Chapter 301: A Battle Designed Long Ago
"Tang Hao's speed has slowed considerably."
On the spectator stands, Sword Douluo's pupils contracted slightly as he spoke in a deep voice.
"Does that have any major implications, Uncle Jian?"
Ning Fengzhi glanced at the nearby Guang Ling and his group, who still appeared completely at ease, and asked softly.
He wasn't a battle spirit master, so his eyesight was limited. However, he could tell from Sword Douluo's tone that he no longer had any confidence in Tang Hao.
"That kid… Han Li's attacks aren't as simple as they seem. Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique requires borrowed momentum."
Sword Douluo had just spoken three words when he felt a chill down his spine and quickly corrected himself. Glancing at his sect master, he lowered his voice even further:
"Apart from that first punch, Tang Hao has barely borrowed any external force for his technique. In other words, if he wants to maintain his attack power, he must rely on his spirit bone's strength."
"Hmm, at least you have some sharp eyes. Not bad."
A voice suddenly sounded from behind Sword Douluo Guang Ling had, at some point, silently appeared right behind him.
"But you still missed one thing," Guang Ling added, slapping his shoulder in a rather familiar manner. "He could choose not to use his spirit bone. All he'd have to do is forcefully channel some of his own bodily strength. But he doesn't dare."
"This kid is still as cunning as ever. Just a tiny bit more force would have sufficed, but he refuses to lend it to his opponent, instead forcing the guy to use his spirit bone just to put on a show of the Clear Sky Sect's 'absolute techniques.' How devious."
Sword Douluo's body stiffened for a moment. Only after Guang Ling walked away did he finally let out a breath of relief.
"Uncle Jian?"
Ning Fengzhi looked at Sword Douluo with concern.
"I'm fine… Perhaps the senior just wanted to boast about his disciple."
Chen Xin's expression was slightly stiff, but he still used the corner of his eye to observe Guang Ling's reaction. When he saw him nod in satisfaction, he finally relaxed completely.
He shook his head at Ning Fengzhi, but he no longer dared to speak recklessly. I was just making an observation! I can't possibly get targeted just for being right, can I?
As Tang Hao activated his spirit bone, Han Li still showed no signs of nervousness. Even the smile on his face remained unchanged. As Sword Douluo and his master had pointed out, everything had been deliberate.
From the very beginning, even allowing Tang Hao to initiate the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique everything had already been simulated and accounted for countless times.
Cautious as I am, with so much preparation, why wouldn't I ensure everything is completely under control?
Seeing the Clear Sky Hammer descend upon him once more, Han Li released his right hand. Unlike before, this time the arrow he fired was pure white and significantly faster than before.
A dazzling white streak flashed through the sky. The arrow struck two thirds down the hammer's handle, halting its downward momentum and sending Tang Hao spinning sideways.
Such massive force, Haozi, you can't handle it. Let big bro take over.
Han Li chuckled inwardly. His fingers fell back onto the bowstring, forming three arrows two crimson and one white, with the white arrow in the center.
He let go. The arrows shot forth at different speeds.
Tang Hao had just steadied himself, controlling his next hammer strike toward Han Li, when a crimson arrow reached him.
This time, it wasn't aimed at the Clear Sky Hammer but directly at Tang Hao's arm.
Tang Hao's eyes narrowed. With no other choice, he unwillingly adjusted his hammer strike to intercept the arrow.
Before attacking someone, shouldn't you first ensure you don't get killed yourself?
But just as the Clear Sky Hammer struck the arrow
It shattered instantly, like smashing into thin air.
A powerful force surged through Tang Hao's body. His throat tightened, and blood welled up in his mouth.
Damn it… I fell for it.
Tang Hao resisted the urge to curse aloud. Desperately controlling his body, he followed the hammer's momentum, spinning to prevent it from flying out of his grasp.
Meanwhile, the second crimson arrow Han Li had fired was already closing in.
"Explode."
The moment Han Li's voice rang out, the explosion occurred.
Tang Hao barely had time to react before the arrow burst apart. The sheer force sent him and the Clear Sky Hammer flying.
This time, Tang Hao could no longer suppress his injuries. A mouthful of blood spurted onto the hammer.
"Didn't expect the Clear Sky Sect to have a blood sacrifice secret technique. Impressive."
Han Li's voice echoed, full of mockery.
The audience erupted into scattered laughter some couldn't suppress their amusement.
Tang Hao's face turned crimson, but he had no time to care about the crowd. That attack had been strong. He had to capitalize on the momentum to continue his offensive.
More importantly, he needed to close the distance. Otherwise, he would continue being toyed with like a puppet.
Just as he turned, the final white arrow originally slow suddenly accelerated, striking the underside of the Clear Sky Hammer.
