"Hao, are you alright?"
"Xiao Han, are you okay?"
The final clash between Gu Han and Tang Hao was so intense that the arena itself had cracked. This was no ordinary stage—it had been specially reinforced to withstand attacks from anyone below the Soul Sage level.
Yet even that had been damaged by the sheer force of their collision. The mere fact that it had cracked was enough to show how terrifying that impact truly was.
"Junior Brother, are you hurt?"
Bibi Dong hurried over to Gu Han, worry etched across her face. The battle had been breathtaking, but also dangerously intense. Tang Hao's strength had far exceeded her expectations.
Gu Han's breathing was a little unsteady, but he was otherwise unharmed. After a brief moment of meditation to calm his soul power, his condition quickly stabilized, though his internal energy reserves were significantly depleted.
"Senior Sister, don't worry. I'm fine—just a bit drained. I just need a little rest."
Yue Guan had also checked Gu Han's pulse. Sensing that it was merely soul power exhaustion and nothing serious, he finally relaxed.
"Don't worry. This kid's physique is solid. He's really alright."
"Phew, that's a relief..."
Bibi Dong finally let out a sigh of relief. The moment their clash erupted, it had shaken heaven and earth—everyone had been stunned. No one had expected that a battle between a Soul Ancestor and a Soul King could rival the intensity of a Soul Sage duel.
At that moment, every other so-called "genius" who had fought in this tournament was reduced to nothing more than flickering fireflies, overshadowed by these two blazing full moons.
"Second Brother..."
"Second Brother, are you okay?"
Compared to Gu Han, Tang Hao was in worse shape.
In that final strike, he had ignored the interference of sword qi, focusing solely on unleashing the Great Sumeru Hammer and Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Techniques. Now, he was covered in sword wounds, blood dripping steadily from his torn clothes.
"It's just some surface wounds. I'm fine."
Tang Hao shook his head. This level of pain was nothing to him. On the contrary, it was now that he truly realized he had underestimated the world's heroes.
He had thought himself invincible among his peers. But now, someone had stood toe-to-toe with him—someone using only four soul rings against his five. And by the final exchange, he had already gone all out.
Though the fight appeared to end in a draw, Tang Hao knew the truth: he had lost.
If Gu Han had also been at rank 50, Tang Hao likely wouldn't have stood a chance.
"Seven Treasures rise with Glazed Light. The third calls upon Soul, the fourth grants Stability."
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward. Five soul rings floated beneath him as the ultimate support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda activated to help Gu Han and Tang Hao recover.
Two beams of radiant, rainbow-colored light surged into their bodies. Gu Han could feel his soul power rapidly recovering.
"So this is the legendary power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
"It truly lives up to its reputation."
Gu Han marveled inwardly. Though he had always known of the pagoda's support capabilities, experiencing it firsthand gave him a much deeper appreciation for the sect's significance.
Whether in the original novel or its animated adaptation, the protagonist group had often managed to overcome foes far stronger than themselves, thanks in no small part to Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
The amplification this support offered was immense—enough to bridge the gap of even one or two entire ranks among Titled Douluo.
An advantage that could not be overstated.
In the audience, Dugu Bo and his son also sighed in relief upon seeing that Gu Han was unharmed.
Tang Hao's wounds had stopped bleeding and begun to heal. His internal circulation stabilized.
Only then did Ning Fengzhi retract his pagoda.
At his current cultivation of rank 59, he was just one step away from reaching Soul Emperor. Though already nearly thirty, he still fell within the category of the younger generation. His intervention today certainly brought honor to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
As a high-ranking Soul King, the effectiveness of his support was beginning to showcase the pagoda's true potential.
"Thank you, Clan Head Ning."
Gu Han and Tang Hao both cupped their fists toward Ning Fengzhi. Though they were close in age, Ning Fengzhi was now the official leader of a major clan. His elevated status warranted due respect—especially after healing them. Gratitude was only natural.
"Think nothing of it. The two of you are truly outstanding—top-tier talents among today's young generation. You have my admiration."
Ning Fengzhi's voice was warm and magnetic, his demeanor graceful and calming.
Tang Hao turned his gaze back to Gu Han and stepped forward with a respectful cupped-fist salute. "Brother Gu Han, though the match may have seemed like a draw, I had the advantage of a higher rank. By all rights, this fight belongs to you."
"Brother Tang Hao, your strength is formidable. Among all the peers I've fought, you're the strongest I've met. If there's a chance in the future, I'd like to face you again—when we're the same rank."
To be honest, this had been the only time Gu Han had gone all out since his debut—aside from his fight with Yue Guan.
And credit where credit is due: Tang Hao was immensely powerful. It was no wonder that, in the original story, he had reached rank 97 and even managed to hold his own—and force back—Rakshasa God Bibi Dong.
"Hahaha! Good! If you say so, Brother Gu Han, then I'll be waiting for the day we fight as equals!"
Tang Hao's battle spirit ignited again. Within the Clear Sky Clan, he had virtually no opponents.
His older brother, fifteen years his senior, was already a Soul Sage. But Tang Hao didn't want to be beaten down just for the sake of fighting.
Among his peers within the clan, aside from Tang Xiao, no one could even last a round against him.
But now, that had changed.
Tang Hao's eyes burned as he stared at Gu Han. A rank-43 Soul Ancestor had just fought him to a standstill. This was a true prodigy—a rival worthy of his attention.
Gu Han met his gaze, eyes calm and emotionless, like still water. Yet his aura was like a drawn sword—sharp and unyielding. Deep inside, his own fighting spirit had been lit.
This Tang Hao… may very well be the strongest opponent among his generation.
The duel between Tang Hao and Gu Han had extinguished the competitive will of the other young geniuses present.
Any further matches would only feel like child's play in comparison.
Challenge either of them?
Everyone fell silent.
They all knew—they were no match for the two.
"See? I told you Xunji's disciple isn't any worse than your grandson."
As the dust settled, Qian Daoliu's lips curled into a smile. But in truth, he was deeply surprised.
He'd known Gu Han was powerful—but to fight on par with Tang Hao, who was over ten ranks higher and equally monstrous in strength? That was completely unexpected.
A delightful surprise. It seemed his son had truly found a hidden gem.
"To think that someone with the strength of a Rank-43 Soul Ancestor could match Hao'er blow for blow... Truly, there's always someone stronger out there."
Tang Chen was equally astonished. For once, he didn't bicker with his old friend, instead offering a sincere sigh of admiration.
"Looks like Hao'er has finally met a worthy rival. And that's a good thing—a true opponent will only help him grow stronger."
"Indeed. On the path of the strong, having no rivals often means your growth will stagnate."
Only when one meets a worthy adversary—someone who can truly push them to their limits—can the hidden power within be awakened, allowing them to go even further down the road of strength.
~~~
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