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After the Lovesick Heartbroken Red was intercepted, Xiao Wu by rights should never have entered the All-Continent Advanced Academy Elite Soul Master Tournament.
Yet Xiao Wu still participated without fear. That could only mean she likely possessed another treasure capable of masking a soul beast's aura; otherwise, she would have been exposed at the tournament as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human rebirth.
Thus, Xiao Wu's identity as a hundred-thousand-year reborn soul beast remained secret. Apart from him and Tang Hao, no one knew.
Having finished analyzing Tang Hao, Tang San, and Xiao Wu, Ye Lan began to consider how to handle the three of them.
He absolutely could not expose Xiao Wu's identity—because Xiao Wu could not die.
Once her identity was revealed, even setting aside whether Spirit Hall would make a move, Tang Hao might simply kill Xiao Wu to tie up loose ends.
According to the original course of events, once Tang Hao took action, he would then spirit Tang San away for cultivation.
Whether Shrek Academy went on to join the All-Continent Advanced Academy Elite Soul Master Tournament no longer seemed so important. Ye Lan had already given Shrek a harsh lesson in the ranking matches; doing it again in the finals felt rather tasteless.
So, during Shrek Academy's journey to Spirit City for the finals, he would have Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo ambush them.
That would draw Tang Hao out. In the end, letting Tang Hao take Tang San away to train would be acceptable.
The sooner Tang San completed his cultivation, the sooner Ye Lan could head for the cave where the Blue Silver Emperor dwelt. It was time to collect some interest.
In less than a second, Ye Lan had sorted through all of the above.
"Old Ghost, I don't want Tang Hao and his son to die so easily. The hatred for my parents—I must personally take that revenge!" Ye Lan said, voice cold and vicious.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo both nodded, wholly approving of Ye Lan's determination to avenge himself with his own hands.
To set Tang Hao as his opponent would greatly accelerate Ye Lan's growth.
This was the path he had to walk to become strong; with the drive of vengeance, he would advance faster.
"In that case, shall Old Ghost and I return to Spirit Hall to report to His Holiness the Pope first?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked.
"No, Elder Chrysanthemum, Elder Ghost. You still need to move against Tang San—and to do it in the open," Ye Lan refused flatly.
"Oh? Xiao Lan, what do you mean?" Ghost Douluo rasped, puzzled.
"Your initial plan was to mobilize Spirit Hall's Temple Corps, have several thousand men dress up as bandits and marauders, and attack all the advanced academy delegations traveling to Spirit City—so as to sever any apparent connection to Spirit Hall, correct?" Ye Lan said.
"? Xiao Lan, how did you know our plan?" Ghost Douluo asked, voice hoarse.
Ye Lan only smiled and laid out the pros and cons. "We don't need to do that. Tang Hao is already a wanted criminal of Spirit Hall. Moving openly against the son of a wanted man is perfectly justified—why bother to hide?"
"Moreover, the teams bound for Spirit City are the Heaven Dou Empire's prodigy soul masters. If we act that way, we'll only make these geniuses fear Spirit Hall. That's not conducive to recruiting talent."
All three Titled Douluo heard Ye Lan's analysis and clapped in agreement. "Exactly, exactly! We fell into habitual thinking. Why conceal our identities to deal with Tang Hao's son?"
Ye Lan reminded them because he didn't want the ambush on Tang San to cost Spirit Hall a batch of Temple warriors.
Tang San had produced a number of Zhuge Crossbows; with one careless move, those warriors might suffer heavy losses.
"This ambush will most likely fail, but we must do it anyway," Ye Lan said.
"Oh? Why do you say that?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, doubtful.
"Tang San can participate so brazenly in the tournament; Tang Hao must be nearby, guarding him. With Tang Hao's terrifying strength, rescuing his son won't be difficult. But we will use this operation to expose Tang San—and reaffirm Tang Hao's status as a wanted man."
"Letting Tang San enjoy a peaceful academy life is far too cheap. I want them living in constant alarm," Ye Lan added—though he did not voice his true aim, swapping in a different rationale.
