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Mingdu Grand Stadium.
With a thunderous roar from Qiangu Dongfeng, countless soul energy barriers instantly activated, enveloping the spectator stands and the areas where high-ranking officials of the Federation were seated.
Whoosh!
The sound of breaking air echoed as several Super Douluos soared into the sky, dispersing around Mingdu. Their soul power pressure surged, weaving intricate patterns that disrupted the surrounding space, preventing Bai Xu from utilizing his peculiar spatial abilities to escape.
Meanwhile, the citizens of the Federation watching from within the protective barriers were nearly bursting with excitement. It seemed they were about to witness an unprecedented battle of Limit Douluos. Not only were Super Douluos guarding the skies, but even above the Mingdu Grand Stadium, a group of Titled Douluos—compensated by the Spirit Pagoda—stood watch. Their role wasn't to participate in the battle but to safeguard Mingdu and its people.
"Heavens! Is that… the infamous The Demon Lord of the Five Elements' Ultimate Law?!"
"The Spirit Pagoda must have anticipated this demon's arrival—they've prepared for everything! Truly worthy of the Spirit Pagoda!"
"Does this mean we'll get to witness a battle like no other?!"
In a hidden corner of the stadium, Bai Xu's adoptive parents and younger brother silently gazed upward at the figure hovering kilometers above. Though they couldn't see him clearly, they could vividly sense his unmistakable, icy demeanor. His tall, imposing figure was seared into their minds without the need for visual confirmation.
Bai Xu didn't look back. His calm eyes swept over the people before him, then briefly glanced at the Shrek Academy group at the marriage tournament below. A faint smile played on his lips. "Tower Master Qiangu… don't disappoint me."
As his words faded, five-colored mystic light enveloped his body, leaving only his distinctive heterochromatic eyes visible.
"Hmph. Bai Xu, I acknowledge your strength. For someone so young to rival Limit Douluo powerhouses is impressive. But you're far too arrogant. Here, gathered before you, is the strongest force the Spirit Pagoda has ever assembled. Charging in like this is nothing short of a lamb walking into a wolf's den—there's no escape for you."
"Youth shouldn't be so reckless!"
Behind Qiangu Dongfeng, Leng Yaozhu unleashed the aura of a 99th-rank Limit Douluo. Though she had often shown Bai Xu kindness in the past, it was largely out of affection for someone else. In matters of this magnitude, her allegiance lay firmly with the Spirit Pagoda.
From another direction, a man who bore a striking resemblance to Qiangu Dongfeng stepped forward. He appeared slightly younger, and beside him walked a woman with delicate features and a gentle smile. Her age was indeterminable—outwardly, she seemed to be in her thirties. The two held hands, their intimacy evident.
"Inferno Douluo, Qiangu Qingfeng."
"Elder Brother." Even as the Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, Qiangu Dongfeng deferred respectfully to Qiangu Qingfeng, knowing full well the debts he owed him.
"Old ghost lurking in the shadows—come out." Bai Xu paid no heed to the three people that currently confronting him. Instead, his gaze pierced through the void behind them, as if seeing through everything.
Qiangu Dongfeng and the others weren't surprised. Their greatest trump card in this confrontation was none other than their father—Heaven War Douluo Douluo, Qiangu Dieting.
Had Qiangu Zhangting not met with misfortune, he too might have reached that level one day, making it four Limit Douluo in a single family.
"You're quite perceptive, brat. And strong enough to warrant my personal intervention." Qiangu Dieting remarked coolly.
"Heh. To avoid any misunderstandings, let me make one thing clear—I am stronger than ALL of you."
BOOM!
The moment Bai Xu uttered those words, their bodies collided—arm against arm. Yet it was immediately apparent that Bai Xu's physical strength surpassed Qiangu Dieting's. Even this Quasi-God was forced back step by step under the pressure of Bai Xu's mystically clad arm.
