That evening, in the hotel room.
Fu Ye finished his bath leisurely. The two young girls, Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, rushed in the moment they saw him step out.
Amid the sound of dripping water from the shower and the playful laughter of the two sisters, a sly smile crept onto Fu Ye's lips.
In the adjacent room, Davis—whose injuries weren't too severe—had fully recovered with the help of the team's healing soul master. Like Fu Ye, he had just bathed and was now lying on his bed.
In his bathroom, the charming young woman from the restaurant earlier was freshening up. It was clear the two were already quite familiar with each other.
But just then, Davis overheard the laughter of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun from next door. Almost instinctively, he sat up.
What he heard next nearly drove him mad.
"My dear master, how would you like to enjoy your little kitten today?"
After using their soul power to dry themselves, Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing approached Fu Ye wearing extremely alluring black lace negligees.
Zhu Zhuyun's tone was dripping with temptation.
"Sister, you're going too far~"
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks also wore a mischievous smile. By now, the three were well-acquainted with each other—it was obvious whom those words were meant for.
A soft rustling followed. On the other side of the wall, Davis's eyes burned with rage. Just then, the girl in pajamas emerged from the bathroom.
Seeing the fury in Davis's eyes, her expression turned somewhat evasive.
"You—come here!"
At this moment, Davis felt his future growing uncertain.
Without marriage to Zhu Zhuyun, he would lose the support of the Zhu family. Even if he were to become emperor, his reign would be unstable—he would lack the power to keep the Zhu family in check.
The sounds from next door felt like knives slicing through his heart.
Regret began to set in. If only he had sent people to search for Zhu Zhuyun the moment she disappeared, perhaps things wouldn't have come to this.
He had just received intel from his subordinates: the man who had effortlessly defeated his team was the same one who had single-handedly wiped out the top-tier combatants of the Heaven Dou Empire and plundered their nearly thousand-year-old treasury.
How could he possibly provoke such a ruthless figure? Looking back, it seemed almost merciful that the man hadn't killed him outright.
But the humiliation of having his bride stolen was unforgivable!
'Thirty years east, thirty years west—who's to say I won't rise again?'
No one knew what went through Davis's mind that night. All they saw the next morning were the dark circles under his eyes and the silent, pretty girl standing beside him.
Just as they were about to depart, Fu Ye happened to step out with Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun.
"You bad guy — how could you treat us like that?" Zhu Zhuyun clung to Fu Ye's arm, acting coy. But as soon as they exited, she noticed Davis's haggard appearance. Not that she cared anymore—he was nothing to her now.
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks were flushed, and she walked with an unsteady tremble—clear evidence that she hadn't had a stable night.
"Tsk, and yet you were the one begging for it. Couldn't even handle what I gave you," Fu Ye teased.
The members of the Star Luo royal party were no children. Their expressions made it obvious they knew exactly what had happened the previous night.
They all looked at Davis with pitying eyes, as if to say, "Boss, just endure it—it'll pass. So what if there's a little grass on your head? It's no big deal."
Fu Ye led the two sisters slowly toward the gate. As he passed Davis, he leaned in and whispered something.
Boom!!!
Davis felt as if a sledgehammer had struck his heart. Overwhelmed with rage, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
"You!!"
"You have no shame!!!"
But by the time he shouted, Fu Ye had already left with the Zhu sisters.
Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing simply buried their faces in Fu Ye's chest and laughed.
After all, their man was Fu Ye—not Davis or Dai Mubai. Whether he spat blood or not was none of their concern.
But the look of fury on his face was quite entertaining.
Soon, they arrived at the luxurious hotel where the Tianshui team was staying.
Fu Ye brought the two injured soldiers—Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing—back to the team.
When the other girls saw their disheveled state, they immediately crowded around, chattering without end.
Fu Ye thoughtfully took out two healing pills to help them recover quickly.
By three in the afternoon, inside Spirit City, on the elevated platform:
Bibi Dong delivered the courtesies expected of her as the Pope.
In truth, the three ten-thousand-year spirit bones she prepared as rewards were always intended for her three disciples.
There was no doubt—the championship belonged to the Tianshui team. Fu Ye had already informed Bibi Dong that he had no interest in the spirit bones.
He had brought the girls mainly for formalities and to secure a championship title.
After all, Bibi Dong knew very well that with one Soul Saint, five Soul Emperors, the rest being Soul Kings, and two Spirit Fusion Skills among them, this match had been a slaughter without any suspense.
Standing among the audience, Tang Chuan gazed at Bibi Dong with murderous intent. In his eyes, she and the Spirit Hall were the enemies who killed his mother.
In his past life, he had been naive and foolish—but in this life, he was experienced and determined!
