As for giving the Spirit-Concentrating Head Bone to Tang San?
Lin Fan hadn't even considered it.
He'd rather give it to Ning Rongrong or Oscar, or at the very least, keep it himself as a family heirloom.
"Thank you." Zhu Zhuqing was slightly surprised as she accepted the Wind-Chasing Leg Bone.
"Thanks, Brother Xuan!" Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong both chirped.
"No need for thanks. We're all one team, and the reward was meant for all of you. You three just happen to be the most suitable for these three spirit bones," Lin Fan replied calmly.
"You say that, but everyone knows this victory was thanks to you. Are you sure you don't want to keep one?" Flender said with emotion, clearly feeling guilty.
Lin Fan's face grew solemn. He didn't reply—because powerful figures had already begun to surround them.
"Have you finished distributing the rewards?" Bibi Dong's voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention.
She stepped forward and continued,
"Since the rewards are settled, the tournament is officially concluded."
Then she suddenly gave the order:
"Ghost, Yue Guan—take that girl!"
"Yes!" the two responded, instantly leaping toward Xiao Wu.
Whoosh—!
A massive silver sword suddenly stabbed into the ground in front of them, releasing such powerful soul pressure that the two were forced to retreat.
It was Sword Douluo who had intervened, deterring Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo. They had no choice but to return to Bibi Dong's side.
Though Sword Douluo's soul power was only one level higher, at Rank 96, the gap was enormous. At that stage, one level was like a chasm. If it truly came to a fight, even the two of them together might not be his match, especially with his unparalleled offensive capabilities.
"Hmph!" Bibi Dong struck the ground with her scepter, snorting coldly.
Immediately, Spirit Hall soldiers and experts surrounded the square in multiple layers.
"What's going on? Is Spirit Hall trying to go back on their word now that they've lost?" Liu Erlong clenched her fists and growled.
"No... It looks like they're trying to capture Xiao Wu," Yu Xiaogang observed, noticing how Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo kept looking at her.
"But why? Could her family have some feud with Spirit Hall?" Flender asked in confusion.
Ning Fengzhi felt somewhat responsible. After all, his soul ability had inadvertently exposed Xiao Wu. And as Grand Tutor of Heaven Dou Empire, not to mention Shrek Academy's ally and Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, he felt a need to step in.
So he spoke up:
"Your Holiness, perhaps we should clarify things further before taking action?"
But Bibi Dong harshly cut him off:
"Sect Master Ning, show some self-respect. If you interfere again, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will be considered an enemy of Spirit Hall."
"Hmph?" Sword Douluo Chenxin immediately stepped forward with killing intent.
But Ning Fengzhi raised a hand to stop him. They were still inside Spirit City, in front of the Pope's Palace—this was not the time to act recklessly. The situation was beyond their control.
Meanwhile, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo once again prepared to move.
"Wait!" Yu Xiaogang stepped forward and declared righteously,
"Xiao Wu is a student of Shrek Academy. As her teacher, I have a right to know the truth. On what grounds are you trying to take her?"
"That's right!" Tang San stood protectively in front of Xiao Wu.
"Even if Spirit Hall is strong and claims to be the sanctuary of soul masters, you can't just act lawlessly in public. Why are you targeting a 14-year-old girl?"
Bibi Dong replied coldly,
"You want to know why? Then ask your student."
"Spirit Hall exists to protect the soul master world and the continent—to eliminate all threats and hidden dangers."
"If she is a soul beast in human form, then we have every right to apprehend her."
As she spoke, she raised her scepter and pointed it directly at Xiao Wu.
"What?!" Yu Xiaogang and the others were shocked and looked at Xiao Wu in disbelief.
As a theoretical master, Yu Xiaogang naturally understood what kind of existence a soul beast in human form represented. After all, he had taught them about soul beasts before.
"Impossible! That's impossible!" Tang San shouted,
"I've watched Xiao Wu grow up since we were kids, through soul master elementary school until now. We've known each other for years. How could she be a soul beast?"
Because his Purple Demon Eye hadn't yet broken through to the Micro Realm—as he hadn't taken the Autumn Water Dew—he couldn't see Xiao Wu's true form.
At this point, Tang San was still in the dark.
Of course, even if he had known earlier, he would likely still make the same choice, just as he did in the original story.
Bibi Dong sneered,
"Think I'm bluffing? If you don't believe me, then ask your Sect Master and Sword Douluo yourself."
Ning Rongrong quickly turned to her father:
"Daddy, is it true?"
Ning Fengzhi looked into his daughter's hopeful eyes, then at Bibi Dong… and could only sigh and nod.
He quietly explained:
"I didn't know her aura had been masked by something powerful. Otherwise, I wouldn't have used my Seven Treasures True Form. Without that concealment, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo in Heaven Dou City would've identified her long ago."
Bibi Dong, seeing Ning Fengzhi admit it, spoke again:
"Now, do you believe me? Hand the girl over, and I'll let the rest of you leave Spirit City unharmed."
"If not—those who block me, die!"
Her final warning was clear.
"No way! If you want to kill her, you'll have to step over my corpse first!" Tang San shouted, stepping forward, his voice firm and unwavering.
"Xiao Wu has taken human form—she's just like us. Not all soul beasts are evil."
"All I know is, she's my sister—my most beloved sister."
"So what if she's human or soul beast?"
Dai Mubai moved to his side.
"Tang San is right. We only know Xiao Wu as our teammate, not some soul beast. Shrek stands united—life and death together."
"Hold on—don't lump me in with you all."
Lin Fan immediately stepped away and said coldly,
"I only joined temporarily. The tournament is over. I have no ties with you anymore."
Then he walked to the edge of the square.
Unlike the original story, there was no Dugu Bo here, but it didn't matter. Lin Fan knew Tang Hao would intervene to save Tang San and Xiao Wu.
For now, it was better to maintain the identity of "Lin Xuan."
With Tang Hao involved, Xiao Wu wouldn't die.
If Lin Fan revealed his true identity now, it would draw the wrath of not just Spirit Hall, but also the two great empires.
After all, a Titled Douluo disguising himself as a teenager to fight kids was something neither Spirit Hall nor the empires would tolerate.
Bibi Dong glanced at Lin Xuan but didn't say anything more. Since he had cut ties, out of respect for Lin Fan, she decided to leave him alone.
"We old ones aren't dead yet. No need for you, young ones, to stand in front."
Flender adjusted his glasses and, unusually serious, stepped up to shield Tang San and the others.