The next few days were filled with a joy that Song Qing hadn't experienced in a long time. Showing Zhu Zhuqing the bustling market of Heaven Dou Empire's Capital City was a delight. Her eyes sparkled with wonder at every new sight, her small hand never leaving his as they navigated the crowded streets.
"Qing, look at this!" she would exclaim, pointing at a vendor selling colorful candies. "Can we get some?"
"Of course, Zhuqing," Song Qing would reply, smiling at her enthusiasm and buying her a handful of the sweets. He loved seeing her so happy and carefree. It was a stark contrast to the subdued and fearful girl he had found in the Star Luo Empire. 'This is what she deserves,' he thought, his heart warming at her innocent joy.
They explored various stalls, Zhu Zhuqing excitedly pointing out interesting trinkets and asking Song Qing about everything. He patiently answered her questions, enjoying her curiosity and the warmth of her small hand in his. 'I never imagined I'd feel this protective of someone,' he mused, watching her animatedly bargain for a small, carved wooden cat.
But the peaceful days were about to be shattered.
One sunny afternoon, as they were Browse a stall selling spirit beast furs, a terrifying pressure suddenly descended upon the market. The lively chatter of the crowd died down instantly, replaced by an eerie silence. People froze in their tracks, their faces pale with fear.
Song Qing's eyes widened in shock. 'This pressure… it's…' His fragmented memories of the future, the bits and pieces of information he had gleaned from the swallowed soul, screamed a single name in his mind: Tang Hao.
Before he could even react, a figure materialized in the middle of the street, his imposing presence radiating raw power. It was a middle-aged man with a rugged appearance, his long black hair cascading down his shoulders, his eyes like lightning. He held a massive black hammer in his hand, its sheer size and weight seeming to warp the very air around it. It was indeed Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo.
"Song Qing," Tang Hao's voice boomed, echoing through the silent market, his gaze piercing directly into Song Qing's eyes. "I have come to eliminate a threat to the future of this world."
Song Qing's mind raced. 'He's attacking me now? This is way ahead of schedule! My presence has definitely changed things drastically.' He had known that Tang Hao was a formidable opponent, but he never expected an attack this soon.
Before Song Qing could even formulate a response, two figures flashed beside him – Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo. Their powerful auras clashed against Tang Hao's, creating a palpable tension in the air.
"Tang Hao!" Ghost Douluo's raspy voice hissed, his ghostly figure flickering with dark energy. "What do you think you're doing, attacking the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall in broad daylight?"
"Clear Sky Douluo," Chrysanthemum Douluo added, his voice laced with cold fury, his body radiating a strange, floral-yet-deadly aura. "You dare to cause trouble in the Heaven Dou Empire's capital?"
Tang Hao's gaze remained fixed on Song Qing, his grip tightening on the Clear Sky Hammer. "This boy… his talent is too great. If he is allowed to reach the Titled Douluo realm, he will surpass every predecessor the Spirit Hall has ever had. That is a future I cannot allow." His voice was cold and resolute, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions. "I have come to kill him swiftly."
Without another word, Tang Hao made his move. His first spirit ring flashed – Clear Sky Hammer's Weight of a Mountain – and the massive hammer in his hand seemed to grow even heavier, the ground beneath his feet cracking under the immense pressure. He swung it towards Ghost Douluo with incredible speed and force.
Ghost Douluo's first spirit ring activated – Gigantic Ghost Hand. His right hand enlarged, becoming massive and covered in sickly purple skin with red veins, and he met Tang Hao's attack head-on. The clash of their powers created a shockwave that sent debris flying and forced the surrounding crowd to stumble back in terror.
Chrysanthemum Douluo wasn't idle. His third spirit ring shone – Breath Boundary. Petals of a strange velvet chrysanthemum erupted from his body, swirling around Tang Hao, attempting to restrict his movements within a fragrant, yet deadly, barrier.
