Chapter 157: Tang Hao Appears
As the referee announced Heaven Dou Team Two's victory, they were crowned champions of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. Yu Xiaogang quickly made his way to the stage, supporting the exhausted and clearly injured Tang San.
As Yu Xiaogang assessed Tang San's condition, he glanced at Yang Potian in confusion. "Yang Potian, with your strength, you could have faced the Clear Sky Hammer's full spirit manifestation directly. Why did you opt for that particular tactic?"
Yang Potian simply shook his head. "A spirit manifestation without any spirit rings—how powerful could it really be? I chose that strategy to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Inwardly, Yang Potian reflected that if he had engaged more directly, injuring the seven participants, who knew what accusations Yu Xiaogang or Bibi Dong might level against him? They could claim he violated tournament rules by intentionally injuring opponents and declare a forfeit in favor of Heaven Dou Team One. That would have been a trap.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi on the spectators' platform summoned his enormous Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. With beams of radiant light, he restored both the spirit power and physical state of Heaven Dou Team One, showcasing why he was known as the continent's foremost auxiliary spirit master.
But then something unusual occurred. As Ning Fengzhi's auxiliary power flowed into Xiao Wu, a repulsive force erupted, and a silvery plant emerged from her body—a rare herb known as the Silver Spirit Grass. Yang Potian, knowledgeable in herbology, recognized it immediately as a treasure capable of concealing spirit beast energy. That explained how Xiao Wu's spirit beast aura had been hidden so effectively, even from Titled Douluo.
Still, Yang Potian found it strange. In both the original story and in this reality, Xiao Wu had been receiving auxiliary boosts from teammates without triggering a reaction. But Ning Fengzhi's support had resulted in this anomaly.
After regaining some strength, Xiao Wu regained consciousness and, noticing the disturbance, quickly reclaimed the Silver Spirit Grass. However, the moment she did, every Titled Douluo in the arena reacted, especially Bibi Dong. Any frustration over losing the championship vanished from her expression, replaced by intense scrutiny as she focused on Xiao Wu.
Sword Douluo also noticed the anomaly, whispering a few words to Ning Fengzhi, who now watched Xiao Wu with a perplexed expression. Even Yang Potian's grandfather, Yang Wudi, and his grandfather Niu Gao, directed longing glances at her; after all, a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring was a treasure beyond compare, more valuable than the three spirit bones awarded in the tournament.
As Heaven Dou Team One recovered, Tang San and his team left the platform under Yu Xiaogang's guidance, leaving Yang Potian alone.
A red-robed bishop called out, "Heaven Dou Team Two representative, please come forward to receive the championship rewards."
Yang Potian glanced back at his six teammates, then at his grandfather and great-grandfather, before resolutely making his way to the awards platform. His pace was slow, each step watched by everyone present.
Upon reaching the platform, only Bibi Dong awaited him. She looked even more resplendent and commanding than usual, her presence exuding an aura of invincibility that made all around her seem small. With a voice heavy with authority, she spoke, "Congratulations to Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team Two on winning the tournament. These three spirit bones are your reward, well-deserved. I hope you continue to improve and one day join the Spirit Hall's Hall of Elders."
With those words, Bibi Dong extended a wooden box containing the spirit bones toward Yang Potian. Yang Potian respectfully accepted the box, understanding the envy that permeated the crowd. If not for the sacred setting of the Spirit Hall, many would no doubt attempt to claim the prize by force.
Then, with a calculating look, Bibi Dong offered, "Congratulations, Yang Potian. Would you consider joining Spirit Hall? We would ensure you receive the best training possible."
Yang Potian narrowed his eyes slightly, then bowed. "Thank you, Your Holiness, but I must decline. The Broken Clan is still relatively small. I intend to lead my family to develop in the Alamo Mountains. I hope Your Holiness understands."
Bibi Dong, seemingly unsurprised by his answer, responded coolly, "The Alamo Mountains are an excellent choice. May you lead the Broken Clan to great heights there."
Bowing once more, Yang Potian returned to his team, stowing the three spirit bones in his spatial storage device. "Let's discuss this later. For now, let's leave," he directed.
Yang Potian then led his teammates over to where his grandfather and Niu Gao stood, all while subtly positioning himself near the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, who offered him a slight smile.
At that moment, Bibi Dong's eyes hardened. "The tournament is over," she declared. "Spirit Hall guards, seize that girl!"
With Bibi Dong's gaze fixed on her, all eyes fell on Xiao Wu. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo sprang into action, poised to apprehend her.
Yu Xiaogang stepped in front of Xiao Wu's team, shouting angrily, "Your Holiness, what is the meaning of this?"
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, seeming to grasp the situation, looked as though they intended to step in.
Bibi Dong's voice cut coldly through the air as she addressed Ning Fengzhi. "Sect Master Ning, stand down. If you interfere in Spirit Hall's affairs, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will be our enemy."
Ning Fengzhi sighed and, heeding her warning, remained still.
Yu Xiaogang, baffled by both Bibi Dong and Ning Fengzhi's reactions, demanded, "I am a Spirit Hall Elder; I have a right to know the truth."
Bibi Dong's gaze softened momentarily as she looked at Yu Xiaogang, then steeled once more. "The girl in Heaven Dou Team One, Xiao Wu, is a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form. Spirit Hall is tasked with defending humanity from spirit beasts. Anyone who sides with a spirit beast is an enemy of Spirit Hall."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Heaven Dou Team One members, including Tang San, turned in shock to look at Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu, however, displayed uncharacteristic resilience, glaring at Bibi Dong with a face full of hatred. "You… You're the one who led the hunt that killed my mother!"
