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Seeing that the "White Hole" could not resist the "Termination" at all, Gu Yuena decided to forcibly redirect the course of the "Termination."
At that moment, a golden radiance flashed across Ye Lan's chest once more.
"Infinite Solar Furnace!!!"
Ye Lan transformed all the Blue Silver Grass inside his body into ultimate light, then amplified it by projecting his soul power outward.
A golden energy wave, two meters in diameter, shone from his chest. The "Solar Furnace" had originally been a one-off soul skill.
But fed by infinite soul power, a single "Solar Furnace" forcibly became a continuous golden energy wave.
Ye Lan then channeled twenty percent of the soul power that the Nine-Heart Sacred Armor regenerated each second directly into the "Solar Furnace."
The moment the "Infinite Solar Furnace" touched the "Origin Light," the Origin Light immediately absorbed the endless supply of extreme light energy and evolved into the "Infinite Origin Light."
Now the "White Hole" began to expand at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Twenty meters, forty meters, sixty meters, a hundred meters, two hundred meters…
After tens of seconds, the five-hundred-meter-diameter "Infinite Origin Light" completely engulfed the "Termination."
Gu Yuena raised her head to look at the five-hundred-meter torrent of extreme light and murmured, "So beautiful."
As an element master, she gave a sincere, admiring sigh at the sight of the "Infinite Origin Light."
Boom!
A terrifying shockwave instantly slammed outward toward the countless spectators. At that moment, Di Tian acted.
He flashed to the center of the explosion; the outward-spreading shockwave visibly shrunk to the palm of his hand.
A gray-and-white energy orb appeared in Di Tian's palm.
He pinched it, and the gray-white orb vanished without a trace.
Watching Di Tian effortlessly crush the terror unleashed by him and Gu Yuena, Ye Lan's pupils stirred.
Is this the strength of the "Black Dragon King" Di Tian?
Terrifying indeed.
Ye Lan withdrew his gaze and looked at the silver-haired girl. "Shall we continue?"
Gu Yuena looked at the golden-haired man and said calmly, "Your Wuhun fusion technique is powerful. This time, our Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy lost."
At Gu Yuena's admission of defeat, the stands erupted. Countless fans of Ye Lan and Tiandou Royal Academy exploded into deafening cheers.
They started shouting in unison:
"Green Emperor!!"
"Green Emperor!!"
"Royal Dou!!"
"Royal Dou!!"
Feng Xiaotian exclaimed in astonishment, "We actually won!! The captain of Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy is already a monster, but I never expected an even more terrifying monster to be Ye Lan. What was I thinking before? Imagining I could defeat Ye Lan!?"
Huo Wu excitedly grabbed Shui Bing'er and shouted, "Our idol did it! He really beat Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy!! The championship belongs to Tiandou!"
Shui Bing'er happily hugged Huo Wu and cheered as well.
"Is this the Sacred Son? No wonder—he's so strong!!" Hu Liena's eyes sparkled like stars. With the Sacred Son as their teacher, the Wuhun Hall would surely grow ever more powerful, she thought silently.
Yan looked at Hu Liena's worshipful gaze and felt something missing inside himself.
The Sacred Son is so strong; no wonder Nana adores him so much.
The people of Tiandou Royal Academy swarmed onto the stage, surrounding Ye Lan, lifting him high into the air and repeatedly tossing him skyward before catching him securely.
Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, Shi Mo (the other), Ausro and others shouted loudly:
"We are the champions!!"
"Ye God!!"
After celebrating together, Ye Lan deployed the "Nine-Heart Sacred Lotus" soul skill to heal the wounded among the spectators and the members of Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy, then deactivated the Nine-Heart Sacred Armor.
A green soul light flashed, and Ye Lan embraced Ye Lengleng tightly.
They held each other for a long time. Feeling more and more eyes upon her, Ye Lengleng hurriedly let go; her cheeks and ears flushed deep red.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi quickly patted Ning Rongrong on the back and signaled her with his eyes.
