By now, Tang Yuehua had seen Tang San's true colors clearly.
"..." Tang Yuehua remained silent, her head lowered in frustration.
"Sigh—" Ye Hao let out a light sigh. "The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment."
Inside the room.
As Ye Hao left, Tang San struggled to his feet with a ferocious expression, his face twisted in hatred toward Ye Hao and Tang Yu.
No—Tang Yu was Ye Hao. Both of them deserved to die!
"Damn it, one day I'll kill you myself," Tang San swore silently.
Then, he prepared to leave. The three elders of the Clear Sky Clan had already arrived, and through his spiritual perception, Tang San could sense them locked in a standoff with three extremely powerful auras—a fight was about to break out.
As he stepped outside, Tang San froze momentarily when he saw Tai Long lying lifeless in a pool of blood. But soon, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Thank you, Tai Long. Rest assured, I will avenge you and the Strength Clan."
"Who's there?!"
At that moment, two disciples of the Defense Clan arrived, drawn by the noise.
When they saw Tai Long's corpse and Tang San standing beside it, they immediately assumed Tang San was the killer.
Tai Long had been the sole survivor of the Strength Clan's massacre. After the clan's destruction, he had come to Dragon Prosperity City to seek refuge with the Defense Clan.
Niu Gao, the Defense Clan's leader, had treated Tai Long like his own son. Given his close friendship with Tai Tan, he couldn't bear to leave the last heir of the Strength Clan to wander alone.
Yet now...
"You killed Tai Long!" The two disciples glared at Tang San with hatred.
"No, it wasn't me!" Tang San hastily shook his head, stepping back.
"Damn Ye Hao—not only did he kill Tai Long, but now he's framing me for it!" Tang San cursed inwardly.
"Who else could it be if not you?" The two disciples advanced, summoning their martial souls.
The Defense Clan's martial soul was the Ironhide Rhinoceros. While the Great Strength Ape was known for its overwhelming offense, the Ironhide Rhinoceros boasted the strongest defense among the four single-attribute clans.
Otherwise, why would they be called the Defense Clan?
"No, it was Ye Hao—Ye Hao, the young master of Spirit Hall! I... was Tai Long's friend," Tang San stammered, unable to explain himself properly.
"Then why were you smiling just now?"
That question left Tang San speechless. What was wrong with smiling?
"Come with us to see the clan leader. You're a prime suspect." The two disciples moved to capture him. Until the truth was uncovered, Tang San was their main target.
"..."
Tang San naturally refused. If he were caught now, wouldn't that be walking right into a trap? Outside, the three Clear Sky Clan elders and countless disciples were waiting.
Tai Long's death alone was enough to ignite their fury, and Tang San would become the target of everyone's wrath.
"To Sea God Island—I can't delay any longer."
With that decision made, countless Blue Silver Grass vines burst from the ground, coiling around the two Defense Clan disciples like giant serpents.
Meanwhile, in the Defense Clan's main hall.
The Seventh Elder of the Clear Sky Clan, wielding his Clear Sky Hammer, charged fiercely at Yang Wudi. The Soul Breaking Spear clashed against the hammer, neither side yielding. The sheer pressure of their confrontation left the onlookers in awe.
Yang Wudi was only a Soul Douluo—how could he possibly contend with the Seventh Elder, a Titled Douluo?
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew as the Clear Sky Hammer struck repeatedly. The Seventh Elder was forced to take this seriously. Though Yang Wudi was only a Soul Douluo, his combat prowess far exceeded his rank. The Soul Breaking Spear had one flaw—it could never break through to the ninetieth rank.
But under these circumstances, Yang Wudi, with his eight soul rings, was undeniably the strongest below the Titled Douluo level.
"Break!" Yang Wudi roared, his spear radiating crimson light as it thrust toward the Seventh Elder.
"Eight soul rings dare challenge me?" The Seventh Elder smirked confidently.
"Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!"
The Seventh Elder swung his hammer, each strike building upon the last. The hammer's shadow danced like a divine weapon in the hands of a god.
In a secluded corner of the hall, Ye Hao stood with his hands behind his back, concealed by the Death God's Heart's ability to mask his presence.
"Fight, fight—it'd be best if you both end up crippled."
Ye Hao smiled. The current situation suited him perfectly.
