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To Yu Xiaogang, the idea that Ye Lan could create an "Artificial Soul Ring" was simply unacceptable.
Thus, from the depths of his heart—and even his soul—he dared not believe, or perhaps dared not admit, that Ye Lan had successfully created such a thing.
Just as the crowd was on the verge of believing the information coming from Chrysanthemum Douluo, a sharp, androgynous voice suddenly cut through the air from within the crowd:
"You are a Spirit Hall Elder; just because you say Ye Lan can create Artificial Soul Rings, does that make it true?!"
"Based on Ye Lan's age of twenty, could he possibly create a soul ring of several hundred thousand years?!"
To avoid being identified by Ghost Douluo, Yu Xiaogang spoke while crouched, shifting his position within the crowd.
After Yu Xiaogang spoke, the protesting Soul Masters reacted, feeling that the questioning voice made sense.
Even if Chrysanthemum Douluo was a Titled Elder, so what? He wasn't a Titled Elder of the Heaven Dou Empire. The words of Spirit Hall people could not be trusted.
Because the massive procession of Soul Masters began to clamor once again, Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't notice Yu Xiaogang immediately. He hurriedly suppressed the noise of the crowd and spoke directly:
"That person was only correct on one point: the 200,000-year Artificial Soul Ring was indeed not condensed by His Highness the Holy Son alone."
"However, that 200,000-year Artificial Soul Ring was condensed jointly by His Highness the Holy Son and Her Holiness the Pope, based entirely on the Holy Son's Artificial Soul Ring theory."
"The most important part is, of course, the Holy Son's theory. The 'Artificial Soul Ring' theory is already fully perfected. From hundred-year rings up to rings of several hundred thousand years—all can be condensed!!"
"Before long, everyone will be able to purchase Artificial Soul Rings in Spirit Hall's Soul Ring Shops."
"Moreover, every Soul Master who purchases an Artificial Soul Ring will receive a copy of the 'Limit Soul Ring Absorption Method.' In this way, not only can you absorb Artificial Soul Rings, but you can also obtain soul rings of the absolute maximum age limit."
"I shouldn't need to explain to this old man what a Limit Year Soul Ring implies, right?"
"You must know that even this old man, a Rank 96 Super Douluo, does not possess a single Limit Soul Ring."
"If I had possessed the conditions you have now back then, becoming a Rank 97 or even Rank 98 Super Douluo would likely not have been difficult," Chrysanthemum Douluo lamented with emotion.
Hearing Chrysanthemum Douluo's heartfelt sigh, and the explanation that the multi-hundred-thousand-year ring was a joint effort between the Pope and Ye Lan, the Soul Masters began to believe him. They began to believe that Ye Lan had truly created the Artificial Soul Ring.
Just then, that untimely and incredibly ear-piercing voice rang out again:
"Complete nonsense!! Even if you beat me to death, I won't believe a 200,000-year soul ring could be condensed so easily."
"Absorbing a Limit Soul Ring?! Hehe, anyone who wants to die, go ahead and try. After your body explodes and you die, don't expect Spirit Hall's Soul Masters to collect your corpses," Yu Xiaogang shouted while lying prone on the ground.
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's outburst, the hearts of the Soul Masters wavered once more. After all, the "Artificial Soul Ring" broke too many of their common sense rules.
Limit Year Soul Rings were legendary existences. could it really be that everyone could absorb them in the future?
Hearing that harsh voice again, Chrysanthemum Douluo became furious.
That voice was sharper and more grating than even his own; it made his ears uncomfortable.
This time, Yu Xiaogang was lying completely flat on the ground, thinking Chrysanthemum Douluo wouldn't discover him.
But he didn't know that after a Soul Master advanced to the Titled Douluo realm, their mental strength could reach the "Spirit Abyssal Realm." At the Spirit Abyssal Realm, locking onto the source of a sound was incredibly easy.
The enraged Chrysanthemum Douluo instantly locked onto the bearded "he-she" lying on the ground. His body flashed with golden soul light, and he directly controlled the "Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum" to drag the freak out of the crowd and suspend him in mid-air.
At this moment, just as the Soul Masters were about to question why Chrysanthemum Douluo was attacking their companion, Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice interrupted their anger:
"You are?! You are Yu Xiaogang?! How did you end up looking like this neither-man-nor-woman freak?!" Chrysanthemum Douluo scrutinized him and exclaimed in surprise.
"I am not! I am not Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang!" Yu Xiaogang shrieked in his sharp voice.
