I'm Waiting for My Passive—What Are You Waiting For? (Two-in-One)

Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer carried boundless fury and Soul Power as it plummeted like a falling meteor, hurtling straight toward Blade on the ground.

The wind from the hammer howled, tearing through the air and forming visible rings of ripples—the air vibrating from sheer force.

The patterns on the Clear Sky Hammer flickered with blue light under the impact of that power, as though every engraved mark were a seal waiting to unleash destructive force in battle.

Facing Tang Hao's all-out strike, the corners of Blade's lips rose slightly, revealing an almost imperceptible smile. The Bloody Light in his eyes condensed into a sharp beam in an instant, like a blade tearing through the darkness.

He raised Shizun's Sword. His steps began slow yet steady, but in only a moment, his speed surged dramatically. He moved like lightning, his figure trailing a long afterimage through the air, as though racing against time.

Seeing that Blade not only failed to retreat but instead charged bravely toward him, Tang Hao's eyes filled with disdain, as if he were looking down on an ant daring to challenge a dragon.

He sneered inwardly. Anyone who had heard of the Clear Sky Hammer's mighty reputation would choose to avoid its Sharp Edge after witnessing such terrifying power. Yet this youth was foolish enough to raise his sword against him and choose a head-on clash?

Tang Hao's face twisted with rage. The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand bore down upon the rapidly approaching Blade with the momentum of a raging tempest!

Clang!! As Blade's Shizun's Sword collided violently with Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer, an ear-splitting clash of metal rang across the battlefield. The sound was so sharp that it carried dozens of miles, making even the weak spirit beasts in the distance pale in fright!

Tang Hao felt resistance unlike anything before. His eyes locked onto Blade as both hands gripped the Clear Sky Hammer tightly. His muscles bulged, veins stood out, and his Soul Power surged into the hammer like boiling magma—violent and ferocious—making its radiance even more dazzling and its pressure multiply. In an instant, the Clear Sky Hammer's oppressive aura grew geometrically, its force nearly squeezing the air out of shape!

At the moment of impact, Blade's body was driven deep into the soil like a javelin struck by immense force, sinking until a quarter of him was buried! Amid the flying dust, his figure appeared exceptionally solitary, yet his gaze remained resolute. The sword in his hand still pointed firmly at the sky, as though declaring his refusal to yield and his determination to fight to the end.

At this moment, the once-lush grassland had been trampled into a complete mess. Broken blades of grass and crushed wildflowers lay scattered across the ground, their earthy scent mingling with the smell of soil in the air. Not far away, a previously tranquil stream had also turned violent, its water splashing everywhere. In rhythm with the battle, it seemed to be playing a wild melody for the clash.

At the center of Tang Hao and Blade's battlefield, the ground was no longer recognizable. Bottomless cracks split open like the grinning mouths of demons. Every collision between the Clear Sky Hammer and Shizun's Sword sent invisible waves of energy spreading from the impact point, uprooting nearby vegetation and tearing the solid earth into even smaller fragments.

Behind Tang Hao, an ancient tree requiring several people to encircle it swayed precariously beneath the Clear Sky Hammer's pressure. It finally crashed down with a tremendous boom, its broken trunk exposing weathered rings that seemed to speak of time's merciless passage. Around Blade, cracks spread across the ground like a spiderweb. Every swing of his sword kicked up a rain of dirt and stones, making his figure appear even more steadfast and lonely.

Tang Hao clenched his teeth, his cheeks tightening as a dark light flickered in his eyes. After their brief standoff, he began the opening stance of his extraordinary Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer! This was a supreme technique only inheritors of the Clear Sky Hammer could master, and each use carried power that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Very quickly, in that instant of confrontation, Tang Hao's heart seemed to become a powerful engine, pounding rapidly as it pumped blood and Soul Power to every corner of his body.

Starting from his calves, his muscles tensed. Power surged from his lower legs to his thighs like a flood, passing through his waist, back, and arms before finally gathering in the hands gripping his hammer. The entire sequence was smooth and forceful, each link bursting with astonishing energy.

