Chapter 230: Tang Hao's Arm is Severed
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao were instantly enraged by Yang Potian's words. As seasoned Titled Douluo, being belittled by a young upstart was intolerable.
Yang Potian continued calmly, "At Tianxing Academy, we don't need to resort to underhanded tactics. I'll give you both ten minutes to restore your spirit power. This way, no one can claim we used a war of attrition to gain an advantage."
Tang Hao sneered in fury, "You dare look down on Haotian Sect? You're courting death!"
Yang Potian shook his head. "If your grandfather Tang Chen were here, I'd have some reservations. But compared to Tang Chen, the two of you are sorely lacking."
Tang Xiao's face darkened. "You brat! How dare you speak of my grandfather!"
Unfazed, Yang Potian replied, "I suggest you two recover quickly, or there might not be another chance."
Tang Hao scoffed, raising his Haotian Hammer. "I don't need to recover to deal with a mere child."
He threw the Haotian Hammer, sending it hurtling through the air. To his shock, Yang Potian caught it one-handed and, with a flick of his wrist, hurled it back, leaving a massive crater where it landed.
"Since you refuse the time to recover, then I won't hold back. Don't regret it later."
Yang Potian's spirit rings flared to life—nine in total, arranged in a formation of five black and four red rings, with four of them at the hundred-thousand-year level. This configuration sent an oppressive aura over everyone present.
In the distance, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Xue Qinghe were astonished. Such an unprecedented spirit ring configuration left them speechless.
Sword Douluo turned to Ning Fengzhi with a grim look. "Fengzhi, in just four years, Yang Potian has reached level 98. With that kind of spirit ring configuration, he might even rival Spirit Hall's Grand Priest, Qian Daoliu."
Ning Fengzhi was stunned. "How is this possible? I remember his configuration being two yellow, one purple, three black, and two red rings. How did it become five black and four red? Can spirit rings change?"
Sword Douluo shook his head. "I've never heard of spirit rings changing before. The only similar case is Qian Daoliu, whose rings are eight black and one red."
Xue Qinghe, looking increasingly concerned, thought to himself, "Spirit ring evolution is supposed to be a power unique to gods. Yet here's Yang Potian with a five-black, four-red configuration. This surpasses even my grandfather's rings, and his power might already rival Qian Daoliu's."
Yang Potian gripped his Po Soul Spear, vanishing from his spot in an instant and reappearing directly in front of Tang Hao, aiming a spear thrust at him.
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao reacted quickly, swinging their Haotian Hammers to block, but to their shock, Yang Potian's spear strike carried such immense force that it sent them both flying back.
The two brothers were stunned. Yang Potian's strength was overwhelming, even outstripping their own. As masters of the Haotian Hammer's raw power, they rarely encountered spirit masters stronger than themselves.
But Yang Potian showed no interest in their shock. With his spear gripped in both hands, he unleashed a flurry of powerful, dragon-like thrusts, each thrust emitting a resonant, dragon's roar as though it could rip the two brothers apart.
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, now standing back-to-back, tried to fend off the barrage, each blow stretching their defenses to the breaking point. Tang Xiao activated his Haotian Nine Absolutes technique, specifically the Tremor Technique, to counter the incoming spear. Yet, each strike from Yang Potian's spear carried both immense power and a razor-sharp edge, even slicing small nicks into their legendary hammers.
As Yang Potian swung his Po Soul Spear, countless spear projections filled the air, descending on the brothers like a deadly storm.
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao poured all their spirit power into their hammers, concentrating their energies into a combined assault—their Haotian Nine Absolutes' Slaughter Technique. One hammer black, the other red, they infused them with murderous intent and countered the oncoming spear projections with everything they had.
However, the collision left the brothers shaken and weakened, each suffering injuries from the force of the clash.
But Yang Potian didn't let up. Infusing his spirit power into his spear, he charged it with his Killing God Domain and its extreme attributes of gold and force, turning it a blood-red color. With a mighty throw, he launched it like a javelin straight at the brothers.