Even if Xiao Wu left him, it didn't matter. He was the one and only Child of Destiny on this continent. Ultimate victory would be his!
A sinister smile curled on Tang Chuan's lips.
"Heh heh…"
...
At the venue for the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament in Spirit City.
A figure clad in silver-white appeared quietly beside Kade. The bishops surrounding him were instantly filled with surprise and confusion, for this was none other than Pope Bibi Dong herself!
Over a decade ago, a ruthless individual had personally executed nearly all the officials of that time, though the specific reasons remained unknown to them.
However, in the hearts of these bishops, it was now clear: the young woman in silver-white was Bibi Dong's protege. For her to appear on such an important occasion, she must be held in exceptionally high regard by the Pope.
"Hello, everyone! I am Dou Dou, the referee for the finals here in Spirit City for the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament. Welcome to the Tournament grounds!"
As Dou Dou made her entrance, the entire audience erupted in exclamations. After all, her demeanor had been meticulously cultivated under Bibi Dong's guidance.
At this moment, Dou Dou wore a silver-white gown. Her delicate, lovely cheeks were adorned with light makeup, and the hem of her skirt was decorated with star-like ornaments.
Witnessing this, a slight smile curled on Bibi Dong's lips. Dou Dou was her comrade-in-arms.
She had made sure Dou Dou wore a full pair of white trousers beneath the long skirt, ensuring no risk of exposure. The battlefield was unpredictable, and she would never permit any… indiscreet gusts of wind.
Meanwhile, Fu Ye was leading Xiao Wu and the others to their VIP seats. This area was empty except for them, clearly a temporary arrangement specially prepared for them by Bibi Dong.
"Wow! The view from here is amazing!" Xiao Wu immediately plopped down onto the soft front-row seat. Liu Erlong and Han Ruyan, seeing her antics, simply exchanged a knowing smile.
Their position was directly above the side of the arena, offering a clear, unobstructed view of everything happening at the center of the stage.
"Sister Dou Dou's outfit today is quite striking," Han Ruyan remarked, propping her chin in her hand as she gazed at the vast and magnificent arena below. A trace of nostalgia flickered within her ice-blue eyes.
This was her second time in Spirit City. The first had been ten years ago, when she first arrived in the Heaven Dou Empire.
The city today was as prosperous as it had been a decade past. She had once considered joining the Spirit Hall, but ultimately did not due to some minor matters.
Later, she encountered Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er, who were wandering on the city's outskirts.
Recognizing their talent, she decided to raise them. Eventually, she founded Tianshui Academy, an institution exclusively for girls, in a city not far from the imperial capital.
As both teams entered the arena, Fu Ye also learned the lineup of the seven girls participating today. Perhaps because they knew Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun were involved, both sisters were on the team for this match.
A short while later, the four lucky ones from today's team arrived at the VIP seats. Upon seeing the excellent view and comfortable seats, they immediately rushed to the front to secure their spots for the show.
"Brother Fu Ye, Wu Ling wants to sit with you!" Wu Ling unhesitatingly threw herself into Fu Ye's embrace.
The other three lucky team members—Yu Hairou, Shen Liuyu, and Meng Yiran—simply smiled at each other without comment.
Just then, Xiao Xue Ke also arrived and obediently sat down next to Meng Yiran. As for matters like massage… well, they could be left to Wu Ling.
"You're just as boisterous as your master," Fu Ye said, not finding Wu Ling's closeness inappropriate. Such behavior was quite common within the academy.
"Hehe, Wu Ling is different from Master." Little Wu Ling grinned slightly, revealing two small canine teeth, then settled very naturally into Fu Ye's lap. Xiao Wu, sitting beside him, watched with a smug glint in her eyes.
Liu Erlong and Han Ruyan exchanged a tacit glance; no words were needed to convey their understanding.
On the Tournament stage, members of the Tianshui team and the Star Luo Team stood facing each other. However, the Tianshui team's formation was remarkably bold.
With the exception of Ning Rongrong, the support, who stood at the rear, the rest were arranged in a single horizontal line.
Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun stood at the center. To their left were Dugu Yan and Xue Wu; to their right were Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.
"The first match of the Spirit City finals for the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament—Tianshui Team versus Star Luo Team—begins now!"
As the gold-medal referee Dou Dou announced the start, Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, standing at the center, exchanged a look.
"Martial Soul Fusion Technique—Phantom Cat Demon!"
Simultaneously, Ning Rongrong, positioned at the back, also activated her martial soul.
"Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda — Activate!"
"First Soul Skill: Strength Amplification!"
"Second Soul Skill: Agility Amplification!"
"Third Soul Skill: Spirit Power Amplification!"
"Fourth Soul Skill: Defense Amplification!"
