Chapter 128: The Price of Victory and a Meddling Hand
"Damn it! If it weren't for that despicable old scoundrel Yu Yuanzhen taking advantage of the situation, how could he have been a match for Father!" Tang Hao's eyes were bloodshot, his breathing ragged as he gripped the railing, his knuckles white.
Tang Xiao gritted his teeth and added, "Exactly! I used to respect him as a senior, but I never expected the dignified Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Master to be such a despicable and shameless villain. He's even worse than that bastard Qin Xuan."
The surrounding Clear Sky Sect disciples mirrored their fury, but a deeper fear was creeping in as they watched their Sect Master falter on the stage.
"Xiao'er, Hao'er, the most urgent matter is to save the Sect Master's life." The Second Elder of Clear Sky Sect, Tang Bai, closed his eyes in pain. His voice was heavy with resignation. "If it really comes down to it, our Clear Sky Sect will concede."
"The Sect's interests are paramount, but the Sect cannot stand without the Sect Master. The title of World's Number One Sect cannot be preserved now. We must not allow the Sect Master to suffer any more misfortune."
He knew the cost of this. Without Tang Tian, the Clear Sky Sect would face a vacuum period, a dangerous era without a supporting Titled Douluo. Such weakness would easily invite covetous gazes from external forces, not least of all Spirit Hall, whose Supreme Pontiff watched from his high seat with a disturbingly calm expression.
"That's right, Brother Hao, Brother Xiao. Father's life is more important," Tang Yuehua echoed, her face pale with worry. At this moment, her heart no longer held any so-called Sect interests, only a daughter's desperate concern for her father.
Hearing this, the Hao Brothers exchanged a look filled with fury, unwillingness, and finally, pained acceptance. They nodded in unison. The time had come for them to make a choice.
Just as they were about to shout their concession on behalf of their father...
"Cough!"
A violent cough racked Tang Tian's frame. He spat out a mouthful of saliva mixed with blood and shattered organ fragments. He stood up unsteadily, his entire body trembling from the backlash of the Ring Detonation. "The reputation of the 'World's Number One Sect'… left by my father, Tang Chen… how can it be ruined in my hands!"
The remaining 3 spirit rings slowly rose from his body, their light dim and unstable. Tang Tian raised a trembling hand to recall his Clear Sky Hammer. The first black 10,000-year spirit ring suddenly floated out, encircling the hammer, and began to gradually crack. He was going to detonate another ring.
Tang Tian's words, referencing his father, struck a nerve in Yu Yuanzhen. He was immediately reminded of his own father, the previous Clan Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He, too, had suffered severe internal injuries after losing to Tang Chen and had eventually died of depression, his spirit broken.
This victory wasn't just for the Clan; it was to reclaim the honor his father had lost.
Seeing Tang Tian, in his crippled state, about to use Ring Detonation again for a desperate last stand, Yu Yuanzhen became enraged. This wasn't a battle anymore; it was an insult.
He snorted coldly, and his 9th spirit ring—a bloody, 100,000-year red—lit up with apocalyptic power. "You're courting death!"
His immense spirit power, surging to its absolute peak, combined with the power of primal lightning. The energy condensed in the sky above him, forming 9 giant lightning dragons, each roaring with tangible fury. The very air warped around them.
Both sides gathered their power. The scene was incredibly explosive, with the arena floor already pulverized to dust, now being vaporized by the sheer energy being released.
At this moment, Qin Xuan, who had been in a state of quiet observation, opened his eyes. He looked at the shattered ground, then up at Yu Yuanzhen, who floated in the air like a thunder god surrounded by his 9 giant lightning dragons.
Qin Xuan couldn't help but exclaim in his heart, "Is this Yu Yuanzhen's 9th Spirit Ability, 'True Dragon's Fury, Shaking the Nine Heavens'? It's quite similar in destructive potential to my Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Slash. He's not holding back at all."
He then looked at Tang Tian, who was trying to forcibly channel the power of his next Ring Detonation. Qin Xuan slowly stood up, understanding the inevitable outcome. He uttered 3 words, "It's over."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Tian's body convulsed. He spat out a massive mouthful of fresh blood, which turned into a bloody mist in the air and splattered across his own face. The backlash from his existing injuries, combined with the attempt to force another detonation, had shattered his internal organs and spirit power channels.
"Ah!" Tang Tian let out an unwilling, desperate scream, and with a heavy thud, he fell backward onto the ground, his Spirit Avatar dissipating instantly.
Seeing this, the Hao Brothers' pupils constricted in terror. "Father—!"
Disregarding the ongoing match, both of them simultaneously summoned their own Clear Sky Hammers and rushed towards the arena, desperate to protect their fallen father from Yu Yuanzhen's impending ultimate attack.
"Don't you dare harm our Sect Master!" The Second Elder, Tang Bai, followed closely with Tang Yuehua.
Hearing this, Yu Yuanzhen was slightly stunned. He paused, his 9 dragons still roaring, ready to strike. Before he could speak, a refreshing, calm voice suddenly rang out from the arena.
"Clan Master Yu, it's best to be merciful when possible. The World's Number One Sect title already belongs to your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; there's no need to be so ruthless."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, glowing with a brilliant, soothing light, appeared silently in Ning Fengzhi's palm. He walked over with Sword Douluo, his expression one of gentle reproach. He lightly shouted, "Seven Treasure Avatar, go!"
