At the City Gates

Oscar spent three months in seclusion in the ice cave, diligently cultivating his power. During these three months, Oscar focused on consolidating and familiarizing himself with his rapidly increasing strength. Only after he had completely mastered this terrifying power did he continue his journey towards the Sky Ice Ravine.

It's time to show his divine abilities and make Ice Empress bow down before his divine might.

Oscar also wanted to experience the uniqueness and power of the Three-Life Martial Soul. If he succeeded, he would truly be as Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said, unprecedented and unparalleled.

During these three months, many things happened on the mainland, the most eye-catching of which was the conflict between the Sword Sect and the Spirit Hall.

When the Heavenly Soul Douluo, one of the Sword Sect's Sect Protecting Douluo and Oscar's clone, brought back Xu Kun's body, the Sword Sect's Great Elder's Wife Xue Qingluan, was devastated.

Although she had a falling out with her sister and brother-in-law at the Skywater Academy, they were still close relatives, and with Xue Qingluan returning the Spirit Bone, the two sisters did not break off their relationship.

Decades of affection had been there; although the two sisters had differing opinions, they were, after all, blood relatives.

How long has it been? Just over a year, and my brother-in-law is dead? Died at the hands of the Sword Sect's Sect Protecting Douluo?

At that moment, Xue Qingluan was on the verge of a breakdown. Apart from the disagreement between Xu Kun and Xue Qingluan over Shui Bing'er, he was indeed a good brother-in-law to Xue Qingluan. Xu Kun had also helped Xue Qingluan a lot in achieving her current success.

Now my brother-in-law is dead...

Having learned what had happened from Heavenly Soul Douluo, Xue Qingluan naturally couldn't bring herself to hate Heavenly Soul Douluo, after all, it was a life-or-death battle.

But she could not forgive the Spirit Hall. They had used her brother-in-law's psychology to kill him, and now her sister was still imprisoned in the Spirit Hall. How could she possibly let go of that?

Even if things were to go as planned, and my sister and brother-in-law were truly bewitched, and my brother-in-law deserved to die, at least my sister is still alive. I absolutely cannot let my sister die too...

However, Xue Qingluan was a woman who could distinguish right from wrong. Since joining the Sword Sect, she had handled many matters with Gai Yue and knew the power of the Spirit Hall. She did not want to make things difficult for the Sword Sect and Gai Yue, so she planned to go to the Spirit Hall alone to rescue her sister.

But how could Gai Yue possibly let her go alone? Besides, with such a major event happening, if the Sword Sect didn't say a word, wouldn't they be looked down upon?

Moreover, this is a crucial time when the Spirit Hall is secretly plotting, and they are the ones who least want anything to happen. Therefore, the Sword Sect has directly taken the moral high ground in this move.

The fact that the Young Sect Master of the Sword Sect was assassinated by the Spirit Hall during his secret trip is enough to enrage the Sword Sect, not to mention the Spirit Hall's spies within the Sword Sect.

Two months ago, Gai Yue, the Great Elder of the Sword Sect, along with the sect's Great Elder and the Sect Protecting Douluo, Heavenly Soul Douluo, a total of five titled figures, headed straight for Spirit City.

The reason they were called the Great Elder was because the Four Elders were the grandfathers of Ao Yue, the second genius of the Sword Sect. Through this incident, the Sword Sect learned that Ao Yue had secretly colluded with the Spirit Hall.

Furthermore, Ao Yue's relationship with the Saintess of the Spirit Hall was already ambiguous, leading to suspicions that the two had been secretly having an affair for some time.

The Sword Sect unilaterally declared that the Spirit Hall used the Saintess to seduce the Sword Sect's genius and instigate the relationship between Ao Yue and Oscar, in an attempt to control the Sword Sect.

This incident immediately caused a great stir on the mainland.

Ao Yue's grandfather, the Fourth Elder's lineage, was directly suppressed. Before Ao Yue was captured, the Fourth Elder's lineage could not be released. After all, blood is thicker than water, and who can guarantee that the Fourth Elder's instructions were not involved?

This is some of the information that was released to the public. For a time, there was much discussion on the mainland about the Sword Sect and the Spirit Hall. Everyone knew about the Spirit Hall's wolfish ambitions, but no one dared to speak out against it.

However, they were also paying attention to the Sword Sect and Spirit Hall incident, wanting to know how the two behemoths, the Sword Sect, which was currently at its peak, and the Spirit Hall, the number one power in the Spirit Master World, would handle this matter.

These were naturally planned by Oscar and Gai Yue. After all, Ao Yue was just an alter ego of Oscar, and the Fourth Elder was, to put it bluntly, an alter ego of Gai Yue. Everything was for profit, and everything was to push the Spirit Hall to the forefront of the storm!

Beneath Spirit City, the Great Elder of the Sword Sect and the Sect Protecting Douluo stood in the void, their piercing gazes overlooking the city walls.

