Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

"Tang Hao's speed has slowed significantly."

In the stands, Sword Douluo's pupils contracted as he spoke in a slightly subdued tone.

"Does it matter, Uncle Sword?"

Ning Fengzhi glanced at Guang Ling and the others, who remained relaxed nearby and asked quietly. Though not a battle soul master, he sensed Sword Douluo's confidence in Tang Hao had waned.

"The Holy Son… Han Li's attacks aren't as simple as they look. The Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique requires using borrowed force."

Sword Douluo had just started to explain when a chill ran down his spine. Quickly correcting himself, he glanced at the sect master and lowered his voice even further.

"Aside from his initial strike, Tang Hao hasn't borrowed much force in this move. Or rather, if he wants to maintain his strength, he'll have to rely on his soul bone."

"Hmm, you've got a good eye. Not bad."

A voice suddenly sounded from behind Sword Douluo. Guang Ling had somehow appeared silently.

"However, you missed something. He doesn't necessarily have to use his soul bone. He could simply force himself to borrow power from his body, though he doesn't dare to."

Guang Ling casually explained, patting Sword Douluo's shoulder. Sword Douluo stiffened momentarily, only exhaling once Guang Ling had left.

"Uncle Sword."

Ning Fengzhi looked at him with some concern.

"It's nothing. Perhaps that Worship was just showing off his disciple." Sword Douluo's expression was stiff, and he watched Guang Ling's face from the corner of his eye. When he saw Guang Ling nod in satisfaction, he fully relaxed, shaking his head at Ning Fengzhi but choosing not to comment further. He'd been making a casual observation—surely he wouldn't be targeted just because it happened to be correct.

...

Now that Tang Hao had used his soul bone, Han Li showed no sign of tension; even the smile on his face remained. Just as Sword Douluo and his master had said, this was all part of his strategy. From the beginning, including the hammer strike that forced Tang Hao to use the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique, every move was carefully calculated by Han Li.

As the Clear Sky Hammer once again crashed down toward him, Han Li released his right hand. This time, the arrow he shot was pure white and moved much faster than before. A dazzling white light flashed as the arrow struck two-thirds of the way down the hammer handle, halting the Clear Sky Hammer's downward momentum and sending Tang Hao flying sideways.

With such immense force, you can't control it. Let me take over.

Han Li smirked as his fingers touched the bowstring again. Three arrows formed—two red and one white, with the white arrow in the center. Releasing the string, the arrows flew at differing speeds.

Just as Tang Hao regained his balance to launch his next strike, a crimson arrow arrived. This time, it aimed not for the Clear Sky Hammer but for Tang Hao's arm. He narrowed his eyes, adjusting his hammer to intercept the arrow. To his surprise, as the hammer touched the arrow, it disintegrated, creating the illusion of impact but without any force, causing Tang Hao's throat to tighten as blood trickled from his mouth.

Damn it, I fell for it!

Desperately, Tang Hao controlled his body, flipping to follow the Clear Sky Hammer's momentum and barely keeping his grip.

Meanwhile, the second crimson arrow closed in.

"Boom!"

The sound of the explosion and the force of impact hit almost simultaneously, propelling Tang Hao and his Clear Sky Hammer, which absorbed most of the blow, backward. This time, unable to suppress his injuries, Tang Hao spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered onto the hammer.

"I didn't expect the Clear Sky Clan to have a blood sacrifice technique. Quite a method."

Han Li's mocking voice rang out, and laughter erupted from the audience. Tang Hao's face flushed, but he had no time to react. That last strike had been powerful, and he needed to seize the moment for his next attack. If he didn't get closer, he'd continue to be toyed with.

Just as he turned, the slow-moving white arrow abruptly accelerated, striking the base of the Clear Sky Hammer with perfect precision. The force was just enough to counter the explosion's aftereffects, leaving Tang Hao's right arm trembling as he reluctantly ignited his soul power.

He used his soul bone skill again. Without it, the power he'd been building in his previous attacks would have dissipated entirely. He wasn't willing to let that happen.

Seeing this, Han Li's smile grew even wider.

