The ancient woods of the Star Dou Great Forest whispered in unease.
The leaves trembled, sensing the blood and thunder that was about to descend.
Ahead of them, beyond the veil of trees, lay the first Spirit Hall encirclement.
Death awaited — cold and certain.
But before they stepped into the jaws of fate, Tang Hao paused.
"Let's rest... just for a moment," he said quietly, turning to Ah Yin.
She nodded, her hand caressing her swollen belly gently, feeling the tiny life inside stirring faintly.
They sat together beneath a great ancient tree, the golden life energy around them swirling faintly.
For a rare, precious moment... they were simply man and woman, not warriors, not fugitives.
"You know," Tang Hao said with a faint smirk, "when I first saw you...
I thought you were some celestial spirit come to mock my miserable life."
Ah Yin laughed softly, her voice like the ringing of wind chimes.
"And you... were the rudest human I'd ever seen," she teased.
"You barely said two words that weren't grunts or curses."
Tang Hao chuckled deeply — a rare sound.
"Guess I needed you to teach me how to be human again."
They shared a long, quiet look.
"I don't regret any of it," Ah Yin said suddenly, her eyes shimmering.
"Even if this journey leads to death... meeting you, loving you... was worth everything."
Tang Hao, the hammer of a generation, bowed his proud head slightly.
"No matter what happens," he whispered hoarsely, "I will protect you and our child.
Even if I have to burn this world to ashes."
Ah Yin leaned into him, and for that fleeting breath of time, no war, no heavens, no gods existed — only their hearts beating in quiet unison.
But destiny had no patience for dreams.
The ground trembled.
The distant thunder of marching boots grew louder.
Spirit Hall had come.
Emerging from the mist, robed in white and gold, came dozens of Spirit Hall cardinals and priests.
At their front strode two powerful figures —
Ghost Douluo, his body flickering like smoke.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, twirling a golden flower with mocking grace.
And behind them, wrapped in chilling majesty, rode Pope Qian Xunji himself atop a radiant golden spirit beast.
The Pope's gaze locked onto Tang Hao and Ah Yin with cold disdain.
"Clear Sky Douluo," Qian Xunji said lazily.
"The mighty hammer of the world... reduced to a pathetic fugitive. Truly pitiful."
Tang Hao rose to his full towering height, his black cloak billowing in the rising wind.
"Talk is cheap, old dog," he said coldly, voice like thunder.
"Come. Let's see if Spirit Hall dares to collect the debt it owes."
Ghost Douluo sneered.
"Arrogant even at the end."
Chrysanthemum Douluo giggled wickedly.
"I wonder how long you'll last, handsome~?"
Tang Hao's face remained expressionless.
Only his grip tightened around his massive Clear Sky Hammer, veins bulging under the strain.
Without warning —
The battlefield erupted.
Spirit skills howled through the forest like banshees.
Flames roared.
Blades of wind shrieked.
Explosions turned trees into splinters.
Tang Hao moved like a god of war, his hammer cleaving through Spirit Hall forces in brutal arcs, shattering shields, crushing armor.
Even without his ninth ring, even restraining his true strength —
He was a storm of destruction.
But Spirit Hall had prepared well.
Dozens of high-ranking Spirit Masters swarmed him, layers of spirit skills combining, trapping him momentarily within formations of suppression and control.
Ghost Douluo appeared from the mist, launching a deadly shadow attack aimed directly at Ah Yin.
"Die, traitor!" he hissed.
Tang Hao roared, slamming his hammer down.
The shockwave blasted the shadow attack apart, sending Ghost Douluo stumbling backward, coughing blood.
Pope Qian Xunji watched coldly from afar, unmoving.
He wanted Tang Hao weakened first.
Then he would strike.
Meanwhile, deep within the warmth of the womb, Shiv floated... wide awake.
Eyes wide, he watched the entire battlefield unfold like a cinematic masterpiece.
"Yo, System," Shiv said, staring at the flying bodies and exploding trees.
"This is better than any war movie I've ever seen."
[ Ding! Welcome to Douluo Live Theater! Now featuring: Angry Dad Mode! 🍿 ]
"Man... Dad's really beating them with style points," Shiv grinned.
The System, ever helpful, added:
[ Host's evaluation:
Violence: 10/10.
Trash talk: 9/10.
Cool hammer spins: 11/10. ]
"Hey System," Shiv said slyly, "you think it's time to pick a BGM for my grand entrance soon?"
[ Host is free to select! Warning: Picking the wrong song may cause enemies to die of laughter instead of fear. ]
Shiv pondered seriously.
Should it be something intense like Anirudh's "Beast"?
Or something absolutely outrageous like Justin Bieber's "Baby" just for the memes?
He tapped his chin mentally, considering his options.
But before he could choose...
[ Ding! Incoming Heavenly Pressure detected! ]
The skies above the battlefield darkened violently.
Silver lightning flickered ominously.
The Heavenly Tribulation... was awakening.
Shiv's time to choose his debut soundtrack had run out — for now.
🌑 to be continued