Ah Yin's Sacrifice

Douluo Continent.

Southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Within a valley littered with crumbling ruins.

A burly figure was dragging a graceful woman in blue as they fled in disarray.

The woman held a bundle in her arms, and inside it was a sleeping infant.

They were Tang Hao and Ah Yin, along with their newborn, premature son.

The clock turned back to one day earlier.

While Tang Hao and Ah Yin had been strolling through the streets, he suddenly sensed the auras of two Spirit Douluo.

Ah Yin's cultivation had originally surpassed that of a Soul Emperor, and she had already entered the Maturity Period. Ordinarily, no one could detect that she was a Spirit Beast transformed into human form, not even a Title Douluo.

But with Ah Yin close to giving birth, she could not completely conceal her Spirit Beast aura. She would still be discovered if she encountered experts above the Spirit Douluo level.

Unfortunately, although the two of them tried their utmost to hide, Ah Yin was ultimately detected by the two Spirit Douluo.

They hurriedly tried to leave the city, but Ah Yin went into premature labor from the strenuous exertion and had no choice but to temporarily hide within the city.

Fortunately, Ah Yin was a Spirit Beast in human form, and her constitution was far stronger than that of an ordinary person. Though it was a premature birth, it went smoothly, and both mother and child were safe.

But the good times did not last. The two Spirit Douluo soon tracked them down again by following their scent.

The two immediately decided to leave the city and first shake off the pursuit of those two Spirit Douluo.

Who would have thought that the moment they left the city, they would fall into Spirit Hall's ambush? The two Spirit Douluo were among them as well.

At last, they understood that it had all been Spirit Hall's scheme, meant to force them out of the city.

If they had remained in the city, they could still have used the crowds to conceal their tracks.

Spirit Hall also had its reservations and would not dare act so openly.

But by the time the two realized it, it was already too late.

They could no longer return to the city. Tang Hao relied on his powerful Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul and risked his life to lead Ah Yin through the encirclement, fleeing all the way to this valley.

Little did they know that this place was also Spirit Hall's trap.

The purpose, naturally, was to use the terrain here to trap them like turtles in a jar.

The idea had come from Qian Xunji, purely to satisfy his twisted amusement. He called it—hunting.

Otherwise, Tang Hao and Ah Yin would never have been able to break through the siege they encountered while leaving the city.

Within the valley.

Tang Hao and Ah Yin had already been completely surrounded.

Around them stood four Title Douluo, while in the sky was Spirit Hall's Pope, Qian Xunji, who had unleashed his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul and filled the heavens with golden light.

Outside the valley, more than a hundred Holy Emperor Warriors watched them like tigers eyeing prey.

"Five Title Douluo. What a grand display. Spirit Hall really thinks highly of me."

Tang Hao looked at the Title Douluo surrounding him, their nine Spirit Rings rising and falling around them. He clenched his fists, bitterness filling his heart.

"Tang Hao, you cannot escape. Hand her over, and I will spare your life. Otherwise, you will only bring about your own destruction."

Qian Xunji's booming voice carried holy majesty and echoed endlessly through the valley.

"Hmph! If you want to take her away, you'll have to step over my corpse!" Even in the face of five Title Douluo, Tang Hao remained unyielding.

Tang Hao looked at the exhausted and frail Ah Yin beside him, then at the son in her arms.

A flash of agonized regret passed through the depths of his eyes.

Yes, he regretted it.

Because he had caused all of this, all because he had failed to resist the greed in his heart.

He had not been able to withstand the temptation of a Hundred-Thousand Year Spirit Ring.

Tang Hao knew very well that he loved Ah Yin deeply, but there was always an invisible force in his mind, subtly changing his thoughts and urging him toward greed.

He had long since entered the Title Douluo realm, but he had continually used the Clear Sky Sect's secret technique to suppress himself at level eighty-nine. All he needed was a Ninth Spirit Ring, and he could immediately become a true Title Douluo.

That was why he had planned all of this. He had done it very discreetly and believed that he was the only one who knew.

Qian Xunji's group had come because he had secretly tipped them off. Otherwise, they would not have been driven into such a perilous situation.

He had harmed Ah Yin.

But now, he intended to make up for it with his life.

Tang Hao tightened his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer, preparing to strike first.

"Very well. Then prepare to die, Tang Hao. Attack!"

