Watching the spear light flicker, the Atlas Divine Spear appearing as if it could pierce through all things, Tang Xiao pushed off the ground and met the charge once more. Since Yun Ming wanted a direct, head-on assault, Tang Xiao naturally would not retreat or evade.
Tang Xiao rotated his Clear Sky Hammer, lightning flowing across the hammer face, and unleashed a strike as fast as a thunderbolt to meet Yun Ming's Atlas Divine Spear.
"Rupture."
The Clear Sky Nine Perfections, Rupture Word Incantation, was unleashed.
"Gather force in the frame, strike with speed and rupture," this was the core essence of this hammer technique. As Tang Xiao executed it, it perfectly aligned with this profound mystery.
Seeing Tang Xiao's direct response, Yun Ming's eyes lit up; for Yun Ming, this feeling of fighting with all his might was truly a long-lost sensation.
As his thoughts churned, the spear light on the Atlas Divine Spear grew even more brilliant.
In the blink of an eye, the spear and hammer collided once more, and a burst of intense soul light was suddenly released, causing Dugu Bo, Yang Wudi, and the others to instinctively look away.
"BOOM—"
The golden spear light collided with the thunderous hammer strike, emitting a deafening roar. This was not the sound of weapons clashing, but the roar caused by the soul power of Yun Ming and Tang Xiao violently colliding and eroding each other.
If not for the dazzling golden and blue soul light obscuring everyone's vision, Dugu Bo and the others would have discovered that the tip of the Atlas Spear and the face of the Clear Sky Hammer were not actually touching at this moment; there were two layers of tangible soul power barriers between the spear and the hammer.
In the instant of the deadlock, Yun Ming realized it was difficult to overpower the Clear Sky Hammer, so he immediately borrowed Tang Xiao's force to pull back and retreat, plotting his next attack. However, Tang Xiao did not want Yun Ming to retreat so easily.
Seeing Yun Ming withdraw his move, Tang Xiao immediately pressed forward as one purple and one black soul ring on his body lit up simultaneously.
Tang Xiao's Third Soul Skill, Clear Sky Demon Thunder, and Fifth Soul Skill, Thunder God's Hammer, were activated.
With two Martial Soul amplitude soul skills unleashed, Tang Xiao's Clear Sky Hammer grew another circle in size, the diameter of the hammer face reaching approximately two meters, further increasing the destructive power of his Martial Soul. At the same time, the lightning coiling around the Clear Sky Hammer changed from the original brilliant blue electricity to dark black lightning. Compared to before, although the black lightning did not appear as violent to the senses, it felt even more dangerous to Yun Ming.
Moreover, Tang Xiao's movements were not finished; during the Martial Soul enhancement, his actions did not stop for a single moment.
Soul light flashed beneath Tang Xiao's feet, and his movement technique, which had not been particularly fast, suddenly surged. Tang Xiao's figure became illusory, turning into afterimages, and in an instant, he arrived before Yun Ming.
So fast!
Yun Ming had not expected that Tang Xiao could be so fast while wielding a hammer weighing several thousand jin.
"Free and easy as the body, extinguishing and appearing in an instant," this was the Clear Sky Nine Perfections, Cessation Word Incantation. Compared to the Cessation Word Incantation used by the Grand Elder of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao's execution was the true embodiment of the technique.
Tang Xiao channeled the Rupture Word Incantation and swung his hammer once more.
Yang Wudi, who had regained his vision on the sidelines, saw that Tang Xiao's attack was about to strike Yun Ming while Yun Ming was completely unprepared, and he cried out in alarm.
"Ming Er, watch out!"
He immediately raised his Soul Breaking Spear, intending to step forward to assist. But before he could move, Tang Xiao's attack was already right before Yun Ming's eyes. Yun Ming sent a voice transmission to Yang Wudi and the others.
"Grandfather, do not worry. Let me spar with him first."
As his voice fell, Yun Ming began his counterattack. A glaze-like light flashed before his eyes, and Yun Ming's figure vanished. When he appeared again the next moment, one body had become five.
In front, behind, to the left, to the right, and above Tang Xiao, five Yun Mings with identical clothing but different movements appeared. Five Atlas Divine Spears shone with the same golden radiance, each spear turning into nine, totaling forty-five golden spear shadows a zhang long, breaking through the air from all directions and striking at all of Tang Xiao's vital points.