Ning Rongrong understood and, pulling Zhu Zhuqing along, rushed to pounce on Ye Lan.
Bibi Dong watched Ning Fengzhi's sly maneuver and was briefly at a loss for words.
After a moment, Bibi Dong led the faculty to the ring.
Countless spectators knelt on one knee, paying tribute as she approached.
Ye Lan had just finished tousling Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's heads when he looked toward Bibi Dong.
For a moment, the golden pupils in his eyes flickered in a daze.
Bibi Dong's features were flawless, her skin fair, and her bearing the most noble and elegant Ye Lan had ever seen among women.
As a former Holy Maiden and current Pope, such cultivated composure was unmatched by ordinary people.
Even setting aside her strength, simply for this aura, few on the Continent would oppose Bibi Dong becoming the Wuhun Hall's Pope.
Bibi Dong noticed Ye Lan's gaze; the corner of her mouth lifted slightly as she boldly returned his stare.
Faced with Bibi Dong's aggressive eye contact, Ye Lan instantly lost his nerve.
He cursed himself softly: What are you thinking? She's Xiaoxue's—
At that moment, Ye Lan felt a soft hand take his.
He turned and saw Xiaoxue holding his hand and looking at Bibi Dong.
In the air between them, it was as if lightning had collided.
As Bibi Dong approached, the red-robed archbishop at her side announced loudly: "The finals of the Continental Advanced Academy Elite Soul Master Tournament—Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy versus Tiandou Royal Academy—Tiandou Royal Academy wins!!"
"The Continental Champion is Tiandou Royal Academy!!"
"Let us invite Her Holiness the Pope to present the championship prize!!"
Bibi Dong accepted the red brocade tray and stepped toward Ye Lan.
At that moment, Qian Renxue moved to stand in front of Ye Lan.
A thought of "Rakshasa evil intent" flashed through Bibi Dong's mind. She bit her lip and said faintly, "You won't yield? You want to receive the award for Ye Lan?"
Qian Renxue looked at the face she longed for each day and silently retreated behind Ye Lan.
When Bibi Dong handed the tray to Ye Lan, she whispered in his ear, "Come to the Pope's Hall later. I have something to tell you."
Because of earlier offenses toward Bibi Dong, and with her now standing so close, Ye Lan did not think further and quickly nodded assent.
While countless envious eyes fixed on Ye Lan, a black figure suddenly appeared in the center of the ring.
A black-haired middle-aged man boomed, "Congratulations to Tiandou Royal Academy for winning the Continental Advanced Academy Elite Soul Master Tournament."
Everyone wondered why this man in black congratulated Tiandou on the championship.
He spoke again: "I am the head of the Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect of the Xingluo Empire. I suppose you are all curious why the top members of Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy have fourth soul rings of Ten-Thousand-year grade—or even a fifth soul ring of orange-gold."
"I can tell you with certainty these are not forgeries. They are genuine!! These black soul rings are all authentic Ten-Thousand-year soul rings!!"
Di Tian's announcement drew gasps from the crowd. Everyone's attention had been on Ye Lan's Wuhun fusion technique and Gu Yuena's elemental fusion.
Di Tian's loud proclamation reminded them of the most absurd fact about this year's Continental Advanced Academy Tournament: the soul ring configuration of Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy.
As people debated how the academy acquired Ten-Thousand-year and even gold soul rings, Di Tian shouted again: "Stop guessing. The Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect has developed a new cultivation system—the Soul-Spirit System!!"
"Want the best soul ring combinations? Want over-limit soul rings? Want Ten-Thousand-year soul rings, or even Hundred-Thousand-year soul rings?"
"If you want them, come to the Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect. Once you pass the sect's examination, we will help you obtain the best soul rings—even over-limit ones!!"
Hearing Di Tian's proclamation, countless soul masters revealed shocked expressions.
The Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect actually possessed such a terrifying training system—capable of allowing one to absorb soul rings beyond their age limit?! Moreover, the soul rings of Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy members weren't faked.
In other words, if they joined the Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect, they could obtain the best soul rings—even over-limit ones!!
A chorus of cheers rose up.
"Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect!! Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect!!"
Di Tian saw the zealous looks of the soul masters and nodded in satisfaction.
This trip to the Continental Advanced Academy Tournament had fulfilled the Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect's plan.
Their purpose wasn't to win the championship; it was to display Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy's strength and publicize the Soul-Spirit System—to reveal it to the world and attract human soul masters.
So even though their leader lost to Ye Lan, it didn't compromise the plan.
After finishing his announcement, Di Tian left the Pope's Hall with the Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy entourage.
Hearing Di Tian's announcement, Ye Lan began to ponder Silver Dragon King's true intention.
Is the Silver Dragon King merely publicizing the Soul-Spirit System to lure humans into joining the Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect?
Is it really that simple?
While Ye Lan was thinking, Bibi Dong whispered, "Ye Lan, I have to step out for a moment. Wait for me in the Pope's Hall."
With that, she flashed away.
Qian Renxue saw Bibi Dong disappear and hurriedly gripped Ye Lan. "What did that woman say to you? Why do I feel like you two are very familiar?"
Ye Lan waved his hand hurriedly. "Impossible. Her Holiness the Pope and I are meeting for the first time."
Hearing Ye Lan call Bibi Dong "Her Holiness the Pope," Qian Renxue realized she had been overly sensitive.
She then picked up a pale-blue skull from the brocade tray and asked, "Ye Lan, how do you intend to divide these soul bones?"
Yu Tianheng, Ausro, and Yufeng quickly said, "Captain, you decide. This victory depended entirely on you. Without you and Lengleng's performance, we couldn't have beaten Ten-Thousand-Beasts Academy."
Others nodded in agreement. Ye Lan looked at the soul bones and felt troubled—he didn't covet them, but they weren't easy to distribute.
After a moment's thought, he allocated them according to need. "This mental-concentration Wisdom Skull goes to Lengleng—she's a support-type soul master who values mental power. Rongrong already has a gem-class head soul bone."
"This 'Wind-Chasing Left Leg of Rapid Advancement' goes to Zhu Qing—she's a speed-type soul master. The other bone, the 'Explosive Incineration Right Arm,' goes to Dugu Yan. She's vulnerable to fire-type soul masters; with this bone she'll gain a lot of fire resistance and can use the bone's skill to counter elements."
Having said this, Ye Lan handed the three bones to the three girls.
Zhu Zhuqing, flustered and crimson-faced, accepted the bone.
After all, Tiandou Royal Academy had two sensitive-attack-type soul masters plus Zhu Qing as their speed specialist—but the teacher gave the bone to her.
This was a Ten-Thousand-year soul bone one could not buy for millions of gold soul coins!
Ye Lan ruffled Zhu Zhuqing's head. "Zhu Qing, it's yours by merit. Don't feel burdened."
Ausro said, "Zhu Qing, don't feel indebted to us. You are Tiandou Royal Academy's primary speed operative—you can't let other academies surpass you!!"
"Ausro never speaks like a normal person—this time he's actually spoken the truth. Our sensitive-attack lineup depends on you, Zhu Qing!" Yufeng chimed in.
Encouraged by their praise, Zhu Zhuqing hugged the bone that shimmered with cyan soul light.
Dugu Yan took her bone and immediately leaped at Ye Lan, clamping her legs around his waist.
She grabbed Ye Lan's head and planted a fierce kiss.
Ning Rongrong scolded playfully, "You wicked woman!!"
Qian Renxue immediately pinched Ye Lan's waist. "Yan Yan, that's how she is—Ye Lan, didn't you know to dodge!?"
Ye Lan enjoyed Dugu Yan's soft kiss while enduring the pain at his waist—ice and fire at once.