Qian Xunji saw that Tang Hao had no intention of compromising and directly ordered the attack.

Yue Guan: "Golden Core Overflowing Rosy Clouds!"

Gui Mei: "Ghost Shadow Earth Pool Hand!"

Jin Ming: "Crocodile Hammer Shakes the Heavens!"

Ghost Leopard: "Wolf Run Leopard Dash!"

Having received the order, the four Title Douluo's Spirit Rings flashed as they immediately launched their attacks.

"Chaos Cloak!"

Tang Hao swung his Hammer, stacking its power higher and higher. Each strike was stronger than the last as he clashed with their attacks in succession and forced all four back.

"Angel Light Blade!"

At that moment, Qian Xunji also attacked, a gigantic blade chopping down vertically from above.

"Heaven-Surpassing Strike!"

Tang Hao pushed the power of Chaos Cloak to its limit and fiercely collided with Qian Xunji's attack.

Boom—!

A deafening roar suddenly rang through the valley. The violent Gale Wind unleashed by the collision destroyed the trees in the valley, while massive rocks tumbled continuously from the mountainside.

In that clash, Qian Xunji was sent flying back dozens of yards, his expression turning exceedingly ugly.

He had actually been at a disadvantage.

Tang Hao did not fare well either. After unleashing that devastating strike, he immediately spat out a mouthful of blood and had already suffered grave injuries.

After all, he was an eight-ring Spirit Douluo facing a nine-ring, level ninety-five Super Douluo.

The explosive power of the Clear Sky Sect's ultimate techniques was indeed formidable, but the backlash was equally severe.

"Polar Static Domain—!"

Seeing that they could not take down Tang Hao quickly, Yue Guan and Gui Mei immediately interlocked their fingers and embraced, unleashing their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

All eighteen Spirit Rings on their bodies lit up at once. A white halo instantly spread outward, and Tang Hao was directly restrained, unable to move in the slightest.

"No one can stop Spirit Hall from taking what it wants!"

"Tang Hao, prepare to become a stepping stone on my path to the summit!"

Qian Xunji stepped through the air as he spoke slowly, his voice resounding throughout the valley.

"Angel Holy Sword!"

Seizing the opportunity while Tang Hao was temporarily restrained, Qian Xunji hurled out the Angel Holy Sword, intending to kill Tang Hao in a single strike. "It is over."

However, he did not get his wish.

Ah Yin made her move.

Just as the Angel Holy Sword was about to pierce Tang Hao's head, several Blue Silver Emperor vines burst from the ground and wrapped around it, preventing it from advancing even an inch.

Ah Yin clenched her jade-like hand, and the Angel Holy Sword was instantly crushed into a rain of light that filled the sky.

"Let him go. I will go with you."

Ah Yin walked over and stood in front of Tang Hao.

"Fine."

Qian Xunji considered it for a long while before agreeing. As long as Ah Yin went with them, their objective would be accomplished.

There was no benefit in killing Tang Hao.

Tang Hao was, after all, the heir of the Clear Sky Sect, the number one sect in the world. There was no need to fight the Clear Sky Sect to the death over him.

Upon hearing this, the others from Spirit Hall ceased their attacks and lowered their guard.

"Ah Yin. Don't go with them!"

Hearing Ah Yin say that she would go with the people from Spirit Hall, Tang Hao cried out in panic.

Ah Yin said nothing. She controlled the Blue Silver Emperor vines to Bind Tang Hao to the ground, then turned and placed the child in his arms.

"Ah Yin, I'm sorry! I was the one who harmed you!"

Unable to move, Tang Hao could only watch Ah Yin's actions helplessly as tears of regret streamed from his eyes.

Ah Yin gently shook her head. "Brother Hao, I actually knew. You had thoughts about my Spirit Ring too, didn't you? You do not need to deny it. I noticed that the way you looked at me several times by accident was not quite right. It was such an unfamiliar look—bloodthirsty, greedy. I simply did not want to believe it. Because I loved you, and I chose to trust you. I know I was foolish. I do not blame you. And thank you for accompanying me all this way. I know you were trying to make it up to me. I was very happy these past days. But it is time for this to end. Brother Hao, this is the last time I will call you that. Since you wanted my Spirit Ring too, then I will give it to you. Take good care of your child."

Tears streamed down Ah Yin's face. Then, with utter resolve, she initiated the sacrifice.