Tang Lan's solution?
Zhao Wuji didn't dare to use it!
Or rather—
Unless they were in absolute desperation, he wasn't willing to use it.
As he hesitated—
Yu Xiaogang walked over alone.
Despite using Nine Yang Divine Skill and medicine to break through to Rank 29, finally becoming a Three-Ring Soul Elder,
He was still far too weak in front of three Titled Douluo and one Soul Douluo.
Luckily, Liu Erlong reacted quickly, soaring into the air to block most of the oppressive aura.
Allowing Yu Xiaogang to step onto the battlefield where the four were facing off.
Zhao Wuji and Wang Dali retracted their pressure—it was one of their own, after all.
But unexpectedly—
Even Gui Mei and Yue Guan withdrew their pressure.
All because—
Yu Xiaogang raised a token high in his hand.
It bore six distinct symbols—a sword, a hammer, a dragon, a crown, a chrysanthemum, and a humanoid figure.
This was one of the only three in existence—
The Pope's Decree!
Whoever possessed this token held the authority of a Spirit Hall Elder, equivalent to the Pope's personal presence!
"I am Yu Xiaogang, an Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall!" Yu Xiaogang declared. "At the same time, I am also a Guest Elder of Tang Sect. I ask the two elders not to make things difficult for Tang Sect."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei courteously raised their hands in greeting, retracting their previous aggression.
"Elder Yu, why such formalities?"
Yue Guan responded smoothly—
"This operation was personally approved by Her Holiness the Pope. Tang Sect is being directly promoted to one of the Seven Great Sects—how can this be considered making things difficult?"
"How about this?" Yue Guan offered. "We can give Elder Yu the time of one incense stick to convince Vice Sect Master Zhao on behalf of Spirit Hall."
"To decide whether Tang Sect will become one of the 'Lower Four Sects' or…"
Yue Guan chuckled softly.
Then, with Gui Mei, vanished above the academy gates.
Yu Xiaogang could only sigh helplessly.
He turned to Zhao Wuji and Wang Dali.
"Are you certain you can't contact the Sect Master?" Yu Xiaogang asked again.
Zhao Wuji and Wang Dali didn't doubt him and immediately shook their heads.
"You don't even know where the Sect Master went?" Yu Xiaogang frowned. "Right now, Tang Sect is at a life-or-death crossroads! That Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't even care about the Pope's Decree—he's determined to force this outcome today!"
Zhao Wuji let out a bitter laugh.
"If I knew where the Sect Master was, I'd have gone to get him already!"
"All he said before leaving was that he'd be gone for a year and would return before the Elite Tournament—that's all!"
Yu Xiaogang turned to Wang Dali.
Wang Dali sighed—he knew even less.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes flickered with thought.
Just as he was about to speak—
Liu Erlong interrupted.
"Why don't we just agree for now? Stall for time, and decide when the Sect Master returns."
"Besides, the Sect Master's goal has always been to surpass the 'Upper Three Sects'—this might even accelerate that process."
Zhao Wuji seemed tempted.
Yu Xiaogang kept silent, waiting for Zhao Wuji's decision.
But Zhao Wuji shook his head repeatedly.
"You're thinking too simply!"
Zhao Wuji pointed outside—
At the Spirit Hall soul masters, watching like tigers eyeing their prey.
"I know Spirit Hall far too well—if they can't use you, they'd rather destroy you!"
"And when it comes to their subordinates, they act with absolute ruthlessness."
"Mark my words—if I agree right now, the very next thing they'll do is 'test our sincerity' by demanding Tang Sect's core techniques!"
"Especially the full original contract for Soul Spirit Equality—and even our trained Transmission Masters—they'll take them all!"
Liu Erlong was momentarily speechless.
"Can you refuse?" Yu Xiaogang pressed. "If you agree, you'll at least buy some time. If you refuse, Tang Sect may be wiped out tonight."
"Would they dare?!" Liu Erlong's eyes burned with fury. "The Sect Master is already recognized as the esteemed 'Master Tang' across the continent! If Spirit Hall does this, aren't they afraid of making enemies everywhere?!"
