Douluo: The Traveler's Adventures In Douluo Dalu

The net suddenly appeared, descending just as Tang Hao rushed in. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Even though he sensed no soul power fluctuations from this mesh-like construct, the ever-cautious Tang Hao still swung the Clear Sky Hammer, intending to blast it away.

But the moment the hammer touched the net, a wave of powerlessness surged within him.

The Clear Sky Hammer slipped from his grasp and fell. At the same time, all of his soul power—and that mysterious force coursing through his body—was stripped away. Powerless, he plummeted from mid-air and slammed into the ground.

"…"

The sudden collapse of Tang Hao immediately drew the attention of the black-robed man and the Fourth Elder.

But all they saw was Tang Hao falling inexplicably the moment he touched the net—there was no powerful attack, no soul technique, nothing visible.

When he crashed to the ground, all of his soul power and even his martial spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer, dispersed into nothingness.

He tried to tear apart the mesh with his bare hands, but it was as if his strength had regressed to that of a child. The net binding him was made of chains tougher than steel, wrapping around him tightly.

With his current power, he couldn't shake it in the slightest.

"What did you do to me?!"

Tang Hao struggled to no avail, his face twisting in panic.

That mysterious net seemed to have sealed him into a state where he couldn't even lift a chicken. He thrashed wildly and roared in horror.

Not even during his soul ring self-detonation or in the face of grievous injuries had he ever been this pitiful.

"Ptui! Wasting the lord's divine artifact—keep jumping, huh?!"

Fire Meow Meow strolled over to Tang Hao and spat disdainfully. Then, with one massive paw, he kicked Tang Hao several times, sending him tumbling like a rag doll.

"What the hell is going on…"

Tang Hao tried to summon his martial spirit and gather soul power. But even with all his effort, all he could do was writhe on the ground like a helpless loach.

Seeing Tang Hao subdued by the divine artifact, Yu Keke and Zhu Zhuqing quickly ran to Fire Meow Meow's side, while Dugu Yan dashed to her grandfather's side.

"Grandpa, are you okay…? Sob sob~"

Dugu Yan supported Dugu Bo, tears welling up in her eyes at the sight of his worn-out face.

"Cough, cough… Grandpa's fine, just exhausted…"

Dugu Bo coughed a few times and tried to reassure her.

Earlier, in order to cover their retreat, he had released his ninth soul skill at full strength.

Facing three Titled Douluo—including Tang Hao, whose power was twisted and strange—he'd never expected to survive. So he had poured every last ounce of his strength into one final blow, intending to go out with a bang.

But who would've thought that Tang Hao's power could withstand it and still have the strength to pursue?

Thankfully, Lord Fire Meow Meow had used the divine artifact bestowed by that lord—otherwise…

At that thought, Dugu Bo reached out and gently wiped the tears from Yan's face.

"Don't cry, Yanyan. Grandpa's not dead yet. Come on, help me over to Lord Fire Meow Meow."

"Mm-hmm!"

Dugu Yan nodded and carefully helped him up.

Not far off, the black-robed man and the Fourth Elder could only watch helplessly. Their bodies were now riddled with Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor toxin.

Both men gritted their teeth against the corrosion and struggled to slowly purge it from their systems. They had no time to deal with anything else.

"Old man, are you okay?"

Yu Keke rushed to help Dugu Yan steady Dugu Bo.

"I'm fine. As long as you girls are safe."

Dugu Bo waved her off. He glanced at the struggling Tang Hao on the ground, then turned to Fire Meow Meow.

"Lord Fire Meow Meow, you and I are both injured. Their sect is just up ahead. It's dangerous to linger here."

"Mm. Keke and Zhuqing are still with us—we need to get them out first. As for that guy…"

Fire Meow Meow nodded. At this point, their side had nearly no combat strength left. If not for the divine artifact gifted by the great one, they would've been lambs to the slaughter.

As for Tang Hao, now trapped inside the divine net, Fire Meow Meow opened his enormous maw and unleashed a blazing breath of fire upon him.

"Gaaahhh—!"

Tang Hao's screams echoed, but Fire Meow Meow quickly noticed something off. The flames were only searing the outer layer—something seemed to be blocking them from reaching Tang Hao's body.

"…What the?"

Fire Meow Meow's lips twitched as he looked at the writhing, screaming Tang Hao. Despite his cries, he showed no signs of actual injury.

"…Let me try!"

Dugu Bo, never one to hesitate when it came to killing, didn't care about who Tang Hao was.

He mustered the faint soul power slowly recovering in his body and launched a wave of Jade Phosphor Serpent toxin at Tang Hao.

Though his power was nearly depleted, covering the net's area was more than feasible.

Tang Hao's screams rang out again. When Dugu Bo finally stopped channeling power, the poison mist dissipated.

What was left was a battered and barely breathing Tang Hao. He looked on the verge of death—but still not quite dead.

"It seems this divine artifact absorbs most of my toxin…"

"I knew it—how else could that bastard endure my fire breath…"

Fire Meow Meow's lips curled in frustration. The divine artifact was certainly powerful—the trapped victim couldn't use any strength and couldn't escape no matter their skill.

But that person hadn't mentioned that any outside attacks would also be absorbed or deflected…

Now it really was like a turtle inside a jar…

"Forget it. A wise man knows when to retreat. We'll fall back for now—once we find the great one, we'll return to settle the score!"

Fire Meow Meow gave Tang Hao another swift kick, still unsatisfied, then unleashed another blast of flame just for good measure.

He hadn't even gotten a chance to properly use the divine artifact—and now it was spent on this bastard? Unacceptable!

Just then, a powerful energy fluctuation surged from the distance, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

"Not good! Reinforcements! We need to move!"

Dugu Bo's face darkened as he gathered what little soul power he had left to intercept the incoming blast.

Fire Meow Meow immediately expanded his form, shielding the others behind his massive bulk.

BOOM—!

A thunderous explosion shook the land. Fire Meow Meow dropped to one knee, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Dad!"

Two figures flew in from the distance. One of them—a teenage boy—saw Tang Hao lying prone and battered on the ground. His expression contorted with grief and rage.

But Tang Hao, already drained of power and now battered by the shockwave, had slipped into unconsciousness—sprawled like a dead dog.

The boy called out to him repeatedly, but got no response. Fury overtook him as he pointed at Fire Meow Meow.

"Bastards! How dare you hurt my father! You court death!"

"…"

Fire Meow Meow spat a mouthful of blood and looked at the boy with wide, copper bell eyes—his expression full of disbelief.

Did this idiot not realize the blast just now came from his own side?

Maybe check who you're hitting before you start with the theatrics?

If he weren't paralyzed right now, he'd give that brat a slow clap.

_

(CAUGHT UP WITH THE RAWS IN MY PATREON)

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