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Watching the nearly one hundred clansmen of the Defense Clan bow in submission, Ye Lan deactivated his Blue Silver Grass: Sublimation Form. Sensing that about half of his soul power remained, he gained a newfound understanding of his own strength.
With the support of two hundred-thousand-year soul rings, his power had ballooned to staggering proportions. However, the high consumption of these soul ring skills meant that his sustained combat duration was significantly shorter than it had been during his time as a Soul Grandmaster. Now, he had to prioritize ending battles swiftly—at least when facing high-level Soul Masters. Against those of the same rank, they simply wouldn't survive long enough for his soul power to run dry.
"Rise, everyone. From now on, you are all part of the 'Sanctuary.' You may refer to me as the Sanctuary Master," Ye Lan announced.
Hearing this, Niu Gao scrambled to his feet, his weathered face breaking into a sycophantic grin. "Lord, from this day forth, you are the master of the Defense Clan. How could this old servant dare be so impolite as to use a mere title?"
Niu Ben watched his father with a bizarre expression. He never imagined his father had such a side to him; even when facing the former Clear Sky Douluo, his father had never used the term "Lord."
Niu Gao glared at Niu Ben and barked, "Well? Pay your respects to the Lord!"
"Lord!!" Niu Ben shouted immediately.
The rest of the Defense Clan followed suit, their voices ringing out in sincere, unified submission. Watching this, Niu Gao nodded in satisfaction. These clansmen didn't yet realize just how exceptional their new master was. Because the rules of the duel had been so fair, Niu Gao truly accepted that the master's Blue Silver Grass defense surpassed that of the Iron-Plate Giant Rhino. Unlike the Clear Sky Sect, which had conquered them through destructive force rather than superior defense, Ye Lan had beaten them at their own game.
Tai Shan, watching Niu Gao discard his pride so readily, muttered internally: You old bull, you look honest, but you're absolutely shameless!
"Alright, alright. You can call me that in private," Ye Lan said helplessly. It seemed the Four Single-Attribute Clans shared a common trait: if you could utterly crush them in the field they specialized in, they would follow you to the end. This was likely why Titan and the others had been so loyal to the Clear Sky Sect—the sect simply possessed more raw power.
By that logic, to subdue the Speed Clan, he would have to defeat them with absolute speed rather than the trickery Tang San had used in the original story. In that version, Tang San's bet with Bai Chenxiang was merely about whether she could touch him within the time it took for an incense stick to burn. That hadn't been a test of pure speed, but of agility. Subduing the Breaking Clan would be even harder, as the Clear Sky Hammer was inherently more powerful in combat than their spears; defeating Yang Wudi would require more than just martial prowess.
With his mind set, Ye Lan joined the evening banquet amidst the flattery of Tai Shan and Niu Gao.
The next morning.
"The Lord is truly diligent! He's already immersed in mimetic cultivation," Niu Gao remarked, looking at a small hill in the distance that was currently submerged under a sea of Blue Silver Grass.
"You have to remember, the Lord's awakened martial soul is just Blue Silver Grass. To reach his current level, the blood and sweat he's poured in must be more than any other Soul Master on the continent," Tai Shan added solemnly.
At that moment, a dozen people began to arrive at the central square of the Leisure Crane Villa. Leading them was a lean, white-haired old man. His face was as ruddy as a baby's, and although he looked older than Niu Gao and Tai Shan, he possessed a sage-like vitality.
Standing beside him was a purple-haired girl. Her long hair was tied into two braided twintails. She was tall, well-proportioned, and exceptionally beautiful, though a hint of melancholy lingered in her eyes. In terms of looks, she was barely a step behind Ning Rongrong.
"Yo, isn't this Old White Bird?! You claim to be the fastest in all of Douluo, so how come you're slower than this old bull?!" Niu Gao laughed heartily.
Bai He sighed. "You know the state of my Speed Clan. I am fast, yes, but I have my clansmen to think of! To save on expenses, we didn't rent carriages. we came all this way on foot." He then paused, confused. "Eh? Why is Brother Tai Shan here for the gathering? Where is your nephew Tai Nuo?"
Tai Shan opened his mouth to speak, but Niu Gao patted his shoulder, signaling that he would handle it. Since Niu Gao and Bai He were closer, he decided to personally handle the recruitment for his master.
"A pity, Old White Bird. Tai Nuo sought his own death and has been executed by Spirit Hall."
"Sought his own death? How could Tai Nuo provoke Spirit Hall? Back when Titan was still around, even he didn't dare provoke them," Bai He said in shock.
"It was all the doing of Tang Hao's sister, Tang Yuehua! Tai Nuo was foolish enough to follow her in inciting the 'Heaven Dou Rebellion,' causing the deaths of thousands of Soul Masters from Spirit Hall and the Empire. If Spirit Hall didn't kill them, how could they appease the wrath of the masses?" Niu Gao said disapprovingly.
Bai He stared at Niu Gao in astonishment. What was wrong with this old bull? Even if Tai Nuo had messed up, was there a need to speak so harshly? Since when did Niu Gao become so "just"? Weren't the rhino and the gorilla famous for being overprotective of their own?
Strange. Truly strange.
At that moment, a blonde young man walked over slowly. The purple-haired girl beside Bai He gasped as she saw him. He... he!! Isn't that Ye Lan?!
Bai Chenxiang's feelings toward Ye Lan were incredibly complex. Before he joined Spirit Hall and became the Holy Son, the fourteen-year-old Bai Chenxiang was at the age where a young girl's heart begins to stir. At the time, the "Scholar" had risen to fame, defeating countless geniuses of his generation and eventually conquering the terrifying "Myriad Beast Team." As the "Azure Emperor," a commoner genius who had reached the summit, he became the idol of countless girls and commoners alike.
Bai Chenxiang had been one of them. She had admired "Azure Emperor" Ye Lan so much that she once fantasized about him being her Prince Charming. However, the moment she learned he had joined Spirit Hall, her world collapsed. Her most admired person had joined the enemy. The Speed Clan's education taught the younger generation that their greatest enemies were the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall. Naturally, she felt a deep aversion to the latter.
Since then, her feelings for Ye Lan had been a mix of love and hate. But seeing him in person now, that hatred began to fade. He was simply too perfect. His blonde hair shimmered with a dazzling light, and his gentle eyes and approachable temperament were underscored by a faint, imperial presence.
Ye Lan noticed her as well. Seeing the complex, melancholy gaze of the girl, a ripple of emotion stirred in his heart. In the original story, Bai Chenxiang's ending was far from perfect—it was, in fact, terrible. Because of Ma Hongjun's poor character and unappealing appearance, no girl who knew his history wanted anything to do with him. To force them together, Shrek had hidden Ma Hongjun's history of frequenting brothels.
During the journey to Sea God Island, they used the same tactics on her that they had used on Ning Rongrong: isolating and belittling her until she believed she was a "mediocre talent." When she was at her most vulnerable, Ma Hongjun would step in to offer comfort. Only through such underhanded methods did she eventually end up with him. Even when she later learned the truth, it was too late. This scheme had been carried out with the silent approval of her cousin, Tang San. Ultimately, after the Shrek Seven became gods, they didn't lift a finger to help her, leaving her to live out a lonely life on the continent.
"And this is?" Bai He asked, curious. Ye Lan's temperament and appearance were far too extraordinary to belong to the rough men of the Strength or Defense clans.
"Hehe, Old White Bird, let me introduce you. This is the person the Strength and Defense clans now serve!!"
"The Holy Son of Spirit Hall!!" "The Master of the Sanctuary!!" "The number one Theoretical Grandmaster in Douluo!!" "The strongest strength of his rank!!" "The strongest defense of his rank!!" "The peerless Ye Lan!!" Niu Gao introduced him with immense pride.
Bai He was shaken. The Strength and Defense clans were famous for their stubbornness. He never expected this old bull, with one foot in the grave, to boast about the Holy Son like this, openly declaring his submission. Seeing that Tai Shan didn't object, it was clear both clans had truly submitted.
Bai Chenxiang was equally shocked. Two years ago, Ye Lan was only a Soul Grandmaster. Had he really grown enough in two years to conquer two Soul Douluo grandfathers?
"So it is His Highness the Holy Son. I have long heard of your name!" Bai He cupped his hands, carefully observing the young man.
Ye Lan nodded. "This gathering was facilitated by me through Tai Shan. My goal is simple: to bring the Four Clans into the Sanctuary. What do you think, Patriarch Bai He?"
Niu Gao chimed in immediately. "Old White Bird, you know the state of your clan's finances. I'm telling you, the future of the Sanctuary is more terrifying than you can imagine, and the Lord's talent is monstrous! You won't go wrong following us. From now on, your clan will eat and drink the best!"
Bai He sighed, looking troubled. "My Speed Clan is different from the others. The Strength Clan can forge weapons; the Defense Clan can build. Currently, Spirit Hall has the best intelligence network on the continent. Does the Sanctuary really need another intelligence team?"
Hearing his concern, Ye Lan replied: "Rest assured, Patriarch. The Sanctuary does indeed need the Speed Clan. The Strength Clan is the Manufacturing Department, the Defense Clan is the Construction Department, and your clan... I have decided to place you in the 'Shadow Hall.'"
Niu Gao was confused. "Lord, you mentioned the 'King Hall' and 'Radiance Hall' before, but what is the Shadow Hall?"
"The Shadow Hall is an organization that 'does not exist.' It has no headquarters, only agents. I divide them into two categories: 'Crows' and 'Foxes.' Crows are numerous and come from all walks of life—commoners, nobles, merchants, waiters. They gather intel and report to the 'Foxes.' Each Fox manages multiple Crows and reports directly to me or the Vice Master."
"Your clan's extreme speed will drastically increase the transmission speed of the Shadow Hall. Combined with Spirit Hall's reach, we will control every piece of information on the continent."