"Hmph, if you aren't Yu Xiaogang, who is? No wonder you questioned His Highness the Holy Son's theory—it turns out to be the former Number One Theoretical Grandmaster of the Douluo Continent!" Chrysanthemum Douluo gritted his teeth, emphasizing the word "Grandmaster" heavily.
At this moment, thousands of Soul Masters carefully examined the suspended bearded figure. Thinking along the lines of Yu Xiaogang, they instantly matched Yu Xiaogang's iconic flat-top haircut and beard with the person before them.
Their expressions became complicated as they looked at Yu Xiaogang, their eyes revealing shock, disgust, and anger.
"It's that thief Yu Xiaogang who stole Spirit Hall's theories!!"
"It's true, it really is that cesspit Yu Xiaogang!!!"
"Oh my god, I actually called him Grandmaster before?! Retches~"
"I was wondering why he questioned the current Number One Theoretical Grandmaster Ye Lan. So he's the former Grandmaster, now the Douluo Continent's Number One Thief, Yu Xiaogang!!"
"How did he become like this!?"
"I don't know, surely it's retribution for being a thief?!"
"So disgusting!! Why is he acting so affectated and delicate!"
"Yeah, maybe he's already rotten and loose down there."
"Eww, stop talking, it's nauseating."
Hearing everyone's words, Yu Xiaogang completely broke down, kicking his hands and feet wildly in the air.
He shouted continuously:
"I am not Yu Xiaogang!!"
"I am not Yu Xiaogang!!"
"I am not Yu Xiaogang!!"
Seeing the somewhat manic Yu Xiaogang, Chrysanthemum Douluo hurriedly shook him off, afraid that Yu Xiaogang would dirty his "Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."
After tumbling several times, Yu Xiaogang scrambled on hands and knees, crawling toward Shrek Academy.
At this moment, only one thought echoed in his heart.
It's over!
My reputation is truly ruined. How can I survive in this world in the future!?
Little San!!
Little San!!
You must become the strongest Titled Douluo. Only then can my name be washed clean!!
Yu Xiaogang grabbed onto his only life-saving straw, pinning all his hopes on Tang San.
Yu Xiaogang didn't know that due to Tang San's failure to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor, Tang San already held some resentment toward him.
Yu Xiaogang should be glad that Tang San was a hypocrite who still cared about his own reputation.
Otherwise, Yu Xiaogang would have long been added to Tang San's list of those who "have a path to death."
On the other side, the thousands of Soul Masters didn't chase after Yu Xiaogang but were instead attracted by the light in Chrysanthemum Douluo's hand.
"You guessed correctly. The ring in my hand is indeed a Hundred-Thousand-Year Artificial Soul Ring! This soul ring can exist for three days. For these three days, I will place it inside the Heaven Dou City Platinum Sanctuary for everyone to view," Chrysanthemum Douluo announced loudly.
"What?! This is the legendary hundred-thousand-year soul ring?!"
"It seems we have no choice but to believe Master Ye Lan really created Artificial Soul Rings!!"
"Yeah! Yeah!! A hundred-thousand-year soul ring is actually blood red. Why did I hear that hundred-thousand-year rings were orange-gold?"
"Are you stupid? Orange-gold rings are the fifth rings of the Myriad Beast Sect members; those are soul rings from the Soul Spirit system!"
"Lord Chrysanthemum Douluo, what will happen to this soul ring after three days?" a Soul Master asked loudly.
"After three days, it will dissipate into heaven and earth. So if you want to bring friends and family to see it, you must be quick. Otherwise, you won't be able to see it later," Chrysanthemum Douluo explained.
"If that's the case... is Spirit Hall just going to waste a hundred-thousand-year soul ring for nothing?" the Soul Master continued to marvel.
"Waste? Spirit Hall currently has no shortage of soul rings!" Chrysanthemum Douluo said with an air of grandeur.
Hearing Chrysanthemum Douluo's explanation and seeing his indifferent attitude, the Soul Masters who had originally been protesting immediately believed that Spirit Hall's Holy Son, Ye Lan, had truly created the "Artificial Soul Ring."
While shocked by Ye Lan's magnificent achievement, they were simultaneously ashamed of their own actions.
What exactly had they been doing before?
Many Soul Masters began to feel so ashamed they wanted to hide in a hole; for a moment, they didn't know how to express their emotions.
