Tang Hao Makes His Move, Clear Sky Douluo! A Deadly Crisis?!

Qian Renxue rose from the ground.

She lowered her head to look at the seventh soul ring circling her body, unable to hide her joy any longer.

"A 60,000-Year Soul Ring."

"Teacher, I really succeeded!"

Ling Yuan nodded gently.

"Not bad."

"This soul ring suits the Seraphim Martial Soul perfectly."

"But for you to absorb it, Long Tian deserves at least half the credit."

Qian Renxue immediately looked toward the distance.

The white-robed figure still stood beneath the tree.

The twilight filtered through the branches and fell across that handsome face.

His Nine-Colored Double Pupils gleamed like stars.

Without Long Tian's assistance earlier, she could never have killed the Resonant Light Behemoth.

At that thought,

Qian Renxue hurried over.

Her golden battle skirt swayed lightly with each step, her slender legs appearing and disappearing beneath the damaged skirt armor.

When she reached Long Tian, she opened her arms without hesitation.

Her soft body plunged into his embrace.

"Junior Brother, thank you!"

Long Tian's steps paused slightly.

His hands hung in the air, not coming down for a moment.

Golden hair spilled over the shoulders of his white robes.

A faint, elegant fragrance drifted over as well.

Qian Renxue wrapped her arms around Long Tian's waist, pressing her fair cheek against his chest.

The joy of absorbing a 60,000-Year Soul Ring made her forget for a moment that they had only just met.

Ling Yuan stood nearby, lightly raising an eyebrow.

"Xue Ling."

"How long do you plan to keep hugging him?"

Hearing the reminder,

Qian Renxue's body stiffened.

Only then did she realize that she was tightly hugging Long Tian.

There was not the slightest gap between them.

The crisp scent belonging to a man lingered around her.

Qian Renxue raised her head.

That incomparably handsome face was right before her eyes.

Those Nine-Colored Double Pupils were calmly watching her.

That brief eye contact immediately quickened her heartbeat.

Qian Renxue hurriedly released her arms and retreated two steps.

Her fair cheeks quickly flushed red.

"I was just too happy after absorbing the soul ring."

"I'm not usually like this."

Long Tian nodded gently.

"I understand."

His calm reply only made Qian Renxue even more embarrassed.

The golden-haired woman raised a hand to straighten her slightly disheveled hair, shifting her gaze aside as well.

"Junior Brother, don't overthink it."

"Senior Sister was only thanking you for your help."

Long Tian glanced at her damaged golden boot.

"Senior Sister should deal with her boot first."

Qian Renxue followed his gaze and looked down.

The side of her right boot had already split open.

Most of her thin white stocking was exposed, and her rounded toes lightly peeked out from the tear.

She had focused entirely on the soul ring earlier and had not noticed this at all.

Qian Renxue immediately drew back her foot.

She also tugged her golden battle skirt down slightly.

"It was only damaged in battle."

"Junior Brother, don't look."

Long Tian looked away.

"If Senior Sister didn't want me to look, she shouldn't have run over so quickly just now."

Qian Renxue's cheeks reddened further.

"That was because I wanted to thank you."

"If it had been anyone else, Senior Sister would never have taken the initiative to hug them."

Ling Yuan watched the two of them and gently shook her head.

"You've only known each other for half a day, yet you've become close rather quickly."

Qian Renxue changed into a new pair of golden boots.

Then she walked up to Long Tian, her expression gradually turning serious.

"Junior Brother."

"I have seen many support-type soul masters."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Nine-Heart Begonia, and all kinds of support martial souls cultivated by Spirit Hall—I have seen them all with my own eyes."

"But their support abilities simply cannot compare to yours."

Qian Renxue raised her palm.

Crimson-gold Sacred Flame rose once more.

Even though Long Tian had already withdrawn his first soul skill, a trace of ultimate fire attribute still remained within the flames.

"Your enhancement does more than increase attack power."

"The Rainbow Dragon also allowed my Sacred Flame to undergo a transformation."

