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Watching Tang Wei rage uncontrollably, the Great Elder of the Hao Tian Sect subtly shook his head in disappointment.
The other three secondary elders of the Hao Tian Sect remained silent and noncommittal.
Others might not know what the Hao Tian Sect used to be like, but how could the elders not?
Although the sect had long possessed various inherited ultimate techniques and heritage soul bones that placed them among the top-tier sects of the continent, they were far from being the absolute pinnacle—until the emergence of Tang Chen, an unparalleled genius, who solidified the Hao Tian Sect's status and earned it the reputation of possessing the strongest weapon martial soul.
Otherwise, the title of the strongest aggressive-type martial soul on the continent would still belong to the Seven Killings Sword.
The Seven Killings Sword Dust Family had already produced two 98th-level Super Douluos in succession.
The sheer weight of such achievements spoke for itself. Currently, the highest cultivation levels within the Hao Tian Sect belonged to the Great Elder and the Sect Leader Tang Wei, both at the 97th level, but they remained far from reaching the 98th level.
"Sect Leader, regarding the matter of our two young masters, we must deliberate carefully. Moreover, this time, our Hao Tian Sect is clearly in the wrong. If we forcibly confront them, the outcome will likely be disastrous.
Furthermore, the opponent has already stated that Tang Chen is currently trapped somewhere and unable to assist us. Once we engage them in battle, our chances of victory are slim. You, as the Sect Leader of the Hao Tian Sect, should understand just how terrifying the 98th level truly is.
Moreover, after Tang Chen earned the title of 'Invincible of the Earth,' our disciples have indeed grown lax and arrogant. Today's calamity is not entirely unexpected." The Great Elder tried to reason with Tang Wei.
The current Great Elder of the Hao Tian Sect was not the same one from the era of Tang San but rather a contemporary of Tang Chen.
Though he couldn't match the brilliance of Tang Chen, his foundation was deep, and he had cultivated all the way to the 97th level, making him comparable to Tang Xiao, who temporarily led the Hao Tian Sect in the original story.
Tang Wei usually held great respect for this Great Elder, as the saying goes, "Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure." Moreover, the Great Elder was a Title Douluo at the same cultivation level as himself.
Deep down, Tang Wei harbored some feelings of inferiority. His 97th-level cultivation was largely due to the vast resources accumulated by Tang Chen, which had been poured into him. Otherwise, with his original aptitude, reaching the 95th level would have been his limit—similar to Qian Xunji.
Though he couldn't compare to Tang Chen, Tang Wei considered himself the reviver of the Hao Tian Sect. His youngest son, Tang Hao, was seen as the future hope of the sect. Now, no matter what, he couldn't swallow this humiliation.
"The mighty Hao Tian Sect, wielding the peerless War Soul Hammer, must make the Tian Xing Academy pay a price, or our sect's reputation will be utterly ruined."
"Alas, Sect Leader, do not remain obstinate. According to reports from our disciples, that 98th-level Tian Xing Douluo is extremely adept at countering our Hao Tian Hammer, both in terms of cultivation and abilities. Even if you possess Tang Chen's Great Nirvana Hammer technique, it would be futile against that illusory soul skill. No matter how hard you swing your Hao Tian Hammer, it won't make a difference." The Great Elder continued to try to dissuade him.
Inwardly, the Great Elder was irritated. Tang Wei was usually mild-mannered—why was he being so stubborn today? Knowing they couldn't win, why insist on rushing to their deaths?
"Great Elder, there's no need to say more. Since you refuse to assist me, I will go alone!"
To everyone's surprise, Tang Wei was so single-minded, fixated on avenging the Tian Xing Academy without considering his own limitations. He hadn't inherited even half of his father Tang Chen's abilities, yet he had fully absorbed his pride.
"Cough, cough—" A series of coughs echoed from outside the meeting hall.
A pale-faced Tang Xiao limped in, leaning heavily on a cane.
"Father, the Great Elder is right. If you recklessly proceed and provoke them, our entire Hao Tian Sect will surely be annihilated."
