Chapter 530: Breaking Through Defense — The Power of the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique

While Tang San had been training beneath the waterfall, he'd stood on smooth, round stones that had honed his balance to an extraordinary degree. Now, for the first time, he unleashed that ability out in the open. Soul Power surged through his body, and a thrilling rush of exhilaration washed over him.

At last, the eighty-first and final strike of the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique fell. Dense white light instantly expanded — this was not merely Tang San's offensive power, but also the Killing God Domain he had released from his own body. In order to subdue the Beast Clanning, he was holding absolutely nothing back.

Titan bellowed, "Old Rhino, use your Martial Soul!"

At that point, Niu Gao could no longer care about saving face. After all, life trumped dignity. His already massive body swelled rapidly. His skin turned pitch black as an extremely thick layer of keratin erupted across its surface. His first, second, and third Soul Rings — the three that required the least Soul Power and could be released the fastest — all flared with brilliant light simultaneously. In that instant, Niu Gao's colossal frame truly became a fortress.

Boom—

The Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique, fully charged, was absolutely terrifying. Though the Clear Sky Hammer was not there to assist, the eighty-one stacked Soul Power blows condensed into this final strike. The attack power it unleashed in that single moment was enough to leave anyone speechless.

The force that erupted from that blow was as domineering as a dragon's roar or a tiger's growl. The horrifying power that had once forced a two-hundred-meter waterfall to flow in reverse made its appearance once more. Majestic Soul Power swallowed that massive body whole. The explosive force detonated with a thunderous crash.

Amid the deafening boom, Niu Gao's enormous body flew backward like a cannonball. Under the influence of the Killing God Domain, Tang San's attack power had climbed even higher while Niu Gao's defenses had dropped a few notches. With one rising and the other falling, the effect of the blow was all the more devastating.

That mountain-like body slammed backward and smashed straight into the wall of the hall, leaving a person-shaped hole in its wake.

It had to be said that the Beast Clan's construction was remarkably sturdy. The entire hall shuddered violently, but ultimately held together without collapsing.

Tang San's spinning body had already come to a stop, his chest heaving. Without the Clear Sky Hammer to amplify it, his Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique had lost a great deal of its power. Moreover, the drain on his own reserves had increased enormously. All eighty-one strikes had caused his Soul Power to plunge by nearly fifty percent.

Titan strode forward and placed a hand on Tang San's shoulder from behind, channeling Soul Power into his body. The rich, dense energy couldn't replenish his reserves, but it helped him smooth out his breathing.

Hurried footsteps sounded from outside. Previously, Niu Gao had been so caught up chatting warmly with Titan that he'd even forgotten to have the servants bring tea. But the tremendous commotion here had alerted the entire Beast Clan.

Whoosh — more than twenty people poured into the hall, every last one of them built like a tower. Leading the group was a man whose face bore an eighty-percent resemblance to Niu Gao, though he was much younger. The moment he entered the hall, he spotted Titan.

"Oh, it's Uncle Titan! But wait — if you're here, where's my father? What was that sound just now?" The burly man bowed respectfully to Titan even as he asked with a puzzled expression.

Titan glanced at Tang San, his expression turning rather odd. They had come here as guests, and yet they'd punched the host right through the wall. Of course, he wasn't genuinely worried about Niu Gao's body. If Tang San had used the Clear Sky Hammer, he might have actually injured the old man. But barehanded, even eighty-one strikes of the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique couldn't do real damage to a Niu Gao who had released his Martial Soul.

Tairon whispered in Tang San's ear, "His name is Niu Ben — Grandfather Niu Gao's eldest son. He's good friends with my father too. His talent is quite a bit stronger than Dad's. His Soul Power should be about the same level as yours, Young Master."

Before Titan could answer, the host returned. Through the hole, Niu Gao emerged looking thoroughly disheveled. His clothes were torn in several places, and though his Martial Soul had been withdrawn, the thick layer of dust and his peculiar expression were enough to make anyone burst out laughing.

Niu Ben and the gathered Beast Clan members stared at old Niu Gao in utter disbelief, every one of them frozen in place. Niu Ben even rubbed his eyes hard, making sure he wasn't seeing things.

"Uncle Titan, this really isn't right of you! How could you bully my father the moment you arrived?" Niu Ben said to Titan, struggling to hold back his laughter. Because of his relationship with Taitan, and because Titan had watched him grow up, they were quite close — so he felt no particular need for restraint.

Titan let out a hearty laugh. "Who asked your father to be so stubborn? He got what was coming to him! Don't worry, don't worry — just two old fellows having a little spar. You should've seen the times I came out on the losing end! Don't go taking his side now."

