In the Spirit Hall's soul-hunting team, not only was Ju and Gui Douluo present, but also two Title Douluos from the Elder's Hall—Mo Xiong (Demon Bear) and Gui Bao (Ghost Leopard).
With four Title Douluos, plus Bibi Dong herself, this was essentially a death sentence for the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python.
Especially since Ju and Gui Douluo possessed a domain that could immobilize his enemies—once they were trapped, Bibi Dong alone would be more than enough to deal with them simultaneously.
Hu Liena had been tasked by Bibi Dong to handle official matters at the Holy Spirit Hall and did not accompany the group.
However, Xie Yue and Yan were brought along for training.
As part of the Spirit Hall's "Golden Generation," their natural talent virtually guaranteed that they would become Title Douluos in the future. Gaining experience and exposure would accelerate their growth.
But with four Title Douluos in the group, they naturally had no say and could only quietly follow behind Ju and Gui Douluo.
Based on the intelligence provided by Ning Tianchen's information department disciples, he quickly caught up with the Spirit Hall's team.
With his strength, he could easily conceal his presence, making it impossible for Ju and Gui Douluo and the others to detect him.
The Spirit Hall team moved at a slow pace, only traveling during the day and setting up camp in safe locations at night.
From their actions, they appeared overly cautious.
Ning Tianchen couldn't get close to their camp, so he was unaware of their plans.
After following the Spirit Hall team for several days, Ning Tianchen noticed something unusual.
It seemed that someone else, besides him, was observing the movements of the Spirit Hall team.
That night, inside the Spirit Hall team's camp:
"Reporting to the Elders, the tiger has left the core zone and is now moving through the mixed zone."
The "tiger" referred to the Dark Demon God Tiger.
Unlike its development in the original timeline, the current Dark Demon God Tiger's strength was now extremely close to that of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
However, its actual cultivation hadn't reached a hundred thousand years, so it wasn't an ideal choice for Bibi Dong's soul ring.
The purpose of sending Ju and Gui Douluo and the others ahead to scout was precisely to locate the Dark Demon God Tiger and avoid being attacked by it while hunting the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
Yan chuckled. "Great! As long as it doesn't enter the core zone, our journey will be safe. Elders, I suggest we immediately send word to Her Holiness the Pope!"
Gui Bao Douluo snorted lightly. "No need. Her Holiness the Pope is nearby."
Bibi Dong hadn't traveled with the main group but instead remained hidden in the shadows.
The Star Dou Forest was fraught with danger, especially after the appearance of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, which forced Bibi Dong to proceed with extreme caution.
By following the main group from afar, she could detect dangers in time and respond accordingly.
Xie Yue was shocked. "Her Holiness the Pope isn't in the Spirit City?"
As his teacher, Gui Douluo explained, "Her Holiness the Pope has her own plans, but she indeed isn't in Spirit City."
"Alright, since the timing is ripe, Yue Guan, signal Her Holiness the Pope according to our agreed-upon method so she can join us."
Before Chrysanthemum could fire the signal flare, two terrifying auras emanated from the nearby forest.
One aura they recognized—it belonged to Pope Bibi Dong. But the identity of the other aura remained unknown.
…
Ning Tianchen had been following the Spirit Hall team from behind when he inadvertently noticed an increase in spiders around the area.
He originally planned to quietly deal with these spiders but soon realized that they weren't soul beasts—they were scouts summoned by Bibi Dong.
Once he acted against the spiders, Bibi Dong naturally discovered his presence.
The two confronted each other in the forest.
"Does Her Holiness the Pope also enjoy acting from the shadows?" Ning Tianchen asked coldly.
Earlier, he had noticed someone lurking around the team. He had assumed it was a spy from another faction, but never expected it to be Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong removed her black hood, her cold and beautiful face now tinged with a hint of ferocity.
The closer she got to completing her ninth trial, the more power of the Rakshasa Goddess she absorbed, and the madder she became.
"I never imagined that in just a few short years, you'd grow to this extent."
Bibi Dong's expression darkened. "Someone like you, if you don't join me, is truly worrisome."
"I'll give you one chance: swear your loyalty to me—or die!"
Ning Tianchen cracked his neck. "Is Her Holiness the Pope always this arrogant?"
"For me to serve you? Impossible. However, if Her Holiness the Pope is willing to pledge allegiance to me…"
Before he could finish, Bibi Dong activated her martial soul, and a spider spike shot toward him.
Ning Tianchen reacted swiftly, dodging her attack.
"Since Her Holiness the Pope has made her choice, then let's fight with everything we've got."
As inheritors of divine positions, both were in the later stages of their trials, and their powers had already undergone a transformation.
"Fifth Soul Skill: Spider Emperor's Contempt!"
The eyes of the Death Spider Emperor martial soul turned blood red, unleashing a powerful mental shockwave aimed at Ning Tianchen.
Having received the sacrifice of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, Ning Tianchen's mental strength had evolved, leaving him only one step away from breaking through to god-level consciousness.
All sub-divine mental attacks were utterly ineffective against him.
The Dragon Pattern Seven Kill Sword twirled in his hand, releasing two sword beams.
Bibi Dong's arms transformed into scythes, effortlessly shattering his attack.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Death Spider Emperor True Body."
Activating her True Body, Bibi Dong's murderous intent was unmistakable.
Ning Tianchen temporarily retreated, stepping back several paces.
If he were to leave now, the soul rings of the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python would undoubtedly fall into Bibi Dong's hands.
These two hundred-thousand-year soul rings were crucial for him—he couldn't afford to abandon them.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Seven Kills True Body."
A massive humanoid shadow erupted from the ground, and the Seven Kill Sword grew to an enormous size, swinging in his hands.
"Eighth Soul Skill: Spider Emperor Clone."
Bibi Dong's figure split into two, launching attacks from two directions.
Ning Tianchen also possessed a clone-type soul skill.
The crimson eighth soul ring illuminated the forest as his clone engaged Bibi Dong's clone.
There was a clear difference between their clones.
Ning Tianchen's eighth soul skill originated from a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, allowing his clone to possess a degree of autonomy and fight independently.
Bibi Dong's clone, however, was a "lifeless" construct that required her direct control.
Facing Ning Tianchen head-on already placed significant pressure on her—how could she spare any attention for her clone?
…
The battle between the two peak powerhouses caused such a commotion that the four Title Douluos from the Spirit Hall rushed to the battlefield.
Ning Tianchen's clone eliminated Bibi Dong's clone and quickly engaged the four who had come to support her.
The Seven Kill Sword in the clone's hand swung in midair, leaving a deep sword mark before the four Title Douluos, forcing them to halt their advance.
"Ning Tianchen!" Ju and Gui Douluo's eyebrows furrowed.
Hadn't seen him in just a few years—had he grown this strong already?
"Sect Master of Tianjian Sect, do you intend to make an enemy of the Spirit Hall? Retreat at once!" Mo Xiong Douluo shouted.
Gui Douluo waved his hand dismissively. "It's useless. This is an energy body formed from soul power—it's merely a clone."
What's the point of arguing with a clone?
The gazes of the four Title Douluos turned toward the distance. At this moment, Ning Tianchen had the upper hand, his continuous sword pressure actually suppressing Bibi Dong.
Yan and Xie Yue, who had arrived late, pointed at Ning Tianchen's clone and shouted, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Step aside immediately!"
Ning Tianchen was not Tang San; he didn't have irreconcilable conflicts with the Spirit Hall. Moreover, Hu Liena had once tried to recruit him, so Xie Yue and Yan's attitudes toward him were relatively friendly.
"It's useless—he can't hear you," Chrysanthemum blocked them from advancing.
"This—" Yan still wanted to say more, but Xie Yue pointed ahead and said, "Ning Tianchen is fighting Her Holiness the Pope!"
Upon realizing the situation, Yan's eyes widened in shock. "What? He…"
After all these years of cultivation, he didn't even dare to meet Bibi Dong's gaze directly, yet Ning Tianchen could fight her on equal terms—what kind of joke was this?
Before they could continue speaking, Ning Tianchen's clone dissipated.
On the main battlefield, Bibi Dong summoned her Rakshasa divine artifact—the Rakshasa Demon Scythe.
The next phase would be a clash between divine artifacts. Ning Tianchen couldn't spare the energy to maintain his clone and had to focus fully on the battle.
With a light tap of his finger on the mark between his eyebrows, the Asura Demon Sword appeared in his hand.
Even though it was an incomplete Asura Demon Sword, it was still a super-divine artifact. It wasn't powerless against the Rakshasa Demon Scythe.
When the two divine artifacts collided, the shockwaves of the battle effortlessly leveled everything around them.
"What are you all still standing around for? Hurry up and assist me in capturing him!" Bibi Dong's sharp command echoed through the forest.
The four observers—Ju and Gui Douluo and his companions—couldn't help but hesitate.
"The weapons in Ning Tianchen and Her Holiness's hands are terrifying. If we get caught in their attacks, we might lose half our lives," Gui Bao Douluo said with lingering fear.
Bibi Dong's behavior had grown increasingly domineering, and they dared not disobey her orders.
But reaching the level of Title Douluo hadn't been easy for them—how could they willingly throw their lives away?
Gui Douluo gave instructions: "Yue Guan, we'll use our Spirit Fusion Technique. Regardless of whether it's effective or not, once our soul power is nearly depleted, we'll retreat immediately. This battle isn't something we can meddle in."
"Leopard, Old Bear, stay alert and guard the surroundings to prevent powerful soul beasts from being drawn by the commotion."
This way, they could at least report back to Bibi Dong. No matter the outcome of the battle, they wouldn't face punishment.
That settled it!
…
The Asura Demon Sword forced Bibi Dong back. Ning Tianchen summoned the Seven Kill Sword in his left hand, and the brilliant golden soul ring beneath his feet suddenly lit up.
