Tianlin's words directly touched Tang San's greatest sore spot.
"Jun Tianlin, my feelings for Xiao Wu are deep as the sea. No matter if she's human or soul beast, I'll protect her all my life. I won't allow anyone to insult her."
Sensing Tang San's anger, Tianlin was even angrier. "Then why ask me to give up Rongrong? You think my feelings for Rongrong are any less than yours for Xiao Wu?"
He instantly teleported in front of Tang San, grabbing his throat with his left hand and lifting him up. "If there's any insult, you did it first! Did your Tang Sect never teach you the basic principle: put yourself in others' shoes?"
Tianlin was so fast that Tang San couldn't react. With his grip, Tianlin sealed all of Tang San's soul power. At that moment, Tang San was like a lamb to the slaughter.
"Well said, Xiao Tian, beat him up!" Skydream Ice Silkworm cheered on. "If anyone ever tries to make me give up Bing Bing, I'd fight them to the death, even if I can't fight."
"Jun Tianlin, let go of my young master! Second soul skill: Explosive Giant Strength!" Tai Tan shouted anxiously. Tang Hao had entrusted Tang San to him, and he couldn't watch his young master die.
He swung a powerful punch at Tianlin's arm, not intending to kill him (which would doom both of them), just to force Tianlin to let go.
Tianlin didn't even look back. He simply raised his right arm and caught Tai Tan's fist, stopping it dead.
"Tai Tan, do you think you can still suppress me like you did in Heaven Dou City? Your strength is above many Titled Douluo, but compared to the Blood Demon Berserk Bear at rank ninety-three, you're far from his level. I broke his arm in one move—and your fate today won't be much better," Tianlin mocked.
His right hand turned into the Dark Gold Terror Claw and squeezed.
"Ah!" Tai Tan screamed in pain.
His right arm's bones snapped in several places, likely needing a long time to heal.
"Tai Tan!" Xue Beng hurried to support him. Tai Tan, one of the three divine blacksmiths, was invaluable to Xue Beng; all of Tang San's powerful hidden weapons were made under his supervision.
As vice president of the Blacksmiths' Association, Tai Tan's reputation was huge. After today, he planned to visit Gengxin City to invite Lou Gao to join the Tang Army, and with Tang Hao, the three divine smiths together could craft weapons capable of killing a Titled Douluo.
Unfortunately, they didn't know that Lou Gao had already been recruited by Tianlin, even becoming his disciple. In terms of blacksmithing, Tianlin now surpassed Tai Tan.
"All right, Jun Tianlin, that's enough!" Xue Beng said sternly. "We invited you to negotiate. Since you refuse the alliance, we'll drop it. No need for violence."
"When you turned my feelings for Rongrong into a bargaining chip, you should have expected this," Tianlin said coldly, tightening his grip on Tang San.
It seemed he'd been too gentle with Tang San before, making them think he was easy to bully.
"Jun Tianlin, this was our fault. Let my son go—don't force me to act!" A deep, hoarse voice sounded from behind Tianlin.
The arrival was so sudden that even Tai Tan and Niu Gao didn't notice.
Tianlin, however, had sensed his presence long ago. "So it's the Clear Sky Douluo. Your voice sounds very weak—you must be badly hurt."
"Injured as I am, it's enough to deal with you," Tang Hao replied coldly.
"Hmph, you can try!" Tianlin stared him down, both men's killing intent and Deathgod Domains rising, making everyone present feel as if they were in an icy hell.
Tang San was stunned. He didn't know Tianlin's true strength, but in terms of aura, he was not inferior to his invincible father.
But just as their auras peaked, Tianlin suddenly relaxed. "Forget it. You're a Titled Douluo. I'll give you face—let's end it here today."
"Niu Gao, catch!"
Tianlin casually tossed Tang San over.
Freed, Tang San coughed violently.
Seeing this, Tang Hao withdrew his killing intent. He had no wish to become enemies with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect unless necessary.
Tianlin wasn't afraid, but now was not the right time to break with the Empire and Clear Sky Sect. Ning Fengzhi had instructed him: stir up trouble if you must, but don't kill anyone.
As long as he didn't cross that line, given the current situation and their sect's strength, neither Clear Sky Sect nor the Empire would pursue it too harshly.
"Tang Hao, I'm curious—who could injure the mighty Clear Sky Douluo so badly? Other than Qian Daoliu, Bo Saixi, Tang Chen, and my master, there aren't many who could match you, right?" Tianlin asked.
"That's none of your business. Since you refuse my son's suggestion, you may leave," Tang Hao replied, coughing.
Tianlin smiled faintly. "Fine, I'll take my leave."
"Oh, and Xue Beng, give up your unrealistic ideas. Neither Rongrong nor I will ever go with you!"
With that, Tianlin ignored the prince's ugly expression and strode out of the garden.
"Why does Tang Hao have that person's aura?" muttered Skydream Ice Silkworm, eyeing Tang Hao with a strange expression.
As soon as Tianlin left, Tang Hao finally couldn't hold it in and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Master, are you all right?" Tai Tan asked anxiously, supporting Tang Hao with his only good arm.
"Father, what happened? How did you get so badly hurt? Did Jun Tianlin do something to you just now?" Tang San asked angrily.
Tang Hao shook his head weakly. "It wasn't him. I met an incredibly powerful opponent in Star Dou Forest. I was defeated in one move. Even after detonating four rings and using the Great Sumeru Hammer, I only barely forced him back a little—couldn't hurt him at all. I had to take the opportunity to escape. If I hadn't learned to hide my aura while being hunted by Spirit Hall for so many years, I wouldn't have made it back."