Golden Crocodile Douluo could no longer maintain flight and likewise crashed to the ground.
He clutched his chest with one hand, his face still showing an expression of disbelief.
This man called Tang Hao was even more terrifying than Tang Chen. If Tang Chen's Ring Explosion relied on skill to win, Tang Hao relied on absolute power.
What shocked Golden Crocodile even more was that Tang Hao was clearly severely injured how did he still possess such formidable strength?
"Damn it… this guy is too strong!"
A shadow of fear flickered across Golden Crocodile's face as he staggered to his feet, only to drop to one knee again after a few seconds.
"Bastard!"
"Ugh "
A mouthful of blood sprayed out.
The members of Shrek Academy all gathered around Tang Hao, protecting him while releasing their martial souls to signal hostility toward Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Tang Hao panted heavily, his tone triumphant: "A 98th-rank Golden Crocodile, nothing more than this."
"You "
Golden Crocodile wanted to speak, but the surge of qi and blood left him momentarily speechless.
A 98th-rank Title Douluo, severely injured by a half-crippled 95th-rank Title Douluo.
Even if there was an element of carelessness, this was still an utterly illogical outcome.
Meanwhile, everything happening here was noticed by the surrounding spectators.
Qian Renxue, who had never left, descended beside Golden Crocodile Douluo with two Title Douluo in tow, acting as his guards.
Bibi Dong had originally intended to take this chance to kill Golden Crocodile Douluo, but seeing this situation, she could only give up!
She did not reveal herself.
The reason Bibi Dong had stayed was her concern for Yu Xiaogang's safety, but she never expected to witness Tang Hao's overwhelming display of power.
"The Clear Sky Sect is truly fearsome!" A trace of wariness flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.
If it were her at her peak, could she have blocked Tang Hao's Ring Explosion?
Bibi Dong fell silent for a long moment before shaking her head.
Difficult. Nearly impossible.
Especially since the 100,000-year soul ring he just detonated was dozens no, hundreds of times more terrifying than the previous explosions.
Not far from Tang Hao, Yu Yuanzhen's face also showed astonishment.
As one of the Top Three Sects, he, Yu Yuanzhen, was well aware of the Clear Sky Sect's secret techniques!
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was merely a support sect comparing the combat strength of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect to Ning Fengzhi was meaningless. The only fair comparison was with the Clear Sky Sect!
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's records contained descriptions of Ring Explosion's power.
But Tang Hao's version was simply too terrifying!
Could it be that detonating a 100,000-year soul ring was this much stronger than a 10,000-year one?
Or was Tang Hao just special?
Why did it feel like even though they were using the same technique, the other Clear Sky Sect members weren't even playing the same game as Tang Hao?
Damn, Tang Hao just blew up his ninth soul ring.
If that hit him, he'd be dead without a shred of resistance.
Didn't you see how the 98th-rank opponent needed help just to stand? He looked like he could barely straighten his legs.
...
The various factions of Shrek Academy were locked in a standoff.
Meanwhile, atop a distant mountain, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School group observed the battle.
"What terrifying power!" Sword Douluo clicked his tongue.
"Good thing we never fought Tang Hao back then. Otherwise, these bones of mine might have been buried in Notting City."
"Indeed. To single-handedly take on Yu Yuanzhen, Bibi Dong, and Golden Crocodile, severely injuring two of them that's truly horrifying!" Ning Fengzhi nodded.
Tang Hao was only at rank 95 now. If he ever reached rank 99… no, even rank 97, he might be able to suppress Qian Daoliu.
"Ring Explosion shouldn't be capable of reaching that level. His body wouldn't be able to withstand such a burden either." Ning Rongrong frowned and spoke up. "A god must have intervened."
"A god?"
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo both turned to look at Ning Rongrong.
"Yes." Ning Rongrong sighed. "Though I can't say for certain, given Tang Hao's physical condition, there's no way he could have detonated a 100,000-year soul ring and used it to severely injure a 98th-rank opponent."
