(T/N: Title translates to Chrysanthemum)
Upon seeing the newcomer, Huo Rui's pupils contracted.
"Golden Eagle martial soul, with cultivation at the level of a Soul Douluo—you're Lordiala of the Spirit Hall!"
There were only a few dozen Title Douluos in the entire Douluo Continent, and barely over a hundred Soul Douluos. Thus, the social circle among them was quite small. Anyone who paid attention to this information could often identify someone by their martial soul alone. Disguising one's identity served little purpose.
At this moment, Lordiala spoke. "Huo Rui, we had no intention of targeting your Medical Alliance. I'm merely here to save this foolish subordinate of mine. You'd best let go now—I don't want to fight you."
Huo Rui sneered disdainfully and immediately retaliated with a punch that sent Lordiala flying.
"Don't want to fight me? Do you really think you can handle me, talking big like that?
And besides, your side made the first move. But whether or not this ends isn't up to you.
And how dare you lay a hand on my granddaughter and grandson-in-law? Do you really think you can leave unscathed without paying a price? Are you underestimating me, Huo Rui?"
With that, Huo Rui unleashed her full soul power.
It was then that Lordiala realized Huo Rui was no longer the freshly minted Soul Douluo she had been in the earlier intelligence reports. With Ye Wen's meticulous care and various precious medicinal herbs, Huo Rui's cultivation had soared to level 85 in just two and a half years!
A bead of cold sweat trickled downLordiala's forehead as he inwardly thought, 'If she were still a newly promoted Soul Douluo, I—a veteran Soul Douluo—might have stood a chance.'
But recalling her prior battle prowess and soul skills during her early Soul Douluo days, it was clear that Huo Rui, now a mid-tier Soul Douluo, far surpassed his ability to contend with her.
Instinctively,Lordiala considered retreating strategically, leaving Huo Rui to the two hidden powerhouses lurking nearby.
But just then, two powerful fluctuations of soul power emanated from nearby.
"Lordiala, how dare you raise a hand against Sister Huo Rui? First, you'll have to get through me!"
"That's right, and don't forget about old hag here too!"
It turned out that the husband-and-wife duo of Dragon Duke and Serpent Grandmother, who had been idling on the sidelines, saw an opportunity to curry favor with Huo Rui. Thus, they stepped forward to make a dramatic appearance.
Lordiala, who had merely come to rescue his subordinate, hadn't anticipated Dragon Duke and Serpent Grandmother's intervention. His anxiety deepened. Though Dragon Duke was only a mid-tier Soul Douluo and Serpent Grandmother merely a Soul Emperor, their spirit fusion technique was capable of challenging even a Title Douluo. This was not someone a regular Soul Douluo like him could afford to provoke.
Realizing he was now caught between a rock and a hard place, Lordiala abandoned all pretense of subtlety. He let out a piercing roar, the sound waves reverberating for miles.
Such a sonic attack bordered on being a self-created soul skill. While Ye Wen and others found it uncomfortable, seasoned high-level soul masters like Huo Rui dismissed it as trivial.
Moreover, experienced individuals like Huo Rui immediately recognized that Lordiala's roar wasn't intended as an offensive soul skill but rather as a distress signal for reinforcements!
However, Huo Rui responded with a contemptuous smile, her soul rings lighting up in succession.
"First Soul Skill: Surging Heart."
"Second Soul Skill: Life Tremor."
"Third Soul Skill: Steel Reinforcement."
"Fourth Soul Skill: Surge of Passion."
"Fifth Soul Skill: Celestial Overlord Body!"
"Sixth Soul Skill: Stomp Charge!!"
The sound of Huo Rui cracking her knuckles echoed ominously as she coldly said, "Heh, so there are more accomplices, huh? Underestimated you. But do you think you'll last until your backup arrives?
Serious Mode—"
As Huo Rui assumed her stance, the air around her began to distort. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lordiala abandoned his subordinate entirely. His golden wings flared, and he prepared to flee into the sky.
However, Huo Rui, who specialized in explosive burst attacks, had already locked onto Lordiala with her spiritual power. Just as Lordiala was about to ascend, Huo Rui planted her foot firmly on the ground.
In an instant, the earth exploded, and Huo Rui vanished from her original position, transforming into a blur as she charged straight toward Lordiala.
Lordiala's expression twisted in terror. Though he could see Huo Rui's trajectory, his speed was nowhere near enough to match hers.
By the time Huo Rui's rapid strides brought her within striking distance of Lordiala, she unleashed her ultimate blow.
"Serious Punch: Sonic Fist!!!"
At this moment,Lordiala's vision narrowed to a single point—a jade-like fist imbued with overwhelming power hurtling directly toward his face.
"I'm going to die..."
In this life-or-death moment, time seemed to slow for Lordiala. Memories of his life flashed before his eyes—moments of glory, moments of shame—the classic montage of one's life.
But just as death loomed, a soft, sinister voice echoed from afar.
"Lordiala, you've truly regressed. Can't you even handle such a simple situation?"
As the voice faded, a figure clad in white appeared besideLordiala.
The newcomer was masked, making it impossible to discern their age. However, unlike all the other attackers, their defining feature was their pristine white attire.
Regardless of who it was, Huo Rui had no reason to stop her assault. Her devastating punch continued its course, aimed squarely at Lordiala.
The white-clad figure sensed the immense power of the attack and let out a surprised exclamation.
This person's identity was revealed almost immediately as they activated their seventh soul skill—True Body of their Weapon Martial Soul.
At this moment, everyone realized the newcomer's strength. They were a Title Douluo with two yellow, two purple, and five black soul rings.
Their martial soul was exceptionally unique among Title Douluos.
"Seventh Soul Skill: True Body of the Weapon Martial Soul—Singular Velvet Heavenly Chrysanthemum!!!"
This was Ju Douluo Yue Guan, one of the nine elders of the Spirit Hall and the enforcer of punishments. Currently a level 95 Strong Attack System Title Douluo, he was just one level away from qualifying for the Elder Shrine. Moreover, Ju Douluo Yue Guan was one of Pope Bi Bi Dong's top two generals and a recurring antagonist in the original storyline.
Ye Wen immediately pieced together this information.
He also understood why Ju Douluo had activated his True Body to defend against Huo Rui's attack—it wasn't her peak strike, but as a Strong Attack System Title Douluo, he wasn't particularly skilled at defense. Using another major move would have consumed even more energy.
Seeing her attack blocked, Huo Rui was momentarily surprised, but upon noticing the nine soul rings adorning the opponent, she quickly calmed down.
Being stopped by a Title Douluo wasn't something to be ashamed of.
Evidently, Huo Rui had also deduced the newcomer's identity from their martial soul. Weighing her options carefully, she chose not to press the attack further but instead retreated to protect Ye Wen and the others.
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