Thanks to Tianlin's deliberate allowing, Qian Daoliu encountered no obstacles and easily flew past Jialing Pass to the battlefield at Heaven Dou City.
After their previous defeat, Bibi Dong was cautious — the Spirit Empire couldn't afford another loss. Yet having come so far, she couldn't give up easily. She sent orders to the Luo family at Jialing Pass to bring reinforcements.
Luo Hengji pretended to reply that they'd arrive in three days, buying a rare moment of calm for the battlefield.
Qian Daoliu's arrival shocked Bibi Dong and brought even more shocking news: their rear had been completely taken by Tianlin, yet they had received no word.
Tuoba Xi and the Luo family's betrayal had left them completely exposed, suddenly turning their hundreds of thousands of troops into an isolated force — a major military taboo.
Maybe Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong, as Ultimate Douluo, could break out, but what about everyone else? Most would be annihilated.
Bibi Dong was furious.
"Jun Tianlin and Ning Fengzhi — those bastards! They lured me in with tricks on the battlefield, and used spies behind my back. Despicable!"
"Bibi Dong, anger is useless now. Yesterday, when I arrived, Tianlin intercepted me," Qian Daoliu said.
"Intercepted you? Didn't you fight?" Bibi Dong asked, confused.
Qian Daoliu shook his head.
"No. He stopped me not to prevent me from coming, but to propose, on behalf of himself and Chen Xin, a duel between the four of us tomorrow before the armies."
Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others were puzzled.
"Challenging you directly when they have the advantage doesn't fit Tianlin's character. Could there be a plot?"
"No," Qian Daoliu reasoned. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, now a major player, isn't using brute force — they're focused on surrendering enemies and minimizing casualties, aiming for unification by the kingly way."
"Hmph, kingly way or not, since they want a fight, we'll give them one," Bibi Dong said. She preferred direct confrontation over battlefield trickery.
Now, with both martial souls at rank ninety-nine peak, Bibi Dong's actual combat power was slightly above Qian Daoliu's. She was confident in her strength.
In her last fight with Chen Xin, had it continued, he would surely have died.
She even had a secret technique prepared to counter Tianlin's invincible Holy Spirit Pearl.
"In that case, tomorrow, you take on Tianlin. I'll handle Sword Dao Chen Xin," Qian Daoliu said. He knew that outside the Hall of Worship, Bibi Dong was Spirit Empire's strongest — only she could possibly defeat Tianlin.
"Also, if possible, try to kill Tianlin tomorrow. Don't hold back for Xue'er's sake."
Qian Daoliu didn't mention the wager — Bibi Dong would never agree to surrender anyway. If they won, they'd discuss it then. If they lost, Bibi Dong would be dead, so it wouldn't matter.
Qian Daoliu admired Tianlin, but compared to Spirit Hall's unification, he still hoped Bibi Dong would win. The wager was only a last resort.
"You don't need to say it. Do you think I'd go easy on him for that reason?" Bibi Dong said coldly.
Qian Daoliu said no more — Bibi Dong was far more ruthless than him, and he had nothing to worry about.
…
The next morning, the Spirit Empire army pressed Heaven Dou City again. On the city wall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's top members assembled. Tianlin had arrived the previous night, and Ning Fengzhi was both excited and anxious.
He was happy that their sect was now the strongest on the continent, but worried that, if Tianlin and Chen Xin lost, all their efforts would be for nothing.
This was another weakness in their plan — with their current advantage, Bibi Dong's isolated force should be doomed. There was no need for a duel. But the casualties would be massive. As the Holy Spirit Pearl, Tianlin couldn't stomach unnecessary killing — he refused to slaughter surrendered enemies.
"Sword brother, be careful!" Ning Rongrong clutched Tianlin's hand, unwilling to let go. She knew today's fight would be deadly, but couldn't help — the power levels would reach godhood.
Even the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda couldn't help opponents of god-level strength.
"Don't worry, Rongrong. I wouldn't have proposed the duel without confidence. My master and I will surely return victorious. Once the continent is at peace, I'll finish off that Evil Sword Immortal, then take you around the world — and you'll give me a little Tian." Tianlin stroked her hair.
"Mmm!" Ning Rongrong blushed and nodded. Until the world was settled, they hadn't dared have children, though she was ready to be a mother.
"Let's go, Xiao Tian. Show the fruits of your years of effort today," said Chen Xin, already flying out.
Tianlin let go of Ning Rongrong and followed.
From the Spirit Empire army, two figures also flew out: Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong, both with six resplendent wings on their backs.
Qian Daoliu's came from his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, Bibi Dong's from her external soul bone, the Six-Winged Purple Light Wings.
With her current power, Bibi Dong's wings were no weaker than Tianlin's million-year soul bone.
Starting the fight with her trump card showed her determination.