Zhao Wuji and Wang Dali clearly thought the same.
They simply couldn't believe that Spirit Hall would take such an extreme step.
Would Spirit Hall really go so far as to strike at Tang Sect within Tian Dou City, despite its rising prestige?
"Spirit Hall has no choice."
Yu Xiaogang stated calmly—
"Precisely because the Sect Master is recognized as 'Master Tang' and deeply loved by the people."
"The soul masters currently waiting in line outside Tang Sect—
"In the past, they would have been Spirit Hall's first choices."
"Tang Sect is undermining Spirit Hall at its very roots!"
"And now, with the emergence of soul spirits, Spirit Hall's authority among civilian soul masters has been completely shaken."
"Adding in the communication soul tools, which control the flow of information, and firearms and hidden weapons, which neutralize the advantage of mid- and low-level soul masters—"
"If Tang Sect is allowed to grow unchecked, it will become an even greater force than the Upper Three Sects—perhaps even another Spirit Hall!"
"If you were in their position, would you act now or wait until Tang Sect becomes unstoppable?"
Zhao Wuji and the others were warriors.
They hadn't thought that far ahead.
But after Yu Xiaogang's analysis—
The situation suddenly seemed far more dire.
Seizing the moment, Yu Xiaogang pressed on—
"Spirit Hall came fully prepared, while Tang Sect's elite forces were taken away by the Sect Master."
"If a conflict breaks out now, Tang Sect will be utterly defeated."
"Rather than throwing away our lives, it's better to endure this crisis—for the Sect Master to return and turn the tide."
His arguments were seamless.
Zhao Wuji's hesitation turned into resolve.
He glanced toward Gui Mei and Yue Guan in the distance, his eyes flashing with hostility.
"Since it has come to this, we'll have to follow the Sect Master's plan and activate—Plan B!"
He pulled out a Soul Communication Device.
Instead of making a call, he directly announced—
"Qian Gong! As per the Sect Master's orders, broadcast the Soul Spirit Equality Contract to everyone!"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in shock!
Broadcast what?!
The Soul Spirit Equality Contract?!
If that was sent out—
Wouldn't the entire continent be thrown into chaos?!
Instinctively, he raised his hand, about to yell—
"Da-da-da—"
The sound of galloping hooves erupted.
A massive force of Imperial Guards surged forth, surrounding Spirit Hall's forces!
Gui Mei flashed into the air, blocking their advance.
His raspy voice rang out:
"Spirit Hall is conducting official business—withdraw at once!"
Spirit Hall?!
The Imperial Guards halted, momentarily uncertain.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Even heavier hooves thundered through the streets.
A large military force charged in from the far end of the road.
At the head of the army, stood Prince Xue Xing!
Yue Guan's eyelid twitched!
This old bastard again?!
Years ago, this same man had led the Tian Dou army and rescued Dugu Bo from his hands.
And now, he was here again?!
Yue Guan's aura exploded as he soared into the sky!
Before he could even utter a threat—
"All units—disengage safety locks!" Prince Xue Xing roared.
"If I fall in battle, command will pass down in sequence—defend Tian Dou's honor at all costs!"
Countless firearms locked onto their targets.
Even a Titled Douluo like Yue Guan felt a wave of dread!
He remembered the intelligence reports—
The Barrett rifle—capable of sniping a Titled Douluo from long range!
"Old Ghost! Be on guard!"
Both Gui Mei and Yue Guan surged with soul power, bracing for possible gunfire.
As they watched the massive army charging in, they knew—
The purge operation had failed.
Even as Titled Douluo, they were still only human.
Against a hundred thousand soldiers,
They would eventually be worn down and slain.
Yet, Yue Guan was still unwilling to accept defeat.
He fixed his gaze on Prince Xue Xing, voice filled with false bravado—
"Does the Tian Dou Empire truly wish to sever ties with Spirit Hall for the sake of Tang Sect?!"
Prince Xue Xing was just about to respond—
Suddenly!
(End of Chapter)