The giant hammer in Tang Hao's hand began to glow, growing larger and larger until it was enormous. Behind him, the beast bared his teeth and growled, which was like the rumble of thunder. 

"Supreme Pontiff Palace...." Tang Hao said, tilting his head before he started to laugh, his laugh arrogant and booming through the Sky, and the opposition was still frozen in place. Then his giant hammer that almost resembled a small mountain thundered down, fell, towards the Supreme Pontiff's Palace. 

The already distorted air, by the sheer energy, was distorted even more by the weight of the hammer. No one was able to move even a measly inch. 

"Tang Hao!" Bibi Dong shouted furiously. But it was apparent he did. Lightning flashed over the Sky, filled in ominous grey as they descended with the hammer. The giant figure coiling in the Sky was still there like a mountain, a threat, an existence no one wished quite to acknowledge. 

Figures flashed through the Sky. The area filled with energy that thrummed through it, as for a moment, everyone's mind blanked. Tang Yin felt it was almost like a blanket as the area around her was filled with the same vicious energy all over. 

The hammer thundered down with an ear-shattering sound. 

Then Blankness. 

Nothing. Tang Yin felt her mind go to its knees. Turning blank and dark from the energy that had accumulated and gathered in such intensity. 

Facing the Sky, blood dripping down his forehead, Tang Hao continued to laugh. "Bibi Dong." His voice was deceptively calm. "The debt that Spirit Hall owes me will be reclaimed in full, rest assured." 

Tang Hao disappeared, just like he had appeared. Which includes Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Tang Yin.

Tang Hai's deep voice gradually grew more distant. "Grandmaster, Flender, Chen Xin, thank you for having taught my children for so long. I have no words that could possibly reflect my gratitude. I owe you a debt." 

Bibi Dong struck the ground with her staff. Her face was red and flushed. Her breathing was harsh as it slowly calmed, and the flush gradually disappeared. 

They had managed to block it. Mostly at least. 

Bibi Dong's gaze flickered to the Supreme Pontiff's Palace, a few cracks, a few statues broken, but no significant damage. It had ended well for them, for better or worse, the signs of destruction having come less from the hammer but the simultaneous attack of the beast that had coiled in the Sky behind Tang Hao. A looming threat that they had no idea would ever take the least amount of interest in humans. Much less appears like this in a city full of spirit masters. 

Seeing a one-hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in a lifetime was rare enough; seeing two at the same time was like finding a diamond on a sand dune, an event that most never saw their entire lives. 

"Your Holiness..." someone said behind her, and she shook her head. 

"It's no use," she said, countering the rage that was indeed trapped in every person present. "Pursuing is useless." Her voice was almost disappointed. The enemy she had always wanted to defeat was in her head most of the Tang Hao. Now that she confronted him, she discovered that although their spirit Rings were the same, she was still much weaker, inferior. 

Clear Sky Douluo. 

Clear Sky Douluo, that immovable name, was still so present, like almost nothing else. 

"He is so impudent, disrespectful. disregarding and shaming us like this." Behind her, one of the douluo said, and she turned around, seeing the ghost-like figure. The Ghost Douluo. 

"If he was easy to deal with...you think any of this would have happened!" Her voice was thrumming with anger that seeped out of her.

Below her, the golden Iron triangle, the seven treasured Glass school, they were gone. They could pursue them, capture them. It would not be easy indeed, but was it worth it? 

She clicked her tongue. 

No, it was not. Three Douluo and the Golden Iron triangle? They would be able to defeat them and capture them, but without incurring a cost? No. 

The cost would come, and they would pay it with as much blood as the others would in their defense. 

--

Ning Feng felt her consciousness slowly coming to her. She slowly rose, looking around as she saw the others slowly come back to consciousness as well. Their eyes are still a bit misty, but they are definitely growing more and more present. 

Ma Honjun, next to her, was still lying on the ground. "Fuck." He said his voice was raspy. "Third, brothers and sisters, Dad is awesome. I am making him my Idol, goddamn it." 

The remaining ones look at each other. Choosing to ignore the comment and stay silent in that regard. Flender sighed as Tang Yin fought back on her feet. She smiled faintly at seeing him let out a relieved sigh. 

"Master Ning. You should bring Rong Rong away. The tournament is over. While we have not won, I can confidently say that they have surpassed all expectations, and they have graduated. You saw it yourself, we have offended Spirit Hall, and the path will not be an easy one. It is better for her and maybe also Ning Feng to stay with you." 

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Rong Rong has been gone for a long time; she should return with me. Spirit Hall will probably not cause trouble for you as long as you keep a low profile. As for Ning Feng...." He looked at her. "...She is and will always be welcome. But it is her choice and hers alone." 

Feng stared at the man whom she had been named after, her mother's Idol, the one whom she had come to know as a respectful person, his daughter as her friend. Yes, she could return to the seven treasures, and most likely, she would not be mocked anymore; no one would dare laugh at her. 

But did she want to? She didn't even know that herself. There was much to learn from them, for now. 

"I-I would l-love to come w-with you." She said. "B-But I d-don't know I-if I will s-stay." She then said, and Ning Fengzhi nodded. "I understand, for as long as you want, you are welcome." 

"T-Thank you." 

"Master Ning," Oscar said, interrupting the others. "Would it be possible for me to join Seven Treasures School?" He asked, gathering all his courage. Ning Rong's expression suddenly turned unnatural, and she turned stiff.