Under Tang Hao's swings, the Clear Sky Hammer seemed to grow even heavier. The pressure contained within its hammerhead felt as though it could compress the air into solid matter! Tang Hao's Soul Power coiled around the Clear Sky Hammer like a giant dragon, causing it to emit a suffocating pressure.

Bang!! A metallic explosion like the collapse of heaven and earth erupted, accompanied by blinding sparks scattering in every direction. Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer sent Blade flying with incomparable force!

Blade's body traced an arc through the air like a kite with its string cut, completely out of control. The Shizun's Sword clenched in his hand flashed with Cold Light as he flew backward, its tip leaving a long trail through the air.

Seeing this, the shock and fury stirred up by the youth finally eased somewhat in Tang Hao's heart. He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, exhaling a murky breath from deep within his chest. The sound was heavy, yet released.

"Hehe, the gap between Soul Master ranks isn't as small as you think! Consider yourself unlucky today—I'll definitely take your life!!" Tang Hao's voice exploded like thunder, brimming with killing intent and resolve.

With a furious roar, he lifted the heavy Clear Sky Hammer once more. Taking a huge stride, he moved with the agility of a cheetah, giving Blade no chance to catch his breath as he prepared to deliver the final blow!

Meanwhile, Blade borrowed the force of being knocked back to deftly perform a backflip in midair, stabilizing himself and reducing the impact. Then, he drove Shizun's Sword fiercely into the soil. The blade trembled slightly, absorbing the final shock of his landing and buying him precious time to recover.

Then Blade raised his head coldly, and a playful smile appeared on his lips once more. As expected, being at one-tenth Portrayal Progress still came with far too many restrictions. It truly was difficult to block a strike from the Clear Sky Hammer.

Yet he was not panicked in the slightest. Blade himself had been something like a logistical member among the Cloud Retainers Five Generals, so naturally his combat power was the lowest, and he did not possess many offensive skills. That was an indisputable fact!

But as Blade in the game, he had compensation for that—he was the kind of existence that grew stronger the more he was beaten!

So what if his proactive offense was weak? Borrowing some Brother Three Stone's wheelchair playstyle, Blade would trade counterattacks and health with his enemy! He could recover massive amounts of health, never die, and never be destroyed—could they?!

Blade held Shizun's Sword and stared coldly at the approaching Tang Hao, whose killing intent seemed capable of burning everything. With only a light slash through the air, accompanied by a crisp sword cry, he elegantly placed his sword behind him and assumed a defensive stance. His expression was as calm as still water, without a ripple of emotion. Then, in a tranquil yet mocking tone, he spoke softly, just like the naturally high taunt value he possessed in the game.

"Hehe, you're nothing but trash, and unbearably noisy at that."

Blade's words were light and airy, yet they were like a sharp knife, piercing precisely into Tang Hao's pride.

The words echoed across the battlefield, reigniting Tang Hao's fury. His eyes filled with killing intent and shock. Blade's mockery was undoubtedly an enormous provocation against the dignity of a Titled Douluo.

At that moment, Tang Hao frowned deeply, a flash of rage passing through his eyes. He gritted his teeth, and veins bulged on the hand clutching the Clear Sky Hammer. As a Titled Douluo, when had he ever been treated with such contempt and ridicule? His pride had suffered an unprecedented challenge.

"You little bastard, how dare you call me trash!!" Tang Hao's voice boomed like thunder, filled with fury and disbelief. Blazing rage burned in his eyes, and the light on the Clear Sky Hammer grew even more intense. He swore to tear Blade before him into pieces and wash away this humiliation!

Ding! Tang Hao's fury surged! Portrayal Progress increased by: 0.1%!

Current Portrayal Progress: 11.78%!

The system notification and Tang Hao's voice came at the same time. Blade's gaze turned greedy and crazed. He parted his lips slightly, revealing sharp teeth, as though he were thoroughly enjoying his current state. Then he playfully uttered a baffling word.

"One."

His voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough to reach Tang Hao's ears. Tang Hao had no idea what this Kid was plotting again; he only felt that he was being mocked once more. His fury ignited instantly, the roar in his heart erupting like a volcano beyond restraint. "Heh! You little bastard, putting on airs! I'd say you've long since chosen the Path to Death!!" Tang Hao's voice exploded like thunder. His figure swept across the battlefield like a gale, and with several powerful strides, he kicked up countless leaves and clouds of dust as he rapidly closed in on the cold and proud Blade standing ahead.

When he was still a short distance from Blade, Tang Hao suddenly pushed off hard with his front foot, his body shooting into the air like an arrow released from its bow. His eyes were filled with resolve, and the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand radiated destructive light. He was determined to let this Kid have a taste of the Clear Sky Hammer's power.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three massive explosions rang out, and the shockwaves sent the surrounding plants scattering in every direction, as though even the earth trembled beneath that force. Tang Hao's body carved an arc through the air as he charged straight at Blade. The oppressive aura bore down like a mountain, making it impossible to breathe!

Blade stood firm in the soil like a rock. Though Tang Hao's all-out blow seemed capable of shaking mountains, he was like a towering tree rooted deep in the earth—no matter how the wind and waves battered him, he remained standing. His sword tip trembled slightly, sending out rings of transparent ripples—the lingering resonance of power colliding with power.

As the two faced each other, Blade stared with playful coldness at Tang Hao, whose face was hidden beneath the shadow of his hood, and once again uttered a single word without emotion, though with a hint of anticipation.

"Two."

Their gazes met in the air. Blade's eyes held both amusement and indifference—a confidence born of seeing through his opponent, as well as a calm detachment toward battle. His gaze pierced through the shadow beneath Tang Hao's hood and looked directly into the eyes concealed in darkness. The word "two" that he softly uttered sounded like a verdict, and also like a silent provocation of Tang Hao's strength.

Hearing him count again, Tang Hao's face instantly twisted in fury! His expression warped with rage, his pride suffering an unprecedented challenge.

At the same time, in Tang Hao's eyes, Blade's composure seemed to be mocking his powerlessness. The knuckles gripping the Clear Sky Hammer turned white, his muscles taut as they displayed his resolve and fury.

If the first time he had sent this damned Kid flying was because he had not used his full strength and had underestimated him, then perhaps it was understandable that Blade, after all, possessed two Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Rings and could withstand his first serious strike!

But!

This time, there was still not the slightest sign of dishevelment on Blade! Tang Hao's mind raced, and he could only assume that this fellow specialized in some kind of high-intensity defensive soul skill. With the support of Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Rings, blocking him would not be difficult!

At that thought, Tang Hao gripped the Clear Sky Hammer tightly. Since this kid specialized in defense, what did he have to fear? He had plenty of trump cards too, and his was the strongest offensive Tool Spirit on the entire continent. No defense could withstand his ferocious assault—it would collapse like a flood bursting through a dam!

Having been mocked for so long, Tang Hao finally sorted this out and said with a teasing smile, "Let's see how long you can hold out! Kid, you will definitely die here today!!"

There was a trace of mockery in Tang Hao's voice, and a cruel light flickered in his eyes, as though he had already seen Blade's defeat. His words were like sharp arrows, shooting straight for Blade's heart as he tried to pressure him psychologically. The corners of his lips curled up into a vicious smile—the taunt of a cat before pouncing on a mouse, and the contempt of the strong toward the weak.

Then, after briefly knocking Blade back, Tang Hao gave him no chance to catch his breath. In the blink of an eye, the terrifying Titled Douluo launched himself forward again. His body tensed like a spring before releasing astonishing power.

The Clear Sky Hammer seemed weightless in his hand, swinging with both speed and ease, leaving behind a blur of afterimages that made its true trajectory impossible to follow. When the Clear Sky Hammer swung toward Blade again, it seemed to tear the air apart, unleashing a piercing shriek.

Blade's Portrayal Degree was currently only one-tenth. Though he could block the attack, his body still felt the tremors from the Clear Sky Hammer's blows.

But the more it was like this, the more excited he became!

Every impact from the Clear Sky Hammer sent tremors through Blade's body, yet he seemed to be enjoying the pain.