Some commoner Soul Masters knelt toward the Heaven Dou City Platinum Sanctuary, kowtowing repeatedly while muttering:
"I shouldn't have, I absolutely shouldn't have believed those rumors about Spirit Hall warriors killing people."
"Master Ye Lan is so great. His choice to become the Holy Son of Spirit Hall must mean there is absolutely no problem with Spirit Hall!!"
"I shouldn't have, I absolutely shouldn't have suspected Spirit Hall's actions."
"My martial soul was awakened by Spirit Hall. How did I become an ungrateful white-eyed wolf?"
"So Spirit Hall sealed off the Soul Beast Forests to allow Master Ye Lan to create 'Artificial Soul Rings'!"
"Master Ye Lan, I was wrong!!"
"I was wrong, and I have no face to show anyone!!!!"
Hearing this commoner Soul Master repenting endlessly, the nearby Soul Masters, feeling the same way, began to kneel toward the Spirit Hall branch one after another.
In an instant, Soul Masters dropped to their knees, repenting for their mistakes.
How could they have been so stupid?
How could Spirit Hall, a Soul Master organization that made such huge contributions to all humanity and acted so openly, be an evil organization that slaughtered the innocent?
Before long, thousands of Soul Masters were kneeling and bowing in unison toward the Spirit Hall.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, watched all this with emotion, looking at these Soul Masters who kept kneeling and repenting.
And the cause of all this was the Spirit Hall Holy Son, Ye Lan, thousands of miles away.
The impact of the "Artificial Soul Ring" on the Soul Masters' worldview was too terrifying; it was simply a miracle descending upon the world.
From this day forward, Ye Lan's faction, Spirit Hall, would become the holy land in the hearts of countless Soul Masters.
Heaven Dou City, Luxury Residential District.
Inside a luxurious courtyard, a burly man paced back and forth as if the ground were scorching his feet.
A middle-aged servant sighed, "Master, please eat something! Master, your health is important!!"
The burly man seemed not to hear, continuing to pace while sighing incessantly.
After a long while, the burly man lamented:
"How can I eat at a time like this!!"
"Is the news about Ye Lan creating 'Artificial Soul Rings' true or false?!"
"Master, it must be false! A several-hundred-thousand-year Artificial Soul Ring sounds like a fantasy story. The Douluo Continent has developed for hundreds of thousands of years, and there has never been a trace of 'Artificial Soul Rings'," the middle-aged servant affirmed.
"I hope so!! If Ye Lan really created 'Artificial Soul Rings,' Spirit Hall will truly rise! Once they discover we were behind the scenes causing trouble, our 'Titan Clan' is truly finished."
"Sigh, the collective attack on Spirit Hall was going so well. Why did those protesting Soul Masters suddenly hesitate in just one day?" Tai Nuo continued to lament.
"Master, you haven't eaten for three days! Eat something!" the servant urged with concern.
At this moment, a thin Soul Master rushed into the luxurious courtyard.
"You're here?!!"
"Tell me quickly, what is the situation in Heaven Dou City now?! Is it true that Ye Lan created 'Artificial Soul Rings'?!" Tai Nuo asked anxiously.
Little Zeng's face was pale as he said, "Clan Head, it's over, it's over!! Ye Lan seems to have really created 'Artificial Soul Rings'!"
"What do you mean!? Tell me honestly, what did you see?"
Tai Nuo grabbed Little Zeng's shoulders tightly, his hands clamping down like pincers.
The panicked Little Zeng didn't even feel the pain as he muttered:
"Master, Spirit Hall's Chrysanthemum Douluo announced that Ye Lan and Bibi Dong jointly condensed a 200,000-year Artificial Soul Ring."
"Moreover, inside the inner hall of the Heaven Dou City Platinum Sanctuary, a hundred-thousand-year soul ring is currently on display."
"Listening to that Chrysanthemum Douluo, Spirit Hall doesn't intend to give this ring to anyone to absorb. They're just going to leave it there for three days to dissipate naturally!!"
"Doesn't this mean Spirit Hall truly doesn't lack hundred-thousand-year soul rings? That soul ring must be artificial!!"
Hearing Little Zeng's news, Tai Nuo stumbled and collapsed to the ground.
The middle-aged servant on the side was frightened into helplessness.
Little Zeng's news made the servant realize that the enemy of their "Titan Clan" had truly prospered, while they could only become rats in the sewer.
In his daze, Tai Nuo seemed to see the scene of the "Titan Clan" being exterminated.
