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Tang San's other abilities aside, his learning ability was undoubtedly top-tier.
However, the secret techniques of the Hao Tian Sect were not something that could be mastered simply by listening or practicing—they required both physical strength and technical precision, neither of which could be lacking.
While Tang San immersed himself in training, Tang Hao began preparing for the next phase of Tang San's cultivation.
The City of Slaughter had become the true inheritance ground for the Hao Tian Douluo starting with Tang Chen.
As the first Hao Tian Douluo to conquer the City of Slaughter, Tang Chen deeply understood its dangers and developed a relatively safe method to pass through it.
The key was to absorb a head-type soul bone before entering the city, increasing one's spiritual power to resist the city's corrupting influence and avoid falling into depravity. Afterward, one could rely on advanced self-created soul skills to succeed.
Tang Hao had followed this same method to complete the trial years ago.
Unfortunately, after so many years, Tang Hao had failed to recognize that the King of Slaughter back then was none other than his own grandfather. This missed opportunity caused the Hao Tian Sect to lose a chance to rise to prominence once again.
But head-type soul bones, being the rarest among the six types of soul bones, were not easily found.
The one Tang Hao possessed was still a cherished relic from Tang Chen.
As a top-tier power, the Hao Tian Sect did possess some hidden knowledge unknown to ordinary soul master factions.
Aside from the rule that 100,000-year spirit beasts always dropped a soul bone they didn't possess, other spirit beasts also had corresponding drop patterns.
For example, arm bones and leg bones were the most common. Arm bones typically came from strength-type spirit beasts or those skilled in dual-handed attacks, while leg bones were more likely to come from speed-oriented spirit beasts.
Head-type and torso-type soul bones, the rarest of all, also followed certain patterns.
Torso bones generally came from spirit beasts with powerful defenses, while head-type soul bones were more likely to come from spirit beasts with spiritual attributes.
However, as anyone familiar with Douluo knows, spirit-based soul masters only began to shine in Douluo II. Spirit-based spirit beasts were extremely rare among their kind.
(Excluding certain exceptions like ice silkworms.)
As the future Hao Tian Douluo and the hope for the Hao Tian Sect's resurgence, Tang San's safety during his trials was paramount for Tang Hao. Thus, he ventured into the Great Star Dou Forest in search of a spiritual-attribute head-type soul bone.
If the left arm bone of the Thunderclap Nether Vine had still been available, this trip wouldn't have been necessary, as its high-purity lightning energy could stabilize the mind just like a spiritual head-type soul bone.
Buying or stealing one?
In this era, even the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect couldn't purchase one—let alone Tang Hao.
Smaller factions, if they possessed soul bones, would hide them meticulously, ensuring outsiders remained unaware. With limited information at his disposal, Tang Hao had no leads.
Upon arriving at the Great Star Dou Forest, Tang Hao immediately headed toward the mixed zone.
Killing ordinary thousand-year spirit beasts might occasionally yield soul bones, but their attributes were far beneath Tang Hao's standards.
Though spirit beast soul bone drops followed certain tendencies, they weren't absolute. Thus, upon reaching the mixed zone, Tang Hao began a massacre.
At 95 levels, Tang Hao's martial soul traits, combined with his 200,000-year soul ring, allowed him to hold his own even against fiendish beasts. The ten-thousand-year-level spirit beasts in this area stood no chance—it was a one-sided slaughter.
The air grew thick with blood. Everywhere Tang Hao passed, the ground was littered with the remains of spirit beasts.
This massacre lasted for three days.
Finally, a 30,000-year Three-Eyed Demon Wolf fell before Tang Hao, and he obtained the spiritual-attribute head-type soul bone he sought.
"30,000 years—not bad. Its age is similar to my current head-type soul bone, making it perfect for Xiao San."
By now, Tang Hao was drenched in blood. Holding the head-type soul bone still stained with the demon wolf's blood, he smiled in satisfaction.
During these three days, he hadn't gone home empty-handed—he'd also acquired two other ten-thousand-year soul bones.
Though unsuitable for Tang San, Tang Hao decided to use them to strengthen the sect when he eventually returned. Feeling particularly pleased, he carefully stored the Three-Eyed Demon Wolf's soul bone away.
Even Tang Hao, after three days of relentless slaughter, felt mentally exhausted and decided to leave the Great Star Dou Forest.
Just as he turned to leave, Tang Hao was startled and quickly retreated.
"Who's there!"
The figure before him wore a luxurious golden robe, his face stern, with the most striking feature being his pair of golden eyes.
This was none other than Di Tian.
Seeing Tang Hao covered in blood, Di Tian's displeasure was palpable.
"You seem quite pleased with yourself," Di Tian said coldly.
Unaware that Di Tian was a spirit beast, Tang Hao assumed he was a soul master who had seen the soul bone in his hand and grown greedy, intending to seize it.
"Leave!" Tang Hao's voice carried an authoritative threat.
Given the man's pristine appearance and presence here, Tang Hao deduced he wasn't an ordinary soul master. In his current state, engaging in battle was unwise, he thought.
Di Tian, however, sneered.
As the strongest spirit beast on Douluo Planet and the true ruler of the Great Star Dou Forest, how dare a human speak to him so disrespectfully?
(P.S.: Though Di Tian had self-proclaimed these titles.)
Recently, Di Tian had reflected deeply. He couldn't continue slacking off—he needed to rebuild his divine position.
Thus, he decided to test the path of ascending to godhood through faith.
On a whim, he emerged from the Lake of Life and witnessed Tang Hao massacring spirit beasts—his future subjects and providers of faith. How could he not be enraged?
A disdainful sneer curled Di Tian's lips.
"Human, die!!!"
Di Tian didn't even bother using the Dragon God Claw. A simple giant claw formed from condensed soul power shot toward Tang Hao.
Even so, the terrifying pressure caused Tang Hao's expression to change drastically in his weakened state.
Was this person level 98 or 99? Who was he?
There was no time to think further. In another instant, Tang Hao knew he might be torn apart by the soul-powered claw. With a loud shout, he unleashed all nine of his soul rings, which shattered instantly, channeling their essence into his body and granting him unprecedented speed.
He even activated his Killing God Domain to maximize his strength.
Engaging in combat? Tang Hao dared not. The gap between them was too vast.
Even after shattering all his soul rings, Tang Hao estimated his strength would only reach around level 97 or 98—still insufficient against the soul-powered claw. His only option now was to flee for his life.
Just as the giant claw was about to strike—
Tang Hao was immensely grateful he had chosen to flee immediately. Even in his peak state, he was slightly outmatched by that overwhelming power.
But Tang Hao had underestimated his opponent. His left leg suddenly went numb, followed by excruciating pain.
As he fled at full speed, Tang Hao realized his left leg was gone.
His entire calf had been obliterated into meat paste by that earlier attack.
But Tang Hao dared not dwell on it. Survival was his sole focus now. If he succumbed to weakness after the effects of shattering his soul rings wore off, death would be inevitable.
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