Chapter 279: Farewell, Asura

At this moment, Yang Xiong couldn't help but sigh in relief; the assessment was finally completed, and it went even more smoothly than he had imagined.

During this month in the Killing City, Yang Xiong was not idle; ever since he captured the Blood-red Nine-headed Bat King with the Han Sea Universe Dome, that Bat King has become Yang Xiong's own caged prey.

Under the suppression of the Han Sea Universe Dome, the Blood-red Nine-headed Bat King had no power to resist and was essentially at the mercy of Yang Xiong's slaughter.

Beasts like this, though they possess human thoughts and ambitions, are ultimately nothing more than talking beasts.

Under Yang Xiong's life‑threatening intimidation, the Blood-red Nine-headed Bat King spilled everything, so that lone independent Luosha divine thought was nothing to fear.

As the Luosha divine thought was slain, the entire Sacrificial Altar seemed to change rapidly; the original dark aura vanished without a trace, replaced by endless blood light.

Yang Xiong felt a sudden daze, as if his whole being had left the altar and was now inside an extremely magnificent grand hall.

In the center of the hall stood a massive blood‑red silhouette, which was the Asura God.

Yang Xiong quickly bowed: "I have the honor of meeting you, Asura God."

A rare look of approval appeared on the Asura God's face: "Yang Xiong, your assessment was faster and smoother than I imagined. I didn't expect you to have completed two stages within just a few months; you should know that back then Tang Chen was also trapped in your second stage."

"Moreover, the direct assessment displayed your wisdom and courage. An ordinary mortal facing a deity, even if capable of a fight, would be crushed by the terrifying pressure, yet you managed to contend with a god in a mortal body, which is commendable."

Yang Xiong quickly replied: "All of this is thanks to your arrangement, Asura God. Without the Asura Demon Sword, I could not have slain that fragment of the Luosha divine thought."

The Asura God said: "All of this is your opportunity. Back then Tang Chen also possessed the Asura Demon Sword, but he hesitated when confronting the Luosha Shen, and his arrogance doomed him. I hope you take this as a warning."

"Given your strength, you have basically mastered the Asura Demon Sword and even independently comprehended the Asura Judgment."

"What you need now is not an increase in power, but a decision to make; the Asura Demon Sword will guide you through the next assessment."

"Remember, your choice will affect the lives of billions, will alter the world's structure, and this is the responsibility you must bear, as well as the choice of a future Divine Realm Enforcer."

Then the Asura God gave Yang Xiong a slight nod; a blood‑red light instantly merged into Yang Xiong's mind, and he vaguely saw a massive deity holding a blood‑red longsword.

It seemed the deity was employing a blood‑red common technique; each move appeared capable of destroying heaven and earth, yet without any vitality, it strangled enemies.

After consecutively using multiple sword techniques, at the final, ninth sword…

The deity faced a giant dragon that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth; the dragon stretched ten thousand zhang, radiating dazzling light, and a single claw could annihilate the world.

But the deity, wielding the blood‑red longsword, with a single slash caused the heavens and earth to change color, and the dragon was instantly cleaved in two.

Even with Yang Xiong's extensive knowledge, he felt a sudden panic, realizing the deity was overwhelmingly powerful and could kill him with a single move.

When Yang Xiong regained his senses, his whole body seemed drenched in cold sweat; he felt the deity's killing aura permeate every sword, as if any touch would shatter him into fragments.

And Yang Xiong himself had somehow returned to the Sacrificial Altar, the Asura Demon Sword lying quietly in his hand.

Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head, then finally returned to the Killing City, made a brief arrangement, and left the Killing City.

According to what was shown in his mind, these should be techniques mastered by the Asura God himself; unfortunately, given his current strength, he has only barely grasped the first form, and the rest remain far out of reach.

These techniques appear infinitely powerful; after wielding the Asura Demon Sword, Yang Xiong feels naturally attuned to them, quickly able to comprehend their essence, perhaps someday using them to further advance his strength.

The Asura God, from start to finish, used a total of seven moves; though few, each strike was earth‑shattering, showcasing the deity's might and the application of Asura power.

……

Since Tang Chen returned to the Clear Sky Sect together with Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, the entire Clear Sky Sect was filled with joy, especially the Five Great Elders, who saw Tang Chen as the backbone.

However, Tang Chen saw that the Five Great Elders' expressions were very displeased.

"Second Elder, our Clear Sky Sect has been passing down for countless years; tell us, what exactly is the sect's purpose?"

The Second Elder faced Tang Chen as if he were a junior.

"Report to the Old Sect Leader, the Clear Sky Sect is the Number One Sect Under Heaven, the Clear Sky Hammer is the number one artifact, and the martial soul shall never allow anyone to oppress it."

