Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

As Tai Tan's expression hardened, the pressure erupting from him surged toward Tang San like a crashing tide. Under the crushing force, Tang San felt as though his body was twisting and warping. This power… it felt even more overwhelming than the pressure Poison Douluo had exuded back at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

As a pure strength-type Spirit Master, Tai Tan's physical might surpassed even many Title Douluo. In terms of raw force, few on the continent could rival him.

Tang San immediately activated his Blue Silver Grass, wrapping it protectively around himself in an attempt to share the burden. But the pressure was simply too much—even his vines couldn't move. Glancing at the incense, he saw that not even a third had burned away. Yet, he already felt like he couldn't hold on much longer.

Am I really going to lose here? Be forced to join their clan, to live the rest of my life bound to them?

No! Absolutely not! I still have to revive the Tang Sect—I have to find my father. I can't lose. I won't!

By now, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Xiao Wu had arrived at the scene. But seeing that a wager had been made, they knew that interfering now would mean forfeiting on Tang San's part.

Xiao Wu opened her mouth to speak, about to tell Tang San to surrender—

But before the words could leave her lips, Lin Jie suddenly appeared at her side, covering her mouth just in time. As he did, a strange and subtle wave of energy passed into Xiao Wu's body.

"Mm!" Xiao Wu let out a muffled protest, glaring at him furiously.

"Don't say anything," Lin Jie whispered in her ear. "If you interrupt Tang San now, it'll only make things worse."

Only then did he release her. No one else had noticed his arrival—everyone's eyes were fixed on Tang San.

Xiao Wu, startled, blinked. She had just seen Lin Jie ahead of them moments ago. When had he come to stand beside her?

Lin Jie narrowed his eyes, smiling playfully at her like someone who'd just found a precious treasure.

Xiao Wu shivered unconsciously. Something about that smile unsettled her.

In truth, Lin Jie had sensed two powerful auras moments earlier. One was even stronger than Tai Tan's. The other was gentler—non-hostile. With his mind extended, he quickly confirmed that the first aura easily surpassed Tai Tan's strength—likely a Title Douluo. That's why he had moved swiftly to Xiao Wu's side.

At this point, Tang San had exhausted nearly every technique he could muster—only his Clear Sky Hammer remained unrevealed.

Tai Tan glanced at the still-burning incense, then back at Tang San, who was still stubbornly holding out. His eyes narrowed. It was time to stop holding back. With a flicker of intent, he increased the pressure from 60% to 80%.

"Pfft—"

Tang San could no longer endure the crushing weight. Blood spurted from his mouth.

Am I really going to lose? Is this where it ends for me?!

No! I won't accept this!

Gritting his teeth, Tang San's face twisted in fury and desperation. He raised his left hand, fingers spreading open. A dense black aura gathered in his palm and began to condense. A pitch-black hammer slowly formed in his hand.

The moment it appeared, the expressions of Tai Tan, Tai Nuo, and Tai Long all shifted.

"That's…!"

Lin Jie also noticed the small, dark hammer appearing in Tang San's hand. He narrowed his eyes slightly. Hmm… not bad.

Several sharp-eyed observers in the crowd saw the weapon too, their eyes widening in shock.

At that moment, a dazzling rainbow light descended from the sky, enveloping Tang San.

Bathed in the radiant light, Tang San's injuries instantly began to mend. His breath steadied.

From the distance came a deep, powerful voice:

"Old Ape, bullying a junior—what kind of strength is that? Why not pick on someone your own size?"

The voice was calm but carried immense authority.

Hearing that familiar voice, Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. She darted toward the voice joyfully.

"Grandpa Bone! Father! You're here!" she shouted happily.

Oscar, watching Ning Rongrong rush forward, turned to see the two approaching figures and blinked. "Grandpa? Father?"

The newcomers were none other than Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo Gu Rong. Since Sword Douluo had accompanied Ning Fengzhi last time, this time it was Bone Douluo's turn, as one of them needed to remain at the sect to guard it.

Seeing the two, Tai Tan's pupils shrank slightly. Though he feared few in the world, he knew these men were not to be underestimated. He stepped back slightly and greeted them with courtesy:

"So it's Sect Master Ning and Elder Bone. This old man offers his respects."

Ning Rongrong had already thrown herself into Bone Douluo's arms, affectionately clinging to him.

In truth, both Bone Douluo and Ning Fengzhi had been observing the situation for a while. They had wanted to see what kind of strength Tang San truly possessed. But when it looked like Tang San couldn't hold on any longer, Ning Fengzhi had finally acted.

"Old Ape," Bone Douluo said evenly, "for my sake, why don't we call this little wager off?"

He knew Tai Tan's temper well. The man respected no one and rarely listened to reason. That's why Bone Douluo kept his tone calm and respectful.

To his surprise, Tai Tan actually smiled. "Fine. I'll let it go."

"You're agreeing just like that?" Bone Douluo raised a brow. "That's… not like you."

"Yes," Tai Tan said again, chuckling. "I'm giving you face. Let's just drop it."

Bone Douluo stared at him, a little suspicious. "You? Giving in? Something's not right."

Tai Tan's expression twitched. He pointed to Tang San's left hand and said, "Look."

Bone Douluo followed his gaze—and when he saw the small black hammer in Tang San's hand, his face changed.

"The Clear Sky Hammer? He's from the Clear Sky Clan...?"

"Exactly," Tai Tan said with a hearty laugh. "Looks like we've been fighting our own family this whole time."

Because of their angle, the other students hadn't noticed the weapon. But Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo had seen it clearly. Ning Fengzhi's expression flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained composure—he was, after all, the leader of a major sect.

Bone Douluo moved to his side and muttered, "Sect Master, that hammer—"

"I saw it," Ning Fengzhi replied calmly. "No wonder he's so talented—he's from the Clear Sky Clan. I'm more curious about this Lin Jie. Could he also hail from one of the great clans?"

As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared, casting a radiant glow. A multicolored beam of light shone down on Tang San, rapidly stabilizing him.

Oscar rushed over in concern. "San-ge, are you alright?"

Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai also gathered around. Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, ever since Bone Douluo had appeared, had started trembling slightly and instinctively moved behind Lin Jie.

Lin Jie noticed this, gently taking her hand. "Xiao Wu," he asked quietly, "are you scared?"

"W-Who's scared?!" she snapped back, though her small hand trembled in his grasp.

"Scared they'll recognize you as a transformed spirit beast?" Lin Jie leaned in, whispering beside her ear.

Xiao Wu's pupils shrank. He knows. He really knows. She had long suspected Lin Jie was aware of her identity—but now, with those words, it was confirmed.

Lin Jie thought back to the strange energy he had infused into her earlier—a remnant of the origin aura left in his body after dual cultivation with Zhu Zhuqing and the effect of the Yearning Heartbroken Red Immortal Herb. That aura was... unusual. He couldn't explain it, but it might help obscure Xiao Wu's spirit beast identity.

"I passed a trace of it into you," Lin Jie said softly. "It should help mask your presence. Don't be afraid. Even if they do find out… I'll protect you."

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin