Douluo Continent.
Southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire.
In a desolate mountain valley filled with broken ruins and shattered walls…
A tall, imposing man was dragging a graceful woman in blue along with him as they fled in desperation.
In the woman's arms was a bundle—within it, a sleeping newborn infant.
These were Tang Hao, Ah Yin, and their prematurely born son.
Time rewinds to one day earlier.
Tang Hao and Ah Yin were strolling through the streets when he suddenly sensed the presence of two powerful auras—both belonging to Spirit Douluo-level cultivators.
Normally, Ah Yin's cultivation had surpassed that of a Spirit Emperor, reaching maturity. Her spirit beast aura was usually undetectable, even to a Title Douluo.
But as she neared childbirth, she could no longer fully suppress her aura. If encountered by powerful spirit masters, especially those above the Spirit Douluo level, her identity would likely be exposed.
Unfortunately, despite their efforts to hide, they were still discovered by the two Spirit Douluo.
In panic, they attempted to flee the city—but during their escape, Ah Yin experienced early labor due to the strain, forcing them to find temporary shelter in the city to give birth.
Luckily, as a spirit beast in human form, Ah Yin's physique was far stronger than an ordinary human's. Although it was a premature birth, both mother and child were healthy and safe.
But the peace did not last.
The two Spirit Douluo had picked up her scent and quickly tracked them down again.
Realizing they couldn't stay, Tang Hao and Ah Yin decided to leave the city and shake off their pursuers.
Yet the moment they exited the city, they fell right into an ambush set by the Spirit Hall—those two Spirit Douluo were among the ambushers.
It was then the couple realized it had all been a trap.
If they had stayed in the city, they could have blended into the crowd and hidden more easily. Spirit Hall, wary of public exposure, wouldn't have dared act so boldly in the open.
But by the time they understood this, it was already too late.
There was no going back.
Relying on the overwhelming might of his Clear Sky Hammer, Tang Hao fought fiercely to break out of the encirclement with Ah Yin. The two fled desperately to this isolated mountain valley.
Unbeknownst to them, this valley was also part of Spirit Hall's scheme—an ideal terrain to trap and eliminate them.
This plan came from Qian Xunji himself. He viewed it as a sport, cloaking his cruelty under the pretense of a "grand hunt."
If not for that twisted sense of amusement, Tang Hao and Ah Yin wouldn't have survived the initial ambush at all.
In the valley…
Tang Hao and Ah Yin were now completely surrounded.
Encircling them were four Title Douluo, while above them in the sky hovered Qian Xunji, Spirit Hall's Pope, radiating golden light with his Six-Winged Angel Spirit fully unleashed.
Outside the valley, over a hundred elite Spirit Hall warriors stood poised to strike.
"Five Title Douluo…" Tang Hao muttered bitterly, gazing at the enemies. "Spirit Hall, you really think highly of me."
His fists clenched tightly, the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand trembled with suppressed rage.
"Tang Hao, you can't escape. Hand her over, and I'll let you live. Otherwise… you're digging your own grave."
Qian Xunji's voice boomed across the valley, holy and commanding.
"Hmph! If you want to take her, then step over my corpse first!"
Even facing five Title Douluo, Tang Hao stood unyielding.
He glanced at the exhausted, weakened Ah Yin beside him, and at the child cradled in her arms.
A flicker of anguish and regret flashed in his eyes.
Yes. He regretted everything.
Because all of this—was his doing.
He had failed to resist the temptation—the allure of a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.
He loved Ah Yin deeply. But still, some part of him had been corrupted. An invisible force in his heart had slowly twisted his thoughts, feeding his greed, pushing him closer to darkness.
He had already reached the edge of Title Douluo—suppressing his cultivation at Rank 89 with the secret techniques of the Clear Sky Clan. He only needed one more ring—just one—to break through completely.
So, he made a plan.
He thought it was secret. That no one else knew.
