Chapter 65: The Clear Sky Clan Assaults the Lake of Life
Nearly two more years passed. At Clear Sky Clan headquarters, a tremendous, overbearing soul power burst forth into the sky. A tall figure soared into midair, surrounded by black light, with a colossal hammer about the size of a water barrel.
Taking flight was the signature sign of reaching Title Douluo. Yet that tall figure had only two yellow, two purple, and four black—eight spirit rings in total. This indicated he must have only just stepped into Title Douluo rank.
This man was Tang Hao.
"Hao, you've broken through!"
"Hao'er, good, good—very good!"
Tang Zhen coughed repeatedly but wore a face full of delight. He had little life force left, and before dying, being able to see both Tang Hao and Tang Xiao break through to Title Douluo already satisfied him.
Tang Hao had yet to reach forty-three years of age and had broken the record for the youngest Title Douluo set by Qian Xunji. Tang Hao had surpassed it by over three years, and even Tang Chen's record was broken. Meanwhile, his older brother Tang Xiao had at fifty-three years old also broken through, ranking as the third-fastest in the continent's history.
Because of Qian Xunji's wedding, Tang Hao believed himself humiliated. His proud heart had suffered immeasurable disgrace, so he trained even harder, more fiercely, to let A Yin see how outstanding he truly was and how mistaken she had been.
The six elders of the Clear Sky Clan also emerged, watching Tang Hao achieve Title Douluo rank with expressions of exuberant joy. Once he obtained his ninth spirit ring, the generation's Clear Sky Douluo would be born.
"Hao," Tang Zhen said, feeling both comfort and exhaustion, "Xiao is now at rank ninety-three. I'll have him accompany you for your ninth ring."
Tang Hao replied, "Father, for my ninth ring, I want a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring."
Tang Zhen hesitated. "Hao'er, hunting a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast isn't so easy—never mind finding one, even if you do, defeating it is extremely difficult."
Tang Hao said resolutely, "I already have a target: the hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape in Star Dou Great Forest. It'll be the perfect ninth ring. Qian Xunji's ninth ring is hundred-thousand-year; mine must be as well. He's the Angel Douluo of Wuhun Hall's generation, while I'm the Clear Sky Douluo of ours. Grandfather bested Qian Daoliu, so I can't lose to Qian Xunji!"
Hearing this, Tang Zhen recalled how glorious the Clear Sky Clan had once been when Tang Chen was there, dominating the continent as undisputed number one. He couldn't help feeling stirred.
"Very well. If that's the case, then I'll have Xiao, the six elders, the clan's Fifty Hammerbearers, as well as Titan, Yang Wudi, and some from the four subsidiary clans—two hundred men altogether—head there with you!"
Tang Xiao exclaimed, "Father, that'll leave the clan itself exposed. If we're attacked while we're away—?"
Tang Zhen waved his hand. "No matter. You two are the clan's future. If enemies do come, my failing body can drag them to the grave. I'll do my part one last time for the Clear Sky Clan."
"Father!" Tears brimmed in Tang Hao's eyes as he realized how old Tang Zhen had become, how he barely had any time left.
Tang Zhen patted Tang Hao's shoulder, voice kind. "Hao'er, you're this generation's Clear Sky Douluo, handpicked by your grandfather as our clan's mightiest successor. One day we all must die. My final duty is to guard the clan until it passes to you both."
"Enough talk—strength rules this world. Be on your way."
Three days later, Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, the six elders, about fifty disciples bearing Clear Sky Hammers, plus Titan, Yang Wudi, men from the Strength Clan and the other subsidiary clans—over two hundred in total—set forth under cover of night to Star Dou Great Forest.
Such a large mobilization could hardly escape Wuhun Hall's notice. On hearing the news, Qian Xunji guessed right away that Tang Hao, having reached the ninetieth rank, was out to find a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. This was two years earlier than in the original plan. But no matter—once Tang Hao issued his challenge, Qian Xunji intended to claim that spirit bone. He estimated that A Yin was likely to die instead.
For a full three months, the Clear Sky Clan scoured Star Dou Great Forest without locating a single hundred-thousand-year spirit beast. Their supplies exhausted, they decided to slaughter beasts for food. This was their standard tactic. Spotting a thousand-year or even ten-thousand-year beast, they'd kill it for meat. The carcass was stored in storage soul guides to feed two hundred men. Once in a while, if they were lucky, they might get a spirit bone, all while pursuing their real target.
Among them, Tang Xiao absorbed a spirit bone and broke through to rank ninety-four.
No one knew how many spirit beasts had died at their hands before a woman named A Rou, no longer able to tolerate such carnage, revealed herself. She led them onward, hoping to gather them at the Lake of Life.
This woman, in her youth, had already reached Spirit Douluo rank and possessed a ravishing beauty. She was a commoner spirit master, so the clan had no reason to be hostile; on the contrary, they considered recruiting her.
During their trek to the Lake of Life, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao found A Rou's gentle ways reminiscent of A Yin. They felt a faint attraction—but not so strong as genuine love. Tang Xiao deeply loved A Yin; Tang Hao harbored bitterness over A Yin's "betrayal." Yet seeing this woman so much like her, he felt a vague sense of kinship.
"How beautiful," someone sighed.
The lake was crystal clear, saturating the air with heavy moisture. Surrounding giant trees were mirrored across its surface, the sunlight making it shine like a polished gem. Many Clear Sky disciples stared in awe, never having seen such a splendid setting.
"Stay on guard!" Tang Xiao yelled. His hawk-like eyes spotted, in front, an immense figure squatting silently. Its body was inky black, hair shining in the mild sunlight. Even on all fours, its shoulders stood over seven meters high. Standing upright, it would exceed fifteen meters.
It looked like some mix of ape and gorilla, with lamp-like yellow eyes and bulging muscles. This was none other than the Titan Giant Ape.
Meanwhile, from among the Clear Sky Clan, the woman called A Rou stepped forward. Two yellow, two purple, four black—eight rings flashing, she lunged at the Titan Giant Ape.
"A Rou, get back!" Tang Hao shouted. He had eight spirit rings himself: two yellow, two purple, four black, with the Clear Sky Hammer in hand, ready to act. Yet at the next moment, his body froze.
Before everyone's wide-eyed gazes, they saw A Rou jumping onto the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder. The beast didn't resist, letting her step on it.
Standing upon the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder, looking down at the clan, her expression was no longer kind but cold and distant. With the golden sun at her back, her face lay in shadow, eyes full of hostility.
"Welcome to Star Dou Great Forest."
Seeing this, the Clear Sky Clan, Tang Hao, and Tang Xiao stood in absolute shock. With A Yin's example, they all had a single thought in mind: a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form.
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