Dugu Chen Takes the Field

Seven soul rings lit up around Dugu Xin. Black halos washed over the serpent's body, instantly turning its emerald green scales a deep ink green.

A terrifying sphere of energy gathered in the Jade-Scale Serpent Emperor's mouth. As its power accumulated to the limit, two cold glints flashed from Dugu Xin's eyes as he shouted:

"Break!"

A terrifying beam of dark green light burst from the Jade-Scale Serpent Emperor's mouth.

As the Clear Sky Hammer collided with the dark green pillar of light, a terrifying tidal wave of energy erupted in an instant.

A surging wave of energy scattered outward in shimmering halos.

However, as time passed, the dark green beam gradually began to lose ground, and the distance between them steadily shrank.

Dugu Xin's eyes were filled with determination as he desperately held on.

However, Tang Hao exerted force with his right hand once more. The immense power, carrying terrifying might, completely shattered the beam before continuing onward and slamming heavily into the Jade-Scale Serpent Emperor.

"Bang!"

A thunderous boom erupted, and the entire arena trembled violently.

Dust swept across the ground and shattered stones flew everywhere. The Jade-Scale Serpent Emperor gradually dissipated, revealing Dugu Xin once more.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and all his soul power had already been exhausted.

Tang Hao expressionlessly rested the Clear Sky Hammer on his shoulder, looking as though he had expected this all along.

"I already told you, you're no match for me."

Just then, an icy voice he found very familiar suddenly emerged from the smoke:

"Since my brother isn't your match, what about me?"

A figure slowly emerged from the smoke, his long black-patterned robe fluttering in the dusty wind.

The moment Tang Hao saw Dugu Chen step onto the stage, he became incomparably excited and burst into laughter.

"No one can do it. You're no exception!"

Dugu Chen chuckled and walked slowly over to Dugu Xin, helping him up. "Are you all right?"

Dugu Xin shook his head, reaching out to grip Dugu Chen's arm as he stared intently at him.

"He's strong. Be careful!"

"Leave it to me. I know what I'm doing."

Dugu Chen smiled calmly, giving his hand a reassuring pat before helping him off the arena.

Before the Papal Hall, Bibi Dong's gaze went somewhat blank when she saw Dugu Chen take the stage, ripples spreading through her beautiful eyes.

The corners of Qian Xunji's lips rose slightly. Now this was getting interesting!

Dugu Chen and Tang Hao's gazes collided in midair, sharpness gleaming in their eyes.

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

"If you think gaining a little strength gives you the right to boast in front of me, then I can only say... you're overestimating yourself!"

Tang Hao's face darkened. He gripped the Clear Sky Hammer with both hands and smashed it heavily into the ground, battle intent burning fiercely in his eyes.

"Then let's try it. I was unwilling to accept my narrow defeat to you last time. Today, we'll settle this once and for all!"

"Exactly what I want!"

Dugu Chen sneered. In the next instant, the two charged at each other simultaneously.

The distance between them rapidly closed at a pace visible to the naked eye.

Tang Hao held the Clear Sky Hammer low in both hands, kicked off with both legs, and soared into the air. He instantly leaped forty to fifty meters high and began gathering strength midair.

Dugu Chen looked up. A brilliant golden light ignited from the dragon-shaped mark between his brows before spreading across his entire body.

"Roar—"

A dragon roar that resounded through the heavens burst from his body. Even the drifting clouds overhead were instantly blown apart by the sound waves, leaving the sky clear for thousands of miles.

As the golden light faded, Dugu Chen's body underwent a tremendous transformation.

At that moment, he completely transformed into a humanoid dragon.

His hands and feet became dragon claws and dragon legs. Two horn-like protrusions rose from his forehead, clearly dragon horns that had yet to fully develop.

The right side of his chest was also covered in pure golden scales, making it seem as though he wore a suit of golden-scale dragon armor. While imposing and majestic, he also unleashed terrifying True Dragon Pressure that swept in every direction.

The air seemed to turn several degrees colder beneath that terrifying aura, only to become scorching hot immediately afterward. Even space twisted repeatedly under the dreadful pressure.

As that terrifying might bore down on him, Tang Hao felt as if a mountain were pressing against his chest, forcing a muffled groan from him.

He gritted his teeth and poured all the surging soul power within him into the Clear Sky Hammer. Bloodshot veins filled his eyes.

When his strength and momentum reached their peak, Tang Hao roared:

"Heaven-Shattering Strike!"

"Boom—"

As the blow descended, the entire arena shattered inch by inch beneath it, while a massive cloud of dust billowed outward.

In the VIP stands.

Everyone could not help swallowing. That battle just now had not even been Tang Hao's full strength.

Dugu Bo's pupils contracted. What terrifying power...

His gaze involuntarily shifted toward the Haotian Sect.

At that moment, everyone from the Haotian Sect had focused all their attention on the arena and did not notice his stare at all.

"The Haotian Twin Stars truly live up to their reputation," Dugu Bo murmured inwardly.

Other than glancing at Tang Zhen, he had been observing Tang Xiao just now, and he found that he was indeed exactly as Chen'er had described.

Calm and steady, neither arrogant nor rash. One flamboyant, one reserved—they truly were perfect partners!

"Where is he?"

Tang Hao's expression turned ugly. Dugu Chen was nowhere to be seen on the floor before him. His strike had missed!

"What use is a hammerhead that big if it can't hit anyone?"

A cold voice suddenly came from behind Tang Hao amid the dust. His hairs stood on end. Just as he was about to swing the Clear Sky Hammer around to attack, a golden dragon claw landed on his back.

"Riiip!"

Tang Hao was sent flying backward out of the dust, spraying a mouthful of blood through the air.

The clothes on his back had been completely shredded. Five sharp golden claw marks appeared across it, crackling with the power of light.

Dugu Chen strode forward on dragon legs, slowly emerging from the dust.

His deep pupils had completely transformed into golden vertical slits. His golden dragon tail slowly dragged along the ground, and with every step he took, the surrounding air seemed to grow heavier.

Golden light swirled within his eyes. Looking at them was like looking directly at the sun; their radiance could not be met!

Seeing this, everyone in the VIP stands gaped, their eyes wider than saucers.

What... kind of monster was this?

When Yu Yuanzhen saw Dugu Chen's current appearance, his pupils too filled with intense shock.

This... was impossible!

When Dugu Bo had asked him for the Dragon Transformation Secret Art, he had personally made a rubbing of it for him.

Yet what Dugu Chen was using now was absolutely not the orthodox Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect Dragon Transformation Secret Art. Yu Yuanzhen could see the similarities, but there were differences he could not make out clearly.

"Could it be that this brat improved his family's Dragon Transformation Secret Art and turned it into a secret technique more suited to himself..."

Yu Yuanzhen thought to himself. It seemed that was the only explanation for now!

"Cough, cough..."

Tang Hao clutched his chest, his face flushing red as he spat out a mouthful of bloody phlegm mixed with foul blood and fragments of internal organs.

Once he expelled the blood lodged in his throat and chest, his complexion returned to normal.

Even though he could not see his back, he could sense through his control over his body just how long and how deep the wound was.

Tang Hao's eyes were filled with disbelief. He raised a finger toward Dugu Chen, his voice full of unwillingness.

"How is this possible? How could your strength have increased so much since our last fight?"

"I have never relaxed in my training for even a moment, yet I'm still inferior to you!"