The square of the Tian Dou Imperial Palace was now a scene of intense battle.
Originally, the golden iron triangle formed by Yu Xiaogang and the others was clashing with Ling Yuan Douluo. The massive golden dragon and the flame eagle fought fiercely in the air, neither gaining the upper hand.
In comparison, even though Zhao Wuji and Titan were exerting their full strength, they still struggled to match Gui Bao Douluo.
Fortunately, both Zhao Wuji and Titan possessed immense physical power and extraordinary physical conditioning. They went all-out with every move they made, but were still no match for Gui Bao Douluo and had sustained significant injuries.
Moreover, this was the imperial palace—Xue Qinghe's territory—and it was surrounded by numerous experts. However, the battlefield was so chaotic that these reinforcements couldn't intervene.
To those with discerning eyes, it was clear that defeat was only a matter of time under the combined assault of two Title Douluos.
Meanwhile, Tang San was completely overpowered by Xue Qinghe, his life seemingly hanging by a thread at any moment.
At this critical juncture, a massive hammer descended from the sky, landing forcefully in front of Xue Qinghe. Its arrival was accompanied by an overwhelming aura.
Following the hammer, a figure dropped from the sky. This person appeared extremely burly but wore tattered clothing, giving him a somewhat disheveled appearance. His muscles bulged with terrifying power.
Xue Qinghe glared at the newcomer: "Tang Hao, I never expected you, the cowardly turtle, to finally show your face."
Tang Hao's expression darkened: "My Tang family has no enmity with the Tian Dou Imperial Family. Why do you harbor such animosity toward us? If you can't explain yourself today, then I'll have to teach you a lesson with my Hao Tian Hammer and show you what the true number one weapon-type martial spirit in the world looks like."
"You shouldn't blame me for bullying someone younger. This is the consequence of your disdain for the Hao Tian Sect."
Xue Qinghe sneered: "Tang Hao, are you only acting so arrogantly because of your age? If I dared to provoke you, it's because I'm not afraid of you."
Tang Hao roared angrily: "Brat, let's see how much you're worth."
But before Tang Hao could finish speaking, two enormous staffs descended from the sky, smashing directly toward him.
These staffs exuded tremendous power, as if capable of shattering the surrounding air. Their might even surpassed the intensity of the battle between two Title Douluos.
Tang Hao hastily swung his Hao Tian Hammer, but even with his immense strength, he was forced back several dozen meters upon collision with the two massive staffs.
Upon seeing the newcomers, Tang Hao's eyes widened in surprise: "I never expected it to be you two."
The arrivals were none other than Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo, elite experts sent by Qian Daoliu to assist Qian Renxue.
Normally, the coup in the Tian Dou Palace wouldn't require so many high-level experts. However, the current situation was complex, and Bibi Dong was short on manpower.
Thus, Bibi Dong personally visited the Spirit Hall and requested Qian Daoliu to dispatch experts to protect Qian Renxue, ensure the smooth execution of the coup, and later transfer Gui Bao Douluo and Ling Yuan Douluo for subsequent operations.
Summoning Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo also served another purpose: to deal with the Tang Sect and Tang Hao, who stood behind it.
Jiang Mo Douluo shouted: "Tang Hao, you've been hiding far away all these years, making it hard for us brothers to find you. But after being a coward for so long, you've finally shown yourself."
Tang Hao's eyes burned with anger. After Qian Xunji's death, the Spirit Hall had dispatched Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo to hunt him down, forcing him into a miserable state.
Qian Jun Douluo added: "Tang Hao, today marks your death. All those years of chasing you won't have been in vain."
With that, the massive coiling dragon staffs wielded by Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo merged together, moving with incredible speed as they smashed toward Tang Hao.
Tang Hao's eyes turned icy as he swung his Hao Tian Hammer to meet the attack. The collision between the Hao Tian Hammer and the two coiling dragon staffs produced a terrifying shockwave.
Both Tang Hao and the duo possessed ultimate strength, wielding top-tier weapon-type martial spirits. They exchanged blows in multiple rounds, neither gaining the upper hand.
Currently, Tang Hao was only at level 95, while Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo had reached level 96. In terms of soul power alone, Tang Hao was already at a disadvantage. If not for the exquisite hammer techniques passed down by the Hao Tian Sect, he would have been no match for the two.
Even with his refined hammer skills, Tang Hao was soon overwhelmed by Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo, especially since he was already injured and unable to spare any effort to assist Tang San.
At this moment, two figures suddenly appeared on the ground—Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong.
"Wow, it's quite lively here. I hope I'm not too late to the party," Yang Xiong remarked.
Seeing Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong, Xue Qinghe's expression shifted slightly: "Young Master Yang, the Tian Dou Palace has been quite busy lately. I'm afraid we don't have time to entertain you."
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Thank you for your concern, Brother Qinghe. But this little rabbit has a bit of a connection with me. After all, she was once my classmate. I can't just stand by and watch her die."
Xue Qinghe's expression hardened: "Young Master Yang, this is a hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beast. Its value is not something you can dismiss with a single sentence."
Yang Xiong appeared unusually calm, but Ning Rongrong beside him was visibly worried: "Little Bear, will Xiao Wu be okay? How did she get caught so carelessly?"
Yang Xiong softly reassured her: "This little rabbit will be fine. The real show is just beginning. Next, you'll witness a truly entertaining act—I'll perform a trick called 'the great disappearing act.'"