"Ninth Soul Skill: Earth Rift."
A soul skill at the million-year level—its power was nothing to scoff at.
Ning Tianchen plunged the Seven Kill Sword into the rocky ground before him. Countless silvery lights rippled across the blade.
Next, he gripped the sword in reverse and drew it out forcefully. The overwhelming sword qi split the ground open, revealing a bottomless fissure.
The sword qi lay hidden beneath the surface, impossible for Bibi Dong to dodge or weaken with her soul skills.
The Rakshasa Demon Scythe danced rapidly in her hands, consuming divine power to forcibly counter Ning Tianchen's attack.
Before inheriting her godhood, every bit of divine power she used was irreplaceable.
Ning Tianchen didn't believe his ninth soul skill could kill Bibi Dong, but as long as it drained her divine power, his goal was achieved.
"What a terrifying soul skill! There's something strange about his ninth soul ring!" Bibi Dong felt a chill run down her spine.
If this had happened a year ago, before she obtained the Rakshasa divine artifact, facing Ning Tianchen's ninth soul skill might have cost her life.
"Not over yet!" Ning Tianchen roared.
He hurled the Seven Kill Sword high into the air, and the brilliant golden soul ring beneath his feet shone once more.
"Ninth Soul Skill: One Sword to Open the Heavens."
A ray of golden light descended from the sky, and the Seven Kill Sword grew immeasurably large in the air.
Once it fell, all living things would be obliterated.
Bibi Dong's expression turned terrifyingly dark. Having her divine power drained for nothing had put her at a disadvantage.
Ning Tianchen's audacity made her seethe with anger.
"Rakshasa Domain!"
The Rakshasa Demon Scythe plunged into the ground, and the domain instantly spread. Trees that had been broken by the battle's shockwaves miraculously sprang back to life.
Bringing the dead back to life—this was the power of the Rakshasa Goddess.
The trees were now covered in a layer of corrupted "skin," as if they had gained consciousness. Their branches stretched out, attempting to trap Ning Tianchen.
Within the Rakshasa Domain, Bibi Dong was the sole ruler.
"Ninth Soul Skill: Mirror of the Sea!"
As the soul skill activated, countless streams of water seeped out from the ground and gradually converged into a lake.
"Will this ever end!"
Bibi Dong was furious. A surge of Rakshasa divine power instantly annihilated Ning Tianchen's two ninth soul skills.
Ning Tianchen sneered.
He possessed four ninth soul skills, but there was clearly no need to unleash the fourth one in this situation.
"Perfect opportunity."
Ju and Gui Douluo, who had been lurking around the battlefield, seized the chance. His figure swiftly intertwined with his allies.
"Two-Pole Stasis Domain."
Ning Tianchen's combat strength was formidable, but his actual power was only at Level 95.
Ju and Gui Douluo's domain would inevitably affect him.
If his body was immobilized, wouldn't he become a sitting duck?
Retrieving the Seven Kill Sword, he swung the Asura Demon Sword in his hand.
"Asura Domain!"
The Asura Domain was a true god-level domain. The moment it unfolded, it violently clashed with the Rakshasa Domain.
Ju and Gui Douluo's Spirit Fusion Technique was completed, but it couldn't penetrate the thin film of the Asura Domain, let alone affect Ning Tianchen.
Having done what they could, Ju and Gui Douluo didn't linger in battle. He quickly retreated, leaving the battlefield to the two.
…
The Asura God was one of the five great god kings of the divine realm, while the Rakshasa Goddess was merely a first-tier deity.
The fundamental difference in their divine positions was insurmountable. Moreover, the Asura God's previous inheritor, Tang Chen, had been crippled by the Rakshasa Goddess, creating an irreconcilable grudge between them.
At this moment, Ning Tianchen seemed divinely guided. The Asura Domain effortlessly suppressed the Rakshasa Domain.
Bibi Dong's "survival space" was continuously squeezed. Abandoning the Rakshasa Domain would leave her severely wounded.
Even though the Rakshasa Domain couldn't hold up, she had no choice but to maintain it with all her strength.
In her mind, the Rakshasa Goddess informed Bibi Dong of the situation. The last trace of composure on her face vanished completely.
"You've actually inherited the legacy of the Asura God!"
"So you should understand—your fate is sealed. Death is your only outcome," Ning Tianchen said with a cold, piercing gaze.
Within the Asura Domain, the Asura Demon Sword seemed to transform into a complete super-divine artifact.
Crimson light surged along the blade as immense divine power poured into it, fully activating the Asura Demon Sword.
The Rakshasa Domain shattered. Within the Asura Domain, Ning Tianchen was the sole ruler.
Piercing winds relentlessly blew against Bibi Dong's face, creating a hellish scene that threw her into disarray.
Bibi Dong desperately swung the Rakshasa Demon Scythe, and eerie arms emerged from the ground.
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