Soul Land: Legend of Saint Seiya

Chapter 192: Shaka Appears

A thunderous explosion echoed across the heavens, and the surrounding space seemed to fracture layer by layer. However, just as the imposing Haotian Hammer was about to strike, a golden light descended from the sky, transforming into a protective barrier that shielded Yang Wudi, Bai He, and Niu Gao.

Thud. The Haotian Hammer's attack landed on the golden barrier, only to be deflected instantly.

"Who's there?"

The rebounding force caused Tang Hao's arms to tremble violently, and his expression shifted dramatically. To repel his attack in the Ring Detonation state, the one intervening had to be a Titled Douluo of at least level 95—a Limit Douluo.

"Nine Star Hall, Shaka!"

A deep, magnetic voice resonated. The space in front of Yang Wudi and the others distorted, and a figure stepped out. He was tall and lean, with golden hair, dressed in green. His handsome face exuded a calm radiance, and though his eyes were shut, his senses were razor-sharp. This was Shaka, the second Limit Douluo of the Nine Star Hall.

Xiao Yu, having planned to recruit the Defense and Speed Clans, wouldn't have relied solely on Yang Wudi. He had already arranged for Shaka to arrive at Longxing City, where the Four Clans were meeting. If Tang Hao didn't show up, Shaka's journey would have been a wasted trip. But Xiao Yu, knowing Tang Hao's selfish nature, was confident he would come—despite Bai He being his own uncle. Tang Hao's apparent straightforwardness masked a deeply self-centered character, much like his son, Tang San.

As for why Shaka was chosen, Xiao Yu had his reasons. He wanted to confirm something:

When the Asura God had intervened openly at the Angel Shrine, what punishment had he faced? Was he still watching over Douluo Continent from the shadows?

If the Asura God had been punished by the Divine Realm and was unable to intervene, today would mark Tang Hao's end.

Although the Sea God lurked in the background, he was only a first-level god. Unlike the Asura God, who was a Divine Realm enforcer, the Sea God could only use his divine power sparingly, relying on special conduits like the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island or the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to exert influence on Douluo Continent.

Shaka walked toward Tang Hao, his presence oppressive. One by one, soul rings emerged at his feet. When Tang Hao saw them, he couldn't help but gasp.

Black, black, black, black, black, red, red, red, red.

Five ten-thousand-year rings, and four hundred-thousand-year rings. An identical configuration to Xiao Yu's, with all nine rings displayed. The aura emanating from Shaka's body made it hard for Tang Hao to breathe.

A Limit Douluo. Another Limit Douluo! Tang Hao's pupils contracted sharply. He hadn't expected the Nine Star Hall to possess another such terrifying figure.

"Killing God Domain, activate!"

Though reckless, Tang Hao wasn't a fool. After his escape from Spirit City, he had realized that the mysterious power which allowed him to contend with a Limit Douluo came from his Killing God Domain.

While this power had helped him escape Qian Daoliu, its origins and purpose were unknown—an unsettling prospect. Until he understood it better, Tang Hao had resolved not to use the Killing God Domain unless absolutely necessary.

But now, facing a Limit Douluo, Tang Hao had no choice. Survival took precedence.

Unfortunately for him, the Asura God was now under the close watch of the God of Destruction and dared not intervene by channeling divine power to aid Tang Hao. This time, no miracle would occur.

The white markings atop the Haotian Hammer, representing the Killing God Domain, began to glow. A surge of dazzling white light quietly spread out. The light emanated from the Haotian Hammer but quickly transformed into a colorless airflow that enveloped Tang Hao entirely.

With the amplification of the Killing God Domain, Tang Hao's aura surged dramatically. A thick, suffocating killing intent rolled toward Shaka like a tidal wave.

"Kill!"

Tang Hao roared, and the Haotian Hammer descended fiercely.

Shaka raised his right hand, and the massive Buddha figure behind him mirrored the gesture, slowly extending its hand forward.

Boom. The hammer and the Buddha's hand collided. The seemingly slow motion of the Buddha's hand unleashed an astonishing force, forcefully deflecting the Haotian Hammer.

"What?"

Tang Hao's face twisted with shock. This was a hammer strike augmented by the Killing God Domain and the detonation of four soul rings. Even Qian Daoliu could not have deflected it without using soul skills. Yet the Limit Douluo before him had done so effortlessly, proving his strength surpassed Qian Daoliu's.

Shaka, master of the psyche, saw through Tang Hao's fear instantly and spoke calmly, "Fear is humanity's greatest enemy, the destroyer of individuality. And the so-called Haotian Douluo is no exception."

"Fear? How could I be afraid!"

Tang Hao's face contorted with rage as he roared, swinging the hammer once more with reckless abandon.

"Anger is merely a feeble expression to mask one's own incompetence," Shaka replied disdainfully. This time, he didn't even bother meeting Tang Hao's attack. With a slight motion of his open hand, the space before him distorted. The Haotian Hammer, unable to approach, was repelled mid-air.

Shaka's counterattack did not stop there. The expanding distortion in the space soon enveloped Tang Hao entirely.

Tang Hao felt his vision blur. His entire body became immobilized as the force of the twisted space intensified, threatening to tear him apart.

"Aah!"

Tang Hao let out a beast-like roar as his fourth to ninth soul rings, except for the seventh, shattered one after another. The golden light from the broken rings fused into his body. A surge of black energy erupted from the Haotian Hammer, which began to grow rapidly. The hammer, already enormous, now loomed like a dark cloud. Were it not still nighttime, the residents of Longxing City might have mistaken it for an impending storm.

In his current state, detonating three ten-thousand-year rings and one hundred-thousand-year ring, Tang Hao knew his life was nearing its end. Yet he had no choice. Without the explosive power, and with the Killing God Domain failing to replicate its previous anomaly at the Pope's Palace, the spatial distortion would claim his life regardless.

Since death was inevitable, why not go all out?"Grand Xu Mi Hammer!"

With the energy from the detonated rings coursing through him, Tang Hao broke free from the spatial distortion. His eyes glinted with ferocity as he raised the massive Haotian Hammer overhead and brought it crashing down on Shaka.

"So this is the famed Grand Xu Mi Hammer, the technique that enabled the legendary Tang Chen to dominate his era as the foremost master of the Haotian Sect. Truly… disappointing."

Shaka's eyes remained closed as he attuned himself to the soul power rippling through the space. In the end, he shook his head, clearly unimpressed with the attack.

"Enough. It seems I've overestimated the so-called greatest tool martial soul. Time to end this."

Shaka brought his hands together before him, where soul power began to converge between his palms.

"Eighth Soul Skill, Heavenly Demon Subjugation!"

(End of Chapter)

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