Douluo Dalu - Volume 17 - Arrival Of The Phoenix

by Tang Jia San Shao

  No, Tang San wouldn’t do that.

  Feng Xiaotian’s attack made Tang San recall something in his past, recall the time when he sometimes wouldn’t have any food, the least glamorous time.

  In the crack between Feng Xiaotian’s fourth and fifth chop, black light rushed out of Tang San’s right hand, an unremarkable little hammer appearing in his grasp. Just at this moment, there was suddenly a bursting sound under Tang San’s feet, as the ground where his legs were stuck suddenly collapsed into a large hole.

  Half turning, Tang San grasped the hammer with both hands, calves generating strength, spreading through his legs to his waist, through his waist to his back, from his back to his arms, fully half turning, that only one chi[2] long little hammer in his hands rising from below, directly meeting Feng Xiaotian’s fifth chop.

  Hong——

  This time Feng Xiaotian flew out especially high. If they could be seen, then this time one could definitely spot a tiny fracture in his wing. The violent pain already turned Feng Xiaotian’s face deep red.

  At the same time as his body turned, he looked with shock at the little hammer that had appeared in Tang San’s hands. At this moment, there wasn’t enough time to think about how his opponent suddenly had a weapon. The referee hadn’t called for a halt, that proved that his opponent hadn’t broken any rules.

  Actually, how could he have known that the referee was already staring stupidly.

  The two rotated practically simultaneously, only one was in the sky, one was on the ground. Feng Xiaotian’s wings struck down once again, and the little hammer in Tang San’s hands swung up once again. Violent collisions resounded repeatedly like rain against palm leaves.

  Whether it was Tang San or Feng Xiaotian, they were both turning faster and faster. In a moment, there had already been more than ten collisions.

  In the judges’ seats, emperor Xue Ye’s gaze was frozen. Platinum bishop Salas’ gaze was frozen. One might say that as long as they were sixtieth rank or over, Spirit Masters more than fifty years old, right now their hearts were shuddering.

  What was that? What was that black little hammer? What did it represent? None lacked absolute clarity in their hearts.

  That wasn’t a weapon, at least it wasn’t a weapon one carried, it further wasn’t something stored in a spatial spirit tool. That was a spirit, a true spirit, a spirit that had produced immeasurable glory in the Spirit Master world. The peak existence on the pyramid of tool spirits. It represented a sect, represented countless powers. It represented the most powerful force and attack.

  That was, the Clear Sky Hammer.

  Part 3 (TL by Bagelson)

  Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer, one heavenly, one in the dirt. But these two spirits appeared simultaneously on one person.

  Nobody knew how this was possible, nobody knew. But the only thing that appeared in their minds right now, was just one term. Twin spirits.

  Clear Sky School, Clear Sky Hammer, twin spirits. Three phrases in the Spirit Master world vocabulary that shocked the nerves of each person.

  Even though Tang San didn’t make it clear, what he was using right now was the sect spirit ability possessed only by the Clear Sky School, Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method.

  Reportedly, at its peak, the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method could be swung nine times nine, eighty one times, the force of the hammer increasing with each swing. Even a true god would be unable to withstand the eighty first and final swing.

  Even though the Clear Sky Hammer was so small in Tang San’s hand, and also seemed so ordinary, the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method belonged to only this family. Right now, there was basically nobody who doubted his identity.

  A directly related Clear Sky School descendant. Only directly related Clear Sky School disciples could learn the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method.

  The word ‘genius’ was apparently already insufficient to describe the youth in the center of the ring, the glory he carried was even more brilliant than the light of his four spirit rings.

  Emperor Xue Ye was extremely regretful. Regretful that his little brother would let such a person slip by. The people of the Clear Sky School hadn’t appeared on the Continent for many years. With great difficulty managing to meet one, and a directly related disciple at that, if he could rope him in, then……

  The shock in Salas’ eyes gradually turned into a cold light. Twin spirits. It was unexpectedly twin spirits as well. No, this absolutely wasn’t something such a lowly peasant could possess. Moreover he was still from the Clear Sky School. No matter what, this boy had to die. No matter what.

