Clear Sky Hammer Versus Xiong Jun

"Oh, looks like I really did become a god in the future. What was my divine title after ascending?"

Xiong Jun never expected that a single move of his would actually secure him a divine position. He was rather curious about what kind of god he was in the Celestial Court.

"Uh..."

Yun Ming thought about Xiong Jun's shut-in appearance in the Celestial Court, then remembered that this fellow did absolutely nothing all day yet received the most abundant incense offerings, often putting on pitiful acts besides, and his temper flared up instantly.

Because this fellow was the boss of Xuantan, meaning the God of Wealth, out of the 365 gods in the Celestial Court, aside from the few at the very top, he was the most famous among the rest.

Keep in mind that to prevent them from slacking off on their proper duties, the immortals in the Celestial Court relied on mortal incense offerings to continue cultivating, or needed to spend incense offerings if they wanted to exchange for treasures.

Thinking of the incense he earned through backbreaking labor while this fat bear could double or even triple his yield just by lying there, Yun Ming felt like his Sky-Supporting Spear was about to burst out of his control.

Feeling the murderous intent emanating from behind him, Xiong Jun went on a frantic internal rant, No, what the hell kind of question did I just ask? Why is there a sudden wave of murderous intent?!

[Melee battle begins!]

Xiong Jun gave up thinking, or rather, he chose a much smarter survival strategy.

He clearly realized that the man behind him was simply not someone he could shake.

Even if Ditian arrived in person, he would likely struggle to gain the upper hand in a direct confrontation.

Since that was the case, why ask for a beating? Xiong Jun calculated that he only needed to secure second place to preserve his pride and perhaps even reap some benefits from this melee.

"As expected! This bear thinks just like me!" Tang Xiao watched Xiong Jun charge at him without hesitation, a cold smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

He immediately understood the beast's intent. Since the strongest opponent was unbeatable, they might as well eliminate each other first and fight for the remaining spots.

Fighting spirit surged in Tang Xiao's eyes. Since Xiong Jun wanted to use him as a stepping stone, he didn't mind letting this bear get a taste of the Clear Sky Hammer.

"Second place is mine!" Tang Xiao roared fiercely. The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand expanded abruptly, its pitch-black hammerhead radiating heavy soul power fluctuations.

He slammed his feet hard against the ground and met Xiong Jun head-on. Xiong Jun's bear claws carried violent winds that tore through the air, fiercely swiping at Tang Xiao, while Tang Xiao swung the Clear Sky Hammer to meet him with brute force.

Hammer and claws collided, producing a muffled, thunderous roar. Shockwaves scattered in all directions, and the ground cracked with spiderweb-like fissures. Tang Xiao's body shook as he took several steps back, stamping deep footprints into the floor before barely managing to steady himself.

Meanwhile, Xiong Jun lowered his head to inspect his right claw, where a shallow white mark had actually been left upon the tips of his talons.

"To think he actually blocked a blow from me, looks like I need to get serious."

A trace of surprise flashed in Xiong Jun's eyes, instantly replaced by excitement. If the opponent was too weak, it wouldn't be fun at all.

He took a deep breath, his internal soul power surging violently, and dark golden light emerged upon his claws—the sign of soul power being fully unleashed.

Holding nothing back, he dropped to all fours and burst forward with explosive force. His massive body, resembling a moving mountain, lunged at Tang Xiao once more. This time, his speed was greater, his claw-winds fiercer, and every single swing carried the momentum to tear opponents apart.

Tang Xiao's pupils constricted and he dared not slack off, instantly unleashing his soul skill and shouting aloud, "Seventh Soul Skill, Clear Sky True Body!"

Before his voice faded, his body expanded abruptly, muscles bulging, and the Clear Sky Hammer grew in tandem, emitting a suffocating sense of oppression.

Gripping the handle tightly, he executed the Chaos-Clearing Wind Hammer Technique, swinging the hammer strike after strike. Each blow borrowed and built upon momentum, stacking power layer upon layer. The howling hammer-wind battered Xiong Jun like a violent storm.

Xiong Jun showed no weakness, colliding continuously with the Clear Sky Hammer, and every clash burst forth with a deafening roar.

Tang Xiao's Chaos-Clearing Wind Hammer Technique grew increasingly fierce. By the seventh strike, the hammer momentum was like raging billows and towering waves, forcing Xiong Jun to retreat step by step while his heels pounded deep pits into the ground.

Yet Xiong Jun was, after all, one of the Ten Great Fierce Beasts, possessed of rich combat experience. Once he steadied his stance, he suddenly threw back his head and roared, lifting his claws high, gathering his entire body's soul power, and slashing straight down.

"Sky-Rending Claw!"

Simultaneously, Tang Xiao completed his charge. Lifting the Clear Sky Hammer high, soul power poured into it frantically until the hammerhead blazed with a fierce black light, transforming into a colossal, heaven-supporting hammer that crashed down with force enough to shatter heaven and earth.

"Heaven-Surpassing Strike!"

Two terrifying forces collided explosively in midair, light shattering and shockwaves sweeping the surroundings like a tsunami. Only after the smoke gradually dissipated did the scene at the center of the battlefield reveal itself.

Tang Xiao lay flat on his back on the ground, the Clear Sky Hammer having slipped from his grip to embed itself in the earth nearby, its body still trembling slightly.

His chest heaved violently and blood spilled from the corners of his mouth, clearly indicating he had exhausted all his strength.

Xiong Jun still stood tall in his original spot. Although a few shallow scars had been added to his body and his breathing was slightly hurried, those brass-bell eyes still flashed with ferocity. Clearly, the victor of this battle was him.

Xiong Jun lowered his head to glance at Tang Xiao lying on the ground, let out a low roar, and rather than pursuing further, turned to look at the man who had remained silent all along, choosing to surrender.

[Duel ends]

[First place: Dai Yun'er, advances to acquire Genius Pharmacist talent, directly upgraded and strengthened to freak-level. Tang Wulin's blacksmith talent enhanced.]

[Second place: Meng Hongchen, remains unchanged.]

[Third place: Tang Qingqing's soul power drops to Title Douluo level, Tang San's cultivation speed halved.]

Douluo I Space

Tang San summoned his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul. Although his grand-uncle had lost, this battle was truly exhilarating to watch.

"Father! Can my Clear Sky Hammer reach that level as well?"

"No, you will surpass your grand-uncle!"

Tang Hao firmly believed that his son could surpass his eldest brother. After all, future Little San had ascended to godhood.

Tang San suddenly recalled that because his grand-uncle lost, his own cultivation speed had been forcibly halved. His originally joyful mood vanished in an instant.

Still, Tang San could tell that his grand-uncle had fought with everything he had yet was unable to win, and moreover, it was impossible for him to harbor resentment toward his father's brother. Thus, the target of resentment naturally narrowed down to only one.

Vile woman! Not only did she cause my cultivation speed to be halved! She also humiliated my grand-uncle! She has already chosen the path of ruin!

If not for that woman acting on her own accord, his grand-uncle wouldn't have been dragged into this, wouldn't have been defeated by that soul beast in front of everyone, and wouldn't have lost all his dignity.

And if not for that woman, he wouldn't have participated in this round of comparisons at all, and naturally wouldn't have ended up in last place to receive punishment. Everything was entirely that woman's fault.

Tang San perfectly located an outlet for his vent, deeply harboring hatred toward Tang Qingqing while simultaneously missing Xiao Wu—who had run off to god-knows-where—even more. If Xiao Wu were here, there would have been no need for the original comparisons to change at all.