"Without your support, I could never have severely wounded a 60,000-year Resonant Light Behemoth head-on."

Her golden eyes looked earnestly at the man in white.

"I have never seen such an ability before."

"If Junior Brother reaches the rank of Titled Douluo, the rules of battle across the entire continent will change because of you."

Long Tian remained calm.

"I am only level forty now."

"I still have a long way to go before becoming a Titled Douluo."

Qian Renxue shook her head gently.

"With your cultivation speed, that day will not be far away."

"A fourteen-year-old level-forty soul master with a ten-thousand-year third soul ring."

"There is no second person on the entire continent who can accomplish that."

Ling Yuan walked over to the two of them.

"Save the praise for later."

"You have already obtained your soul ring, but Long Tian's fourth soul ring has yet to be found."

Qian Renxue withdrew her Seraphim Martial Soul.

The seven soul rings merged back into her body.

"Teacher is right."

"Junior Brother helped me hunt the Resonant Light Behemoth earlier."

"Next, I will help Junior Brother find his fourth soul ring as well."

Long Tian looked deeper into the forest.

"The disturbance caused by the Resonant Light Behemoth may attract other high-level soul beasts."

"We should leave first."

The three did not linger.

They crossed the ground covered in shattered gold-and-white armor fragments and headed deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.

Qian Renxue walked at Long Tian's side.

After breaking through to Soul Sage, she had remained in high spirits.

Her golden battle skirt swayed softly through the forest. Though her six angel wings had been retracted, a layer of holy radiance still lingered around her.

"Junior Brother, what attribute do you want for your fourth soul ring?"

"I haven't decided yet."

Long Tian observed the elemental fluctuations around them.

"As long as the bloodline and age are suitable, any element will do."

Qian Renxue blinked lightly.

"The Resonant Light Behemoth's light attribute was extremely pure."

"Why didn't Junior Brother compete with me for it earlier?"

Long Tian turned to glance at her.

"A 60,000-Year Soul Ring was more suited to Senior Sister's Seraphim Martial Soul."

"Besides, since I promised to help Senior Sister obtain a soul ring, I would not change my mind halfway through."

Qian Renxue slowed slightly.

Her golden eyes watched the man at her side, and her smile deepened once more.

"Junior Brother is quite trustworthy."

"If Senior Sister needs another soul ring in the future, I'll come find you again."

Ling Yuan walked ahead of them and glanced back.

"You are already a Soul Sage."

"The next time you obtain a soul ring, you will need to cultivate to at least level eighty."

"Long Tian does not have time to accompany you on soul hunts forever."

Qian Renxue quickened her pace by a few steps.

"Teacher is so protective of Junior Brother?"

"I'm only asking Junior Brother for help. It's not as though I'm going to steal him away."

Ling Yuan did not turn around.

"It had better be that way."

Qian Renxue looked at Long Tian.

"Junior Brother, is Teacher always this domineering?"

"Teacher treats me very well."

Long Tian gave his answer.

"It seems Junior Brother only takes Teacher's side."

Qian Renxue gave a soft huff.

The three gradually moved farther away.

None of them noticed

that behind a thick ancient tree in the distance, a pair of deep eyes was staring at their backs.

A worn black robe concealed a burly body.

Messy black hair draped over his shoulders, and his entire figure blended completely into the tree's shadow.

Tang Hao had been nearby for a long time.

From the moment the Seraphim appeared, his eyes had never left Qian Renxue.

"The Seraphim."

"A member of the Qian family."

Tang Hao slowly clenched his fist.

Back then, when Spirit Hall pursued Ah Yin, Qian Xunji had been the one leading them.

He would never forget the aura of the Seraphim.

His gaze then shifted to Long Tian.

The Nine-Colored Divine Dragon Martial Soul.

A ten-thousand-year third soul ring.

And that terrifying support which allowed a Soul Emperor to crush a 60,000-year soul beast head-on.

More importantly, Spirit Hall Elder Ling Yuan was accompanying Long Tian.

The relationship between the three was already abundantly clear.

"Spirit Hall has raised another monster."

