However, before they could reach their intended target, two unexpected individuals arrived instead.
Two powerful auras suddenly appeared in the valley.
"Who is it?" The leader of the ambushing team asked, his tone wary.
The newcomers didn't hide their presence at all. Upon seeing them, the soul master leader's eyes widened in surprise. "Elder!"
"Greetings, Elder Snake Spear, Elder Spiky Porcupine!"
"Mm. Stand down," came the curt reply.
"Let that Chrysanthemum and Old Ghost come over," Elder Spiky Porcupine instructed.
But there was no need for the soul master leader to report this, as two more powerful auras quickly approached.
"Ah, it's Little Spiky and Little Dragon!" The voice came before the people themselves even appeared.
The Snake Spear Douluo's real name was She Long!
Upon hearing this extremely annoying nickname, both the Spiky Porcupine Douluo and Snake Spear Douluo couldn't help but clench their fists in frustration.
After all, they were Title Douluo, yet they were being called by such a ridiculous name in public!
If they weren't worried about being unable to take on the two, they would've rushed over to give the person who came up with that name a beating.
Elder Spiky Porcupine, Title Douluo at level 93!
Elder Snake Spear, Title Douluo at level 94! (As per the comic version)
Soon, the figures of Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo appeared in the valley.
"Long time no see!" Chrysanthemum Douluo greeted the Snake Spear and Spiky Porcupine Douluo in a friendly manner.
Although Chrysanthemum Douluo was a man, he was quite fond of feminine beauty, so his mannerisms and actions were very much like those of a woman.
Perhaps, he behaved this way because he missed his sister!
"Hehehe..." Ghost Douluo's laugh was incredibly eerie.
"Hmph!"
Upon seeing them, Snake Spear Douluo snorted coldly and directly got to the point. "The young master has ordered you to cancel this operation."
"Hehehe! Since it's the young master's order..."
"Then let's retreat!" Ghost Douluo waved his hand.
They might get scolded when they return, but not returning would make them feel the wrath of the young master. To Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, the current young master wasn't scary, but the Grand Priest behind him was terrifying.
...
Under Prince Xue Qinghe's lead, the group successfully arrived at Wuhun City.
Along the way, Yun Yihui was quite puzzled, as there were no signs of any interference from the Wuhun Palace.
However, Yun Yihui was very clear—while it was quiet now, when Tang San's true identity was exposed, the excitement would follow.
Of course, that wasn't his problem. His only concern was ensuring the safety of their group.
Currently, there was no one attempting to assassinate them, but after the competition, things could change. They couldn't always rely on luck like this.
Wuhun City, a miraculous city located between the Tiandou and Xingluo Empires, was adjacent to the Star Dou Forest.
The only reason Wuhun Palace had such overwhelming power was that if one of the top three sects were to try to interfere, they would be wiped out in no time.
At the same time, Wuhun City was considered a holy land by most soul masters across the continent.
However, the top forces like the top three sects, the Tiandou Royal Family, and the Xingluo Royal Family, didn't view Wuhun Palace as a holy land.
The city's outline was defined by its 40-meter-tall hexagonal city walls, which were not only visually impressive but also built for defense against soul beasts.
Surrounding the city walls was the imposing Six-Wing Mountain, adding an air of majesty and grandeur to Wuhun City. The mountain was steep and perilous, resembling a giant bird with its wings spread wide, guarding this sacred land.
At the center of Wuhun City stood the Pope's Hall and Elder's Hall, located on the mountainside of Six-Wing Mountain, overlooking the entire Wuhun City and Douluo Continent.
Everyone living in Wuhun City was a soul master, with the lowest being a great soul master at level 20.
Originally, the location for the finals of the Continental Soul Master Academy Elite Competition wasn't set in Wuhun City. However, for some unknown reason, Wuhun Palace suddenly decided to change the location and host the final at Wuhun City.
Looking back now, it was likely because of the three Soul Kings from Wuhun Palace who were competing. Wuhun Palace wanted to build momentum for these three Soul Kings!
The final of this Soul Master competition was set directly in front of the Pope's Hall. The five teams that won in the ranking matches, along with the three directly advancing teams from the Star Luo Empire, the Tiandou Empire, and Wuhun Palace, would compete for victory. A total of eight teams would battle it out.
The format for the finals was simple: a seven-person team elimination match.
"This Wuhun City is truly extraordinary; there isn't a single ordinary person here!" Feng Xiaotian marveled. Every person he passed by seemed to possess a notable amount of soul power.
"Haha, of course. The 'Holy City of Wuhun' name is not just for show," Huo Wushuang replied.
Due to the close relationship between Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu, Chishuo Academy shared a more intimate relationship with Wujie Academy.
While members of both Wujie Academy and Chishuo Academy were wandering through Wuhun Palace, Yun Yihui, the captain and representative of Wujie Academy, was heading to the Wuhun Palace to draw for their first-round opponent.
Neither Dugu Bo nor the three Clan Lords of Wujie Academy were present. As for the reason, well, those who understood, understood.
On the way to the draw, Yun Yihui was accompanied by Lie Wei, the Director of Chishuo Academy.
When they arrived, they found Flender of Shrek Academy, Yu Shoujun of Thunder Academy, and Lan Ruobing of Tian Shui Academy already there.
Upon seeing Yun Yihui, the three were quite surprised, but they quickly realized Yun Yihui held a high position in Wujie Academy.
After all, even though Dugu Bo and the three Clan Lords weren't present, Wujie Academy likely still had Soul Emperor-level teachers.
Compared to the simple surprise from Flender and Lan Ruobing, Yu Shoujun was thinking deeper.
The direct-line disciple, who had once been overlooked by his family, had grown faster than both Yu Tianxin and Yun Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin had been nurtured by the family for years, while Yun Yihui had been raised outside the family with minimal resources.
However, even if they didn't provide much support, direct-line disciples still had basic treatment.
Yu Shoujun thought to himself that once this competition was over, he needed to report back to the family head, Yu Yuanzhen.
An 18-year-old Soul King, with the fourth ring being a ten-thousand-year-old one, and a direct disciple from the family—if he grew up successfully, it would benefit the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Perhaps Yun Yihui had resentment against the family, but the bloodline connection was still there, and that couldn't be severed.
Moreover, it's never too late to mend the situation. Though late, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had a long legacy and could still offer valuable resources.
High-level soul rings, even soul bones—facing a genius like Yun Yihui, they could invest.
After a while, Bai Baoshan from the Tiandou Royal Academy, Dai Lun from the Star Luo Royal Academy, and Colkin, the Cardinal from Wuhun Palace, also arrived.