[DD]: 221

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Seven soul rings—six red and one unprecedented platinum-colored ring.

From the overwhelming strength displayed by Shui Bing'er and the others, no one dared underestimate Han Li, the Holy Son who had yet to reveal his full power. But to start with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring as his first? That was outrageous.

Throughout the venue, apart from a few insiders, everyone—including Bibi Dong—was left dazed. No, she understood its significance better than anyone.

What kind of divine test had he undergone? Which god could be so generous? This was Bibi Dong's first thought.

Though she had already passed several divine trials, she had received little beyond some affinity boosts. The enhancement of soul ring years was something she'd only heard of when first encountering divine trials, but she'd never actually received it.

Bibi Dong gripped her staff tightly, a hint of jealousy flickering in her gaze toward Han Li.

"Your Highness, this..."

The higher-ups of Spirit Hall were filled with joy and excitement. They had seen Han Li's soul ring configuration before—extraordinary, but nothing close to the terrifying sight before them now.

The Holy Son had recently promoted the idea of soul ring limit-breaking and even introduced a cultivation method internally, which Qian Daoliu implemented in Han Li's name. Could this mean that they, too, might achieve this one day?

If Spirit Hall was elated, then Tang Hao and the others could only feel suffocating pressure. How could they possibly compete?

"This is impossible."

Tang Hao's face twisted in disbelief as he sensed the other's aura, equal to his own. He shouted in shock.

"Hmm, indeed, it's impossible. My soul rings are fake. Look, if you don't believe me."

As he spoke, the soul rings above Han Li's head began shifting colors rapidly—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple—while his expression held a mocking glint.

Below, the audience stared blankly at Han Li's shifting soul rings, as though the world had gone mad, defying all understanding.

"All right, Tang Hao, enough talk. Come up and fight, or would you prefer I include them in the attack range?"

Han Li's soul rings reverted to their original six red and one platinum, hovering steadily above his head. He turned his left hand horizontally, his right hand resting casually on the red-tinged soul power bowstring, aiming downward.

At Han Li's taunt, Tang Hao gripped the Clear Sky Hammer even tighter. Though Han Li hadn't attacked, he felt as if he were already locked in place.

"Xiao San, take care of yourself."

Tang Hao said to Tang San, though his voice wasn't particularly low. It was unclear if he was reminding Tang San or directing his words at someone else.

Han Li, however, smiled slightly. He's probably saying that for Tang Xiao's sake, but who knows if the Clear Sky Sect master dares to show up?

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Tang Hao slowly rose into the air, facing the smiling Han Li.

"You seem a bit nervous."

Compared to the serious Tang Hao, Han Li appeared much more relaxed.

"Let me tell you something. Never underestimate a Titled Douluo, especially one called the Clear Sky Douluo. Just like Qian Xunji!"

"Clear Sky Avatar!"

Tang Hao's seventh soul ring shone, and the massive black Clear Sky Hammer in his hand radiated powerful black light. The hammer expanded in the wind, growing to over a hundred meters, its massive head resembling a small mountain.

With a ferocious expression, he hurled the black hammer toward Han Li, the weapon cutting through the distance between them.

In Tang Hao's mind, this was the difference in combat experience. As a ranged tool soul master, not attacking as he rose into the air was already Han Li's biggest mistake.

So what if Han Li's soul ring configuration was terrifying? Tang Hao was prepared to risk everything. Han Li was still too inexperienced.

Just as the hammer neared Han Li's head and Tang Hao prepared for his next strike, he suddenly saw the young man across from him smile slightly, raise his left hand, and effortlessly catch the massive Clear Sky Hammer with his martial soul.

At that moment, a voice echoed clearly in Tang Hao's ears.

"What makes you think I gave you a chance?"

Above Han Li's head, the fourth and sixth soul rings lit up, and under the glow of two blood-red lights, Tang Hao saw a golden and gray energy descend onto Han Li.

The golden light seemed to emanate from Han Li himself, while the gray energy transformed into a shield surrounding him. With his left arm, Han Li effortlessly halted the enormous Clear Sky Hammer in mid-air.

Fourth Soul Skill: Overlord Body.

This was a soul skill Han Li had rarely used. He obtained it after hurriedly hunting a mutated Titan Giant Ape. It granted a 100% strength boost, with an added Overlord Body effect.

