As Bibi Dong executed her Martial Soul Fusion Skill, temporarily breaking through level 100, Ye Hao's identity was officially announced to the entire Spirit Hall.
Ye Hao, the young master of the Spirit Hall.
That night, to celebrate Ye Hao becoming the young master of the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong hosted a grand celebration banquet for him. Almost all the elders of the Spirit Hall attended.
Surprisingly, even Qian Daoliu, who usually stayed behind the scenes, attended the banquet, which showed just how much Qian Daoliu expected of Ye Hao.
The next morning, as the sun rose and its warm rays pierced through the clouds, filling the room and shining on Ye Hao's face, he lay motionless on the bed, still in a deep sleep.
The night before, there had been too many people to meet. Ye Hao had followed Bibi Dong around, introducing himself to many high-ranking members of the Spirit Hall and greeting them one by one.
Since Bibi Dong had temporarily broken through level 100 the previous day, the effect had been remarkable. Those who had previously been dissatisfied with her now became amiable, even speaking cautiously.
"Ahhh!"
Ye Hao let out a scream, jolting awake and sitting up in bed.
"Mom, why are you in my room?" Ye Hao clutched the blanket, his eyelids heavy.
Bibi Dong stood with her hands on her hips, scolding him, "Do you know what time it is? As the young master of the Spirit Hall, how can you sleep in? Get up and help me with the Spirit Hall's affairs."
"Huh?" Ye Hao's head was filled with confusion.
"Being the young master of the Spirit Hall isn't easy!"
And so, under Bibi Dong's stern attitude, Ye Hao, for the first time in his life, did not laze in bed.
Now, with dark circles under his eyes, Ye Hao walked down the corridor of the Pope's Hall.
Along the way, disciples of the Spirit Hall saluted him, acknowledging his status.
After a quick breakfast, Ye Hao arrived at Bibi Dong's office, where he found her handling the Spirit Hall's affairs.
As she had said the day before, being the Pope was not as easy as it seemed.
"You're here. Sit down and help your mother," Bibi Dong said, glancing up and motioning for Ye Hao to sit.
Ye Hao sat beside Bibi Dong, picking up a document and glancing at it. At first glance, he felt dizzy.
"Mom, don't you have Hu Liena? Why did you call me here?" Ye Hao shook his head vigorously. The documents before him were like "hieroglyphics."
"Nana is preparing for the upcoming elimination matches. Since you're back, the young master of the Spirit Hall can't just sit around. Did you think this position would be easy?" Bibi Dong said, writing furiously.
Ye Hao: Is it too late to regret this now?
"Mom, don't forget, I'm also one of the participating students."
Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him.
"With your strength, you don't even need Nana and the others to step in. You could probably sweep the entire competition by yourself.
Do you still need to train?"
Ye Hao's mouth twitched. That was probably true.
Then, Ye Hao's eyes lit up. "Mom, I remember Elder Ju and Elder Ghost were going to hunt down Tang San, right?"
"Yes," Bibi Dong nodded, sipping a cup of fragrant tea.
"They set off last night. It shouldn't be long before they take action."
Bibi Dong seemed to remember something and slapped her forehead. "I almost forgot. Didn't the Death God and the Sea God agree that Tang San couldn't be killed yet?
I guess Elder Ghost and the others are going for nothing."
"No," Ye Hao smiled slightly. "Elder Ghost and the others aren't going for nothing.
As previously agreed, I can't kill Tang San before he obtains the Sea God's Nine Trials.
But that doesn't mean I can't make him despair.
In the previous matches, I've already made Tang San feel despair several times. Now is a great opportunity. For Tang San, that waste Yu Xiaogang is like a second father.
And now, Yu Xiaogang is imprisoned by us."
Ye Hao paused, then continued, "Sometimes, tormenting someone is far more satisfying than killing them.
Mom, let me go too. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Bibi Dong chuckled. "Go ahead! You look so reluctant. Handling administrative tasks seems to be the death of you.
Who are you planning to take with you?"
Ye Hao didn't hesitate. "Just Xie Hu is enough. Zhu Zhu and Zhu'er can stay by your side for now. They're new to the Spirit Hall and aren't familiar with things yet."
"Alright, go early and come back soon."
After bidding farewell to Bibi Dong, Ye Hao prepared to set off for the ambush location targeting Tang San.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit dungeon.
Yu Xiaogang, tattered and covered in dirt, huddled in a corner. The arrogance he once had was completely gone.