Bai Chenxiang was stunned by the concept of the Shadow Hall. She realized that they wouldn't just be messengers anymore, but the "Foxes" controlling the flow of information for the entire world. The three old men were equally awestruck; the talent of this young man felt as deep and unfathomable as the ocean.
"Lord, you are wise!! At this rate, the Sanctuary will surpass the Three Upper Sects in no time!" Tai Shan exclaimed.
Niu Gao slapped the dazed Bai He on the back. "Hear that? Your clan is about to flourish! And let me tell you a terrifying fact: we didn't follow the Lord just because of the future or our new roles. We followed him because he walks the path of the righteous!! He defeated us in our own specialties, following the traditions of our Four Clans. That is why I call him the strongest!"
"Last night, the Lord said he wanted to challenge your clan's absolute speed. What do you say, Old White Bird?"
Bai He looked Ye Lan up and down. Did he really defeat Tai Shan and Niu Gao head-on? Seeing that Ye Lan didn't deny it, Bai He spoke:
"Then I accept the challenge! If I lose in speed, my entire clan will serve you alone. If I win, we will still join the Shadow Hall." Bai He knew that after hearing the secrets of the Shadow Hall, he couldn't just walk away. Moreover, he saw the immense potential in Ye Lan. Most importantly, Ye Lan was only twenty, and his granddaughter was sixteen. If the clan followed him, there was a chance she might catch his eye—and if she did, the Speed Clan would truly reach the pinnacle.
"In that case, here are the rules. Patriarch, see that pavilion in the distance? It's about a thousand meters away. Once we are ready, this young lady will toss this gold soul coin. When it hits the ground, we start. Whoever reaches the pavilion first wins." Ye Lan handed a gold coin to Bai Chenxiang.
She took it instinctively, her eyes wide with disbelief. Someone was actually challenging her grandfather to a straight-line race?! The Needletail Swift was the fastest avian martial soul in Douluo, and every single one of their rings was chosen for pure speed. They were the fastest of their rank in a straight line, period.
Bai Chenxiang couldn't believe her former idol could win this. Even the "Azure Emperor" was likely only a Soul Ancestor; how could he be faster than a Soul Douluo Needletail Swift?
Bai He decided to go all out. He wanted to prove his clan's worth. "Fine, it's a deal!!" He summoned his eight rings: two yellow, two purple, and four black. He transformed from a sage-like old man into a massive Needletail Swift King. The slight flutter of his wings created a gale that stung Chenxiang's skin.
Ye Lan nodded. That's more like it!
His blonde hair began to flutter as a violent golden soul power erupted. He used Extreme Soul Power Attachment, boosting his efficiency to 130%. His base speed instantly broke into the Soul Emperor rank. Then, eight Ancient Beast Tentacles emerged, increasing his soul power by 50%; his speed neared the Soul Saint rank. His skin turned a deep red as his blood surged—Full Body Blood Armor was active. His physical stats skyrocketed, pushing his base speed past the Soul Saint level.
A golden light flickered as a circular membrane appeared before him. Flash was active! His speed surged by another 150%, breaking into the high-level Soul Douluo rank!!
Bai He was alarmed by the crimson mist and golden light radiating from Ye Lan. To ensure victory, he activated his eighth soul skill. His wings grew larger and his body became more streamlined. At Rank 81, he could now burst with speed comparable to a Rank 92 Agility-Attack System Titled Douluo!
Bai Chenxiang felt a surge of anxiety. She didn't want her grandfather to lose, but she worried about her idol. At full speed, her grandfather could break the sound barrier in a second. Air wasn't just empty space at those speeds; it became a solid "invisible wall." Could a Soul Ancestor truly withstand that?
"Miss Bai, let's begin," Ye Lan said, his orange-gold eyes meeting hers.
She took a deep breath, prayed silently, and flipped the coin. The gold glint spun high into the air, reached its apex, and began to fall.
Ye Lan's Consciousness Acceleration kicked in. In his mind, the coin was moving in extreme slow motion. He knew he couldn't underestimate Bai He; speed wasn't his primary specialty, and the old man was thirty ranks higher. He needed every millisecond.
Bai He's reaction time was about 0.01 seconds (10ms). With Consciousness Acceleration, Ye Lan's reaction time dropped to 0.5ms—twenty times faster. He could prep his skills to fire the exact microsecond the coin touched the ground.
The Swift King's eyes were locked on the coin. The moment it hit—before the sound could even travel—Bai He prepared to flap his wings.
But in that exact instant, a golden flash vanished!!!!
In less than a second, the crowd stood in stunned silence. They followed the gaze of the Swift King—who was still standing at the starting line—to see a blonde figure standing atop the pavilion a thousand meters away.
The Speed clansmen were shaken to their core.
"What just happened?!" "Why did the Patriarch lose so decisively?!" "Did he hold back?!" "Shut up! It didn't even take a second. The Patriarch hadn't even started when the Holy Son vanished!!"
"Douluo's... absolute godspeed!!!"
(End of Chapter)