Settling the Dust

Settling the Dust

Whoosh!

A massive dragon tail swept in, sending Chen Xin and Tang Hao flying dozens of meters.

Yet after landing that blow, the giant dragon did not press its advantage.

Instead, it flashed back to Qin Shiyuan's side.

At the same moment, the Polar Stillness Domain jointly unleashed by the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos expired.

Shi Nian, having regained his ability to move, used two soul skills to instantly leave Yue Guan and Gui Mei rooted to the spot.

He took a step forward, his phantom form flickering.

In the next instant, he and the giant dragon stood guard at Qin Shiyuan's left and right.

"HAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHA!"

Unrestrained laughter echoed before Spirit Hall's gates. The mask concealed the trickle of blood spilling from Qin Shiyuan's mouth.

To everyone watching, this mysterious Lord of the Star-Plucking Tower still appeared towering and invincible.

"I had quite the enjoyable time today, but unfortunately, someone is still waiting for me."

"Let's leave it at that. It is time for Qin to depart. Please do not miss me too dearly, everyone of Spirit Hall. Hahahaha!"

Qin Shiyuan leisurely turned around amid his laughter, but the instant his back faced Bibi Dong, the laughter abruptly stopped.

His words were domineering beyond measure, yet his mild tone sent chills down everyone's spine.

"Oh, right!"

"My Star-Plucking Tower hereby announces its emergence into the world. If your Spirit Hall intends to entertain any ideas..."

"Hehe, Bibi Dong, you had better think carefully about how many more sword strikes you can withstand!"

Qin Shiyuan left. He was not moving quickly, yet no one dared to stop him.

Qin Shiyuan's provocative voice still rang in her ears, but Bibi Dong remained where she was.

Her expression was incomparably grim.

She glared furiously at Qin Shiyuan's departing back, her silver teeth clenched, her face filled with conflict.

Yet even when Qin Shiyuan's silhouette vanished from sight, she ultimately chose not to make a move.

It was not that she did not want to. She simply did not dare.

The energy behind that attack just now was absolutely not something the body of a mere Eight-ringed Soul Douluo could withstand.

Combined with Dragon Duke and Snake Matriarch, as well as Shi Nian's strange reaction...

Bibi Dong had long suspected that Qin Shiyuan might have already exhausted his strength.

But in the end, she did not dare to gamble. If Qin Shiyuan could unleash another sword strike like that...

Not to mention that the three elders still lying on the ground would undoubtedly die, even she herself would likely suffer grievous injuries unless she used another trump card.

Compared to Bibi Dong, who still entertained thoughts of retaliating, Tang Hao, standing beside Chen Xin, looked utterly wretched.

The second Qin Shiyuan and the others left, he seemed to deflate completely, becoming incomparably weak.

His hand suddenly went limp, and his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer loosened. It dropped straight from midair.

Only after the Clear Sky Hammer slammed into the ground with a bang, smashing out a deep pit, did Tang Hao snap out of his daze. Trembling, he flew down and recalled his martial soul.

He then hurried over to Tang San, who had already fallen unconscious.

After thanking those around him, he swiftly scooped him up in one arm and strode away.

There was no trace of fighting spirit left in his eyes. He seemed to think only of leaving this place of trouble as quickly as possible.

Bibi Dong saw it, but she had no intention of stopping him either.

The losses from this battle had been too severe. For some time to come, Spirit Hall had no desire to go through another battle.

Besides, Xiao Wu was already dead. Her Spirit Ring and Spirit Bone had both been taken by Qin Shiyuan, leaving not a drop of the greatest benefit from this farce.

The elders around her were either injured or dead.

She could not kill Tang Hao alone now... nor was there any need to.

In a sense, the two sides now shared a common enemy.

Though their past grudges meant they could not yet stand united against that enemy.

What Bibi Dong had in mind was using Tang Hao as a blade to eliminate Qin Shiyuan, even if... the chance was unimaginably slim.

But if he could hinder Qin Shiyuan's growth, that would still be beneficial to Bibi Dong.

After all, he was a Peak Douluo of extraordinary strength. Causing the Star-Plucking Tower some trouble would be no challenge at all.

In the face of Qin Shiyuan's warning, she naturally could not ignore it with Spirit Hall's vast foundations.

But Tang Hao was alone. As long as he hid Tang San well, Bibi Dong believed that with his temperament...

He would surely be unable to swallow this insult and would keep causing trouble for Qin Shiyuan and the Star-Plucking Tower.

That was exactly what she hoped to see.

"Someone, carry the elders away and treat them properly."

After Tang Hao left, Bibi Dong's expression was terrifyingly calm. Her voice was icy as she issued an order for everyone present to leave.

"Everyone, today's Soul Master Competition has ended. The Soul Fighting Arena will soon close. Please leave at once."

As the main players in this farce departed one after another, the farce before Spirit Hall's gates finally drew to a close.

Having feasted their eyes on the spectacle, the audience could not be bothered by Bibi Dong's forceful attitude.

They rose and left one after another. Today's farce was an event significant enough to shake the entire soul master world.

Among this mixed crowd were people from various sects, intelligence organizations, and even the royal families of the two great empires.

For those who had come with special assignments, the most urgent matter was returning to report to their organizations immediately.

How should they report it? The template in everyone's mind was likely identical.

The Star-Plucking Tower had crushed Spirit Hall. The world's balance might undergo tremendous change. Whoever won over the Star-Plucking Tower might contend with Spirit Hall for dominion over the world!

Outskirts of Heaven Dou City

Before they knew it, night had fallen. Apart from the buzzing of insects' wings, the place was terrifyingly silent.

Cough, cough!

Two sudden coughs shattered the silent night.

Outside that old-fashioned tavern, Qin Shiyuan pushed open the door and entered.

Moving with practiced familiarity, he went around behind the bar and slowly sat down in the creaking wooden rocking chair.

The moment he removed his mask, two coughs sent flecks of blood falling to the floor.

"My physical strength is still too weak. Otherwise, that sword strike should have been a few points stronger."

Qin Shiyuan smiled helplessly and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, utterly unconcerned with appearances.

"Never mind. In any case, every objective of this trip has been accomplished."

"I fought everyone I needed to meet. This journey was not in vain."

"..."

"You three, come here."

Qin Shiyuan pondered quietly for a while longer before waving over Meng Shu and the other two, who had been waiting nearby for a long time.

"Now that the Star-Plucking Tower has emerged, its internal divisions should be refined as well."

"From this day onward, above the existing deacons, the position of elder shall be established."

"Any deacon whose Soul Power reaches the Titled Douluo realm shall automatically be promoted to elder upon passing review."

"For now, the three of you will return to your positions according to the original hierarchy."

"Meng Shu, go to the Artifact Hall later and have them design sect tokens for every position."

"As for the elder tokens, make four... make five for now. The three of you may each take one. Bring the remaining two to me."

"Yes!"

Meng Shu answered decisively, with no intention whatsoever of asking Qin Shiyuan why he wanted two additional tokens.