Watching Dao Ba and the others across from him devouring steamed buns, Yu Xiaogang pressed his empty stomach and couldn't help but say, "Brother Dao Ba, I haven't eaten in two days. Can you give me that bun in your hand?"
Dao Ba frowned, clearly unwilling.
"You, a thing that's neither male nor female, dare to ask me for food? We're doing this for your own good. You just got here, and your stomach is still full of grease. Eating this isn't healthy for you. Wait a few more days, and you'll get something to eat."
Yu Xiaogang clenched his fists. How had he fallen to this point, reduced to begging for food from prisoners?
Just then, two men holding steel knives slowly walked in.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the cell grew tense. Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened as he stared at the cold, gleaming blades in their hands. He couldn't help but tremble. Were these men here to take his life?
"Ah—"
One of the men let out a long cry, pressing the blade against Yu Xiaogang's throat. The knife radiated a chilling killing intent.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened, not daring to utter a word. Indeed, these men were here to kill him.
But the next second, as warm blood splattered across Yu Xiaogang's face, he finally broke down. He fell to his knees, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. Tears poured out like a flood, unstoppable.
"Take it away quickly. The young master specifically instructed it."
One of the men beheaded the evil soul master and stuffed the head into a cloth bag.
"Trash is trash. How can they be so easily frightened?"
The two men laughed heartily before leaving.
The entire incident lasted only a few minutes, but for Yu Xiaogang, it felt like an eternity.
Staring at the dark, gloomy ceiling of the prison cell, Yu Xiaogang felt an indescribable emotion. He had a feeling that he would be stuck here for the rest of his life.
"I refuse to accept this!!!" Yu Xiaogang screamed desperately, but all it earned him was a beating from Dao Ba and the others.
Since Yu Xiaogang had arrived in this prison, they hadn't had a single peaceful day.
...
Meanwhile, Ye Hao had left the Spirit Hall and was flying at high speed using his Six-Winged Purple Light Wings. He was doing his best to reach the target location.
But at the same time, the convoy from the Heaven Dou Royal Empire had already clashed with the Spirit Hall.
More and more black-clad figures surrounded the Heaven Dou Royal Knights, using massive boulders to block off the canyon and divide it into several battlefields.
Although the Royal Knights were the most elite force of the Heaven Dou Empire, most of them were ordinary people. Facing soul masters, they were at a significant disadvantage.
For a moment, the battle was at a stalemate.
"Sixth Soul Skill: Golden Stamen Flowing Radiance."
Under Yue Guan's feet, the sixth soul ring lit up. The Chrysanthemum appeared in his hand, gathering powerful soul power as petals shot out, transforming into a meteor shower that rained down.
After consuming the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum given to him by Ye Hao, Yue Guan's stagnant soul power had broken through to level 97. His status within the Spirit Hall had significantly improved.
It was worth noting how difficult it was for a Title Douluo at level 95 to advance even a single level.
Yet, just one Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum had allowed Yue Guan to rise two levels.
Yue Guan was immensely grateful to Ye Hao and silently vowed to serve the Spirit Hall for life.
The petal rain fell instantly, each petal as hard as steel, capable of slicing through the air.
Yue Guan had only one target: Tang San.
He couldn't let Tang San reach the Spirit Hall alive. That was the mission Bibi Dong had given him.
Facing a Title Douluo, Tang San couldn't muster even a fraction of his strength. He collapsed to the ground, helplessly watching the attack approach. From beginning to end, Tang San was like a fish on a chopping block, at the mercy of others.
"Xiao San!"
Flender was struggling to deal with a soul master whose martial soul was a Golden Eagle. The threat was too great.
On the other side, Liu Erlong was in a similar situation. Even after using her strongest seventh soul skill, Martial Soul True Body, the sheer number of soul masters from the Spirit Hall overwhelmed her, leaving her restrained and struggling.
As for the rest of the Shrek Seven Devils, they were heavily injured. When under attack, they chose to temporarily regroup.
Yue Guan, now at level 97, saw these students as nothing more than weaklings. Their attacks were useless against him.
At the critical moment, Qin Ming, despite his severe injuries, dragged Tang San away. However, he himself spat out blood. Even with his martial soul activated, he had taken a direct hit from a Title Douluo's powerful attack.
Qin Ming was on the verge of collapse.
"Senior Qin..." Tang San's eyes turned red as he looked up at Yue Guan standing in mid-air. Furious, he shouted, "If I survive today, I swear I will kill you with my own hands!"
