Yang Dong and Tang Hao's First Clash (I)

"Hey, what are you muttering about over there? Do you dare come up? Don't tell me you're a coward like them too!"

When Tang Hao said this, some members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan around them could only glare at him. Who was he calling a coward?

Unfortunately, Tang Hao did not understand such social conventions at the time. By the time he did, there would be few people in the world worth bothering with such conventions for. In any case, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would not get to enjoy that day.

"Fine, I'll come. But how do you want to compete?"

As he spoke, he moved toward the arena, a smile appearing on his face—a smile that seemed exceptionally sunny to Tang Hao now, but would later strike him as exceedingly devious.

"We'll compete on this arena. Whoever leaves the arena first or voluntarily admits defeat loses. How about it?"

Tang Hao looked somewhat excited. His instincts told him that the person he had chosen would be a good opponent.

"Fine."

Yang Dong quickly pushed through the crowd and appeared atop the arena.

"Can that guy from the Wind Sword Sect really be a match for that bastard on the stage?"

"Probably not. None of us could beat him, so how could this guy possibly win?"

The people below discussed it among themselves. Not a single one of them thought highly of Yang Dong.

That was only natural. When someone encountered an insurmountable difficulty and could go no further, then saw that everyone else was similarly unable to move forward, they would think that it was not because they lacked ability, but because the difficulty itself was simply too great.

When a new challenger appeared afterward, they would instinctively believe that this new challenger would fail as well.

"I suggest you restore your Soul Power first. Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll refuse to accept it when you lose later."

Yang Dong spoke calmly from atop the arena.

In an arena match, Yang Dong naturally held quite an advantage. This arena had been built for children, so it was not very large. Yang Dong's two Soul Skills were already enough to completely cover it.

Even if he could only rely on swordsmanship, Yang Dong was confident of victory with such an advantage.

Besides, he had just seen both of Tang Hao's Soul Skills clearly.

"Heh, interesting. I hope you won't be as useless as them later and leave me without a satisfying fight."

Tang Hao spoke bluntly, then truly began restoring his Soul Power. He sensed a trace of danger from Yang Dong, a feeling he had never experienced from anyone his age.

Naturally, the events on the training ground could not escape everyone's notice. Tang Feng calmly glanced at Yu Yuanzhen beside him without saying anything.

"Haha, Old Sect Master Tang, you have a fine grandson. At merely twelve years old, he already possesses strength close to three Soul Rings. His future is promising indeed!"

The people from the White Tiger Sect and Fire Leopard Sect laughed heartily as they praised Tang Feng. Whether they were secretly trying to stir up trouble was known only to the two of them.

"You flatter him. Hao still has a long way to go."

Tang Feng replied with a chuckle, then turned to Yang Tianlang and asked, "May I ask whose child this young talent of the Wind Sword Sect is? He looks rather familiar."

Before Yang Tianlang could answer, Yu Yuanzhen rushed to say, "That young man is Wind Sword Douluo's child. Speaking of which, he is a few months older than Tang Hao."

Wind Sword Douluo's child?

Tang Feng searched through his memories and finally recalled a rumor. After giving Yang Tianlang an indifferent look, he said, "Everyone, let us discuss matters first. I trust the children know their limits."

Yang Tianlang wore a faint smile and said nothing.

Yang Dong's Soul Power had reached level thirty, considerably higher than Tang Hao's. Although he was an auxiliary-system Soul Master, with those two Soul Skills, even if he could not win, he would not lose too badly.

Besides, perhaps he might win?

Thinking of what he had seen that night, Yang Tianlang found himself looking forward to it.

On the training ground.

Yang Dong and Tang Hao stood at opposite corners, their expressions both becoming much more serious.

Quite a few people had already gathered beneath the arena. Some were children their age, while others were adults who had been instructed to watch over the safety of the two on the stage.

"Tang Hao, Martial Soul: Haotian Hammer. Level twenty-eight assault-system Soul Master."

"Yang Dong, Martial Soul: Ghost Hand. Level thirty auxiliary-system Soul Master."

Hearing Yang Yu's words, Tang Hao froze for a moment. Level thirty?

That was two levels higher than his own. What puzzled him even more was that Yang Dong was an auxiliary-system Soul Master rather than possessing the Wind Sword Martial Soul unique to the Wind Sword Sect.

But none of that mattered. He would lose to me regardless!

Though his mind was occupied with these thoughts, Tang Hao's body instinctively charged toward Yang Dong.

The plain, unadorned Haotian Hammer appeared in his hand. Like a ravenous wolf pouncing on its prey, he swung it at Yang Dong.

If Yang Dong failed to dodge in time, he would inevitably be bedridden for several days.

The Haotian Hammer smashed into the ground, but Yang Dong had already darted away like a fleeing rabbit.

Martial Soul Possession!

Two yellow Soul Rings encircled the Ghost Hand on Yang Dong's left arm.

First Soul Skill, Blade Soul!

An illusory red magic circle descended upon the arena, directly covering half of it.

"My First Soul Skill, Blade Soul, can increase my strength and agility within this magic circle."

Yang Dong held the Immaculate Sword in his right hand and openly explained the effects of his First Soul Skill. He did not wish to take advantage of Tang Hao, since he already knew both of Tang Hao's Soul Skills.

"Doesn't matter!"

Tang Hao's expression did not change in the slightest as he swung the Haotian Hammer again and launched another attack.

First Soul Skill, Shocking Hammer.

Tang Hao's First Soul Skill carried a shockwave effect, giving it a considerably greater range than its actual reach. Even though Yang Dong had told him that Blade Soul enhanced his strength and agility within its range.

So what?

Tang Hao had his own pride. Even with enhanced strength and agility, I can still defeat you!

Naturally, Yang Dong would not be foolish enough to clash head-on with Tang Hao. Raising the Immaculate Sword, he used Three-Stage Slash!

The first slash carried him away from his original position, while the second took him diagonally across the arena. The moment Tang Hao's First Soul Skill missed, Yang Dong wheeled back around, his final slash cutting toward Tang Hao's body.

The attack was swift and ruthless. An ordinary person would have had no time to react!

But Tang Hao was no ordinary person. He twisted the Haotian Hammer that had just missed and slammed it directly against the Immaculate Sword.

Bang!

The impact of their clash forced both Yang Dong and Tang Hao back several steps.

What tremendous strength!

They both had the same thought. Yang Dong had never found an opponent at Nuoding Academy, and during his previous spar with Yang Tianlang, he had not realized just how formidable his First Soul Skill was. But now, against a genius of his own level, even Tang Hao, who followed the assault-system path, had been forced back in their direct clash.

"Interesting!"

The fighting spirit in Tang Hao's eyes burned even fiercer. Yang Dong was the first person his age who had ever forced him back head-on!