Douro Continent

Chapter 498 The Mysterious Shadow in the Void (Part 2)

If he were on flat ground, those two seconds would be nothing, but he was now in mid-air above the abyss.

The two Haotian Hammers instantly merged into one, and it was the one that lost its weapon spirit and true form. Under the immense weight of the Haotian Hammer, the person fell downwards like a meteor chasing the moon.

It's important to understand that with his soul power exceeding level ninety, the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand already weighed over three thousand jin, and when in its actual combat weapon soul form, it could reach over ten thousand jin. How far would three thousand jin of weight drop in just two seconds? From the shore, all that could be seen was the Seventh Elder's body disappearing into the clouds in the blink of an eye.

A figure darted down the mountain at lightning speed; it was Tang Xiao, the sect master of the Clear Sky Sect. He wasn't there to rescue the Seventh Elder—a Title Douluo wasn't so easily killed. He was worried about Tang San, who had been struck by the Seventh Elder's weapon spirit.

A deep dent was carved into the mountainside, and Tang San's body was embedded within ten meters.

However, when Tang Xiao arrived at the stone wall, preparing to enter the depression to rescue Tang San, he happened to see Tang San walking out from inside.

The eight spider spears on his back were retracting and merging into his body, and the Blue Silver Grass was also melting back into his body one by one. All Tang Xiao could see were some fine cracks on the eight spider spears. Apart from that, only the trace of blood at the corner of Tang San's mouth could prove that he had just been hit by the true form of the Clear Sky Hammer's weapon spirit.

"Xiao San, you..." Tang Xiao gripped the stone wall with one hand, looking at Tang San who had come out with surprise and concern.

Tang San wiped the blood from his mouth with a wry smile. "Uncle, I'm fine. Don't worry."

The Blue Silver Grass evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor, further enhancing Tang San's already incredibly resilient body with immense vitality. Tang Hao once said that in terms of physical strength, there were probably few on the entire continent stronger than him. Protected by the Blue Silver Grass and the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San fully utilized his resilience. Furthermore, since his weapon spirit form had been somewhat weakened by his Blue Silver Overlord Spear, although he was embedded in the stone wall, most of the impact was absorbed by the evolved external soul bone, the Eight Spider Lances, resulting in only minor injuries to himself. The only thing that frustrated Tang San was that he wouldn't be able to use the Eight Spider Lances for at least a month. It needed time to recover.

Tang Xiao stared in disbelief as Tang San leaped up beside him, a burst of air shooting from his right leg, and in the blink of an eye, he was back on the mountaintop. He was utterly speechless. "Brother Hao, you've truly trained a little monster!"

Tang San didn't wait for Tang Xiao before coming up first because his soul power was too depleted and he needed to rest immediately. Otherwise, he would really get injured.

As Tang San climbed up, all the elders and second and third generation disciples of the Clear Sky Sect were speechless.

Everyone witnessed the Seventh Elder unleashing his full power under Tang San's Purple Demon Eye at the last moment. The outcome of this contest was no longer in doubt. Watching Tang San climb up and then casually sit down cross-legged to begin cultivating, the elders all looked at him strangely. One of the elders, with a kind face, even laughed out loud.

"Seventh Brother has really suffered a big loss! Second Brother, keep an eye on him later, don't let him act impulsively."

Before the words were even finished, the Seventh Elder's figure had already appeared in everyone's sight. Although he was falling quickly, his own strength was still formidable. After regaining control of his body, he immediately used his skill to propel himself to the mountainside using the impact of his soul power, climbed up the mountain, and quickly returned.

But seeing his panting and flushed face, the second and third generation disciples fell silent. At this moment, everyone was afraid of angering the already short-tempered Seventh Elder.

The Seventh Elder shouted as soon as he climbed up, "Where's that kid? Did I blast him to pieces? He's vanished without a trace." On his way up, he had already checked the dent Tang San had created, but couldn't find him. There was only a little blood. That's why he hurriedly climbed up.

Before he could finish speaking, he saw the figure kneeling cross-legged on the ground. He rubbed his eyes hard and asked, "How did this kid get up here? Sect Master, did you save him?"

Tang Xiao shook his head. "He came up here by himself."

The Seventh Elder blinked and said decisively, "Impossible. Under the full force of my weapon spirit true body's attack, he would be badly injured even if he didn't die. How could he possibly have climbed up on his own? This is absolutely impossible."

"Ahem." The Second Elder coughed, walked over to the Seventh Elder, and patted him on the shoulder. "Accept reality. We all saw it; this child flew up from below by himself. If I'm not mistaken, he also has the ability to fly, which he didn't use in his fight against you."