Whether it was the remnants of the Clear Sky Clan or the three great clans before him, they could all become formidable enemies in the future.
Now that an opportunity to eliminate them all had presented itself, Ye Hao wouldn't let it slip away.
"Watch closely—everyone here will die today."
Ye Hao glanced at Tang Yuehua, who stood behind him, utterly despondent. Tang San's actions had shattered her expectations completely.
Now, the Clear Sky Clan was destroyed, its three elders embroiled in battle with the three great clans.
And Ye Hao—the mastermind behind the Clear Sky Clan's downfall—was about to emerge as the ultimate victor.
"No, Ye Hao, I beg you—spare the Seventh Elder and the others!" Tang Yuehua pleaded desperately, clutching Ye Hao's arm.
"That won't do." Ye Hao shook his head slowly. "They pose a threat to me."
"No, they won't!" Tang Yuehua insisted. "You can cripple their martial souls—wouldn't that be enough?"
A living coward was better than a dead hero.
"Cripple their martial souls?" Ye Hao pondered. "No, it's better to eradicate the roots. Crippling them would mean having to keep them alive, and these people are all significant figures on the continent. Letting them roam free is too risky—what if something goes wrong?"
"Besides, feeding them would be a waste of resources. Spirit Hall is already supporting the four from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School—I don't need any more burdens."
Ye Hao waved his hand dismissively. His stance was clear—no one here would be spared.
"I..." Tang Yuehua bit her lip, her gaze pleading as she looked at Ye Hao. She understood—his mind was made up.
At that moment, Tang Yuehua took Ye Hao's hand and, steeling herself, said, "I'm willing to sacrifice myself... if you'll spare the Seventh Elder and the others."
"Sacrifice yourself?" Ye Hao glanced at Tang Yuehua's graceful figure with mild amusement. Though she was in her thirties, she retained an elegant charm, a mature beauty.
Any normal man would be tempted—but Ye Hao was...
"Sorry, I have no such intentions. One wife in this lifetime is enough for me. Your old tricks might work on others, but I am who I am. You'd best prepare yourself to watch them fall."
Ye Hao smiled faintly. He had brought ample forces this time—including three Titled Douluo—enough to wipe them all out.
"No, I beg you!" Tang Yuehua pleaded. "Spare them!"
The Clear Sky Clan was already gone. The Clear Sky Hammer would soon vanish from this world. Tang Yuehua couldn't bear it.
"Fine, then show me your sincerity." Ye Hao spoke casually, curious.
What kind of sacrifice would a noblewoman like Tang Yuehua be willing to make?
"I..." Tang Yuehua's heart was in torment.
"Don't worry. The Death God's Heart forms an independent space—no one can detect what happens here." With a wave of Ye Hao's hand, the surroundings transformed into darkness, plunging into complete silence.
In this void, only Tang Yuehua's rapid breathing and the pounding of her heart could be heard.
"Where's your sincerity?" Ye Hao shrugged.
"I..."
Biting her lip, Tang Yuehua reached behind her back with trembling hands, slowly undoing the clasps of her dress.
Her jade-like skin gleamed under the dim light, revealing an alluring sight. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed pleadingly at Ye Hao.
Then, she took a hesitant step forward—
But before she could proceed further, Ye Hao gently pressed a hand against her delicate shoulder.
"Enough. I was only joking—didn't expect you to take it seriously." Ye Hao shook his head, gesturing for her to cover herself.
"Spare them?" He chuckled. "That would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains. I'm not foolish enough to leave such a threat behind. If you don't uproot the weeds, they'll grow back with the spring breeze."
Then, with one hand resting on her slender waist and the other lifting her chin, Ye Hao studied her with amusement.
"For their sake, you're not worth it. This is a losing deal."
With a light laugh, he gave her rounded backside a playful pat before turning his attention back to the battle.
Tang Yuehua's face flushed crimson. She understood—there was no hope left today.
Her fists clenched tightly in frustration.
*Boom—!*
A deafening explosion erupted from the battlefield.
In the blink of an eye, the Seventh Elder and Yang Wudi were locked in an intense clash. Their movements grew fiercer, hammers swinging and spears thrusting at blinding speeds.
"I've already told you—Tang San isn't here!" Niu Gao roared in frustration.
"Bullshit!" The Seventh Elder retorted mid-swing. "My intel has never been wrong! Tang San had close ties with the Strength Clan, and our disciples saw him with their own eyes. Hand him over now!"