Tang Hao's second spirit ring flared – Clear Sky Hammer's Unyielding Force. The Clear Sky Hammer seemed to gain an almost unbreakable sturdiness, deflecting the incoming petals of the Breath Boundary with ease. He then unleashed his third spirit ring – Clear Sky Hammer's Crushing Blow – a direct and powerful strike aimed at Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's fourth spirit ring activated – Strange Flower. Instantly, a clone of himself, dressed in a white lace dress, materialized and rushed forward to meet Tang Hao's attack, acting as a temporary shield. The clone shattered upon impact, absorbing some of the force.
The battle escalated rapidly. Tang Hao, despite facing two equally powerful Titled Douluo, fought with a ferocity that lived up to his legendary reputation. His fourth spirit ring – Clear Sky Hammer's Whirlwind Assault – created a series of rapid, hammer strikes that forced Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo to constantly defend.
Ghost Douluo activated his seventh spirit ring – Ghost Demon Spirit Avatar. His body turned translucent, allowing him to phase through Tang Hao's attacks while unleashing his own fifth spirit ring – Ghost Shadow Hand, sending numerous shadowy hands to restrain Tang Hao's movements.
Chrysanthemum Douluo activated his seventh spirit ring – Chrysanthemum Avatar. The Odd Velvet Heavenly Chrysanthemum behind him grew to an enormous size, enhancing his attributes and soul power significantly. He unleashed his fifth spirit ring – Hurricane Receiving the Sky, a tornado of sharp flower petals that attacked Tang Hao relentlessly.
The chaos in the capital and the sheer power of the clash drew the attention of other Titled Douluo. Dugu Bo, sensing the immense pressure, arrived at the scene with incredible speed, his green eyes narrowed with fury as he saw Tang Hao attacking Song Qing.
"Tang Hao! What madness is this?!" Dugu Bo roared, unleashing his own terrifying aura. His eighth spirit ring shone – Ten Thousand Poisons Domain. A vast, green, poisonous mist began to spread, engulfing the battlefield.
Moments later, two more figures arrived – Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong. Their powerful presences further intensified the already chaotic scene.
"Tang Hao, you dare to cause such destruction in the Heaven Dou Empire?!" Sword Douluo's voice thundered, his Sword Spirit Seven Kill Sword materializing in his hand, radiating a terrifying sharpness. His seventh spirit ring activated – Sword Avatar.
Bone Douluo remained silent, his skeletal body radiating a chilling aura. His seventh spirit ring also activated – Bone Dragon Spirit Avatar, transforming him into a terrifying bone dragon.
Despite facing five powerful Titled Douluo, Tang Hao showed no signs of backing down. His sixth spirit ring – Clear Sky Hammer's Shattering Earth – slammed into the ground, sending massive cracks spreading outwards and forcing the other Douluo to retreat slightly. He then unleashed his seventh spirit ring – Clear Sky Hammer Spirit Avatar. The massive black Clear Sky Hammer behind him grew even larger, easily over a hundred meters long, with golden and white patterns visible on its surface, radiating an immense pressure.
Tang Hao then unleashed his Deathgod Domain. A dark, oppressive aura spread outwards, containing a terrifying hint of the Asura God's power. The sky above seemed to darken, and a chilling sense of dread filled the air.
Dugu Bo unleashed his own domain – Poison Domain. Sword Douluo activated his Sword Domain, and Bone Douluo released his Bone Domain. The clash of these powerful domains created a chaotic maelstrom of energy, barely managing to counteract the oppressive force of Tang Hao's Deathgod Domain.
Tang Hao knew he couldn't sustain this fight for long. His old injuries were beginning to flare up under the strain of such intense power. He had underestimated the number of protectors Song Qing had. With a roar, his ninth spirit ring, the hundred thousand year red spirit ring obtained from Ah Yin, flared with an intense light – Gigantic Hammer. The massive Clear Sky Hammer in his Spirit Avatar turned completely red, radiating a terrifying, destructive energy.
He focused all his power into one final attack, channeling the essence of his Deathgod Domain into the red hammer, aiming directly at Song Qing. He knew this was his only chance to eliminate the threat before he was overwhelmed.
"Little brat, die!" Tang Hao roared, unleashing the full force of his attack. The red hammer hurtled towards Song Qing with unstoppable momentum.