On the city tower, Pope Bibi Dong stood majestically, flanked by several Titled Douluo elders from the Spirit Hall.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, countless agents from various factions were intently watching this scene, eager to know how the Spirit Hall would handle the matter.

Now that the Sword Sect has brought this matter to light, the Spirit Hall is using such underhanded tactics to try and devour the Sword Sect!

In the past, those forces would have dared not speak out against their anger, but now that someone has stepped forward to take the lead, the significance is quite different.

What would have happened if the Clear Sky Sect had not chosen to close its mountain, but instead joined forces with the Seven Great Sects to resist the Spirit Hall?

The current situation between the Sword Sect and the Spirit Hall has led many forces to draw parallels to the past conflict between the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall.

The former Clear Sky Sect, now the Sword Sect, can be considered the number one Soul Master force besides the Spirit Hall.

Everyone wants to see what the Sword Sect will choose now.

Gai Yue stood quietly in mid-air, with the other four Titled Douluo standing behind him, their jade robes swaying gently.

Gai Yue spoke in a deep, calm voice, with a hint of accusation. "Your His Holiness the Pope, the matter of my sect's Young Sect Master has already come to this, what explanation do you have?"

Even when facing the behemoth that is the Spirit Hall, Gai Yue is not afraid at all, because he is certain that Bibi Dong would not dare to break ties with the Sword Sect.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have secretly approached and supported Ao Yue.

Bibi Dong looked at the several elders of the Sword Sect who were approaching menacingly, and the veins on her forehead couldn't help but bulge. After planning for so long, she had actually been exposed.

That's bad enough, but now the Sword Sect has come knocking on our door to collect their debt? The Sword Sect's arrival at such a crucial moment will undoubtedly attract the attention of all the major and minor forces on the continent.

Although the Spirit Hall is powerful and has basically fallen under Bibi Dong's control, she does not yet have the strength to fight the entire continent alone; otherwise, she wouldn't need to go to such lengths to engage in these petty schemes.

Faced with Gai Yue's questioning, Bibi Dong forced herself to calm down. "Great Elder, you must have misunderstood. There must be many misunderstandings in this matter. In order to avoid any omissions, why don't you all go into the city and discuss it in detail?"

Bibi Dong tried her best to keep her tone calm and suppress her anger. She knew that the Sword Sect was trying to embarrass her, but now was a critical time, and besides, her Spirit Hall was indeed in the wrong first, so she had no confidence to argue her case.

Gai Yue sneered upon hearing this and pointed at the Heavenly Soul Douluo beside him, "So, does the Pope mean that Elder Heavenly Soul lied? Or that Elder Ghost Gui Mei never left Spirit City?"

Faced with the aggressive Gai Yue, Bibi Dong's expression Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan beside her tolerate this? "Gai Yue! His Holiness the Pope has only been speaking kindly to you because you are the Great Elder of the Sword Sect, yet you are so aggressive. I think you are asking for trouble!"

Faced with Yue Guan's rude remarks, Gai Yue's gaze turned cold as he glared at her directly. "Elder Chrysanthemum, you came to congratulate me on my wedding day with Azure Luan a year ago, didn't you? At that time, I wondered why you, a dignified elder of the Spirit Hall, would care so much about the development and plans of the Sword Sect Sword Sect. Could it be that you were already secretly plotting to assassinate my sect's young master back then?"

"As expected of the Pope's favorite, he's ruthless and vicious in his actions. But don't underestimate my Sword Sect!"

"With Elder Tianhun personally taking action, Elder Ghost Douluo probably hasn't recovered yet, right?"

Upon hearing Gai Yue's words about Yue Guan's expression froze. He wanted to say something more, but Bibi Dong stopped him.

Holding the Brilliant Gold Scepter, Bibi Dong spoke in a gentle voice, "Great Elder, there are many misunderstandings surrounding this matter, and it is difficult to explain them clearly in just a few words. Let's enter the city first and then discuss them."

Gai Yue's eyes flashed. "Pope Holiness, let's forget about these formalities. Before we came, our sect leader said that since the Spirit Hall dared to lay a hand on our sect's heir, they are naturally prepared for war."

"It just so happens that the Sect Master is about to break through the level 98 barrier. If His Holiness the Pope does not provide a reasonable solution today, then the Sect Master will personally lead all 4,152 members of my Sword Sect to the Spirit Hall to demand an explanation."

After a pause, Gai Yue seemed to unleash a terrifying sharpness. "At worst, we'll make a big scene, and my Sword Sect will simply return to our Ancestral Land and maintain our old ways. But those who attempt to use underhanded methods, my Sword Sect will spare no effort to eliminate them!"

Gai Yue's voice was resounding and could be heard by almost everyone in Spirit City.

The spies and informants of various factions were all shocked by the Sword Sect's unyielding spirit.