Moments later, Tai Nuo wailed loudly:
"Heavens!! Why do you treat me this way!!"
"What exactly did our 'Titan Clan' do wrong?!"
"Everything was fine yesterday; Spirit Hall was about to collapse. Why did Ye Lan have to create 'Artificial Soul Rings'?!"
At this moment, the faces of the dozens of "Titan Clan" members in the courtyard turned pale.
They hadn't expected Spirit Hall's counterattack to be so silent yet so powerful.
Spirit Hall hadn't used any military force, yet in an instant, it had dismantled all their arrangements.
The middle-aged servant hurriedly helped Tai Nuo up and said:
"Master, things haven't reached the point of no return!!"
"Spirit Hall doesn't know we are the ones manipulating everything behind the scenes. As long as there are no problems on the Young Miss's side, we won't be exposed!"
"How about we return to the 'Strength Clan'? Once Spirit Hall learns of the strange move of our 'Titan Clan' breaking away from the 'Strength Clan,' they might investigate us."
Tai Nuo seemed to grab onto a life-saving straw and nodded repeatedly:
"You're right!!! We must return to the 'Strength Clan'!!"
"I will go find the Young Miss now and tell her she must not be exposed!!"
Subsequently, a travel-worn Tai Nuo rushed to the Moon Pavilion (Yue Xuan), ignoring the arrogant guards, and headed straight for the fifth floor.
Upon entering the Moon Pavilion, Tai Nuo saw Tang Yuehua looking calm and composed.
He thought to himself: Does the Young Miss not know about the Holy Son creating 'Artificial Soul Rings' yet?
"Young Miss? Do you not know that a monumental event has occurred on the Douluo Continent?" Tai Nuo asked with a confused expression.
Tang Yuehua lifted a cup of tea, sipped it slowly, and said:
"What is there to panic about? Stay calm. Are you talking about Spirit Hall's Holy Son Ye Lan creating 'Artificial Soul Rings'?"
"Yes! Isn't this news explosive enough? He created 'Artificial Soul Rings,' which means Spirit Hall has completely survived this crisis and can even advance further." Tai Nuo found Tang Yuehua's calm attitude unbelievable.
"So what does this have to do with us? Have we been exposed? You merely participated in a protest demonstration."
"Your 'Titan Clan' didn't even kill a single Douluo Warrior."
"Does Spirit Hall intend to kill every Soul Master in the Heaven Dou Empire?" Tang Yuehua said indifferently.
"Young Miss, I know what you mean. But we are, after all, the true culprits behind all this. Will we really not be exposed?" Tai Nuo hesitated.
"Rest assured, the only person who truly knows my plan is the Heaven Dou Emperor."
"Given the antagonistic relationship between the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall, he won't sell me out," Tang Yuehua affirmed.
"That's good, that's good..." Tai Nuo said.
"If there's nothing else, go back! Remember to stay calm. Otherwise, with your current appearance, are you afraid others won't know you have a guilty conscience?" Tang Yuehua instructed.
"I understand, Young Miss. I will definitely be calm!!" Tai Nuo patted his chest and promised. After receiving Tang Yuehua's answer, he felt much more secure.
Watching Tai Nuo leave, a ripple flashed through Tang Yuehua's eyes.
In fact, her heart was not as calm as she had just shown; she was extremely nervous inside.
In Heaven Dou City, aside from Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Emperor, she was in the second batch of people to receive confirmation that the Spirit Hall Holy Son had created "Artificial Soul Rings." After all, she was on good terms with many nobles and could cross-reference intelligence from multiple channels to confirm its authenticity.
When she received the definite news that the Spirit Hall Holy Son had successfully condensed Artificial Soul Rings, she had stood frozen in place for a long time, unable to recover.
Based on her experience over the years, she knew that from now on, all measures against Spirit Hall would fail.
This was because the "Artificial Soul Ring" was simply too outrageous.
From now on, Spirit Hall would completely monopolize the advancement channels for Soul Masters.
Although her sect... all Clear Sky Clan Soul Masters could also obtain Limit Year Soul Rings to greatly enhance their strength.
But that was assuming Spirit Hall didn't choke the Clear Sky Clan. Given the hostile relationship between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Clan...
For the Clear Sky Clan to obtain high-ranking Artificial Soul Rings in the future would be nothing more than a pipe dream. To get them, the Clear Sky Clan would have to pay a steep price through various special channels.
Besides the unease caused by Spirit Hall's success, the fact that she was the manipulator behind this "Heaven Dou Riot" also made her anxious.
Once Spirit Hall learned that this riot across the entire Heaven Dou Empire was plotted by the Clear Sky Clan and her, the Moon Pavilion and the Clear Sky Clan would face a catastrophe.
What confused Tang Yuehua even more was the disappearance of Tang Long and Tang Wei. Many days had passed; even if a "Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast" was rare, they should have found one by now, right?
Why hadn't Tang Wei and Tang Long returned yet?
Logically, with Spirit Douluo Tang Wei protecting Tang Long, hunting a ten-thousand-year soul beast shouldn't have encountered any accidents.
With complex emotions, Tang Yuehua gazed into the distance at the countless Soul Masters repenting in front of the Platinum Sanctuary, her heart shaken.
Ye Lan, just what kind of person are you?
Relying on yourself alone, you made countless Heaven Dou Soul Masters repent?
Relying on yourself alone, you turned the tide and saved Spirit Hall from collapse?
After returning to the "Titan Clan" courtyard, Tai Nuo immediately draped thorny brambles over his inner shirt.
After putting on a loose black robe, Tai Nuo immediately headed for the "Strength Clan" territory.
Before long, the anxious Tai Nuo walked into the center of the "Strength Clan" grounds.
Under the bewildered gazes of countless "Strength Clan" members, their former clan leader took off his black robe and inner shirt.
He revealed his rugged, burly body and the black brambles that were drawing blood.
Thud!
Tai Nuo knelt before the main hall of the "Strength Clan," carrying the brambles to ask for punishment.
The nearby "Strength Clan" members did not show any surprise or joy. They knew the reason why the "Titan Clan" had broken away.
One reason was to avenge the former-former clan leader Titan. The other reason was to cut ties with the "Strength Clan"—who hated the Clear Sky Clan—and rush to be dogs for Tang Hao's sister, thereby currying favor with Tang Hao.
After an unknown amount of time, a black-haired old man slowly walked out from the back of the hall.
Seeing Uncle Tai Shan, Tai Nuo breathed a sigh of relief.
He immediately kowtowed and said:
"The sinner of the Strength Clan, Tai Nuo, seeks an audience with Clan Head Tai Shan!!"
"Tai Nuo, as the Clan Head of the 'Titan Clan,' what crime have you committed?" Tai Shan asked indifferently.
"Clan Head!! I absolutely shouldn't have broken away from the 'Strength Clan.' Our 'Titan Clan' cannot be without the main clan!!" Tai Nuo cried.
"If you really acknowledged the 'Strength Clan,' you wouldn't have taken your clansmen and left." Tai Shan pointed out the key issue.
"I beg you, Clan Head, for the sake of the 'Titan Clan' and the 'Strength Clan' sharing the same roots and origin, let the 'Titan Clan' return to the 'Strength Clan'!" Tai Nuo pleaded earnestly.
"Tai Nuo, I forbade you from seeking revenge against Spirit Hall back then. Why is it that now that Spirit Hall has created 'Artificial Soul Rings,' you are so eager to return to the 'Strength Clan'?" Tai Shan asked.
"Clan Head, I..." Tai Nuo was speechless.
"Tai Nuo, you don't want to return to the 'Strength Clan.' You just know you are going to die. Go back! The 'Strength Clan' will never be dogs for the Clear Sky Clan!! We will not acknowledge you 'Titan Clan' members who have committed monstrous crimes; otherwise, the 'Strength Clan' will only face extermination."
"I ask you, for the sake of the 'Titan Clan' and 'Strength Clan' sharing the same ancestry, let us off this once. Leave a bloodline for the Vigorous Orangutan Martial Soul," Tai Shan said.
Tai Nuo's face instantly turned pale. He hadn't expected that Uncle Tai Shan, who was originally closest to him, would disregard their family ties so completely and refuse to let the "Titan Clan" return.
Seeing his closest relative abandon him, Tai Nuo broke down and cursed:
"You Spirit Hall running dogs who disregard family ties! What makes you think we will definitely die?!!"
Looking at his nephew of the past, Tai Shan was incredibly disappointed. He shook his head and returned to the inner clan grounds.
Facing the utterly disappointed gaze of his uncle Tai Shan, Tai Nuo felt as if ten thousand arrows had pierced his heart.
He crawled up from the ground and returned to the "Luxury Courtyard" with a lifeless look in his eyes.
(End of Chapter)