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In the Spirit Hall, within the Pope's Palace.
At this moment, the Pope's Palace was much quieter than usual. Originally, Bibi Dong had nine elder-level subordinates under her command, but since initiating the "Soul Hunt" operation several months ago, the losses had been severe.
During the attack on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, three Title Douluo elders had already perished. More recently, Ju Douluo and Gui Douluo had disappeared without a trace.
A bishop reported: "Your Holiness, we have indeed observed numerous signs of battle in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest. It is likely that Elder Ju and Elder Gui have fallen in the Star Dou Great Forest."
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's expression shifted slightly: "This is impossible. Both Elder Ju and Elder Gui were ninety-five-level Title Douluos. In the past century, while there have been cases of Title Douluos falling in the Star Dou Great Forest, never has a high-ranking expert like them met such a fate."
"Moreover, Elder Gui excels in concealment and possesses unparalleled speed. Even if anyone else might perish, Elder Gui should have been absolutely fine."
The bishop hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "Your Holiness, all the spirit beast forests seem to have become more mysterious and unpredictable now. Previously, Huyan Zhen and his group perished in Sunset Forest, their bodies never recovered."
"Now, Elder Ju and Elder Gui have been missing for over a month. They have never been absent for this long before. I fear we must prepare for the worst."
"At present, our ranks of Title Douluo elders are severely depleted, and our upcoming plans may be affected."
Bibi Dong remained silent for a long time before replying: "I will find a way to address the issue of deterring with our Title Douluo elders. The original plan must be carried out, or all our efforts in attacking the two sects will have been in vain."
"We will proceed according to the original plan. I intend to make the so-called upper three sects and lower four sects truly belong to the Spirit Hall, ensuring its unshakable position."
At this moment, another bishop arrived with an urgent report.
After reading it, Bibi Dong's face darkened.
"Never would I have thought that a single act of mercy could turn into such a disaster. It seems the methods of our Spirit Hall are still not ruthless enough."
The red-robed bishop below quickly asked: "Your Holiness, has something happened?"
Bibi Dong snorted coldly: "The few fugitives who escaped from the Spirit City five years ago have all reappeared. Tang San, who performed exceptionally back then, is now establishing something called the Tang Sect among the Strength Clan, intending to produce weapons to support the Tian Dou Imperial Family against our Spirit Hall. Clearly, they cannot be allowed to survive any longer."
"The hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beasts that escaped us back then have now appeared at Shrek Academy in Tian Dou City. Do they think everyone in the soul master world will easily let a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast live?"
"I originally sent Elder Ju and Elder Gui to capture the hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beasts. Never would I have expected these beasts to dare appear so brazenly in Tian Dou City, even associating with Tang San. This matter is far from simple."
The red-robed bishop looked puzzled: "Your Holiness, is this related to the disappearance of Elder Ju and Elder Gui?"
Bibi Dong snorted again: "Behind Tang San stands Tang Hao. If Tang Hao assists the two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest, even Elder Ju and Elder Gui would have struggled to handle them. Without a doubt, Elder Ju and Elder Gui likely perished in the Star Dou Great Forest."
The red-robed bishop's face twisted in anger: "Your Holiness, Elder Ju and Elder Gui cannot die in vain. We must make Tang Hao and the others pay the price."
Bibi Dong nodded: "I previously thought Tian Dou City lacked manpower, but now all disputes are concentrated there. Given the special identities involved, additional arrangements are necessary. Otherwise, Tian Dou City will be filled with uncertainty and danger."
After arranging everything, Bibi Dong went alone to the Douluo Hall.
After a powerful clash of auras, the Douluo Hall gradually returned to calm. At the same time, two figures swiftly departed from the Spirit City.
The Spirit Hall quickly issued an announcement: given the severe weakening of the upper three sects, the destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the disappearance of the Hao Tian Sect for countless years, they were no longer fit to lead the soul master world.
Therefore, the Spirit Hall decided to reconvene the sect conference one year later to re-elect the seven great sects. Any force in the world could send representatives to participate.
However, strict requirements were imposed on the newly elected sects—not only regarding the number of ordinary soul masters but also the strength of the sect's experts.
The Spirit Hall explicitly stated that this move aimed to stabilize the soul master world and ensure peace, with strength being the ultimate criterion.
Additionally, the Spirit Hall issued another announcement: the hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beasts that escaped from Spirit City five years ago had appeared in Tian Dou City. All soul masters were urged to unite and kill the hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts to prevent the spirit beast race from infiltrating and harming humanity.
After these two announcements, the entire soul master world erupted in excitement.
For a long time, the seven great sects held an incomparably revered position in the soul master world, not only due to their formidable strength but also their immense influence.
Now, with the re-election of the seven great sects, nearly all factions, large and small, were eager to compete, brimming with excitement.