Ye Lengleng took the pale-blue skull and laughed, "Yan Yan—kiss enough and get down. Otherwise, a lot of people will be jealous~"
"Lengleng sis, I'm not jealous!" Xiaoxue and Ning Rongrong said in unison.
Flushed with excitement, Dugu Yan hurriedly climbed down from Ye Lan.
After she dismounted, Ye Lan announced loudly, "For those who didn't receive soul bones, don't be discouraged. I'll pay out of my own pocket—one hundred thousand gold soul coins to each of you!!"
Hearing this, the others again hoisted Ye Lan into the sky, shouting: Long live Ye Lan!!!
Since becoming an Honorary Elder of the Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ye Lan was not short on funds; he received a million gold soul coins annually.
Since the soul bones were given to those connected to him, he didn't mind giving cash compensation to the rest.
Outside the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Master, why didn't you use the Silver Dragon Spear? If you wielded the divine weapon 'Silver Dragon Spear,' couldn't you have defeated Ye Lan?" Zi Ji asked anxiously.
Gu Yuena smiled faintly. "Zi Ji, are you competing with Ye Lan now?"
"I… I'm not. It's just my first time losing to a human in close combat," Zi Ji hurriedly waved her hand in denial.
"That human is extraordinary. His third soul ring's age limit nears Ten-Thousand years. That means once he absorbed his third ring, by the Soul Lord stage his physical quality had already reached Soul Emperor level. Though your physical quality surpasses a Soul Emperor's, he has too many self-created soul skills—at least five. Three of them are mobility skills, and one is even a mental soul skill," Di Tian rarely spoke.
"Ah, I only used my 'Sky-Tearing Claws' once—I didn't show much, and Ye Lan eliminated me," Xiong Jun lamented.
"That golden-haired girl is also extraordinary. Her extreme fire is stronger than my extreme ice by a level," the Ice Emperor said.
Gu Yuena explained, "Qian Renxue is indeed exceptional—she may well become a future 'Angel God.' As for the Wuhun Hall Pope Bibi Dong, she has passed the 'Rakshasa God Trial'; with her talent, becoming a Rakshasa God shouldn't be difficult."
"That's another reason I didn't use the Silver Dragon Spear. If a divine weapon appears in a Soul Emperor's hands, it's too conspicuous—it might attract the Rakshasa God's attention. Besides, the outcome of this tournament doesn't affect our plan—we've achieved our goal. Next is the expansion phase of the Fang Beast Sect; you need to learn human knowledge so you can become qualified sect managers in the future."
Zi Ji nodded, enlightened.
"Little Zi understands."
The Demon King asked, "Is Pope Bibi Dong's talent that strong? Why didn't I feel oppressed by her presence?"
Di Tian explained, "That woman reached the peak Soul Douluo at under fifty. For some reason, her power is currently suppressed to level ninety-eight."
"In the soul master system, progression is fast early and drastically slows later. Beyond level ninety-five, each rank often takes decades or centuries to advance."
"So for her to reach peak Douluo in under fifty years—her talent must be peerless on the Douluo Continent. Master is right; within a decade or so she could become a Rakshasa God. Our plan must accelerate."
Hearing Di Tian's explanation, the other soul beasts realized why Pope Bibi Dong was so terrifying. As former soul beasts, to cultivate to godhood would require countless tens of thousands to millions of years; they'd have to survive ever-more dreadful thunder tribulations—and even if they reached a million years, the divine realm might still deny them a soul beast god's position, or even personally slaughter them.
The prohibition against soul beasts becoming gods had also come to them via Di Tian and Master.
Otherwise, they would not obediently convert to human cultivation. If Master becomes a god, they might have a chance to go to the divine realm, attain immortality, and possibly win a god's seat.
Just as the eight prepared to venture deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest, a purple figure emerged before them.
"Bibi Dong? Why do you block us?" Di Tian stood in the sky and faced her.