Song Qing's mind raced. 'This is it!' He activated his first spirit ring – Abyssal Shadow Dash, attempting to create distance, but the hammer was too fast. He then unleashed his fourth spirit ring – Frost Spike Barrage, sending a volley of ice spikes towards the incoming attack, followed immediately by his fourth spirit ring's second ability – Abyssal Flame Dragon Breath, a torrent of black flames erupting from his mouth. But neither seemed to have any significant effect on the red hammer.
Just as the hammer was about to strike Song Qing, Ghost Douluo roared, his ninth spirit ring activating – Unlimited Engulfing Shadows. Countless ghostly figures erupted from his body, swirling around the hammer, attempting to slow its momentum and weaken its power. The ghostly figures were instantly vaporized by the hammer's immense energy, but they did manage to slow it down slightly.
In that split second, Song Qing activated his Dragonbone Shield, focusing all his soul power into his Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings, angling them to create a sturdy barrier.
The weakened, but still incredibly powerful, red hammer slammed into the Dragonbone Shield with a deafening crash. The force of the impact sent Song Qing flying backwards like a broken kite. He crashed heavily into the ground several hundred meters away, a groan escaping his lips.
He could feel blood seeping from his mouth, and an insidious, dark energy was wreaking havoc within his body. The power of the Deathgod Domain was far more terrifying up close. He lay there, his vision blurring, the intense pain making it hard to breathe.
~~
Agony like he had never experienced before coursed through Song Qing's body. The insidious energy from Tang Hao's Deathgod Domain felt like a thousand freezing needles tearing through his meridians, while simultaneously, an invisible fire burned his flesh from the inside out. He gasped for breath, his vision swimming in and out of focus.
'This… this is it?' he thought, his consciousness flickering. 'I can't die here… not now… I haven't even…' He desperately reached out with his will, pulling forth his Second Spirit, the Primordial Life Tree Spirit. A faint green glow enveloped his battered body as his first soul ring activated – Verdant Embrace. A wave of soothing life energy flowed from the ancient tree, attempting to mend his broken bones and heal his ravaged tissues.
But it was like trying to put out a raging inferno with a single drop of water. The healing energy barely made a dent against the destructive force of the Deathgod Domain. The insidious energy seemed to be actively corrupting and consuming the life force his spirit was trying to provide. Song Qing gritted his teeth, fighting to stay conscious, but the pain was overwhelming. He could feel his grip on life slipping.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao, seeing that his attack hadn't been fatal, though the boy was clearly gravely injured, was about to unleash another devastating blow when the five Titled Douluo surrounding him seemed to snap. Their initial shock and restraint vanished, replaced by a unified, incandescent fury. They had all witnessed the sheer audacity of Tang Hao's attack on a defenseless child, and now, seeing the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall on the brink of death, their rage reached its peak.
Ghost Douluo's ninth spirit ring blazed – Unlimited Engulfing Shadows. Countless shadowy figures erupted from his body, a veritable legion of ghosts descending upon Tang Hao, their ethereal claws tearing at his spirit power.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's ninth spirit ring erupted in a blinding flash of light – Chrysanthemum Ruins, Fill The Earth With Wounds, Flowers Fall on Broken Hearts. The air around Tang Hao filled with razor-sharp flower petals, forming a violent, swirling tornado that threatened to shred him to pieces.
Dugu Bo, his face a mask of fury, unleashed his ninth spirit ring – Myriad Poisons Devour the Heavens. A terrifyingly potent wave of multicolored poison mist, capable of melting even steel, surged towards Tang Hao from all directions.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin roared, his ninth spirit ring igniting with a blinding silver light – Heavenly Sword, Severing Mountains and Rivers. The Seven Kill Sword in his hand expanded to an impossible size, radiating a sharpness that seemed capable of slicing through the very fabric of space, and he swung it down towards Tang Hao with earth-shattering force.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong's ninth spirit ring manifested as a colossal Bone Dragon, its skeletal jaws snapping and its bone claws tearing through the air, lunging at Tang Hao with terrifying speed and power.