"Disobedient son! I haven't even punished you for failing to protect your younger brother, and yet you dare to spout such nonsense!" Tang Wei snapped angrily.
Tang Xiao felt a pang of pain in his heart. Though he had always cherished his younger siblings, being constantly compared to his more talented younger brother was difficult, even for someone as gentle as him.
But thinking of the consequences if his father truly angered the Tian Xing Douluo, the entire Hao Tian Sect would be wiped out, and his other loved ones would not escape unscathed either.
Tang Xiao knelt, his voice heavy as he said, "Father, please reconsider. Since returning, I've been investigating the secrets behind the soul rings of this Tian Xing Douluo.
In the notes left by Grandfather Tang Chen, it was explicitly mentioned:
For every additional 100,000 years of cultivation, a ten-thousand-year soul ring gains another golden stripe. Thus, the ninth soul ring of this Tian Xing Douluo comes from a 300,000-year supreme spirit beast. Such an existence is far beyond what we can afford to provoke."
Tang Wei had naturally read Tang Chen's notes on the secrets of the continent, but he had dismissed the descriptions of soul rings above 100,000 years as mere myths. After all, on the current Douluo Continent, the only known 100,000-year spirit beasts were the Titan Ape and the Azure Sky Bison at the Lake of Life. There was no trace of any 200,000-year spirit beasts, let alone anything higher.
The information brought back by their disciples was secondhand, so Tang Wei hadn't been aware of these details until now.
"A 300,000-year soul ring!?" Tang Wei exclaimed in shock and terror.
In his youth, he had been fiercely competitive and sought to obtain a 100,000-year ninth soul ring. Leading the sect's elites, he ventured deep into the Star Dou Forest to the Lake of Life, aiming to hunt the Titan Ape.
But that battle had devastated the Hao Tian Sect's elite forces. Though a 100,000-year spirit beast corresponded to a 95th-level Super Douluo, and there were indeed Super Douluos present during that fight, the Titan Ape clan was inherently extraordinary. Even a 50,000-year Titan Ape dared to challenge a 100,000-year spirit beast.
A 100,000-year Titan Ape was simply monstrous. Tang Wei could only recall that their team had been utterly crushed that day. He had narrowly escaped with his life, while Tang Chen had already disappeared in pursuit of divine trials. If not for Tang Chen's immense contributions, Tang Wei's position as Sect Leader would have been stripped away long ago.
"Xiao'er, are you absolutely certain that his ninth soul ring comes from a 300,000-year spirit beast?" Tang Wei asked, trembling.
Tang Xiao nodded gravely. "There's no doubt. The soul power suppression we faced before him was even more terrifying than facing you or the Great Elder. He is undoubtedly a 98th-level Title Douluo.
He spared us once, but if we dare to provoke him again, he will not hesitate to massacre our entire sect.
Therefore, Father, please reconsider! The Hao Tian Sect cannot afford such losses!"
His voice was earnest and filled with sorrow. The three previously silent elders exchanged glances and nodded. They had to stop their Sect Leader's reckless actions. A 98th-level Title Douluo was truly beyond what the current Hao Tian Sect could handle.
When you can't win, you concede—it was this principle that had allowed the Hao Tian Sect to survive for so many years.
If it were just an ordinary 98th-level Douluo, Tang Wei had confidence that he and the Great Elder could handle the situation together.
But this opponent not only countered the physical attacks of the Hao Tian Hammer with his intangible skills but also possessed a 300,000-year soul ring. It was likely that he also carried a 300,000-year soul bone, giving him four 300,000-year soul skills.
With so many buffs stacked against them, what was the point of fighting? Even the most powerful secret techniques of the Hao Tian Hammer couldn't defy the heavens.
Tang Wei's eyes flickered uncertainly. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly, like an old dog whose spine had been broken, utterly powerless.
"From this day forward, the mountain gate of the Hao Tian Sect will be partially sealed. All disciples must strictly adhere to the sect's rules. Any violators will face punishment under the sect's laws.
I'm tired. Dismissed."
"Yes, we obey the Sect Leader's command," the elders replied, bowing and departing to handle internal matters.
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