In Tang Hao's desperate gaze, Han Li casually drew his bow and arrow, taking a few leisurely steps back. Arrows continuously shot from his hand, and each time they collided or exploded, he shifted position, always keeping a set distance from Tang Hao and using his arrows to control his opponent's movements.

Tang Hao's Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique continued without interruption, now reaching seventy-two consecutive strikes. However, the cost was that, beyond the soul bone in his head, he had been forced to use the skills of three other inherited soul bones from the Clear Sky Clan.

The arena fell deathly silent, with everyone watching the battle unfold in the sky.

Or perhaps it was no longer a battle; it had become nothing more than a one-sided display by Han Li. Even the least knowledgeable spectators could see he was entirely controlling the pace. Since the first few strikes, Tang Hao hadn't managed to get close to him again.

The closest he came was when he used his soul bone's power to charge directly at Han Li, only to be blasted back to his original spot by five two-colored arrows.

After that failed attempt, Tang Hao abandoned his efforts to close in, focusing instead on swinging the Clear Sky Hammer to intercept arrows while struggling to maintain the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique, shifting his focus to defense.

Han Li's expression remained calm. Arrow after arrow flew toward Tang Hao, while Han Li silently calculated the timing of Tang Hao's final explosive move.

Seventy-seven, seventy-eight, seventy-nine…

Did he just stack it twice in an instant?

Han Li had studied this technique before. Although it wasn't entirely suited to him, his powerful mental acuity made pinpointing the right moment to strike easy.

Now.

Han Li and Tang Hao's gazes locked in mid-air, and both men smiled—one with serene confidence, the other with a fierce grin.

"Dying by this move is something you can take pride in."

"Watch closely, Xiao San. This is the ultimate technique of the Clear Sky Clan."

Tang Hao let out a long howl, and the soul ring above his head descended, merging with the massive Clear Sky Hammer.

"Clear Sky Ultimate Technique—Great Sumeru Hammer!"

Releasing all his frustration from the fight, Tang Hao decisively unleashed the Great Sumeru Hammer with the final strike of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, issuing a warning to his son and elder brother. He believed this move would at least severely injure Han Li. With his remaining energy, he hoped to hold off Han Li's reinforcements long enough to escape.

"Deathgod Domain!"

With another roar, white patterns illuminated the Clear Sky Hammer, giving it an even more divine appearance. Tang Hao's domain, which he had withheld until now, finally activated, enveloping Han Li.

"Is this it? Not even detonating a single soul ring? Tang Hao, you underestimate me."

Before Tang Hao's Deathgod Domain could spread, a blood-red light surged from Han Li's body.

"Deathgod Domain?!"

Tang Hao's voice was filled with disbelief.

The blood-red light instantly expanded across the sky, suppressing the white glow on the Clear Sky Hammer, forcing it back into the weapon. Tang Hao felt his strength drop by 30%.

"As you wish—soul ring detonation!"

With a determined expression, Tang Hao's voice echoed. The massive hammer held firmly in his grip, descended toward Han Li. Three soul rings on the hammer exploded, sending out a tremendous energy wave that scattered the approaching arrows. Blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, indicating the toll this had taken on his already weakened body.

"You're good at following advice. Unfortunately, it's still not enough. This ends here."

Han Li's form flickered. A faint red glow appeared, and then he vanished, leaving in his place a colossal Ice-Fire Dragon God Bow, even larger than the Clear Sky Hammer.

...

"This brat, always showing off—there's no need for that."

In the stands, Guang Ling shook his head. He knew Han Li was showing off, but he couldn't help but grumble at his decision to reveal his true martial soul form.

Unlike a typical martial soul avatar, Han Li's phantasmal form appeared on the Ice-Fire Dragon God Bow. His right hand moved ghost-like as he released a pale red arrow toward Tang Hao.

Following behind, after his fifth soul ring lit up, a small, wobbly arrow formed, leisurely trailing the red arrow. Remarkably, anyone who noticed the small arrow sensed no threat from it, as if it held no potential for harm.

Fifth Soul Skill: Rebounding Floating Arrow.

Indeed, it had no offensive power; it simply needed another attack to break the defense first.