"Good. Xiao Lan, however you instruct us to act then, that's how we'll act!" Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo agreed.
Just then, a hearty voice rang out: "Xiao Lan, what are you doing here? Yanyan has been looking for you!"
"!? Chrysanthemum Pass! Why are you here too?!" Dugu Bo blurted in surprise.
"You old poison, what are you spouting?! Your whole family is 'Chrysanthemum Pass'!" Chrysanthemum Douluo snapped.
"Heh, just slipped out—old habits," Dugu Bo scratched his head, sheepish.
"Old poison, prepare to die!!" Chrysanthemum Douluo's palm blossomed with countless petals of the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, which surged toward Dugu Bo.
Every petal's edge was razor-sharp, slicing ripples through the air—this even with Chrysanthemum Douluo holding back.
After all, whether because he and Dugu Bo had fought and become acquaintances, or because of Ye Lan, relations between him and Dugu Bo had eased considerably.
Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo use that move again, Dugu Bo's chest swelled with stored breath. He suddenly spat a billowing cloud of emerald poison.
The toxic mist coiled around him and formed a circular shield.
When the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum petals touched that viridian haze, they withered and clattered to the ground.
This poison shield cost Dugu Bo great soul power to maintain—very effective against a held-back attack from Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Watching his petals wither, Chrysanthemum Douluo exclaimed, "Old poison, how did your strength improve so much?!"
"Heh heh, can't say, can't say," Dugu Bo said with mock mystery. He had no intention of offering up Ye Lan's trove.
With a poison pill paired to a poison-attribute soul core and enhanced by immortal herbs, his Jade Phosphor poison had reached the level of extreme poison—truly terrifying.
Chrysanthemum Douluo thought a moment and found the key, then sniffed, "Tch! Isn't it thanks to the immortal herbs Xiao Lan provided?"
"Hee hee, and who made Xiao Lan my future grandson-in-law?" Dugu Bo laughed grandly.
Ye Lan quickly stepped between them. "Alright, alright, Grandpa Dugu, Elder Chrysanthemum—this isn't the place to chat. Let me take you somewhere to admire flowers."
As for Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ye Lan had decided to win over this devoted, flower-loving Titled Douluo loyal to Spirit Hall.
Hearing that, Dugu Bo more or less guessed Ye Lan's intent and muttered, "Why take Chrysanthemum Pass? With Grandpa Dugu protecting you, your safety is guaranteed."
Ye Lan scratched his head. Since it cost him nothing to gain Chrysanthemum Douluo's goodwill, why not?
Before long, Ye Lan led the four Titled Douluo to a small courtyard wreathed in bands of poisonous mist.
This was Dugu Bo's extreme poison. Unless he permitted it and dispelled the toxic ring, no soul beast or soul master could enter. And since Dugu Bo had moved to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, any fluctuation in the ring would reach him instantly.
At the edge of the miasma, soul light flashed over Dugu Bo. He inhaled mightily, drawing the poison back into the soul core in his body.
After spending a bit of effort, Chrysanthemum Douluo peered at the modest courtyard, perplexed—nothing seemed particularly worth seeing.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, this way," Ye Lan beckoned, leading Yue Guan to the back.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes went wide with delight. "What?! T-this is the king of immortal herbs—Lovesick Heartbroken Red! And it's fully in bloom!"
Dugu Bo stroked his beard with pride. "Old Chrysanthemum, how about this flower?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed in awe. "Such fortune—obtaining Lovesick Heartbroken Red, and even bringing it to full bloom! Who aided its flowering? Why didn't that person consume it?"
Dugu Bo then recounted the tale of the five of them pricking their fingers and letting their blood fall upon it that day.
Proud as ever that his granddaughter had been one of the five, Dugu Bo could not help showing off.
When Chrysanthemum Douluo finished listening, he said with feeling, "Old poison, your luck is truly great. And your self-control as well—before such a supreme treasure, you remained unmoved."
