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Lingbo City.
Spirit Pagoda Branch.
Bai Xu's assistant stood in the hall with a grim expression, demanding, "Where are the people from the Douluo Empire branch? Why hasn't anyone come to handle the handover with us yet?"
The receptionist, visibly frightened, stammered, "Apologies, sir. Some urgent matters have arisen in the branch recently, and we haven't had the chance to inform you. Most of the senior members are occupied with handling the situation, so no one of appropriate rank is available to receive you."
Bai Xu patted his assistant's shoulder and said, "Forget it. The branch must have arranged accommodations for us, right?"
"Yes, sir. Please follow me."
Bai Xu and his assistant ventured deeper into the branch, settling in for the night.
"Assistant," Bai Xu called softly.
"Here, sir."
"Don't sleep tonight. Go to Beiyao City in the Douluo Empire and buy some local specialties for me. I want to bring them back for Spirit Master Gu Yue. Leave now," Bai Xu ordered.
"Ah? Sir, it's so far! The round trip will take two days! I won't be able to record the discussions with the branch!" the assistant protested helplessly.
"When you return, I'll put in a good word for you in front of Deputy Tower Master Leng. Who knows? Your family might even get a chance to connect with him. How about that?"
"Yes, sir! I've never been afraid of hard work!"
And just like that, the assistant was easily dismissed.
---
Midnight.
Underground, Third Floor of the Spirit Pagoda.
A secret elevator quietly ascended to the first floor.
The aura of a Titled Douluo instantly swept through the area as an eerie green spring began corroding the surrounding metal structures, triggering the Spirit Pagoda's piercing alarms.
The moment the alarms sounded, layers of soul shield barriers activated, isolating the area and concealing it from the outside world, enveloping the entire Spirit Pagoda in Lingbo City.
"Oh? The Spirit Pagoda is really going all out. They've even activated the soul shield barriers. Are they that afraid of letting that kid escape?" Two 96th-ranked elders of the Holy Spirit Cult sneered as they observed the scene from the void.
This large-scale defensive soul shield not only blocked external attacks but also trapped those inside. Combined with the concealment arrays, it seemed tonight's events were anything but ordinary.
"Haha, Hua Tao is getting greedy. This setup seems more like a trap for us," Xie Long chuckled darkly.
"If he really makes a move, we won't mind slaughtering everyone in this branch," Mo Teng replied coldly. Behind them, a group of black-robed men stood ready. The battle between Bai Xu and Poison Spring was merely the appetizer.
---
Elsewhere.
Bai Xu finally awoke from his meditation. A hissing sound of corrosion filled the air as the roof above him dissolved into a gaping hole, revealing the sinister figure of the evil soul master hovering in the night sky.
Yellow, Purple, Purple, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black—nine soul rings materialized. Poison Spring's wrinkled face twisted into a ghastly smile as he declared, "Die!"
A torrent of toxic water surged from his body, instantly submerging the building where Bai Xu had been staying. Within seconds, the metal structure was completely corroded, leaving behind only a foul, desolate wasteland. Yet Poison Spring's expression darkened as he stared at Bai Xu, who stood unharmed opposite him.
"You… this doesn't seem like the power of a Soul Sage. How did you evade my pressure?" Poison Spring muttered in shock.
Bai Xu ignored him, his gaze shifting to the dark sky above. Clearly, he had sensed the presence of others hiding in the shadows.
A faint, mysterious light began to envelop Bai Xu's body, radiating a deadly sense of danger.
Poison Spring's instincts screamed at him to retreat, but as he turned, a fist was already inches from his face.
"How—?!"
BOOM!
A 91st-ranked Titled Douluo was sent crashing from the sky into the ground, smashing through multiple buildings before finally coming to a stop. His face was unrecognizable—had he not defended with full strength at the last moment, his head would have exploded.
"Interesting… It seems the Ghost Emperor had ulterior motives. This is far beyond the strength of a Soul Sage," Xie Long mused, appearing before Bai Xu in an instant.
"Finally decided to show yourselves?" Bai Xu remarked coolly.
"Fascinating… Truly peculiar. Where does your power come from? No soul energy, just pure physical strength?" Xie Long asked. His nine soul rings—Purple, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red, Red—flared to life. "I'll leave your corpse intact."
Neither was one for idle chatter. The battle erupted instantly.
Xie Long's massive evil dragon avatar, over a hundred meters tall and resembling a Tyrannosaurus, wreaked havoc as it moved, toppling buildings and leaving the branch in ruins.
Evil dragons were the scourge of the dragon race—born wicked, ruthless, and cruel. Such creatures were usually slain by the Dragon Slaying Saber.
But—
CRACK!