"See? Without your martial soul, your so-called Quasi-God physique is nothing special." Bai Xu's voice brimmed with battlelust, his usual indifference giving way to exhilaration.
Qiangu Dieting's expression darkened. With an explosive burst of power, he disengaged, putting distance between himself and Bai Xu. Qiangu Dongfeng's face was equally grim. He hadn't expected Bai Xu to be this formidable—nor had he anticipated the eerie properties of the five-colored light shrouding his body.
"Since you wish to witness the Coiling Dragon Staff, I'll oblige. It's been a long time since I've fought seriously." Qiangu Dieting sneered, eager to reclaim his dignity. He took a single step forward, and in that instant, an indescribably terrifying aura erupted from this Quasi-God-level powerhouse.
At that moment, the aura radiating from Qiangu Dieting resembled a colossal pillar connecting heaven and earth—as if it could pierce the skies and shatter the ground. The sheer, unrestrained pressure of his will sent tremors through the hearts of all who witnessed it.
The two figures rapidly ascended, halting several kilometers above the ground, facing each other in a tense standoff.
"Three Limit Douluos in one family—why not come at me together?" Bai Xu taunted.
"It's been decades since I've encountered a junior as insolent as you. Let's see if you're still smiling later. I'll make sure the entire Federation watches you kneel in defeat."
Coiling Dragon Staff—manifest!
Nine soul rings instantly materialized around Qiangu Dieting's body—all crimson red. This Quasi-God powerhouse possessed nine 100,000-year soul rings.
Whoosh—BANG!
Before the echoes of his words faded, a staff shadow shot toward Bai Xu's face.
A deafening explosion followed, accompanied by a shockwave that rippled through the air.
The sheer force of the blow sent Bai Xu reeling backward, his body accompanied by the sonic booms of displaced air.
After hurtling back a hundred meters, Bai Xu abruptly halted, steadying himself. He tilted his neck slightly, assessing the impact. The mysterious light torn by the staff slowly mended, and he appeared unscathed.
Instead, his expression was one of exhilaration.
"That's more like it. Tear through my Five Elements Mystic Light!"
In an instant, he shot back into the fray, clashing with Qiangu Dieting once more. Bai Xu's body was a weapon in itself—his flesh could withstand the Coiling Dragon Staff without issue. Even when the mystic light was torn or his body injured, the wounds healed almost instantly.
Of course, this was merely probing.
War Heaven Douluo's famed technique, War Heaven, Battle Earth, had yet to be unleashed. The outcome was still uncertain.
But…
Even Qiangu Dongfeng, observing from the sidelines, had to admit—in a one-on-one fight, he might truly be no match for Bai Xu.
At this point, however, pride was irrelevant. If his father were defeated, they would swarm Bai Xu without hesitation!
Broadcast Commentary:
"Ladies and gentlemen, according to our instruments, Bai Xu and the Spirit Pagoda forces are now over five kilometers above ground—and still climbing. As we all know, high-altitude conditions—thin air and scarce elemental energy—are highly unfavorable for soul masters.
"Yet, for these two pinnacle powerhouses of the continent, such constraints seem negligible. Their ascent likely stems from concern over collateral damage to the ground below.
"Pilot, take us further back. I'd rather not get caught in the crossfire."
The commentator's tone was lighthearted, but the battle was being broadcast live across the entire Federation—a deliberate move by the Spirit Pagoda. However, the footage couldn't clearly capture the combatants; only the thunderous impacts and explosions were audible.
Below, Gu Yuena watched in astonishment. Bai Xu seemed to possess god-level combat prowess, holding his own against this long-reigning Quasi-God without injury.
Ditian, meanwhile, stared blankly at the sky, recalling their past alliance. 'Back then, I truly underestimated him.' But his focus soon shifted to Tang Wulin at the center of the marriage tournament. Merely gazing at this inheritor of the Golden Dragon Bloodline provoked an involuntary surge of killing intent.