However...
Qian Daochen did not draw his sword.
He merely raised his right hand.
His five fingers slowly spread.
The Clear Sky Hammer, powerful enough to destroy the valley, crashed into his palm.
Boom!
The forces between heaven and earth froze all at once.
The black hammer's shadow was less than five feet above Qian Daochen's head.
Yet no matter how Tang Hao channeled his Soul Power, the Clear Sky Hammer could advance no farther.
Qian Daochen hovered in midair.
The surging air whipped his robes.
His feet never touched the ground.
Nor did he retreat so much as half a step.
Even his arm did not tremble.
Just like that, he blocked a hammer strike powerful enough to destroy heaven and earth with his bare flesh.
The valley fell deathly silent.
Tang Hao's expression froze completely.
He looked at his Clear Sky Hammer, then at Qian Daochen's palm.
"What?"
Tang San stood equally stunned.
All nine Soul Rings had shattered.
His father had unleashed his strongest strike.
Yet Qian Daochen had stopped the Clear Sky Hammer in midair with just one hand.
Even his white robes remained undamaged.
This was already beyond Tang San's comprehension.
"That's impossible..."
Tang Hao gritted his teeth.
Once again, he channeled the Soul Power within him.
Black light surged wildly over the Clear Sky Hammer.
Yet Qian Daochen's palm remained steady beneath the hammer's striking face.
There was not a single mark on that hand.
Qian Daochen looked at Tang Hao before him.
"It's time this farce ended."
His fingers tightened slightly.
Crack!
Several cracks appeared on the surface of the Clear Sky Hammer.
Tang Hao's expression changed abruptly.
He immediately withdrew his power and retreated with the Clear Sky Hammer.
But after shattering all nine Soul Rings, he had little Soul Power left.