"Fifth Soul Skill: Attack Power Amplification!"
In one seamless motion, without the slightest distraction, Ning Rongrong unleashed all five of her soul skills, channeling every bit of her soul power amplification onto the fused Phantom Cat Demon.
It was at this moment that Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing finally revealed their true soul power levels.
Ning Rongrong: Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black! A five-ringed Soul King!
Zhu Zhuqing: Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black! A five-ringed Soul King!
Zhu Zhuyun: Yellow, Purple, Purple, Purple, Black, Black! A six-ringed Soul Emperor!
On the high platform, Bibi Dong's eyes glinted faintly upon seeing this. The high-ranking Spirit Hall officials behind her also began their own private calculations.
Salas, however, maintained a calm expression. Watching these fools whispering among themselves, he already knew the general situation.
'Hah, a bunch of clueless people. Good thing I am His Holiness the Pope's most loyal dog; otherwise, I'd be guessing right along with you,' Salas thought, his face brimming with pride. It was his honor to serve as a devoted follower of the Pope!
"This scoundrel is quite skilled at training these girls. Three Soul Kings, three Soul Emperors, and one Soul Saint… How intriguing," Bibi Dong mused to herself as she sat on the high platform, leisurely observing the one-sided match below.
She wondered if she should hand Hu Liena over to Fu Ye for training as well. After all, one should keep good things within the family.
She had found Hu Liena and Xie Yue in a village massacred by an evil soul master. Recognizing their exceptional talent, she had kept them by her side to nurture them.
On the arena, a giant black cat, its back dotted with bright spots of light resembling the Milky Way, was ruthlessly crushing the Star Luo Team with overwhelming, unstoppable force.
Dou Dou provided rapid-fire commentary on the events unfolding in the arena. Seeing her sisters pummeling the Star Luo team members filled her with joy, making her narration even more excited.
Fu Ye watched the scene below with a slight smile gracing his lips.
On the other side, Tang Chuan, the reincarnated God King, was currently seething with rage.
...
With the defeat of the Star Luo Royal Academy team led by Davis, the match finally crowned its ultimate victor.
Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun stood at ease before the arena, looking down at the severely injured Star Luo Royal Team. Davis could not conceal the terror in his eyes.
"No, it's impossible! It hasn't even been two years. How could you have become Soul Emperors!"
His words bordered on hysteria, but Zhu Zhuyun paid no heed to his outburst. To her, none of it mattered anymore.
After all, her man's name was Fu Ye, and she was no longer a pawn sacrificed to the schemes of the Star Luo royal family.
"The match is over! Let us congratulate the Tianshui Academy team on winning the first victory!"
With Dou Dou's announcement marking the end of the match, the contest finally drew to a close.
While ten teams had come to Spirit City to compete, their strength held little relevance for Fu Ye and the Tianshui team.
No matter how powerful the other teams were, they stood no chance against Tianshui, which had the Soul Saint Dugu Yan leading them.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Just as Fu Ye had anticipated, nearly every team facing Tianshui forfeited, choosing instead to enter the second-stage losers bracket.
"Dong'er, should we deal with those two brats, Tang San and Tang Chuan?" Fu Ye asked, holding Bibi Dong in his arms on the bed with a satisfied expression, authoritatively pinching her delicate cheek.
"Hmm, let's wait until after the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament. After all, that damned Yu Xiaogang keeps clamoring about how his disciples will come after me once they've grown up," Bibi Dong replied, a trace of murderous intent flashing across her face.
Had the other party been unrelated to Yu Xiaogang, she might have spared them. But since they were connected to him, they had only themselves to blame for her ruthlessness.
"Not only that, one is Tang Hao's son, and the other is his adopted son," Fu Ye added nonchalantly.
Amid their casual conversation, Fu Ye and Bibi Dong casually decided the fate of Tang San and Tang Chuan. Whether the two agreed or not was not their concern.
In the end, possessing strength and authority meant one could act with impunity. This was a cultivation world, where the law of the jungle was the most fundamental and natural order.
A quarter of an hour later, Fu Ye pushed open the door, only to find a very familiar figure standing outside.
"Why are you still here, you big bad guy who stole Sister Dong'er from me?"
Standing at the door was a beautiful girl with golden hair, golden eyes, and an angelic face. Fu Ye didn't need to guess to know who she was.
"Then you should go ask your Sister Dong'er. If she hadn't insisted I stay with her in the room, I would have left last night," Fu Ye said, spreading his hands helplessly.
After all, this was indeed Bibi Dong's request. The person before him was none other than the Six-Winged Angel, Qian Renxue.
"Humph! You only know how to bully my sister, you scoundrel!" Qian Renxue shot back, not buying his excuse. Her father had long since abandoned her, and her sister had raised her single-handedly since childhood.