Tang Hao, even with his immense strength, was overwhelmed by the simultaneous assault of five Titled Douluo unleashing their strongest abilities without any reservation. His eighth spirit ring flared, creating an invisible barrier of pure force around him, but it cracked and shattered under the combined onslaught.
He unleashed his own eighth spirit ring – Clear Sky Hammer's Heaven Shaking Strike – a desperate, all-encompassing attack that managed to push back some of the incoming assaults, but he still sustained injuries. Poison seeped into his skin, ghostly claws tore at his soul, flower petals left countless lacerations, the gigantic sword left a deep gash across his chest, and the Bone Dragon's attack bruised his ribs.
'Damn it!' Tang Hao thought, his old injuries screaming in protest. He had to retreat. He had failed in his mission, and staying any longer would be suicide. With a final, powerful thrust of his Clear Sky Hammer, imbued with the last vestiges of his Deathgod Domain to create an opening, he shot into the sky, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.
The moment Tang Hao fled, the immense pressure in the market dissipated. The Titled Douluo turned their attention back to Song Qing, their expressions filled with worry. They rushed to his side, but Song Qing had already lost consciousness. His Primordial Life Tree Spirit, no longer sustained by his will, faded away.
"Little Qing!" Dugu Bo cried out, his voice filled with alarm as he knelt beside the boy. He quickly checked Song Qing's pulse, his brow furrowing deeply. "His injuries are severe… and there's a strange, insidious energy within him. I don't recognize it."
Without hesitation, Dugu Bo carefully lifted Song Qing into his arms. "We need to get him back to my mansion, quickly!" he ordered the others. "I have some rare herbs that might help."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo nodded grimly, following Dugu Bo as he swiftly carried the unconscious Song Qing away from the devastated marketplace. Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, their faces pale with concern, brought up the rear, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily, ensuring Tang Hao wouldn't return.
Back at Dugu Bo's mansion, Song Qing was gently placed on a bed. Dugu Bo immediately began to work, his hands moving with practiced speed as he administered various rare and potent herbs. He focused his own soul power, attempting to counteract the strange energy that was preventing Song Qing's body from healing.
Hours passed in tense silence. Song Qing's breathing remained shallow and ragged, but Dugu Bo managed to stabilize his condition, preventing his life from slipping away completely.
However, despite all his efforts, Song Qing remained unconscious, his injuries showing no signs of natural healing.
"This energy… it's unlike anything I've ever encountered," Dugu Bo muttered, wiping sweat from his brow, his emerald eyes filled with worry. "It's as if it's actively fighting against any attempt to heal him." The other Titled Douluo looked on with grave concern, equally baffled by the mysterious force that held Song Qing captive.
A few minutes later, the mansion doors burst open, and Zhu Zhuqing rushed in as she had run directly from the marketplace where the battle had occurred, her face streaked with tears, her small body trembling with fear. She had heard the news of the attack and had run all the way from the market.
"Qing! Qing!" she cried out, rushing to Song Qing's bedside and falling to her knees. Tears streamed down her face as she gently took his pale hand in hers. "Qing, please… please wake up!" Her sobs wracked her small frame, her voice filled with utter despair.
Soon after, Dugu Yan arrived, her face etched with worry. She placed a comforting hand on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder, her own eyes filled with concern for the young boy who had become their friend.
Not long after that, Ning Rongrong arrived, her face pale and drawn. She had come directly from the headquarters of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan as soon as she received the urgent message. She rushed to Song Qing's side, her usual cheerful demeanor completely gone, replaced by a look of profound distress.
Then, Ye Lingling arrived, her eyes red and swollen with tears. Without a word, she immediately activated her Nine Heart Begonia spirit, its gentle green light enveloping Song Qing's body. She poured all her healing power into him, her brow furrowed with concentration. But to everyone's dismay, her healing spirit had no effect whatsoever on Song Qing's condition. The insidious energy seemed to nullify any positive healing force.
Despair began to settle in the room. The mighty Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, the boy who had shown them such kindness and helped them grow stronger, now lay still and lifeless, held captive by a mysterious and malevolent force. The joy and hope of the past few days had been brutally extinguished, replaced by a chilling fear for the future.