Clear Sky Douluo!
He was a figure who had become widely renowned in the soul master world in recent years.
As a gifted core disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, he and his brother Tang Xiao were known together as the "Clear Sky Gemini."
But what truly made him famous was that, several years ago, he killed Qian Xunji, the reigning Pope of Spirit Hall, and became the youngest Titled Douluo in history!
However, after that battle, the Clear Sky Sect was forced to retreat from the world, and Clear Sky Douluo disappeared without a trace.
Many speculated that he had died somewhere, or was secretly imprisoned by Spirit Hall. Flander, who had once idolized him, could only sigh with regret when he heard the news.
But no matter what anyone expected, Flander never imagined he'd see his idol again like this.
That massive hammer was already swinging toward him. The breath of death surged like an abyss, draining all warmth from his body.
As he looked into those cloudy, killing-intent-filled eyes, Flander's body trembled slightly.
"It's Tang San, isn't it?" he asked quietly.
"He's your son, isn't he?"
Flander wasn't foolish. With a bit of deduction, he quickly grasped the heart of the matter.
But once he figured it out, the despair in his chest didn't ease. Instead, it deepened.
"So you do have some brains."
Tang Hao sneered, his killing intent only growing stronger. "Then die with clarity. I'll send your students down to reunite with you soon."
"Your Excellency Clear Sky!"
Flander forced himself to stand straight, gritting his teeth as he stared into those fierce eyes without flinching.
"Tang San repeatedly provoked my students, and now he even tried to kill his own comrades!"
"I only expelled him because of his status as Xiaogang's disciple. What revenge are you here for? What grudge are you trying to settle?"
Tang Hao fell silent at Flander's desperate words.
There was nothing to refute.
To be honest, if anyone else had done the things his son had done, they would've been killed without hesitation.
But—
"So what?"
Tang Hao stared straight into Flander's eyes. "If you hurt the younger one, the older one will naturally come knocking."
"You're completely unreasonable! Aren't you the Clear Sky—"
Boom!!
The massive hammer lifted, roaring with terrifying power. The glowing red light illuminated Tang Hao's dark expression.
"Reasonable?"
He spoke low and slow, each word cold as ice.
"In the soul master world, the one with the biggest fist decides what's right. Don't you understand?"
"You…"
Flander was overwhelmed with despair.
He took a deep breath and pleaded, "Your Excellency Clear Sky, all of this is my fault. Please, for the sake of the children's youth, let them go."
"I'm willing to kneel to you and apologize. I beg you—please spare the children's lives."
Just as Flander was about to kneel, a thunderous voice rang from above.
"Teacher!!!"
Boom!!
Red-gold flames burst like divine fire, painting the night sky in magnificent colors. A fire pillar, more than five meters thick, came down like a falling star. With a phoenix's cry, it crashed down toward Tang Hao, carrying its master's boundless fury!
"What?!"
Tang Hao turned in shock and saw a red-haired boy in the sky, engulfed in flames. His eyes burned like lightning and fire, and red-gold feathers covered his body. Behind him, two pairs of crimson wings unfurled, scattering blazing feathers as if a phoenix had descended to the mortal world!
When did this kid—?!
Before Tang Hao could react, the pillar of fire struck him head-on!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Flames surged like a storm, exploding on the ground with deafening roars. Before the first red-gold pillar vanished, a second and third followed, crashing down with the youth's furious roar!
"ENOUGH!!"
With a wild roar, Tang Hao raised his massive black hammer and smashed it down. The overwhelming force instantly dispersed the red-gold flames, blasting skyward like a cannon shot!
As the black smoke cleared, Tang Hao reappeared—but his appearance had changed dramatically.
His shirt was gone. His skin was charred and cracked, his hair burned to ash. He looked like he had just rolled through a bed of hot coals, with red-black burns still glowing faintly.
He stared at the boy in the sky, a trace of confusion and unease flashing in his eyes.
How did I not sense him earlier?
A second before the attack, there had been nothing—absolutely no sign of this youth within his mental range!
And more than that...
Tang Hao glanced at the burns on his skin and felt a jolt in his chest.
This heat… it's far too intense.
Even if he'd underestimated him at first—wasn't this kid just a Talented Soul Master?!
"Teacher, are you okay?"
On the ground, the red-haired boy had taken the opportunity to pull Flander aside and now looked at the disheveled dean with concern.
"Ahem… What are you doing here? Where's Zhao Wuji? Don't tell me that guy's useless?"
Flander coughed violently and looked at his disciple with a mixture of emotion, relief, and fear. But the next moment, he became anxious.
"Hurry and go! I'm still here. Don't worry—he won't dare to kill me. Cough, cough."
He tried to push the boy away, forcing himself to appear calm. But when he met the composed, ruby-like eyes of the youth, he quickly gave in and lowered his head in defeat.
"Teacher Zhao took the others to safety. I came here alone."
Ma Hongjun said softly, turning his gaze to Tang Hao. "He's here for me, isn't he?"
When Zhao Wuji told them to flee, Ma Hongjun had already guessed who it was.
So, after sending the others off, he flew straight back.
"That man… he's Tang San's father, isn't he?"
The red-haired boy stood protectively in front of Flander.
"Let him come at me. Whoever caused this, let them bear the consequences."
"Bullshit!"
Flander snapped. "Get out of the way, brat! I'm not dead yet—it's not your turn to take my place!"
He tried to stand, but repeated waves of pressure had left him with serious internal injuries. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get up.
"Enough with the modest act."
A hoarse, murderous voice rang out nearby.
At some point, the charred figure appeared before them again.
"One of you must die today! Especially this brat! I'm going to crush you—one hammer strike at a time!!!"
Tang Hao glared at the red-haired boy, his teeth clenched in rage.
The pain from the burns was excruciating…
But more than anything else—it was the boy's terrifying potential.
This kid's talent… surpasses even my own son.
He must not be allowed to live. Not after today.