Tang Xiao, standing atop the platform, frowned deeply. "Didn't I teach you to challenge the elders?"
He urgently and sternly shouted, " Tang San! How dare you be so rude! How dare you challenge an elder of the Clear Sky Sect so casually? Step back immediately!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Tang Lie burst into laughter, his laughter filled with absurdity and furious mockery.
"Good, good, good! Like father, like son! Arrogant and disrespectful to elders! You, a junior, dare to challenge me? If Tang Hao were in his prime, perhaps he would have some right to say such a thing!"
His gaze shifted to the disheveled Tang Hao, a complex pity flashing in his eyes. He sighed, "What a pity! A future genius, ruined for a Soul Beast, ending up in such a state!"
Tang Hao met Tang Lie's gaze and said firmly, "Seventh Uncle, I don't care whether Ah Yin is Soul Beast or not, she is now my wife, and I don't regret ending up in this situation. I only wish the sect would accept the Little San; the child is innocent."
Then Tang Hao turned his gaze to Tang San, a surge of indescribable pride welling up in his eyes, and said, "Since Little San has challenged Seventh Uncle, then Seventh Uncle, please give him some pointers!"
Tang San, equally arrogant, persisted, "Seventh Elder, don't you dare?"
Tang Lie's face was ashen. After the battle in the Star Dou Great Forest, he had now broken through to Level 97. With the addition of the Divine Slaughter's Domain, the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, and multiple Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, even Tang Xiao wouldn't dare say he could defeat him.
Tang Lie now holds a highly respected position and enjoys immense prestige within the sect.
Being publicly provoked by Tang Hao Tang San like this is truly intolerable.
Seeing that Tang Lie was about to explode and the situation was completely out of control, Tang Xiao anxiously spoke up first, " Brother Hao, you have never returned to the sect and do not know the current strength of the sect elders. Seventh Uncle will not blame you, there is no need to say this again."
Tang Hao looked puzzled upon hearing his elder brother's words.
In his memory, the Seventh Elder's talent was the lowest among the elders, which is why he had Tang San choose to challenge the Seventh Elder. What did his elder brother mean by this?
At this moment, Tang Zhen, the Second Elder, who had been observing the situation quietly and was the most senior member, finally spoke up, "Young people can have pride, but not arrogance. You are not yet members of the sect, so I will not punish you according to the sect's rules."
He paused, then turned his gaze to Tang San, his expression one of condescending scrutiny. "Since you keep saying you want to prove your worth, to atone for your father's sins, and to share the burden of enmity with the sect, then fine."
The Second Elder raised his hand, pointing to the sea of disciples below the stage. "You may choose any third-generation disciple present and have a public duel. If you win, it proves you have some skill, and perhaps the sect will consider further action. If you lose, it proves your words were nothing but arrogant boasting. Take your father and go back to where you came from."
The Second Elder's intention was also to avoid making things worse and to give Tang Hao Tang San a way out.
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiao's tense expression eased slightly, and he gave Tang Hao a knowing look that said, "Know when to stop."
This was the most dignified way out that the Second Elder could offer in the face of his overwhelming anger.
Tang Hao understood instantly, his mind racing, though he wasn't very bright.
He recalled the name that his younger sister, Tang Yuehua, had mentioned many times. If he could fight him, regardless of the outcome, it would be enough to show the entire sect Little San's potential!
Tang Hao then spoke up, "I've heard my younger sister mention Tang Feng's nephew many times. He's now been appointed as the new young sect leader, and he must be the undisputed leader among the third-generation disciples. May I ask... who is he?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Xiao's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again instantly.
He sighed inwardly: What I feared most had come to pass. Luckily, Little Feng wasn't at the sect today!
The Second Elder showed a hint of displeasure upon seeing their intention to challenge Tang Feng, but his tone remained calm. " Feng'er happens to be absent from the sect today. How about this..."
He didn't give Tang Hao another chance to choose, and directly swept his gaze across the disciples below the stage, saying in a deep voice, "Where is Tang Hu?"
"Disciple is here."
A deep, resonant response rang out, and the crowd parted automatically. The burly Tang Hu accepted the order and strode out.
The Second Elder calmly instructed, "Since you are a core member of the third-generation disciples, spar with this Tang San and let him know that the Clear Sky Sect is not one that anyone can challenge."
"Disciple obeys!" Tang Hu clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice booming like a bell.