And now, her sister's affection had been snatched away by this man in front of her, whom she was forced to call brother-in-law!
With that, Qian Renxue brushed past Fu Ye and entered the room. Proud as she was, she knew perfectly well that she was no match for him.
Inside the bedchamber, Bibi Dong had changed her clothes in an instant. After all, she was the one who had raised Qian Renxue.
…
On the arena stage, the Tianshui team and the Heaven Dou team stood facing each other.
The Tianshui team members participating today were Wu Ling, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun, Shui Bing'er, Xue Wu, and Dugu Yan.
Across from them, Yu Tianheng of the Heaven Dou team fixed his gaze on Dugu Yan. Even though she had left the Huangdou Team, he still couldn't let her go.
Now, facing each other on the battlefield for the first time, Yu Tianheng felt a complex mix of emotions in his heart.
"Xiao Wu..." Tang Chuan looked at Wu Ling, his heart aching. She had been his wife in his previous life, yet now...
He had already made up his mind. After the competition, he would steal the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure, the Oceanic Cosmic Canopy.
He was certain that with that artifact in hand, and then awakening his own Blue Silver Emperor bloodline in the Blue Silver Forest, the Sea God's inheritance would be as good as his!
Afterwards, he only needed to bring the Sea God's relics to the City of Slaughter, and that old fellow would have no choice but to pass the throne of the Asura God to him!
As for the Scabbard... he had already found a way for the two divine powers to coexist within his body, so he no longer needed that thing!
Relying on his foreknowledge to become a dual god, then Xiao Wu and the others would all be within his grasp!
Thinking of this, Tang Chuan licked the corner of his mouth, his gaze burning as he looked at Wu Ling, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others.
Wu Ling and the others felt sick to their stomachs under Tang Chuan's intense stare.
'I don't know where my master has gone during this time. Perhaps he went to plead for me before Bibi Dong,' Tang Chuan thought.
Just as the battle was about to begin, Tang Chuan looked up at the referee hovering high in the air and declared, "We, the Heaven Dou team, voluntarily forfeit! We will enter the losers bracket match this afternoon!"
At that moment, Fu Ye was sitting leisurely in the luxurious spectator stands, watching the scene unfold below with a slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth.
'Forfeit? Did you think you were the only ones who could do that?'
Dou Dou was momentarily stunned by the announcement, but then prepared to declare the match's outcome.
However, Dugu Yan's calm voice rang out at that moment. "In that case, we forfeit as well and will proceed directly to the losers' bracket match this afternoon."
That's right. This was exactly what Fu Ye had instructed the girls to do. If the other side tried any tricks, they were to respond in kind.
Currently, only the God Wind Academy team was in the losers' bracket. In the winners' bracket, aside from Tianshui, there was the Golden Generation from the Spirit Hall.
The Heaven Dou team's plan was likely to defeat God Wind, then face a presumably weakened Tianshui or Spirit Hall team in the next round.
But they weren't the only ones with schemes. Fu Ye had long since seen through their intentions.
'Want to reach the finals? Sorry, but I'm going to stop you right at the semifinals.'
One could almost see the expression on Tang Chuan's face, as if he had just eaten something vile, but he could neither vent his anger nor dared to do so at this moment.
Bibi Dong, seated in the high-level viewing area, watched the dramatic scene below with amusement glittering in her eyes, but she said nothing.
In the end, Tang Chuan was clever, but not clever enough. If they could forfeit, so could their opponents.
Now, the side that forfeited first not only had to deal with God Wind Academy but also had to continue fighting against Tianshui Academy afterward.
They had lost on both fronts—a perfect description of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's current predicament.
...
"Referee, the God Wind Academy voluntarily forfeits this afternoon's loser bracket match!"
A middle-aged man with a weathered appearance stood up as he spoke. He was the lead instructor of God Wind Academy, a Level 69 Soul Emperor.
His emotions were complex. Above all, he could not allow any more harm to come to the students under his command. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy team was notorious for their ruthless combat style.
He would not sacrifice these children's promising futures just to compete against such an opponent.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong smiled faintly. This meant today's match wouldn't need to be postponed until the afternoon or tomorrow.
"Very well."
Bibi Dong let out a soft sigh. Upon hearing the Pope's response, the God Wind team's instructor even began to breathe heavily.
"In that case, let's not delay. We will hold the semi-finals this very morning!"
Bibi Dong's voice was gentle, yet a terrifying pressure emanated from her, sweeping across the entire arena and weighing on everyone present.
Feeling this pressure, Tang Chuan was utterly bewildered. 'Didn't my teacher go to plead with Bibi Dong? Why would she do this?'
Soon, a possibility he could hardly accept surfaced in his mind.