Hearing this, Yue Guan smirked, his expression full of disdain.
"Kid, you should be careful with your words. Even though you have twin martial souls, today, this will be your burial ground."
Just then, a black-clad figure wielding the Clear Sky Hammer emerged. The nine soul rings on the hammer were neatly arranged.
Seeing this, Tang San and the others finally felt a sense of relief.
"Tang Hao?" Yue Guan narrowed his eyes. "No, you're not Tang Hao."
The aura this person exuded was completely different from Tang Hao's. Moreover, Tang Hao had already been crippled by the young master, losing an arm and a leg. He was now a mere shell of his former self.
"You're Tang Xiao!" Yue Guan smiled slightly, intrigued. "I never expected the clan master of the Clear Sky Clan to personally show up. What's the matter? Has the Clear Sky Clan decided to stop hiding like turtles and finally reopen its doors to the soul master world?"
"Yue Guan, you want to kill my nephew. How can I stand by and do nothing? The humiliation the Spirit Hall brought upon the Clear Sky Clan in the past, I will repay it in full today!"
"Yue Guan, prepare to die!"
Tang Xiao swung the Clear Sky Hammer, its nine soul rings instantly lighting up as he brought it crashing down toward Yue Guan's head.
Seeing this, Yue Guan couldn't help but smile. He slowly extended his right hand, and the Chrysanthemum materialized in his palm, transforming into a golden barrier to withstand the overwhelming pressure of the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Xiao San, are you alright?" Flender, covered in blood and with his crystal glasses shattered, quickly descended from the sky and rushed to Tang San's side.
Seeing that Tang San was unharmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Xiao Ming."
Immediately after, Flender helped Qin Ming to his feet. Having taken a direct hit from a Title Douluo's sixth soul skill, Qin Ming was now hanging on by a thread.
"Dean Flender..."
"Is... is Xiao San alright?" Qin Ming asked weakly.
Flender's eyes filled with tears as he replied, "He's fine, Xiao San is fine. Don't talk, Xiao Ming. Save your strength."
"Jiang Zhu, prepare to heal Xiao Ming. Xiao Ao, get the sausages ready."
Following Flender's orders, the two quickly sprang into action. Jiang Zhu used her martial soul, the Healing Staff, to treat Qin Ming, while Oscar prepared sausages to distribute to everyone. The battle ahead was far more complicated than they had imagined.
"Dean, these people must have been sent by the Spirit Hall," Tang San said with certainty.
Flender nodded grimly. "Aside from the Spirit Hall, who else on this continent could muster such strength?
Right now, I'm not worried about anything else. I just fear that Xiaogang's trip to the Spirit Hall... might not end well."
Yu Xiaogang held an extremely important place in Tang San's heart, on par with his own father. He was essentially a second "father" to Tang San.
"Don't worry, Dean Flender. Teacher is blessed with great fortune. He'll definitely be fine," Tang San said, though his heart was filled with doubt. He could only offer these words of comfort.
"I hope so," Flender sighed deeply.
At the same time, Tang Xiao, wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, brought it down with full force. The massive hammerhead was even larger than Yue Guan himself, and its overwhelming momentum sent shivers down the spines of everyone present. Was this the power of the number one tool-type martial soul in the world?
Yue Guan, however, remained unfazed. He simply used a barrier woven from the Chrysanthemum to block the attack.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!!!"
A series of dull thuds echoed as Tang Xiao swung the Clear Sky Hammer against the barrier Yue Guan had conjured. Surprisingly, the barrier stood firm, unyielding even under the relentless strikes of the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Tang Xiao, you're only at level 96. How do you expect to defeat me, a level 97?" Yue Guan chuckled. At the same time, the Chrysanthemum transformed into a golden blade, forcefully repelling Tang Xiao.
Tang Xiao was shocked. Yue Guan's soul power far surpassed his own. This couldn't be.
"I thought the Clear Sky Clan would behave after sealing themselves away. I never expected you, the clan master, to be so reckless as to come here seeking death. Since that's the case, I'll grant your wish."
"Old Ghost! It's time to show yourself!"
Yue Guan let out a long cry.
Tang Xiao instantly understood, and the shadow over his heart grew heavier.
Before the crowd, another figure appeared beside Yue Guan. This person was shrouded in darkness, with only a ghostly silhouette visible and no soul rings in sight.
Someone who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Yue Guan could only be another Title Douluo.
Tang San gritted his teeth, filled with resentment. To kill him, the Spirit Hall had actually sent two Title Douluos. They were really giving him too much credit.
