...
Upon hearing "Haotian Sect" and "Tang San," Tang Hao's aura noticeably faltered.
"You think I only have the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School behind me?"
"Behind me stands a Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, who is eccentric and acts entirely on his whims!"
"By the way, here's a piece of information for you for free.
With my help over the past few years, Dugu Bo's cultivation has broken through to level 95.
That's an astonishing speed, isn't it? To be honest, I also think that old man's life is a bit too good.
Moreover, his martial soul has completely evolved, and now his direct combat strength should be roughly equal to that old dragon from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Tang Hao's breath hitched. Level 95?
When did that old poison master Dugu Bo become so strong?!
"However, you should also understand..."
Xuan Hao paused for a moment, then said, "The most terrifying thing about this old man, Dugu Bo, has never been his ability to fight head-on, but rather his body full of deadly poisons that are impossible to defend against!"
"Tang Hao, why don't you use your imagination?
If I die at your hands, Dugu Bo can sneak into your Clear Sky Sect's secluded territory, stand on high ground, and unleash his ninth soul skill along with all his poison..."
"Guess how many of your Clear Sky Sect's younger generation disciples will survive the indiscriminate slaughter of a level 95 Poison Douluo?"
"Even if a small portion of them were saved by the elders at the cost of their lives, don't forget, Dugu Bo is not someone who will listen to chivalry. Once that old man gets angry and starts to act ruthlessly, he will truly stop at nothing and eliminate all threats!"
"Do you think Dugu Bo can single-handedly wipe out your world-renowned Haotian Sect?!"
Tang Hao's body trembled uncontrollably, and a chill ran straight to his head, instantly sweeping through his entire body.
If a level 95 Poison Douluo were determined to carry out a massacre, it would be an absolute catastrophe for any sect!
Not to mention the Clear Sky Sect, even the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare to play like this with Dugu Bo!
"Never doubt the relationship between Dugu Bo and me."
Xuan Hao said calmly, "As long as I lose a breath, that old poisoner will spare no effort and use everything he has to take revenge on you and everything you care about."
"And this is just the connection I've casually made over the years. You've been investigating my family's background and elders for months and haven't found out anything.
Do you think... if they were to take action, you and your sect could handle it?"
The night wind blew again, but it couldn't dispel the bone-chilling coldness in Tang Hao's heart.
Xuan Hao stood there, without any defensive stance, simply staring at the once invincible Haotian Douluo opposite him, a contemptuous smile on his lips, as he uttered the final, soul-searching question:
"So, Tang Hao."
"Now, do you still dare to make a move?"
"Or rather...would you dare to give it a try?"
"Would you risk your own life, your son's life, the heads of the entire Haotian Sect... on this?"
Faced with Xuan Hao's merciless threat, Tang Hao fell into a long silence.
Clearly, he didn't dare to gamble.
He wasn't confident he could bury Xuan Hao silently in this desolate wilderness.
If he failed to eliminate the threat completely today, or if even a whisper of it leaked out, it would bring true annihilation upon the Haotian Sect.
He went to great lengths to hide his identity and even placed all his hopes for the twin martial souls on Tang San, all so that one day his son could make something of himself, and he could bring him back to the sect to make up for the mistakes of the past.
If he were to act impulsively here and bring disaster upon the sect once again, how could he possibly have the face to continue living in this world?
How could he face the questions of his ancestors on earth?
After a long, deathly silence.
Tang Hao slowly loosened his clenched fists, and the killing intent that seemed to tear the heavens and earth apart, along with the boiling soul power around him, receded like a tide and dissipated in the night wind.
However, before leaving, Tang Hao stared intently at Xuan Hao and asked in a deep voice, "Why have you been stirring up trouble in Tiandou City so recklessly, even extending your reach to the Tiandou Royal Academy?
What are you and the people behind you planning to do?"
"for what?"
Xuan Hao dusted off his hands and asked, "Then why do Soul Masters cultivate day and night?
Why do wealthy merchants work so hard to make money?
To climb higher?
For power?
For enjoyment?"
Seeing Tang Hao's furrowed brows, Xuan Hao smiled and said, "It's both, and it's neither. In the end, we're all just doing what we want to do and what satisfies our own needs. The reason I'm stirring up trouble in Tiandou City is simple:
I'm happy to."
"If I had to come up with a reason that sounds plausible..."
Xuan Hao stroked his chin and said in a serious tone, "I want to try and see if I can find an opportunity to usurp the throne and experience being an emperor.
After all, as you can see, I'm surrounded by so many beautiful women every day.
If I don't create a harem, it won't be easy to give them proper titles in the future."
"Think about it, titles like Imperial Concubine, Noble Consort... don't they sound much better than a mistress with no official title?"
"..."
Hearing these outrageous and absurd words, Tang Hao's serious expression froze instantly, leaving him utterly speechless.
He gave this freak who was spouting nonsense a deep look, knowing that he wouldn't get any truth out of him if he asked any further, so he simply turned around without saying anything, and his tall figure disappeared completely into the vast night in a few leaps.
They waited until they were sure that Tang Hao's presence had completely disappeared and they could no longer sense anything from him.
"call..."
Xuan Hao finally let out a long sigh of relief.
His once straight back instantly bent over, and he squatted on the ground, panting heavily.
He hurriedly mobilized his soul power to calm the churning injuries in his chest.
"That old madman's strength... is truly amazing."
Xuan Hao gasped in pain, a fine layer of cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Tang Hao's power was truly terrifying.
Although he outwardly managed to block that hammer blow with his Golden Dragon Body and Domain, and even stood calmly and engaged in a psychological battle with Tang Hao, he was entirely relying on sheer willpower to hold on.
This is similar to an ordinary person who has been in a serious car accident; during the brief period of adrenaline surge, they might even be able to jump around and argue with others.
But once the crisis is over, the lingering effects can be deadly.
At this moment, Xuan Hao felt that all the bones in his body were aching, his internal organs seemed to have shifted, and he felt completely exhausted.
He didn't even have the strength to stand up, and he felt like he was about to die.
This is the first time in all his years in the industry that he has been beaten up like this.
There were no fancy techniques whatsoever; it was pure, unreasonable, overwhelming force.
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