The Clear Sky Hammer descended from above as Tang San, his face twisted with fury, attempted to use its overwhelming power to break through the defensive barrier formed by the Ironhide Rhinoceros martial souls.
But as often happens, the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.
Having learned from their previous mistake, the Defense Clan disciples stood their ground firmly. The barrier shimmered with radiant light as Tang San's hammer struck it, sending chaotic shockwaves that reverberated through the air. The surrounding walls cracked like spiderwebs under the impact.
"The Defense Clan truly lives up to its reputation. I'd heard from Tai Tan that their Ironhide Rhinoceros martial soul rivals even the strongest defensive martial souls like the Black Tortoise." Tang San gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead. He was desperate to escape—every second wasted here only worsened his situation.
He had already killed two Defense Clan disciples, and Tai Long's death—actually caused by Ye Hao—was now pinned on him.
This meant that in addition to the Clear Sky Clan, the three great clans would also hunt him down. Trapped between enemies, he would have no place left to hide.
"Damn Ye Hao! I'll never let you go!" Tang San cursed under his breath.
He quickly reloaded the Godly Zhuge Crossbow while activating his Purple Demon Eyes, piercing through the chaos with enhanced vision. His finger pulled the trigger, and sixteen powerful bolts shot forth like lightning.
The disciples paled at the sight—they had witnessed firsthand the terrifying power of this small weapon in Tang San's hands.
They scattered in panic, but the Defense Clan disciples quickly regrouped and charged forward, their soul rings glowing as they unleashed a barrage of dazzling soul skills, engulfing Tang San in a storm of attacks.
For the murderer of their clansmen, the Defense Clan showed no mercy. If they couldn't capture him alive, then death was the only option!
Meanwhile, the main hall of the Defense Clan was in utter chaos.
The Seventh Elder and Yang Wudi were locked in a fierce battle, neither yielding an inch. Both had activated their martial soul true bodies, and the outcome remained uncertain.
Niu Gao, transformed into a massive Ironhide Rhinoceros, relentlessly assaulted the Fourth Elder, but the battle had reached a stalemate.
It was clear, however, that Niu Gao was struggling. He wasn't Yang Wudi—while the Ironhide Rhinoceros was an unparalleled defensive martial soul, facing the Clear Sky Hammer placed immense pressure on him.
"Niu Gao, we don't want to fight you. Just hand over Tang San, and we'll leave immediately!" The Fourth Elder tried to reason with him, unwilling to escalate the conflict with the three great clans.
"I've said it for the last time—Tang San isn't here!!!" Niu Gao roared, his overwhelming aura forcing the Fourth Elder back.
His head was spinning. Tang San, Tang San, always Tang San!
Just who was this guy to provoke such madness from the three Clear Sky Clan elders?
"Fight, fight. My opportunity is coming." Hidden within the Death God's Heart, Ye Hao sat cross-legged, enjoying the rare spectacle before him.
As the orchestrator of this chaos, he was thoroughly entertained.
"Is this true?" Bai He was stunned, unable to believe that Tang Hao's son could commit such atrocities.
Disrespecting elders, killing fellow clan members—the list went on and on...
"Every word is true," the Fifth Elder said gravely. "That's why we left the clan—to capture Tang San and bring him back for judgment. This is the only way to give justice to the disciples he murdered."
"I see..." Bai He nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Any goodwill he might have had toward Tang Hao's son vanished instantly.
"But I assure you, Tang San isn't here." Bai He shook his head. He had never heard of Tang San being in the Defense Clan.
"Really?" The Fifth Elder frowned. If the Defense Clan was truly hiding Tang San, they would have admitted it by now.
Tang San had close ties with the Strength Clan, and if they were unaware of his crimes, they might have sheltered him.
But now, with both sides fighting over Tang San's whereabouts, the Fifth Elder couldn't help but wonder—was Tang San really not here?
"Report—!"
Just then, a Defense Clan disciple rushed in.
"Clan leaders! Tang San has killed Tai Long and several of our brothers! We request your assistance in capturing him!"
As soon as the disciple finished speaking, the battlefield fell silent. Everyone exchanged stunned glances.
Yang Wudi: (=Д=)
Bai He: ∑(O_O;)
Niu Gao: (⊙_◎)
Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Elders: （｀Δ）!
Dead silence...
"What did you say?!" Niu Gao was the first to react, grabbing the disciple by his collar.
"Tang San is in our clan... and he killed Tai Long. Many of our brothers have fallen to his hands," the disciple stammered.
"Hmph!" The Seventh Elder smirked. "Who was it that claimed Tang San wasn't here? Now you see—that bastard is the offspring of Tang Hao and a soul beast. He's not even human!"
"A scourge remains a scourge. Raising a tiger only invites disaster," the Fourth Elder sighed.
Tang San had repaid the Defense Clan's kindness with slaughter.
A man so disloyal, unfilial, ruthless, and unjust—what use was he in this world?
"Now you understand. Everything I said was true," the Fifth Elder said wearily. "Let's go together and capture Tang San alive. Once our mission is complete, we can finally return. Our prolonged absence has already drawn attention—if we fail to bring that wretch back, the Clear Sky Clan's reputation will be ruined."
The three elders exchanged nods before soaring into the air, heading straight for the rear courtyard where Tang San was.
Meanwhile, Niu Gao stood frozen for a moment before fury erupted within him.
"How did Tang San even enter our clan?!" His head was about to explode from the absurdity of it all.
"It's complicated. Once we capture him, I'll explain everything," Bai He said, patting Niu Gao's broad shoulder.