Xie Long's massive jaws snapped shut on empty air. A bad premonition struck him just before an overwhelming force collided with his face. Despite Bai Xu's minuscule size compared to the dragon's massive form, the sheer power behind that punch sent Xie Long stumbling back several steps.
"This strength… Quit spectating and help!" Xie Long roared.
In response, countless dark vines surged from the sky, attempting to ensnare Bai Xu. Yet the five-colored figure weaved effortlessly through the air, evading every tendril.
"Immense physical strength, no soul energy… To think someone could rival a Martial Soul True Body with just their body," Xie Long communicated to Mo Teng.
"Tch, what's the use of brute strength? Once my vines bind him, he'll become nothing more than fertilizer!"
The two unleashed their full power simultaneously:
"Fifth Soul Skill: Black Demon Forest!"
"Eighth Soul Skill: Evil Dragon Battle!"
Countless black vines erupted from the ground, coiling around buildings and lunging toward Bai Xu like living serpents.
"Scarlet Flame."
Bai Xu's fiery aura erupted like a blazing sun. Massive fireballs rained down upon the Black Demon Forest, igniting towering infernos.
Meanwhile, Xie Long's dragon form expanded further, soaring high before plummeting like a meteor. His eighth soul skill reinforced his entire body, his scales hardening into obsidian-like armor. The sheer force of his descent was comparable to a fixed soul cannon explosion.
BOOM!
The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, reducing the surroundings to rubble. Fortunately, the soul shield held firm.
Xie Long dismissed his avatar, staring at the hundred-meter-deep crater he had created. "He took that head-on."
"What?!" Mo Teng exclaimed. Having worked alongside Xie Long for years, he knew even a 97th-ranked expert wouldn't dare withstand such an attack.
WHOOSH!
A five-colored flame ascended into the air. Bai Xu's right arm hung limp, his clothing torn, and his injuries severe. Yet as the five-colored light enveloped him, his body rapidly regenerated.
Flexing his restored arm, the usually taciturn Bai Xu remarked, "Fighting is much more enjoyable."
The two evil soul masters exchanged uneasy glances. This opponent was far more troublesome than anticipated.
"I'm curious. I've never provoked the Holy Spirit Cult. Why come after me?" Bai Xu asked.
"Enough talk!" Xie Long bellowed, veins bulging on his forehead. Two Super Douluos against a junior, yet they hadn't gained the upper hand—and now their opponent could heal?
His semi-dragon form activated, and his three-word battle armor fully manifested, Xie Lung charged forward.
But the humiliation only deepened. Renowned for his physical prowess, Xie Long found himself outmatched in close combat. A single punch from Bai Xu shattered the scales on his armored fist, leaving him trembling in pain.
Mo Teng, calmer, muttered, "Use your trump cards. Otherwise, this won't end well."
"Fine."
"Ninth Soul Skill: Black Devourer!"
"Ninth Soul Skill: Calamity of Evil Wrath!"
The black vines twisted into a swirling black hole, its gravitational pull threatening to tear Bai Xu apart. Simultaneously, Xie Long unleashed a spectral dragon composed of vengeful energy, its malevolent aura capable of shattering souls.
---
Another Section of the Spirit Pagoda.
"Tower Master, we must act! That guy from headquarters is far stronger than expected! Two Super Douluo evil soul masters haven't subdued him yet!" a panicked Titled Douluo reported.
"Silence! No matter who survives, they won't escape the branch's defenses. What are you afraid of?" Hua Tao, one of the Spirit Pagoda's Eighteen Heavenly Pillars, sneered confidently. Equipped with soul cannons, soul rays, and other weapons, the branch was fully armed. The Tower Master's orders were clear—no survivors. The secrets here would be buried forever.
Facing the two ninth soul skills, Bai Xu formed a hand seal, his eyes gleaming ruthlessly.
"Reversal!"
HUMMM—
A grayish-white energy spread from Bai Xu, flooding the entire area within the soul shield. Mo Teng's eyes widened in horror as his black hole collapsed. An inexplicable force disrupted everything, even destabilizing his soul energy. His ninth soul skill crumbled.
"How…?!" Mo Teng gasped, feeling his martial soul disintegrating from within.
"Pity. I've already studied your martial soul," Bai Xu said with a faint smile.
Xie Long's ninth soul skill fared slightly better, but Bai Xu countered with a five-element barrier. Realizing Mo Teng was on the verge of collapse, Xie Long poured everything into the fight. If Mo Teng fell, he'd be next.
As the two forces clashed, brilliant streaks of light streaked across the night sky—soul cannon shells, descending like deadly fireworks.
Seeing this, Bai Xu and Xie Long immediately disengaged, each scrambling to evade the impending explosions.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A series of detonations lit up the night. The true victor? The Spirit Pagoda, reaping the rewards of others' strife.