"Being so confrontational with Bo Saixi, aren't you afraid of causing trouble?"
In theory, Bo Saixi held a sacred place in Qian Daoliu's heart, like a white moonlight, just as Jade Small Gang once did for herself...
Ugh, better not think about that.
The more Bibi Dong thought about it, the more disgusted she felt.
"I've told her the truth; the Heart of the Sea God is not in my hands," Qian Daoliu said calmly. "I am the servant of the Angel God. Even though the Angel God has fallen, I will still find my proper place."
"She favors Tang Chen more, and he might become our enemy."
"An enemy, huh? If he's an enemy, you're being far too honorable about it," Bibi Dong said, shaking her head.
The Martial Soul Hall could have acted long ago to take down Tang San. Even if they couldn't capture him, they should have at least tested his depths. Yet, they were still holding back.
"Bo Saixi would never risk her life for Tang Chen. Once we got word from Bi Ji that Tang Chen was injured in the Star Dou Great Forest, we could have started planning earlier," Bibi Dong said.
With just a few days left and the information from Bi Ji about Tang Chen's presence in the Star Dou Great Forest, if the Martial Soul Hall wanted, they could absolutely plow through the Clear Sky Sect and Shrek Academy multiple times to eliminate these unstable factors.
"The chances of success are slim," Qian Daoliu sighed. "You might think me old-fashioned, but we can't afford to gamble. Gu Yuena seems to be holding back as well, so let's pause for now."
"Actually, Xue'er doesn't approve of acting now either."
"She's just taking after you," Bibi Dong said, rolling her eyes. "This kind of honorable behavior will cost us one day. Even if he's the inheritor of the Asura God, does Little Snow need to prove herself through him?"
"The Asura God and the Angel God once fought on the very ground beneath our feet," Qian Daoliu said, glancing at Bibi Dong. "To others, it might just be a legend, but as a divine servant, I know from ancient texts that it happened."
"Besides, you understand Xue'er identity."
"Tch—" Bibi Dong scoffed. "You've said this much, what else can I say?"
"Anyway, the next event is their match."
"Let me see with my own eyes who is stronger, the so-called Angel or the Asura!"
Bibi Dong paid no more attention to Qian Daoliu and strode away.
While Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong were talking, Ning Rongrong returned to the VIP room of the Glazed Academy.
Her back was soaked with sweat.
"That was intense!" Ning Rongrong muttered. "Eavesdropping on the conversation of four Limit Douluos—if something went wrong, that would've been quite the spectacle."
She was only half a step away from the Ultimate Realm, still a bit short of true mastery.
However, she had a feeling that this competition might allow her to genuinely reach the Ultimate Realm, not just in a fleeting state of enlightenment.
Through the window of the VIP room, Ning Rongrong saw the live broadcast on the soul tool screen.
The voice of the red-robed bishop echoed from the soul tool.
"The match is about to begin. Please have the competitors from the Martial Soul Academy and Shrek Academy take their positions on the field."
With golden hair and luxurious attire, Qian Renxue exuded an untouchable aura.
Then there was Tang San, whose appearance and temperament had drastically changed after his second martial soul awakening.
"A fated showdown?"
"Asura versus Angel—just who will win this time?"
Ning Rongrong could clearly see Tang San's cultivation.
A level 53 Soul King. Such strength was indeed terrifying. In the original story, Tang San was only at the Soul Ancestor level at this point.
Not only was he now a Soul King, but his martial soul had undergone a second awakening, and the direction of this awakening was different from the original life-based one—it seemed more akin to the methods of an evil soul master.
"Ugh, I suppose someone like me, who devours others' time, doesn't have the right to call anyone else an evil soul master," Ning Rongrong mused.
Compared to the original story, Qian Renxue should be stronger, but Ning Rongrong couldn't gauge exactly how much stronger. Most likely, the Silver Dragon King was helping conceal her aura.
And the purpose?
It wasn't Tang San—it was likely herself.
Why herself?
Tokisaki Kurumi had revealed her identity to Di Tian and Bi Ji in the Star Dou Great Forest.
With the Martial Soul Hall and the Star Dou Great Forest allied, there was no reason they wouldn't have mentioned Kurumi.
But even if they did, they couldn't accurately gauge her strength.
"Well then, let's see who wins this so-called fated showdown," Ning Rongrong said as she pushed open the door to the VIP room and walked in.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Shui Cangyue were all present. The window's line of sight had blind spots, so she hadn't noticed them earlier.
"Rongrong, where did you go? The match is about to start," Ning Fengzhi said, a trace of curiosity on his face.
Ning Rongrong wasn't one to waste time on pointless endeavors, so leaving at a time like this meant she had something important to do.
"It's not a big deal," Ning Rongrong said after a moment's thought. "Dad, can you come with me for a second?"
"Hm?" Ning Fengzhi looked puzzled, exchanging glances with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
In the end, Ning Fengzhi followed Ning Rongrong out.
At the corner of the staircase, Ning Rongrong stopped.
With a wave of her hand, she set up a barrier around herself and Ning Fengzhi.
"Rongrong, what's this about...?"
"There's something important coming up, so we need to take precautions to avoid being overheard."
"Not even Sword Uncle or Bone Uncle can know?"
Ning Fengzhi's gentle face turned serious.
"It's not like that. There are just some things you need to decide," Ning Rongrong said after a brief pause. "I just went to eavesdrop on Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen's conversation."
The revelation made Ning Fengzhi's pupils contract sharply.
"Rongrong, you..."
"I know my limits," Ning Rongrong interrupted before Ning Fengzhi could finish. "Tang Chen is injured—badly, judging by his aura."
"Also, Bo Saixi from Sea God Island has come to Martial Soul City for the Heart of the Sea God."
"This..." Ning Fengzhi's brows furrowed tightly. "Rongrong, what's your plan?"
In just this short time, Martial Soul City had become a gathering point for various forces, big and small.
Even the elusive Limit Douluos were present in numbers.
"Observe quietly and don't join any side unless absolutely necessary, no matter what they do."
Though her strength might have been detected, the Martial Soul Hall, in its current state, likely had no intention of dealing with the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.
Even if Ning Fengzhi wasn't the most capable, he was still Qian Renxue's teacher.
This wasn't some Legend of the Eye-Five Village Brawl World where villages had traditions of killing teachers to prove one's worth.
While the Martial Soul Hall seemed to have a similar trend, it was just that—a trend. It hadn't reached the point of mother-and-daughter teacher-killing legacies.
After briefly discussing precautions with Ning Fengzhi, the two returned to the VIP room.
On the soul tool screen, the match being broadcast was—
Shrek Academy vs. Martial Soul Academy.
The Shrek team consisted of the original Shrek Six Monsters, plus Tang Xiao's adopted son from the Clear Sky Sect, the level 52 Soul King Tang Long.
The Martial Soul team included Xie Huo, Evil Moon, Hu Liena, Qian Renxue, and three Soul Ancestors close to the Soul King level—an utterly terrifying lineup.