Both sides found themselves at a stalemate.
The series of battles had unfolded rapidly, and reinforcements from Gengxin City had yet to arrive.
Or perhaps they had no intention of arriving so quickly.
The sky-obscuring Thousand-Hand Buddha was a shock to everyone; merely gazing at its five-hundred-meter colossal form was enough to make one's legs tremble uncontrollably.
Low-level Soul Masters felt incapable of victory, mid-to-high-level Soul Masters understood the vast gap in power, and ordinary people recalled the rumors that had spread from Antonio City.
Li Xun stood atop the head of the True Several Thousand Hands, calmly observing Tang Xiao and the others.
Seeing that they showed no further intention to obstruct, he gave Sword Douluo a slight nod. Manipulating the Buddha's hands, he lifted the Sky Blue Bull Python high, performed two consecutive motions, and then hurled it backward.
The Sky Blue Bull Python, now coiled into a ball, shot out like a meteor, flying back in the direction it had come from.
"Let's go."
Retracting his Spirit Avatar, Li Xun swept Ning Rongrong into his arms. Instead of flying, he continuously activated the Soft Bone Rabbit Right Arm Bone to perform rapid teleportation.
Sword Douluo and the other two faced Tang Xiao and the group of experts, flying backward slowly to guard against any sudden, reckless attacks from the opposition.
Only after putting a considerable distance between them did they transform into streaks of light and speed away.
Silence.
Tang Xiao gritted his teeth, repeatedly suppressing the urge to charge forward, restrained by reason.
"..." The elders of the Clear Sky Sect were also struggling to control their impulses.
After a long while, the Seventh Elder spoke hoarsely, "Sect Leader, to avoid greater losses, we should withdraw from the Star Luo Empire..."
"..."
Tang Xiao watched as the numerous experts on the ground only now rushed to their aid. After hesitating for a long time, he made a decision: "Recall all disciples of the Clear Sky Sect."
This was no longer about the sect's reputation—it was a matter of life and death.
The continent had truly changed. They had thought the Clear Sky Sect's rival was the Spirit Hall, but they never expected to be so thoroughly defeated by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Rumors said the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had joined the Spirit Hall... What a joke!
How could the Heaven Dou Empire's rapid encroachment on the Star Luo Empire's territories possibly align with the Spirit Hall's interests.
"..."
On the city wall, Tang San watched unwillingly as Li Xun and the others retreated into the distance.
"Judging by your uncle and the others' condition, that thing isn't undefeatable."
Tang Hao patted Tang San's shoulder. "Xiao San, your priority now is to suppress the hatred in your heart and grow stronger gradually."
By then, Tang Xiao and the others had returned but did not linger, flying straight toward the city lord's manor.
"I won't act impulsively."
Tang San tightly shut his eyes, trying to make himself forget the hatred he held for Xiao Wu.
He had a God Trial. Though the rewards were modest, combined with his devouring ability, he had a chance.
Moreover, the requirement for the fourth trial was to absorb death and negative energy. He figured this task would be easily accomplished on the battlefield.
The vast, azure sky was suddenly streaked by several trails of light, disrupting the serene scene.
Among them, a massive spherical creature added a touch of incongruity to the picture.
"The Clear Sky Sect's Ring Detonation is truly unique. They can unleash immense potential in every critical moment." Dugu Bo couldn't help but feel envious, unconsciously tightening his grip on the vine in his hand.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo deeply agreed.
The three of them had clashed with the Clear Sky Sect multiple times recently. Had it not been for their exceptional strength, they would have suffered greatly long ago.
But that was the extent of it.
With Li Xun joining the battlefield, the balance between both sides had been broken.
Now that he was about to enter the ranks of Title Douluo, the three could easily imagine the Clear Sky Sect's current headache.
"If you're interested, we can find someone later to inquire about their cultivation methods."
Seeing Dugu Bo's covetous expression, Li Xun chuckled.
Dugu Bo was somewhat tempted: "That could work, but after these two battles, I'm afraid the Clear Sky Sect might retreat into hiding like they did when they feared Spirit Hall before."
If asked about the continent's strongest Martial Soul, everyone would say the Clear Sky Hammer. But the truth was, its strength lay in secret techniques and the prestige Tang Chen had built.
Without the secret techniques and Tang Chen's established reputation, what was so fearsome about a mere hammer?
"Since the Clear Sky Sect has emerged, they can't simply withdraw at will. Not to mention us, even the Star Luo Empire wouldn't let go for its own survival."
"If the Clear Sky Sect still clings to their old mindset, thinking they can avoid conflict by sealing their mountain, they're being utterly naive.Li Xun wrapped several more vines around the Sky Blue Bull Python, using the vines' properties to absorb energy from it. This was the vines' self-reinforcing characteristic—the energy obtained wouldn't transfer to himself.
Besides, he didn't need it.
Externally devoured power could provide rapid improvement temporarily, but it was too heterogeneous. If not purified thoroughly, it posed certain risks to the body.
Dugu Bo nodded, but mentioning Spirit Hall reminded him of something: "What about Spirit Hall?"
While the Heaven Dou Empire and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School continuously advanced into Star Luo Empire territory, no information came from Spirit Hall. Even Bibidong seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Although Qian Renxue was full of confidence, considering Spirit Hall's numerous powerful experts, everyone remained somewhat guarded.
Spirit Hall was far from comparable to the Clear Sky Sect—it boasted many powerful experts, over a dozen Title Douluo, and as seen from Sword Douluo's battle with Golden Crocodile, the quality of these Title Douluo was exceptional.
"Don't worry. With Qian Renxue's current strength, Qiandao Liu won't stand by idly like before. Even if Bibidong has any ideas, she'd have to get past Qiandao Liu first."
...
In Spirit City, inside the Pope's Hall, Bibidong sat leaning on her chair, chin in hand, brows tightly furrowed.
It had been half a day since she rescued Huliena from Slaughter City.
During this time, all Healing Spirit Masters of Spirit Hall had come to examine her.
However, aside from being able to cleanse the toxins from Huliena's body, they had no solution for her drastically altered personality.
Perhaps staying alone on the Road to Hell for too long had affected her mentally, Bibidong thought to herself.
Having traversed the Road to Hell herself, she knew exactly what the red mist in the latter stages represented. After all, her Rakshasa God Trial had been obtained there.
But Bibidong didn't want her disciple to become like her.
One Bibidong in this world was enough—there was no need for Huliena to experience the same.
After pondering for a moment, Bibidong slowly stood up and walked toward the Hall of Offerings: "Nana, come with me."
If there was anyone on the continent who could change this situation, it would be Qiandao Liu. No matter how much she loathed the Angel Martial Soul, she had no choice but to try.
"Oh."
Hearing the Teacher's call, Huliena's eyes lit up as she quickly trotted forward, though she seemed somewhat cautious due to the imposing aura radiating from Bibidong.
Noticing this from the corner of her eye, Bibidong's heart softened, and she reached out her hand.
Huliena promptly grasped it, then flashed a wide, beaming smile at Bibidong.
It was already afternoon, and the golden glow of the setting sun bathed the master and disciple, adding a touch of warmth to the scene as their elongated shadows stretched out behind them.
(End of Chapter)