Niu Gao shot Titan a glare. Obviously, Titan was covering for him, and in his mortified fury, the old man redirected all his frustration at his son. "You brat, who told you to come in?! Didn't you see I was catching up with Patriarch Titan? Get out — all of you, get out right now!"

Niu Ben was already in his fifties, but he had not a shred of defiance when his father scolded him. Within the Beast Clan, Niu Gao was absolute authority. That was precisely why Niu Ben had wanted to laugh upon seeing his father's predicament.

"Fine, fine — don't be angry, Dad. I'll leave right away. You two old friends keep on — catching — up. I'll go prepare some drinks and food for you." With that, Niu Ben hurriedly waved his hand and ushered the Beast Clan members out.

Titan praised warmly, "Niu Ben is a far better man than our Taiton. He's become more capable by the day, and he hasn't inherited your stubborn temperament either. Good, good — very good."

"Good my foot!" Niu Gao said, his face full of reluctant indignation. He stomped over, slapping the dust off his clothes. Though he wasn't happy about it, he had to face Tang San.

"Kid, you won. I used my Martial Soul in that round, so there's no need for a third punch. I keep my word. From this day forward, the Beast Clan has no more enmity toward your father or toward you."

Seeing Niu Gao gritting his teeth like that, Tang San couldn't help but smile. He could clearly hear that Niu Gao's words held no hint of making peace with the Clear Sky Clan. But that didn't bother him. The Clear Sky Clan was his sect, but it owed far too much to these subsidiary clans. That was not something that could be resolved in a single moment or through one contest. It could only come with time.

"It was Elder's carelessness that let me gain an advantage. In a real battle, no opponent would give me that much time to charge up."

Niu Gao snorted. "Enough. Lost is lost. Do you think I'm the sort who won't admit defeat? Stay here, then."

Titan grinned. "Looking at you, I'd say you still haven't quite accepted it. That's it? You lost to a young man at your greatest strength — your defense — and you're not going to show some goodwill?"

Niu Gao snapped angrily, "Show goodwill? Would you have me lead the Beast Clan in bending the knee to him?!"

Titan laughed. "Nothing that dramatic. But you see, Young Master and I have been planning to establish a sect called the Tang Sect. Would you be interested in joining? Since the grudge between you and the Master — and Young Master — has been resolved, there shouldn't be any obstacle, right?"

Niu Gao pulled over a chair and sat down. "Spare me. I knew you didn't bring this kid here with good intentions, old ape. You've gone senile, haven't you? Haven't you had enough of being duped by the Clear Sky Clan? You want to drag us all into another catastrophe?"

Titan shook his head helplessly. "Forget it — I can't make you understand in one conversation. But come on, Niu Gao, you're being a terrible host to your big brother here. How about bringing us some tea first? And look at the state of you — what kind of impression is this giving the clan? Go change your clothes."

Niu Gao glared at Titan with some displeasure. "This is all your doing. Fine, I'll go change." With that, he finally strode away.

Watching Niu Gao's retreating figure, Titan turned to Tang San. "Young Master, you've truly surprised me. I can't believe you thought to strike him right where he's strongest. No wonder you insisted on coming along — you'd already worked out your strategy. It's just that old Rhino is stubborn. He won't submit so easily."

Tang San sighed softly. "Actually, I wasn't trying to make Elder Niu Gao submit to anything. I just wanted to try to ease the old hatred. We were once family, after all. The way the Single Attribute Four Clans are today was caused by the Clear Sky Clan's seclusion. I simply want to do something for them. Please don't force Elder Niu Gao to join our Tang Sect. As long as they no longer hold a grudge against my father, that will be enough for me."

As the saying goes — a son pays for his father's debts. Tang San had now begun repaying what his father owed. He could only hope that in the future, he might succeed in clearing away the old enmities on his father's behalf, and destroy their true enemy.

The two had barely spoken those few words when Niu Gao suddenly walked back in from outside. Standing in the doorway, he addressed Tang San directly: "Kid, what level is your Soul Power really?"

Looking at the gruff but good-natured old man, Tang San replied respectfully, "Elder, my Soul Power is at the sixty-sixth rank. I am a Control Type battle Soul Emperor."

Niu Gao froze. "Control type? Since when did the Clear Sky Hammer become a Control Type Martial Soul?"

Titan laughed and scolded, "Go change your clothes already. We'll talk about it after — this isn't something that can be explained in one or two sentences."

Niu Gao gave Titan a suspicious look, then turned and left once more. As he walked, he muttered under his breath, "Sixty-sixth rank… twenty-one years old, sixty-sixth rank. Is he even human?"

