Golden Crocodile Douluo was worthy of being a rank ninety eight Title Douluo, even though he suffered a major loss in the first collision, he definitely reacted extremely quickly. At the same time as he spun horizontally in midair, his seventh spirit ring was already brightening. The muscles and veins all over his body instantly expanded. Golden Crocodile Avatar released. He fully transformed into a more than ten meter long giant crocodile. He equally lashed out with his tail, bit this time his imposing manner was completely different. The enormous force made sand swirl and rocks roll on the walls, bringing a frightening intensity like clouds covering the sun.
Facing the enemy’s sudden strengthening, Tang Hao remained unmoved. He erupted with this second swing, still with the same manner. But just the moment the Clear Sky Hammer was about to collide with Golden Crocodile Douluo’s spirit avatar state crocodile tail, suddenly, the entire Clear Sky Hammer turned completely white. Tang Hao’s own aggressiveness instantly turned berserk. With a roar, like a glowering deity, the rock beneath him began to crack piece by piece under the surging strength.
Boom——
Both sides struck together a second time without any suspense. This time Tang Hao couldn’t knock back the crocodile tail, but neither could the tail sway him.
Tang Hao sprang up, leaping forward with an incomparably invading manner. His left foot once again struck the ground, and this time a giant hole formed in the wall where he stepped. With an explosive sound, the Clear Sky Hammer rose sharply against the wind, and the originally enormous hammer seemed to turn the size of a cloud bank, smashing straight down towards Golden Crocodile Douluo like black clouds above.
From the first swing to the third, Tang Hao didn’t show the kind of smooth and fluent feeling Tang San did, but as he combined this third swing, it was still filled with a beauty of force. That wild imposing manner made it seem like he was a Clear Sky Hammer, ruthlessly forging the enemy. Golden Crocodile Douluo who clearly surpassed him in spirit power, and even more in cultivation and experience, had unexpectedly become completely passive.
The third swing smashing towards his head from above was the display of the Clear Sky Avatar. Back then Tang Hao har relied on this kind of move to rescue Tang San and Xiao Wu in front of the Supreme Pontiff Palace. Right now he didn’t just face the Supreme Pontiff Palace, but rather the Spirit Empire’s number two priest. Three swings in succession had brought his imposing manner to its peak, a frightening level that couldn’t be described in words. Clearly a feeling of being unable to compete had formed in the heart of Golden Crocodile Douluo whose cultivation was higher than his.
How? How come? Could the Clear Sky Hammer spirit really be so powerful? Or was it to say that this middle aged man was already formidable to such a degree?
Golden Crocodile Douluo had once bet the Clear Sky School’s most outstanding sect master Tang Chen. But, at that time when Tang Chen fought Qian Daoliu, he used his Clear Sky Hammer completely different from this Tang Hao. Even though Tang Chen was completely domineering, he relied even more on a combination of his formidable spirit power and skill, his extremely clever attacks frequently leaving the enemy with no way to defend.
But, this Tang Hao didn’t walk Tang Chen’s road, what he released was all force, incomparably enormous force. Even if the enemy’s spirit power was higher than his, he still chose to overwhelm the opponent with force.
This moment, the Tang Sect Strength Hall Master Tai Tan who had already retreated below had tears streaming down his cheeks. The reason he respected Tang Hao so, admitted him as master, as lord, wasn’t it due to Tang Hao’s this pure force domineering Clear Sky Hammer?
Equally retreating and withdrawn from the Golden Sacred Dragon state, Flender also felt his whole body go cold. He still remembered how Tang Hao had completely suppressed him and Zhao Wuji back then without using any spirit abilities, and without even releasing his spirit. He really was very happy that he hadn’t truly challenged Tang Hao back then.
Leading the Clear Sky School disciples in screening the army’s retreat, on his own also holding off three priests at the same time as he retreated from Jialing Pass, Tang Xiao also saw this scene, and his gaze grew a bit blurry. But the Clear SKy Hammer in his hand became even more intense, rigidly keeping those three priests from rushing out the gates.