But Qian Xunji's arrival proved otherwise. Someone had leaked the information. Or perhaps... he himself had unconsciously betrayed her.
It was his greed that doomed them.
And now, he was ready to atone with his life.
Tang Hao gripped his hammer tighter, preparing to strike first.
"Very well. Then be prepared to die, Tang Hao. Attack!" Qian Xunji gave the order.
Yue Guan: "Golden Pollen Stream!"
Gui Mei: "Ghost Shadow Underworld Hand!"
Jin Ming: "Crocodile Hammer Shakes Heaven!"
Ghost Leopard: "Leopard's Wild Charge!"
All four Title Douluo responded, their nine spirit rings flashing as they launched their attacks.
"Chaotic Wind Dance!"
Tang Hao swung his Clear Sky Hammer, stacking each strike with terrifying force, pushing back the four attackers one after another.
"Angel Light Blade!"
From above, Qian Xunji joined the fray—his divine sword slashing down like judgment.
"Sky-Shattering Strike!"
Tang Hao poured all his power into one last counterattack, meeting the holy blade head-on.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the valley. Trees were torn apart. Stones tumbled from the cliffs as energy waves ravaged the terrain.
Qian Xunji was blasted backward dozens of meters, his face dark with fury.
He'd been overpowered.
But Tang Hao wasn't unscathed either. Blood gushed from his mouth—he'd sustained a severe internal injury.
After all, he was still only at the Spirit Douluo level—eight rings—facing a Rank 95 Super Title Douluo.
The Clear Sky Clan's techniques were incredibly explosive, but came at a great cost.
"Dual Extreme Static Field!"
Seeing they couldn't bring him down directly, Yue Guan and Gui Mei crossed their fingers and embraced each other—unleashing their Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
All eighteen of their spirit rings lit up at once, and a white field instantly expanded—immobilizing Tang Hao where he stood.
"Nothing stands in Spirit Hall's way!"
"Tang Hao, prepare to become the stepping stone to my ascension!"
Qian Xunji descended from the sky, his voice echoing.
"Holy Angel Sword!"
He seized the moment—Tang Hao was frozen. He hurled the radiant sword, intent on ending Tang Hao's life in one strike.
"It's over."
But fate had other plans.
Ah Yin moved.
At the very instant the Holy Angel Sword was about to pierce Tang Hao's skull, several Blue Silver Emperor vines burst from the earth, wrapping tightly around the sword and halting it mid-air.
Ah Yin raised her hand, and with a soft motion—shattered the sword into a rain of golden light.
"Let him go. I'll go with you."
She stepped forward, shielding Tang Hao with her body.
"…Very well."
Qian Xunji hesitated for a moment, then agreed.
If she came with them willingly, the mission was complete. There was no real benefit in killing Tang Hao now.
Tang Hao was still the heir of the most powerful clan in the land—the Clear Sky Clan. There was no need to force an all-out war.
Hearing this, the other Spirit Hall members backed down and lowered their guard.
"Ah Yin! Don't go with them!"
Tang Hao cried out in panic.
Ah Yin said nothing.
She summoned her Blue Silver Emperor vines and bound Tang Hao to the ground, then gently placed their child in his arms.
"Ah Yin… I'm sorry! This is all my fault!"
Tang Hao struggled, but he couldn't move. Tears of regret streamed from his eyes as he watched.
Ah Yin softly shook her head.
"Brother Hao… I've always known. You wanted my spirit ring too, didn't you? You don't need to deny it. I saw it—in your eyes, more than once. A strange look... bloodthirsty, greedy. I just didn't want to believe it."
"I loved you. So I chose to trust you."
"I know it was foolish. But I don't blame you. Thank you for staying by my side these past few days. I know you were trying to make it up to me… and I've truly been happy."
"But… it's time to end it."
"Brother Hao, this is the last time I'll call you that."
"If you want my spirit ring—then I'll give it to you. Take care of our child."
Tears streamed down her face.
And then, without hesitation—
Ah Yin initiated her sacrifice.