But he quickly steadied himself. 'My teacher is the son of Yu Yuanzhen, Patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan. Even Bibi Dong wouldn't dare move against him so easily!'
Simultaneously, in a pitch-black, deep basement.
"Ahhhhhh!"
"Owwwwww!"
Three men brandishing steel whips lashed Yu Xiaogang's body relentlessly, then sprinkled salt onto his wounds. Following that, they used healing soul skills to treat his injuries, ensuring he wouldn't actually die.
"Brother, how much longer do we have to keep this up? We've been beating him for two days straight."
"Yeah... if we keep going, he might die from the agony alone."
One of the burly men pointed at the scars covering Yu Xiaogang's body, a hint of pity in his voice.
"You two idiots! Twenty thousand gold soul coins! Even a contract killing only pays one thousand! If you don't want this job, get out! Don't ruin my chance to make money!"
The leader of the burly men felt like slapping some sense into these two fools.
They just needed to do their job; why all this pointless sympathy?
"Ahem!"
"The boss is absolutely right. If the target is still holding on, it must mean our efforts aren't strong enough. How about we try a different approach?"
"Makes sense."
…
Back on the arena, Tang Chuan and Tang San stood at the rear and front of their team respectively, like two stern guardians.
Yet, Tang Chuan's face was full of disbelief. 'This is utterly ridiculous!'
'The Tianshui team is so powerful, they would definitely lose to the Spirit Hall team! And yet, they shamelessly forfeit!'
'They all have a death wish!'
At the forefront was Tang San with his twin martial souls. In Tang Chuan's mind, since his own martial soul hadn't inherited his father's Clear Sky Hammer, this chance for fame would fall to his younger brother.
After all, once the Clear Sky Hammer appeared, the entire Spirit Hall would surely be thrown into an uproar.
From what he knew, the Spirit Hall's history was similar to that of his previous life, and the Pope had been killed by his father. Therefore, he was certain they must harbor deep hatred for the Clear Sky Hammer.
His younger brother was also a strong contender for the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline.
As the saying goes, there can only be one Blue Silver Emperor. As long as his brother died, he would become the sole possessor of the Blue Silver Emperor martial soul!
Thinking of this, a sly smile crept onto Tang Chuan's lips. In his eyes, his former self was merely a stepping stone to enhance his own talents.
Brotherly love? 'Hah! Is that hypocrite even worthy of being my brother? He can keep dreaming!'
Fu Ye saw this scene, and Bibi Dong also noticed the calculating look in Tang Chuan's eyes.
Little did he know, Bibi Dong didn't hate Tang Hao that intensely. To her, he was just a pawn that she and Fu Ye could use and discard. If he hadn't killed Qian Xunji, she would have done it herself.
Based on her intelligence, Tang Hao was also present today. Although she already knew his whereabouts, the fact remained that he had helped eliminate an enemy for her.
Therefore, as long as he didn't recklessly reveal his identity or overstep, she simply couldn't be bothered with him.
At this moment, Fu Ye and Bibi Dong exchanged a glance as if sharing a telepathic connection.
The corners of his lips curled slightly upwards. Everything was communicated without words.
…
"Seven-in-One Fusion Soul Skill, begin!"
The Heaven Dou Royal team didn't have Ning Rongrong, but they had a support-type soul master, Ye Lingling.
With her there, the soul power of the remaining six members of the Heaven Dou team connected through her. Seeing this, Dugu Yan's eyes flashed with ferocity.
She knew full well that this Seven-in-One Fusion Soul Skill would cause irreversible damage to the soul masters involved to a certain extent.
As the nexus, Ye Lingling bore the greatest pressure within the team!
As Ye Lingling's big sister, Dugu Yan was acutely aware that the other girl's physical strength wasn't even on par with an ordinary soul master.
The only reason she had managed to cultivate to the Soul Ancestor level was because the royal family was willing to invest vast resources to forcibly elevate her cultivation.
Dugu Yan couldn't just stand by and watch her sister be ruined by them!
At that moment, the power of five Soul Ancestor-level experts instantly poured into Ye Lingling's body.
Ye Lingling herself was unaware that this so-called Seven-in-One would damage her future potential. Even facing her former sisters, she still wanted to do her part for her current team.
"Hngh."
As this immense power flooded into her, Ye Lingling felt a fishy, sweet taste rise in her throat, but she hardened her heart and channeled all of it into Tang San, who stood before her!
Buzz!
A resonant hum emanated from Tang San's body, now fully charged and ready. The endless soul power of the six people behind him continuously supplied him for the final step.
"Clear Sky Hammer, emerge! True Form of Clear Sky!"
Seeing the blood trickling from the corner of her sister's mouth, Dugu Yan's eyes burned with murderous intent.