Clear Sky, the Clear Sky School’s Clear Sky Douluo had finally returned again. The title of Clear Sky Douluo in the Clear Sky School never meant the strongest in spirit power, but rather truly the strongest. Once Tang Chen, then and now Tang Hao, both were like this. Overlords beneath the sky, standing above Jialing Pass and swinging down the infinitely powerful Clear Sky explosive strike, equally declared: The Clear Sky School, has returned.
Finally Golden Crocodile Douluo couldn’t clash with that peak pressure. The crocodile’s body instantly retreated, its solid head heavily striking the side of the Clear Sky Hammer’s Clear Sky Avatar. But, his body was still flung away by the strike, forcibly blasted flying. And the Clear Sky Hammer bombarded the walls of Jialing Pass without pause.
Black light flashed, and all of space seemed to shake. Everyone felt their heart suddenly pause a moment. When it beat again it was twice as fast. It was also in the same moment as it resumed beating that an enormous explosion, loud enough to travel a hundred li, blasted the top of Jialing Pass.
Bold and unrestrained black light scattered in all directions, and on the hundred meter thick walls of Jialing Pass, with rocks flying, actually had a ten meter deep giant gap blasted out.
Golden Crocodile Douluo suddenly discovered that he really had grown old. Even though he landed safe and sound, without being much influenced by Tang Hao’s swing, as he saw the giant opening ahead, and sensed the opponent’s domineering aura, he understood that his heart had already lost.
Tang Hao didn’t pursue. Standing there with the hammer horizontal, right now he didn’t seem in any way inferior to Tang San when he defeated Bibi Dong and hung in midair with the brilliant golden trident. His aggressiveness formed a distinct contrast from Tang San’s grace, but it doubtless made a deep impression on the hearts of the Heaven Dou Empire soldiers.
“Golden Crocodile Douluo, just now I forgot to tell you, my name is Tang Hao, title Clear Sky. I am the Clear Sky Douluo of this generation’s Clear Sky School. Back then I injured Qian Xunji, until he spit blood and died. I remember that his spirit power had already reached rank ninety five then, and I had just stepped into the Title Douluo realm.”
Golden Crocodile Douluo’s expression changed, crying out involuntarily:
“You’re Tang Hao!”
Even though it had been too long since he left Elder Palace, how could he not know the name Tang Hao?
Qian Xunji was the last generation Spirit Hall Supreme Pontiff, and also the sole son of high priest Qian Douliu. In those days he had also been praised as the genius of a generation of Spirit Hall, reaching the Title Douluo level at age fifty, then repeatedly breaking through again. But, even so, he was still injured by Tang Hao, and died not long after returning the Spirit Hall. The name Tang Hao had almost driven Qian Daoliu berserk, and the old man’s pain of holding a funeral for his son had even more made Qian Daoliu personally set out to kill Tang Hao. But, after he couldn’t kill Tang Hao after fighting him a few times, he’d lost track of Tang Hao’s whereabouts. Twenty years had gone by, and he hadn’t expected that the Clear Sky Douluo who shook Spirit Hall back then would actually appear again at this moment, And still appear in front of him.
Tang Hao raised his left hand, extending a forefinger to point at Golden Crocodile Douluo, shaking the finger as he spoke grimly:
“You still aren’t enough to avenge Qian Xunji, call out Qian Daoliu.”
While speaking, he turned and walked over next to Tang San. Pulling up his son, he patted Tang San’s back and poured a formidable spirit power into him.
“Little San, remember. Even in a fight to the death, you still can’t collapse.”
While speaking, he ga
ve a nod to Sword Douluo next to Tang San, and shoutd,
“We’re leaving. See who dares follow.”
Tang Hao and Sword Douluo leapt up at the same time. He brought Tang San, and the three of them together headed straight for the Heaven Dou Empire army. And now all the six great priests assembled on the walls, but just like Tang Hao said, these six peak Douluo actually didn’t dare pursue. In their hearts they had already lost, lost to Tang Hao’s domineering manner. Tang Hao’s three swings not only shook Golden Crocodile Douluo, but also shook all the Spirit Empire powers. Even if the strength he displayed wasn’t as dazzling as Tang San’s Seagod Trident, neither did Tang San possess that aggressiveness to suppress everything.
“Big brother, we’re just letting them leave like this?”
Fifteen Ton Douluo whom Tang San had previously launched off the walls couldn’t help asking indignantly.