This was his Po Soul Spear's most advanced technique, Sky Piercing Spear, a skill inspired by his ninth spirit ring. The spear aimed directly for the brothers with an unbreakable, pulling force, making evasion impossible.
Seeing the spear's approach, Tang Xiao activated his seventh spirit skill, True Body of the Haotian Hammer, summoning a towering figure wielding an enormous hammer. He immediately followed with his eighth spirit skill, Haori Yangyang, causing his Haotian Hammer to blaze like the sun as he swung it to meet the crimson spear.
Tang Xiao's powerful strike barely managed to halt the spear's assault, but he was forced back dozens of meters, a fresh wound across his torso as proof of his struggle.
Yang Potian's voice rang coldly across the battlefield. "If this is the extent of your strength, there's no need for you two to leave here alive."
Tang Hao, in defiance, activated his own true body, transforming into a colossal red figure gripping the Haotian Hammer, which radiated an aura of destruction.
Yang Potian smiled coldly, "Now, this is a bit more interesting. Let's see what you've got."
As Tang Hao bellowed, "Sky Shattering Strike!" the immense Haotian Hammer hurtled down like a crimson meteor, intent on smashing everything in its path, even as the earth seemed ready to split under its force.
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao were furious upon hearing Yang Potian's taunt, feeling the insult keenly. Years as Titled Douluo had instilled immense pride, and being challenged by someone so much younger was unbearable.
Yet Yang Potian went on, "We at Tianxing Academy have no intention of bullying the two of you. I'll even give you ten minutes to recover your spirit power so that no one can claim we wore you down through sheer attrition."
Tang Hao's face twisted in rage. "Whelp, you dare look down on Haotian Sect? You're courting death!"
Yang Potian shook his head calmly. "If Tang Chen were here, I'd tread carefully. But you two—compared to him, you're far out of your depth."
Tang Xiao's expression turned deadly. "Young fool, you're unworthy to speak our grandfather's name."
Yang Potian's face remained impassive. "If you two don't take this time to recover, don't expect mercy when the fight starts."
Ignoring Yang's offer, Tang Hao hurled his Haotian Hammer directly at him with full force. Unexpectedly, Yang Potian caught it with one hand and, with a dismissive toss, sent it crashing into the ground, leaving a massive crater.
"Since you refuse, I won't go easy. Just don't regret it later."
Yang Potian summoned his spirit rings, nine in total: five black and four red, with the four red indicating hundred-thousand-year spirit rings. The astonishing display sent an oppressive force over everyone present.
Watching from afar, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Xue Qinghe were dumbfounded by the unprecedented configuration. Sword Douluo murmured gravely, "Fengzhi, in only four years, this Yang Potian has reached level 98. With that spirit ring configuration, he might rival even Spirit Hall's Grand Priest, Qian Daoliu."
Ning Fengzhi's shock was palpable. "How is this possible? Last I saw him, his configuration was two yellow, one purple, three black, and two red. Can spirit rings evolve?"
Sword Douluo shook his head. "There's no precedent for it—except perhaps Qian Daoliu. They say his spirit rings are eight black and one red."
Xue Qinghe, however, understood what he was seeing. This kind of spirit ring evolution was only achievable through divine power. His face grew grim, recognizing that Yang Potian's configuration was even more formidable than Qian Daoliu's, possibly even matching his grandfather's power.
Yang Potian raised his Po Soul Spear, vanishing in an instant before reappearing right in front of Tang Hao, thrusting his spear at him with immense force. Tang Hao and Tang Xiao attempted to block it with their Haotian Hammers, but Yang Potian's spear forced them back with ease, its strength seemingly boundless.
As they regrouped, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao fell into a desperate rhythm, using their hammers to parry Yang Potian's relentless spear attacks. Each thrust of his spear felt like a dragon's roar, fierce and sharp, as though it would tear them apart.
