Just as Qi Lin and the others were settling in at Nuoding Academy, a fierce and earth-shattering battle was unfolding in the northern mountains of Holy Soul Village.
The air was thick with a poisonous purple mist, corroding and withering every blade of grass, flower, and tree it touched.
In the center of it all stood Bibi Dong, her usual noble and divine appearance now utterly transformed as she unleashed her Martial Soul True Body. Her once alluring figure had become that of a massive spider, her entire body glowing with a sinister purple light, though her upper torso still retained a vaguely human form.
Even so, she retained a strange, twisted beauty—radiating a dark, seductive allure.
Across from her, Tang Hao stood panting heavily.
He had to admit—he had underestimated her.
This Bibi Dong… was even more formidable than the previous Pope, Qian Xunji.
Though both bore the power of a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, Tang Hao had already been gravely wounded in past battles against several Title Douluo. He'd spent years in decline and hadn't yet recovered—how could he hope to be a match for Bibi Dong?
Seeing her unleash her Martial Soul True Body, Tang Hao had no choice but to do the same.
Still, his thoughts had already turned to escape.
To charge ahead knowing defeat was certain—that was hot-blooded foolishness.
Now that he had finally awakened from his stupor and glimpsed the hope of returning to his clan, how could he fall here?
"Clear Sky True Body!"
With a thunderous shout, Tang Hao's soul power exploded like firecrackers, and an overwhelming wave of energy surged from within him.
His seventh spirit ring flared brightly, and behind him, the Clear Sky Hammer erupted in a flash of pitch-black light, instantly expanding to over a hundred meters in length—like a looming mountain.
The terrifying pressure caused the ground beneath him to sink, and even the air around them felt thick and heavy.
"Bibi Dong! Today, I'll show you—"
"Why the Clear Sky Hammer is called the strongest Tool Martial Soul in the world!"
"One strike to decide victory!"
Tang Hao's voice roared like crashing waves, surging toward Bibi Dong.
She only let out a cold snort. "So eager to die? I'll grant your wish!"
"Hahaha! We'll see who's dying!"
"Heaven-Splitting Strike!"
Tang Hao's shout boomed like thunder across the battlefield.
This strike was most terrifying because it could not be dodged—it had to be taken head-on, and its power was nothing short of tyrannical.
On the other side, Bibi Dong's eighth black soul ring lit up, releasing a dazzling black glow.
A moment later, beside her, a second Death Spider Emperor body identical to her own appeared from thin air.
This was her eighth spirit ability—Spider Emperor Clone!
Although the clone required her control, it could deliver 100% of her body's attack power.
As the clone emerged, her sixth soul ring burst into radiant light.
Sixth soul skill: Bloodsucking Spider Thorns!
In the blink of an eye, both Bibi Dong's true form and her clone unleashed tens of thousands of spider thorns, like a tidal wave crashing against the descending mountain-sized Clear Sky Hammer.
BOOM—
The entire mountain range shook violently, shockwaves rippling in all directions. Rocks shattered, and even parts of the mountain began to collapse.
After a long time, the dust finally settled.
From the swirling aftermath, a little figure shot out, blood dripping from her lips.
It was Bibi Dong!
However, her face was pale, her breath chaotic, and her appearance disheveled.
"You live up to your name, Tang Hao. I didn't think you'd still manage to escape."
"But…"
"Even if you can escape—can your son?"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountains—
Tang Hao's robe was torn and tattered, blood oozing from his wounds. Strangely, the blood was dark purple, oozing with an eerie glow.
Even more horrifying, purple blood flowed from his eyes as well.
During the battle, his eyes had been struck by that storm of spider thorns—rendering him blind, turning him into a Blind Douluo.
"Damn you, Bibi Dong!"
"Damn the Spirit Hall!"
"One day, I'll wipe you all from the face of this world!"
With a furious roar, Tang Hao smashed his fist into a nearby boulder, shattering it into pieces.
He had let his guard down—underestimated Bibi Dong's strength. If he had fled at the start, she might not have caught up.
Among Title Douluo, unless there was a huge power gap, it was nearly impossible to kill one another outright.
"No, I have to get to Nuoding Academy as fast as possible and take Little San away. Otherwise, he might be in danger."
With this thought, Tang Hao immediately took flight toward Nuoding City, relying on his powerful spiritual perception to navigate.
Even blind, he was still a Title Douluo—not so easily defeated.
Back at Nuoding City marketplace—
Qi Lin and Xiao Wu were walking through the streets. When they came to report to the academy, they'd only brought a few changes of clothes. As for bedding—he hadn't bothered to carry any. It's too much hassle.
A clear downside of not having a storage soul tool.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't a wishing machine. Just because you wished for something didn't mean it would show up.
Like when Qi Lin wished to find a storage soul tool lying around—nope, nothing.
Then he wished for a kind stranger—preferably a pretty older sister—to give him one. Still nothing.
That's luck for you—sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Qi Lin had no control over it.
After visiting several shops, Qi Lin had only one requirement for his bedding:
It had to be low-key luxury—comfortable to sleep in, but not flashy.
As low-key as possible, but as luxurious as necessary.
Qi Lin liked comfort, sure, but he didn't want the kids in Dorm Seven to think he was showing off.
Well, "showing off" might not be the right term. Qi Lin didn't care much about what others thought—it was more that he didn't want to demoralize them.
Even though he probably wouldn't be staying in Dorm Seven for long.
Back at the dorm, after making his bed, Wang Sheng suggested, "Sister Xiao Wu, Brother Lin, it's about time for dinner. Want to head to the cafeteria together?"
Qi Lin and Xiao Wu had already eaten outside, but they were curious about the academy's food, so he nodded, "Sure, let's go!"
Most of Dorm Seven usually acted as a group—being alone would only invite trouble from others.
Sure enough, just as they arrived at the cafeteria, a group of flashy-looking students came marching toward them aggressively.
Halfway there, one of them—Xiao Chenyu—spotted Qi Lin among the Dorm Seven group, looking as chill as ever.
His expression immediately darkened.
'Damn it! Why him?'
'That little blond punk had somehow made it to Nuoding Academy too!'
Xiao Chenyu would never forget how this guy had met his sister only once, yet left her so obsessed she couldn't think straight.
And now he was even hanging out with Wang Sheng and the rest of those country bumpkins?
'Outrageous!'
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Chenyu led his posse forward, ready to settle both old and new grudges.
Wang Sheng noticed them and suddenly shouted, "Sister Xiao Wu, those jerks led by Xiao Chenyu are the ones who always bully us!"
"Oh really? Just wait!"
"Sister Xiao Wu will avenge you!"
"Hey—"
Before Qi Lin could say anything, Xiao Wu's petite figure shot out like lightning.
Like a tiger pouncing into a flock of sheep!
Seeing this, Qi Lin could only shrug with a helpless expression.
"Well… let's hope she goes easy on them."
Moments later—
Xiao Chenyu and his crew, now black and blue all over, stood at the cafeteria entrance, shouting in unison:
"Greetings, Sister Xiao Wu! Long live Sister Xiao Wu!"
Damn it. shame!