Previously, Qian Daoliu, at rank 99, had temporarily weakened after using the Angel God Set in his battle with Bibi Dong. Now, the 98th-rank Golden Crocodile Douluo was also heavily injured.
That left the Spirit Hall with only two 97th-rank Title Douluo. For the other Top Three Sects, this wasn't a bad outcome.
The Spirit Hall being too powerful wasn't ideal.
"Speaking of which, is the Asura God paving the way for Bibi Dong?"
Or was it that the Rakshasa God, after provoking the Asura God in Slaughter City, was now trying to mend relations or more directly, working for the Asura God?
"Father, I'd like to go test something." Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke up after some thought.
"Is it safe? That method of yours… I'm worried "
"It's fine." Ning Rongrong reassured him. "If something goes wrong, I'll just self-destruct. As long as the source is cut off, even a god wouldn't be able to trace it back."
"Alright then. But be careful." Ning Fengzhi sighed, knowing he couldn't change Ning Rongrong's mind.
Just thinking about the plan Ning Rongrong had mentioned earlier still left him in disbelief.
In short, Ning Rongrong intended to use a consciousness-grafting method to utilize his soul skill of creating clones.
As for how, Ning Rongrong didn't explain, only saying:
"Just wait and see."
While Ning Rongrong and the others were talking, the standoff at Shrek Academy continued.
The Spirit Hall and Shrek factions remained locked in confrontation.
"So, you're still here."
Tang Hao used the handle of his Clear Sky Hammer to prop himself up.
"Though I've used up all my soul rings, I still have the strength to wipe you all out!"
Tang Hao's breathing was ragged, and his voice sounded weak, but no one dared to assume he was bluffing.
A rank 95 severely injuring a rank 98 while already wounded was a feat that had forcefully cemented his reputation by trampling over Golden Crocodile.
Even if Tang Hao looked frail now, what if he wasn't?
Qian Renxue didn't dare gamble.
"Leave. Now."
At that moment, a figure landed not far from Qian Renxue, and the voice came from her.
"Bibi Dong? Why are you " Golden Crocodile Douluo was stunned to see her.
"How pathetic." Bibi Dong shook her head. "Get out of here. I'll cover your retreat."
"Why?"
Golden Crocodile didn't understand. Given Bibi Dong's personality, she had no reason to help them.
"Because I feel like it. Now scram!" Bibi Dong replied coldly.
Qian Renxue had the more robust-looking Ci Xue carry Golden Crocodile Douluo away.
Once Ci Xue had left, Qian Renxue gave Bibi Dong a slight bow before taking off into the sky with She Long.
"Wait! You can't let them go!" Yu Xiaogang shouted.
"Enough, Yu Xiaogang no, 'Grandmaster.' Do you really think defeating Golden Crocodile means you can take on Qian Daoliu?"
Bibi Dong didn't spare him another glance before turning to leave.
Not long after Bibi Dong departed, a white figure appeared in the sky.
"Tang Hao! Come out and face your death!"
Two yellow, two purple, and five black soul rings emerged, and the sword in his hand resembled the Seven Kill Sword except its blade shimmered with alternating hues of blue and red.
In an instant, all eyes were back on Tang Hao.
Tang Hao's lips twitched.
Since when did he have so many enemies that he couldn't even catch a break?
And now, another Title Douluo had arrived. Judging by his aura, he didn't seem weak either.
From Tang Hao's perspective:
The white figure in the sky seemed oddly proportioned, his facial muscles bulging unnaturally with a hint of baby fat. He looked nothing like a properly shaped human.
Yet there he was, holding a martial soul wreathed in flames and icy mist, challenging Shrek Academy to battle.
"Who goes there? State your name!"
Tang Hao raised his head to glare at the figure in the sky, the now ringless Clear Sky Hammer manifesting in his grip.
Even without soul rings, Tang Hao was confident in his strength. The secret techniques of the Clear Sky Sect didn't require soul rings to be used.