The Great Battle with Tang Hao

"It must be that the Tuoshe Cave Mansion's energy is insufficient to support the operation of its formations!" one person guessed.

Instantly, madness appeared on everyone's faces. This meant that the formation for the ultimate trial might also have disappeared. As long as they could charge into the light gate, they might directly obtain the inheritance of Ancient Emperor Tuoshe.

"Charge! The inheritance of Ancient Emperor Tuoshe is mine!"

"Get out of my way, it's mine!"

Seeing the light gate open, many Martial Artists' eyes flashed with sharp light, and they rushed towards it.

However, after only a few steps, a blade light swept towards them, blocking their path.

Upon seeing this, everyone's expressions drastically changed.

"It's Xu Fu! He's actually here too!"

An old man among them looked at the middle-aged man holding the saber with fear. Xu Fu was, by consensus, the strongest Martial Artist in the Aperture Opening Realm among their group, having completed the eight trials for several consecutive years.

"Hahaha, heaven favors me! It seems the Tuoshe Cave Mansion's energy is insufficient. Perhaps this is my chance!" Xu Fu laughed heartily and charged directly towards the light gate.

"Xu Fu has participated in the ultimate trial several times. We absolutely cannot let him enter!" Many people unleashed their power, also charging towards the light gate.

One silver-robed youth even formed a group, with several elders beside him acting as guards to clear the way.

"Stop that Xu Fu!" the youth shouted. Immediately, the elders around him moved to block Xu Fu, intending to carve a path for the youth.

"Get lost! Overlord Saber Slash!" Seeing someone trying to stop him, Xu Fu snorted coldly. He gripped his long saber with both hands and slashed fiercely. The domineering blade light directly split several Martial Artists in two, forcing back the remaining dozens of Martial Artists.

Boom!

He himself leaped in front of the light gate, his great saber still flashing with overbearing sharpness.

"It's the Yellow-grade Low-rank Saber Technique, Overlord Saber Slash! Xu Fu has actually cultivated it to perfection!"

"Let's not compete with him. If he fails the ultimate trial, we might still have a chance!" Many Martial Artists began to retreat. For a Martial Artist with a Fourth-grade Bloodline to cultivate a Yellow-grade Low-rank saber technique to perfection was almost invincible at their realm.

At the same time, several more Martial Artists rushed over, standing on either side of Xu Fu.

"Xu Fu, we have an agreement. If you obtain the inheritance of Ancient Emperor Tuoshe, share some with us!"

"I'll hold them off, you go in!" Several Martial Artists simultaneously drew their swords, covering Xu Fu.

But, at this moment, Tang Hao, who had been hiding in the shadows, rushed out. The long sword in his hand thrust out, fiercely stabbing towards Xu Fu's head.

"What?" Xu Fu's expression changed. He blocked the sword edge with his saber, which was positioned in front of his chest. The sword tip struck Xu Fu's saber, sending him flying back.

"Tang Hao, you've actually been here all along!" After being sent flying, Xu Fu finally regained his senses, the rage in his eyes practically burning the void. He had been confident about this trip to the Tuoshe Cave Mansion, with Huang Qi being his only threat. Who would have thought Tang Hao's strength would also be so formidable?

"I've been here all along!" Tang Hao said with arrogance.

"Then why didn't you participate in the ultimate trial directly?" Xu Fu asked, puzzled.

"I said I wouldn't let that trash Lu Ren leave the Tuoshe Cave Mansion alive. However, that trash doesn't seem to have passed the eight trials!" Tang Hao showed disappointment on his face. He then looked at Xu Fu and the Martial Artists beside him. "You don't need to block them. Even if all of you attack together, you're no match for me!"

As he spoke, the spiritual energy from all his Spiritual Apertures erupted simultaneously, surging like an invisible wave of energy, causing the expressions of many younger generation Martial Artists around him to change.

"What? Tang Hao has opened ten Spiritual Apertures?"

