The Image Domain was a God-Bestowed Spirit Ring Qian Xunqian had obtained after completing the second Angel trial and killing a thousand Evil Spirit Masters. Once activated, it simulated the enemies within the domain and created an image with eighty percent of the original's strength. For dark-type Soul Masters and Evil Spirit Masters, it copied their light forms instead, and the light-form image dealt twenty percent more damage to their original.
The prerequisite was that Qian Xunqian's spiritual power be greater than the person being copied; only then could she create an image.
Soon, an image of Tang Hao appeared within the domain, Clear Sky Hammer in hand.
"Oh, so this is the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes? Ring Detonation really is an impressive technique." After copying Tang Hao's image, Qian Xunqian had also gained a thorough understanding of all his Soul Skills and special moves.
As a Power Attack System Soul Master with a simple mind and brawny limbs, Tang Hao feared nothing more than spiritual-type Soul Masters. Under the Sacred Domain's influence, his movements grew slower and slower, and his gaze as he looked at Qian Xunqian grew more and more entranced and worshipful. He was almost ready to kneel.
Tang Hao shook his head violently and slapped himself.
"Tang Hao! Ah Yin is still in her hands! You have to snap out of it!"
With that, he swung his great hammer and fought his image.
But Tang Hao's spiritual power was simply too weak. In less than two minutes, he began to lose himself again. To keep himself alert, he pulled out a small knife and plunged it viciously into his thigh.
The searing pain brought him back to his senses. He knew perfectly well that only by defeating Qian Xunqian could he dispel these images and this domain.
However, although the image was weaker than Tang Hao, it was more than capable of keeping him occupied.
The Angel Eye behind Qian Xunqian kept raining down flames, firing lasers, and healing the image, wearing Tang Hao down bit by bit until he was dead.
Tang Hao had no choice. If this dragged on, he was bound to die!
He was just about to unleash his ultimate move and detonate his rings. Who knew the image would detonate its rings first? Tang Hao wanted to cry. Seriously? Did it have to be this realistic?
At the same time, the eight Titled Douluo surrounding them stopped hiding.
Golden Crocodile Douluo, Guangling Douluo, Mighty Lion Douluo, Qianjun Douluo, Jiangmo Douluo, Ice Phoenix Douluo, Death God Douluo Bibi Dong, and Azure Luan Douluo all activated their Martial Soul Avatars, ready to capture Tang Hao.
To prevent Tang Hao from escaping, Qian Xunqian had even summoned Azure Luan Douluo, the Agility Attack System Douluo from the Far North, back.
After taking the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Azure Luan Douluo had reached Level 97 and become a Super Douluo. When it came to speed, he claimed second place on the Douluo Continent; no one dared claim first.
Tang Hao was terrified and had no heart for battle. In a moment of carelessness, he took a hammer blow to the chest from the image, which had detonated its rings.
"Pfft!" A mouthful of thick blood sprayed out, and Tang Hao closed his eyes and toppled backward.
"Uncle Sky Crocodile, go check whether he's faking. Don't deactivate your Martial Soul Avatar."
Qian Xunqian was exceptionally cautious. She wouldn't have brought eight Titled Douluo along to capture Tang Hao if she weren't.
Sky Crocodile cautiously approached. After spending years with his little niece, he, too, had become far more careful and steady. He prodded Tang Hao in the kidneys with his foot, then checked his breathing and pulse. Only after confirming that Tang Hao had passed out did he return to report.
"Good! Disable his Martial Soul first, then tie him up! Take him back to Spirit Hall. Then send people to invite representatives from every sect and both empires to Spirit Hall, where they can pay tribute to the deceased Pope and witness Tang Hao's execution!"
"Yes!"
With Tang Hao captured and brought back to Spirit Hall, news of his capture and impending execution spread across the Douluo Continent.
Tang Hao, once hailed as the greatest genius on the Douluo Continent and one of the Clear Sky Twin Stars, had been taken down by Spirit Hall just six years later.
Great God King Tang: Why didn't you people from Spirit Hall show up sooner? I had to endure four whole years of domestic abuse.
Do you have any idea how much damage a fist as big as a cooking pot can do to a four-year-old child? Spirit Hall has forfeited the right to live!
Every sect and power, large or small, was invited to witness the execution. As soon as the representatives entered Spirit City, they were stunned.
Some of them had never visited Spirit City before. Seeing its futuristic style, then comparing it with their own feudal castles, they were shocked. But they still said, "Soul Guidance Cars are just flashy gimmicks, nothing more. They can't compare to the carriages of our nobles, the very symbol of rites and music!"
Yu Luomian, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's representative, had come above all to take advantage of the situation. Although his branch of the family had risen thanks to the clan leader Yu Yuanzhen's own foolishness, Yu Yuanzhen was still a Level 94 Titled Douluo. He was in a league of his own compared with Yu Luomian, a Level 89 Soul Douluo.
To rise further within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and completely sideline Yu Yuanzhen, relying on internal strength wasn't enough. He needed to introduce an outside variable—and Spirit Hall was a perfect choice!
But even after seeing Spirit City's towering buildings, its crisscrossing roads, and its advanced cars, Yu Luomian only then realized just how powerful Spirit Hall was.
Xue Qinghe, the current crown prince and representative of the Heaven Dou Empire, was also deeply shaken. Since Qian Xunqian had changed the original timeline, Qian Renxue now obediently followed her Pope around and cultivated at her side. Xue Qinghe had naturally escaped a calamity.
Xue Qinghe had not been ignorant of Spirit Hall's recent developments, but no matter how much his subordinates reported, nothing could match the shock of seeing it all in person.
By comparison, the Nether Duke of the Star Luo Empire seemed arrogant and overbearing. Like many old-fashioned traditionalists, he thought these were all just flashy gimmicks. Did they really think they could stand against the Star Luo Empire's mighty cavalry with things like these?
"Master! I never thought I'd live to see you one last time!" Tai Tan wept bitterly.
Bound tightly, Tang Hao looked around, then lowered his head and sighed.
"Alas... Don't worry. My son, Tang San, has Twin Martial Souls and immeasurable potential. One day, he'll avenge us!"
To show respect—and to intimidate the other powers—Qian Xunqian had the firearm meant for the execution replaced with a Level 8 Soul Guidance Cannon.
One blast turned Tang Hao and Tai Tan to dust in an instant, leaving nothing behind.
When he saw the Level 8 Soul Guidance Cannon, the Nether Duke could no longer keep his composure. Tang Hao and Tai Tan might have had their abilities crippled, but they still had the bodies of a Titled Douluo and a Soul Douluo. What kind of weapon could blast the two of them into nothing?
The explosion's range was immense, and every power present was stunned. Several small forces and minor sects grew eager to contact Spirit Hall once the execution was over.
Yu Luomian was even more shaken. Spirit Hall was so powerful—if he borrowed its strength, might he accidentally invite a wolf into the house? Wouldn't the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan end up in Spirit Hall's hands?
Although he wanted to topple Yu Yuanzhen, as a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he also shared its pride. He naturally had no desire to become Spirit Hall's puppet.
But Spirit Hall had now grown powerful beyond imagination. Even if he was unwilling, he would still have to discuss matters with his foolish elder brother. Only if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan stood united would they have any chance of opposing Spirit Hall!