RUMBLE!
Tang Hao, anxious to the point of madness, stomped on the ground, the muscles in his calves pulsing violently like beating hearts. At this moment, he demonstrated the full extent of his explosive strength techniques.
The solid stone floor cracked and collapsed with a thunderous roar. Flying shards of stone embedded themselves into the walls, leaving behind lines of fractures.
The power of his physical body, the strength of the Clear Sky Hammer, and his surging soul power fused together seamlessly. The speed he burst out with in that instant was so fast, even Qian Daoliu was impressed.
Of course, if he truly wanted to chase him, Qian Daoliu could have easily caught up—he didn't earn the title "Number One Under the Heavens" for nothing.
But Qian Daoliu merely watched Tang Hao's frantic retreat and couldn't help but laugh. If he'd wanted to kill him, he would've done it more than a decade ago.
Still, seeing the famed Clear Sky Douluo flee before him was quite entertaining.
"Tang Chen, oh Tang Chen… your Clear Sky name sure has taken a hit."
"Young man, for that guy to be willing to go all out against you… you're not ordinary," Qian Daoliu chuckled.
He sensed something unusual in Shen An, which made him willing to exchange a few more words.
After all, not everyone dares draw a sword under the crushing pressure of a Titled Douluo.
Shen An's clothes were already drenched in sweat. With Tang Hao gone, the terrifying pressure instantly vanished. Coming back to his senses, he quickly stopped Tom from tying the red scarf around his head.
"Junior Shen An, thanks the senior for your help," he said respectfully.
Qian Daoliu's eyes gleamed—what a coincidence. He'd come precisely to see this Shen An, the one for whom his granddaughter was willing to risk a decade-long plan and stand against Bibi Dong herself.
The man before him was young and striking, with an aura that seemed to blend with heaven and earth—clearly no ordinary person. It was smart for Shen An to keep a humble stance.
Although he had a "cheat" that could allow him to overturn the situation against Tang Hao, showing gratitude cost him nothing.
Still, Shen An did feel a little regret. He had really wanted to see if his kung-fu headband could beat Tang Hao to death.
Unfortunately, before Shen An could unleash a full combo, Tang Hao was scared off by the man in front of him.
He ran faster than a rabbit. Shen An was confident that he could beat Tang Hao with his headband—maybe even leave him paralyzed—but chasing people? That wasn't his strength.
But this matter wasn't over. Since Tang Hao dared to strike first, he had to be prepared to pay the price. Shen An didn't believe he could just let it go.
Qian Daoliu looked at Shen An and nodded inwardly. He had a good bearing and didn't give up hope under Haotian Douluo's suppression. Instead, he tried to fight back—that's the mark of someone destined for greatness.
"Young man, I'm quite curious—why did Tang Hao want to kill you?" Qian Daoliu asked.
Shen An replied with a smirk, "The younger one lost to me and felt wronged, so the elder one came to 'help out'."
Qian Daoliu burst into laughter. He had no affection for the Clear Sky Clan, and hearing someone mock them was music to his ears.
While they were speaking, Tom relaxed his guard, melting into a blue puddle on the ground. Only his two large eyes bobbed slightly on the surface.
"Thank you again, senior. I have important matters to attend to. If fate allows, I'll be sure to properly express my gratitude another day," Shen An said politely, ready to leave.
Tang Hao's sudden appearance had sounded a warning bell for him—facing top-level powerhouses, his strength was still insufficient.
He didn't want to stay too long around people this dangerous.
"No rush, kid. I quite like you. Since you use a sword, how about I give you a few pointers?" Qian Daoliu said with a sly smile.
He truly wanted to see just how exceptional the person his granddaughter so praised really was.
Shen An felt a chill down his spine. Why did it feel like this guy was looking for an excuse to beat him up?
This man's appearance alone had scared off Tang Hao. Fighting him would be like a baby facing a god.
Shen An racked his brain trying to recall any info about this guy, but still couldn't figure out who he was.
"Senior, I'm afraid my swordsmanship is but childish play—not worth showing off," he declined instinctively.
"I saved your life and offered to teach you out of kindness. But now you're being evasive? That's a bit much, don't you think? Draw your sword—I won't use my martial soul or soul power," Qian Daoliu said, sounding slightly irritated.
Of course, it was all an act. At his level, few things could stir his heart anymore, save for his granddaughter and the honor of the Angel Clan.
This was just a tactic to provoke Shen An into action.
Much like seven years ago, when he happened to visit Sea God Island and saw Bo Saixi—the woman he had once deeply loved.
After thirty-eight years, he found that he no longer felt a thing. His heart was as still as water.
Shen An didn't hesitate anymore. The Nine-Leaf Swordgrass appeared in his hand. Since the man insisted, there was no point in dodging—better to face it head-on.
Qian Daoliu was visibly surprised. With his sharp eye, it wasn't hard to see that Shen An's martial soul was of extremely high quality—possibly even on par with their Seraphim.