Golden Crocodile Douluo wasn’t in a good mood now, and angrily said:
“If you have the skill then you go chase them! Take a look at what time it is, Jialing Pass actually ended up like this. Go convene all ranking officers within the walls. The Angel Legion and Sacred Dragon Legion cannot rest. Have them immediately man the walls to prevent another attack by the Heaven Dou Empire. With Jialing Pass this ruined, it’s good enough to hold on to it.”
“Yes.”
The other five priests were clearly led by him. After deferentially agreeing, they immediately left to pass on the orders.
Tang San followed his father back to the Heaven Dou army’s side, and couldn’t help turning his head to look. What he saw was a sea of blood. In this battle, both sides had equally suffered disastrous casualties, especially inside the gates of Jialing Pass, where the corpses were piled up like mountains. The defenders estimated that both sides had taken casualties exceeding two hundred thousand in this battle, and more than half were fatalities. Equally enormous losses. Despite the retreat still not being too late, managing a situation where both sides were hurt, seeing so many dead on the field still weighed on Tang San’s heart.
Xue Beng came to meet them. Seeing the brothers Tang Hao and Tang Xiao bring the Clear Sky School disciples, he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Were it not for the Clear Sky School’s timely reinforcement, there was no telling how large the losses would have been. Regardless of anything else, if Tang San had really died in the battle, then there would be no use fighting this war. From the start of the war until now, Xue Beng had found that the empire had become more and more dependent on Tang San. In a battle of this level, the effect of powers wasn’t just in strength, but even more importantly in their influence on troop morale.
Even though today’s assault on Jialing Pass had failed within sight of success, and moreover with large losses, relatively speaking it was still bearable.
“Teacher, State Preceptor, today is my fault, I advanced prematurely desiring achievements. To the extent that so many outstanding warriors died.”
Xue Beng tearfully lowered his head in front of Tang San.
Tang San had taken serious injuries, and his body was still weak. With a light cough, he said:
“If I was in your place, I might also have made the same choice. No need to blame yourself Your Majesty, seeing victory around the corner, some impulsiveness is human nature. Fortunately today’s battle wasn’t without rewards. Let’s retreat to camp first, and clean up the battlefield.
Xue Beng nodded, speaking to marshal Ge Long:
“Marshal, clean up the battlefield, inventory the casualties, and pull back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
This brutal battle actually hadn’t gone on for too long, but because of the numbers of spirit masters joining in, it had become extremely desperate. Common soldiers rather served as cannon fodder, and even the spirit masters on the Spirit Empire’s side had suffered catastrophic losses.
Both sides very tacitly cleaned the battlefield almost simultaneously. The Spirit Empire cleaned up the corpses near the moat and in Jialing Pass on their own, and the battlefield beyond that didn’t have too many remnants. The Heaven Dou Empire had it much easier to clean, and were even more helping the dying and treating the injured.
It also couldn’t be helped that the Spirit Empire swept the battlefield without discerning sides, otherwise if the numerous corpses turned into a plague, than that would be a true calamity.
Returning to camp, Tang San didn’t immediately go rest. He had to see to the arrangements for his father and uncle, after all, the single attribute clans of the Tang Sect really had too deep grudges with the Clear Sky School, and besides the Strength Clan, the other three clans had to be placated. At the same time he also had to arrange for the Clear Sky School within the army. As for what emperor Xue Beng would say, Tang Hao’s display on top of Jialing Pass had completely convinced the emperor thirsting for talent.
As the army recuperated, Xue Beng first convened a military conference to sum up the losses of this battle. Tang San, Grandmaster and a group of high level members were all in the main tent.
Tang San’s physique really was powerful. Even though he’d suffered heavy injuries before, and exhausted himself even more, in the short time it took to return to camp, he had already recovered somewhat. Judging by his face, he basically didn’t seem tired. This was Tang San’s true advantage, having connected the eight extraordinary meridians, plus the boost of twelve high level spirit rings as well as six spirit bones, his body was even more solid that cast copper or forged iron. Adding the Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone’s Wildfire Burns Unending, The Spring Wind Blows Life Again ability, as long as he didn’t just get killed, even ruined limbs would recover on their own. His injuries would also heal with time. After his spirit power broke through rank ninety, this recovery speed had become even more impressive.
