Chapter 82: Tang Hao, You've Come to
Pope's Palace
Bibi Dong sat upon the Pope's throne, her presence radiating cold, murderous intent.
The three soul bones awarded in this Soul Master Tournament were prepared specifically for Golden Generation's trio. Never did she expect that they would all end up in the hands of that mysterious youth, Wuming.
To her, this was a humiliation—both to herself and to the entire Spirit Hall.
If Wuming had not come as a representative of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she would have expelled him from the tournament long ago.
Although the competition had concluded, Bibi Dong had no intention of allowing Wuming to walk away with those three soul bones.
Ghost Leopard Douluo and Spirit Kite Douluo stood trembling in the hall, barely daring to breathe.
"Your Holiness, shall we kill Wuming and retrieve the soul bones?"
"There's no need. I have my own plans," Bibi Dong said calmly. "Your task is to watch both Wuming and Tang San's group. The moment they leave Spirit City, report to me immediately."
"Yes!"
The two Douluo bowed and hurriedly withdrew.
A wicked smile curled across Bibi Dong's lips.
She knew the boy possessed at least two soul bones already, and neither of low age. With the three new ones from the tournament, he carried no less than five soul bones now.
His strength was unfathomable, and there might even be a powerful expert supporting him from behind.
This time, Bibi Dong would act personally.
Her own set of soul bones was already complete—in addition to an attached soul bone, the Six-Winged Purple Light Wings.
Even extra soul bones were useless to her personally.
But each soul bone was a priceless treasure. If she retrieved them, she could reward Hu Liena.
More importantly…
That strange, eerie darkness lingering around the youth's body… That power aligned perfectly with her Death Spider Emperor martial soul.
She wanted to devour that youth—consume his dark power and claim it as her own.
Bibi Dong also knew Tang San was no ordinary figure.
A twin martial soul wielder of Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer.
He was clearly Tang Hao's son.
Given Tang San's presence in Spirit City, Tang Hao was likely watching secretly, protecting him from the shadows.
Bibi Dong's strength had grown rapidly in recent years—she was now a rare opponent even among Titled Douluo.
Tang Hao was once the youngest Titled Douluo in history, a powerhouse who seriously wounded the former Pope Qian Xunji.
For years, Bibi Dong had wanted to test her strength against Tang Hao.
She knew he would never watch his son suffer humiliation.
In fact, Tang Hao might even attempt to kill the mysterious youth himself for the sake of those soul bones.
And with Sword Douluo's keen eyes, even he had sensed the soul bones within Wuming's body. If not for protecting Xue Qinghe, even Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo might have made a move.
One way or another…
That mysterious youth was heading straight into a bloody storm.
---
Foot of Pope's Mountain
After parting ways with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team, Gui Mei left alone.
Yu Xiaogang approached Ning Fengzhi with the Shrek students behind him.
"Sect Master Ning, I have a request."
"Master, we're all allies here. Speak freely."
"The children are injured and haven't recovered yet. I'd like to trouble you to bring them safely back to Heaven Dou City."
Yu Xiaogang turned toward Tang San and continued,
"Xiao San used the Clear Sky Hammer. His identity is now exposed and dangerous. It may bring trouble to everyone, so we plan to leave quickly to avoid complications."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly—instantly understanding Yu Xiaogang's true intention.
He knew that Tang Hao was watching from the shadows and would never allow Tang San to be bullied.
Wuming, leaving alone…
Clearly, they were going to seize his soul bones.
Yu Xiaogang's reason was merely an excuse.
"Grandmaster, don't worry. I'll ensure the children return to Heaven Dou safely."
"Then I must trouble you."
"You're too polite."
After giving Dai Mubai and the others a few brief instructions, Yu Xiaogang, Flender, Liu Erlong, and Tang San departed first.
As they watched the four figures disappear into the distance, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged a meaningful look.
The mysterious youth carried at least five soul bones—who could resist such temptation?