He raised his brows with interest and pulled out an ancient-looking long sword.
Their figures crossed, blades clashing. Sparks flew in all directions. After one incense stick's time, Shen An was covered in injuries and bowed in defeat.
Qian Daoliu looked refreshed and praised, "Not bad. At your age, my swordsmanship was about the same."
Shen An was aching all over. The man's sword skills were ridiculously strong. He was completely suppressed throughout.
Every time he thought he found an opening, it turned out to be a trap.
What Shen An didn't know was that Qian Daoliu's heart was already in turmoil.
Shen An's swordplay was shockingly intuitive, constantly targeting his weak points. If not for his superior experience and skills, he might've lost.
How did someone so young develop such swordsmanship? No wonder his granddaughter praised him so highly.
"Alright. I've other matters to tend to. You can leave now," Qian Daoliu said bluntly.
He had only come out of boredom, curious about the man his granddaughter admired. Now that he'd seen him—and sparred with him—his curiosity was satisfied.
Shen An walked over to a puddle of blue slime and called out, "Tom, time to go home."
Qian Daoliu looked on, puzzled. Was the kid out of his mind? Talking to a puddle? Had he been beaten stupid?
But then the blue puddle suddenly leapt up and turned into a flesh-and-blood blue cat.
Qian Daoliu's expression froze. Had that cat been there all along? How could even someone at his level—Rank 99 Extreme Douluo—fail to detect it?
His eyes lit up. This cat was special. There were very few things in the world of Douluo he didn't understand.
Curious, he used his spiritual sense to investigate the cat—but came up with nothing. It was as if the cat didn't exist.
Qian Daoliu's usually calm expression turned grim. At his level, sensory detection couldn't compare to spiritual probing.
He closed his eyes and focused, trying repeatedly to probe with his vast spiritual sea—but still found nothing.
He could sense the grass, the trees, even Shen An—but not Tom.
Opening his eyes, he saw a perfectly normal blue cat standing in front of him.
Qian Daoliu fell silent. This defied all logic. What could be seen, but not sensed?
Strangely, he thought of the Angel God—the very deity his clan worshipped.
You could see, revere, and believe in the Angel God, but could never comprehend His greatness with mere spiritual power.
It was like comparing a spark to the brilliance of the sun and moon.
Shen An noticed Qian Daoliu staring at Tom and smiled. "Oh, right—forgot to mention. All my sword techniques? Learned from Tom."
"If that duel didn't satisfy you, how about going another round—with Tom? In pure swordsmanship, I'm sure you'll find it worthwhile."
Surprisingly, Qian Daoliu didn't scoff at the idea of sparring with a cat. Instead, he nodded seriously.
"Very well. I consider my swordsmanship to be at the peak of the mundane world. If it can be refined further—so much the better."
Tom agreed too. The man had helped them earlier, so he decided to give him some face—and take the duel seriously.
He even donned his swordsman outfit once more.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Blades clashed in a symphony.
The man and the cat danced across the space, treating Shen An to a visual feast.
Tom's antics added humor—like retracting his limbs to dodge attacks and then popping them out again to resume the fight.
But beyond the silliness, his swordsmanship was impeccable. Fast, precise, and deadly—it dismantled Qian Daoliu's complex techniques with ease.
After one incense stick's time, Qian Daoliu's eyes shone with countless emotions—shock, confusion, awe, and reverence.
He had gone all out, yet Tom always stayed one step ahead—no more, no less.
This kind of unreachable mastery reminded him of divine swordsmanship—and revealed that even his so-called peak was not the end.
But how could a mere cat surpass a Rank 99 Douluo?
A Cat God? Sword God? A reincarnated deity? Qian Daoliu wondered.
Unlike Chen Xin, who simply treated duels with Tom as swordsmanship practice, Qian Daoliu couldn't stop thinking.
As someone aiming for godhood and familiar with divine lore, he knew only a god could surpass the peak of humanity.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao had arrived at Shrek Academy, his heart full of dread.
He thought Qian Daoliu had come to settle old scores—not knowing the old man was just curious about his granddaughter's praises.
Fearing for his son, Tang Hao took Tang San and Xiao Wu and fled without delay.
Shrek teachers like Flender sensed something terrifying—then realized two students were missing.
A trace of blood in Xiao Wu's dorm confirmed their suspicions—Tang Hao had been here.
Before leaving, Qian Daoliu gave Tom a deep bow. "O Great Deity, I am the Angel God's devotee—thank you for your guidance," he muttered sincerely.
Shen An and Tom returned home. Ning Rongrong opened the door and gasped, "Shen An, who beat you up?"
He brushed it off, saying he met a master who wanted to "guide" him.
He didn't mention Tang Hao. No point getting others involved. He'd deal with it himself—next time, the headband would come out first thing.