Sixth Soul Skill: Evil God's Protection, was the only defensive soul skill he had obtained from the Dark Devilgod Tiger.

With his body already transforming into a divine physique and enhanced by his soul's bones, his strength rivaled even pure strength-type soul masters.

In mid-air, Han Li caught Tang Hao's Clear Sky Avatar attack head-on. His body didn't even shift, though the gray energy on his surface fluctuated slightly. Tang Hao, however, was shaken by the recoil, his hands bleeding from the force.

"You attacked first, so isn't it normal for me to counterattack?"

Han Li tilted his head slightly, meeting Tang Hao's flushed face. He raised his right fist and smashed it toward the Clear Sky True Body.

A metallic clash resounded mid-air as the mountain-sized Clear Sky Hammer, along with Tang Hao, was sent flying higher. The onlookers below raised their heads, their eyes wide with shock.

The Clear Sky Hammer, known as the ultimate power-type martial soul, wielded by a Titled Douluo in his true form, had been casually blocked. The Holy Son seemed almost impatient as he struck again, sending Tang Hao reeling.

Despite being at a disadvantage, Tang Hao, one of the Deathgods, wasn't easily shaken. Instead, a smirk appeared on his lips.

Using the Clear Sky True Body to force his opponent to reveal two spirit abilities while gathering some basic information—not bad. Plus, being launched into the air was no disadvantage at all.

Using the Clear Sky True Body to perform the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer would be taxing, especially given his current physical state. But with the momentum from his opponent's strike, it became much easier.

Unlike Tang San, Tang Hao's understanding and mastery of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer ran deep. Using the immense force to his advantage, he rotated his body naturally, gripping the hammer with both hands as he swung it above his head.

"The 36th Hammer."

Below, Tang San's eyes flashed with purple light, his face filled with awe. His father was incredible. By borrowing his opponent's attack, he had instantly built up to the 36th strike of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer—a level far beyond Tang San's reach.

"Impressive. But you're about to die. To be crushed under the 36th hammer, borrowed from your attack—you should consider yourself honored!"

High in the sky, Tang Hao laughed heartily. He leaped, both hands wielding the massive Clear Sky Hammer, and brought it down toward Han Li.

"Are all of you Clear Sky Sect people as dense as your hammers, with lumps of iron for brains?"

Below, Han Li was in no hurry. Calmly, he placed his right hand on the bowstring and drew back the Ice and Fire Dragon Bow.

"You didn't think I was unfamiliar with the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, did you?"

A two-colored arrow formed on his martial soul. The third spoul ring above Han Li's head appeared at the bow's center, like a scope aimed directly at the fast-descending Tang Hao.

"Go."

A soft voice rang out as the arrow flew from the soul ring, moving at a speed not much faster than a full sprint from a Soul Emperor.

...

In the arena below, the upper echelons of Spirit Hall began breathing heavily. It was that move—the one they had seen years ago. But back then, the soul ring in front of the bow had been black.

The mountainous Clear Sky Hammer collided with the two-colored arrow. Despite its regular size, aside from its red and white coloring, the arrow met the massive hammer less than a hundred meters above Han Li.

Big versus small, black versus red and white—the contrast was extreme.

At the moment of impact, the arrow seemed to shatter, as though crushed by the Clear Sky Hammer. But Tang Hao knew better; the force transmitted from the arrow was immense, far from as weak as its speed implied.

Moreover, the attack's concentration caused a barely visible crack to form within the Clear Sky True Body. Tang Hao's blood surged, and he barely suppressed the urge to cough up blood.

As if that weren't enough, the ice and fire elements from the explosion began invading the Clear Sky Hammer. The intense cold and heat significantly weakened the hammer's protective strength.

Worst of all, he had planned to use the explosion's force to continue the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. But for an instant, the ice element froze the Clear Sky Hammer, interrupting his momentum and cutting the force he could harness by at least seventy percent, leaving him uncertain whether to press on.

Then he saw Han Li smiling at him again, his right hand once more on the bowstring.

He had no choice but to continue. Tang Hao followed through, propelling himself higher. He stomped with his left foot in mid-air, his leg beginning to glow as he activated his soul bone's power—the only way to sustain his assault mid-flight.