A special thank you to my patrons:
—Cain, Shahzaam, Splendid, Jacob Mooe, Varun Madhu, Mp Gaming, Gonzalo Sumalavia, kevin Williams, Jose Carrillo, ZaberZ, Jose Sierra, Salim, Silver, ManyEB, Александр Радняный, John Doe, Kyle Bates.
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lesaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
As expected, the first battle of the Five Gods Duel—the mecha battle—ended with Tang Wulin's victory over a Divine Mecha Master of Limit Douluo rank.
The unexpected triumph of the Tang Sect's leader in the opening match of the Five Gods Duel sent shockwaves throughout the entire Star Luo Empire.
The prestige and fervor surrounding the Five Gods Duel soared to new heights under these circumstances. Initially, only sixty percent of the tickets for the second match had been sold. However, after the conclusion of the first battle, the remaining tickets were swept up in an instant, becoming incredibly scarce. Seats in prime locations were resold at astronomical prices.
Aside from the empire's official channels, which reaped the greatest profits, the Tang Sect emerged as the second-largest beneficiary.
The Tang Sect's business operations in the Star Luo Empire were extensive, spanning infrastructure development, soul tool research and development, civilian soul tool sales, and more. Moreover, the very purpose of the Five Gods Duel was to forge an alliance with the Star Luo Empire, with the Tang Sect supplying soul tech weaponry to aid Star Luo in resisting the Douluo Federation.
Within a single day, the Tang Sect's orders surged by ten percent. Given the sect's current scale, this increase represented an astronomical figure. Even major organizations like the Spirit Pagoda could only watch with envy and resentment.
Tang Wulin, in particular, gained countless admirers—his handsome features, clear and gentle eyes, tall and slender physique, formidable strength, and youthful age of just over twenty years old made him an instant sensation. A whirlwind of adoration swept through the hearts of young women across the empire.
---
Five Gods Duel, Second Battle: Spirit Soul Duel.
"Next, let us welcome the contestants. First, allow me to introduce the representative of our Star Luo Empire in today's second battle of the Five Gods Duel. He is—"
The commentator deliberately drew out his words, heightening the suspense.
"The head of the Spirit Pagoda's Star Luo Empire branch, the Sub-Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda—His Excellency Zhang Geyang! His Excellency Zhang Geyang, bearing the title 'Hell Flame,' is the strongest expert the Spirit Pagoda has stationed in the Star Luo Empire. For the Spirit Soul Duel, he will represent the empire in battle."
Of course, this battle concluded with Zhang Geyang being stripped of his Thunderclap Nethervine, as the betrayal of his spirit soul had shaken his foundation. He would forever remain stuck at level 98, with no hope of ever reaching level 99.
Just as the host was about to announce the end of the second battle of the Five Gods Duel, a deafening explosion reverberated across the capital.
"What's happening?" Emperor Dai Tianling's heart trembled violently. Who would dare provoke the Star Luo Empire at such a moment?
En Ci gazed into the void and said to Dai Tianling, "The Spirit Pagoda is under attack."
"What?!" Zhang Geyang, standing beside En Ci, was stunned. Could it be…
"All Spirit Pagoda members, return to the Pagoda at once!" Zhang Geyang could no longer concern himself with spirit souls or the Five Gods Duel. He hastily departed.
"Teacher, was it Bai Xu who attacked the Spirit Pagoda?" Dai Tianling asked En Ci.
"It was a young man. Judging by the aura he exuded, he surpasses even the Tang Sect's leader, who has already secured two consecutive victories. To subdue him, I may have to intervene personally. Your Majesty, the final decision rests with you," En Ci replied.
"What?! That Bai Xu has already reached the Limit Douluo level?!" Dai Tianling was both shocked and fearful. If even the Imperial Teacher spoke in such terms, Bai Xu's true combat prowess was likely on par with the current Tang Sect leader—despite only being an eight-ringed soul master, he could rival a Hyper Douluo, if not a Limit Douluo.
"Teacher, let us observe the situation for now and allow the Spirit Pagoda to handle it themselves," Dai Tianling said before turning his attention to the Tang Sect leader, who was conversing with the Smiling Douluo.
The Tang Sect had also received word of the incident. Bai Xu had not concealed his appearance, brazenly making his presence known in the Star Luo capital. Reports indicated that he was already in a standoff with the Spirit Pagoda's Title Douluo. Surprisingly, however, the one confronting Bai Xu was not a Hyper Douluo but the newly appointed Spirit Pagoda Envoy—the Silver Dragon Douluo, Gu Yuena.