"A Soul Saint! His aura actually reached the Soul Saint level in an instant!"
Someone in the audience exclaimed in shock. But to Dugu Yan, he was nothing but a large cockroach.
"Sister Yan, let's use our Soul Fusion Technique."
Meng Yiran, seeing the opponent's seven-in-one fusion, felt stirred to action.
"Good! Then let's annihilate them!"
Dugu Yan wasted no more words. She needed to sever Ye Lingling's connection with the others first; otherwise, when she attacked Tang San later, Ye Lingling would also be affected!
Meng Yiran and Dugu Yan gently embraced each other, and then a brilliant golden light suddenly erupted from where they stood!
"Soul Fusion Technique — Dragon Spear Goddess!"
...
As Dugu Yan and Meng Yiran transformed into two streaks of golden light and merged into one, a terrifying and majestic aura erupted across the arena!
"Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Red!"
When the seventh soul ring materialized behind her, the crowd was stunned into silence. But when they noticed the seventh ring's strange, bloody-red hue, the entire audience erupted in excitement!
A Seven-ring Soul Sage! A super-standard soul ring configuration—three ten-thousand-year rings, and one hundred-thousand-year ring!
At this moment, not only was the audience trembling, but Tang San and his companions, who stood facing her overwhelming presence, were shaking as well.
She had golden hair, golden eyes, wore golden armor, and held a golden dragon spear. True to her title, she was the Dragon Spear Goddess!
A flicker of pity shone in the Dragon Spear Goddess's eyes as she glanced at Ye Lingling, but she quickly averted her gaze.
With immense force, her domineering dragon spear shot straight toward Tang San, who stood at the front, having activated the Clear Sky True Body."
Boom!
The spear tip met the dark hammer, and a terrifying shockwave reverberated throughout the arena!
Yet, the expressions on the two sides were vastly different.
The Dragon Spear Goddess merely frowned slightly, as if puzzled that her single strike hadn't shattered her opponent's defense.
Meanwhile, beads of sweat the size of peas had already formed on Tang San's forehead. As the focal point for the combined soul power of his six teammates, the pressure on him was immense.
That single blow alone made him feel as though his knuckles were cracking, and a trickle of bright red blood escaped the corner of his mouth.
At that very moment, on the high platform, Spirit Hall Bishop Salas removed the red cloth draped over a corner, revealing a massive iron cage.
Inside the cage was a fat man, his body covered in wounds and glistening with grime—clear evidence of the torment he had endured before arriving.
"Ahhh!! Ahhhh!! Ahhh!!!" (Xiao San! Xiao Chuan! Save me! Save me!!!)
Indeed, this battered, greasy fat man, beaten until not an inch of his skin was left unmarred, was none other than Yu Xiaogang.
As Salas looked at the man, a trace of fear flashed in his eyes.
He had seen death, and he had seen piles of corpses, but he had never witnessed someone still alive with the skin and flesh peeled from their head, their entire body festering!
Yet, almost imperceptibly, Salas halted all movement, staring blankly ahead as he watched the thing being brutally tortured.
"Roar!!!!"
In an instant, a golden dragon phantom coiled around the Golden Dragon Spear and shot toward Tang San's face with a series of low, menacing roars.
"Not good!"
"Boom!!!!!"
Tang San, who had activated the beggarly version of Clear Sky True Body, attempted to block the dragon spear with his Clear Sky Hammer, but Dugu Yan's strike shattered his defense to pieces.
"Crack!"
"Ugh!"
Having accomplished this, Dugu Yan instantly appeared by Ye Lingling's side. Before the backlash from her fusion could set in, she intended to sever Ye Lingling's connection to this group of fools!
"Whoosh!"
Two golden streaks of light flashed past. Ye Lingling, who had collapsed from soul power exhaustion, had already fallen unconscious.
As for the other members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team on the field, they were practically wiped out.
However, at that moment, dozens of projectiles ripped through the air!
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
That's right! Our reborn God King, Tang Chuan, had once again resorted to his classic, ever-effective move!
Batwing Reincarnation!
"Haha, I worked tirelessly to win this match! Hahaha!!!" Indeed, Tang Chuan had laid the groundwork for this moment from the very beginning.
He knew he might not prevail on the frontal battlefield, but when it came to hidden weapons, he was their ancestor!
Seeing the opposing Tianshui team members about to be poisoned by the Bilin Seven Deadly Poisons and the mixed toxins he had developed—toxins only he could cure—he reveled in his triumph.
But as he laughed maniacally, several members of the Tianshui team recognized this familiar technique, a flicker of surprise crossing their eyes, though it lasted only a moment.