Ye Lan smiled. "Elder Chrysanthemum, I don't see a trace of greed in your eyes. Compared to consuming it, I suspect you most wish to admire it, yes?"
"Indeed. Xiao Lan, would you let me enjoy it alone for a time? With the aura of Lovesick Heartbroken Red, my realm may break through to a higher level," Chrysanthemum Douluo asked.
Ye Lan returned the smile. "That was exactly my intention—otherwise I wouldn't have brought you. Though this flower holds special meaning to me, I am not a flower lover. If Lovesick Heartbroken Red has a will, it would gladly draw close to you, Elder."
Flattered, Chrysanthemum Douluo beamed. "Xiao Lan, if you ever need anything, just call for me! I'm not exactly swamped at Spirit Hall~"
Hearing that, Ye Lan nodded, satisfied, and joked, "Then I won't be polite. Don't complain later if I work you hard, Elder Chrysanthemum."
A few days later, on the outskirts of the Heaven Dou Empire.
A vast procession rolled down the official road, numbering in the hundreds.
Besides teachers and students in academy uniforms of many colors, there were also knights in silver armor on warhorses.
The Snowy Night Emperor placed great importance on this year's finals, dispatching five hundred Heaven Dou Royal Knights to escort the fifteen advanced academies.
At the section where the Godwind Academy's group traveled, several familiar faces suddenly climbed into a carriage.
"Brother Wushuang! Brother Tianxin, Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu—why are you here?!" Feng Xiaotian exclaimed.
"Brother Xiaotian, Thunderclap Academy, Tianshui Academy, and Blazing Academy have discussed it together. For this All-Continent Advanced Academy Elite Soul Master Tournament, we're merging with your Godwind into the Element Academy! We're aiming for a strong result," Huo Wushuang said excitedly, clasping Feng Xiaotian's shoulder.
"Really? You've all decided? I'd had the same idea, but it felt too difficult, so I dropped it. I didn't expect everyone to think alike," Feng Xiaotian said, thrilled.
Yu Tianxin sighed. "We have no choice. Heaven Dou Royal Academy is terrifyingly strong. And rumor has it Spirit Hall Academy fields a fearsome lineup of three Soul Kings backed by four Soul Sects."
"The most ridiculous thing is—the championship favorite this year isn't Heaven Dou Royal, nor Spirit Hall Academy, nor even Star Luo Royal! It's the suddenly-emerged Ten Thousand Beasts Academy from the Star Luo Empire. Their team configuration is seven Soul Kings! Against any opponent, they haven't even needed to use soul skills," Huo Wu said helplessly.
Shui Bing'er nodded in agreement. "Though our Element Academy schools are competitors among ourselves, we're the closest in ties. We must advance and retreat together."
"So if we don't want our Element Academy to lose too miserably, we merge into one!" she declared.
"Good!! If we stand united, even if we can't beat Heaven Dou Royal, crushing Shrek Academy will be easy!" Feng Xiaotian said, fired up.
As the newly formed Element Academy discussed the rest of their roster, their carriage rolled to a stop.
"Something's up!? Let's go take a look," Feng Xiaotian said decisively.
The five disembarked and immediately sensed two terrifying presences in the air above the vanguard—an invisible pressure that made all five start violently.
It was two of Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo: Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan—
and Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei!
At their sudden appearance, the warhorses skidded to a halt, whinnying and stamping, restive and panicked.
Ning Fengzhi, seeing the pair from Spirit Hall, felt a stab of doubt.
That shouldn't be—wasn't Xiao Lan aligned with Spirit Hall?
No—of course, they were here for Shrek Academy!
Could it be targeting Tang San, the disciple of the Clear Sky School?
Within Shrek Academy, Zhao Wuji broke into a cold sweat when he saw Chrysanthemum and Ghost hovering ahead.
He began edging back, trying to hide in the crowd.
Xiao Wu's expression tightened; her fingers brushed the soul bone at her right arm.
Sensing Xiao Wu's anxiety, Tang San gripped her right hand.
Flender called out, "Everyone stay calm! It should be fine—Shrek Academy are law-abiding Heaven Dou citizens."
To ease the other academies, Ghost Douluo raised his voice. "Do not worry. Spirit Hall does not slaughter the innocent."
"This time, we target only one person!"
Ning Fengzhi stepped forward. "Ghost Douluo, may we know who warrants the two of you personally moving?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo answered loudly, "The son of the Clear Sky Douluo who killed the former Pope of Spirit Hall—Tang San!!"
At those words, everyone in Shrek Academy—save Zhao Wuji and Flender who knew the truth—went pale.
Tang San murmured, "My father… is the Clear Sky Douluo?"
Ma Hongjun and Oscar glanced at Tang San, faces complicated. So Tang San's father was the Clear Sky Douluo—no wonder he cultivated so quickly.
"Little San, run!!" Flender shouted in panic.
"Wuji, Erlong—together! Buy him time to escape!!"
Zhao Wuji's face was ugly, but golden soul light surged over him. His body swelled, transforming into the one-armed Vigorous Vajra Bear.
He knew Tang Hao was nearby. If he fled, he would never earn Tang Hao's regard.
Otherwise, Tang Hao would settle accounts with him later.
Flender and Liu Erlong also completed their spirit attachments. Their seventh soul rings lit up as both opened their Martial Souls' true forms—one became a sky-blocking great owl, the other a massive western fire dragon.
Hearing Flender's cry, Tang San grabbed Xiao Wu and sprinted into the throng.
Only within a crowd would Titled Douluo hesitate to strike.
Ghost Douluo moved.
Purple-black soul light leaked from him as nine rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—rose at his feet.
His ninth black ring flared.
"Hell!!" Ghost Douluo bellowed.
A shadowed field a hundred meters across sprang up around Shrek Academy, black silhouettes like hands crawling from the underworld.
Hearing the Titled Douluo's declaration and seeing him deploy a ten-thousand-year ninth soul skill to encircle Shrek, the other academies' teachers and students retreated dozens of meters, leaving the battlefield to Shrek and Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo.
Tang San and Xiao Wu, who had been about to flee, were instantly blocked by shadows soaring tens of meters high.
Sweat pooled in Tang San's palm where he held Xiao Wu's hand.
He knew he was finished.
The Headmaster and teachers of Shrek could never defeat Titled Douluo. Was today his death day?
"Third Brother! What do we do?!" Xiao Wu cried, frantic.
Tang San pressed his lips tight and said nothing. Against Titled Douluo, he had no means.
The Zhuge Crossbows in his soul tool were a joke before such foes.
His eyes locked on the backs of Zhao Wuji, Flender, and Liu Erlong. Could they really do it?
Seeing the three Soul Sages open their true forms to challenge them, Chrysanthemum Douluo laughed. "Eggs against a boulder!!"
A ripple of yellow soul power flashed over him; his fifth black ring lit up at once.
"Dance of the Peerless Bloom!"
The colossal Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum spun in his palm, and its petals—endless blades—stormed toward the three Soul Sages of Shrek.
In moments, the Vigorous Vajra Bear, the great owl, and the fire dragon were all submerged beneath countless petals. Each petal that clung to fur, scale, or feather sliced through layers of defense; blood sprayed everywhere as all three were grievously wounded!
Their true forms collapsed, and they plummeted from the sky.
Such was the terror of a level-95 Titled Douluo—absolute suppression over Soul Sages.
"Teachers!!!" Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai cried, faces ashen.
"Titles are not to be insulted. Die!!" Chrysanthemum Douluo intoned.
His eighth black ring flared again. The yellow petals suspended in the air began to spin at extreme speed.
The instant those whirling blade-petals were about to strike the three midair Soul Sages, a harsh voice split the air:
"One chrysanthemum, one little ghost—you dare lay hands on my son?"
At the familiar voice, Tang San's eyes filled with tears. "Father!!"