Tang San looked at the Second Elder and spoke again, his tone resolute. "Second Elder, if I am fortunate enough to defeat Tang Hu, will I... then be qualified to challenge the Seventh Elder?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiao almost put his hand to his forehead, his face darkening, and he sighed inwardly: Why can't I get over this hurdle? Was my hint not obvious enough?
The Second Elder gave Tang San a playful look, then calmly replied, "Alright."
No one said anything more. Tang San and Tang Hu went to the spacious center of the main hall and stood about ten feet apart.
Tang San clasped his hands in a fist salute. " Tang San, Martial Soul: Blue Silver Emperor, Level 55 Control System Battle Soul King, please enlighten me."
Tang Hu grinned. " Tang Hu, Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer, Level 69 Power Attack System Battle Soul Emperor, please enlighten me!"
Level 69 Soul Emperor!
Tang San's pupils contracted slightly, and he felt a chill run down his spine.
The opponent's Soul Power was fourteen levels higher than his own, and he even possessed the Clear Sky Clear Sky Hammer, a weapon of unparalleled power and ferocity, as his Martial Soul!
This battle will likely be more difficult than anticipated.
On the other side, Tang Hao, who had originally been quite confident in his son's abilities, couldn't help but show a hint of surprise on his face.
In his memory, Tang Hu, though talented, was far from being exceptionally gifted.
Judging by his age, he's only in his early thirties, yet he's already reached Level 69?
This cultivation speed is almost as fast as it was back then!
A sense of unease crept into Tang Hao's heart.
In the center of the main hall, the air was solemn.
Tang San and Tang Hu stood facing each other, five zhang apart.
Tang San stood tall and straight, with five Soul Ring— yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black—rising from beneath his feet.
Tang Hu made a grasping motion with his right hand, and the Clear Sky Hammer materialized. Six Soul Ring— yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, and black—rose from beneath Tang Hu's feet. The last two black Soul Ring, in particular, were as deep as an abyss, radiating a heavy, chilling aura.
The fifth ring, which took 16,000 years, and the sixth ring, which took 30,000 years, both represent absorptions that exceed conventional limits, symbolizing the formidable foundation of the new generation of top disciples of the Clear Sky Sect.
"Please." Tang Hu's voice was like a muffled bell.
"Please." Tang San's gaze was calm.
Almost simultaneously, the two moved!
Tang San's First Soul Ring lit up first, flashing yellow light. " First Soul Skill, Entanglement!"
From the cracks in the blue bricks on the ground, countless blue-gold vines burst forth like angry dragons breaking through the earth!
These vines were several times thicker than ordinary Blue Silver Grass, with pale golden patterns flowing across their surface. They possessed a strange aura that devoured life force, and wrapped around Tang Hu's feet from all directions.
Tang Hu neither dodged nor evaded, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and his First Soul Ring lit up. " First Soul Skill, Tremor!"
He stomped his left foot hard on the ground!
With a deafening roar, an invisible shockwave spread out from Tang Hu, and the Blue Silver Emperor Vine that had just touched his ankle shattered inch by inch under the pure force of the shockwave!
Tang San's pupils contracted slightly, but he remained calm, his feet moving swiftly, his figure darting around like Gui Mei.
Fourth Soul Skill: Blue Silver Cage!
His fourth purple Soul Ring suddenly shone brightly!
Within a two-zhang radius of Tang Hu, the ground suddenly cracked open, and countless thick, pillar-like blue-gold vines shot into the sky, Entanglement and entwining with each other, instantly transforming into a huge cage that trapped Tang Hu inside!
The cage-like vines were not only more resilient, but also covered with fine barbs that shimmered with a ghostly blue luster, clearly indicating that they were highly poisonous.
Tang Hu snorted coldly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "A mere trick!"
He gripped the hammer with both hands, and the second Yellow Soul Ring lit up.
" Second Soul Skill, Rip!"
The Clear Sky Hammer was raised high above his head, then suddenly slammed down!
There were no fancy techniques, only the purest release of power, slamming hard against one side of the Blue Silver Cage!
"Boom!!"
A deafening roar! The incredibly tough Blue Silver Cage was shattered by the Clear Sky Hammer's earth-shattering blow!
Countless fragments of vines flew out, but the poisonous thorns failed to penetrate Tang Hu's Soul Power barrier in the slightest.
Tang Hu stared intently at Tang San: "If that's all you've got, you don't even qualify me to use the Chaotic Cloak."
Tang San's expression was solemn, but he did not answer. He used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to its fullest extent, his figure elusive, rapidly moving around Tang Hu. At the same time, he waved his hands repeatedly, and blue-gold vines, like whips and ropes, attacked Tang Hu from various tricky angles.