  At this moment, there were no longer a trace of doubt in his heart.

  When Tang San unleashed the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method, Feng Xiaotian’s destiny was already fated to be tragic.

  It had to be said that Feng Xiaotian was an exceptionally talented Spirit Master, and the might of this spirit ability he created was also out of the ordinary. Escaping danger by a hair’s breadth, launching Thirty Six Successive Chops from midair was enough to defeat opponents even stronger than him.

  Unfortunately, he was facing a monster. A monster among monsters from Shrek Academy.

  Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method could be said to be a peak existence among amplifying spirit abilities. Standing on the ground, it was a lot easier for him to issue strength than for his opponent.

  With each of Feng Xiaotian’s chops, the amplification depended on speed and the force of gravity. But with each of Tang San’s swings, the amplification relied not only on these, but also on his physical strength.

  In gravity, could Feng Xiaotian’s body weight compare to the already five hundred jin[3] heavy Clear Sky Hammer?

  Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method had always been used by Tang San for forging. He had practiced it far, far too many times already. In the previous several clashes, Feng Xiaotian could still compete equally with Tang San, even so much that he held the upper hand. But after the tenth swing, he could only step by step retreat in defeat, just like a piece of iron forged by the Clear Sky Hammer, constantly pounded, flying up. By now, the arms fused together with his wings were already completely numb.

  Feng Xiaotian wanted to stop. But he discovered that he was unable to accomplish it. Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer seemed to be sticky, pulling at his body. Even if he didn’t want to continue using Stormwind Demon Wolf’s Thirty Six Successive chops, he couldn’t do anything about it.

  At this moment, Feng Xiaotian revealed the demeanor of a power. When he was about to use the nineteenth chop, with a shrill howl, cyan light rushed out of his whole body.

  With a loud bang, clouds of blood rained in all directions, Feng Xiaotian had unexpectedly forcibly shocked his own wings to pieces.

  Countless pieces of blood and flesh attacked straight at Tang San with a powerful energy, and because he didn’t have wings to control the air streams, Feng Xiaotian’s body flew out at an angle under the enormous momentum.

  A hero breaking his wrist[4], truly a hero breaking his wrist. Even if the wings weren’t part of his four limbs, they were still condensed by Feng Xiaotian himself. Breaking the wings wasn’t something that could be recovered in just a day or two.

  But it was also just this that saved Feng Xiaotian’s life.

  Tang San could control the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method himself, but he couldn’t clearly see the opponent’s condition. With Tang San’s current strength, he could at most use the Disorder Splitting Wind hammer method forty eight times. But after thirty six times, it would already be something he couldn’t control. Moreover, this was only the first time he used this hammer method with the Clear Sky Hammer, and as he did, he discovered that the Clear Sky Hammer would emit a kind of peculiar force field. With the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method in perfect harmony with the Clear Sky Hammer, the resulting might was more than he could imagine.

  But there was also an issue. The Clear Sky Hammer was too heavy, ten times
heavier than ordinary forging hammers. Thus, even though he could control the rotation, stopping was a lot more difficult. In fact, when using the Clear Sky Hammer, once he reached twenty four swings it would already be very difficult to control that terrifying force. At that time, Feng Xiaotian stuck in the Clear Sky Hammer’s forcefield would practically certainly die.

  Right now Feng Xiaotian broke his wings and fell, and the flesh and blood from his shattered wings also couldn’t injure Tang San. The Clear Sky Hammer’s whirlwind type swings engulfed those onrushing fragments and sent them out, throwing them directly to the ground. And Tang San also relaxed his body, swinging around and around more than ten turns before he managed to find his balance, his face pale.

  Even though Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer didn’t have any spirit rings, his spirit power was still forty first rank. That using the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method with such spirit power was still so difficult, clearly showed how terrifying this Clear Sky School’s sect spirit ability was.

