"Not enough!"
Glancing at Qian Renxue, who appeared overly confident, Chu Chengzhou shook his head.
This girl was great in every other aspect, but she was a bit too overconfident.
Confidence was good, but overconfidence wasn't necessarily beneficial.
The strength of the Spirit Hall was undeniable, but in the original storyline, when Qian Renxue initiated the coup in Tian Dou Palace, aside from other levels of soul masters, she only brought two Title Douluos—She Long and Ci Xue, whose strengths were considered bottom-tier.
If the Spirit Hall could send an elder as backup, Qian Renxue wouldn't have been thwarted by Tang San and others.
"What's not enough?"
Qian Renxue was taken aback.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan knows my approximate strength. The elders you mentioned from the Spirit Hall—are they just ordinary elders?
Without spirit fusion techniques, three Title Douluos with soul power levels below 95, plus ten Soul Douluos, wouldn't be enough for me to fight alone.
If I'm present and Old Man Xue Ye meets an untimely end, how am I going to explain to my future father-in-law how he died?"
Chu Chengzhou answered Qian Renxue's question.
The summoned Big Bear from Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, Little Ming from Titan Ape, and Little Black from Dark Demon Evil God Tiger all possessed Title Douluo-level strength.
In fact, if Big Bear used his innate soul skill Dark Gold Terror Claw, he could instantly kill a Title Douluo. Little Ming, with an age nearing 100,000 years and domain power, had strength comparable to a Level 96 Title Douluo like Jiang Mo.
With these three summons plus him—a high-attack, high-speed, high-defense archer—the assassin team lineup Qian Renxue mentioned couldn't make any waves in front of him.
If Old Man Xue Ye were killed by such an assassin team while under his protection, Ning Fengzhi would surely suspect collusion between him and the assassins.
Qian Renxue: "..."
After a moment of silence, Qian Renxue continued, "What level of assassin would be needed to 'accidentally' kill Emperor Xue Ye if you're present?"
"Excluding sneak attacks, five Level 95 Title Douluos without spirit fusion techniques, plus a group of non-Titled Douluo underlings."
Chu Chengzhou extended his right hand, fingers spread.
Five average Level 95 Title Douluos should suffice. Two could hold back the 100,000-year-old Little Ming, one could restrain the nearly 80,000-year-old Big Bear, another could deal with the nearly 50,000-year-old Little Black, and the last one could handle him, a summoner doubling as an archer.
Of course, this was based on their current combat power.
If the operation were to take place months later, the strength of Big Bear and Little Black would be uncertain.
However, one thing was certain: given the same age, Big Bear and Little Black would both be stronger than Little Ming, who belonged to the Titan Ape species.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's expression darkened.
Five Level 95 Title Douluos weren't impossible for the Spirit Hall to produce, but the problem was that experts of this caliber were mostly well-known across the continent.
Though ordinary soul masters might not recognize them or know their names, the Tian Dou Empire and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan likely kept tabs on them. Once they acted, their backgrounds would likely be uncovered.
And five Level 95 Title Douluos...aren't you overestimating yourself?
Besides, non-Title Douluo soul masters include Soul Douluos, right?
There were only a few dozen Title Douluos on the entire continent. Since when did Soul Douluos experts become mere underlings?
After pondering for a moment, Qian Renxue said, "Those two legions have just begun forming and will need at least a few more months. I'll gradually refine the specific plan. Today is just a heads-up."
"That works!"
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
Attempting treason required meticulous planning—no obvious flaws could be allowed.
However, at this moment, Chu Chengzhou thought of a more comprehensive plan than the one Qian Renxue proposed.
In Qian Renxue's plan, the assassin team was nominally targeting him. The issue of insufficient strength to 'accidentally' kill Old Man Xue Ye could be easily resolved by strengthening the assassin team, and the origins of the assassin team members didn't have to be limited to the Spirit Hall.
