Tang Hao Goes Berserk

Tang Hao's weathered face was twisted by extreme hatred.

His bloodshot eyes, hidden beneath disheveled hair, stared fixedly at the girl opposite him.

The blood-red light radiating from his hundred-thousand-year red spirit ring bathed the entire courtyard in a scarlet hue.

This aura, heavy with intense malice, pressed down upon Qian Renxue's shoulders like a massive mountain.

Facing the Clear Sky Douluo, a man who shook the entire continent, Qian Renxue felt turbulent waves crashing in her heart.

Before this, the Martial Soul Hall's intelligence network had blanketed Heaven Dou City, with the most elite spirit master sentries stationed even around the perimeter of this very courtyard.

Yet, this man before her had bypassed every eye and ear, appearing like a ghost directly in this core stronghold.

A sharp sense of crisis caused the spirit power within Qian Renxue to surge frantically.

The phantom of her Six-Winged Angel martial soul solidified behind her in an instant.

Dazzling golden light pierced through the surrounding blood-red pressure like a sharp blade.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black—six spirit rings of the optimal configuration rose from beneath her feet in succession.

These rings pulsed rhythmically around her graceful figure, forcibly dispelling the thick stench of blood in the air.

"Tang Hao, if you want to kill me, I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

Qian Renxue brought her hands together before her chest, and a ball of golden flame ignited fiercely in her palms.

A long sword, forged entirely from holy fire, rapidly took shape within the flames.

Ever since she consumed that Bright Heaven Grass, the impurities in her martial soul had been stripped away by Gu Qing.

The Holy Sword she manifested now flowed with a layer of pure, ultimate golden radiance on its surface.

Seeing the phantom of the Six-Winged Angel, Tang Hao's eyes turned blood-red in an instant, like a lion provoked to fury.

The tragic scene of Ah Yin's sacrifice flashed through his mind, and that heart-wrenching pain surged back into his soul.

"That bastard Qian Xunji's martial soul—looking at it makes me sick."

Tang Hao gripped the thick handle of his Clear Sky Hammer with both hands, and the seventh black spirit ring on his body suddenly lit up.

He unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar without reservation.

The massive Clear Sky Hammer swelled against the wind, transforming in the blink of an eye into a giant hammer the size of a small hill.

Its terrifying weight cracked the earth beneath his feet, leaving deep, bottomless fissures.

A violent gale whipped up dust into the sky, smashing toward the golden figure with the crushing force of Mount Tai.

Facing this world-destroying blow, Qian Renxue did not choose to meet it head-on.

The scenes of Gu Qing sparring with and instructing her over the past half-month flashed through her mind like lightning.

"When facing a pure power-type opponent, avoid direct collision. Use finesse to break their strength and attack where they must defend."

Recalling Gu Qing's guidance, the six golden wings behind Qian Renxue flapped violently.

Her entire body became like a weightless feather, drifting backward and to the side along the gale created by the Clear Sky Hammer.

At the same time, the Holy Sword in Qian Renxue's hand traced a profound arc through the air.

The golden sword light struck with pinpoint accuracy at the wrist joint where Tang Hao held his hammer.

The timing of this strike was impeccable, catching Tang Hao exactly when his old force had been spent and his new force had yet to arise.

If Tang Hao insisted on bringing the hammer down, his wrist would surely be pierced through by the pure holy fire.

"Interesting. You're much better than your trash of a father."

Tang Hao let out a heavy grunt, his wrist flicking sharply, and the massive Clear Sky Hammer ground to a halt in mid-air.

The pitch-black hammer body swept out horizontally, triggering a deafening sonic boom.

The immense recoil rippled through the air, slamming heavily against the golden protective light surrounding Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue felt her blood surge in her chest, and her body was sent flying back uncontrollably for over a dozen steps.

With every step back, the bluestone tiles beneath her feet were crushed to powder, and she only managed to stop after crashing into a pillar in the corridor.

Despite this, a stubbornness and fighting spirit still shone in Qian Renxue's eyes.

After Gu Qing's careful training during this period, combined with the baptism of the Bright Heaven Grass, her spirit power—originally at level sixty-five—had now stabilized at the peak of level sixty-nine.

Although she had been at a disadvantage in that brief exchange, she had successfully neutralized Tang Hao's lethal blow.

Had this been half a month ago, even the shockwave of the Clear Sky Hammer would have been enough to severely wound her on the spot.

"Take another hammer from me!"

Tang Hao gave Qian Renxue no chance to catch her breath; he took a giant stride forward, and a black spirit ring on his body shattered with a boom.

