Chapter 237: The Titan Giant Ape Heads to Spirit City
Clang!
A sharp phoenix cry rang out, followed by a booming crash within the Pope's Hall. The Golden Crocodile crashed heavily to the ground, creating a large crater. Meanwhile, the Ice Phoenix hovered midair, having never touched down. Even if it had, it was the Ice Phoenix that first forced the Golden Crocodile to the ground. By any account, victory belonged to the Ice Phoenix.
Ah Yin summoned her martial spirit once more, releasing two beams of golden light that fell upon Shui Bing'er and Tianchen, healing their injuries.
Back at Tianshui's rest area, the five girls rushed to surround Shui Bing'er as she returned.
"Big Sis, you were amazing!"
"Big Sis, you're so clever!"
Shui Bing'er smiled, "This was thanks to everyone's effort. And to Xiao Chuan."
Qian Renxue smiled back. After exchanging glances with her, the significance of their victory became clear. By winning the individual match, they could skip the afternoon battle and rest up, securing at least second place. More importantly, they could watch the battle between Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou Second Team to assess both sides' team dynamics and find strategic openings.
While Tianshui celebrated, the Spirit Hall team sat in heavy silence. They had entered the individual round with near-total confidence. Had anyone other than Tianchen been last, or had Tianchen not grown complacent, the win would've been theirs. Yet the one scenario in which they could lose—they walked right into it.
Boom!
A strike from the Pope's scepter silenced the plaza. Qian Xunji's voice rang out with a gentle smile, "Thus ends the individual elimination round. Tianshui Academy advances directly to tomorrow's championship match. Spirit Hall will compete against Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team in this afternoon's losers' bracket for the final championship spot."
The fourteen matches had been thrilling. Though five had been lackluster, the rest were all crowd-pleasers. Especially Qian Renxue's brutal humiliation of Tang San—yet another blow to the Clear Sky Sect's once-lofty reputation.
Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, Tang Xiao, Yu Xiaogang, Gu Chen, and Ning Rongrong returned to their hotel to strategize for the upcoming match against Spirit Hall.
As they arrived, Ma Hongjun, eyes red with rage, stormed up and roared, "Yu Xiaogang! I'm going to kill you!"
Yu Xiaogang was stunned, unsure what to do against Ma Hongjun's fury.
Dai Mubai rushed to stop him. "Fatty! Calm down! What happened?"
"He got our teacher killed! He's the reason Flender is dead! I want revenge!"
"What happened to Dean Flender?"
Yu Xiaogang took a breath. "If you're going to kill me, at least tell me what happened. How could I have harmed Flender?"
"I'll make sure you die knowing!"
Ma Hongjun, eyes blazing, told them what had happened after they descended Pope's Hill—how Flender was mobbed and beaten to death by countless Spirit Hall soul masters, his body unrecognizable.
Yu Xiaogang was stunned. "Flender… Flender… I got you killed…"
Ning Fengzhi and Tang Xiao remained expressionless. A Soul Sage dying meant nothing to them. Offending the Pope? Yu Xiaogang had gone too far. They would never dare. If a Grandmaster had done that to them, their sect disciples would have done the same.
"Yu Xiaogang, what do you have to say for yourself now!?" Ma Hongjun roared again.
"I didn't kill him," Yu Xiaogang said heavily. "But yes, I bear responsibility. Still, the true culprit is Spirit Hall. I was only trying to protect the team."
Dai Mubai agreed. "Yeah, Fatty. Look at what they did to Tang San. If Master hadn't surrendered, we might not even be able to fight this afternoon."
Gu Chen added, "He's right. I hate retreating too, but if Qian Renxue forced me to kneel in front of the Pope, that'd be worse than death. I owe him for forfeiting."
Ning Rongrong said, "Fourth Brother, you know how close Master and Dean Flender were. He'd never want Flender to die. It was Spirit Hall's fault."
Eventually, Ma Hongjun calmed down, though his eyes still burned with resentment.
Elsewhere, inside the Pope's Hall...
Only four people remained: Qian Xunji, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Ghost Panther Douluo.
"Ghost Panther Douluo, take this letter to Thunder Douluo of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Make sure no one knows it came from us."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Go."
Ghost Panther vanished in a flash of black light. Even at Titled Douluo speed, it would take half a day to reach the clan.
"Chrysanthemum, Ghost—head to Star Dou Forest, to the Lake of Life. Lure the Titan Giant Ape to Spirit City by tomorrow morning—the awards ceremony."
"What?!"
The two Douluo were stunned. A 100,000-year soul beast wouldn't be dumb enough to walk into Spirit City—suicide.
"Tell him that Xiao Wu, the 100,000-year Soft Bone Rabbit, is competing in the tournament finals. That countless people are after her soul ring and bone. That loyal beast will come."
Of the four great 100,000-year beasts, only the Titan Giant Ape remained. With no Azure Bull Python to guide him, he would come—even if it meant his life.
Chrysanthemum asked, "But Your Holiness, isn't tomorrow Spirit Hall vs. Tianshui? Heaven Dou's Second Team isn't even a threat."
Qian Xunji replied, "True, in raw power. But this is a tournament—rules apply. You saw how Shui Bing'er beat Tianchen."
The two elders still didn't understand, but Qian Xunji didn't bother explaining.
"Just do it. Make sure that Titan Giant Ape arrives by the time of the awards ceremony."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
They left without another word. No one questioned the Pope's plans anymore—his wisdom had proven itself time and again.
After they departed, Qian Xunji smiled again.
"If there's no fun, make some. Now things will be interesting."
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on February 2, 2026.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen