Just as Tang San once again revealed his right arm soul bone, Gui Mei—the Ghost Douluo seated on the golden chair in front of the Pope's Hall—couldn't help but change his expression, suddenly realizing an important point.
Without delay, Gui Mei transmitted a message to Bibi Dong: "Your Holiness, this Tang San has repeatedly displayed four high-quality soul bones. Perhaps we've found the culprit behind the massacre of high-level spirit beasts in the Star Dou Forest six months ago and the murder of the sixteen elders."
Gui Mei was a Titled Douluo with exceptional insight. Naturally, he could tell that all the soul bones Tang San possessed were of extremely high age. If their ages were too low, the effects of the soul bone skills wouldn't reach such levels.
Years ago, Tang Hao had secretly conspired with the anthropomorphic Blue Silver Emperor and even killed his former superior, Qian Xunji. These events hadn't been forgotten by Gui Mei.
Tang San bore the surname Tang, was already a Soul King at a young age, had extraordinary talent, and possessed a unique Blue Silver Grass martial soul. There was no doubt that he was the son of Tang Hao and the Blue Silver Emperor.
Tang Hao had long been expelled from the Hao Tian Clan. Tang San hadn't performed any meritorious deeds for the clan, so it was unlikely that the Hao Tian Clan would bestow such high-grade soul bones upon him. Combined with the massacre of spirit beasts in the Star Dou Forest six months ago, it was clear where Tang San's high-grade soul bones came from.
Upon receiving Gui Mei's message, Bibi Dong couldn't help but pause, her gaze toward Tang San flickering with a hint of killing intent.
Though the Tang Hao father-son duo harbored enmity with the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong had no intention of harming Tang San who had conveniently walked into their midst. After all, without Tang Hao, she wouldn't have had the opportunity—or at least not so quickly—to kill Qian Xunji herself.
But times had changed. Tang Hao's massacre of high-level spirit beasts in the Great Forest equated to uprooting the foundation of all high-level soul masters in the world of soul masters. Moreover, after the incident, he audaciously eliminated the sixteen elders nominally under her command, along with several Silent Annihilation squads. Either of these two acts alone was intolerable for Bibi Dong.
"Order the guards to prohibit Tang San from leaving Spirit City. Summon all the elders of the Elders' Hall. After tomorrow's tournament ends, use Tang San as bait to lure out Tang Hao. We must ensure Tang Hao stays within Spirit City."
Without hesitation, Bibi Dong directly commanded Gui Mei.
On the battlefield, every move Tang San made was observed by Chu Chengzhou.
After all, the Purple Extreme Demon Eye only immobilized his body, not his consciousness.
Of course, the scene of Xiao Bai heroically saving her master earlier hadn't escaped his notice either.
He never expected that Tang San would be so extravagant, revealing yet another right arm soul bone. Unlike the left arm bone, this right arm bone carried an offensive-type soul bone skill.
Moreover, with Tang San currently boosted by an attribute-enhancing soul skill, the offensive soul bone skill—undoubtedly over fifty thousand years old—had a power far exceeding what a defensive cultivation technique-formed soul power shield could withstand.
"Chirp—!"
At the critical moment, the loyal Xiao Hong dove down, using her body to block the Diamond Burst Strike.
Boom—!
The golden fist shadow struck Xiao Hong's summoned form. Amidst the thunderous sound, Xiao Hong's summoned body crumbled piece by piece, dissipating into countless soul power particles. The weakened golden fist shadow then landed on Chu Chengzhou.
Bang—
A dense network of cracks appeared on the soul power shield Chu Chengzhou had formed. However, after smashing through Xiao Hong, the golden fist's power was significantly reduced, and its remaining force wasn't enough to shatter the soul power shield completely.
It was at this moment that Chu Chengzhou finally broke free from the Purple Extreme Demon Eye's immobilization, regaining his mobility.
The instant he broke free, Chu Chengzhou's fourth soul ring lit up. A large portion of his soul power was consumed, and a massive dark-golden figure abruptly materialized beside him.
"Roar—!"
A deafening roar announced the arrival of the strongest bear-type spirit beast in the spirit beast world.
'Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear?'
On the golden chair in front of the Pope's Hall, upon seeing the summoned Bear, Bibi Dong's pupils contracted involuntarily.
Such a powerful spirit beast could actually be summoned by a soul master?
Immediately, Bibi Dong lost hope for her Spirit Hall team to win the championship.
Chu Chengzhou's summoning skills, even with century-level soul skills, could unleash the strength of a ten-thousand-year spirit beast of the same species. Naturally, this Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear summon could do the same.
The might of a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear was something even ordinary Titled Douluos couldn't easily withstand.
Of course, this didn't mean ordinary Titled Douluos couldn't defeat a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear.
After all, aside from defense-type soul masters, human soul masters were basically fragile. Even facing an Attack-Type Soul Saint, ordinary Titled Douluos couldn't rely solely on their protective soul power to withstand attacks.
However, even so, the strength of a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear could match a Soul Saint—a combination of a high-level offensive Soul Saint and a low-level defensive Soul Saint.
Soul masters below Level 80, unless they were among the few geniuses capable of defeating higher-level opponents, wouldn't dare claim they could reliably defeat a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear.
Beside them, Dugu Bo, upon seeing Big Bear, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, his face showing surprise.
Chu Chengzhou's fourth soul ring was something he had personally led a team to hunt in the Star Dou Forest. If he wasn't mistaken, the size of this summoned Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear seemed much larger than the one he had seen before?
"Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear?!"
Looking at Big Bear's towering two-zhang height, his massive claws nearly two meters long, filled with terrifying sharpness, and meeting those cold, bloodthirsty eyes, Tang San couldn't help but tremble as he exclaimed in shock.
This was the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, the strongest bear-type spirit beast in the soul master world, unparalleled. If his small frame were to be caught by those claws, he'd likely be done for in a single swipe!
"Big Bear, go, get him!"
Summoning Big Bear, Chu Chengzhou immediately gave the order.
"Roar—!"
Raising his head to the sky with a mighty roar, Big Bear bared his fangs, his bear face full of ferocity as he charged toward Tang San.
"Soul Bone Skill: Earth's Protection!"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou's Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear charging like a war chariot, Tang San didn't dare to be careless and quickly activated the defensive soul bone skill of his Earth Guardian Left Arm Bone.
A thick, earth-yellow light shield materialized, but Tang San's expression showed no relief.
Although Earth's Protection was a ninety-thousand-year defensive soul bone skill, Tang San's soul power foundation was too weak—he had just entered the Soul King level and couldn't fully unleash the true power of a ninety-thousand-year defensive soul skill.
Moreover, though Big Bear wasn't an agility-type summon, due to his age of over twenty thousand years and his exceptionally strong bloodline, his speed surpassed many ten-thousand-year agility-type spirit beasts.
In terms of speed alone, Big Bear wasn't slower than Tang San—in fact, he was faster. He just wasn't very agile.
Big Bear: I'm not an agile fatty.
Before even reaching Tang San, Big Bear's massive claws shimmered with dark golden sharpness. His two sturdy bear legs bent, and his massive bear body descended like a mountain collapsing, pouncing toward Tang San.
'Not good!'
Tang San's pupils contracted, and he immediately activated his ghostly evasion technique, turning into a phantom-like shadow, narrowly dodging Big Bear's pounce.
"Soul Bone Skill: Flight!"
Knowing he was no match for Big Bear, Tang San's right leg glowed blue. With a surge of soul power, his entire body lifted off the ground.
One of the two hundred-thousand-year soul bone skills of the Blue Silver Emperor: Flight. As for why the Blue Silver Emperor, known for control and life recovery, had such a seemingly unrelated flight skill?
Hmm, this was one of the unsolved mysteries of Douluo
Flying into the air, Tang San confirmed that this Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear couldn't jump this high. Turning his gaze toward Chu Chengzhou, he thought:
I, Tang San, have a soul bone skill that allows me to fly, but your Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear summon can't fly. Even if the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear is unmatched in offense, what can you do about it? Go ahead, make it fly if you can!
At this moment, Tang San didn't realize that after revealing the second soul bone skill of his right leg bone, more greedy gazes fell upon him. Those who already harbored greed now burned with even greater fervor.
Any soul master who knew what a soul bone was understood that a single soul bone only carried one soul bone skill.
For soul bones carrying two soul bone skills, those with less knowledge might think it was simply a special soul bone, more valuable than those with only one skill.
But those with more experience knew that the only soul bones capable of carrying two soul bone skills were the treasures all soul masters dreamed of: hundred-thousand-year soul bones!
If not for the fact that this was in front of the Pope's Hall, where any attempt to kill Tang San and seize his soul bones would inevitably result in the soul bones falling into the hands of the Spirit Hall, the many covetous onlookers would have undoubtedly rushed in to seize them.
"Fengzhi, this Tang San has at least four high-age soul bones, including a hundred-thousand-year right leg bone. What do you say?"
Chen Xin transmitted a message to Ning Fengzhi beside him.
Even as a Titled Douluo, Chen Xin couldn't help but feel tempted.
There was no helping it. Faced with the allure of a hundred-thousand-year soul bone and multiple high-age soul bones, perhaps only those truly standing at the pinnacle of the continent could resist such temptation.
Receiving Chen Xin's message, Ning Fengzhi subtly shook his head.
Ning Fengzhi was a smart man. Spirit City was the Spirit Hall's stronghold, filled with powerful individuals. If anyone could obtain the numerous soul bones from this soul bone youth, it would undoubtedly be the Spirit Hall. Unless Chen Xin cut down Tang San with a single sword and fled with the soul bones.
But the problem was that Chen Xin hadn't come alone. If he ran, what would happen to him and Ning Rongrong?
Moreover, he had to consider one thing: where did Tang San's soul bones come from?
Each hundred-thousand-year soul bone represented the death of a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast.
Tang San bore the surname Tang, so his father also bore the surname Tang. Combined with his unique Blue Silver Grass martial soul, there was no need to guess who Tang San's father was.
Tang Hao, who had crushed the former Pope of the Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, over a decade ago, was likely hiding somewhere in the shadows!
'It seems the continent is going to get lively~'
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but muse.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield.
"Third soul skill, Blue Silver Spike Array!"
In midair, Tang San's third soul ring lit up. Numerous Blue Silver vines rapidly extended, sweeping toward Chu Chengzhou below.
But at this moment, Tang San keenly sensed an incomparable, terrifying sharpness rising from below.
A fatal sense of crisis surged, and Tang San's pupils contracted. He immediately moved sideways in midair.
Pfft—!
But it was too late. A dark golden claw shadow shot out explosively, instantly shattering the soul power shield formed by Tang San's ninety-thousand-year soul bone skill: Earth's Protection.
The slightly weakened claw shadow slashed across Tang San's waist. He felt a numbness on his side and looked down to see a blood line appearing on his left waist, nearly spanning one-third of his entire waist.
At this moment, bright red blood spurted from the blood line.
When the intense pain finally reached his brain, Tang San's eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness, falling from the sky.
As the unconscious Tang San was about to crash to the ground, a figure rushed onto the field and caught him just in time.
Simultaneously, accompanied by a faint fragrance, a white petal swiftly floated down, landing on Tang San. Instantly, a surge of potent life energy emanated from his body.
With Ye Lingling's healing intervention, and confirming that Tang San was out of mortal danger, Qin Ming secretly sighed in relief. Glancing at Chu Chengzhou and then at the imposing Big Bear, he turned to the referee and said: "This round, Tian Dou Academy surrenders!"
These youngsters today were truly formidable!
Qin Ming had originally thought that with Tang San, his Tian Dou Academy team would secure the championship of this year's soul master tournament. But he hadn't anticipated that there were always stronger opponents. Despite being only a Soul Ancestor, Chu Chengzhou's strength surpassed Tang San's!
The great demon king truly lived up to his reputation. Just this summoned Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear alone—not even him, a Soul Emperor, nor a Soul Sage could stand against it. It was simply beyond what young soul masters participating in the tournament could handle.
Subsequently, Qin Ming didn't delay. He immediately took Tang San off the field to let Ye Lingling treat his injuries, ensuring he didn't succumb to severe wounds.
"I declare, Lan Ba Academy's Chu Chengzhou wins! Please send the seventh member of the Spirit Hall team onto the field."
The referee announced the match results.
It proved that even having a good father still wasn't as effective as cheating.
"Nana, that Chu Chengzhou is so powerful. If your mental soul skill is ineffective, just concede!
Preserve your strength for the team battle this afternoon. Tomorrow, we'll use our Spirit Fusion Technique to deal with him."
In the Spirit Hall team's resting area, Xie Yue looked gravely at Hu Liena.
Anyone with eyes could see that Chu Chengzhou, having summoned Big Bear, was invincible on the battlefield.
"Mm."
Hu Liena nodded.
Though she had long known that Chu Chengzhou's fourth summon was a Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, she hadn't anticipated Big Bear's terrifying strength.
The defensive soul bone skill Tang San had used earlier clearly wasn't ordinary, but before Big Bear's innate soul skill: Dark Golden Terror Claw, it was practically paper-thin. If Tang San hadn't dodged in time, he would have been cleanly bisected.
Soon, Hu Liena stepped onto the battlefield, standing tens of meters apart from Chu Chengzhou.
"Both sides bow, release your martial souls. The match begins!"
The final individual elimination match of the morning between the three teams had finally begun.
Though Tian Dou Academy and Lan Ba Academy still had participants left—even Lan Ba Academy had three—the main forces capable of making significant contributions in individual battles had already taken the field. The remaining participants were either too low in soul power level or auxiliary members with little combat ability. Even if they took the field, they wouldn't make much difference—they'd only serve as fodder.
In other words, the winner of this battle would secure their team's qualification for tomorrow's championship match.
The moment the match began, Chu Chengzhou's lips curved into a smile. Spiritual power surged, and his illusion cultivation technique activated.
The next moment, both participants' consciousness entered the woven illusion.
"Nana, come here!"
On an endless grassy plain, Chu Chengzhou pulled Hu Liena into his arms.
Bullying Bibi Dong's beloved disciple right under her nose—this was too amusing!
"You behave yourself, we're still in the middle of a match!"
Hu Liena scolded, slightly annoyed.
"How about we compete in kissing? Whoever can't resist and pushes the other away first loses, okay?"
With a mischievous grin, Chu Chengzhou suggested.
Hu Liena: "..."
Before Hu Liena could refuse, Chu Chengzhou leaned in and kissed her.
"Mmmph~"
Kissing competition? At first, Hu Liena, feigning reluctance but secretly enjoying it, was shy. But gradually, she became more proactive.
In terms of strength, she couldn't match Chu Chengzhou, but when it came to kissing, Hu Liena wasn't afraid.
Time ticked by. After three minutes, Chu Chengzhou couldn't resist starting to make some moves.
As Hu Liena had said earlier, they were still in the middle of a match and couldn't linger too long in the illusion. Otherwise, his three girlfriends might guess what he was doing in the illusion.
Feeling those wandering hands and her own continuously changing "treasures," Hu Liena couldn't take it anymore and hastily pushed Chu Chengzhou away.
Kissing and hugging were fine, but going all the way? Hu Liena wasn't ready for that, even in the illusion.
"You bad boy, always bullying me!"
Hu Liena pouted seductively.
"By the way, the teacher said that the most outstanding member of the champion team could become her personal disciple. Are you planning to become her disciple?"
Hu Liena asked seriously, looking at Chu Chengzhou.
"Nana, I can't become your teacher's disciple."
After a brief hesitation, Chu Chengzhou shook his head.
Xiao Wu had a vendetta with Bibi Dong over her mother's death. He couldn't possibly become Bibi Dong's disciple. Moreover, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was at odds with the Spirit Hall. If he became Bibi Dong's disciple, it would be difficult to explain to his father-in-law.
Even if he wanted to associate with the Spirit Hall, it couldn't be now. At the very least, he needed to wait until he was fully prepared.
Hearing this, Hu Liena's expression fell, and she felt deeply disappointed.
According to her previous plan, if Chu Chengzhou became her junior disciple, she wouldn't have to worry about her teacher Bibi Dong opposing their relationship.
But she hadn't expected that Chu Chengzhou had no intention of becoming a disciple.
"What about me? What are you planning to do?"
Regaining her composure, Hu Liena asked.
"Give me five years. When the time comes, I'll come to Spirit City and talk to your teacher about us."
Taking Hu Liena's soft hand, Chu Chengzhou said earnestly.
"What if my teacher doesn't agree?"
Hu Liena blushed slightly.
"If she doesn't agree, then I'll forcefully take you!"
Chu Chengzhou puffed out his chest, declaring without hesitation.
Five years later, Big Bear would surely have become a hundred-thousand-year summon.
On the Douluo Continent, the vast majority of human soul masters couldn't match spirit beasts of the same level.
Million-year spirit beasts corresponded to Level 100 soul masters, so judging purely by level, hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts naturally equaled newly ascended Titled Douluos.
But if the hundred-thousand-year spirit beast was a Titan Giant Ape, and the new Titled Douluo was someone like mediocre like She Long (Serpent Spear), a one-on-one fight might end with the latter being flattened in one punch.
And a hundred-thousand-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's strength could at least match a Level 97 Titled Douluo of this era—without a soul core, battle armor, or hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones.
By then, even if Bibi Dong disapproved of their relationship and tried to separate them, he would have the means to say no.
Moreover, the subsequent upgrades, including the fifth, sixth, and even seventh and eighth soul rings, would have high base ages. By then, he would have more than just Big Bear as a hundred-thousand-year summon.
As for Bibi Dong, while her soul power level was high, her abilities were limited by the Rakshasa God Trials, preventing her from fully unleashing her strength. She wouldn't be able to suppress him.