Tang Hao had no time for Tang San. He swung the colossal Clear Sky Hammer and smashed toward Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo was unsurprised by Tang Hao's appearance. He immediately redirected the spinning chrysanthemum blades—originally aimed at the three Soul Sages—toward Tang Hao.
The massive Clear Sky Hammer collided with the Dance of the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Countless high-speed petals battered the hammer's face.
Sparks showered from the hammer, cut loose by the storm of blooms.
After a brief clash, Tang Hao surged with explosive strength and shattered the Dance of the Chrysanthemum, slamming the hammer into Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo grunted and was blasted back dozens of meters.
Fortunately, the hammer's force had been whittled by countless petals, and Tang Hao himself was grievously wounded.
So this blow's power was much reduced and did not gravely injure Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Old Chrysanthemum, I'll help you!!" Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo hurled away, Dugu Bo gathered soul power and flew straight at Tang Hao.
Warmed that Dugu Bo stood with him, Chrysanthemum Douluo laughed. "Old poison—together!!" With that, he and the Poison Douluo charged Tang Hao.
As the two Titled Douluo rushed him, Tang Hao's face darkened. So the Poison Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo had joined hands?
With Dugu Bo's aid, Chrysanthemum Douluo shifted tactics—no longer trading head-on, but harrying and retreating, constantly pinning Tang Hao down.
Whenever Tang Hao turned on Dugu Bo, Chrysanthemum Douluo would immediately counterattack.
Dugu Bo, for his part, used Yue Guan's restraint to spew poison without pause.
If Tang Hao chased him, he would fly toward Yue Guan.
Faced with the pair's shameless tag-team, Tang Hao was helpless—and to his surprise, Dugu Bo had grown stronger! He was already level 93, and even a trace of his poison had a great effect.
Tang Hao forced his soul power to drive out the Jade Phosphor poison, then held his breath, giving Dugu Bo no opening.
As the three tangled together, Tang Hao's brows drew tight.
At that moment Ghost Douluo flashed forward—not to strike Tang Hao, but, as per Ye Lan's orders, to move on Shrek Academy.
Tang Hao twisted through the air, dodging Yue Guan's storm of chrysanthemum blades and Dugu Bo's poison, and saw Ghost Douluo streaking toward Tang San.
A jolt of dread shot through him. No.
Tang San and Xiao Wu must not be harmed!!
"Clear Sky True Body!!"
At last Tang Hao's soul rings surfaced—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red.
His seventh black ring ignited. The black Clear Sky Hammer blazed with darkness—
from ten meters long it swelled in a breath to over a hundred!
The giant hammerhead loomed like a little mountain.
Facing Poison Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, Tang Hao knew he had to finish it quickly—or Tang San and Xiao Wu would truly be in danger!!
His ninth soul ring lit again!
Crimson lines crawled over the titanic hammerhead. In moments, those countless red lines suffused it with blood-hued light.
"Die!!"
The massive blood-red mountain-hammer hurtled down at extreme speed. Air beneath it compressed with a scream; gales ripped toward Dugu Bo and Yue Guan.
Confronted with the mountain-like hammer, both turned pale.
This must be the technique that once defeated the former Pope, Qian Xunji!!
Against this terrifying hundred-thousand-year soul skill, they had no confidence.
All they could do was resist with everything they had. Dugu Bo roared:
"True Form!!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's ninth black ring blazed:
"Chrysanthemum Withers—Petals Strewn, Hearts Shattered!"
The colossal Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum shattered; innumerable broken petals spun and wove themselves into an even greater golden tornado.
After opening his true form, Dugu Bo charged straight up.
Most of his skills were poisonous mists—of little use in a direct collision like this.
The vast golden cyclone and Dugu Bo slammed into the blood-red Clear Sky Hammer. They lasted barely half a second.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Poison Douluo both went chalk-white. A hundred-thousand-year soul skill paired with the Clear Sky Hammer was simply too terrifying!!
Tang Hao laughed wildly. "Die!!!"
At that instant, a figure in white moved.
"I am the sword; the sword is me. This blade bears the name—Seven Kill!!"
(End of this chapter)