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
The sound of metal clashing rang in everyone's ears. Tang Chuan stared in horror at the scene before him.
Except for Dugu Yan and Meng Yiran, who were still in the soul fusion state and easily blocked his attacks with their dragon spears, the other girls had turned into illusory figures, weaving through his Batwing Reincarnation with ease.
Their palms had all taken on a bright, jade-white hue.
That's right—these were the unique martial arts of his Tang Sect: the Mysterious Jade Hand and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track from the Mysterious Heaven Technique!
Witnessing the impossible unfolding before his eyes, Tang Chuan's heart was once again thrown into turmoil.
But what awaited him was a mirror of his own attack—the very same Batwing Reincarnation.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Dozens of projectiles sliced through the air, striking Tang Chuan's body.
"Ugh!"
His body slammed heavily to the ground. Tang Chuan felt as though his internal organs had been displaced.
With great difficulty, he retrieved a small white porcelain bottle, poured the pills into his mouth, and swallowed them whole.
At that moment, he saw Fu Ye, seated on the high platform, kissing Xiao Wu passionately, his hand caressing her.
"Ah! This is unjust! Heaven, you are unjust!!!"
No doubt about it—Tang Chuan had broken. Completely and utterly shattered!
He was filled with regret!
"Your Holiness! I wish to report something!"
Fu Ye, who had been passionately kissing Xiao Wu, turned to look at Tang Chuan, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"I was just thinking of an excuse to kill him, and now he's handing me the opportunity on a silver platter."
Bibi Dong naturally heard his words. As Tang Hao's son and a current participant, she could allow him a few insignificant remarks.
"Tang Chuan, Heaven Dou has already lost. What is the meaning of this?"
Bibi Dong's eyes seemed to radiate boundless authority.
"Your Excellency the Pope, I report that the leader of the Tianshui team is a transformed soul beast! I beg you to investigate, Your Excellency!"
What a bold move. Our reincarnated God King, Tang Chuan, was truly prepared to fight to the death.
Xiao Wu frowned upon hearing his words but quickly relaxed.
Fu Ye had just whispered in her ear, "Just tell them you're a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form, then reveal your Ultimate Douluo strength. Let's see how many will believe what Tang Chuan says."
However, Tang Hao, standing at the back of the audience, felt his pupils contract upon hearing Tang Chuan's accusation, though he quickly regained his composure.
"Sigh~ I was considering saving this fool again, but he's digging his own grave. I won't dirty my hands with his mess."
Life was hard enough. Tang Hao sighed. Never mind—Tang San was his son, no matter what. As for Tang Chuan, he was merely adopted. Let him do as he pleased; Tang Hao couldn't be bothered anymore!
"Oh? Are you suggesting that a transformed spirit beast has snuck into our tournament venue?"
Bibi Dong turned her gaze toward Fu Ye with keen interest. She knew Fu Ye inside and out, after all. As for transformed soul beasts…
To her knowledge, there were two: the hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit, Ah Wu, and the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin, but neither was present.
The girls, Liu Erlong and Han Ruyan, also looked toward the approaching group.
And Xiao Wu, sitting in Fu Ye's lap?
'Tsk, this scoundrel Fu Ye is quite the playful one. But then again, spirit beasts probably don't have such concepts, so it's still acceptable.'
"Yes, Your Holiness! The one I'm referring to is Xiao Wu, the lead instructor of Tianshui Academy!"
Tang Chuan actually named her directly this time!
"Oh? If that is truly the case, then as the Pope of the Spirit Hall, I cannot simply let this slide."
Bibi Dong's gaze toward Fu Ye was full of majesty, but only Fu Ye knew that a hint of a smile was hidden within this little girl's eyes!
In reality, Xiao Wu had only broken through to the Extreme Douluo level two days prior. But with Fu Ye's… heartwarming assistance, she had now completely stabilized her realm.
Looking at Tang Chuan, who lay on the ground like a dead dog, Xiao Wu's eyes turned icy.
She didn't know how the other party had discovered her identity, but it didn't matter. Based on their human-side relationships, Bibi Dong was still her sister-in-law.
They were both aware of each other's existence, though they had only met a handful of times.
Xiao Wu stepped into the air, her movements graceful and noble as she descended onto the stage.
While Xiao Wu loved nothing more than to kiss, hug, and be carried by Fu Ye when she was with him, and often acted cute…
Fu Ye had never neglected to cultivate her bearing and temperament. She could be an adorable big rabbit in front of him, but to the outside world, she was an unearthly goddess, an Extreme Douluo capable of effortlessly obliterating a millennium-old empire!
"You claim that I am the human form of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
Xiao Wu's demeanor underwent a drastic shift the moment she stepped onto the stage. Her eyes now held nothing but indifference and coldness.