"You won't explain the Soul-Spirit System to me?" Bibi Dong asked.
Bibi Dong didn't know the extent of the Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect's motives for publicizing the Soul-Spirit System. Frankly, if the Wuhun Hall possessed such a system, it would quietly strengthen itself rather than reveal it openly. Ten-Thousand-Beasts publishing it is curious—unless they're some ten-times benevolent saint. That's impossible. The Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect's scheme was certainly not simple.
"The Soul-Spirit System? Want to know? Simple—join the Ten-Thousand-Beasts Sect," Di Tian said indifferently.
"You dare!? If you won't explain, I'll take it myself!" Bibi Dong's voice trailed off as nine soul rings burst forth from her body—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red.
A pair of five-meter purple-glowing wings unfurled from her back—the external soul bone "Six-Winged Purple Light Wings"!
The instant the nine soul rings emerged, her seventh and eighth rings lit up.
"Death Spider Empress's true body!"
"Spider Empress clone!!"
From her waist down, Bibi Dong's form transformed into the purple-black lower body of a spider empress. The evil aura from the black spider lances was horrifying; the "Human-Faced Demon Spider" and "Death Spider Empress" now seemed tame by comparison.
Upon manifesting her Wuhun true body, Bibi Dong's black soul light flashed and a second "Spider Empress clone," identical to her, separated from her body.
The "Spider Empress clone" had no independent intelligence and required Bibi Dong to control it, but its advantage was obvious.
The clone possessed one hundred percent of the host's strength, lacking only the second Wuhun and the eighth and ninth soul rings; otherwise it was indistinguishable from the original.
After releasing the clone, Bibi Dong did not stop—her evil form flashed with a blood-red area and a black zone.
"God-Slaying Domain!"
"Death Domain!"
The two domains covered Di Tian. Instantaneously he sensed a forty percent drop in his strength and found he could not use any concealment or instant-transfer skills.
Corrosive, rotting air filled the space; Di Tian detected a slight poisoning beginning within him.
Looking at the "Death Spider Empress" Bibi Dong, Di Tian nodded slightly.
To reach this level at ninety-eight, she deserved to be a candidate for the "Rakshasa God" trial.
The Spider Empress and her clone lunged at Di Tian, their arms flashing with a red glow.
The Ten-Thousand-Year Death Spider Empress's left and right arm bones activated their soul skills, transforming their arms into two enormous black scythes.
Two black-purple afterimages flashed before Di Tian; the scythes seemed to tear space as they swept. Four hundreds-of-meters-long black-purple crescent moons descended upon the black-haired man.
Di Tian's eyes fixed on the scythes. His right arm's black soul light flashed, and his right arm instantaneously became a thick black dragon claw covered in black scales.
The dragon claw swung and intercepted the path of the four black scythes.
When the dragon claw struck the black scythes, countless violent winds whipped outward.
Trees and debris within a hundred meters were swept away by the gales produced by the clash.
The residual force was devastating, but the dragon claw, which bore the full brunt of Bibi Dong's assault, remained unbroken—the scythes could not leave a trace.
In a single strike, Bibi Dong realized Di Tian's power.
Even Ten-Thousand-year soul-bone skills could not harm his dragon arm.
Di Tian's strength, even compared with peak Douluo, was undeniably extraordinary.
Thinking this, Bibi Dong cursed the "Rakshasa God" silently: damned Rakshasa God, not only did you not raise my strength, you even suppress it.
At the collision's instant, Bibi Dong activated the Ten-Thousand-Year Death Spider Empress left-and-right arm bone soul skills again.
Four black scythes glowed with black soul light.
Then, Bibi Dong's "Six-Winged Purple Light Wings" flashed purple soul light, and her silhouettes reappeared hundreds of meters away.
The moment the "Spider Empress" vanished, four towering purple light pillars erupted around Di Tian.
Facing Bibi Dong's suicidal assault, Di Tian muttered inwardly: this mad woman.
(End of Chapter)