mind, and he failed to notice the changes occurring to Blade. He swung the Clear Sky Hammer at Blade with all his strength. The hammer tore through the air, as though it would destroy everything standing in its path.

Boom!

With a deafening Metal Collision, the scene was once again shaken by the massive force field produced by the clash of two overwhelming powers. Sand and dust filled the air, blotting out the sky.

"Impossible!! You! You're also a wielder of Twin Martial Souls?!!"

As Tang San's voice rang out, filled with disbelief and terror, his body was sent flying backward once more like a fired cannonball. The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand was directly shattered by the overwhelming impact, dissolving into streaks of light that vanished into the air.

Blade narrowed his eyes, a cold gleam flashing through them. He would never give Tang San a chance to react.

In an instant, he shot toward the flying Tang San, moving so fast it was like teleportation.

When he reached Tang San, he threw a punch that struck him viciously in the stomach. Then he turned and kicked Tang San, sending him rolling across the ground several more times than before.

"Pfft!" Tang San struggled to rise, clutching his stomach, his face pale as paper. Pain was written all over his face. He felt the food in his abdomen churning violently, as though he could vomit at any moment. His body swayed unsteadily, as if a gust of wind could knock him over, yet his eyes still gleamed with unwillingness.

His butt hurt, his stomach hurt, and the hands that had held the Clear Sky Hammer were trembling uncontrollably!

The collision with Blade's sword seemed to have placed immense pressure on his hands! Most horrifying of all, his Mysterious Jade Hand had not worked in the slightest!

Tang San's feelings were incredibly complicated. No matter what, he could not accept this reality. There had never been such a setback in his Protagonist Template. He had previously believed that as long as he used the power of the Tang Sect and the power of the Clear Sky Hammer, he could defeat any enemy. But now, facing this madman Blade, he was utterly incapable of fighting back.

The Tang Sect's power and the hammer's power can't do anything against this madman?! No! No! This isn't my Protagonist Template!!

Tang San stared at Blade, who was slowly walking toward him with his sword in hand, as though he had seen the most terrifying nightmare of both his lives!

He was truly terrified to the extreme, yet his gaze was also full of hatred! He could not believe that he had encountered such a massive setback before his path as the protagonist had even begun!

Ding! The Protagonist has developed immense fear toward the host. Portrayal Progress has increased by 0.8%!

Ding! The Protagonist's mentality has collapsed. Portrayal Progress has increased by 0.6%!

Current Portrayal Progress: 8.96%!

Ding! Portrayal Progress has increased by 1%. Reward obtained: one lottery draw, plus one Thousand Year Spirit Ring!

Ding! Current level is insufficient. Unable to equip the Spirit Ring for now!

At that moment, Blade paid no attention to the system. He merely looked at Tang San with amusement and mocked him, "You've never disappointed anyone when it comes to being disappointing. You made me look forward to this for nothing. Is this your second Martial Soul? How laughable! Heh!"

Tang San felt as though he had been stabbed upon hearing that. He was furious, yet he did not dare show even the slightest bit of it. He was utterly humiliated!

At that moment, Tang San's heart churned like stormy seas. His pride had suffered an unprecedented blow. The Clear Sky Hammer, which he had once regarded as his trump card and a symbol of his strength, had now become a mark of his failure. His pride had been torn apart, his convictions destroyed, and an indescribable sense of humiliation rose from the depths of his heart.

But in order to save his own life, Tang San could only lower his head. There was a hint of pleading in his expression, though his voice still carried a trace of defiance. "Cough, cough... I lost. Let me go."