Tang Chuan was utterly bewildered; he had never seen Xiao Wu like this.
"Sister Pope, are you asserting that I am a transformed soul beast?"
Xiao Wu lifted her eyes to look at Bibi Dong. She didn't address her as Your Holiness, but directly as sister.
Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Bibi Dong's lips curled into a slight smile. Although the two had not met many times, they could both read the other's intent in their eyes.
"Of course, if I truly were a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, then perhaps none of the people present would dare to lay a hand on me."
Xiao Wu's tone was as cold as ice, and then a chilling, murderous aura erupted, flooding the entire venue.
Xiao Wu's spirit had also evolved into a Phantom Demon Rabbit, just like her mother Ah Wu's.
Then, a series of dazzling spirit rings materialized before everyone's eyes.
"Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Red, Red, Red!"
A seemingly standard spirit ring configuration, except for the final three… hundred-thousand-year red rings!
Immediately after, an aura belonging to an Extreme Douluo saturated the entire competition grounds!
"BOOM!!!!"
An invisible shockwave sent all members of the Heaven Dou Team present flying.
Tang Chuan was sent headfirst into a decorative marble pillar. His already broken body became even more shattered under the impact of Xiao Wu's power.
"You say I'm a hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast? Fine, I admit it. I am a transformed soul beast. What are you going to do about it? Or do you all wish to try and take me on?"
The overwhelming pressure from Xiao Wu made it hard for Tang Chuan to breathe. He coughed up blood violently as Xiao Wu stared at him with murderous intent.
Xiao Wu had already disliked him back at Nuoding Academy, and now he dared to expose her as a transformed soul beast in front of everyone?
If there weren't so many people around, Xiao Wu would have truly wanted to stomp him to death right then and there!
At this moment, aside from Bibi Dong and those on Fu Ye's side who were in the know, everyone else was thrown into a state of great panic.
One must know, the dignity of an Extreme Douluo is not to be trampled upon! If they were to anger her, the ordinary soul masters present would likely suffer the consequences!
"Tsk, it seems you, Tang Chuan, have provided severely mistaken intelligence. My apologies, this little sister Xiao Wu is clearly not a transformed soul beast."
As she said this, a trace of coldness flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.
"Salas, Tang Chuan has disrupted the competition rules and slandered an Extreme Douluo. Sentence him to ten years in the underground prison of Spirit City as punishment."
Bibi Dong recalled Fu Ye telling her that if the opportunity arose, he should throw Tang Chuan in jail and make him follow Yu Xiaogang's old path.
However, Bibi Dong was also deeply curious: how could Tang Chuan, who seemed like just an ordinary Soul Master, tell that Xiao Wu was a hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast?
After all, even for someone of her own cultivation level, it was difficult to discern that Xiao Wu, who was also an Extreme Douluo, was a transformed soul beast.
"No! No! Bibi Dong, you can't do this!"
Upon hearing that he was to be imprisoned for ten years, Tang Chuan went completely mad. In ten years, by that time, Bibi Dong and the others would have already ascended to godhood!
How could they lock him up! No, he would not accept this!
But now, not only the audience who had come to watch the match, but even Tang San and the others from Tang Chuan's own team stared at him in utter disbelief.
'You wanted to report someone, so you reported them, but you ended up reporting an Extreme Douluo?'
'It's already a massive mercy that she didn't kill you on the spot, and now you're daring to call the Pope by her direct name?'
'Brave! So incredibly brave!'
Seeing this, even Yu Tianheng couldn't help but secretly give Tang Chuan a thumbs-up behind his back.
He used to be unconvinced that Tang Chuan was the captain, but now he was truly persuaded. To slap an Extreme Douluo in the face and publicly call the Pope by her real name…
He'd consider it a miracle if Bibi Dong didn't have him executed.
"Haha, in the past ten years, you are the first person who has dared to call me by my name. Very good, you are exceedingly brave. But bravery has its price!"
Having said that, Bibi Dong turned to look at Salas.
"Salas, I'll leave his… stuff for you to handle first. Just follow the standard procedure."
Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Salas, who stood ten meters behind her, immediately bowed.
"As you command, Your Holiness the Pope."
The day's farce finally came to an end as dozens of guards dragged away the severely injured and nearly lifeless Tang Chuan.
Tang San and his companions from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team exchanged glances, seeing only helplessness in each other's eyes.
As for Ye Lingling, she was taken away by Dugu Yan. Her future destination would naturally be with their Tianshui team.
After everything was settled, Xiao Wu gave a light leap and landed back in Fu Ye's embrace. This scene was also witnessed by the audience and the people of Spirit City.
At this moment, there was probably only one word echoing in their minds:
"Huh? ? ? ?"
…
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