"Once Long Tian was allowed to grow, Tang San would inevitably face tremendous trouble in the future."

Tang Hao stepped out from behind an ancient tree.

The Nine-Colored Divine Dragon possessed an innate suppression over the Bluesilver Grass Martial Soul.

Long Tian had also previously clashed with Shrek.

Such a threat could not be allowed to remain.

Ahead.

Ling Yuan led Long Tian and Qian Renxue through a patch of low shrubs.

No suitable soul beasts could be found nearby.

The three prepared to continue onward.

Just as Qian Renxue pushed aside the branches blocking the way ahead.

The forest behind them suddenly fell silent.

There were no birdcalls.

Nor were there any signs of soul beast activity.

The Rainbow Dragon's Heart within Long Tian's body suddenly thudded heavily without warning.

An intense sense of danger swept through his entire body in an instant.

"Watch out!"

Long Tian had barely spoken.

When a black figure had already burst out from the distance.

Without releasing any soul rings.

Relying solely on physical strength, he forcibly smashed through dozens of ancient trees along the way.

Tang Hao clenched his right hand into a fist.

The Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul rapidly condensed in his palm.

A heavy black radiance locked onto Long Tian's chest.

The distance between them was crossed in a single breath.

The enormous Clear Sky Hammer crashed down head-on.

There was not the slightest restraint in this strike.

If it hit, a Soul Elder-level body would undoubtedly shatter on the spot.

Ling Yuan was the first to notice the attack.

Her fiery red hair suddenly flew upward.

"Martial Soul Possession!"

A shrill bird cry rang through the forest.

A massive phantom of Ling Yuan spread its wings behind her.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black.

Nine soul rings rose one after another.

Scorching flames condensed into a crimson claw, colliding head-on with the incoming Clear Sky Hammer.

Boom!

Terrifying Soul Power erupted in all directions.

Ancient trees within several hundred meters snapped one after another.

The ground caved in.

Great clouds of dirt and shattered stone blasted into the air.

Ling Yuan staggered several steps backward.

Her fiery red high heels scraped across the ground, leaving several deep trails behind.

Tang Hao likewise stopped across from her.

The Clear Sky Hammer hung at his side, its heavy Soul Power causing the surrounding air to tremble continuously.

Qian Renxue immediately spread her six angel wings.

Seven soul rings circled her body as a golden holy sword pointed directly at the intruder.

Long Tian also released his Rainbow Dragon Martial Soul.

Nine-Colored Divine Light shot into the sky.

A colossal divine dragon coiled above the three of them.

Once Ling Yuan saw the black-robed man's face clearly, her expression changed abruptly.

"Clear Sky Hammer."

"You're Tang Hao!"

Tang Hao slowly raised the Clear Sky Hammer.

Two yellow, two purple, four black, one red.

Nine soul rings rose in sequence from beneath his feet.

The instant the final 100,000-Year Soul Ring appeared, the entire forest was shrouded in blood-red radiance.

The pressure of the Clear Sky Douluo locked onto all three of them.

"So what if you recognize me?"

Tang Hao looked at Ling Yuan.

Then his gaze swept over Qian Renxue and Long Tian.

"Everyone from Spirit Hall deserves to die."

"Today, you three..."

"None of you will leave the Star Dou Great Forest alive."

Blood-red light blanketed the forest.

The pressure released by the 100,000-Year Soul Ring caused the nearby ground to sink continuously.

Ling Yuan stepped forward.

Her fiery red dress fluttered wildly in the surge of Soul Power, while nine soul rings spun rapidly around her mature, voluptuous figure.

The enormous phantom of Ling Yuan spread its wings, shielding Long Tian behind her.

"With me here, don't even think about harming my disciple."

Tang Hao lifted the Clear Sky Hammer with one hand.

Ancient patterns covered the black hammer, and its crushing aura bent the surrounding ancient trees one after another.

"A mere Ling Yuan thinks she can stop me?"

"Today, Long Tian will not be the only one to die."

"You and that Seraphim won't leave the Star Dou Great Forest either."