Tang Xiao initially thought this was just a trick of the eyes, or perhaps a few afterimages caused by excessive speed, and that the real attack was only from one side, with nine spears being real. But as the attacks drew near, he felt a distinct stinging sensation coming from all over his body. Tang Xiao's expression changed slightly—they were all real?!!
The spear shadows were naturally all real. To be precise, this move of Yun Ming's did not actually have much to do with spear technique; he simply unleashed forty-five spear shadows, then used his spatial ability to seal, store, transfer, and release them. It was quite simple—though this simplicity was only for Yun Ming; whether other spatial ability users could achieve this was another matter.
Although he did not know how Yun Ming had done it, it was clearly not the time to think about that. Tang Xiao immediately changed his stance, and another purple soul ring at his feet lit up.
Tang Xiao's Fourth Soul Skill, Clear Sky Guardian, was activated.
However, unlike the other elders Yun Ming had encountered before, under Tang Xiao's control, the fourth soul ring transformed into soul power Aura that clung to Tang Xiao's body, providing close-range protection. At the same time, Tang Xiao danced the Clear Sky Hammer, intending to fend off Yun Ming's spear light.
Tang Xiao had barely finished his defense when Yun Ming's attacks arrived. In an instant, forty-five spear shadows struck him at once. Tang Xiao rapidly swung the Clear Sky Hammer, spinning at high speed like a black top to block the attacks.
"Ding, ding, ding, ding."
For a time, the sound of spears and hammers clashing was incessant.
Yang Wudi and Yang Wutian were baffled to see Yun Ming's spear shadows like a violent storm; if it were only from one side, they could understand, but they were everywhere from all directions—they did not quite understand! With Yun Ming's spear technique being so flashy, could Tang Xiao block it?
Yun Ming's attack concluded, and Tang Xiao also stopped spinning. The two appeared before everyone once more. Seeing Tang Xiao's current miserable state, Dugu Bo, the Yang brothers, and Tang San, who was watching from afar using his Purple Demon Eyes, all gasped.
The black robe Tang Xiao had been wearing was now riddled with holes from Yun Ming's piercing. All over his body—limbs and torso—there were at least one or two wounds in every part. Not a single part was left unscathed, and he was covered in blood, looking truly wretched.
The onlookers had not expected that in the battle between Tang Xiao and Yun Ming, Yun Ming would be the one to score the first victory, dealing damage in the exchange. This was truly unexpected and left them dumbfounded.
Tang Xiao had not expected this result either—that he would be the one injured first. Thinking of how he, a Super Douluo, had been wounded by a mere Soul King kid, he felt both shame and indignation, and the killing intent in his heart grew even more intense. This child must not be left alive; otherwise, Tang San would surely die.
However, Yun Ming was not particularly excited, not just because Tang Xiao did not rank highly among all the Soul Masters he had encountered in his past and present lives, but also because Tang Xiao had not been critically wounded.
Judging by the locations where the spear shadows had entered his body, they should not have just caused flesh wounds. The fourth soul ring should not have been that effective, so was it that flash of yellow light from just now? Yun Ming could not be certain, but as long as the fight continued, he would eventually find the reason.
Tang Xiao let out a violent roar.
"Die!"
He channeled the Cessation Word Incantation once more and charged at Yun Ming. Yun Ming raised his spear to meet him.
This time, Tang Xiao changed his combat style from the previous attempt to kill with a single blow. He rapidly swung the Clear Sky Hammer, dancing a vast expanse of hammer shadows, pressing toward Yun Ming head-on like a wall of hammers.
Seeing this ill-timed and scattered attack, Yun Ming immediately danced the Atlas Divine Spear, one spear turning into a hundred shadows to meet him head-on.
In this kind of saturated attack, how could a hammer compare to a long spear? Although the attack surface was wider, the force was reduced, and it clearly had little effect against Yun Ming.
If Tang Xiao hadn't lost his mind, then he must have been prepared for something. Yun Ming was very curious about his preparations, so he would wait and see.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang."
Countless hammer shadows and spear shadows attacked each other, collapsing and annihilating one another. Golden spear light and black demonic lightning collided repeatedly, constantly blasting deep pits and spear marks into the plaza floor, causing the ground of the Breaking Clan plaza to deteriorate further toward an irreparable state.
