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Clap, clap, clap—
As Dai Weisi dissolved the Martial Soul Fusion Technique, Bibi Dong, seated in the Pope's Hall, suddenly extended her slender jade-like hand and quietly applauded him.
Her lips curved slightly as she praised without reservation, "As expected of the crown prince of the Star Luo Empire—your strength truly hasn't disappointed me. Not only have you become a Soul Emperor at such a young age, but you've even managed to absorb a soul ring beyond your level. On top of that, you and your two companions have unleashed a second Tri-Spirit Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
You are impressive—exceptionally so! Your talent may well be the greatest in the history of the Douluo Continent!"
"…" Dai Weisi frowned. The more Bibi Dong praised him, the more uneasy he felt. Still, faced with the Pope's commendation, he clasped his hands, bowed slightly, and said,
"Thank you for your praise, Your Holiness."
"Heh… I heard your second soul ring was originally a hundred-year ring, yet now it has become a thousand-year one. Care to tell me how you managed that?"
By the end of her words, Bibi Dong's tone had grown cold, laced with a faint killing intent, as if warning Dai Weisi—if you don't tell me, I'll kill you on the spot!
Her words made Dai Weisi's heart jolt. How does she know my second soul ring was originally a hundred-year one? Who told her? Surely she wouldn't waste her time investigating my ring configuration…
The only ones who know about my second ring are my parents, Zhu Yun, Zhu Qing, and Dean Lin. Even Sister Yuehua doesn't know. None of them would ever tell Bibi Dong…
Wait—there's one more person. One more who knows about it.
Dai Weisi's brow twitched as a name came to mind—his foolish younger brother, Dai Mubai.
No… impossible. Mubai is dead. Even if he weren't, there's no way he'd tell Bibi Dong. Let alone tell her—someone like him, a fallen prince, doesn't even have the right to meet her.
If it wasn't Mubai, then… Dai Weisi's eyes shifted toward a figure hiding among the crowd—Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang had only just arrived here, and right after that, Bibi Dong asked this peculiar question. Dai Weisi would never believe there was no connection.
Yu Xiaogang was most likely here to obtain from Bibi Dong the method to resolve the flaw of twin martial souls.
During Dai Weisi's earlier fight with Tang San, Yu Xiaogang had seen his ring configuration. Perhaps he had learned about the second ring from Mubai and then traded this secret to Bibi Dong in exchange for her knowledge on solving the twin martial soul problem…
Though this was only Dai Weisi's speculation, he was convinced he was right. There was no other way to explain Yu Xiaogang's sudden appearance here.
Well, I never intended to let that scum Yu Xiaogang have a happy ending anyway. This will be a perfect excuse to find an opportunity to kill that useless "Master." But before that, I have to bluff my way past Bibi Dong.
Dai Weisi decided that, for this question, he would answer honestly. If she wanted to find another Dark Devilgod Tiger, so be it.
With that in mind, he bowed and replied, "Your Holiness, my second soul ring was indeed originally a hundred-year one. Later, through a fortuitous encounter, the age of all my soul rings increased."
"Oh? A fortuitous encounter?" Bibi Dong murmured, her pale-violet eyes fixed sharply on Dai Weisi. If he dared lie, she would see through it instantly.
"Yes. When I obtained my sixth soul ring, I hunted a Dark Devilgod Tiger. From its body came a strange pearl. After absorbing its power, my second soul ring turned purple."
"Dark Devilgod Tiger!"
Bibi Dong's heart trembled, her expression changing. As the Pope, she had vast knowledge and had naturally heard of this creature. Her delicate brows arched as she murmured,
"The Dark Devilgod Tiger… it is said to be the result of the divine power of an ancient evil god inhabiting a white tiger, mutating it into the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
A ten-thousand-year Dark Devilgod Tiger possesses combat strength on par with a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. In the match against Feng Xiaotian earlier, this boy did indeed display an unusually sinister soul power. His sixth ring must indeed have come from a Dark Devilgod Tiger.
Could the legend be true—that the body of a Dark Devilgod Tiger really holds the power of an ancient evil god, and by absorbing it, Dai Weisi's soul rings increased in age…?"
Whether true or not, Bibi Dong found the discovery worth studying. If I could absorb the power of an ancient evil god, even without passing a god trial, I could forge my own godhood!
With her mind made up, Bibi Dong smiled faintly. "So that's how it is. I didn't expect His Highness the Crown Prince to have such remarkable luck. The Dark Devilgod Tiger… truly a top-tier soul beast capable of challenging those above its level."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Holiness. As I said before, my strength will not disappoint you."
"The crown prince of the Star Luo Empire truly lives up to his title as its greatest genius. Since you are the champions of this year's Soul Master Tournament, these three soul bones are yours!"
Her smile deepened, but in her eyes, killing intent flared violently. With a casual wave of her scepter, three ten-thousand-year soul bones flew out from the purple gem atop it.
At the same time, she quietly gathered her soul power, sneering inwardly. Come now, boy! These are the soul bones you've been yearning for. The moment you approach… I'll strike and kill you instantly! My Spirit Hall soul masters are already lying in wait. Once I make my move, all of you will die here today!
Dai Weisi saw the murderous glint in Bibi Dong's eyes. Knowing this old hag harbored ill intentions, he deliberately refrained from moving forward to claim the bones, instead channeling his soul power to snatch them from a distance.
At the same time, he shot a glance to Dai Tianxing, his wife, and Dugu Bo, signaling them to prepare for action. Just as tensions were at their peak, an unexpected event occurred!
"Three ten-thousand-year soul bones! What a treasure! Hahaha!"
Suddenly, an invisible soul pressure swept over the Pope's Hall. In the sky above, a tall, shadowy figure appeared. He was powerfully built, his bronze-colored muscles radiating raw strength.
Though dressed in tattered clothes, he emanated an overwhelming aura that made all who saw him shiver in fear.
"Tang Hao!"
Bibi Dong grit her teeth as she spat out his name—the Clear Sky Douluo himself.
She cursed inwardly. Damn it! Why is this calamity here now, when I've already set my trap to wipe out Dai Weisi and his companions?
"I didn't expect such a bonus. These three soul bones are mine now!"
Tang Hao's booming voice echoed. He had originally come just to confront Bibi Dong so Yu Xiaogang could analyze a way to resolve the twin martial soul problem. But upon seeing the three ten-thousand-year soul bones, he instantly decided to seize them for his son, Tang San—who only had one external soul bone.
(End of Chapter)