The terrifying energy from the ring explosion surged into his body, pushing Tang Hao's already daunting aura to a brand-new height.

The sky filled with hammer shadows, forming an inescapable black web that shrouded the entire courtyard.

Qian Renxue gritted her teeth, and the Six-Winged Angel phantom behind her suddenly erupted with a blinding, intense light.

The fifth soul ring lit up, and countless golden light swords formed in mid-air in an instant.

These light swords shot forth like a violent storm, rushing to meet the sky-filling shadows of the hammer.

Deafening roars echoed incessantly through the night sky of Heaven Dou City.

The golden light swords collided fiercely with the pitch-black hammer shadows in mid-air, each clash triggering a small energy storm.

The surrounding rockeries, trees, and corridors were all ground into dust in the face of this destructive power.

The remaining red plum petals were shredded by the air currents, drifting down in a scattered mess amidst the ruins.

Tang Hao's complexion was slightly pale; the hidden injuries from his early years throbbed under the backlash of his exploding rings.

A trace of crimson blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, yet the killing intent in his eyes grew increasingly frantic.

The Clear Sky Hammer in his hands swung faster and faster, its power growing ever greater.

In the face of an absolute gap in strength, the disadvantages that technique could compensate for were ultimately limited.

Qian Renxue's soul power drained away rapidly under the intense consumption, and her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.

The once-dazzling Holy Light began to flicker, and the radiance on her six wings dimmed significantly.

The Holy Sword was now covered in a layer of fine cracks from its successive collisions with the Clear Sky Hammer.

The searing pain radiating from the webbing between her thumb and forefinger made it nearly impossible for Qian Renxue to keep her grip on the hilt.

"Little girl, you won't last much longer."

Tang Hao let out a loud shout, pouring out his Slaughter God's Domain without reservation.

The pale, murderous aura transformed into tangible spikes, stabbing viciously into Qian Renxue's sea of consciousness.

Qian Renxue let out a pained groan as a tearing sensation ripped through her mind.

Her protective golden light collapsed under the impact of this killing intent, dissolving into specks of golden light in the air.

"Die!"

Tang Hao laughed arrogantly, the Clear Sky Hammer in his hands carrying the power to destroy heaven and earth as it shattered the final remnants of the golden light swords.

The massive hammer head expanded rapidly in her pupils, descending upon her with the shadow of death.

An intense sense of despair flooded over Qian Renxue like a tide.

The soul power in her body was completely exhausted; she didn't even have the strength to lift her arms.

The surrounding space was locked down by the terrifying pressure of the Clear Sky Hammer, leaving her nowhere to run.

Qian Renxue let her arms hang limply and slowly closed her eyes, waiting for the arrival of death.

In this final moment of life, what surfaced in her mind was not the grand ambitions of Martial Soul Hall.

It was not that high and lofty Pope throne, nor was it the ambition to unify the continent.

It was that man named Gu Qing.

The man who always wore a calm smile and used the immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to cleanse her marrow and refine her bones.

The man who would set up barriers to protect her during the dead of night, keeping a gentle vigil.

Back in Martial Soul City, her grandfather Qian Daoliu must be joyfully arranging the wedding banquet at this very moment.

Those red silks hanging throughout the streets and alleys of Martial Soul City must be beautiful and festive.

What would she look like wearing that phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, tailored to the highest specifications?

If only she could survive, if only she could be married smoothly—how wonderful that would be.

She could help him dress in the morning, and accompany him for walks in the back garden of the Pope Palace in the evening.

She could listen to him recount those marvelous tactics and watch him use Life-Type Blue Silver Grass to conjure all sorts of interesting little trinkets.

Perhaps they could even return to Heaven Dou City together, strolling through the streets like an ordinary couple in this city where she had lurked for so many years.

She could even bear him a child with the twin martial souls of an angel and Blue Silver Grass.

She could teach that child to read and write, watching that small figure run and play in the courtyard.

That ordinary yet warm life was clearly within her reach.

Clearly, in just a little more time, she would have been able to become his wife with her head held high.

A crystal-clear tear slid from the corner of Qian Renxue's eye, dripping onto the shattered bluestone floor.

"Gu Qing, I'm sorry, I couldn't wait for you to come back."

Qian Renxue silently recited that name in her heart, preparing to meet an end where her body would be smashed to pieces.

Just as the Clear Sky Hammer was less than half a foot from the top of Qian Renxue's head.

A massive force, filled with endless vitality and gentleness, erupted within the courtyard without warning.

Hundreds of vines emitting a lustrous blue light, like angry dragons breaking through the earth, instantly wove together into a thick wooden shield.

