The gatekeeper wore a benevolent smile and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Countess, but Master Ye Wen has gone out with Lord Dugu Bo and won't return for some time. Please come back in a month to inquire again."
Inwardly, the gatekeeper muttered, 'Young Miss, this old servant can only buy you a month's time. You must do your best!'
Feeling rather proud of his cleverness, the gatekeeper began imagining how he might discreetly inform Dugu Yan of the situation later that evening—and what rewards he might receive from her.
Would he get promoted, receive a raise, become the head steward, marry a beautiful woman, and reach the pinnacle of life?
But what the gatekeeper didn't realize was that his smile had gradually taken on a lecherous tinge, and in Huo Rui's eyes, it was an outright provocation.
"This guy is mocking me."
With that thought, Huo Rui's soul power erupted in an instant.
Two yellow rings, two purple rings, and four black rings—eight soul rings surrounded Huo Rui, their overwhelming aura immediately drawing the attention of everyone nearby. The gatekeeper, too, was shocked.
Stammering, the gatekeeper exclaimed, "W-what are you doing? This is Lord Dugu's residence! Don't do anything rash!"
Tears welled up in Huo Rui's eyes as memories of her first meeting with Ye Wen and their subsequent interactions flooded her mind. Her eyes reddened completely.
"Xiao Wen, it seems you've already fallen victim. Grandma arrived too late, but don't worry—I'll avenge you!"
Huo Rui then locked her gaze onto the gatekeeper and coldly declared:
"You dared to deceive me! Now, pay with your wretched life!"
Without any flashy embellishments, Huo Rui raised her fist and struck.
The gatekeeper's face turned pale. Everything had been fine just moments ago—how had things escalated so quickly? Was his deception really that obvious? Had this old woman seen through his scheme so easily?
Cursing inwardly, the gatekeeper no longer slacked off. His soul power surged as he prepared to counter Huo Rui's attack.
Though Dugu Bo's estate had been built to the specifications of a prince's residence, its grandeur also meant no one had anticipated anyone daring to attack it. Under the collision of the two powerful forces, the gatekeeper's guarded entrance crumbled instantly.
The shocking commotion caused the onlookers nearby to gasp in astonishment.
"Damn, is she crazy? How dare she cause trouble at a Title Douluo's residence!?"
"Holy crap, she's trying to bring down the heavens!"
"This woman's attack is incredible—it's definitely beyond what a Soul Sage could produce!"
The crowd began murmuring among themselves, but soon, realizing the gravity of the situation, they scrambled to flee. Others quickly followed suit, unwilling to linger.
They might not know much about other Title Douluos, but if Dugu Bo returned, even a slight spread of his toxic aura would be enough to kill them all.
At this moment, Huo Rui was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected her punch to be blocked, even though she hadn't used her full strength—it wasn't something an ordinary soul master should have been able to withstand.
As the smoke cleared, Huo Rui finally took a closer look at her opponent.
Seeing the configuration of two yellow, three purple, and two black soul rings, Huo Rui understood.
No wonder—the gatekeeper of a Title Douluo's residence wasn't an ordinary person. This man was a Soul Sage, albeit not with the optimal soul ring configuration. From his aura, Huo Rui could tell he was at least a 75th-level Soul Sage.
Examining the shield in his hand, she realized he was a defensive-type Soul Sage—no wonder he had managed to block her punch.
But none of that mattered now. If one punch hadn't finished him, she'd simply use a stronger one. Huo Rui cracked her knuckles ominously, her soul power growing denser.
Meanwhile, the gatekeeper stared at the wreckage around him, his face darkening from pale to pitch black.
He had only wanted to flatter Young Miss Dugu Yan, but now his workplace had been destroyed. How was he going to explain this?
Glaring at Huo Rui, the gatekeeper gritted his teeth and shouted, "Do you realize what you've done? This is Poison Douluo's residence! Are you not afraid of him coming back to settle accounts with you?"
Huo Rui ignored his words. Her fighting spirit surged within her.
"Serious mode activated—serious punch!"
With that thought, Huo Rui unleashed a punch infused with all her strength, aimed squarely at the gatekeeper.
Sensing the oppressive soul power in her strike, the gatekeeper's expression changed drastically. He had no time to speak further as one of his black soul rings suddenly lit up.
"Sixth Soul Skill—Indestructible Shield!"
A golden, phantom shield appeared, enveloping the physical shield in his hand. Though it seemed illusory, it exuded an aura of absolute invincibility.
But Huo Rui's punch didn't stop. This wasn't just a serious punch—it was imbued with her unwavering will to fight. Nothing could stand against it!
At the moment of impact, a gale like a Category 17 typhoon swept through the area, creating an overwhelming sense of destruction.
In less than a second, cracks spiderwebbed across the gatekeeper's prized Sixth Soul Skill, Indestructible Shield.
The next moment, it shattered completely.
But Huo Rui's punch didn't end there. It landed solidly on the gatekeeper's shield once more.
The gatekeeper tried to resist further, but Huo Rui's serious punch, fueled by her entire strength, was far beyond what a mere Soul Sage gatekeeper could withstand. In an instant, he was sent flying backward.
Despite landing the punch, Huo Rui showed no joy.
"You're supposed to be a defensive-type soul master, yet you're still so slippery.
But it doesn't matter—next punch, I'll finish you!"
With that thought, Huo Rui pushed off the ground forcefully and charged after him.
Just as Huo Rui prepared to deliver her second strike to kill the gatekeeper, a crimson spear shot out from deep within the estate.
!?
Huo Rui immediately sensed the presence of the spear and hastily stopped her pursuit. Using precise force, she deflected the spear and sent it flying in another direction.
Though the spear appeared ordinary, Huo Rui detected something unique about it.
Its wielder was no ordinary person. Halting her chase, Huo Rui coldly called out toward the direction the spear had come from:
"Who's there?!"
A frail but upright figure slowly emerged. Though aged, his straight back gave the impression of a sharp spear standing before her.
Huo Rui instantly understood—this man was undoubtedly the owner of the spear.
The elder flicked his wrist, and the crimson spear rose from the ground, returning to his hand.
He then twirled the spear skillfully, shaking off the dirt clinging to it. One by one, his soul rings began to appear.
Two yellow, two purple, and three black—optimal soul ring configuration.
Moreover, unlike the gatekeeper, the elder's soul power was far more concentrated. From Huo Rui's perspective, he was likely on the verge of reaching Soul Douluo status.
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