Upon hearing this name, Tang Wulin was the first to lose his composure. "Na'er?! Quick, let's go see what's happening!"
---
One Minute Earlier .
While Zhang Geyang and Tang Wulin were locked in fierce combat, an invisible Five Elements Formation silently enveloped the entire Spirit Pagoda.
The formation seemed capable of masking perception—from the outside, everything appeared normal.
Then, space tore open, and a figure abruptly appeared in the sky above the Spirit Pagoda.
An overwhelming pressure instantly solidified the surrounding air, and a chilling killing intent swept through the entire Spirit Pagoda, freezing everyone in place. Yet, within the heavily fortified and well-prepared Pagoda, the high-ranking officials remained unshaken.
Creak!
The barrels of large-scale soul tech weapons swiftly pivoted, locking onto the figure in the sky. Simultaneously, a group of Title Douluo materialized in the air, confronting Bai Xu from a distance.
"Sir, you've already destroyed three of our branch Pagodas. Now you descend upon the Star Luo capital—are you here to surrender yourself?" The deputy Pagoda Master was absent, leaving an elderly man, seemingly the acting leader, to speak. However, his strength was only around level 95.
"My actions against the Spirit Pagoda are solely to demand an explanation. Until I receive one, I will continue my assaults until the Spirit Pagoda ceases to exist," Bai Xu replied coldly.
"Preposterous! Who do you think you are? Even if you possess the strength of a Hyper Douluo, today you are nothing more than prey! Fire the soul rays!" the old man roared in fury.
Despite the numerous Title Douluo standing before him, Bai Xu showed no fear—nor was he willing to make the slightest concession.
The soul rays were unleashed almost instantly upon the old man's command. However… this was still the Spirit Pagoda. They dared not employ high-destructive weaponry, and the power of these soul rays…
The crowd watched as Bai Xu casually rolled up his sleeves, his hands coated in a mysterious light. With a few effortless swipes, he dispersed the supposedly lethal rays, leaving only faint wisps of smoke in the air.
"What?! Has the Pagoda Master still not been contacted?!" The old man panicked. The young man before them was clearly operating on an entirely different level.
"No need to contact anyone. I'll destroy this place first!"
"Golden Element: Blazing Sun!"
A scorching white sun materialized in the sky—another display of the same devastating technique. It targeted only the Spirit Pagoda's modern structures, including its precious Spirit Ascension Platforms and advanced soul tech weaponry. The white radiance seemed unbearably hot, melting and disintegrating the metal buildings, yet leaving the people unharmed.
"Stop!" the old man bellowed. Over a dozen Title Douluo rushed forward, attempting to suppress Bai Xu with their combined aura.
But… Bai Xu's hands slowly formed a series of seals, and behind him, the faint silhouette of a willow tree emerged—though now it lacked physical form, appearing only as an ethereal outline suspended in the void.
The willow branches swayed, releasing countless illusory willow catkins that drifted toward the crowd like dreamlike blossoms.
Yet, in the next moment, the Title Douluo were stunned.
The blossoms took root in the void, seemingly drawing upon the fabric of space itself. The surrounding space began to collapse, cutting off their advance. Worse still, several Title Douluo who accidentally touched the blossoms found them taking root on their bodies. Within moments, agonized screams erupted as one Title Douluo was completely drained of flesh and soul, leaving no trace behind.
"You—you truly are an evil soul master!"
Seeing Bai Xu's almost amused expression, the old man's spirit broke. The gap in power was too vast—Bai Xu seemed to have already stepped into the realm of Limit Douluo. A mere level 95 Title Douluo like himself stood no chance.
But just then, a silver figure stepped forward.
Gu Yuena, clad in a silver battle dress and wielding the Silver Dragon Spear, positioned herself between Bai Xu and the others. "Enough, Bai Xu," she declared sternly. "Return with me. Do not persist in your mistakes."
For the first time, Bai Xu's face revealed a hint of mockery. His tone was laced with disdain. "And what if I refuse? What will you do?"
"Then we fight."
The two locked eyes, their expressions grave—yet deep within their gazes, a different emotion lurked.
Gu Yuena transmitted a voice message to the old man: "Break his formation and contact Deputy Pagoda Master Zhang. I'll hold him off."
The old man, grasping at this lifeline, hastily retreated. "Spirit Envoy Gu… please… be careful."