Tang Chen nodded: "You all know our Clear Sky Sect is the Number One Sect Under Heaven. How do we speak of the events of that time with Hao'er? Facing the Spirit Hall, even if our strength was lacking, we would not be defeated without a fight, nor be forced to retreat; as long as I keep the Clear Sky Sect shining, what face do we have?"

The Second Elder hurriedly said: "Old Sect Leader, the situation back then was extremely tense. If we hadn't retreated, the sect would likely have been destroyed long ago, and besides, all of this was caused by Tang Hao's trouble at the start."

Tang Chen instantly erupted in anger: "Second Elder, do you know what you're saying? The Clear Sky Sect's reputation was built by countless generations of us; didn't they ever face danger? Didn't they ever confront the pressure from the Spirit Hall?"

"But in these thousands of years, who has ever backed down before the Spirit Hall? If one always retreats to preserve a bit of strength, then what right is there to be called the Number One Sect Under Heaven?"

"The retreat back then not only stripped the Clear Sky Sect of its Number One Sect Under Heaven reputation, but also broke your backbone. Do you think our Clear Sky Sect can now regain its former glory?"

Facing Tang Chen, everyone present felt a mountain‑like pressure on their bodies; even as Title Douluo‑level warriors, they seemed a little breathless at that moment.

The Second Elder now appeared a bit shaky: "Old Sect Leader, back then it was Tang Hao who provoked the Spirit Hall; Tang Hao killed the Spirit Hall Pope Qian Xunji, otherwise we wouldn't be in an endless feud with the Spirit Hall."

Tang Chen, his face angry: "Even though you're an elder of the Soul Master World, the Spirit Hall's ambitions are well known; they merely sought an excuse to strike our Clear Sky Sect."

"Moreover, back then Hao'er only wanted to protect his wife and children. Is that wrong? Should we let his family be slain by the Spirit Hall? Such a person has no right to be a member of our Clear Sky Sect."

……

Under Tang Chen's tirade, the Five Great Elders' faces turned iron‑blue, as if they wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground; after all, they are all Title Douluo‑level, yet they were scolded by Tang Chen like quails.

After a final confirmation, Tang Hao officially returned to the Clear Sky Sect, and everyone swore to reclaim the blood debt from the Spirit Hall.

When everything was settled, Tang Chen, Tang Xiao, and Tang Hao entered a secret chamber of the Clear Sky Sect.

At this moment, Tang Chen was no longer as domineering as before; instead, a hint of decadence appeared on his face.

Tang Hao and Tang Xiao quickly asked: "Grandfather, what's wrong?"

Tang Chen shook his head: "My body can no longer hold out for long; I will not be able to protect the Clear Sky Sect any more. Hao'er, how long will it take for my great‑grandson Tang San to return?"

Tang Hao shook his head: "Grandfather, Tang San has no news at present, but according to what Yang Xiong said earlier, Tang San should return to the continent within a few months."

Tang Chen nodded: "I hope Tang San returns soon; I don't have much time left. I must cultivate Tang San quickly, otherwise when our Clear Sky Sect faces Qian Daoliu and the Angel God Inheritor, it may truly become the end of our Clear Sky Sect."

Tang Xiao quickly said: "Grandfather, don't overexert yourself; I'll handle everything outside, you must take care of your health."

Tang Chen helplessly said: "After so many years in the Killing City, my foundation is damaged; I fear my strength cannot return to its peak. I must now make early plans for the Clear Sky Sect."

Tang Xiao seemed to recall something: "Grandfather, do you think Yang Xiong could someday contend with Qian Daoliu? He might bring a turning point for our three sects."

Tang Chen's expression was serious: "Xiao, Yang Xiong is not that simple. Though he is only Level 90 now, his martial soul and Soul Ring are extraordinary; if given another ten years, he might be able to contend with Qian Daoliu."

"Unfortunately, this person is not of our Clear Sky Sect, and ten years is too long; he likely won't survive until the war ends. Given the current situation, the Spirit Empire may crush the Two Great Empires like withering grass, leading to a bitter struggle—a war the Soul Master World has never seen."

"Moreover, after fifty years, I should probably meet that old friend of mine; otherwise people will truly think the Clear Sky Sect is a toothless tiger."

Tang Xiao, hearing this, was unusually worried: "Grandfather, if you meet Qian Daoliu in your current condition, will he notice your injuries and strike our Clear Sky Sect preemptively?"

Tang Chen snorted coldly: "I do know Qian Daoliu; he's been overly pedantic all his life, otherwise he wouldn't have lost to me over a single move back then."

Qian Daoliu boasts of being a servant of the Angel God, has spent his whole life imitating the Angel God, but unfortunately his learning is far from proper and he cares too much about face; otherwise he wouldn't be the lowest among our three great Limit Douluo.

(End of chapter)