In the large tent, at least all legion commanders and above were present. Different from the first time Tang San participated, when Tang San entered together with Grandmaster, his father and uncle, practically all necks bowed respectfully to him, even including marshal Ge Long.
“Teacher. Your condition is still well.”
Xue Beng personally came to meet him.
Tang San nodded:
“Nothing major. Your Majesty, I’ll introduce you. This is my father, Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao. This is my uncle, Clear Sky School master Tang Xiao.”
Xue Beng’s eyes brightened, bowing slightly he didn’t hesitate to address Tang Ha:
“Greetings teacher’s father, please have a seat.”
Tang Hao shook his head:
“I mustn’t, please Your Majesty. We’re are only here to support Your Majesty.”
Let alone Tang Hao and Tang Xiao’s relationship with Tang San, just their Title Douluo level strength as well as their efforts to reverse the tide on the battlefield today was enough to make Xue Beng strive wholeheartedly to win them over.
Xue Beng didn’t persist, motioning for soldiers to move over seats for the three, equally giving Grandmaster the same treatment. The military conference then began. There was none who objected to the qualifications for these four to sit in the great tent. Their strength in battle had effects beyond any words. One might say that if not for these four people, then the battle between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Empire absolutely wouldn’t have ended like this.
Especially Tang San, who not only repeatedly defeated the opponents’ high level powers, the Tang Sect’s hidden weapon Godly Zhuge Crossbow had repeatedly showed remarkable effect on the field. To the Heaven Dou Imperial Army, the effect of this King Lan Hao was too enormous
“Marshal, is the casualty count complete?”
Xue Beng questioned marshal Ge Long.
Marshal Ge Long spoke somewhat somberly:
“The concrete numbers still aren’t ready, but the casualty numbers exceed a hundred thousand. Especially the soldiers that charged into Jialing Pass, less than a third of them could return. The errors of this battle are on this old official, it’s
this old official who advanced looking for achievements, without listening to King Lan Dian’s retreat orders. Your Majesty, please punish me according to martial law.”
Xue Beng sighed:
“No, it’s not the marshal’s mistake. At that time I gave the orders. Advancing for achievements was also on me. We will personally issue an imperial order of self recrimination. We are unworthy of the deaths of the Empire’s soldiers!”
While speaking, the rims of his eyes were already somewhat reddened.
Even though Tang San knew that Xue Beng was partly acting, admitting his mistakes as emperor still wasn’t easy. Only, this also showed how deeply he had hidden back in those days. It was very difficult to recognize the despotic fourth prince in this person.
Xue Beng changed the topic, his face showing the dignity of the emperor,
“Even though we suffered large losses in this battle due to Our mistake, in this war, the Spirit Empire’s losses are still higher than ours. This is the contribution of King Lan Dian, King Lan Hao and all the spirit master powers. They broke through the enemy blockade and stalled the Spirit Empire’s strongest spirit masters. We will later bestow rewards to the Imperial spirit master legion and the Tang Army.”
His gaze turned to Grandmaster,
“State Preceptor, the Spirit Empire’s relief army has already arrived, what do you think we should do next?”
Grandmaster’s expression was also a bit exhausted. After meeting Bibi Dong, he was unable to control his mood for a long time,
“The military strategy should still be left to Your Majesty and Marshal Ge Long’s consideration. Judging by today’s battle, the Spirit Empire relief army should be their strongest force. Those five thousand spirit masters should be mustered from the Spirit Empire’s capital Spirit City. Most important are those six Title Douluo joining. If not for the timely arrival of Clear Sky and Howling Sky Douluo, we might have seen much worse in today’s battle. The six reinforcing Title Douluo should be the priests of the Spirit Empire’s Elder Palace, and also the strongest Title Douluo there. Each one has spirit power over rank ninety five. We are inferior in overall spirit master strength, and this makes the difference even larger. Only, if King Lan Hao can recover, we won’t be without the strength to fight. But to force our way into Jialing Pass as easily as today might be very difficult. Moreover, our troops suffered disastrous losses in today’s battle. From my personal point of view, this should be time to recuperate for now.”
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 490