After the two traded dozens of frantic blows, as Tang Xiao's hammer force grew heavier, Yun Ming determined the source of the problem and thought to himself.
Is this a variant of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer?
It was exactly as Yun Ming suspected. This hammer technique of Tang Xiao's was indeed a variant of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. To be precise, it was a superimposed hammer technique fused from the Penetration Word Incantation—"one breath continuous, offensive momentum overlapping"—and the Seal Word Incantation—"contained like a drawn bow, sealing and solidifying force"—from the Clear Sky Nine Perfections, combined with certain force-exertion methods from the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. Tang Xiao named it "Thousand Layer Wave."
Compared to the rigid routine of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, the advantage of this move was that it could seal force and was not restricted by broken sequences. However, the disadvantage was that the stacking speed was too slow. Although the name "Thousand Layer" was somewhat hyperbolic, it indicated the slow accumulation of this move, which was the reason Yun Ming only saw it clearly after trading dozens of blows with Tang Xiao.
Thinking of this, Yun Ming ceased his offensive. The Atlas Divine Spear in his hand began to dance in a style that appeared slow but was actually urgent, nimble, and rounded, moving to deflect Tang Xiao's continuous hammer strikes.
"Atlas, Hua Jie," the defensive counterattack skill created by Yun Ming was activated.
Seeing Yun Ming change his stance, Tang Xiao was initially dismissive, feeling only that Yun Ming was seeking his own death.
After another few dozen exchanges, as the Atlas Divine Spear shone ever brighter, he vaguely felt that Yun Ming's spear art gave him a feeling similar to "Thousand Layer Wave." He immediately felt a sense of foreboding and, no longer continuing to accumulate power, let out a loud shout and swung his hammer.
"Hundred Layer Wave!"
The demonic lightning on the Clear Sky Hammer rose and fell like waves, finally transforming into a pitch-black, ink-like giant wave of demonic lightning that surged toward Yun Ming.
Seeing that his opponent had stopped accumulating power, Yun Ming released the force on the Atlas Divine Spear and thrust it forward.
"Atlas, Hua Jie!"
The spear thrust transformed into a flood dragon, charging forcefully toward the giant wave.
A scene of evenly matched forces did not occur. The golden flood dragon tore through the giant wave in the blink of an eye and sped toward Tang Xiao, intent on slaying the formidable enemy for its master. Tang Xiao was shocked at the sight.
Yun Ming was not surprised; it was normal for the moves Tang Xiao developed to be inferior to his own. If his move could stack faster, his title would not be Xiao Tian.
Tang Xiao's repeated setbacks left the onlookers somewhat numb. Who exactly was the Titled Douluo between the two fighting? Why had Tang Xiao never gained the upper hand?
Facing the golden flood dragon, Tang Xiao swung his hammer again.
"Inclusive and all-encompassing, echo in the empty valley," the Emptiness Word Incantation of the Clear Sky Nine Perfections was activated.
Under Tang Xiao's several precise strikes, the golden giant dragon turned into golden light dots and dissipated into the air, but this also exposed a flaw in front of Yun Ming.
Before Tang Xiao could recover, the spear light on Yun Ming's Atlas Divine Spear flared brilliantly. He used Teleportation to appear before Tang Xiao and thrust his spear out fiercely.
Facing the divine spear at such close range, the Clear Sky Hammer was swung out passively.
This time, it was impossible for Tang Xiao to counterattack; he could only defend. The speed of his hammer swing became very slow and light. Unlike the previous strikes that were visible to the naked eye and carried the power to move mountains and drain seas or shatter rivers and mountains, this time, Tang Xiao's hammer technique felt soft and adhesive.
As the spear and hammer met, Tang Xiao slightly rotated his wrist, and Yun Ming felt a force of traction and shifting attempting to sway his spear tip.
What Tang Xiao used was the Entanglement Word Incantation of the Clear Sky Nine Perfections: "entangling silk spinning force, straight and curved generating each other." It was infinitely marvelous for both attacking and defending.
Regarding this hammer force that was as rounded as one's wishes and dense without end, Yun Ming did not choose to break through by force. Instead, he decided to go with the flow. Fighting until now, although he had been in the upper hand, his consumption was also great. He could not drag this out much longer; it was time to decide the victor.