[Inorin's Note: "Seven Treasure Avatar" is the Spirit Avatar (Seventh Spirit Ability) of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. While it has no offensive power, it vastly amplifies the user's support abilities, allowing for large-scale, powerful healing and buffs.]
As his voice fell, the pagoda shimmered with dazzling 7-colored light, spinning 3 times in Ning Fengzhi's hand before gracefully floating out. It flew above the competition arena and then enlarged, transforming into a 10-meter-tall pagoda of pure, radiant light.
In an instant, the entire arena was bathed in brilliant treasure light, a gentle, warm energy that enveloped the fallen Tang Tian and the other Clear Sky Sect members.
This was precisely the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's Spirit Avatar. Although its raw healing ability couldn't compare to the Nine Heart Begonia, it was precious because of its rarity and its unparalleled amplification. With Ning Fengzhi's profound spirit power at the Spirit Saint level, its healing effect was no less potent than that of most top-tier healing Spirit Masters.
"I didn't say I was going to be ruthless," Yu Yuanzhen's face twitched violently. He was annoyed, but he couldn't be bothered to explain. He grunted and, with a wave of his hand, dispersed his 9th Spirit Ability. The 9 roaring dragons dissipated into motes of lightning.
Yu Yuanzhen disdained explaining himself to anyone. He hadn't decided if he would kill Tang Tian, but Ning Fengzhi's intervention had stolen the choice, painting him as the aggressor.
Moreover, the moment the Hao Brothers stepped onto the stage, it signified that the Clear Sky Sect had already conceded. There was no need to continue fighting.
Now that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had become the World's Number One Sect, the Spirit Master World would enter their era. His father's regret had been avenged.
"Many thanks, Sect Master Ning." Seeing Yu Yuanzhen withdraw, the Second Elder, Tang Bai, couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. He turned and bowed deeply to Ning Fengzhi.
Regardless of whether Ning Fengzhi had leaked the secret of the Great Sumeru Hammer to Yu Yuanzhen, their Sect Master was now severely injured and in critical condition. Only Ning Fengzhi could save him now.
"Yuehua thanks Sect Master Ning as well," Tang Yuehua also curtsied, tears of gratitude in her eyes.
As for the Hao Brothers, they merely snorted coldly. They protectively stood over their father, ignoring Ning Fengzhi completely. In their opinion, even if Tang Tian's injury wasn't Ning Fengzhi's direct doing, he was absolutely involved. This "healing" was merely atonement, so why should they be grateful?
"Senior Tang Bai and Miss Yuehua, there's no need to be so polite. The Upper Three Sects are united. As the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, this is my duty," Ning Fengzhi didn't mind the Hao Brothers' actions, maintaining his refreshing, magnanimous smile.
He had come here precisely to seize this opportunity. His goal was twofold: to ease the fractured relationship between the two Sects and to place the proud Clear Sky Sect in his debt.
Furthermore, he was a pragmatist. If Tang Tian were to die now, it would not benefit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; it would only allow Spirit Hall to grow stronger, unchecked. A weakened, indebted Clear Sky Sect was a far more useful ally.
The 4th and 6th layers of the Seven Treasure Avatar emitted a dazzling light. Under the effects of Ning Fengzhi's 4th Spirit Ability, Light of Amplification, and 6th Spirit Ability, Light of Healing, Tang Tian, who was on the verge of death, gradually regained consciousness after a trip to the gates of hell.
However, his injuries were far beyond what Ning Fengzhi could fully heal. The backlash from detonating 100,000-year spirit rings was permanent. He was alive, but his foundation was shattered.
"Congratulations, Clan Master Yu, on achieving the final victory," Supreme Pontiff Qian Xunji's voice finally came, breaking the tense silence.
Supported by Tang Yuehua and the Second Elder, Tang Bai, a pale and weakened Tang Tian walked off the competition arena with unsteady steps. The Hao Brothers guarded him on either side, their faces dark.
Ning Fengzhi and his 2 companions also returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's resting area, having achieved their objective.
Qian Xunji, Emperor Dai Tianfeng, and Emperor Xue Ye all stood up. Qian Xunji looked over the crowd, his voice calm but resonant as he announced, "The triennial Sect Competition has concluded. The final rankings are as follows: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sacred Dragon Sect, Elephant Armored Sect, Black Tiger Sect, and Wind Sword Sect."
A moment of silence, then an earth-shattering roar from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's disciples.
"Congratulations to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Clear Sky Sect, and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for earning the title of Upper Three Sects! And congratulations to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan for winning the title of World's Number One Sect!"
[Inorin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep translating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/InorinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
This translation is my full-time passion, and your support is what makes it possible for me to dedicate myself completely to bringing you this story. Thank you for reading!
As a special offer, I've opened a few limited-time tiers at a discounted price! You will get all the benefits of "The Plot Uncoverer" (normally $25), but at a much cheaper rate.
These slots are extremely limited:
"The Dedicated Fan": $9.99 (Save 60% / $15.01) - Only 3 slots
"The Lore Diver": $14.99 (Save 40% / $10.01) - Only 7 slots
"The Founding Pillars": $19.99 (Save 20% / $5.01) - Only 15 slots
Grab your slot before they run out! Besides membership, you can also donate via Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/inorintl].
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]