Hu Liena walked into the Pope's Hall, holding a document. At this time, Bibi Dong was not present—she did not handle everything personally. Some matters were left to the two Titled Douluo.
"Elder Gui, Elder Chrysanthemum, the teacher has issued an order for Your Majesties." Hu Liena's slender finger landed on a name on the list of participants. "She does not want to see this person in Wuhun City."
The name was Tang San.
Salas's report made it clear: a young man with twin spirits and the son of Clear Sky Douluo. Given his identity, there was no way Spirit Hall could let him walk away unchallenged.
"I understand" Yue Guan said "However, Ning Rongrong and Jun Tianlin from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will also be among the team heading to Spirit Hall. They are likely protected by Titled Douluo, which will make things difficult."
His concerns were justified. Over the years, he had worked to eliminate the effects of Dugu Bo's poison, but the Snow Swan Kiss was not something one could receive without consequences. The aftereffects had been severe—his level had dropped by more than one, and his strength was far from what it once was.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, I understand your concerns" Hu Liena said "The ones escorting the contestants are none other than Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi. Under such circumstances, it would be unreasonable for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan not to intervene. However, our target this time is not Jun Tianlin or Ning Rongrong. I doubt the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will risk an all-out conflict with us just to protect Tang San. As long as someone can hold them back, that will be enough."
Hu Liena's plan was simple—fake a fight to tie up the Titled Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan while the rest focused on eliminating Tang San.
But to delay Titled Douluo, they would need to send Titled Douluo of their own.
At that moment, five imposing figures stepped into the hall. Seeing them, Yue Guan finally felt at ease—these were all Titled Douluo.
While Spirit Hall publicly acknowledged only three Titled Douluo, in truth, they possessed far more. Beyond the Pope, there were the seven great priests and nine elders, all at the Titled level.
The seven priests remained shrouded in mystery—even Ning Fengzhi knew little about them. But the nine elders were better known to the upper ranks of the continent.
From highest to lowest, they included:
- Level 95 Ghost Douluo
- Former Level 95 Chrysanthemum Douluo
- Level 94 Turtle Douluo
- Level 93 Mad Lion Douluo
- Level 93 Flame Eagle Douluo
- Level 93 Ghost Leopard Douluo
- Level 93 Demon Bear Douluo
- Level 92 Thorny Porpoise Douluo
- Level 92 Snake Lance Douluo
In the future, the leader of the Holy Dragon Clan would join them as Level 91 Holy Dragon Douluo.
With the exception of Thorny Porpoise and Snake Lance, who were assigned to protect Qian Renxue, the other seven were gathered here.
The honest-looking Turtle Douluo and the wild-looking Mad Lion Douluo stepped forward "Yue Guan, Gui Mei, we will go with you this time. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan intervenes, we will hold them back."
"Excellent" Yue Guan said, satisfied "With the two of you joining, this mission is certain to succeed."
Even with his strength weakened, as long as they could contain the enemy's Titled Douluo, dealing with a group of young spirit masters would be no trouble.
###
Three days later, under the protection of a vast number of royal knights, fifteen academies set out for Wuhun City.
The journey was uneventful, and eleven days passed in tranquility.
Inside the Emperor Team's carriage, Jun Tianlin sat with his eyes closed, appearing to rest. In truth, he was using his formidable mental power to scan the surroundings.
"I still don't sense Tang Hao. He has yet to appear. Are you really so confident that your exposed son will safely reach Wuhun City? Or do you trust my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the royal knights that much?"
"This is the third time in the past few days that Xiaotian has been using his mental power."
In another carriage belonging to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Chen Xin noticed Jun Tianlin's detection once again and informed Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo.
Though Jun Tianlin had refined his perception abilities to an astonishing degree—so subtle that even the ninety-sixth-level Ancient Banyan had trouble detecting him—he still couldn't evade the senses of the ninety-eighth-level Chen Xin.
"Uncle Jian, there's no need to be alarmed. I know what Xiaotian is sensing." Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly "It seems he has already deduced the connection between Tang San and Haotian Douluo. He must be feeling a strong sense of crisis."
"Although the past eleven days have been peaceful, if I'm correct, we should be approaching the Grand Canyon soon. That's the perfect location for an ambush."
"An ambush?" Dugu Bo immediately became alert "You mean Spirit Hall might attack us here?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head "Not us—Tang San. However, since we are present, it would be unreasonable for us not to act. Uncle Jian, Uncle Dugu, if a fight breaks out, do not use your full strength. Uncle Jian, limit yourself to the power of a level 96. Uncle Dugu, do not use the Snow Swan Kiss. Tang San is not worth the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan going to war with Spirit Hall. Besides, if we simply tie up a few of their Titled Douluo, no one will be able to accuse us of wrongdoing."
Bibi Dong and Ning Fengzhi shared the same thought—so long as Spirit Hall did not target Jun Tianlin or Ning Rongrong, there was no need to overexert themselves for Tang San. Unlike in the original timeline, Tang San had not given Ning Rongrong the Beautiful Silk Tulip, and thus, he was not as significant to the clan.
"But Fengzhi, Tang San will surely die if this happens. And when Tang Hao goes berserk, he won't care about reason" Chen Xin warned. He knew Tang Hao's nature well. Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had no hand in the attack, Tang Hao would still blame them for not intervening with full force.
Chen Xin himself did not fear Tang Hao, but as the saying went—the barefoot had nothing to lose. Tang Hao was alone. If he sought revenge, there would be no way to predict his actions.
"Don't worry" Ning Fengzhi said with a knowing smile "Tang San won't die. Even if Tang Hao doesn't appear, someone else will. A few days ago, I sent a letter to an old friend and asked him to be in the canyon today. I believe he should be there by now."
###
At that moment, the vanguard of the convoy entered the mountainous region, traveling between two low hills. Suddenly, an eerie chill filled the air. Every soul master present had honed their instincts through battle, and in an instant, the hairs on their bodies stood on end.
The captain of the royal knights shouted "Everyone, be on alert! Something is happening!"
The royal knights raised their lances, scanning the area warily.
Meanwhile, the young contestants from the various academies remained relaxed. With so many powerful soul masters present, what could possibly threaten them? What they had yet to realize was that they were about to face an opponent unlike any they had encountered before.