Heaven Dou Empire.
The intense preliminary rounds of the Soul Master Tournament had concluded in Heaven Dou City. All fifteen participating teams, escorted by five hundred Royal Knight Corps soldiers, embarked on their journey toward the grand finals venue—Spirit City.
Among the travelers were the Shrek Seven Devils and their companions. Under the protection of the Royal Knights, they received a hero's welcome along the way, with few daring to provoke them.
However, on the eleventh day of their journey, as they traversed a secluded path, a chilling aura emanated from the mountains flanking the road.
Countless boulders tumbled down like a torrential downpour, and from the hillsides emerged thousands of black-clad assailants, descending upon the tournament participants with terrifying speed.
In an instant, chaos erupted. The students, accustomed to fighting solo, found themselves struggling against the sheer numbers of the attackers.
"Tch, what a bunch of sheltered Soul Masters."
On a nearby hillside, a figure draped in white robes shook his head. Two hundred Soul Masters facing a thousand bandits, some of whom had reached the Soul King level—yet they were being overwhelmed. How embarrassing.
If they fought with the discipline of the Royal Knights, they could have ended this battle in no time.
His gaze shifted toward a certain spot on the battlefield—a young man in blue was fighting brilliantly, his hands launching concealed weapons with deadly precision. Each strike felled an opponent instantly.
"Not bad with hidden weapons… but far too conspicuous."
His eyes flickered toward three figures closing in on the young man. They moved with clear intent, targeting him directly. The observer did not intervene; he simply watched in silence.
The young man in blue—none other than Tang San, whom he hadn't seen in half a year—reacted swiftly. As his pursuers closed in, he hurled a Cluster Soul Chasing Ball, using the opening to retreat.
Unfortunately, his opponents' soul power flared—eight rings, seven rings, seven rings. One Soul Douluo, two Soul Saints.
The hidden weapon's power was just shy of what was needed. It failed to harm them in the slightest.
With a cold command from the Soul Douluo leading the assault, the two Soul Saints split off to engage Flender and Liu Erlong.
Meanwhile, the Soul Douluo activated his seventh soul ring, unleashing a dazzling golden light. His arms trembled midair, transforming into majestic golden wings. A vast golden phantom manifested behind him, his clothes turning into radiant feathers as he entered his Martial Soul True Body—Golden Eagle!
Just as the Golden Eagle Douluo was about to unleash devastation upon the younger generation, an aged figure stepped forward. A gentle wave of soul power spread, shielding Tang San and his companions from the overwhelming pressure.
The observer on the hillside narrowed his eyes as he recognized the frail figure below, a hint of curiosity flashing across his face.
"Huh? Didn't I scare him off last time? Why's he helping now?"
The frail figure was none other than Dragon Duke Meng Shu, renowned as half of the legendary Unrivaled Dragon Serpent duo. A Soul Douluo with a soul power level exceeding eighty.
The battlefield continued to shift. Dragon Duke's arrival forced the Golden Eagle Douluo into a stalemate. But before the situation could stabilize, a soft, eerie voice echoed from the distance.
A new figure in white descended.
The observer's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Finally, I've been waiting for you."
He muttered to himself, but still made no move. It wasn't time yet.
"Why haven't you finished them off yet? Must I do everything myself?"
The white-robed newcomer's voice cut through the battlefield. At his command, Dragon Duke and his wife immediately withdrew. He then ordered Golden Eagle Douluo to finish the job.
An immense pressure descended upon the Shrek Seven Devils once more. A faint floral fragrance drifted from the white-robed figure, and in mere moments, Tang San and the others found themselves utterly immobilized—unable to move, let alone circulate their soul power.
Yet, just as Golden Eagle Douluo prepared to strike, the white-robed man's gaze locked onto the aura of the Yearning Heartbroken Red flower in Xiao Wu's possession. Without hesitation, he struck Golden Eagle Douluo, sending him flying.
With Xiao Wu protected, his attention then turned to Dai Mubai. Realizing that Dai Mubai had ingested the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, which bore the same martial essence as his own, he chose to spare him as well.
Golden Eagle Douluo, meanwhile, was pitifully sent flying once more.
Watching this from the hillside, the observer couldn't help but chuckle.
"A dignified Soul Douluo reduced to this? How disgraceful."
The white-robed man's interference, however, bought enough time for another Titled Douluo to arrive. A tall, slender elder descended from the sky, his long black hair tinged with faint green, his gem-like emerald eyes glinting coldly.
As he walked through the air, his vast soul power surged.
"Oh? That must be Poison Douluo."
Few others would willingly step in to aid Tang San at such a moment.
With Poison Douluo's arrival, the battle dynamics shifted once again. But the observer on the hill remained motionless.
After all, the most important figures always arrived last—like himself.
"Well said. A chrysanthemum is a chrysanthemum, and that will never change. Old poison freak, I'm on your side."
As Poison Douluo and the white-robed Chrysanthemum Douluo exchanged sharp words, yet another shadowy figure silently materialized beside Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Ghost Douluo… Gui Mei."
Seeing yet another arrival, the hillside observer finally smiled in satisfaction.
"Perfect. Everyone's here."
Yet his gaze briefly shifted to the other side of the battlefield, where two more figures had also arrived.
Below, the fight had begun in earnest. Just as Chrysanthemum Douluo moved to strike Tang San, a sword gleamed, intercepting the attack.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin had arrived.
"The protagonist's luck is unreal."
Disasters turned to fortune, certain death transformed into salvation. The observer couldn't help but sigh at Tang San's extraordinary fate.
"Meanwhile, I've never even faced danger. My cultivation just skyrockets effortlessly—no struggles, no setbacks. It's honestly a bit boring."
With the arrival of Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi, the battle tilted decisively. Just the combined force of those two alone was beyond what Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo could handle. Adding Poison Douluo into the mix made victory impossible.
Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the two enemy Douluos swiftly retreated.
The observer on the hill, having watched the entire sequence unfold, finally rolled his shoulders.
With a flash, he appeared before the retreating Douluos.
"Leaving so soon? Did you ask for my permission?"
-------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here for advance chapters: patreon.com / igotneonlight