Although Tang San was shocked by Tang Long's strength and the foundation of the Haotian Sect, he did not back down.
He clearly understood the gap between himself and Tang Long, but when facing the Haotian Sect's suppression and endless humiliation, he refused to bow his head.
Even if it was only for himself, he had to prove his worth.
Though anger churned inside Tang San, as a man who had lived two lives, his mind was unnervingly calm at this moment. He began to consider how to use his advantages to counter Tang Long.
Soon, Tang San thought of his Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
Against the mighty Haotian Hammer, Blue Silver Grass was undoubtedly as fragile as an egg striking stone.
But its control and poison were his greatest assets.
Tang San decided to change his strategy—not to confront Tang Long head-on, but to use the control of Blue Silver Grass to restrict Tang Long's movements.
"His strength is overwhelming, but if I can bind him with my Blue Silver Grass, then add Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and the Tang Sect hidden weapon Dragon Beard Needles… there's still a sliver of chance to win."
With his plan settled, Tang San moved.
"Third Spirit Skill—Blue Silver Bind!" Tang San shouted lowly, his third purple spirit ring flaring.
At once, countless Blue Silver Grass vines surged from the ground, rushing in from all directions to entangle Tang Long.
"Such tricks are useless against me." Tang Long frowned slightly.
He swung the Haotian Hammer in his hand, and the Zhen (Shock) technique of the Haotian Nine Absolutes erupted once again, shattering the Blue Silver Bind instantly.
"This one doesn't work… but what about this?" Tang San wasn't surprised.
"Fourth Spirit Skill—Blue Silver Prison!"
It turned out that while the vines of the third skill distracted Tang Long, in that fleeting instant, Tang San had already activated his fourth spirit skill.
Tang Long stiffened in shock. He hadn't expected Tang San to cast so quickly, and before he could react, he was trapped inside the Blue Silver Prison.
"Interesting… but you don't expect such a prison to defeat me, do you?" Tang Long quickly regained his calm.
"Haotian Nine Absolutes—Po (Break) Technique!"
His strength shifted, and in the blink of an eye, the Blue Silver Prison shattered.
"Trash martial souls are still trash. No matter how many fancy tricks you add, it won't change that fact." Tang Long sneered as he swung the Haotian Hammer down at Tang San.
"Hmph, I never relied on the fourth skill alone." A faint smile appeared on Tang San's lips.
A chill pricked Tang Long's heart. Not good!
The moment his hammer was about to crash down, Tang San's figure beneath it blurred and faded.
"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track."
Tang San had used the Tang Sect's supreme footwork, instantly slipping behind Tang Long.
Tang San also possessed the Haotian Hammer. He knew its greatest flaw—its immense weight slowed the user's speed.
This was his chance.
"Zhuge Divine Crossbow!"
Tang San pulled out a hidden weapon, unleashing six bolts in rapid succession.
Tang Long's face shifted. He hadn't expected Tang San to hide such a move.
"Haotian Bodyguard!"
But as the third generation's leading disciple, Tang Long had not only learned the Haotian Nine Absolutes but also mastered the sect's defensive arts.
Of course, he did not qualify yet to study the Haotian Sect's ultimate technique—the Great Sumeru Hammer, reserved only for the Sect Master and heir.
Still, Tang Long underestimated Tang San's methods.
The six bolts clattered harmlessly against the Haotian Bodyguard, but trailing behind them came three silver threads so fine they were nearly invisible.
These were the Dragon Beard Needles, forged from the rare gold-refined ore Tang San had acquired from Flender back in Soto City—unused until now.
These needles specialized in piercing inner defenses.
"The eighth-ranked hidden weapon of the Tang Sect—Dragon Beard Needles. Even a Soul Sage would be hard-pressed to avoid them." Tang San sneered inwardly.
Once they entered flesh, the needles curled into tiny balls, twisting the muscles and causing unbearable pain—often killing if they struck vital spots.
But Tang San knew if he killed Tang Long here at the sect's gates, the rift with the Haotian Sect would become absolute and irreparable. Thus, he avoided the vital areas.
Tang Long, thinking he had blocked all attacks, smirked—until sudden pain twisted across his face.
His right shoulder and upper arm spasmed violently, while sharp pain spread through his left shoulder as well.
Any attempt to exert strength in his right arm only worsened the pain.
"You… what did you do!?" Tang Long demanded.
"You've been struck by my hidden weapon—the Dragon Beard Needles. Only I can remove them. I can guarantee, within three days, your right arm will be completely crippled. You'll never again have the strength to lift the Haotian Hammer." Tang San's voice was cold.
"So this match—you lose."
"Impossible! I don't believe it!" Tang Long roared, forcing spirit power into his arm to raise the Haotian Hammer—
But the moment he exerted strength, his muscles twisted grotesquely. His grip failed, and the Haotian Hammer clattered to the ground.
"How… how is this possible!?" Tang Long stared in disbelief at his own right arm, which no longer obeyed him.
"The more strength you use, the faster it will be ruined." Now it was Tang San's turn to mock coldly.
"Enough." At this moment, the elders of the Haotian Sect stepped forward. Leading them was the Second Elder.
He cast a glance at Tang Hao and Tang San before speaking flatly:
"Tang Hao, since you've returned, then according to the rules of the sect, you must enter the Main Hall of Haotian Castle on your knees, one step at a time."
"As for you…" His gaze turned to Tang San, "Just as Tang Long said, you've already proven yourself. No need for further ceremony, since this is your first return to the sect."
"Tang Long, the men of Haotian know honor. You must be responsible for your words. You gambled, and you lost."
The Second Elder's eyes bore into Tang Long.
"I, Tang Long, admit defeat. I don't know what trick you used, but a loss is a loss." Tang Long's face was dark with unwillingness, but he could only acknowledge it.
"Little San, remove the needles from Tang Long." Tang Hao stepped forward, patting Tang San's shoulder.
"Yes, Father." Tang San obeyed, walking up to Tang Long and extracting the three Dragon Beard Needles.
"…Thank you." Tang Long forced out the words, still unwilling but bound by honor.
Tang Hao nodded at Tang San, then—thud!—dropped heavily to his knees on the hard stone ground.
"The unfilial disciple Tang Hao pays respects to the Haotian Sect."
"Father!" Tang San was stunned.
"Little San, your father indeed has his faults. This punishment, I deserve."
Tang Hao spoke calmly, then moved forward—kneeling once again.
Though Tang San felt bitter unwillingness, he knew this was his father's choice. Quietly, he followed behind, step by step, into the Haotian Sect's Main Hall.
The others moved aside silently, watching the father and son advance—Tang Hao and Tang San.