  A dizzy feeling constantly assaulted Tang San’s brain. He withdrew the Clear Sky Hammer in practically the first instant, since he was already practically unable to hold on to that frightening tool spirit.

  By now, Tang San’s spirit power consumption was enormous, and the burden on his body far exceeded what it did before.

  The two were more than ten meters from each other. Even though one stood and one had fallen, neither’s body was in particularly good shape, gasping for big mouthfuls of breath.

  Gazing at each other, they didn’t have any intent of giving up.

  Actually, it really wasn’t that Tang San wanted to use the Clear Sky Hammer, but rather that at the time, if he didn’t use it, he basically couldn’t think of any way that could block the opponent’s Stormwind Demon Wolf’s Thirty Six Successive Chops, even Eight Spider Lances might not have any effect. After all, this created spirit ability’s attack power grew constantly, and with the boost from two spirit rings, it was Feng Xiaotian’s certain kill technique.

  Tang San had thought of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method, and used it immediately. This was also the result of his combat experience. He had made the best decision in the shortest time. It was precisely because of this that he could successfully defeat his opponent.

  Even though they had used up about as much strength, Feng Xiaotian’s injuries were serious after breaking his wings. The competition between these two was about to end.

  “Twin spirits, yes?”

  Crawling up with difficulty, Feng Xiaotian’s voice sounded somewhat bitter.

  Tang San sighed inwardly. When he used the Clear Sky Hammer he had already understood that it would be impossible to keep this secret. But he didn’t regret it. At least he had won this fight, and brought Shrek Academy to the summit for the first time. At the same time he also more and more felt the importance of the Clear Sky Hammer. Even though he couldn’t give it any spirit rings right now, always hiding it didn’t have any advantages to him. Therefore, he didn’t regret it. At least, right now he also had Grandmaster there, with powers like Flender and Liu Erlong to protect him, as well as the attention and support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Even if someone went after him for his twin spirits, it wouldn’t be so easy.

  Tang San had already thought about it. Once this tournament was over, he would follow Grandmaster to find an uninhabited place and cultivate assiduously. Not being able to acquire some achievements didn’t bother him. Once that time came, at least he would have the strength to protect himself. At least he would also refine some of the more terrifying Tang Sect hidden weapons for self protection.

  Nodding, Tang San didn’t deny it,

  “A hammer called clear sky.”

  “Clear Sky Hammer?”

  The pupils of Feng Xiaotian’s eyes contracted sharply, and he said with a wry smile:

  “It seems my loss wasn’t an injustice. It’s no wonder Huo Wu would choose you over me. I’m no match for you. Perhaps I won’t be able to get a better record even in the finals. I’ve lost. Godwind Academy concedes.”

  Tang San sighed, saying:

  “Actually you didn’t really lose to me. You only lost to your own created spirit ability. Your Stormwind Demon Wolf Thirty Six Successive Chops was just countered by me. Otherwise, to whom the deer would fall in this match might still be hard to say. Moreover, there’s something I have to tell you. There’s no relationship between Huo Wu and me. Even so much that we’re not even friends. If you like her that’s your matter, don’t get me involved.”

  “What did you say?”

  Feng Xiaotian’s eyes opened wide, even to the extent that he had already forgotten about the pain of his broken wings.

  Tang San smiled indifferently,

  “I never lie.”

  The match ended. Because of the previous bet, Godwind Academy directly declared that they gave up on the match. And in the match on the next day, Shrek Academy’s opponent also directly forfeited.

  Fourteen rounds of the ranking competition, fourteen successive victories. Among all the fifteen teams, Shrek Academy ranked number one, obtaining the peak position in the Heaven Dou Empire region. This time, Shrek Academy had one after the other beaten Blazing Academy, Botanic Academy, Skywater Academy, Thunderclap Academy, as well as the Godwind Academy. Their record proved their true strength. There was nobody who called into question who Heaven Dou Empire’s strongest academy team was. And such a glorious achievement, was the result of the common efforts of the entire Shrek Academy team.