Xue Qinghe: …
At this moment, Xue Qinghe's anger flared: "Yang Xiong, the Tian Dou Palace is already under my control. I am the next emperor of the Tian Dou Empire. If you swear allegiance to me, perhaps I can spare the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "What do you mean by sparing the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? Didn't you already make a move against us? Do you really think we can coexist peacefully?"
Xue Qinghe's expression turned cold: "What do you mean by that? Lord Ning is my teacher, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has always supported my ascension to the throne. Are you implying there's something else going on?"
Yang Xiong glanced at the four Title Douluos present: "The Tian Dou Imperial Family doesn't have that many Title Douluos. These must be Qian Jun Douluo, Jiang Mo Douluo, Ling Yuan Douluo, and Gui Bao Douluo. I remember seeing Ling Yuan Douluo during the battle at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Ling Yuan Douluo, who was locked in combat with the golden iron triangle, shouted: "Young Master, be careful! This Yang Xiong's strength is no joke—he's absolutely formidable."
Ignoring Xue Qinghe, Yang Xiong grabbed Ning Rongrong's hand and teleported instantly to Xiao Wu's side.
Yang Xiong unleashed a burst of soul power, dispersing the suppressive force binding Xiao Wu. The unconscious Xiao Wu began to stir, slowly regaining consciousness.
Recalling how she had been captured, Xiao Wu's eyes filled with fear as she noticed the strange chains wrapped around her body.
Beside her, Ning Rongrong quickly consoled her: "Xiao Wu, it's alright now. With me here, no one will harm you."
Xiao Wu sighed in relief: "Rongrong, thank goodness you're here. Otherwise, I'd be in serious trouble."
Ning Rongrong patted Xiao Wu's rabbit ears, her tone exasperated: "Didn't I tell you to come to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect earlier? You kept wandering around outside and got yourself into trouble. Next time, you might not be so lucky."
"Little Bear, these chains feel strange. Even I can't break them."
Though Xiao Wu had regained consciousness, she was still bound by bizarre chains, her body wrapped tightly like a dumpling.
Yang Xiong smirked: "Little rabbit, it's only been a few days, and you've been captured again. Didn't I tell you not to wander around and to stay hidden?"
Xiao Wu pouted: "You little bear, how dare you mock me! If my third brother were here, I wouldn't have been captured!"
Yang Xiong shook his head helplessly: "Your third brother and his father are currently getting beaten up badly. He probably can't protect you anymore."
In the distance, Tang San, having suffered repeated attacks from Xue Qinghe, was significantly injured.
Seeing Xiao Wu rescued, Tang San exclaimed excitedly: "Xiao Wu, I promise no one will hurt you again."
Looking at Tang San's battered state, Xiao Wu felt a pang of heartache.
Watching Tang San and Xiao Wu's interactions, Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head. These two had left the Star Dou Great Forest for love, only to nearly end up in tragedy again. Perhaps it was fate's doing.
Yang Xiong reached out and grasped the chains binding Xiao Wu. Despite their apparent sturdiness, they crumbled like paper in his hands.
Xue Qinghe's expression darkened: "Yang Xiong, why did you save this little rabbit? You're not the kind of person who would give up a hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beast for the sake of old classmates, nor are you someone who disregards benefits."
Yang Xiong smiled: "Brother Qinghe knows me well. Though this rabbit may be valuable, compared to the Hao Tian Sect and the Spirit Hall, the difference is still vast."
Xue Qinghe roared angrily: "Then are you not afraid of offending the Tian Dou Empire? Are you not afraid of an endless feud between the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? Are you not afraid of your sect facing total annihilation?"
Yang Xiong looked at Xue Qinghe with a hint of disdain: "Brother Qinghe—or should I call you Miss Qian Renxue? On what grounds do you believe you represent the Tian Dou Empire? Such petty tricks won't work anymore."
Xue Qinghe was stunned: "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Yang Xiong merely smiled faintly. At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed from the highest point of the Tian Dou Palace.
"Traitor! I never expected you to harbor such ambition, colluding with the Spirit Hall and betraying the Tian Dou Empire."
Xue Qinghe turned around, his face instantly changing. The speaker was none other than Emperor Xue Ye.
This version of Xue Ye looked much better than when he had first been poisoned. He was surrounded by countless guards, and nearby stood two powerful figures—Yang Wudi and Bone Douluo.
Xue Qinghe's expression shifted: "Xue Ye, so you've been conspiring with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect all along. It seems you've been wary of me from the start."
Emperor Xue Ye's face was filled with sorrow: "I only wanted to uncover the mole planted by the Spirit Hall within the Tian Dou Imperial Family. Never did I imagine that the mole would be you—the root cause of everything."
"I treated you well, naming you Crown Prince and entrusting you with important responsibilities. Why did you collude with the Spirit Hall to seize the Tian Dou Empire's throne? You are a traitor to the Tian Dou Imperial Family."
Xue Qinghe sneered: "Your words sound noble, but haven't you secretly supported Xue Xing and Xue Beng all along to counterbalance me?"
Emperor Xue Ye's face grew bitter: "They are my younger brother and son. Of course, I have to consider their well-being. But you—you are not my son. Who are you?"
"All members of the Tian Dou Imperial Family, listen carefully! Effective immediately, Xue Qinghe is stripped of his position as Crown Prince. Anyone who resists will be executed on the spot!"
Xue Qinghe merely let out a strange laugh: "Xue Ye, you're old. Do you really think you still hold sway over the Tian Dou Imperial Family?"
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