Becoming one of the seven great sects would bring fame throughout the soul master world. Whether it was the sect's influence or the ability to recruit ordinary civilian soul masters, the appeal was immense.
Even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, despite its tremendous strength, had fewer than a thousand true Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda soul masters. Similarly, during its peak, the Hao Tian Sect had fewer than a thousand Hao Tian Hammer soul masters.
If other sects were to obtain the title of one of the seven great sects, their strength could see a rapid increase, and their influence might far exceed expectations. These sects could achieve a qualitative leap in power.
As for the appearance of the hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beasts, it caused even greater excitement.
Hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones had always been treasures in the soul master world, extremely difficult to hunt and absorb.
But now, with the appearance of hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beasts, they were relatively easy to kill. Even if the soul ring couldn't be absorbed, the hundred-thousand-year soul bone alone could significantly boost one's strength and even enhance a soul master's cultivation potential.
With the release of these two announcements, countless soul masters began flooding into Tian Dou City, creating an unprecedented level of chaos.
After hearing these two pieces of news, Yang Xiong felt both strange and as though a storm was brewing.
Normally, the appearance of a hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beast was something Bibi Dong would hide at all costs. Why would she suddenly expose it intentionally?
Bibi Dong had always been determined to capture hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts. Now, by exposing their presence, it seemed deliberate.
On Yunwu Mountain, all the elders of the Body Sect gathered together.
Yang Wudi's face revealed a hint of indignation: "What does the Spirit Hall mean by wanting to re-elect the seven great sects? Do they think they can dominate everything?"
"After suffering such heavy losses in the battle against the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, how dare they convene this so-called sect conference? Are they still not giving up on their ambition to unify the soul master world?"
"Though I look down on those from the Hao Tian Sect, they do possess strength. Even if the new upper three sects are elected, they will likely have no real power and will be nothing but paper tigers in our eyes."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "Elder Yang, you're overthinking this. The Spirit Hall has always been ambitious. Their so-called sect conference is merely a ploy to claim the seven great sects for themselves. Once accomplished, their reputation will reach its peak, and who knows what other moves they might make?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Wudi was startled: "Could it be that the Spirit Hall intends to use this sect conference to oppose the two empires?"
Yang Xiong nodded: "The Spirit Hall's influence is vast, and they've secretly allied with many kingdoms and duchies. This sect conference is being held in Spirit City. Neither the Hao Tian Sect nor the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would dare set foot in Spirit City now."
"In the end, they'll have free rein. The so-called new seven great sects will merely be their puppets."
Yang Wudi quickly asked: "Master, what should we do? Should we participate in this so-called sect conference?"
Yang Xiong's lips curled into a cold smile: "We don't need to bother with them. The Spirit Hall's strength has already been damaged, yet they dare to act so brazenly. Clearly, their ambitions are becoming uncontrollable."
"We just need to focus on our own affairs. Inform Elder Niu Gao to return from Gengxin City as soon as possible. We must also accelerate the development of our Body Sect."
"Elder Bai He, arrange for half of the Speed Clan's personnel to closely monitor the situation in Tian Dou City. I feel that something major is about to happen in Tian Dou City, and it might affect the entire Douluo Continent."
Everyone was once again shocked. For countless years, the two empires had stood tall over the Douluo Continent, ruling this world. Though lacking Title Douluos, their foundations were still astonishing.
The influx of soul masters into Tian Dou City this time was clearly not a simple matter.
Lin Gong hesitantly spoke: "I feel there's something off about the soul masters pouring into Tian Dou City. It doesn't seem like they're here solely to hunt the hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beast. The hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beast is too critical. Should we intervene?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "What does this have to do with us? Although Xiao Wu and Tang San are my classmates, I can't help them too much."
"Besides, behind Tang San stands the Hao Tian Sect. Even if we successfully captured Xiao Wu, the Hao Tian Sect and Tang Hao would surely reappear. Rather than wasting effort for no gain, we might as well let them handle it themselves."
"Moreover, the Hao Tian Sect has been hiding for so long—it's about time to force them out. Having only the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect as part of the upper three sects is rather dull."
If the entire soul master world was in chaos, then Shrek Academy in Tian Dou City was at the heart of it all.
Although Liu Erlong and Flender were Soul Douluos, they were completely powerless to stop others from coveting Xiao Wu.
At this moment, Shrek Academy was in extreme chaos and tension. Even Flender felt an unprecedented level of pressure.
Seeing that Shrek Academy was on the verge of being besieged, Flender immediately contacted his good friend Zhao Wuji, who wasted no time returning to Shrek Academy to take charge and assist.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong took this opportunity to meet with Ning Fengzhi to discuss the situation in Tian Dou City.
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