After dealing with Gu Ran last time, the Wind Wolf's Thirty-Six Consecutive Slashes reappeared.
At that time, Feng Xiaotian's thirty-sixth slash was exceptionally impressive. Although the move had left no scars on Gu Ran, no one believed it to be weak. After all, Gu Ran was a Soul King and the direct disciple of Gu Rong, the continent's greatest defensive master. With a defensive torso soul bone, his resilience was only natural.
However, Tang San lacked Gu Ran's formidable defense. Once Feng Xiaotian reached the thirty-sixth slash, defeat would be inevitable.
"Take this!"
With a long whistle, Feng Xiaotian launched himself forward, descending like a meteor chasing the moon. His wings spread wide, yet his movement made no sound. The diffuse green light around him had been completely restrained. At this moment, his body and wings aligned at a perfect angle.
Compared to last time, his Thirty-Six Consecutive Slashes had become even more refined.
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass surged skyward, transforming into countless vines that wrapped toward Feng Xiaotian as he plummeted.
But the vines were too fragile, breaking apart before they could restrain him. The absence of a second awakening, the loss of his immortal herb, and the missing boost from a ten-thousand-year soul ring all left Tang San weaker than before.
The fifth slash, the sixth slash…
'The Black Jade Hand can't block this level of force. Am I really going to lose?' Tang San gritted his teeth, unwilling to accept defeat. Yet his Blue Silver Grass, unable to reach Feng Xiaotian, was severed by wind blades before even coming close.
Tang San couldn't help but resent the uselessness of the Blue Silver Grass. Its reputation as a weak martial spirit was well deserved.
Even the Tang Sect's unique skills were proving ineffective. The competition rules prohibited the use of hidden weapons, leaving him completely helpless.
"No! I haven't lost yet!"
In the gap between Feng Xiaotian's sixth and seventh slashes, a sudden realization struck Tang San. Among all his hidden trump cards, there was still one he had never revealed.
Dark energy surged in his right hand, and an inconspicuous hammer emerged. At the same moment, a loud bang echoed as his feet dug into the ground, creating a deep crater.
Tang San half-turned, gripping the hammer with both hands. Channeling force from his calves, he twisted his body and swung the foot-long black hammer upward to meet Feng Xiaotian's seventh slash.
Boom!
Feng Xiaotian was sent flying, his wind wings cracking under the force. The intense pain flushed his face red.
"What kind of weapon is this hammer?" Feng Xiaotian stared at Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer in disbelief.
According to competition rules, any props aside from martial souls and soul bones were forbidden. Using one would be an automatic disqualification.
Yet the referee remained silent, standing motionless as if in shock.
"This… this is—!!"
Yu Tianheng, still slightly weak, abruptly tossed aside the towel covering him and stood up "Clear Sky Hammer! Wait, Tang San's surname is Tang… Could he be a descendant of the Clear Sky Clan?"
In the stands, every knowledgeable soul master echoed Yu Tianheng's exclamation.
The Clear Sky Hammer—the pinnacle of weapon spirits, renowned for its unparalleled attack power—was now revealed as Tang San's second martial soul. A twin martial soul!
"Clear Sky Clan… Clear Sky Hammer… Twin Martial Souls!" Salas muttered, each word sending a tremor through his mind
Though Tang San hadn't stated it outright, his technique was unmistakable—one of the Clear Sky Clan's inherited soul skills, the Chaos Cloak Hammer Technique
"Tang San actually has twin martial souls… How is this possible?" Jun Tianlin's voice trembled, losing its usual composure.
The revelation stunned everyone. After all, this wasn't just the Clear Sky Hammer—it was the Clear Sky Hammer as a second martial soul. If Tang San grew stronger, he could one day become a Clear Sky Douluo with a complete set of ten-thousand-year spirit rings, representing a force unmatched across the continent.
Jun Tianlin, long accustomed to standing above his peers—even above Spirit Hall's Golden Generation—now faced someone whose potential eclipsed his own. This was undoubtedly a heavy blow.
Seeing his reaction, Yu Tianheng stepped forward and patted Jun Tianlin's shoulder. He said nothing, but his eyes conveyed encouragement and comfort.
Among the crowd, only Gu Ran looked at his boss with admiration.
Jun Tianlin's expression conveyed "jealousy" over the twin martial souls, while his trembling arms suggested an unwillingness to be surpassed.
'Boss, you're truly my idol' Gu Ran thought excitedly 'Not only you have cultivation talent, but also your incredible acting skills.'
He alone knew the truth—Jun Tianlin also had twin martial souls, ones even more terrifying than the Clear Sky Hammer. Why would he fear Tang San?
In the stands, Gu Ran's master, Gu Rong, found himself mirroring his disciple's thoughts. His own clan head, Ning Fengzhi, was performing the exact same act as Jun Tianlin.
"Other than Her Holiness, the Pope of Spirit Hall, I've never seen or even heard of a second person with twin martial souls" Ning Fengzhi said gravely, his hands trembling as they gripped the clan head's scepter "I thought Jun Tianlin was already a once-in-a-century prodigy, but I never expected Shrek Academy to hide someone with even greater potential. Just whose child is he? The Clear Sky Clan has been secluded for years—could there still be disciples wandering the world?"
Since Bibi Dong's full rise to power, the secret of her twin martial souls was no longer deliberately concealed. Though not common knowledge, the elite of the continent were aware. This understanding made them realize the terrifying potential of a matured twin martial soul wielder—someone with a full ten-thousand-year soul ring configuration, capable of surpassing ordinary Titled Douluo.
'Hey, Xiaotian, you and your clan head have a grudge against this Tang San' Tian Meng muttered "The more fear you show toward him, the more dangerous he'll become."
'It's not about a grudge' Jun Tianlin replied smoothly 'Tang San exposed the Clear Sky Hammer himself—I didn't force his hand. But if I acted too indifferent, it would have seemed suspicious. Envy, jealousy, even fear—those are natural reactions.'
Ning Fengzhi clearly shared Jun Tianlin's approach, and because of it, many onlookers pitied him. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had been growing rapidly in recent years. With Jun Tianlin's rise, they seemed poised to surpass the Clear Sky Clan as the number one clan in the world.
But now, with the reveal of a twin martial soul from the Clear Sky Clan, that dream was suddenly in jeopardy.
'Master, you truly are a master' Gu Rong marveled, watching Ning Fengzhi remain composed while effortlessly lying through his teeth
Even the slight emphasis Ning Fengzhi placed on the word "outside" triggered Salas's suspicion "The Clear Sky Clan has been sealed off for years. The only one currently outside is… Could Tang San be—?"
Unable to sit still, Salas left immediately, forgetting even to bid farewell to Emperor Xue Ye. He rushed back to the Spirit Temple, ordering an immediate investigation into Tang San's background.
The results came swiftly.
"Tang San, from Holy Soul Village. Currently enrolled at Shrek Academy. Graduated from Notting Junior Soul Master Academy. Awakening overseen by Su Yuntao. Current family… father—Tang Hao?!"
As he read the final two words, Salas's eyes widened, pupils constricting in terror
"This Tang San… is actually Tang Hao's son?!"