Moreover, during the match, he had shown no mercy to the Shrek team, nearly killing Ning Rongrong. He completely disregarded the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin both developed killing intent toward him.
If not for his identity as a Heaven Dou student, they would have already acted.
They too wished to seize Wuming's soul bones.
But with the responsibility of protecting Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Ning Rongrong, neither Ning Fengzhi nor Sword Douluo could afford to act—so they had no choice but to give up.
A Mountain Valley Outside Spirit City
After leaving Spirit City, Gui Mei traveled alone through a quiet valley.
When the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's first team was eliminated, Dugu Bo originally intended to escort him, but Gui Mei refused.
He knew that after claiming the three tournament soul bones, Bibi Dong and Tang Hao would never let him leave peacefully.
He deliberately used himself as bait, acting alone to lure them out.
Sure enough, he hadn't gone far when he sensed a strange fluctuation of soul power with his powerful spiritual perception.
This wasn't Tang Hao.
Nor was it Bibi Dong.
And the approaching aura wasn't even at the level of a Titled Douluo.
Gui Mei stopped walking and waited silently.
"Hiding in the shadows… Why bother? Since you're already here, come out."
Suddenly—
An old man descended from the sky, landing less than a hundred meters from Gui Mei.
A sinister and vicious expression twisted the elder's features.
Gui Mei recognized him instantly—the instructor from Star Luo Royal Academy.
After Gui Mei had severed Dai Weisi's arm, this elder had confronted him and nearly started a fight.
The old man sneered coldly.
"Boy, you really are capable—able to sense my presence. I won't waste words. You chopped off the Crown Prince's arm. You must pay the price. But bullying a junior like you would tarnish my reputation. So I'll give you a choice. Hand over those three soul bones, and I'll only break both of your arms and spare your life. Otherwise, you'll die without a corpse!"
Gui Mei smirked, eyes full of mockery and contempt.
He deliberately lifted the three soul bones from his left palm, letting their radiant glow stimulate the old man's greed.
"Old fool, are you stupid or tired of living? After witnessing my strength, you actually dare to snatch my soul bones? They're right here. If you're not afraid of dying—come and take them."
The old man's expression darkened immediately, fury exploding across his face.
"Arrogant brat! Since you refuse a toast and choose punishment, don't blame me for being merciless!"
Before he finished speaking, he released his martial soul.
A massive black tiger manifested behind him—majestic and ferocious.
Two yellow, two purple, and four black soul rings rose from beneath him—
An eight-ring Soul Douluo.
He had seen Gui Mei fight before and understood how dangerous this youth was.
And he also knew that Spirit Hall wouldn't let Wuming take those soul bones easily.
Which meant— He had to strike first.
End it quickly.
The black tiger swelled, entering its martial soul avatar form.
It let out a thunderous roar.
A blade of black light shot from its body, slicing through the air with a chilling whistle—aimed straight at Gui Mei.
Gui Mei didn't flinch.
His left leg flashed with light, and his body vanished instantly.
One second later, he reappeared right before the giant tiger.
A chilling sword qi containing the aura of death slashed down.
"Old dog… You brought this upon yourself."
The blade struck before the old man could even react.
His eyes widened in shock and terror.
He tried to dodge—but it was far too late.
A cold sensation touched his neck.
And then—
His head flew.
The giant black tiger's phantom disintegrated with its master's death.
"Hmph. Pathetic."
Gui Mei spared the corpse a single cold glance, then scoffed disdainfully.
Suddenly, he sensed another wave of soul power.
This one was far stronger— and unmistakably familiar.
"So, Tang Hao… you've finally arrived."
Gui Mei turned toward the approaching presence and waited.
Before long, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man stepped into view.
Tang Hao.
He stopped a short distance away, his eyes immediately falling on the headless corpse at Gui Mei's feet.
His gaze swept the surroundings warily, searching to see if the black-clothed youth had companions.
Gui Mei's lips curved into a mocking smile.
"What's wrong? You've come to die too?"
—
End of Chapter