Under the influence of the Golden Dragon King's power, Tang Tianlin's Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul had also evolved.
Not only did its attacks carry the Golden Dragon King's rending effect, but its weight was also dozens of times greater than that of an ordinary Clear Sky Hammer.
"Is that... the Clear Sky Hammer?"
Tang Hao stared at the enormous dark-gold hammer for a long while, the shock in his eyes gradually turning to fervor.
He could sense that Tang Tianlin's Clear Sky Hammer was more powerful than an ordinary one.
The destructive aura on the hammerhead's surface, in particular, made even his heart tremble.
The next moment, Tang Hao suddenly raised his right hand and spread his fingers toward Tang Tianlin.
"Tianlin, give me a strike."
"Huh?"
Tang Tianlin froze, almost thinking he had misheard.
"Let's test your hammer's power."
There was a hint of anticipation in Tang Hao's voice. "Let me see just how capable my elder brother's son is."
"Uncle Hao, are you sure?"
Tang Tianlin hefted the Golden Dragon Clear Sky Hammer in his hand. "This hammer of mine isn't light."
"Cut the chatter."
Tang Hao waved impatiently. "I told you to strike, so strike. All this dithering-you're just like your father."
He was a full-fledged Titled Douluo. How could he fail to take a single hammer strike from a Soul Grandmaster?
At those words, Tang Tianlin grinned. "Then I won't hold back."
As his words fell, the blood in his body suddenly seethed, and golden light surged forth.
A layer of fine golden dragon scales emerged from beneath his skin, gradually spreading over his entire arm.
Golden Dragon Body, activate!
In an instant, Tang Tianlin's aura surged, and a powerful draconic might spread outward.
A flicker of surprise crossed Tang Hao's eyes.
He could feel that this draconic might came not from the Martial Soul, but from Tang Tianlin's own bloodline.
This child's constitution was even more unusual than he had imagined.
At the same time, a purple Soul Ring lit up beneath Tang Tianlin's feet, gradually enveloping the hammer.
In an instant, dark-gold flames wreathed the Golden Dragon Clear Sky Hammer, and the dragon eyes on its head suddenly lit up.
Tang Hao's pupils contracted.
His first Soul Ring was already a Thousand-Year Soul Ring?!
But before he could react in shock, Tang Tianlin had already launched his attack.
"First Soul Skill: Golden Dragon Shock Strike!"
As his words fell, Tang Tianlin stamped his right foot hard against the ground and shot straight toward Tang Hao like an arrow loosed from a bow.
He swung the Golden Dragon Clear Sky Hammer in a full arc, bringing it down on Tang Hao's outstretched right palm with the force of splintering rotten wood and crushing withered stalks.
Boom!
The instant hammer met palm, a visible ring of air rippled outward,
Tang San instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes, yet a fierce gust still lashed his face painfully.
Was this the power of the Clear Sky Hammer? It utterly overwhelmed every Hidden Weapon he had!
As the dust cleared, Tang Tianlin looked closely, his pupils contracting slightly.
Tang Hao had not moved an inch, and only a faint white mark remained on his outstretched palm.
As expected of a Titled Douluo. Seventy percent of my strength only left an extremely faint white mark.
"Good lad, what did you grow up eating?"
Tang Hao shook his numb hand, looking astonished. "That strike of yours wasn't just tremendously powerful. The hammer's surface also seems to carry some kind of armor-piercing ability. It actually left a wound on my hand."
Although the wound was shallow, nowhere near enough to truly hurt him.
But he was a Titled Douluo!
For a Soul Grandmaster to leave a wound on a Titled Douluo was simply inconceivable!
Tang Tianlin lowered his hammer and stood upright, smiling modestly. "You flatter me, Uncle Hao. I'm merely relying on the unusual nature of my Martial Soul and constitution."
His Golden Dragon Clear Sky Hammer had perfectly inherited the Golden Dragon King's destructive rending effect.
Against someone of the same level, failing to kill them with one strike would count as a dud.
Tang Hao shook his head. "That kind of strength, that kind of Bloodline Power-I'm afraid even I couldn't have managed it back then. No wonder those old fellows made you the young sect master."
"All right, I acknowledge your strength. Leave everything on that list to me!"
Tang Tianlin's eyes lit up, and he immediately cupped his hands. "Then thank you, Uncle Hao."
"What are you thanking me for?"
Tang Hao waved a hand, lay back down in his rocking chair, and picked up his wine gourd for a swig.
"This is all something I owe the Clear Sky Sect. You two lads just focus on cultivating!"
With Tang Tianlin's tremendous talent, coupled with Tang San's Twin Martial Souls, it was only a matter of time before the Clear Sky Sect surpassed Spirit Hall.
When that day came, he would not only be able to avenge his wife's murder all those years ago, but also return to the Clear Sky Sect as a man of merit.
At the thought of that scene, Tang Hao felt the weight that had oppressed him for years vanish like smoke and clouds.
A month later, Tang Hao left.
After teaching Tang San the Clear Sky Secret Art and leaving all his savings to Tang Tianlin, Tang Hao resolutely set out to make his way in the world.
There was no other choice. To find the resources his eldest nephew needed, he had to leave.
Inside the smithy.
Tang San stared at the letter his father had left him, silent for a long time.
One month.
It was neither long nor short.
But to Tang San, that month felt as though several years had passed.
His once scrawny body had noticeably grown taller, and the contours of firm muscles were already faintly visible on his arms.
His formerly sun-darkened face had now lost much of its dusky color.
Though it could hardly be called fair, it was much more pleasing to the eye than before.
"What, can't bear to see Uncle Hao leave?"
Tang Tianlin's voice came from behind him, carrying a hint of teasing.
Tang San turned and saw Tang Tianlin leaning against the doorframe, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Big Brother..."
Tang San gave a wry smile. "This past month has felt like a dream."
A month ago, a single meat pie had moved him to tears of gratitude.
Now, that meat pie was nothing more than "standard fare" to him.
Over the past month, he had been able to eat delicious food every day.
More importantly, he had gained the familial affection he had gone so long without.
An orphan in his previous life, he had been taken in by the Tang Sect as a child and trained as an assassin.
Through more than a decade of a cold, bleak life, familial affection had seemed like an unattainable dream.
But now that dream had come true, leaving him with a sense of unreality.
"Oh, right." Something suddenly occurred to Tang San, and he looked up. "Big Brother, which Martial Soul do you think I should cultivate?"
During this time, he had also learned that Twin Martial Souls could not be cultivated simultaneously. He had to make his choice as soon as possible.
Tang Tian raised an eyebrow. "Then which Martial Soul are you more inclined to cultivate?"
"The Clear Sky Hammer!"
Tang San did not hesitate.
After witnessing the Clear Sky Hammer's tremendous power, Tang San had become thoroughly disdainful of Blue Silver Grass.
Besides, he was now a member of the Clear Sky Sect. Cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer was only right and proper!
At those words, however, Tang Tianlin frowned slightly. "You want to cultivate the Clear Sky Hammer? I'm afraid that might be a little difficult."
"Difficult?" Tang San was puzzled.
"Twin Martial Souls have a special restriction: the gap between the two Martial Souls cannot be too great."
"And Blue Silver Grass is inherently far inferior in quality to the Clear Sky Hammer..."
Before Tang Tianlin could finish, Tang San eagerly interrupted. "Big Brother, do you mean that if I cultivate the Clear Sky Hammer first, the Blue Silver Grass will be crushed?"
"Not exactly crushed."
Before you continue