Chapter 172: Tang San’s Wavering Dao Heart
by xennovel“Whoosh!”
A figure shot up into the sky.
“Wow, Ruyan, you look absolutely radiant. Life must be treating you well these days.”
Nangong Lin sneaked up and playfully grabbed Liu Ruyan’s delicate, oval-shaped face in both hands.
“Ah!” Liu Ruyan froze, awkwardly pushing Nangong Lin’s hands away. “I thought something had suddenly come flying at me—you gave me a scare…”
“Hey, Lian’er, it’s been a while,” Yan Yi said, a little embarrassed as he lowered his head.
Nangong Lin teased, “Yeah, it really has been a while. The whole sanctuary’s jealous of you two lovebirds.”
“By the way, Yan Yi, it’s been ages since we last saw each other. You’re probably on the verge of breaking through to the God Realm now, aren’t you?”
Yan Yi paused for a moment, then replied, “Lian’er, you always see right through me. But you’re not wrong, I am just a step away from the Sword God Realm.”
“Lian’er, let’s save that for another time. Why did you call us here?”
Liu Ruyan nudged Yan Yi lightly with a bright smile and turned her gaze to Nangong Lin.
Nangong Lin hesitated, then said, “You wouldn’t believe it. You two missed the big festival, and a spatial tunnel opened up while you were away.”
She paused, let out a sigh, then pointed her finger at Tang San standing on the dueling platform and began to explain:
“See him? He came out of that tunnel—I guess he’s from another world. Honestly, he was probably a powerful figure over there…”
“But he doesn’t seem all that strong here… He wanted to spar with us, so my father reluctantly agreed. Just now, one of our junior sisters got ambushed…”
“I wanted to get up there and teach him a lesson, but my father wouldn’t let me. Now, Ruyan, you’ll have to take care of it, right?”
“What!” Liu Ruyan blinked, but quickly agreed. “Don’t worry, Lian’er, leave it to me. Watch how I stand up for Junior Sister!”
Nangong Lin made a funny face. “Ruyan, then I’ll be here cheering you on from above!”
“No problem…” Liu Ruyan nodded and glanced at Yan Yi with a sweet smile. “Darling, could you give me a lift down there?”
Yan Yi looked at Liu Ruyan dotingly and replied, “Of course. Be careful, my dear!”
Raising his hand, Yan Yi released a surge of energy, which instantly enveloped Liu Ruyan.
He gently sent her down onto the dueling platform…
Facing the newly arrived Liu Ruyan, Tang San took a deep breath and asked, “Who are you?”
Liu Ruyan gave a cold snort. “Does it matter who I am? Just remember I’m the one here to fight you. And don’t worry, I won’t bully you.”
“I’ll suppress my own cultivation to the Sword Qi Realm—so you’d best be careful!”
She flicked her wrist and a Peach Blossom Sword appeared in her hand, which she swept toward Tang San with no hesitation.
Tang San’s left eyelid twitched. He felt danger closing in and leapt back in a hurry.
“Boom!”
A massive crater opened where Tang San had just been standing.
“Dammit, woman! How dare you ambush me while I was off guard? You must have a death wish!”
Tang San’s face turned ice-cold. With a twist of his arm, the Blue Silver Tyrant Spear appeared, radiating killing intent…
“Die!” Tang San charged forward, spear in hand, lunging straight at Liu Ruyan.
“Such arrogance!”
Liu Ruyan scoffed and gripped her Peach Blossom Sword, meeting Tang San head-on.
“Clang!”
The spear and sword collided in a deafening crash, sparks flying everywhere.
“Boom!”
They exchanged a blow before quickly separating.
Liu Ruyan seized the opening when Tang San’s footing was unsteady. She switched from defense to offense and, in a flash, targeted his lower body.
“Not good!”
Tang San realized too late. He hurriedly spun his Blue Silver Tyrant Spear, trying to block the incoming strike—
Unbeknownst to Tang San, he’d already fallen for Liu Ruyan’s deception. While he frantically guarded the front, she had appeared behind him.
Real and fake: She’d pretended to go low, but really aimed for his back.
“Bang!” With a heavy palm strike, Liu Ruyan hit Tang San square in the back.
The force sent Tang San staggering back three meters. He barely managed to stab the Blue Silver Tyrant Spear into the ground to steady himself, glaring fiercely at the approaching Liu Ruyan.
“Haha, this world is far more interesting than I imagined. Now, it’s time for me to use my real power. Be careful!”
Tang San couldn’t use soul skills here, but he could still unleash the domain he’d gained on the Douluo Star and his signature Clear Sky Hammer.
Liu Ruyan was puzzled by Tang San’s words and hesitated for a moment.
She simply stood there in silence, watching as Tang San prepared his next move…
“Slaughter God Domain, activate!”
A wave of blood-red mist burst from Tang San, quickly spreading outwards.
The moment Liu Ruyan touched the mist, her brow creased; she could clearly feel her power being compressed just a little…
Sensing something was wrong, she summoned her spiritual energy, shaping it into defensive aura to shield herself.
“Clear Sky Hammer—Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique!”
Tang San’s hand now gripped a massive hammer. Hazy afterimages appeared as he swung at Liu Ruyan with wild intensity.
“Bang, bang, bang!”
In no time, thick smoke billowed and filled the air.
“Hiding behind that turtle shell won’t save you! Watch me smash it to bits!”
Tang San’s hammer blows grew faster; each strike seemed to fill him with a primal satisfaction…
“Bang!”
After eighty-one furious strikes, the defensive aura around Liu Ruyan finally shattered under the last blow—
“Honestly, you surprised me. The moves and weapons you use—none of them belong to this world. But you’re still missing something!”
A clear female voice rose from within the smoke.
When the smoke faded, there stood Liu Ruyan, still holding her Peach Blossom Sword, completely unharmed.
“What!” Tang San’s eyes went wide. “How is that possible? Why aren’t you hurt at all?”
“This farce has gone on long enough. I don’t know why you insisted on sparring with us—but you shouldn’t have hurt our junior sister!”
“Peach Blossoms Fall in Winter’s Chill, Plum Blossoms in January Greet the Cold, Yet Only the Peach Blossom’s Scent Endures!”
As her voice fell, petals began to drift gently down onto the dueling platform, painting the whole scene in delicate color.
Tang San stared, dumbfounded, as he realized there were peach blossoms piling up at his feet too, trapping him in place.
“Damn it! How can you people wield power like this?” Tang San roared, swinging the Clear Sky Hammer in rage. “Vast Sumeru Hammer, True Clear Sky Form!”
A giant figure appeared behind Tang San—its face looked just like a colossal version of himself…
The moment that figure emerged, the peach blossom petals trapping Tang San vanished instantly…
Liu Ruyan glanced at the giant figure with a look of disdain. Her fingers ran swiftly along her sword, then with a casual flick, she slashed forward.
A dazzling flash of sword light split the air.
“Bang!” In the blink of an eye, the giant figure behind Tang San shattered and disappeared.
“How… how is this possible!” Tang San was completely stunned.
His whole body trembled. All the trump cards he’d brought to this world now seemed blocked by some unseen force…
The influx of spiritual energy had thrown Tang San’s soul power and divine abilities from Douluo Continent into chaos…
To escape this mess, he realized he’d have to learn the cultivation and techniques of this world.
At that moment, Tang San’s Dao heart began to waver. He suddenly wasn’t sure if he should stick to his old ways—
Or start all over, and embark on the path of cultivation here. That doubt pricked at him like a needle, embedded deep in his heart.