"Forcibly take me?"
Instantly, Hu Liena's eyes widened.
Right now, Chu Chengzhou was only a Soul Ancestor. In five years, at most, he'd be a Soul Emperor, right?
Her teacher was a Titled Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring. Was he really confident in forcibly taking her?
"You'll see when the time comes! By the way, Nana, remember to train hard in the future. Don't fall too far behind me."
Chu Chengzhou playfully tapped Hu Liena's nose.
"Tsk, I remember you're 19 this year and only broke through to Level 40 last year. I was Level 40 at 15 and will be Level 50 at 20. Judging by this, isn't it you who should be worried about falling behind?"
Hu Liena retorted defiantly.
"You'll see when the time comes! Next time we meet, I hope you won't be scared."
Chu Chengzhou said meaningfully.
Times had changed. He was no longer the little weakling with half-level innate soul power. With the Nine Breaths Qi Absorption in hand and two immortal-grade medicinal herbs enhancing his cultivation talent, his cultivation speed was akin to riding a rocket.
Even if higher levels required more accumulation, the Nine Breaths Qi Absorption's rank could also increase passively, and his martial soul could evolve further. His soul power level increase wouldn't slow down.
Five years later, conservatively speaking, he'd at least be a Soul Sage, if not an eight-ring Soul Sage—and his strength would far exceed his soul power level.
Exiting the illusion space, Hu Liena pretended to pale and feigned defeat against Chu Chengzhou.
Then, Hu Liena bowed slightly to Chu Chengzhou and said: "Thank you for holding back! This round, I concede."
"Are you sure?"
Hearing this, the red-robed bishop acting as the referee frowned, his face full of astonishment.
He had once heard his teacher, the fourteenth elder of the Elders' Hall, casually mention that the Pope had bestowed a precious head-type soul bone upon her disciple Hu Liena before the soul master tournament.
Hu Liena was a spirit-type soul master with a precious head-type soul bone aiding her. Yet in the previous mental battle, a five-ring Hu Liena still lost to a four-ring Chu Chengzhou?
Hu Liena didn't speak, merely nodding.
Though the "battle" in the illusion had been somewhat inappropriate, in terms of actual strength, she truly wasn't a match for Chu Chengzhou, even in her strongest aspect—spiritual power.
"I declare, Lan Ba Academy's Chu Chengzhou wins! Congratulations to Lan Ba Academy for qualifying for tomorrow's championship match.
Please prepare, Spirit Hall team and Tian Dou Royal Academy, for the afternoon's team battle. The winner will face Lan Ba Academy in tomorrow's championship match of this soul master tournament."
Helplessly, the referee had no choice but to announce this.
—
(Bit of a short rant from the author)
A/N: Some readers said Tang San's strength didn't align with logic, so I'll explain here.
Tang San was a Soul King with four soul bones. His fourth innate soul ring automatically increased to over twenty thousand years. Add to that the Blue Silver Overlord Transformation which boosted all attributes by 100%. Xiao Bai was an auxiliary-type ten-thousand-year summon, and she hadn't even had time to cast her blessing soul skill before being instantly defeated by the Blue Silver Emperor Tyrant Spear. That's reasonable, right?
Xiao Hong was also a ten-thousand-year summon. The Phoenix excelled in offense but lacked defense. Tang San, in his Blue Silver Overlord Transformation state, used an eighty-thousand-year offensive soul bone skill to destroy her in one move. That's not exaggerated, right? The phoenixes in Douluo couldn't compare to pure-blood true dragons, as evidenced by the Phoenix God's position as a second-tier god.
Furthermore, by setting standards, the Purple Extreme Demon Eye was equivalent to the Red-Tier Eternal Thought.
Tang San had practiced the Purple Extreme Demon Eye since childhood, while the protagonist had previously trained in lower-tier cultivation techniques. Training in Eternal Thought for only a year meant the protagonist's spiritual power gains from cultivation techniques weren't as great as Tang San's.
The protagonist had consumed the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, and Tang San had a seventy-thousand-year skull bone. Considering the cultivation technique bonuses and the disadvantage in soul power level, isn't it reasonable to set Tang San's spiritual power slightly higher than the protagonist's without considering enhancement soul skills?
After using the attribute-enhancement soul skill, Tang San's Blue Silver Overlord Transformation provided a 100% boost, while Xiao Bai's blessing offered a 50% boost. With half the enhancement, the protagonist was controlled by the Purple Extreme Demon Eye.
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