"Niu Gao, just surrender Tang San," the Fourth Elder sighed. "Do that, and we'll leave immediately. We'll even compensate you for the damages."
"I've said it a hundred times—there's no Tang San here!" Niu Gao bellowed, his patience wearing thin.
"Seventh Soul Skill—Martial Soul True Body!"
As his seventh soul ring lit up, a massive black rhinoceros materialized behind him, its oppressive aura shaking the very ground.
"Stubborn fool." The Fourth Elder shook his head.
With a flash of dark light, the Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his grasp—nine soul rings gleaming ominously.
Titled Douluo!
"Think carefully. Hand over Tang San, or you won't stand a chance against me." The Fourth Elder sneered. Did Niu Gao truly believe a mere Soul Douluo could challenge a Titled Douluo?
"Years ago, the Clear Sky Clan humiliated our four clans, leaving us to suffer Spirit Hall's persecution before we barely escaped here. And now, you come demanding we surrender someone named Tang San—someone I've never even met!"
Niu Gao's expression darkened. "Old grudges and new hatred—today, we settle them all."
The Ironhide Rhinoceros charged with earth-shaking steps, kicking up dust and debris.
The Fourth Elder sighed, raising his hammer for a devastating strike.
Meanwhile, Bai He frowned at the Fifth Elder. "Shall we have our own bout? I'd like to witness the legendary might of the Clear Sky Hammer."
"Clan Leader Bai He, I truly don't wish to fight you."
Years ago, Bai He's sister had married Tang Chen, the former patriarch of the Clear Sky Clan. In other words, Bai He was their elder—a figure from Tang Chen's generation.
"Enough talk. You keep demanding we hand over Tang San, but none of us have even seen him." Bai He shook his head, suspecting someone had fed false information to the Clear Sky Clan.
"Just who is this Tang San? To warrant three elders of the Clear Sky Clan hunting him personally?"
At Bai He's question, the Seventh Elder sighed. "Tang San is a criminal of our clan. To be blunt—he's Tang Hao's son."
"Tang Hao's son?!" Bai He was stunned. "Tang Hao was exiled from the clan years ago. Does the Clear Sky Clan still refuse to let go of his son?"
"No, it's far worse than you imagine. Tang San's crimes surpass even Tang Hao's..."
As the Fifth Elder recounted Tang San's deeds within the Clear Sky Clan, Bai He's face paled with each word, unable to believe what he was hearing.
While chaos reigned on the battlefield, in the rear courtyard—
Tang San found himself surrounded by over a dozen Defense Clan disciples, their Ironhide Rhinoceros martial souls forming an impenetrable barrier.
"Damn it! If this continues, I'm done for!" Tang San wiped cold sweat from his brow, desperation setting in.
The Ironhide Rhinoceros's defense was terrifying—he couldn't break through.
"No! I, Tang San, won't die here today!"
With a cold snort, he retrieved the Godly Zhuge Crossbow from his Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night pouch.
Loading it to maximum power, he aimed at the defensive line and fired.
*Whoosh—!*
The bolt tore through the air, blood blossoming as it pierced two disciples' chests before embedding itself deep into the wall behind them.
The arrow's shaft still vibrated violently—proof of its terrifying force.
"Move aside, or you're next!" Tang San's eyes burned with killing intent.
"You bastard!" The remaining disciples' eyes reddened with rage.
"Who are you? How dare you kill our clansmen?!"
"Tang San," he declared coldly.
"What?!" The crowd erupted in shock.
"You... you're Tang San?" Someone rubbed their ears in disbelief.
"I am Tang San. Now get out of my way—I don't want to kill any more of you." He suppressed his fury.
As if he hadn't already killed two.
After a stunned pause, the disciples quickly regained their composure.
"So Tang San really was hiding here all along!" One disciple whispered urgently, "Go inform the clan leader! That weapon of his is too dangerous—we must be cautious!"
They planned to stall while waiting for reinforcements.
"No! I can't die here!"
Tang San's six soul rings emerged as Blue Silver Grass erupted from the ground, launching another assault.
He still had vengeance to fulfill—he couldn't perish today!
"Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!"
With a roar, the Clear Sky Hammer materialized in his grasp as he executed the clan's signature technique, determined to smash through the blockade by force.