Bibi Dong's tone was chilling. "Human spirit masters hunting spirit beasts is natural. You must be the one that slipped through the net back then. How bold of you to walk into your own capture."
Finally understanding, Tang San moved protectively in front of Xiao Wu. "If anyone tries to harm Xiao Wu, they'll have to go through me first."
As Heaven Dou Team One's remaining members exchanged uncertain looks, unsure how to respond, it became clear that their bond was nowhere near the unity depicted in the original Shrek Academy, especially since they hadn't benefited from Tang San's celestial herbs.
Tyron and Bai Xiaofei swiftly positioned themselves on either side of Tang San, firmly declaring, "No one shall harm our young master."
Flender then stepped forward and spoke decisively. "You are all our students. As long as we, the old guard, are still here, we won't let you face this alone."
Flender and Liu Erlong joined Yu Xiaogang at the front, all three ready to defend their students at any cost.
Bibi Dong, watching them intently, especially Yu Xiaogang's resolute expression, finally gritted her teeth. "Take action!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's spirit rings gleamed, and countless petals—sharp as blades—whirled towards Heaven Dou Team One. Simultaneously, Ghost Douluo transformed into a shadow, charging straight at the group.
Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong exchanged glances, stepping forward together as they summoned their spirits. The trio's spirits intertwined, forming a golden triangle as they shouted, "Radiant Sun and Moon, Golden Transformation!"
Their spirits fused, creating an immense golden dragon that roared with power, barely reaching the strength of a Titled Douluo.
However, the trio's inherent limitations remained. Yu Xiaogang, at only the twenty-ninth rank, lacked the spirit power and physical resilience needed. Meanwhile, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, genuine Titled Douluo at level ninety-five, quickly forced them into a corner. The situation grew even grimmer when Bibi Dong summoned her own spirit and spirit rings, revealing a colossal Death Spider Emperor surrounded by two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red spirit rings, with the red ring radiating an overwhelming pressure that chilled everyone on the field.
Just as it seemed Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong were on the brink of collapse—facing Bibi Dong's unfathomable power—a voice thundered from above, "A mere flower and a petty ghost dare to harm my son?"
Everyone turned to see a looming shadow in the sky. There stood a figure cloaked in a tattered black robe, emanating an air of defiance and vengeful fury. It was none other than Tang Hao. Summoning his Clear Sky Hammer, Tang Hao's nine spirit rings appeared: two yellow, two purple, four black, and a final red ring, emanating a power that clashed directly with Bibi Dong's aura.
Tang Hao unleashed a fierce, white light across the area as his spirit rings flickered, and his Clear Sky Hammer expanded to its full size—the legendary true form of the Clear Sky Hammer. In the sky, a colossal blood-red silhouette wielding the giant hammer appeared, descending towards Bibi Dong with an earth-shaking roar. "Little San, watch closely. This is what the true form of the Clear Sky Hammer looks like!" Clearly, Tang Hao intended these words as a response to Yang Potian's earlier taunt to Yu Xiaogang.
Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo reacted immediately, activating their true forms in an effort to withstand Tang Hao's devastating strike. Yet, with only a single blow, Tang Hao drove them back, shifting the tide of the confrontation.
At that moment, four streaks of light shot out from within Spirit Hall as four more figures leapt to join the battle against Tang Hao, bracing for his powerful assault.
Seemingly unfazed, Tang Hao gripped his hammer with renewed ferocity, each strike turning the sky a bloody red. Observing from the sidelines, Yang Potian was left stunned; it was evident that Tang Hao was injured, yet he had unleashed his Killing God Domain and fused it seamlessly with his true form, amplifying his power to terrifying levels.
Nearby, Yang Potian's grandfather Yang Wudi and his grandfather Niu Gao seemed to be caught up in a bittersweet nostalgia, perhaps recalling past battles alongside Tang Hao. Quickly, Yang Potian infused them with spirit power, grounding them in the present and reminding them of their current allegiances.
With his final strike, Tang Hao pushed himself even further, detonating two of his yellow spirit rings. The Clear Sky Hammer swelled in size, and his blow swept past Bibi Dong and the other seven Spirit Hall experts, landing directly on the Pope's Palace itself, threatening to level the entire structure.
The Spirit Hall defenders poured their full power into shielding the palace from the impact of Tang Hao's massive hammer. In that split-second window, Tang Hao swooped down to Heaven Dou Team One, wrapping Tang San and Xiao Wu in his spirit power, and they rapidly made their escape.
As Tang Hao vanished into the distance, he cast a deliberate glance at Yang Wudi and Niu Gao. Yang Potian could even swear that Bibi Dong also looked at them as he departed.
With Tang Hao, Tang San, and Xiao Wu's departure, Bibi Dong's face was clouded with frustration. "Tang Hao is indeed formidable," she admitted grudgingly. "Despite years of training, my presence still lacks the edge I need."
Ignoring the crowd's agitated murmurs, Bibi Dong signaled Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to abandon any pursuit of Tang Hao, ignoring their requests to give chase.
Watching this unfold, Yang Potian couldn't help but smirk to himself. What a show… Spirit Hall, you've squandered your best chance and are bound to pay for it down the line. But, he mused, that has nothing to do with me.
Nearby, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe clenched his teeth, an unreadable emotion flickering in his gaze.