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao were pushed to their limits, finally coordinating a daring maneuver. Tang Hao took the brunt of the attack, using his full strength to block, while Tang Xiao swung his hammer in a surprise counter-attack aimed at Yang Potian—a tactic known as "surrounding Wei to save Zhao."
Yang Potian sidestepped with a swift dodge, appearing beside Tang Xiao. With a flick of his spear, he disarmed Tang Xiao, sending the Haotian Hammer flying and striking Tang Xiao directly, wounding him.
Though injured, Tang Xiao struck at Yang Potian again, while Tang Hao joined in, hammers blazing in unison. Yang Potian withdrew his spear slightly to intercept their dual assault. Both Tang Hao and Tang Xiao threw caution to the wind, unleashing their Haotian Hammer techniques with lethal intent, each strike more ferocious than the last.
Tang Hao activated his signature Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, each successive strike gaining power. Tang Xiao bore the brunt of Yang Potian's strikes to buy Tang Hao time, sustaining injury without hesitation.
Yang Potian allowed Tang Hao's power to build, choosing not to disrupt the hammer's accumulation. Instead, he used the tail of his spear to parry Tang Xiao's attacks, delivering a blow that fractured several of Tang Xiao's bones.
Despite his injuries, Tang Xiao continued his assault, wielding the Haotian Nine Absolutes' Kill Technique in a desperate effort to keep Yang Potian at bay.
Yang Potian's Killing God Domain flared to life, red light enveloping the area. Within the domain, Tang Xiao's movements slowed, his strength sapped.
Seizing the advantage, Yang Potian's spear traced lethal arcs through the air, each thrust leaving fresh wounds on Tang Xiao. Undeterred, Tang Xiao continued fighting like a wounded beast, finally securing enough time for Tang Hao to complete his buildup.
With eighty-one full rotations completed, Tang Hao's Haotian Hammer strike surged with unparalleled force, the black aura of the hammer transformed into a fearsome black dragon. This was the pinnacle of the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique.
Yang Potian recognized the technique immediately. Smiling coldly, he activated his eighth spirit skill, Behemoth's Strike. His Po Soul Spear transformed into a giant golden behemoth, charging headlong into Tang Hao's black dragon.
The two titanic forces collided, black dragon and golden behemoth clashing in a resounding shockwave that shook the entire mountain.
When the dust settled, Yang Potian had only been forced back a few paces, while Tang Hao was badly injured, bearing the marks of a grueling battle.
Yang Potian's expression grew fierce. "Now this is more interesting. It'd be disappointing if you couldn't at least reach this level."
With a surge of spirit energy, Yang Potian's left arm glowed. His spirit bone ability, Golden Scorpion's Claw, activated. An enormous golden scorpion claw appeared, slashing down upon Tang Hao and Tang Xiao.
In desperation, Tang Xiao summoned his sixth spirit skill, Thunderous Blast, while Tang Hao activated his eighth spirit skill, Mighty Bastion. Together, they created a protective barrier of immense force around them.
But Yang Potian's ability was an unrestrained show of power. As the Golden Scorpion Claw descended, it tore through their defenses as if to rend the very earth. The impact sent Tang Xiao flying, his spirit power depleted, his breath labored.
Tang Hao, bearing the brunt of the assault, was thrown back dozens of meters. His right arm had been severed at the shoulder, torn off by the might of the Golden Scorpion Claw.
If they had been at their peak, perhaps they could have withstood the attack. But worn down by earlier injuries, they were unable to defend fully. Yang Potian's targeted assault on Tang Hao's arm had found its mark, leaving the once-mighty Titled Douluo grievously injured.
With his arm severed and his energy waning, Tang Hao's strength faded rapidly. Already weakened by previous wounds, this latest injury seemed beyond healing.
In the snow, a small, dark shape lay barely visible—Tang Hao's severed arm.
At this point, the outcome was undeniable. Tang Hao and Tang Xiao had no hope of victory.
(End of Chapter)
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