Yuan Speed Clan member of the Lingyu Escort Agency and now a Soul Master in the First Scouting Department of the Sword Sect, couldn't help but wonder: if the Clear Sky Sect had been like that back then, would they have suffered so many tragedies?

Upon hearing Gai Yue's words, not only did Bibi Dong's face turn ugly, but the faces of the Titled Douluo elders beside her also turned ashen.

How many years has it been? This is the first time anyone has dared to treat their Spirit Hall with such an attitude. As the holy land of Soul Master and the number one Soul Master force on the continent, they have always been the leaders of the Spirit Master World.

How dare the Sword Sect do this?

However, when they heard that the Sword Sect Master was about to break through the level 98 barrier, everyone's heart skipped a beat.

They had already heard rumors that the mysterious sect leader of the Sword Sect had not shown up because he was in seclusion, trying to reach a higher level.

Unexpectedly, the Sword Sect not only has several Titled Douluo within its ranks, but its sect leader is also close to level ninety-eight?

For tens of thousands of years, there has been no Soul Master Hundred Level Godhood on the Douluo Continent. The strongest is the Level 99 Peerless Douluo, and the number of these Peerless Douluo is extremely rare.

The Sword Sect Master is about to break through to level 98, which is definitely one of the top levels in the Spirit Master World. If that's the case, the Sword Sect really has the strength to compete with the Spirit Hall.

Of course, this is on the premise that the legendary Worship Hall does not intervene; otherwise, even the Sword Sect would be no match for them.

Otherwise, why would the Spirit Hall be the leader of the Spirit Master World? It's not because the Spirit Hall has several Titled Douluo elders, but because of the several super strong individuals enshrined in its Worship Hall.

As everyone knows, to enter the Worship Hall, one must have Soul Power of at least level 96. Not to mention that Soul Master who break through to the Titled Douluo level are extremely rare, most of those who do break through are stuck at level 95 for their entire lives, and those who can reach level 99 are even rarer.

There are at least five such super-strong individuals in the Worship Hall, some of whom have not appeared for decades. No one is sure if they are still alive, but no one would question the power of the Worship Hall.

This is why other factions were so shocked when they heard Gai Yue's firm words.

No matter how the Spirit Hall splits up, the Worship Hall will still stand on the Spirit Hall's side. It's one thing for the Sword Sect to make empty promises and try to get some benefits.

If they dare to come knocking, those old fogies in the Worship Hall will teach them a lesson!

Amidst the various factions' comments, Gai Yue suddenly changed his tone. "Of course, if Ghost Douluo acted on his own, then we will naturally only punish the ringleader, and the Sword Sect will still be an ally of the Spirit Hall."

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. As clever as she was, she grasped the key point almost instantly.

But Yue Guan, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer and whispered to Bibi Dong, "Your Majesty..."

Before he could say anything, Bibi Dong interrupted him directly, "I am free to make my own arrangements."

Bibi Dong said, "It seems that the Great Elder is indeed a reasonable person. There is indeed something else going on in this matter. As far as I know, it is true that the Great Elder of the Xuan Ming Sect, because he hates your sect's Young Sect Master, secretly colluded with Ghost Douluo with great benefits to try to murder your sect's Young Sect Master."

"It is common knowledge that Ghost Douluo's Martial Soul is extremely special, so he secretly infiltrated the Sword Sect to obtain some information. He originally thought that things would be foolproof, but he did not expect that it was just a trap."

"As for what happened next, I'm sure the Great Elder knows. After Ghost Douluo saw that things had been exposed, he disappeared. I don't know where he's hiding now."

Bibi Dong said righteously, "However, Ghost Douluo's actions have made him unworthy of being an honorary elder of my Spirit Hall. He has already been removed from the list by me, and I will also notify the entire continent to arrest Ghost Douluo."

Upon hearing Bibi Dong's words, Gai Yue raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh, "Is it really as His Holiness the Pope says?"

Bibi Dong nodded unequivocally. "What I said is absolutely true."

After a pause, Bibi Dong beckoned, and a beautiful woman was brought forward. Bibi Dong pointed at the woman and said, "This woman is one of the accomplices, the wife of the Great Elder of the Xuan Ming Sect. Now, this main culprit will be handed over to the Sword Sect for judgment."

Gai Yue smiled slightly, his previous aggressive tone gone. "In that case, thank you, Pope Holiness."

Before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, Gai Yue continued, "I heard that my junior Zong Yi is currently a guest at the Spirit Hall. I wonder if His Holiness the Pope knows where he is?"

Gai Yue Bibi Dong displeased by Gai Yue's feigned ignorance, but she knew from his change in attitude that he didn't intend to break off relations.

Their pretentious posturing today is probably a pretext for something else.

However, she would definitely not send Ao Yue back. After all, he was a genius, and a genius who was almost at odds with the Sword Sect. Cultivating such a person would be a sharp weapon against the Sword Sect in the future! PS: Typos will be corrected later.