Divine Sword Appears, Who Is the Prey?

Tang Hao seemed to have accepted Zhao Linchuan's "background." Without another word, he prepared to channel his Soul Power and unleash a Thunderous Strike.

However, the moment he raised his Soul Power, his expression changed drastically!

A needle-like agony surged through the meridians inside his body. The immense Soul Power that had once obeyed his every command became unbearably sluggish, and as it circulated, the stabbing pain spread through his limbs and bones like a prairie fire!

"Pfft—!"

His legs gave out, and he nearly dropped to his knees. He abruptly spat out a mouthful of black blood reeking of decay, his face instantly turning ashen.

The mockery on Zhao Linchuan's face deepened at the sight, and he said sarcastically:

"Oh? What's wrong? The renowned Clear Sky Douluo, did you... eat something bad tonight? Or has an old injury flared up? You don't look so good."

"You! You little bastard... cough, cough... pfft!" Tang Hao's rage surged, and with the poison violently acting up, he spewed another mouthful of black blood. His aura visibly weakened.

He forced himself to remain standing and glared fiercely at Zhao Linchuan. "You... how did you recognize me?"

"Yu Xiaogang told me." Zhao Linchuan lied without so much as a blush, casually pinning the blame on Yu Xiaogang as though they were merely making small talk.

"Oh, right. He also 'accidentally' let us know about that precious External Soul Bone on your son."

He paused, his gaze seeming to pierce straight through Tang Hao's defenses as he continued:

"And that rabbit transformed from a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast—you must have discovered her long ago, right?"

"The reason you never made a move was because you wanted to save her for your precious son, to become his future Soul Ring and Soul Bone, wasn't it?"

"Just like... Ah Yin back then."

"Using the sacrifice of the person you loved most to pave the way for advancement. What a fine plan you had."

"Isn't that right, Clear Sky Douluo?"

"You're courting death!!!" Zhao Linchuan had mercilessly ripped open the ugliest, bloodiest scar in Tang Hao's heart. Tang Hao instantly went mad, his eyes bloodshot and his breathing heavy as a bull's!

Ignoring the poison ravaging his body and his severe injuries, he forcibly drew up a burst of Soul Power, raised the Clear Sky Hammer, and leaped into the air, smashing it down at Zhao Linchuan's head!

"At the end of your rope, how much strength can you still use?" Zhao Linchuan sneered. Facing this rage-filled blow, he advanced instead of retreating!

He clenched his right hand in the air, and blinding blue Thunder Light burst out. "Clang—!"

A clear sword cry rang across the surroundings!

A strangely shaped longsword instantly solidified in his hand.

Its Sword Body was long and narrow, like a bolt of lightning frozen in place. A golden gem flashing continuously with electric light was embedded in the Sword Hilt—it was his Martial Soul, the Thunder Tyrant Prison Breaking Sword!

Strangely, with the appearance of this sword, the energy of heaven and earth around them seemed to stir.

The night sky, once bright with stars and moonlight, abruptly gathered thick dark clouds. Dull thunder rumbled within them, and raindrops as large as beans began to pelt down, as if heaven and earth themselves were answering the summons of this Lightning Sword!

Clang—!!!!

The Clear Sky Hammer and Thunder Tyrant Prison Breaking Sword collided violently, producing a Huge Sound that seemed capable of tearing apart the heavens!

A violent energy shockwave expanded outward in a ring, instantly vaporizing the standing water on the ground and sending mud flying!

With that single clash, Zhao Linchuan and Tang Hao were both forced back more than ten meters by the tremendous recoil, plowing two deep trenches beneath their feet.

Zhao Linchuan steadied himself and pointed his Sword Tip at Tang Hao, whose aura was chaotic and whose mouth continued to spill blood. His tone carried undisguised provocation:

"Clear Sky Douluo, it looks like you really can't keep going."

"I heard you have a secret technique called Explode Ring, with unmatched power?"

"Come on, blow one up and let me see it."

"You little bastard... you..." Tang Hao was already at the end of his rope. The poison inside him had completely erupted after he forcibly used his power just now, like ten thousand ants gnawing at his heart.

Forget using a self-destructive secret technique like Explode Ring—even using any other Soul Skill could cause his meridians to shatter on the spot and kill him.

His only path to survival now was to seize this kid in front of him as a hostage!

With that thought, a vicious glint flashed through Tang Hao's eyes. Dragging his body on the verge of collapse, he once again charged at Zhao Linchuan while swinging the Clear Sky Hammer.

"Hopelessly stubborn!" Zhao Linchuan's eyes turned cold. The Thunder Tyrant Prison Breaking Sword in his hand trembled slightly, and the golden gem in its Sword Hilt burst out with dazzling light.

He raised his sword toward the sky, and a silver serpent as thick as a child's arm suddenly tore through the dark clouds, descending from above and coiling around the Sword Body!

"Slash!"

He shouted and swung his sword forward in a fierce chop!

The Heavenly Thunder drawn down by his blade mixed with incomparably sharp sword energy, turning into a blue-and-white pillar of light brimming with terrifying destructive force. It struck the charging Tang Hao with lightning speed!

Boom—!!!

Blinding Lightning Light instantly swallowed Tang Hao's figure!

Only an instant later, the Lightning Light dispersed.

Tang Hao's charging motion came to a complete halt. He stood rigidly in place, his entire body charred black and trailing wisps of white smoke. His tattered black robe had been reduced to ash beneath the lightning.

Fine Electric Snakes still crackled across his body. His eyes rolled back, and the Clear Sky Hammer fell from his hand with a clang. His body swayed before he toppled straight backward.

With a thud, he crashed into the muddy ground and completely lost consciousness.

Only then did Dugu Bo slowly stroll out from the shadows nearby.

He looked up at the clouds gradually dispersing, revealing the stars and moon once more, then clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Kid, your control and understanding of your own Martial Soul are becoming more and more monstrous."

"You can actually alter the weather and borrow the power of thunder for yourself... In all my years, this is the first time I've seen talent like this."

"It's just some insignificant progress." Zhao Linchuan replied modestly. With a thought, the Thunder Tyrant Prison Breaking Sword turned into a streak of blue Flowing Light and vanished into his palm.

The two walked over to Tang Hao, who lay unconscious and reeked of burnt flesh.

Zhao Linchuan said, "Old Man, being able to keep him this time was largely thanks to you."

"Go on, what Spoils of War do you want?"

"Which Soul Bone on his body have you taken a liking to?"

Dugu Bo circled Tang Hao's charred body for a long while. Greed flashed through his eyes, but in the end, he shook his head and turned his gaze toward Zhao Linchuan. "I don't want anything on his body."

"Oh?" Zhao Linchuan was somewhat surprised. "Then what do you want?"

A cunning smile appeared on Dugu Bo's face. He pointed at Zhao Linchuan. "What I want is that 'thing' you stripped from the kid named Tang San."

"I was wondering what it was. So it's that. You should've said so earlier." Zhao Linchuan realized at once. Without hesitation, he took the Eight Spider Lances from his Soul Tool and casually tossed them to Dugu Bo.