After figuring out the direction of the Clear Sky Hammer's force, Yun Ming controlled the Atlas Divine Spear to dance along with the momentum.
After Tang Xiao sensed the change in Yun Ming's spear momentum, he realized his intention and sneered inwardly.
Wanting to shift the stars and reverse the flow to control my force—is this overestimating your capabilities, or is your consumption too great!
Although he did not know which was the real reason behind it, he believed he could control the situation.
As a member of the Clear Sky Sect, the most skilled in the entire continent at wielding power, and having studied the two methods of power control—the Clear Sky Nine Perfections and the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer—for many years, he felt that under heaven, apart from Tang Chen, no one understood the control and meticulous application of power better than him, not even his genius younger brother Tang Hao.
Although Yun Ming was strong to the point of being abnormal, and had used a power-accumulating move earlier, he did not think the other party could compare to him in the application of energy.
Since Yun Ming had given him an opportunity, Tang Xiao naturally had to seize it well. He continued to swing his hammer in circles, adding force; he wanted to make Yun Ming suffer the consequences of his own actions.
The Atlas Divine Spear and the Clear Sky Hammer continuously entangled and rotated together. Invisible energy began to accumulate and expand between the spear and hammer. A massive wave of air, centered on where the two were fighting, surged outward, and the entire plaza was plunged into flying sand and rolling stones.
Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi watched the expanding circle of energy and retreated rapidly.
Yang Wutian was getting anxious. He wanted to see if he could take the opportunity to break through the energy and sneak-attack Tang Xiao, but Dugu Bo stopped him. Dugu Bo shook his head and said seriously.
"Do not act rashly. It is too dangerous, and breaking the balance now might lead to both sides suffering!"
Yang Wutian said anxiously.
"Then we can only watch like this?"
Dugu Bo nodded helplessly. Although Yang Wudi was also worried at this moment, he still spoke calmly.
"Trust Ming Er!"
Seeing his elder brother say this, Yang Wutian could only wait for now.
On Yun Ming and Tang Xiao's side:
With the accumulation of power, the hundred-meter radius around the two was completely shrouded by a powerful, condensed energy that would not dissipate. The originally invisible energy had condensed to a degree visible to the naked eye, like a transparent and clear five-clawed divine dragon circling continuously in this area.
The ground beneath their feet continued to crack, and everything began to fly and dance in the air with the energy, gradually shattering. Even if a Soul Douluo-level expert were to enter now, the outcome would not be good. At best, they would be severely injured; at worst, they would die on the spot.
Tang Xiao looked at the fact that he still hadn't been able to suppress Yun Ming and was shocked beyond measure.
How could this kid still be able to control the energy? This isn't something that can be done just by having cultivation. Could it be that his comprehension of the path of power is not below mine?!!
But thinking of Yun Ming's age, Tang Xiao immediately drove this absurd thought out of his mind. Impossible! It simply didn't exist! His grandfather Tang Chen at this age... uh, he heard he was far worse than the kid opposite, only at the level of being able to fight a Soul King.
At this thought, Tang Xiao's killing intent rose again. However, the energy had condensed to such a degree that he could no longer withdraw. Now, he could only fight to the end; whoever lost control first would have to bear the impact of this massive energy.
Another five or six minutes passed. Tang Xiao continued to grit his teeth and hold on, and so did Yun Ming.
As expected of Tang Xiao, a powerhouse who could reach level 97 in this era without relying on high-age Spirit Rings! His comprehension of the path of strength was not to be underestimated. He was even a bit stronger than he had imagined.
Yun Ming was not feeling so relaxed now either; after all, his current true cultivation level was not quite there. Even if Yun Ming's techniques for exerting force were more sophisticated, it did not mean he could crush Tang Xiao without any pressure at all.
However, seeing the beads of sweat constantly popping out on Tang Xiao's forehead, Yun Ming swung the Atlas Divine Spear once more, pouring in more force to completely suppress Tang Xiao and seize final control over the surging energy.
Tang Xiao gasped for breath and took a few steps back, staring at Yun Ming with an ugly expression on his face.
Yun Ming swung the Atlas Divine Spear, manipulating the Giant Dragon of energy, and pushed the dragon toward Tang Xiao. He shouted in a low voice.
"Tang Xiao, you have lost!"
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader