Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong were lying on an open patch of ground, looking quite relaxed.
Ning Rongrong smiled and said, "Xiongzi, what do you think of Spirit City? I feel like it's not as bustling as Seven Treasure City, but it's peaceful and serene."
Yang Xiong smiled in return, "Spirit City is worthy of being the sacred land for soul masters. It does help with cultivation. But it's a pity…"
"Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Spirit Hall are ultimately enemies. Sooner or later, we'll clash. By then, this city won't be so peaceful."
Ning Rongrong quickly said, "How could that be? My father and Sword Grandpa are both elders of Spirit Hall."
Yang Xiong shook his head. "Rongrong, you should start learning more about the soul master world. Spirit Hall is stronger than ever, and strength often breeds ambition. Talk more with your father, and you'll understand."
Ning Rongrong leaned against his shoulder. "I don't care about that. Whatever happens, you're always by my side."
Yang Xiong laughed, "Silly girl, people have to rely on themselves. I can't always be with you. I might have other things to do too."
Ning Rongrong pouted, "I don't care. You have to stay with me. After all, you're my boyfriend."
After returning to a heavily guarded room, two tall, powerful figures appeared before Xue Qinghe, Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo.
Xue Qinghe sat down calmly. "What is it? Did that woman say anything?"
Snake Spear Douluo was the first to speak. "Young Master, His Holiness the Pope instructed that if there's a chance, we should eliminate Yang Xiong."
Xue Qinghe's face turned cold. "Something so trivial needs me to handle it? Doesn't she know Yang Xiong is valued by Ning Fengzhi? If we act recklessly, we'll only expose ourselves."
Snake Spear Douluo quickly said, "Young Master, this Yang Xiong constantly opposes you. I think we should take him out early. Otherwise, he could hinder your plans."
Xue Qinghe gritted his teeth at the memory of Yang Xiong challenging him. "Tell that woman, Yang Xiong is my prey. No one else is allowed to touch him. I'll make him kneel before me and beg for mercy, only then will I be satisfied."
Snake Spear Douluo hesitated. "But Yang Xiong is from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. He could become a serious threat in the future."
Xue Qinghe scoffed. "She's this worried about one young brat? Then she's unworthy of being the Pope. Tang San, on the other hand, is the son of my father's killer and a disciple of the Clear Sky Clan. Why hasn't she taken any action against him?"
Snake Spear Douluo replied, "His Holiness did send Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo after Tang San, but they failed."
Xue Qinghe's gaze turned icy. "You mean that ambush in Spirit City counts as action? Knowing full well the team had Sword Douluo, Dugu Bo, and even Ning Fengzhi, and she still only sent two people? That's the extent of her abilities?"
The two Douluos remained silent, unsure what to say.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong were peacefully stargazing when someone approached.
It was Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. Dai Mubai chuckled, "You two are really enjoying yourselves, finding such a nice place to relax."
Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong stood up quickly. "Mubai, Zhuqing, how are your injuries? Are you alright?"
Dai Mubai replied, "After some treatment, we've mostly recovered. We just need a bit more rest."
Yang Xiong nodded. "That's good. Hopefully, you won't have any lingering effects."
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, then solemnly bowed to Yang Xiong.
Yang Xiong quickly responded, "What are you doing? We're all teammates."
Dai Mubai said, "Yang Xiong, I really have to thank you today. If you hadn't revealed your soul bone, Zhuqing and I would've been in serious trouble."
Yang Xiong laughed, "That's nothing. We've been teammates for years. Honestly, in everyone's eyes, you're the true captain of Shrek."
Dai Mubai shook his head. "Don't say that. If it weren't for me and Zhuqing, you wouldn't have needed to expose your secrets. I would've lost to Davis and his Hell White Tiger."
Yang Xiong replied, "I just did what I could. From here on, you'll have to face the challenges yourself."
"By the way, what's the situation with the Star Luo Empire? I doubt it's so simple."
Dai Mubai nodded. "Although we beat the Royal Academy team, Davis still outperformed me and is much stronger. The empire's elders agreed to give Zhuqing and me a chance. Davis won't be crowned crown prince yet, but we only have five years."
Yang Xiong thought for a moment before responding, "Why go through all this? You've seen Davis and Zhu Zhuyun's strength today. I've fought both of them."
"In terms of talent, Davis might be slightly behind you, but he's been through harsh training. He'll probably reach Soul King in six months. That's not something to underestimate."
Dai Mubai nodded. "Thanks for the warning. I'll need to undergo even harsher training. Otherwise, I'll never bridge the gap."
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly asked, "Yang Xiong, can I ask, how did you become so powerful? I know your strength surpasses Davis and Zhu Zhuyun. It can't just be from that external soul bone."
Yang Xiong was silent for a while before replying, "My path might not suit you. I fought Zhu Zhuyun today, and in terms of speed and agility, few Soul Sect-level opponents can match her."
"If you want to beat Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, you have to constantly push your limits. You're six years behind them in training, that's not easy to close."
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy may help, but if you truly want to grow stronger, you need life-or-death battles. Only in those moments can you truly break through. I once went alone into Sunset Forest. Though I was secretly protected, it was still full of danger, and I nearly died several times."
"And one more thing, you two still lack true teamwork. It's not just about being a couple or an arranged marriage. You have to become people who can trust each other with their lives."
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing fell silent. Yang Xiong's hardships were beyond what they could imagine, filled with danger and pain.
The next morning arrived quickly. The final match was only hours away. Yu Xiaogang gathered everyone to discuss the lineup.
Despite all his planning, Yu Xiaogang still hadn't found a way to counter Spirit Hall's team.
Yang Xiong noticed the bloodshot look in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. He had clearly spent the night agonizing over tactics. Even Tang San and Qin Ming looked anxious. After all, this was the final battle.
Yu Xiaogang looked seriously at Yang Xiong. "Yang Xiong, if you had to face Xie Yue and Hu Liena's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Charm, how long could you last?"
Yang Xiong thought for a moment before answering, "Master, it's hard to say. They've never gone all out. I estimate their fusion skill reaches the level of a top-tier Soul Emperor, maybe even Soul Sage, especially with their mental attacks. I might not last more than five minutes."
That estimate was conservative, even factoring in his Xuanming Armor. The Charm fusion skill's mental interference could defeat a Soul King within seconds. In the original story, even Heaven Dou Royal Academy's top team was easily crushed.
Tang San's team might have confidence, but even they felt nervous facing such a lineup. Perhaps they could match Soul Kings, but Charm was a different beast.
Especially the red mist it emitted, Tang San's Purple Demon Eye couldn't even penetrate it, and it had clear mental-disruption effects.
Yu Xiaogang turned to Tang San. "Xiao San, what about you? How long could you hold against Charm?"
Tang San thought for a moment. "Teacher, the difference in power is too great. I might not last even three minutes."
Yu Xiaogang analyzed both of them, then clenched his teeth. "Then we'll gamble on five minutes. If we can win within that time, we win. Otherwise, we lose."
"This time, I'm sending Yang Xiong, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong. Yang Xiong will contain Charm, and the rest of you must defeat the other Spirit Hall members within five minutes, at any cost."
"After that, we'll gang up on Charm. That's our only chance."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but sigh. Spirit Hall's members were far stronger than Yu Xiaogang imagined. Each one had rich battle experience. Even with a 6-on-5 advantage and Ning Rongrong's top-tier support, beating them would be tough, let alone crushing them.
But tactically, this was more targeted. The Shi brothers were too weak against Spirit Hall's team.
Yang Xiong glanced at Xiao Wu.
He had always been curious, how had Xiao Wu's identity remained hidden for so long? She'd even met Sword Douluo. What method had she used to avoid being discovered by a Titled Douluo?
Yu Xiaogang was even putting her in the final battle. Was it fate that her identity would finally be exposed?
Yang Xiong finally said, "I might be able to take one of them out, but there's a risk. It could lead to our defeat."
Everyone looked at him in surprise. They'd fought with Yang Xiong many times but never expected him to have such a trump card.
Over the years, Yang Xiong had strictly followed the rules of the Body Sect, never casually using his soul skills. No one even knew what his skills were.
But now, he was rethinking it. Maybe some skills didn't need to be hidden anymore. Even if the enemy knew, they couldn't stop it, especially a particularly devious one...
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