  * * *

  [1] (风刃列阵) “Wind Blade Arranged as a burst”

  [2] 1尺 = ⅓ m

  [3] 500斤 = 250 kg

  [4] When a warriors wrist is bitten by a poisonous snake, he should cut it off to prevent a worse fate.

  Chapter 118: Finals, Spirit City

  Part 1 (TL by Bagelson)

  The competition ended, undoubtedly with another impassioned boost and encouragement for emperor Xue Ye. Next, the finals would start very soon. That was the true battle to decide which academy was the most powerful on the Continent.

  As regent, emperor Xue Ye naturally couldn’t leave Heaven Dou City unattended. After the end of his speech, emperor Xue Ye declared that crown prince Xue Qinghe would represent him as Heaven Dou Empire’s envoy, to take the task of judging the tournament. And Heaven Dou Empire’s fifteen teams would accompany him personally on the way to a city on the common border of the two great empires where the finals would take place. The finals would be arranged by Spirit Hall.

  There would only be three days for all the teams to rest. After three days, the altogether fifteen teams plus teachers and an escort of five hundred imperial household knights, a party of more than a thousand people, would leave for where the finals would be held. Spirit City.

  Originally the finals weren’t at all arranged by Spirit Hall, but for some reason, Spirit Hall suddenly issued an alteration. This tournament’s ultimate finals would be held in the main city of Spirit Hall. This city practically entirely belonged to Spirit Hall. Situated on the border of the two great empires, the empires had no authority over it. Most importantly, one of the two great palaces that symbolized Spirit Hall, Supreme Pontiff Palace, was located in Spirit City.

  This recently constructed Supreme Pontiff Palace was reputed to be the grandest building in all the Douluo Continent. Spirit City had also become the holy land of all Spirit Masters due to the construction of this Supreme Pontiff Palace, making it like a capital city Spirit Hall had established for itself.

  From Heaven Dou City to Spirit City was almost twenty days on the road. The finals wouldn’t last for very long, as it was a knock-out competition. Altogether thirty three teams could settle the outcome in less than ten days.

  Spirit Hall attached extreme importance to the finals this time. While the ranking competition was ongoing, Spirit Hall had already started to set up the site for this Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament finals. At the same t
ime, Spirit City had decreed that non-Spirit Masters couldn’t enter to see the competition. Not even nobles. Like this, they increased the mystery of the finals somewhat.

  Ordinary people wouldn’t feel particularly satisfied with Spirit Hall’s decree. After all, to ordinary people, Spirit Hall was a remote and exalted existence. Spirit Hall was the shrine, the holy land in their hearts. If the lord Supreme Pontiff had personally decreed it, who would dare say anything?

  A crowd of more than a thousand people set off grandiosely. Even if the academies all had their own arrangements, they still all represented Heaven Dou Empire, compared to the previous qualifiers and ranking competition, the taste of gunpowder was somewhat fainter. Especially the academies with better relationships even travelled together.

  Shrek Academy still drew the most attention, but those academies whose strength was lacking didn’t want to get close to them. And the four elemental academies also kept a much lower profile, perhaps because of their defeats in the ranking competition.

  In order to let the competing team members rest even better, Heaven Dou Empire had arranged altogether fifteen enormous luxurious carriages, specially for the team members to ride in and rest.

  These carriages even used some spirit tool technology as foundation, giving them extraordinary shock absorption. Riding them was unusually steady. Of course, the entire Douluo Continent’s spirit tool technology circulation was only clear here.

  From the day they set out, Shrek Academy was one person less. One very important person. Grandmaster.

  Even the Shrek Seven Devils didn’t know where Grandmaster had gone. Grandmaster didn’t even tell Tang San, only quietly leaving by himself the day after the end of the ranking competition. He also didn’t bring Liu Erlong. It made emperor Xue Ye who planned to invite him very disappointed.