Shortly after Niu Gao departed, a servant arrived with fragrant tea — clearly something he had ordered on his way out. Several Beast Clan members had also begun repairing the person-shaped hole that Niu Gao had smashed through the hall wall.

Titan took a sip of tea and said to Tang San, "Young Master, you can probably tell that Niu Gao and I are extremely close. We've been through life and death together. To be honest, my hope that Niu Gao would lead the Beast Clan into the Tang Sect isn't just for your sake. It's partly my own selfishness. I'm getting on in years, and I'd really love nothing more than to spend my days alongside this old brother of mine. We'd look out for each other, keep each other company. I'll do everything I can to persuade him. Niu Gao may be blunt and straightforward, but he's far from stupid. I believe he'll come around. If he does agree to lead the Beast Clan into the Tang Sect, I'd ask Young Master to do me the favor of accepting him."

Tang San smiled. "If that truly came to pass, it would be everything I could wish for. The Beast Clan's architectural mastery combined with your forging skills — wouldn't our Tang Sect become as impregnable as iron?"

It wasn't long before Niu Gao returned, now wearing a fresh set of clean clothes. The moment he stepped through the door, his first words were again directed at Tang San: "Kid, are you really at the sixty-sixth rank?"

Tang San nodded.

Niu Gao walked over and sat down beside Titan, a contemplative gleam in his eyes. Titan didn't interrupt him, letting him think it over in peace.

Twenty-one years old, sixty-sixth rank, and defensive power that absolutely did not fall short of any Beast Clan member of comparable level. And the disciples of the Clear Sky Clan had never been short on offensive ability. The first thing Niu Gao considered was Tang San's future potential. Without question, within twenty years, Tang San would become a supremely powerful expert — and an exceptionally formidable one at that.

Even among Titled Douluo, the gap in strength was significant. In his peak state, Tang Hao could simultaneously face three ordinary Titled Douluo without breaking a sweat. A single man had been enough to turn Spirit Hall upside down. Niu Gao understood clearly that offending a Soul Master with such potential would absolutely not bode well for the Beast Clan's future.

The Beast Clan truly did have unique expertise in construction. The hole in the hall wall had already been completely sealed in this short amount of time.

Titan spoke up. "Old Rhino, I know what you're thinking. Stop overthinking it. Let me put your mind at ease. Send the servants away."

Though Niu Gao didn't know what Titan intended, he did as asked and dismissed them.

Titan also waved to his own people, telling everyone except Taiton and Ma Hongjun to wait outside the hall.

Niu Gao looked at Titan quizzically. "Old ape, what's all this secrecy about?"

Titan smiled mildly. "I just don't want you blaming me later. I also want you to know that when your big brother makes a decision, it isn't done lightly. Young Master, would you show him your Martial Soul?"

Tang San and Titan exchanged a glance, a hint of mutual understanding passing between their eyes. Tang San rose to his feet, a flicker of light flashing through his eyes. He raised his left hand, and amid a surge of black light, the Clear Sky Hammer materialized in his grip.

Niu Gao looked at Tang San in confusion and turned to Titan. "Old ape, haven't I seen the Clear Sky Hammer before? Wait — kid, where are your Soul Rings?"

Tang San smiled faintly. "My Clear Sky Hammer truly does not have any Soul Rings."

Titan said, "Don't rush. Just keep watching."

Tang San turned his left hand over and withdrew the Clear Sky Hammer. Then, amid a wave of blue radiance, he raised his right hand. Blue-gold Blazing Blue Grass erupted from around his body as the blue light coalesced, and an aura of vibrant vitality instantly filled the entire hall.

The moment the Blazing Blue Grass was released, Niu Gao shot to his feet — because he had seen the six dazzling Soul Rings ignite on Tang San's body.

None were white. The lowest was yellow. Yellow, purple, black — these three colors were all familiar to Niu Gao. As a Soul Douluo, he naturally possessed Soul Rings of the same three colors. But when he caught sight of that last shade — an eerie, blood-red — his mind went completely blank.

"Don't be surprised. Miracles are the one thing Young Master never runs short of. You see? When I first saw them, my expression was no better than yours." Titan sighed as he spoke.

Tang San had never kept anything hidden from Titan. The old man who supported him wholeheartedly had already seen that terrifying hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring during their journey. At the time, his expression had been nearly identical to Niu Gao's right now. Tang San had offered no explanation — only a deep, visible sorrow when he looked upon that hundred-thousand-year ring. Titan hadn't pressed him either. He understood it was a sign of Tang San's trust in him, and a gift of confidence.

Niu Gao swallowed hard and murmured, "A hundred thousand years… that really is a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring… No wonder — no wonder your defense is so extraordinary. But at your rank, how is it even possible to absorb a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring?"