"But..." The Seventh Elder wanted to say something more.

"Shut up." The Second Elder's expression immediately turned serious. "This child's injuries shouldn't be serious. You broke your agreement during the match. You've already lost this match."

The Seventh Elder stood there, somewhat dazed. "I don't believe it. I don't believe I would lose to a child who is only twenty years old."

"Fifth Elder, take him back to rest first." The Second Elder winked at another elder beside him.

Another elder stepped forward, grabbed the Seventh Elder's shoulder, and said, "Let's go, Seventh Elder. Actually, even if it were us, we might not be able to win him over. This child is too outstanding."

"No, I can't leave." The Seventh Elder shook his head, his face so gloomy it seemed like it was about to drip water.

"Seventh Brother, mind your place." The Second Elder glared at him.

The Seventh Elder said in a deep voice, "Second Brother, a bet is a bet. Since I lost, I must keep my promise to him. I'll wait here for him to wake up."

The Second Elder nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. He turned to Tang Yuehua beside Tang Xiao and said, "Yuehua, you can go prepare for the ancestral recognition ceremony. Everyone, disperse and go cultivate." The ancestral recognition ceremony only requires a few elders and the sect leader to be present. Moreover, he had something to say to Tang Hao.

Tang Yuehua was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you all for your kindness, elders."

The Second Elder gave Tang Xiao, the sect leader, a meaningful look. "It wasn't us who made him successful; he made himself successful. I've never seen such an outstanding young man. I just hope he doesn't go astray in the future and doesn't waste his talent like his father did."

Tang Xiao said in a deep voice, "Elders, the Haotian Sect has been closed for many years. Isn't it time to lift the restrictions?"

The Second Elder's body stiffened. "Sect Master, what do you mean?"

Tang Xiao turned around and looked south. "Twenty years have passed. It's time for Haotian to reappear in the Soul Master world. Haven't the elders repeatedly asked me to lift the seal? I think the time is ripe now."

Whenever an elder painstakingly ascends to the Title Douluo level, Tang Xiao receives their suggestion to lift the seal on the Clear Sky Sect. However, he never agrees. As the sect leader, his primary concern is the sect's legacy; he cannot allow his impulsive actions to jeopardize the sect.

Even now, although the Clear Sky Sect has lost Tang Hao, it still boasts six Title Douluo with the addition of five elders, and the second-generation disciples from back then have all matured. In Tang Xiao's view, twenty years of patient cultivation have accumulated enough power.

"No, I disagree," the Second Elder shook his head and said in a deep voice.

"Disagree? Isn't this what you've always wanted to see, Second Uncle?" Tang Xiao looked at the Second Elder with some confusion.

The Second Elder said calmly, "That was in the past. We old folks hoped to do something for the sect while we still had the chance to shine. But now it seems we should continue to be patient for a while. We old bones are still quite robust for the time being. We've waited twenty years, why can't we wait a few more?"

As he spoke, the Second Elder turned his gaze to Tang San, his eyes now holding a complex mix of emotions.

"Because of a mistress?" Tang Xiao asked, puzzled.

The Second Elder nodded. "Sect Master, although your Clear Sky Hammer is now fully mastered, twenty years of forbearance have diminished your former sharpness. What the Clear Sky Sect needs is a leader who can guide the sect forward with determination and ambition. We are getting old, and you are getting old too. But this child is different. At such a young age, he is already close to level sixty, neither arrogant nor humble, possessing twin martial souls, dual talent domains, and several soul bones. Such a gifted genius cannot be overlooked because of the sect's early rise. He needs experience and training. The sect can nurture him more effectively by remaining hidden in the shadows. I absolutely do not want to see what happened to Tang Hao again."

Tang Xiao remained silent for a long while before finally speaking, "Second Uncle, do you no longer hold a grudge about what happened to Brother Hao back then?"

The Second Elder shook his head and said, "No. Do you remember the three conditions I mentioned before? Those were also three tests for this child. If he can complete these three tasks, it will prove that he is qualified to be your successor. We old folks will also support him without hesitation. Therefore, I hope that the Sect Master can support the conditions I have proposed."

At this point, the Second Elder's lips moved slightly, and he exchanged a few words with Tang Xiao. Tang Xiao slowly nodded, which was considered as acknowledging the Second Elder's suggestion.

Tang San awoke from his meditation faster than the Clear Sky Sect members had anticipated; half an hour later, he opened his eyes. Of course, he wasn't fully recovered, but his internal injuries were gone. This place was definitely not suitable for cultivation.

(End of this chapter)