The seemingly fragile Blue Silver Grass displayed a bone-chilling resilience at this very moment.

The Clear Sky Hammer, carrying the might of the exploded rings, slammed heavily against this shield of Blue Silver Grass.

With a dull, thunderous boom, a deep crater was smashed into the surface of the shield.

Countless vines shattered and sprayed outward, yet they stubbornly absorbed and neutralized that terrifying force capable of cleaving mountains and splitting stones.

The violent gusts of wind were forcibly smoothed away by the aura of life radiating from the Life-Type Blue Silver Grass.

The massive recoil traveled through the vines into the ground, causing the earth for a dozen meters around to collapse entirely.

The excruciating pain she had imagined never arrived.

Instead, a familiar and reassuring aura tightly enveloped her.

Qian Renxue snapped her eyes open.

What met her gaze was a sharp-featured profile exuding an air of calm composure.

A powerful arm circled her waist, while the other hand supported the back of her knees.

Gu Qing held Qian Renxue steadily against his solid chest in an incredibly domineering bridal carry.

The familiar body heat transmitted through his clothes, dispelling all cold and fear.

Qian Renxue stared blankly at the face inches from her own, her mind falling into a brief void.

Her beautiful, wide eyes were filled with shock and bewilderment, and even her breathing became rapid.

"How could it be you..."

Qian Renxue's voice carried an unmistakable tremor, her slender fingers gripping the lapels of Gu Qing's chest tightly.

She had just been saying her goodbyes in her imagination, yet at this very moment, this man had truly appeared before her.

This massive shift from the depths of hell back to heaven caused the eyes of the Martial Soul Hall's young mistress to instantly redden.

Gu Qing lowered his head, looking at the stunning beauty in his arms who still had tear tracks on her cheeks.

His long, slender fingers gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Qian Renxue's cheek, his movements as tender as if he were handling a priceless treasure.

"I hurried back to be with you as soon as I finished handling matters at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Gu Qing's tone was incredibly calm, showing no regard for the murderous Clear Sky Douluo standing opposite them.

A gentle stream of life-attributed soul power flowed from his palm into Qian Renxue's body.

Her nearly exhausted meridians rapidly regained vitality and vigor under the nourishment of this soul power.

A flush of color gradually returned to her pale complexion.

"It's a good thing I made it in time; if you had been hurt, where would I find such a beautiful wife?"

Gu Qing tilted his head slightly, his deep eyes devoid of ripples, yet they carried a pressure that stood above all living things.

Tang Hao retracted his recoiling Clear Sky Hammer, the massive counter-force causing him to stumble back three steps before he could steady himself.

His chest heaved violently, and a sweet, metallic taste rose in his throat, which he forcibly swallowed down.

Looking at the young man who had appeared out of thin air and easily neutralized his lethal strike.

A flash of extremely dangerous cold light crossed Tang Hao's eyes, and the aura around him became increasingly violent.

His rough, large hands gripped the hammer handle, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force.

His bloodshot eyes stared at the vibrant patch of Blue Silver Grass beneath Gu Qing's feet.

During his time lurking in Heaven Dou City, Tang Hao had long since investigated all intelligence regarding Gu Qing.

It was this bastard with the Life-Type Blue Silver Grass martial soul who had stolen the spotlight at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

It was also this bastard who had caused Zhao Wuji of Shrek Academy to die miserably in the forest outside the city.

Not to mention that Martial Soul Hall was currently preparing a grand wedding for this brat and Qian Renxue.

"So you are that little beast named Gu Qing."

The Clear Sky Hammer in Tang Hao's hand slammed heavily into the ground, shattering a large area of floor tiles.

Arrogant laughter echoed through the dilapidated courtyard, carrying a note of hysterical madness.

He had originally intended to kill Qian Renxue while Gu Qing was away to pay tribute to the spirit of Ah Yin.

At the same time, he wanted to give Martial Soul Hall a resounding slap in the face, turning their continent-wide anticipated wedding into a funeral.

He had not expected the heavens to be so observant, delivering both of his most important enemies right before him.

"Good, very good!"

Tang Hao took a step forward, his violent Slaughter God's Domain erupting instantly, dyeing the surrounding air a blood-red.

The scarlet light made Tang Hao's weathered face look like a demon crawled up from hell.

"Today is truly an auspicious day. Since both of you dog-hearted lovers are here."

"Then I shall do a good deed and send you both down together to be a pair of star-crossed lovers."

"It will also keep Zhao Wuji from being so lonely in the underworld!"