"I never expected even Ghost Douluo to come," Tang Xiao muttered, swallowing hard. Given the current situation, it seemed likely that their entire group would perish here today.
Two Title Douluos. In an instant, the Shrek Academy members felt a strong sense of impending doom. The probability of dying here today had just skyrocketed.
Gui Mei and Yue Guan attacked together, their coordination seamless, leaving Tang Xiao with no chance to fight back.
Tang Xiao retreated as he fought, never gaining the upper hand. Subconsciously, he glanced back at Tang San, who was standing behind him. Tang San was the future hope of the Clear Sky Clan. As long as Tang San lived, there would always be a chance for revenge.
"Tang Xiao! Die!"
Gui Mei's right hand transformed into a ghostly claw. At the critical moment, a silver longsword shot through the air, carrying a fierce momentum. The moment the sword struck the ground, Yue Guan and Ghost Mei instantly realized who was behind it.
The silver-white longsword stood upright on the ground. At the same time, an elderly man in white robes and with white hair walked over slowly.
He glanced at Tang Xiao, who was gasping for breath, and said calmly, "Brother Tang, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Not dead yet," Tang Xiao replied, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the white-haired elder.
The sudden turn of events was too much, leaving Yue Guan and Gui Mei feeling a sense of unreality.
"Sword Douluo, Chen Xin?" Yue Guan asked in surprise. "I've heard that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Shrek Academy don't get along. By choosing to intervene for Tang San today, are you openly declaring yourselves our enemies?"
Facing Yue Guan's question, Ning Fengzhi, holding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, stepped forward. The pagoda's seven soul rings were neatly arranged, emitting a dazzling array of colors.
"Elder Yue, you misunderstand. We are here under His Majesty's orders to protect the Crown Prince's safety. You've gone to such great lengths to mobilize so many soul masters. Yet, all this for a fourteen-year-old Tang San? Isn't that a bit excessive? To have two Title Douluos show up together?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in his hand instantly radiated a brilliant seven-colored light. In that moment, as the light entered Tang Xiao's body, he was instantly revitalized. The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand felt heavier than ever, and his eyes burned with determination. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda providing continuous support, it was like having a stabilizing pill.
Ning Fengzhi's actions were born of necessity. Yue Guan and Ghost Mei were inseparable, and together they were a force to be reckoned with on the continent.
Moreover, Yue Guan's soul power had unexpectedly broken through to level 97, something no one had anticipated.
If Tang Xiao were to die here today, the Clear Sky Clan would be left without a leader.
With Tang Hao already crippled, the Clear Sky Twin Stars—one dead and the other disabled—would leave the Clear Sky Clan severely weakened.
In the future, the Spirit Hall would inevitably target the top three clans. In this critical moment, the saying "the top three clans stand together" truly came into play.
"Damn it! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan chose to intervene at this moment," Yue Guan gritted his teeth. The situation had changed too drastically.
Seeing the tide turn, Tang San quickly moved behind Tang Xiao and whispered, "Uncle, let's kill these two."
Tang San's words caused Tang Xiao's brows to furrow deeply. Even with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's intervention, killing the two before them in a two-on-two situation would be extremely difficult.
It was important to note that their Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Two-Pole Static Domain could freeze everything within a certain range.
This was the reason for the stalemate. Tang Xiao and the others dared not make a move.
"Stay back! This is a fight between adults. What business does a child have interfering?" Tang Xiao scolded harshly.
Hearing this, Tang San was momentarily stunned, then retreated to the back of the group with resentment in his heart. His gaze was filled with hatred as he glared at the people before him, his ugly demeanor fully revealed.
"Yue Guan, I advise you to leave now before things escalate further. If this continues, not only will you fail to kill Tang San, but you might also implicate..."
At this point, Ning Fengzhi stopped himself. Some things couldn't be said outright.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged glances. Given the current situation, killing Tang San was no longer feasible.
Now that Ning Fengzhi's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and Sword Douluo had joined the fight, the pressure shifted to Yue Guan's side.
After some consideration, Yue Guan and Gui Mei made a decision.
Suddenly, a crimson figure descended from the sky.
The newcomer was a man over two meters tall, with bulging muscles and dark scales covering his vital areas. He wore a black outfit, and his sea-blue hair cascaded down his back. His eyes were filled with a blood-red hue.
His arrival caused another dramatic shift in the situation.
An overwhelming stench of blood emanated from the man, causing everyone present