He could stir up trouble in Star Luo City later—perhaps by eliminating Crown Prince Dai Weisi or Emperor Dai Yutian. He wasn't worried that the Dai family would hesitate to invest heavily in sending assassins into Tian Dou City to target him.
Being slapped in the face repeatedly, even the most patient person would lose their temper, let alone the mighty Star Luo Empire.
Before making a move in Star Luo, if unknown experts sought to join, the Dai family would undoubtedly welcome them.
After all, a knife doesn't care where it comes from—it just needs to be sharp enough when used.
Once a big commotion attracted the attention of most of the experts in Tian Dou City, the Spirit Hall's affiliated experts could take advantage of the chaos to eliminate Old Man Xue Ye. The blame for assassinating the Tian Dou Emperor would fall squarely on the Star Luo Empire, whether they liked it or not.
Even if Star Luo refused to accept unknown experts, they could still act simultaneously.
Acting together, how could the culprits not be the Star Luo Empire?
The goal achieved, and the blame shifted to Star Luo—this plan was perfect!
Of course, if they really went through with it, he'd need to first arrange for Xiao Wu and the others to train on Sea God Island, ensuring no loose ends.
After the banquet ended, Chu Chengzhou and Hu Liena left the hotel.
Exiting the hotel, Hu Liena pulled Chu Chengzhou into a nearby teahouse.
They ordered a private room and had Chu Chengzhou set up a layer of soul power barrier to ensure their conversation wouldn't leak. Then, Hu Liena extended her jade-like hand to pinch Chu Chengzhou's soft flesh at his waist, her expression displeased as she said, "Tell me, how long have you been hiding the matter about my senior sister from me?"
"Ow ow ow, Nana, let go first!"
"Hmph~, confess honestly!"
Hu Liena snorted, clearly unhappy.
Her displeasure stemmed from two things: one, Chu Chengzhou had hidden this from her; two, judging by the situation, her senior sister Qian Renxue would likely also fall into Chu Chengzhou's hands.
"Well I formally met her about half a year after we left Slaughter City."
Chu Chengzhou chuckled awkwardly.
"Do Xiao Wu and the others know?"
"With a cold face, Hu Liena asked.
"Not yet~"
"Then will my senior sister become your fifth wife in the future?"
Hearing this, Chu Chengzhou clicked his tongue and said, "Probably not?"
The ranking of wives depended on formal relationship confirmation. Little Rabbit was the first wife, Little Devil Girl the second, Big Cat the third, and Little Fox the fourth. At this point, Qian Renxue hadn't agreed to be his girlfriend, so the fifth wife would logically be Big Sister Tang Yuehua.
If he didn't pursue other women in the future, then Qian Renxue would be the sixth.
"Huh? My senior sister is so beautiful, and you have no thoughts?"
Hu Liena widened her eyes, looking incredulously at Chu Chengzhou.
Good grief, has this little lecher gone vegetarian?
"Nana, is this how you see me?"
A guilty Chu Chengzhou, with a blackened face, pretended to be serious.
No reply—Hu Liena simply nodded.
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
Alright, I do have thoughts, but isn't it because Little Angel hasn't agreed yet?
The last time I stealthily kissed her in the illusion, I got beaten into a panda-eyed state!
"By the way, do you know the details about the relationship between my teacher and senior sister? And isn't my teacher the disciple of the former Pope? How are they husband and wife?"
Temporarily setting aside whether Chu Chengzhou had designs on her senior sister, Hu Liena's curiosity flared as she asked her previous question.
Hearing this, Chu Chengzhou thought for a moment, then shook his head.
The deeds of the Secret Room Douluo back then didn't need to be known by Hu Liena—it held no meaning.
For Bibi Dong, it was something she desperately wanted to forget and certainly didn't want more people to know.
Moreover, Bibi Dong likely didn't need anyone to pity her, especially not her disciple Hu Liena.
Seeing Chu Chengzhou shake his head, the flames of gossip in Hu Liena's heart gradually extinguished.
Indeed, if even she, as her teacher's disciple, didn't know, how could Chu Chengzhou possibly know?
On the other side.
At the official entrance of Slaughter City within the Balak Kingdom, a towering figure clad in a black robe arrived.
A circle of white light blossomed from his body, transforming into blood-red domain power. Amidst the release of terrifying killing intent, the towering figure walked into Slaughter City under the respectful gazes of numerous black-armored warriors stationed at the entrance.
Tang Hao, the great father of Tang San—who had already been training in Slaughter City for a long time—came to check on things and remind a certain local snakehead not to pull any unpleasant stunts behind the scenes.
Soon, the black-robed Tang Hao flew above the inner city.
"??? "
Looking down at the eerily quiet inner city, which no longer resembled its usual bustling self, Tang Hao was momentarily stunned.
What was going on?
Extending his spiritual power to sense the area, he detected his beloved son Tang San sitting safely near the inner city gate. Tang Hao inwardly sighed in relief.
Accidents were fine as long as his beloved son was safe.
But almost immediately, Tang Hao felt a surge of unnamed anger.
What was wrong with Slaughter City? His son Tang San came here to train, not to retire! With fewer than two fallen fighters in the entire inner city, how was he supposed to train?
Without meeting Tang San, Tang Hao directly flew toward a blood-red hall inside the city.
He was going to confront the Slaughter King—was he deliberately doing this to prevent his son from accumulating 100 consecutive victories in the Hell Slaughter Arena, thereby preventing him from obtaining the Killing God Domain?
Tang Hao: Do you think my Hao Tian Hammer is just for show?
In front of a majestic blood-red hall, numerous black-armored warriors wielding large swords stood guard.
"Stop!"
Seeing a towering black-robed figure approaching from afar, two black-armored warriors guarding the hall stepped forward to block him.
"Get lost—Slaughter King, come out!"
Releasing a terrifying killing intent, Tang Hao showed no mercy to the black-armored warriors of Slaughter City, shouting fiercely at the blood-red hall.
Immediately, the black-armored warriors guarding the hall changed expressions, quickly forming ranks and gripping their large swords, preparing to slay this audacious villain.
"Hmph~, insignificant insects!"
Seeing this, Tang Hao sneered disdainfully.
Could these rotten eggs and tomatoes stop this Douluo?
Just then, a tall figure draped in a blood-red cloak, with a pale face, stepped out of the blood-red hall.
"Greetings to the great Slaughter King!"
Seeing the tall blood-red figure, the black-armored warriors immediately bowed.
"Stand down!"
Waving his hand, the Slaughter King signaled the black-armored warriors to retreat.
This person was one of the contemporary gods of killing, and having grown into a killing god, even he wasn't sure he could win against Tang Hao. Sending these subordinates would be nothing more than offering them as cannon fodder.
Moreover, if possible, he didn't want to confront this killing god.
"Hao Tian Killing God, this is my Slaughter City—you have no right to act recklessly!"
The Slaughter King spoke with a displeased expression.
'Hao Tian' was the alias Tang Hao used during his time training in Slaughter City. After obtaining the Killing God Domain and becoming a killing god, the title became 'Hao Tian Killing God.'
"Slaughter King, my son came here to train, but there are hardly any fallen fighters in the inner city. How do you explain this?"
Tang Hao questioned harshly.
"Hmph~, and you have the nerve to ask me? Not holding your son accountable is already giving you, a contemporary killing god, face!"
Mentioning this, the Slaughter King felt a surge of anger.
If not for your son, would my Killing City be in this mess?
It was only because the Slaughter King lacked confidence in capturing Tang Hao—if he had it, he would've chopped Tang Hao to pieces by now.
"Huh?"
Tang Hao raised an eyebrow. Could it be that the inner city of Slaughter City turning into this ghostly state was caused by his beloved son?
"Before your son came, two new killing gods emerged from Slaughter City, one of whom completed 100 consecutive victories in the Hell Slaughter Arena in less than a month.
The number of fallen fighters in the inner city was already low, and then your son, without restraint, killed everyone he saw. Now they've all been killed by him—how dare you question me?"
Hearing this, Tang Hao's expression turned awkward.
He knew that before Tang San, Chu Chengzhou had become a killing god in Slaughter City, but he didn't know that Chu Chengzhou had completed it in less than a month.
After all, every killing god needed at least 100 consecutive victories in the Hell Slaughter Arena. Two killing gods meant 200 battles, each requiring nine heads, totaling 1,800 heads.
And that was just the count inside the arena—outside, many fallen fighters must have died at their hands as well.
Thus, with so many fallen fighters disappearing from the inner city in such a short time, the scarcity of fallen fighters was understandable.
And since the number of fallen fighters was already low, his beloved son wreaking havoc further meant that seeing no fallen fighters in the inner city of Slaughter City wasn't impossible.
But in an instant, Tang Hao erased the awkwardness from his face.
Was this his beloved son's fault? No, everything was Slaughter City's fault!
Why did the inner city have so few fallen fighters, and why were they so weak? Heh, tui~! So embarrassing!
More than half an hour later, near the inner city gate, Tang San, sitting cross-legged on the street, saw a wave of emaciated figures—accurately described as skeletal, malnourished soul masters—walk into the inner city.
Seeing this, Tang San's heart rejoiced. Heaven be praised, the 40th consecutive victory in the Hell Slaughter Arena—no, more consecutive victories—were within reach!
Although these soul masters looked unwell, as long as they were alive and could register for the Hell Slaughter Arena, everything would be fine.
Needless to say, this was Tang Hao's doing. With the Spirit Hall's growing influence, his beloved son couldn't "retire leisurely" in Slaughter City.
Not enough fallen fighters in the inner city?
Simple!
Three-legged toads were hard to find, but two-legged humans were abundant in the outer city.
Thus, after Tang Hao's "friendly" negotiations, many soul masters from the outer city soon "volunteered" to enter the inner city.
Originally, the outer city of Slaughter City had rules, but seeing Tang Hao's formidable strength, the Slaughter King chose to turn a blind eye.
Slaughter King (fearful, spineless): All (false) rights of interpretation belong to me!
Three days later, Chu Chengzhou took Tang Yuehua aboard Little Red and flew eastward toward the eastern sea.
As for the excuse of bringing Big Sister out to hunt for souls? Did you understand what "family throne" means?
Hmm, the real reason was that when Xiao Wu and the others asked about his outing, Chu Chengzhou's excuse was that Big Sister Yue Xuan from Moon Pavilion had helped him eliminate the side effects of obtaining the Killing God Domain and assisted Zhu Zhuqing in refining the black bead from the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. In return, helping Big Sister hunt for souls was only proper.
Considering she was a Big Sister older by two generations and of higher seniority—not some pretty young girl—Xiao Wu and the others didn't think much of it and even reminded Chu Chengzhou to put in effort to get Big Sister the most suitable soul ring.
Tian Dou City was located in the northeastern part of the continent, closer to the eastern sea than the western sea.
As for the northern sea?
The northern part of Douluo Continent had no ocean—it was close to the pole, perpetually covered in ice and snow. To see the ocean, one would have to cross the Extreme North, which was farther away.
Speaking of which, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger summon Little Black was technically a flying-type summon and quite flashy, but Little Black was firmly dark-themed. From the perspective of serving as a flying mount, Little Black was inferior to Little Red.
Moreover, after refining the Ten-Headed Fiery Yang Snake's core, the Fire Phoenix summon Little Red's strength had significantly increased, and her flying speed had also improved.
Though they departed from Tian Dou City late, by the time they reached the eastern coast and saw the coastline, it was just past noon.
"Good brother, you brought me to the sea to hunt for souls?"
Seeing the vast expanse of the sea ahead, Tang Yuehua asked in surprise.
Not heading to the Sunset Forest outside Tian Dou City, Tang Yuehua had initially thought Chu Chengzhou was taking her to the Star Dou Forest, but unexpectedly, it wasn't the Star Dou Forest either—it was the vast sea.
"Huh? Didn't I tell you this earlier?"
Blinking, Chu Chengzhou asked.
Tang Yuehua: "..."
"Alright, I forgot to mention it, but that's not the point. Yuehua, just follow my arrangements, and you'll become the most dazzling genius on the continent!"
Chu Chengzhou casually stated.
A soul ring configuration entirely red would be even more impressive than his current setup. Just flashing his soul rings could scare off many opponents.
Of course, perhaps in their shock, opponents might think of fighting a boss to drop loot (soul bones)?
"The most dazzling genius? Me?"
Pointing at herself, Tang Yuehua widened her eyes.
Chu Chengzhou nodded and said, "Lie down obediently, and watch me take you flying!"
Tang Yuehua: "..."
Actually, bringing Xiao Wu to the sea would have been ideal.
Xiao Wu's external soul bone skill Ears of Eight Directions was an absolute detection skill. With its vast detection range, finding a 100,000-year sea soul beast in the ocean wouldn't be a problem.
However, if Xiao Wu were brought along, a battlefield of conflict would inevitably erupt.
For the sake of a happy life, Chu Chengzhou could only set out alone with Tang Yuehua.
Fortunately, his spiritual power wasn't weak either. Though he lacked professional detection techniques, his spiritual perception range wasn't small.
Plus, their target was wild 100,000-year sea soul beasts, which didn't know how to suppress their soul power aura. As long as they appeared within ten miles of him, even deep underwater, he could probably detect them.
Perhaps due to bad luck, after half a day of venturing a thousand miles into the Eastern Sea, Chu Chengzhou still hadn't detected any 100,000-year sea soul beasts.
Seeing that it was getting late, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, and night was about to fall, Chu Chengzhou had no choice but to find an uninhabited island, set up a tent, and spend the night temporarily.
After dinner, summoning the Sky Azure Tree summon Xiao Qing to keep watch, Chu Chengzhou entered the tent with Tang Yuehua to rest.
"Good brother, after all your efforts today, what kind of first soul ring are you planning to get for me?"
Unable to guess Chu Chengzhou's intentions, Tang Yuehua couldn't help but ask.
A soul master's first soul ring could only be around 400 years old, and such aged sea soul beasts should be found in shallow waters near the coastline, right? Was it necessary to go to the deep sea?
"I don't know, we'll leave it to fate~"
Chu Chengzhou shook his head.
Marine species were diverse—he didn't know what kind of 100,000-year sea soul beast they might encounter.
But undoubtedly, even if the compatibility between the soul ring and martial soul wasn't high, a 100,000-year first soul ring would be infinitely stronger than a perfectly compatible 400-year first soul ring.
"Leave it to fate? I give up on you!"
Tang Yuehua rolled her eyes.
"Yuehua, don't tell me you thought I was just getting you a 400-year soul beast for your first soul ring?"
Chu Chengzhou smiled.
"Huh? Isn't a soul master's first soul ring usually around 400 years? Actually, most soul masters don't even reach 400 years."
Tang Yuehua was puzzled. Although she wasn't previously a soul master, that didn't mean she lacked common knowledge about soul masters.
Having once been the eldest daughter of the Hao Tian Sect and now the crown princess, even though she wasn't officially a soul master, her perspective far exceeded that of ordinary soul masters.
"Heh~, if I were just getting you an ordinary first soul ring, why would I bother? Low-level soul beasts are abundant in the Sunset Forest."
"Then why bring me here?"
Tang Yuehua was even more confused.
"Hehe, you'll know when the time comes—I guarantee it's beyond your wildest dreams!"
Chu Chengzhou chuckled.
"Beyond my wildest dreams, huh? What are you doing?"
Tang Yuehua noticed two mischievous hands on her body.
"Of course, I love you~!"
Saying this, the considerate Chu Chengzhou unleashed all his skills.
Soon, a battle commenced inside the tent on the uninhabited island.
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