With each step Gu Rong took, a Soul Ring steadily materialized beneath his feet.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—when the ninth black Soul Ring settled into place, the entire scene was instantly plunged into an eerie silence.
Though they were outdoors, everyone felt as if they had stepped into a land of deathly stillness, where not even the faintest whisper of wind could be heard. Only the heavy sound of breathing echoed in everyone's ears.
The headmaster's body trembled uncontrollably, his voice filled with disbelief as he blurted out, "A Titled Douluo!"
Titan's expression froze the moment he fully recognized the person before him. His eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, "Gu… Gu Rong! How could it be you? You're actually this kid's grandfather?"
Slap!
A sharp, resounding slap suddenly rang out, startlingly loud in the otherwise silent space.
Gu Rong's face was as dark as storm clouds, and an intimidating aura radiated from him. He spoke coldly, "You dare call me by my name? You have no sense of propriety!"
"You're nothing but Tang Hao's dog. Did you really think I wouldn't dare to touch you?"
At this point, Titan could no longer care about the burning pain on his face. He quickly clasped his fists, his expression filled with fear and respect, and said, "Yes, yes, it was my mistake. Titan greets Your Excellency, Bone Douluo!"
"Hmph."
Gu Rong merely let out a light snort, but that single sound instantly plunged the atmosphere into an icy chill, as if the very air had frozen.
The more Gu Rong remained silent, the more Titan's heart raced, nearly leaping out of his throat.
At this moment, Titan was filled with regret. If he had known that Gu Feng's grandfather was Gu Rong, he would never have dared to cause trouble, even if he had the courage of a bear or a leopard.
Tailong, on the other hand, was trembling like a leaf. This was the first time in his life he had come face-to-face with a Titled Douluo, and he never expected it to be in such a heart-stopping situation.
Just then, from the spatial rift behind Gu Rong, a delicate and adorable figure came bouncing out, full of energy.
"Brother Gu Feng! Rong Rong missed you so much!"
Ning Rongrong's face was beaming with a radiant smile as she playfully threw herself into Gu Feng's arms.
Seeing that it was Ning Rongrong, a look of surprise flashed in Gu Feng's eyes, and he couldn't help but ask, "Rong Rong, why are you here too?"
Gu Rong turned his head and glared at Gu Feng, letting out a displeased snort. "What, is Rong Rong not allowed to come see you? Brat!"
Ning Rongrong quickly chimed in, "Exactly, exactly."
Gu Feng could only force an awkward smile.
Ning Rongrong puffed out her delicate cheeks, her expression full of mystery as she blinked her large, sparkling eyes. "Brother Gu Feng, guess who else came today besides me and Bone Grandpa?"
Hearing this, Gu Feng already had an idea, but seeing Ning Rongrong's innocent and adorable demeanor, he suddenly felt the urge to tease her. He deliberately said, "Hmm, let me guess. Could it be Grandpa Wang?"
"Nope! Wrong, wrong."
Ning Rongrong immediately shook her head, her movements resembling a spinning drum.
"Then let me guess again. Could it be Grandpa Chen?"
"No, no."
"Could it be Grandpa Xu?"
Seeing that he kept guessing wrong, Ning Rongrong stomped her foot in frustration and said, "Still wrong, Brother Gu Feng, why are you so slow?"
Then, unable to hold back, she revealed the answer: "Since Rong Rong is here, Dad must have come too! And Grandpa Jian is here as well!"
As soon as she finished speaking, as if responding to a command, two figures emerged from the spatial rift.
Ning Fengzhi wore a gentle smile as he softly said, "Xiao Feng, it's been a while."
Gu Feng quickly replied respectfully, "Uncle Ning, Grandpa Jian."
Chen Xin gave Gu Feng a slight nod before walking steadily over to Gu Rong's side and asking softly, "Old Bone, who dared to lay a hand on Xiao Feng?"
As soon as he finished speaking, nine Soul Rings descended upon Chen Xin one after another.
Everyone present gasped in shock.
The sound of "Hiss—" echoed around.
"Another Titled Douluo!"
"This guy's background is way too solid!"
Everyone was filled with astonishment.
After all, on the Douluo Continent, there were fewer than ten Titled Douluo in the open, and each of them was a top-tier powerhouse on the continent.
Any one of them could dominate the entire Douluo Continent.
Even the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire didn't have a single Titled Douluo who truly belonged to their empires.
And today, two had appeared here at once!
Moreover, judging by the situation, these two seemed to be the once world-renowned Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
And now, they were both here to back Gu Feng!
Originally, everyone had thought Gu Feng was just an ordinary direct disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. No one had expected him to be the grandson of Bone Douluo!
Seeing Chen Xin's aggressive demeanor, Titan broke out in a cold sweat. He glanced around and, upon spotting Ning Fengzhi, immediately saw a lifeline. He quickly clasped his fists and said, "Sovereign Ning, this was indeed my recklessness. I didn't know Gu Feng was the grandson of Bone Douluo, Your Excellency. I am willing to bear all the consequences."
Titan knew that compared to the two unyielding Titled Douluo, Ning Fengzhi was his and the Power Clan's only chance to escape this predicament.
After all, there had long been rumors that the Bone Douluo lineage had always been single-heir, and his earlier actions were tantamount to trying to cut off their bloodline!
This was a deep-seated hatred, irreconcilable!
If Bone Douluo truly decided to pursue this matter, even if it meant wiping out the entire Power Clan, no one would dare to utter a word of dissent.
Such was the supreme authority of a Titled Douluo—both revered and feared!
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's previously gentle expression turned cold. "Uncle Gu, you handle this as you see fit. Xiao Feng's matter is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's matter. The dignity of our Sect will not tolerate any infringement!"
When it came to ordinary matters, Ning Fengzhi might have been willing to discuss and negotiate a solution amicably.
But when it involved a Sect disciple, Ning Fengzhi would never yield an inch!
Especially when it concerned Gu Feng!
At the same time, Chen Xin casually remarked, "Old Bone, if you don't uproot the weeds, they'll grow back with the spring breeze."
Upon hearing these words, everyone present felt a chill run down their spines.
With just a single sentence, he intended to annihilate an entire clan?
Little did they know, this was merely the surface.
Gu Rong naturally understood the true meaning behind Chen Xin's words.
It was nothing more than a pretext to eradicate the Power Clan, severing one of Tang Hao's arms and weakening his influence.
Just as Gu Rong was pondering how to resolve the situation...