The Second Elder reacted instantly, summoning his Martial Spirit to meet the masked figure head-on.
The other Elders and Tang Xiao didn't hold back either — one after another, they released their own Martial Spirits, surrounding Tang Hao.
Facing the five of them charging at once, Tang Hao's lips curved upward slightly. He gripped the crimson Slaughter Hammer in his right hand and swung it fiercely — the force of that single blow sent three Elders flying.
Tang Xiao and the Second Elder exchanged shocked glances.
They both knew the Third Elder's strength well. While not weak, it was impossible for him to display power like this.
"Attack together!"
Tang Xiao and the Second Elder nodded to each other and lunged from opposite sides, spirit rings flaring.
Even Tang Hao didn't dare underestimate them. A Rank 96 and a Rank 95 Titled Douluo striking in unison were enough to make him get serious.
A familiar, cold smile — one that mirrored Lin Fan's — appeared on his face.
Behind Tang Hao, nine spirit rings rose into the air. Two of them were an ominous blood-red, glowing under the sunlight and radiating a thick aura of killing intent.
This was Lin Fan's doing. After hearing that both Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were mobilizing, Lin Fan had secretly strengthened Tang Hao once again.
Among all his subordinates, only Tang Hao and Dugu Bo possessed the power to stand at the top. As for Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo under Lin Fan's control, they would remain hidden until the final confrontation.
"Two hundred-thousand-year spirit rings?! That's impossible!"
Tang Xiao's eyes widened. A single hundred-thousand-year ring was enough to make the entire continent envious. Two of them was beyond belief — a complete overwhelming of both quality and power.
"You're not the Third Brother! Who the hell are you?!"
Even the battle-hardened Second Elder froze in disbelief.
"If you refuse to leave," Tang Hao said calmly, his voice devoid of emotion, "then stay here forever."
He raised the Slaughter Hammer high with both hands. The weapon, which he could normally wield one-handed, expanded in an instant until it loomed over them like a crimson mountain.
A suffocating wave of murderous aura flooded the air — the scent of blood was so thick that it made everyone's chest tighten.
"Run!"
The Second Elder's voice thundered as he sensed death closing in.
Tang Xiao immediately stepped forward, summoning his Martial Spirit and standing between the hammer and his comrades.
"Everyone, go! I can hold him off!"
There was no fear in Tang Xiao's eyes — only determination.
He had never been a coward. Were it not for his responsibilities to the sect, he would have stormed Spirit Hall long ago to avenge Tang Hao.
"If we go, we go together! I'd rather die fighting than run away!"
The usually carefree Fourth Elder barked back. Though only Rank 92, he had always been loyal and fearless.
"Leave now! The Sect Master can handle himself. You'll only get in the way!"
The Second Elder's expression darkened as he looked up at the massive hammer descending slowly from above.
Even as a Rank 95 Titled Douluo, he could feel the aura of death closing around them — and the others were far weaker.
If it were just him, he would've stayed to fight to the end. But with four Elders and tens of thousands of Clear Sky disciples depending on him, he had no choice.
"I'll take them and retreat. Once they're safe, I'll come back for you."
The Second Elder's voice was heavy. Tang Xiao merely nodded, his expression solemn as his eyes locked onto the hammer above.
With Tang Xiao's Rank 96 cultivation and the Clear Sky Sect's secret Ring Detonation Technique, even if he couldn't win, he might still survive. That was enough for the Second Elder to trust him.
After knocking the four reluctant Elders unconscious, the Second Elder lifted them with his spirit power and dashed toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
"You think you can escape?"
"Your opponent is me."
Tang Hao moved to intercept, but Tang Xiao blocked his path.
"You? You're not even worthy of being my opponent."
Disdain flickered across Tang Hao's face.
"You'll know whether I'm worthy soon enough! Martial Spirit Avatar!"
Tang Xiao unleashed his full power. Having witnessed Tang Hao's overwhelming strength, he knew he couldn't afford to hold back — every second counted for his comrades' escape.
"If you insist on dying, I'll oblige."
The two clashed violently, shockwaves rippling through the forest.
Meanwhile, the Second Elder carried the others like lightning, rushing toward safety.
"Ring Detonation!"
As soon as they were beyond the range of the battle, Tang Xiao shouted.
He knew that relying solely on raw strength meant certain death. The only chance was to gamble everything on the Clear Sky Sect's forbidden technique.
With a deafening roar, Tang Xiao's aura skyrocketed — his power momentarily rivaled that of a Rank 98 Super Douluo.
He had detonated three of his spirit rings — the seventh, eighth, and ninth.
Even the Tang Hao of the original timeline, at Rank 97, had only detonated two hundred-year and one thousand-year ring to fight Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Maintaining his Martial Spirit Avatar, Tang Xiao swung down the Clear Sky Hammer with all his might. He had no intention of retreating — only victory or death.
A blinding explosion followed.
When the dust and smoke finally settled, a single figure walked slowly out of the destruction.
"Well done," Tang Hao said calmly, brushing away the lingering ash. "You almost had me."
The entire Sunset Forest was enveloped in a dense haze of spiritual energy. Even miles away, the Second Elder stopped in his tracks as the shockwave reached the Star Dou Great Forest.
Tears welled in his eyes. He knew what that blast meant — Tang Xiao's fate now hung between life and death.
Regardless of the outcome, the Second Elder silently swore that the Clear Sky Sect would repay this humiliation in blood.
"You… what are you?"
Tang Xiao's voice trembled. His attack could have slain a Rank 97 Titled Douluo outright, and even a Rank 98 would have been gravely injured.
Yet Tang Hao stood there almost unscathed, only his cloak torn.
Tang Hao didn't answer. He simply raised the crimson hammer again, ready to end it.
"Wait. Lord Dominator wants him alive."
A familiar voice cut through the air just as the hammer was about to fall — Dugu Bo's.
"Dugu Bo!"
Tang Xiao recognized him instantly. Even with a mask, that distinctive emerald-green hair was impossible to mistake.
"Tang Xiao, right? Lord Dominator says to keep you alive. Don't try anything stupid."
Behind Dugu Bo, nine spirit rings slowly rose — the last one glowing a vivid scarlet. His spirit power now radiated the might of a Rank 94 Titled Douluo.
This was no longer the cautious, isolated Dugu Bo of the past. Now, a single breath of his poison could cripple anyone below Rank 92.
Seeing that, Tang Xiao's mind went blank. The words "Lord Dominator" echoed endlessly in his thoughts.
"Take him," Dugu Bo ordered coldly. "He's no longer capable of resisting."