"It was rumored not long ago that Tang Hao had opened nine Spiritual Apertures, and now he's opened his tenth?"

"He's truly terrifying. Is he really a Third-grade Bloodline? He's only around sixteen years old. How strong will he be when he breaks through to the Spirit Stream Realm?"

Everyone was shocked by Tang Hao's cultivation.

They all knew that the Ghost Sword King had poured a great deal of effort into cultivating Tang Hao, who possessed a Third-grade Bloodline, specifically for the inheritance of Ancient Emperor Tuoshe.

The Ghost Sword King had even boasted that with this opening of the Tuoshe Cave Mansion, Tang Hao was certain to obtain the inheritance of Ancient Emperor Tuoshe.

Now, it seemed his boast was not unfounded.

With ten Spiritual Apertures, even if Huang Qi and Xu Fu joined forces, they were far from being Tang Hao's match.

"Xu Fu, are you still going to make a move?"

Tang Hao retracted his spiritual energy and asked coldly.

Xu Fu gritted his teeth, his face filled with unwillingness, but he said nothing more. If Tang Hao had only opened nine Spiritual Apertures, he and a few friends could still have put up a fight.

Now, the chances were slim.

Seeing no one speak, Tang Hao's lips curved slightly, and he turned to walk towards the light gate.

However, just then, a corpse flew over from a distance, heading straight for Xu Fu and Tang Hao.

"Is that Huang Qi? What happened?"

Tang Hao turned, his expression changing drastically. He immediately recognized Huang Qi's corpse. He swung his sword fiercely, splitting Huang Qi's body apart, blood splashing everywhere.

The moment Huang Qi's corpse was split open, a figure rushed out and swung a sword towards Tang Hao.

"What?"

Tang Hao's expression changed, and he swung his sword again.

Clang!

The two long swords collided fiercely, actually forcing Tang Hao back a few steps.

It was Lu Ren, he had appeared!

Lu Ren also hadn't expected such a turn of events. He had planned to kill Tang Hao before proceeding to the final assessment.

He hadn't anticipated that everyone would be teleported inside.

"Lu Ren, it's you. Did you kill Huang Qi?"

Tang Hao's face turned extremely grim. This meant Lu Ren was very likely the first to pass the assessment.

"That's right. Didn't you say you would kill me in the cave mansion? Do you dare to fight me to the death?"

Lu Ren asked calmly.

"What did you say?"

Tang Hao was stunned, thinking he had misheard. Even the other Martial Artists thought they had misheard.

After all, Tang Hao had opened ten Spiritual Apertures, while Lu Ren, with his Scrap Bloodline, had only opened seven. How could he possibly contend with Tang Hao?

"Just tell me if you dare or not?"

Lu Ren sneered.

Now, with so many people present as witnesses, even if he killed Tang Hao, Gu Yifan would have nothing to say once they were out.

"Alright!"

Tang Hao laughed heartily and then addressed the surrounding Martial Artists, "Today, Lu Ren and I will fight to the death. If any of you dare to take this opportunity to enter the light gate, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Fu and the others instinctively took a few steps back.

"Kill!"

A cold glint flashed in Tang Hao's eyes. He drew his black sword from behind him and slashed it horizontally through the air towards Lu Ren.

Ghostly Sword Style, Iron Cutter!

This move, Iron Cutter, was significantly more powerful than when Chu Feiyang had executed it.

Clearly, despite being a Third-grade Bloodline, Tang Hao possessed great comprehension.

"Iron Cutter? Nothing more than this!"

Lu Ren said calmly.

He grabbed the air with his palm, and the Fire Spirit Sword was drawn from its sheath. Like a bolt of lightning, the long sword pierced through, instantly shattering Tang Hao's attack!

Zing!

The dark Ghost Sword hummed and vibrated. Tang Hao was sent flying as if struck by lightning, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Tang Hao could never have imagined that his very first move would be repelled by Lu Ren.