Chapter 158: A Life Well Spent
Inside the Supreme Pontiff Palace, within the grand and solemn hall, a woman sat upon the throne. She wore a luxurious black robe adorned with golden patterns, a Nine Curved Purple Gold Crown on her head, and held a two meter long scepter inlaid with countless gemstones. Her fair skin and nearly perfect features made her stand out in an extraordinary way. The noble and sacred aura she exuded was enough to inspire reverence in those who looked upon her. She was astonishingly beautiful noble, elegant, serene every word of praise seemed fitting for this woman. Though she was already over fifty years old, time had left no trace on her. This regal and dignified woman was none other than Bibi Dong, the current Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall.
At this moment, a figure dressed in a black robe knelt on one knee below the throne, head lowered, having seemingly just finished reporting information.
"City Lord of White Cloud... Successor of the Sea God..." Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes flickered with complex emotions. She was wary of these two individuals while also feeling that the world was far vaster than she had once imagined. In the past, she had believed that possessing twin martial souls, a divine inheritance, and reaching Rank 98 just a step away from becoming an Ultimate Douluo made her one of the strongest beings in existence. But in recent years, powerful figures at this level had emerged one after another.
First was the City Lord of White Cloud, also possessing twin martial souls, who became an Ultimate Douluo at just twenty six years old almost certain to become a god in the future. Then came Neptune, a sea soul master recognized by the Sea God himself, practically chosen to inherit divinity. Lastly, there was the Medicine King, Sun Zhongjing, who had created his own soul rings an unprecedented feat. At this point, Bibi Dong wouldn't even be surprised if he created his own god position.
The world had become more and more difficult for her to comprehend.
And she suspected that there were far more hidden powerhouses beyond just these three. Take Sun Zhongjing, for example a seemingly ordinary old man who traveled the continent healing people. Before the question and answer videos exposed him, who could have imagined that this unremarkable elder was actually an Ultimate Douluo at the peak of the soul master world? Even more shocking was that his soul rings were self created utterly defying the rules of soul masters!
A genius who had broken the very foundations of soul master cultivation… Even someone as proud as Bibi Dong had to admit that she was far inferior to him. If she didn't ascend to godhood soon, her long planned ambitions would undoubtedly face enormous resistance.
"What a turbulent era…"
Bibi Dong sighed. If she had the choice, she would have ascended long ago. But divine trials were not something that could be rushed through at will. Especially the breakthrough from Rank 98 to Rank 99, the final step to becoming an Ultimate Douluo it required more than just soul power. Without the proper enlightenment, it was impossible to cross that threshold.
"Forget it, I might as well join in on the excitement."
Her thoughts turned to Neptune's Sea God inheritance, and curiosity sparked within her regarding the upcoming battle. Observing these two might help her gauge the gap between herself and them. Perhaps, by witnessing an Ultimate Douluo battle firsthand, she could even gain the insight needed for her breakthrough.
Moreover, watching these two future gods battle would give her an estimate of their strength post ascension.
If she became a god, would she be able to defeat them? Would she be able to suppress them?
These were questions Bibi Dong desperately wanted answers to.
And she was not alone in this curiosity. Many other top tier powerhouses shared her thoughts. Sword and Bone Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and even the long reclusive Clear Sky Clan had decided to show up. They all wanted to witness the battle and see just how vast the gap between them and the peak of the soul master world truly was.
This single duel had drawn nearly all the top tier soul masters of the continent.
Ten days later.
The agreed upon battlefield was located in a remote mountain range, thousands of miles from White Cloud City.
Originally a desolate and uninhabited region, it had become a focal point of attention ever since news of the duel spread ten days prior. Many had arrived early, eager to witness the spectacle firsthand.
Now that the day had arrived, while it would be an exaggeration to say the place was completely packed, the sheer number of people present was staggering at least tens of thousands.
And most of them were soul masters. Upon hearing the news, they had traveled day and night from all over the continent just for the chance to witness this legendary duel.
The sun began to rise, its first golden rays piercing through the horizon, gradually illuminating the world.
"Today is the day!"
"I'm so excited!"
"When will the battle begin?"
"Just being able to witness this fight between two peerless Douluo after today, I'll have no regrets in life!"
"Exactly!"
"This is the kind of story I can brag about for a lifetime…"
Small groups of people were scattered across the area, whispering among themselves.
Meanwhile, those like Bibi Dong high ranking soul masters remained hidden in the shadows, silently observing.
Everyone was waiting for the main event.
Time passed, minute by minute.
As the sun climbed higher, some in the crowd started growing impatient.
"It's almost noon! Where are they?"
"Are they going to fight at night instead?"
"Be patient, just a little longer."
"We've already waited ten days. A little more won't hurt…"
Although people spoke in hushed tones, the sheer number of them caused their collective murmur to grow into a loud, indistinct buzz, shattering the tranquility of the mountains.
Then, after some time…
The sun reached its peak in the sky.
The air grew unbearably hot, and many in the crowd were drenched in sweat, as if being roasted alive.
But then
People suddenly noticed a dark patch appearing in the sky among the white clouds.
That darkness rapidly expanded.
In the blink of an eye, the once bright and sunny sky became shrouded in heavy storm clouds, casting an ominous shadow over the land.
A gust of cold, damp wind swept through the crowd, sending an eerie chill down their spines.
"What the hell is up with this weather?"
"It was scorching hot just a second ago now it looks like it's about to pour?"
"These clouds formed way too fast!"
"The temperature drop is insane!"
"Wait… something's not right!"
"These clouds… Could it be…?"
Some in the crowd remained puzzled, while others, sensing something unusual, were left in shock.
The truly high ranking soul masters hidden in the area could feel the sudden and drastic change in temperature. Their expressions grew solemn as they gazed up at the darkened sky.
This was no ordinary weather phenomenon.
If it wasn't natural, then it could only be caused by a person.
But what kind of power could manipulate the heavens to this degree?
Bibi Dong's expression turned grave as she looked skyward. She was certain this change was the work of one of the duelists.
To control the very heavens… That was already the realm of the gods.
"BOOOOM!"
A deafening roar echoed as lightning tore through the thick clouds, illuminating the entire sky.
Moments later, a torrential downpour crashed down upon the crowd.
"SHAAAA!"
Tens of thousands of soul masters were instantly drenched.
"They're here."
Bibi Dong's eyes flickered with anticipation.
(End of Chapter)
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