The force was neither too strong nor too weak just enough to cancel out the explosion's impact.
Tang Hao's right arm trembled violently.
Unwillingly, he ignited his spirit bone once again.
Damn it.
Tang Hao was once again forced to activate his spirit bone abilities. Otherwise, all the accumulated momentum from his previous attacks would have dissipated entirely. He was unwilling to accept that outcome.
Seeing this, Han Li's smile grew even wider.
In Tang Hao's increasingly despairing gaze, Han Li leisurely stepped backward while drawing his bowstring, as if taking a casual stroll.
Arrows continued to shoot from his hand, and after every impact or explosion, he would readjust his position, always maintaining a consistent distance from his opponent. With each arrow, he also subtly manipulated Tang Hao's positioning.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao stubbornly maintained his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique, which had now reached seventy two strikes. Of course, the price for this was steep aside from his skull spirit bone, he had already exhausted the abilities of all three inherited Clear Sky Sect spirit bones.
The battlefield was eerily silent.
Everyone was looking up at the aerial battle or rather, what could no longer be called a battle. It was simply a one sided performance by Han Li.
Even those who knew little about combat could tell that Han Li completely controlled the tempo.
Aside from his first few attacks, Tang Hao had not been able to close the gap between them again.
The closest he had gotten was when he risked using his spirit bone's power to charge directly in front of Han Li only to be blasted back to his original position by five explosive dual element arrows.
After that humiliating moment, Tang Hao no longer attempted to approach. Instead, he focused on wielding the Clear Sky Hammer defensively, parrying arrows while desperately maintaining his technique.
Han Li's expression remained unchanged as he continued launching arrow after arrow. Meanwhile, he silently calculated the exact moment of Tang Hao's final burst.
Seventy seven, seventy eight, seventy nine…
Oh? No, he just layered two attacks at once.
Han Li smirked. He had studied this technique extensively while it wasn't a perfect fit for him, his powerful mental strength allowed him to easily determine the right moment to strike.
Now.
Han Li and Tang Hao locked eyes in midair. Both smiled one in amusement, the other in a savage grin.
"You should be proud to die under this technique."
"Watch closely, Xiao San. This is the Clear Sky Sect's ultimate skill."
Tang Hao let out a long howl. Above him, his spirit rings trembled as if summoned, descending one after another, fusing into the massive Clear Sky Hammer.
"Clear Sky Secret Art Great Xu Mi Hammer!"
As if venting all his frustrations from the battle, Tang Hao unleashed his ultimate attack, carrying the full power of Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique's final strike. At the same time, he sent a warning to his son and older brother.
He was confident under this attack, even if Han Li didn't die, he would be gravely injured. If he could delay Han Li's reinforcements just a little longer, he would have a chance to escape.
"Slaughter God Domain!"
Another roar followed. White patterns burst forth from the Clear Sky Hammer, making it look even more divine. At the same time, the domain he had held back was finally released, enveloping Han Li.
"Is this all? You didn't even sacrifice a single spirit ring. Tang Hao, you're looking down on me a bit too much."
Faster than Tang Hao's domain could expand, a blood red aura surged from Han Li's body.
"Slaughter God Domain?!"
Tang Hao's voice trembled with disbelief.
The red light swallowed everything in an instant, suppressing the white glow of the Clear Sky Hammer back into the hammer itself.
At the same time, Tang Hao felt his overall strength drop by 30%.
"In that case, as you wish Spirit Ring Detonation!"
Tang Hao's voice darkened. As his hammer descended, the first three spirit rings at its forefront suddenly shattered.
An overwhelming burst of energy swept through the battlefield, blowing away the incoming arrows. Blood trickled from the corner of Tang Hao's mouth clearly, in his current condition, this desperate move had cost him dearly.
"You do listen to advice, but unfortunately… you're still not enough. This is where it ends."
Han Li's body flickered. A soft red glow enveloped him, and his figure vanished. In his place, a massive Ice Fire Dragon Bow appeared, even larger than the Clear Sky Hammer itself.
"That brat… Always showing off. It wasn't even necessary."
On the spectator stands, Guang Ling shook his head. Although he knew Han Li was building up his reputation, he still couldn't help but grumble at the dramatic display.
Unlike ordinary Martial Soul Avatars, Han Li's form appeared as a massive illusion above the Ice Fire Dragon Bow. With a simple wave of his right hand, a faint red arrow shot toward Tang Hao.
Immediately after, his fifth spirit ring lit up, forming a second, much smaller arrow that trailed behind.
Notably, anyone who noticed this small arrow felt no danger from it at all, as if it carried no power whatsoever.
Fifth Spirit Ability: Reflective Floating Arrow.
It truly had no offensive capability its only requirement was that another attack broke through defenses first.
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on January 2, 2026.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen