"Is this... really just a fourth soul skill?"
Having just spat out a mouthful of blood, the Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes were filled with shock. He had been worried that Lin Mu would hold back too much and make the "act" unconvincing, but he had completely underestimated Lin Mu's strength.
Although the two of them hadn't used their full strength in defense, the fact that this move could injure them to this extent meant its raw power was comparable to an Eighth Soul Skill from a Power Attack Titled Douluo!
Not only him, but the Ghost Douluo was equally astonished.
Although he could guess that Lin Mu's strength was terrifying, only after experiencing it firsthand did he truly understand why the Chrysanthemum Douluo was so willing to bet everything on Lin Mu.
This was only at the Soul Douluo level. He couldn't even imagine how strong Lin Mu would be after breaking through to the Titled Douluo level.
"Was I too heavy-handed?"
Seeing that the two were seriously injured, Lin Mu's eye twitched. In fact, he hadn't expected the power of his fourth soul skill to have increased so dramatically after his recent breakthroughs.
"Lord Lin Mu, your attack was perfectly timed; even Bibi Dong couldn't find a fault with it."
"That's fine then. Here, these two bottles of pills are for you."
With that, Lin Mu tossed two bottles of pills to the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos respectively, as an initial investment.
The two didn't refuse; these were treasures helpful for cultivation, far more useful than Gold Soul Coins, as they could aid in reaching higher realms of power.
"Lord Lin Mu, we'll take our leave now."
After receiving the pills, the Chrysanthemum Douluo was even more grateful for his previous decision. Indeed, changing to a better boss meant a brighter future, and he still got his old salary from Spirit Hall, it was simply wonderful.
At this moment, the Ghost Douluo had already scooped the unconscious Lor Diarra up from the ground.
To prevent him from waking up midway and ruining the narrative, the Ghost Douluo gave him another hard knock on the head, ensuring he remained completely out cold.
With this witness and their injuries, Bibi Dong would have no choice but to believe them, even if she suspected otherwise.
Now, even if Bibi Dong wanted to cause trouble for Lin Mu again, she wouldn't just send the Chrysanthemum-Ghost duo alone.
However, besides these two, it was difficult for Bibi Dong to mobilize other Titled Douluos from Spirit Hall without involving the Worship Hall (Douluo Palace). So, the next time she took action, she would likely have to do it herself.
But Lin Mu was not one to sit idly by.
Since Bibi Dong had provoked him twice, wouldn't it make him seem easy to bully if he didn't retaliate?
Therefore, Lin Mu transmitted his voice to the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos, saying, "Tomorrow, I will go to the Supreme Pontiff's Palace to settle accounts with Bibi Dong personally and, incidentally, dispel any lingering suspicions she has about you."
Hearing this, their expressions changed slightly; they hadn't expected Lin Mu to dare storm the Supreme Pontiff's Palace alone.
"Lord Lin Mu, this matter requires caution. Bibi Dong's cultivation is unfathomable, far surpassing the Sword Douluo," the Chrysanthemum Douluo hurriedly advised.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Even if I'm no match for Bibi Dong in a prolonged fight, I have a way to escape. Just remember to cooperate with me when the time comes. I'll use this opportunity to elevate your status in Spirit Hall."
Lin Mu's eyes flashed, a plan already formed in his mind.
Seeing Lin Mu's confidence, they didn't try to dissuade him further, only hoping that the Worship Hall wouldn't be alerted, especially the Grand Elder, Qian Daoliu.
The Next Day.
Inside the cafeteria of Shrek Academy, Xiong Jun (The Bear Lord) was enjoying his meal.
He was initially dissatisfied with the mission of hunting down a human, but now that he could eat and drink for free at this academy, it wasn't too bad.
Just then, a blond youth suddenly ran over, knelt before Xiong Jun, and shouted, "Senior Xiong, I, Dai Mubai, wish to become your disciple!"
In the past two days, although Xiong Jun had only made one move against Yu Luomian, the sheer force of his aura proved him to be at least a Super Douluo!
Since Zhu Zhuqing's departure, Dai Mubai had been praying for a chance to turn things around.
Now, the opportunity had truly arrived!
If he could become this senior's disciple, he would have a Super Douluo as a backer.
Once he succeeded, he wouldn't have to worry about the consequences of failing to inherit the throne of Star Luo Empire, and he would even have the confidence to face Lin Mu directly and snatch his fiancée back.
"Hmm?"
Xiong Jun stopped eating, glancing at Dai Mubai kneeling on the ground. 'This human actually wants to become my disciple? Doesn't he know he's walking into a tiger's den?'
However, since he had nothing better to do while waiting for his target, Xiong Jun thought he might as well entertain himself with this guy. After all, he was just a human; Xiong Jun wouldn't be held responsible by Di Tian even if he accidentally killed him.
Having made up his mind, Xiong Jun reached out and patted Dai Mubai's shoulder firmly.
"CRACK!"
A crisp sound of bone breaking rang out. The intense pain made veins bulge on Dai Mubai's forehead, but he dared not scream, fearing it would affect his chances. He could only force himself to endure it.
'This must be Senior Xiong's way of testing my resolve! As long as I persevere, I can turn the tables!'
Seeing this, Xiong Jun frowned slightly. 'This human's body is far too fragile; such a light touch caused a fracture.'
"Senior Xiong... I can still... take it!"
Dai Mubai said, enduring the pain, each word distinct through gritted teeth.
Seeing this human's masochistic tendencies, Xiong Jun suddenly became interested. He patted Dai Mubai's other shoulder.
"CRACK!!"
The sound of bone breaking rang out again, and Dai Mubai trembled uncontrollably, his teeth almost grinding to powder.
Just then, the dragon scale that Xiong Jun carried suddenly lit up intensely.
Seeing this, his expression changed. He instantly disappeared from the dining hall, immediately following the guidance of the dragon scale.
After Xiong Jun left, Dai Mubai's body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, fainting from the pain.
Spirit City.
Here, there were two dominant structures: the Supreme Pontiff's Palace and the Worship Hall. The Worship Hall, situated on the highest point of the mountain, was the residence of the consecrated Elders.
The Supreme Pontiff's Palace sat slightly lower but was the administrative heart of Spirit Hall.
"Little Ma, your method really worked! Nana talked to me a bit more today!"
Yan said, his face beaming with delight, his arm around Ma Hongjun's shoulder as they walked near the palace.
Faced with Yan's arm around him, Ma Hongjun felt a slight resistance, a subtle change in his mindset that he himself didn't even realize.
"Little Ma, as long as you help me win over Nana, I'll agree to any request you make!" Yan promised, patting his chest.
Just then, a cyan-green figure streaked across the sky, arriving above the Supreme Pontiff's Palace in the blink of an eye.
Outside the palace, everyone felt a violent gust of wind sweep by; some of the lower-level knights were thrown to the ground, their heavy armor clanging against the stone.
Immediately afterward, a voice, amplified by immense soul power, echoed from the sky like thunder.
"BIBI DONG! GET OUT HERE RIGHT NOW!"
Having decided to intimidate, Lin Mu naturally disregarded Bibi Dong's dignity. He switched from his speed-based armor to his Nava Flame Armor and unleashed his Fourth Soul Skill, condensing a gigantic flame blade over ten meters long!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, this giant flame blade cleaved a massive gap in the roof of the Supreme Pontiff's Palace.
"Insolent!"
"How dare you desecrate the Supreme Pontiff's Palace! I will not let you leave alive!"
Bibi Dong flew out of the damaged palace, her face ashen with rage.
The Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos followed closely behind, along with three other Titled Douluos who rushed to defend the palace.
As one of the symbols of Spirit Hall, the Supreme Pontiff's Palace was absolutely not to be destroyed!
"What? Didn't you invite me? Now that I'm here, why are you unhappy?"
Facing Bibi Dong's threat, Lin Mu sneered. His gaze swept over the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos, mocking them loudly, "You sent two Titled Douluos and a Soul Douluo, and they fled in a sorry state from a mere Soul Douluo. Aren't you ashamed?"
Hearing this, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos smiled bitterly to themselves. Although they knew Lin Mu was saying this on purpose to cover for them, these words were still vicious blows to their reputation.
Enraged by such humiliation on her doorstep, Bibi Dong ordered all five Titled Douluos to attack together!
"Five at once? Do you think I'd be afraid?!"