"Let's move! That Tang San is a monster. He dares kill our clansmen—even old猩猩's last descendant! I'll skewer him with my spear!" Yang Wudi brandished his Soul Breaking Spear and charged ahead.
"Let's go!" Bai He and Niu Gao followed closely.
By now, the Clear Sky Clan disciples had fully assembled, facing off against the three great clans.
Once allies, they now stood as bitter enemies.
Suddenly, a disciple from the Breaking Clan collapsed—his head severed from his body.
"Yang Fan!" The Breaking Clan disciples cried out in horror, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Then, a Clear Sky Clan disciple fell in the same gruesome manner.
"What in the world is going on?!"
The surrounding disciples huddled together in confusion, their tension palpable as they struggled to comprehend the situation.
"Was this your doing?!" a Speed Clan disciple snarled at the Clear Sky Clan members.
"If you ask me, this reeks of your Speed Clan's handiwork," a Clear Sky Clan disciple shot back. "With your reputation for speed, who else could kill without leaving traces?"
"How dare you accuse us? Are your eyes planted in your backside? We three great clans share a bond as close as brothers—unlike you Clear Sky Clan snakes. That Tang San is Tang Hao's son, your own flesh and blood! If not you, then who?" A Defense Clan disciple's gaze burned with murderous intent.
Tensions escalated as both sides drew weapons, each pointing fingers.
Suddenly, a Clear Sky Clan disciple swung his hammer, catching a Speed Clan member off guard. The victim's skull shattered instantly, blood spraying across the courtyard.
"Kill them! Avenge our brother!" The attacker's roar ignited the powder keg.
One joined, then two, three, four, five—
Chaos erupted as Soul Breaking Spears, Clear Sky Hammers, Ironhide Rhinoceroses, and Swift Swallowtails clashed in a brutal melee.
The instigator? Already vanished without a trace.
"The flames are burning nicely now." Ye Hao discarded his disguise with a satisfied smile.
Watching the bloodbath unfold, he nodded approvingly. The Clear Sky Clan and the three great clans had been powder kegs waiting to explode—he'd simply lit the fuse.
Tang Yuehua, witnessing everything, trembled with outrage.
"You... Ye Hao! How could you?!" Many Clear Sky Clan disciples were her nephews. His actions sickened her.
"A true man stops at nothing to achieve his aims." Ye Hao dusted his hands. "The Clear Sky Clan and these three clans were always obstacles to unifying the continent. I'm merely clearing the path—there's nothing improper about that."
"Besides, I never claimed to be a good man. Save your breath. Once we return to Spirit Hall, you'll be confined there—to live out your days in lonely exile."
Revealing his true appearance, Ye Hao strode toward the rear courtyard as slaughter continued unabated.
Hidden Spirit Hall operatives watched eagerly—
Fight! Fight!
When you're done killing each other, we'll finish the survivors!
In the rear courtyard, Defense Clan disciples lay in pools of blood.
Tang San himself hovered at death's door, his breathing shallow.
"Finally dealt with them... Must reach Sea God Island..." Gulping down healing pills, he turned to leave—
"Tang San! Halt!"
Three figures descended from the sky—the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Elders of the Clear Sky Clan. They landed simultaneously, surrounding Tang San completely. This time, escape was impossible.
"What?!" Cold dread washed over Tang San.
"Let's see you slip away now!" The Seventh Elder laughed uproariously, hammer resting on his shoulder.
"Wretch, return to face judgment!" The Fifth Elder stepped forward.
"Resistance is futile." The Fourth Elder raised his hammer.
"Wait!"
Niu Gao arrived, fury radiating from every pore.
"What now?" The Seventh Elder frowned.
"That bastard dies by my hand!" Niu Gao's roar shook the courtyard as he surveyed his fallen clansmen and Tai Long's corpse.
As clan leader, the sight shattered his heart. This "Tang San" would pay—no matter whose son he was.
"Where's Tang San?!" Yang Wudi arrived, spear in hand, his face darkening at the carnage.
"There!" Niu Gao pointed.
"Die!" Yang Wudi hurled his Soul Breaking Spear without hesitation.
The weapon became a black lightning bolt, piercing Tang San before he could react—
Thunk!
The spear nailed Tang San to the wall, its tip buried three inches deep in solid stone.
"AAAAAHHH!!!" Tang San's agonized scream echoed as life drained from him.
"Serves him right!" The Seventh Elder crowed with delight.
"Pity." Bai He shook his head sadly. "That Tang Hao's son came to this..."
Having watched Tang Hao grow up, seeing his offspring end like this twisted Bai He's heart.
"I WON'T ACCEPT THIS!!!"
With a final roar, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud flew from Tang San's forehead. Before stunned eyes, it enveloped him in radiant light and—
Whoosh!
Vanished into the sky at unimaginable speed.
"What sorcery?!" Niu Gao gaped.
"A wisp of the Sea God's will," Ye Hao murmured. The deity had intervened.
"Pity... but watching Tang San taste death was satisfaction enough. Impressive marksmanship, Yang Wudi."
Emerging from the shadows, Ye Hao applauded.
"You!" The Seventh Elder stiffened.
"Who dares intrude?" Niu Gao demanded.
"Ye Hao. Young Master of Spirit Hall."
Shock rippled through the three clan leaders—they knew that name.
"You destroyed the Strength Clan!" Yang Wudi recalled his bloodied spear, hatred blazing in his eyes.
"Indeed." Ye Hao smiled.
"You've got guts showing your face here!" Niu Gao cracked his knuckles.
The Clear Sky elders readied their hammers—this was their chance to eliminate Ye Hao!
"Since I'm here, do you think I fear death?" Ye Hao's grin widened. "Today, I've come to send you all on your final journey."