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Douluo World
The biting chill of the rain instantly sobered Lu Xian as he stepped through the portal. Droplets, now a light drizzle, pattered against his skin.
"The rain's eased up quite a bit," he murmured, activating a soul shield that shimmered into existence, deflecting the remaining moisture. Yawning widely, he turned towards the dimly lit hut, the promise of sleep a welcome thought.
Night had fallen completely, the darkness punctuated only by the faint, flickering glow emanating from the hut's window. The candle he'd left burning was clearly still resisting the night.
The hut stood as he remembered, familiar and unassuming. However, a stark difference greeted him at the door: a tall, unmoving figure cloaked in tattered black. The figure stood with arms crossed, leaning against the wooden wall, head bowed in silent stillness.
He thinks he looks powerful, all imposing and masterly, Lu Xian thought with a flicker of amusement. In reality, he just looks like a stubborn fool.
A sudden realization struck him as he continued his approach, his lazy gaze sharpening. There was only one person in the entire Douluo Continent who favored such a dramatic, cloaked entrance: Haotian Douluo, Tang Hao.
Lu Xian had anticipated this possibility, stocking up on various deterrents in the world of Covering the Sky. Yet, seeing Tang Hao here, so brazenly waiting, still stirred a sense of distaste for his perceived lack of shame. Typical Tang family behavior, he mused. Beat the kid, and the old man comes running. Bullying the weak with their strength, and utterly shameless about it.
Despite his annoyance, Lu Xian felt no fear. If things escalated, he could always seek help from the group. Tang Hao might have the advantage in a hidden ambush, but facing him head-on, so carelessly, was a different story entirely.
Face to face? A confident smirk touched Lu Xian's lips. The word 'lose' isn't in my vocabulary.
He halted more than ten meters from the cloaked figure, his voice cutting through the soft drumming of the rain. "Where are the people inside?"
The figure finally raised his head, revealing a weathered, middle-aged face framed by a rough beard. His voice was deep and resonant as he replied, "Knocked them out. Didn't see the need to take their lives. I'm waiting for you."
"Waiting for me to end yours, you old dog?" Lu Xian retorted with a sneer. His hand flashed, and the Wolf Tooth Steel Needle Sword materialized in his grip. Three platinum soul rings spiraled down from above his head, settling into their positions with a soft hum.
"End my life?" A flicker of mockery crossed Tang Hao's features. A mere three-ring Soul Master spouting such arrogant nonsense about a Titled Douluo. The boy was clearly ignorant of the power he faced, and thus, unafraid.
"You clearly don't know who you're dealing with," Tang Hao scoffed, taking a slow step forward. Soul rings began to descend from his own head, their powerful aura pressing down on the night. He imagined the shock, the despair that would etch itself onto the young man's face when he witnessed the nine rings of a Titled Douluo.
"You clearly don't know who you're dealing with!"
"Hehehe…"
Lu Xian's laughter held a chilling, almost manic quality, a sound that seemed to pollute the very air. The Wolf Tooth Steel Needle Sword was already raised high above his head.
Before the King of Force, Lu Xian, no one dares to act tough! Even if the Saint of Force, Xu Que himself, were here today, it wouldn't work!
A dramatic flourish accompanied his thoughts.
BGM—Start!
A soft, almost melancholic melody began to play in the silent night.
"How lonely is invincibility…"
"How empty is invincibility…"
A brilliant white light erupted around Lu Xian, illuminating the immediate surroundings.
Shua—
The Wolf Tooth Steel Needle Sword descended in a swift, seemingly effortless arc.
Second Soul Skill: 100% of the White Blades are Caught with Bare Hands!
Activate!
Tang Hao was still reeling from the bizarre singing that had suddenly filled the air…
Plop!
His knees slammed into the muddy ground the next instant, the nine soul rings that were slowly descending abruptly halting their progress. He had intended a grand, imposing entrance, the deliberate fall of his soul rings adding to the effect.
He had miscalculated spectacularly.
He began to slide forward, two deep furrows carving themselves into the soft earth.
Tang Hao was utterly bewildered. He couldn't comprehend what was happening. He found himself completely unable to control his movements…
Uh… well, not entirely unable. Sliding forward on his knees could technically be considered movement.
He struggled desperately, but his limbs felt unresponsive, as if disconnected from his will. Only his mouth seemed to retain its function.
Wait! What is that kid doing?!
A wave of horrified realization washed over Tang Hao.
He saw the boy scattering a multitude of sharp objects – thumbtacks, triangular nails, wickedly pointed meteor nails – directly in the path of his involuntary slide.
"Fuck you—"
"Hiss—"
The curse died in Tang Hao's throat as his entire face contorted in agony. He bared his teeth, gasping for air. It was an utterly bizarre sensation. Why did the piercing nails in his knees still register as excruciating pain when the rest of his body felt numb and uncontrollable?
He could clearly feel the increasing number of sharp points digging into his flesh, each inch of his slide driving them deeper.
You are a born evil brat!
Just as he was about to slide within arm's reach of the boy, a mace as thick as his thigh slammed into his head. Tang Hao's eyes widened in shock, and he suddenly found his hands moving, instinctively flying up to protect his skull.
😢
It was a textbook bare-handed block.
Puff—
His palms were instantly riddled with holes, crimson blood spurting from the numerous fresh wounds.
[You have created an abstract scene, which is evaluated as relatively abstract, and the abstract value is 500]
"What kind of bizarre ability is this?!" Tang Hao gritted out through clenched teeth. He was a man of iron will, not one to cry out in pain and lose face over a few wolf-tooth steel needles piercing his palm. It was, quite simply, not worth mentioning!
What he desperately wanted to understand was the strange force controlling him. It was truly unsettling.
Wait, why is that kid taking things out again…?
Tang Hao's eyes widened further. The vile child was now holding a handful of pristine white, crystalline salt?
Then he began to… sprinkle the salt onto his bloodied hands?
"Fuck you—"
"Hiss—"
The stinging agony of the fine salt grating against the open wounds on his palms was unbearable. Tang Hao couldn't suppress the guttural hiss that escaped his lips. His face was flushed crimson, and he knelt there, gasping raggedly, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
"Still cursing? Still cursing, huh?"
Lu Xian raised an eyebrow, a cruel glint in his eyes. He was determined to break this stubborn old man. He then produced a small bottle filled with a viscous, fiery-red liquid – chili water, a special blend from the world of the sky, guaranteed to induce super-invincible spiral ascension levels of spice!
Popping the cork, a pungent, eye-watering aroma filled the air. Tang Hao saw the bottle and clamped his mouth shut. He was Haotian Douluo.
Just chili water! I can endure this!
Lu Xian smirked, tilting the bottle and generously pouring the fiery liquid onto Tang Hao's already ravaged palms.
Tang Hao's face shifted through a spectrum of colors, a testament to the escalating agony. It was safe to say his pain tolerance was being thoroughly tested.
"Old Deng, feeling alright?" Lu Xian asked with mock concern.
"You beast! You… beast!" Tang Hao choked out, his voice thick with pain and fury.
"Why the tears, old man? Is it your profound love for this land that moves you so deeply?"
"....."