Facing Tang Hao's next attack, he merely continued greedily and madly counting the stacks his passive had accumulated.

"Three." Blade's voice was low and forceful. In his mind, he was already rehearsing the Bury on the Other Shore he was about to unleash.

Under Tang Hao's pressure, and bolstered by his ever-strengthening talents, this skill would display power unlike anything before.

Combined with the talent he had drawn earlier that enhanced Bury on the Other Shore, he really had never tested just how high its current damage could be!

Tang Hao would make the perfect test subject!

Soon, Tang Hao's aura became as still as the Calm Before the Storm. He took a deep breath, his chest expanding like bellows as a terrifying energy began to gather around the Clear Sky Hammer.

Deep cracks emerged across the hammer's surface like ancient runes, each one containing power enough to destroy heaven and earth. He shifted one foot slightly back, his body forming a bow stance as he prepared to launch an even fiercer attack.

Blade remained calm. Shizun's Sword spun once in his hand, its tip pointing toward the ground as though it were drawing strength from the earth. His body sank slightly, his legs bending as if he were gathering power. His gaze was cold, yet that faint smile remained at the corner of his lips, as though he did not care in the slightest about the storm to come.

At that moment, Tang Hao's figure transformed into a bolt of black lightning. With a howling roar, the Clear Sky Hammer tore through the air and shot straight toward Blade's chest. The energy rippling across the hammerhead spread like water, and every tremor made the surrounding air cry out in pain.

At the critical moment, Blade's figure flickered, vanishing from where he stood like a phantom. When he reappeared, he was already at Tang Hao's side. Shizun's Sword traced a perfect arc through the air, its tip flashing with a cold gleam as it stabbed toward Tang Hao's ribs. This strike was swift as thunder, precise as a hanging needle, filled with ultimate accuracy and speed.

Their movements were so fast that the naked eye could barely follow them. All that could be heard was the crisp clang of metal and the booming roar of colliding energy. Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer and Blade's Shizun's Sword clashed once more, and the resulting shockwave instantly cracked the ground around them, sending dust flying.

This time, Tang Hao's attack was even more savage. The Soul Power wrapped around his Clear Sky Hammer erupted like a volcano, attempting to shatter Blade's defense in one blow.

Yet two enormous Soul Rings also surged from Blade's sword—two blood-red rings like Red Spider Lilies. They circled Blade, forming an impregnable barrier.

"Four."

Blade's mad voice rang out with particular clarity amid the chaos. His sword tip lightly tapped against the Clear Sky Hammer, and borrowing the rebounding force, his body shot backward like an arrow released from its bow, leaving behind a faint afterimage.

Tang Hao, meanwhile, staggered from the recoil and retreated several steps, each one leaving a deep footprint in the ground.

At that moment, dark clouds suddenly filled the sky. Sunlight struggled through the clouds, casting mottled patches of light and shadow. Now and then, bolts of lightning flashed within the clouds, seeming to lend the battle an added air of mystery.

The distant mountains loomed in and out of view beneath the dim sky, like witnesses to the battle, silently watching everything unfold.

And Blade grew even more excited. The stacks for Bury on the Other Shore were almost fully built!

"I'm waiting for the other shore. What are you waiting for? Heh heh." Blade's voice carried a trace of mockery, his eyes brimming with provocation. He slowly raised Shizun's Sword, its tip gleaming with a cold light beneath the sun, then slashed open his own palm without hesitation. Blood slid down the blade and dripped onto the dry earth, where it was instantly absorbed, leaving behind dark crimson marks.

Blade's eyes held nothing but disdain for Tang Hao, a lofty attitude as though he had already glimpsed the dawn of victory. His movements were elegant yet resolute. With his sword pointed directly at Tang Hao, he seemed to be declaring that his overwhelming counterattack was about to begin.

The air around them became tense and oppressive at that moment, as though even the wind had stopped breathing. Every sound vanished, leaving only Blade and Tang Hao's breathing echoing across the wasteland.

An invisible force began to surge around Blade's body. It was the energy he had accumulated over so long, and it was about to erupt at this very moment.