Ling Yuan's lovely face darkened.

The seventh black soul ring suddenly lit up.

"Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul Avatar!"

A shrill bird cry pierced through the mountains and forest.

Crimson flames erupted completely from her body. The phantom of Ling Yuan rapidly solidified, transforming into a flaming giant bird with a wingspan of dozens of meters.

Countless flaming feathers rained down from the sky.

Every feather contained heat enough to incinerate rock and mountains.

"Eighth Soul Skill, Heaven-Burning Fire Feathers!"

Countless crimson feather blades tore through the sky, attacking Tang Hao from every direction.

The air twisted violently along their path.

Before vast swathes of trees could even touch the fire feathers, they had already burst into flames.

Tang Hao stood in the center of the sea of fire without moving a single step.

The fifth black soul ring lit up.

The Clear Sky Hammer swelled rapidly in the wind.

The heavy hammer swept sideways, sending out a ring of dense black light.

Boom!

The fire feathers filling the sky exploded one after another.

Crimson firelight illuminated the forest, yet it could not come within ten meters of Tang Hao.

The Clear Sky Hammer continued forward.

Its black shadow slammed heavily into Ling Yuan's true form.

Bang!

The flaming giant bird was blasted backward head-on.

Ling Yuan groaned, and her red-clad figure flew backward through the air, smashing through several ancient trees in succession.

Her flaming wings shook violently.

A thin stream of blood slowly spilled from the corner of her lips.

Tang Hao carried the Clear Sky Hammer as he stepped across the flames covering the ground.

"Ling Yuan, how many years have you been a Titled Douluo?"

"With your meager cultivation, you dare block the Clear Sky Hammer?"

Ling Yuan raised a hand and wiped the blood from her lips.

Her beautiful face was exceptionally grave.

A level ninety-five Clear Sky Douluo.

A 100,000-Year Soul Ring.

The inherited ultimate techniques of the Clear Sky Sect.

Whether in Soul Power or Martial Soul, Tang Hao held an absolute advantage.

Even if she fought with everything she had, she could not block the Clear Sky Hammer head-on.

But Long Tian was behind her.

As his teacher, Ling Yuan could not retreat.

Crimson flames gathered around her once more.

"Whether I can stop you or not, we'll only know after we fight."

Tang Hao sneered.

"You're courting death."

The seventh soul ring beneath his feet suddenly shone.

"Clear Sky Avatar!"

A colossal Clear Sky Hammer shot into the sky.

The hammer rapidly expanded, reaching a hundred meters in size in the blink of an eye.

Dense black light obscured the dusk sky.

The nearby soul beasts sensed this pressure and fled into the distance one after another.

Tang Hao raised his right arm.

The gigantic Clear Sky Hammer descended from the sky, directly locking onto Ling Yuan's true form.

Qian Renxue spread her six angel wings and instantly moved to Ling Yuan's side.

"Seventh Soul Skill, Angel Avatar!"

Holy golden light illuminated the forest.

A six-winged angel dozens of meters tall slowly rose behind Qian Renxue.

Seven soul rings revolved around the Angel Avatar.

The seventh soul ring she had just absorbed released an especially powerful force of light.

Qian Renxue gripped the holy sword with both hands and slashed toward the Clear Sky Hammer.

"Angelic Judgment!"

Golden sword light and crimson flames rose simultaneously.

Ling Yuan also spread her wings at that moment.

"Heaven-Burning Fire Feathers!"

Two experts at the Titled Douluo level attacked together.

The holy sword light and fire feathers filling the sky merged in midair, forming a colossal red-gold sword dozens of meters long.

Rumble!

The red-gold giant sword collided head-on with the Clear Sky Hammer.

The entire forest shook violently.

The ground split open into a massive ravine hundreds of meters long.

Shattered rocks filled the sky.

Qian Renxue's body sank, and her six angel wings bent backward.

Ling Yuan endured the terrifying force of the Clear Sky Hammer as well.

Large cracks began to appear across the surface of her flaming true form.