"Tang Xiao! It's Tang Xiao!"
"Tang Xiao! It's Tang Xiao!"
"One of the Clear Sky Twin Stars! He's finally made his move!"
"I heard he and Tang Hao are known as the Clear Sky Twin Stars, and that his strength is unfathomable! I wonder which of him and Yu Xiaogang is stronger?"
The stands buzzed with chatter. Everyone's gaze was fixed on Tang Xiao, eagerly anticipating this fierce clash between him and Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang watched Tang Xiao step onto the arena. The smile on his face faded, replaced by a look of solemn focus. He knew Tang Xiao was nothing like the two opponents before him.
As one of the Clear Sky Twin Stars, Tang Xiao was unquestionably among the strongest of his generation. Even Yu Xiaogang couldn't afford to be careless.
"Young Master Yu, please."
Tang Xiao stopped and extended his right hand. A pitch-black Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his grasp.
The hammer was impossibly heavy, as if it bore the weight of a mountain. Just holding it made the air around him grow oppressive.
"Brother Tang, please." Yu Xiaogang also put aside his contempt and summoned Golden Luo Sanpao.
The two faced off, their auras clashing fiercely above the arena, as if invisible sparks were bursting through the air. The crowd held its breath, staring at the stage, afraid to miss a single moment.
"Begin!"
At the referee's command, Tang Xiao struck first! Carrying the Clear Sky Hammer, he charged forward in long strides, each step leaving a deep footprint in the arena.
He wasn't fast, but every step carried an unstoppable force, like a moving mountain bearing down on Yu Xiaogang!
"Sanpao, First Soul Skill, Golden Impact!" Yu Xiaogang immediately gave the order, not daring to let his guard down.
Golden Luo Sanpao roared, golden light blazing around its body. Like a golden shooting star, it hurtled toward Tang Xiao! It moved at tremendous speed, bringing a force of ten thousand jun, as if it would smash anything in its path to pieces!
Yet Tang Xiao didn't dodge. He gripped the hammer with both hands, took a deep breath, then swung it with all his might!
"Clear Sky Hammer, Chaotic Cloak!"
He swung once, then again, and a third time... Tang Xiao's hammer technique flowed without pause, pouring out like a violent storm!
Each strike carried immense force. Every swing was heavier and faster than the last! Golden light and black hammer shadows collided in midair, erupting in deafening booms!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Every collision shook the arena violently. The sturdy bluestone floor cracked beneath the force of their attacks, sending fragments flying! Golden dragon breath and black hammer shadows intertwined, painting a spectacular battle scene!
The crowd watched with blood surging through their veins, cheering and shouting without end!
"Too powerful! Is this what a battle between top geniuses looks like?"
"Tang Xiao's Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer really lives up to its reputation! Each strike is heavier than the last. There's no way to block it!"
"But Yu Xiaogang's Golden Luo Sanpao is no pushover either! It's taken all those blows head-on and still hasn't been driven back!"
The battle went on for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. The two fought from one end of the arena to the other, then back again. The intensity was almost too much to follow.
Tang Xiao's Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer was indeed domineering, each strike following the last without pause, as if it would never end.
But Yu Xiaogang's Golden Luo Sanpao also displayed astonishing defensive and regenerative abilities. It withstood dozens of Tang Xiao's strikes. Though several wounds now marked its body, its fighting spirit hadn't dimmed in the slightest.
In the Clear Sky Sect's section, Tang Aotian's expression had grown grave. He could tell Tang Xiao had already given everything he had, while Yu Xiaogang still seemed to have strength in reserve. This thirteen-year-old boy was even more troublesome than he'd imagined.
"We can't let this drag on." A trace of resolve flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. He took a deep breath, Soul Power surging wildly within him as an even more powerful aura burst forth!
"Sanpao, Fourth Soul Skill, Golden Dragon Soul!"
Golden Luo Sanpao threw its head back and let out a roar that shook the heavens and earth!
Its body swelled once again, and mysterious patterns surfaced across its golden scales. An even more ancient, more powerful aura awakened within it! Its eyes turned pure gold, as if twin flames were burning inside them!
Tang Xiao's expression changed. He could feel Golden Luo Sanpao's aura surge by at least thirty percent in that instant!
Daring not to let his guard down, he hurriedly swung the Clear Sky Hammer, trying to interrupt its buildup of power.
But Golden Luo Sanpao was faster than before. It beat its wings and vanished from where it stood. The next instant, it had appeared above Tang Xiao. A massive claw covered in golden patterns came crashing down, bearing the force to destroy heaven and earth!
"BOOM—!!!"
A thunderous explosion! The entire arena shook violently as rocks and dust shot into the sky, obscuring everyone's view.
As the dust slowly cleared, the crowd saw what had happened on the arena—and couldn't help drawing in sharp breaths.
A massive crater, several zhang across, had opened in the arena. Tang Xiao knelt beside it, his Clear Sky Hammer planted in the ground to support his body.
A thread of blood hung from the corner of his mouth. His face was pale, and he had clearly been badly injured.
Yu Xiaogang stood on the other side of the crater, Golden Luo Sanpao guarding him. Though it was panting slightly, its aura remained fierce.
"I've lost." Tang Xiao fell silent for a moment, then slowly rose to his feet and pulled the Clear Sky Hammer from the ground. He cupped his hands toward Yu Xiaogang. "Young Master Yu, your strength is extraordinary. I, Tang Xiao, am impressed."
With that, he turned and walked off the arena. His back remained straight, but his steps were unsteady. That last blow had clearly drained him considerably.
The crowd erupted into another deafening cheer!
"True Dragon of the Yu Family! True Dragon of the Yu Family! True Dragon of the Yu Family!"
Countless people shouted Yu Xiaogang's name, their voices ringing through the skies.
Yu Xiaogang stood on the arena, bathed in the spotlight of countless eyes, the smile on his lips growing broader. He had defeated Tang Xiao, one of the Clear Sky Twin Stars. That achievement alone was enough to make his name known throughout the world!
Yu Xiaogang stood at the center of the arena, golden sunlight falling over him and making him look like a war god descended from the heavens. He had defeated Tang Xiao, one of the Clear Sky Twin Stars, and the entire crowd was in an uproar over the feat.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's disciples cheered wildly, as if they could already see their young master lifting the championship trophy.
"Who else—will fight me?" Yu Xiaogang spread his arms and swept a haughty gaze over the crowd, his voice brimming with undisguised pride and delight.
The whole arena fell silent.
Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect wore a dark expression, but he didn't get up. He was confident he could match Yu Xiaogang, but just as he'd thought—if he won, it would be only what everyone expected.
If he lost, the Clear Sky Sect's reputation would be dragged through the mud. He couldn't risk it.