Tang Hao Asking for a Beating

At this moment, Sect Master Ning, who had spotted Bibi Dong and the others, asked somewhat puzzledly, "These people are...?"

Before Dugu Bo could reply, the gatekeeper arrived once more. "Master, Tang Wei, Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, has come to visit with his son, Tang Hao."

Before his words had even faded, another gatekeeper arrived. "Master, Yu Yuanzhen, Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, has come to visit."

"Show them in."

A short while later, aside from the two great empires of Heavenly Dou and Star Luo, most of the Upper Three Sects had gathered here.

Looking at the people before him, Wu Xian felt rather sentimental.

Yu Xiaogang's Kind Father, Tang Hao's Father Who Was Angered to Death, and Ning Fengzhi's father, whose name he had only heard but whom he had never seen.

Of these three, only Yu Yuanzhen lived until the story began. The other two had vanished without a trace before then.

Being able to see them in person now gave him a strange feeling.

The Upper Three Sects knew each other very well. After the three Sect Masters exchanged pleasantries, they finally turned their attention to Wu Xian and the others.

Tang Hao, meanwhile, had long since recognized the three of them. Bibi Dong, who had poisoned him, and Liu Erlong, who had dealt him a vicious punch to the face, had left an especially deep impression on him.

His eyes reddened as he glared furiously at Wu Xian and the others.

Bibi Dong ignored Tang Hao. Faced with so many titled Douluo, she showed no trace of stage fright.

She took several steps forward and bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Bibi Dong, Saintess of Spirit Hall, greets all of you seniors."

Only then did everyone understand. So she was the Saintess of Spirit Hall.

They exchanged glances, each harboring their own thoughts.

While remaining wary of one another, they were also considering whether they should raise their offers later.

They had initially thought that Spirit Hall, with its vast resources, would not compete with them for Dugu Bo, this newly promoted titled Douluo.

They had never expected Spirit Hall to send its Saintess. It seemed Spirit Hall also placed considerable importance on Dugu Bo.

Still, it did not matter even if Spirit Hall entered the competition.

If they wanted to recruit Dugu Bo, they would have to rely on their own abilities and methods.

At Bibi Dong's age, her methods were surely no match for theirs. Spirit Hall could be ruled out for now.

As for Wu Xian, Liu Erlong, and Zhang Lexuan, the Sect Masters simply ignored them.

Other than the Saintess of Spirit Hall, who deserved some attention because she represented Spirit Hall, there was no need to pay attention to anyone else.

In their eyes, the others were too weak to warrant notice.

Yu Yuanzhen had never met Liu Erlong and could not recognize her true identity.

He merely found her somewhat familiar, but after thinking about it for a long time without recalling why, he stopped caring.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Dugu Bo pointed toward the Inner Hall. "Everyone, the banquet is ready. Please."

With that, he took the lead and headed toward the hall.

When they took their seats, Wu Xian, whom they had assumed was merely Bibi Dong's subordinate, unexpectedly sat beside Dugu Bo.

This drew sidelong looks from everyone. Where had this brat come from, that he could sit at Dugu Bo's side?

Before anyone could ask, Dugu Bo spoke directly. "This man is this old fellow's Lucky Star and Benefactor. Thanks to him, this old fellow was able to successfully break through to become a titled Douluo."

Everyone understood at once and relaxed their scrutiny of Wu Xian.

After sensing carefully, however, they could not detect the slightest trace of Soul Power from him.

Yet at Wu Xian's age, it was impossible for him to be a titled Douluo.

They instantly lost interest in him. Even if an ordinary person had saved Dugu Bo by a fortunate coincidence, he was not worth their attention.

After several rounds of wine, someone soon used the alcohol as an excuse to begin probing Dugu Bo indirectly, asking whether he was willing to join their faction.

The Three Sect Masters openly and subtly brought up all sorts of benefits and positions of power.

But Dugu Bo politely declined every offer. Compared to joining these sects, he preferred stability.

After probing him once and failing to gain Dugu Bo's agreement, the Sect Masters of the Three Sects did not care too much.

After all, with everyone present, there were certain promises they could not make.

It would be better to wait until the others left, then find a chance to speak privately with Dugu Bo.

Each of them had their own thoughts. At that moment, Tang Hao, who had drunk several cups and could no longer suppress the anger in his heart, erupted.

Relying on the indulgence of his grandfather Tang Chen, he leaped directly into the center of the hall. The pitch-black Clear Sky Hammer slowly appeared in his hand, while two yellow, two purple, and three black Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, Tang Hao raised his massive hammer and pointed it at Wu Xian and the other two. "The three of you relied on your numbers to bully others back then. Today, do you dare fight me fairly?"

Tang Chen, watching his grandson Tang Hao jump out, nearly blacked out.

At a titled Douluo's promotion banquet, he had openly provoked the host's guests.

Looking at Dugu Bo's livid face, Tang Wei had no doubt that if Tang Hao were not the Young Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, he would already be lying on the ground with his organs reduced to mush.

Forget recruiting Dugu Bo now—even the resources they had invested earlier might as well have been thrown into the sea.

Good. Ning Jun of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect secretly rejoiced. This way, one competitor could be eliminated immediately.

As expected of an upstart born from blacksmithing. He had no manners at all.

Yu Yuanzhen, meanwhile, shook his head inwardly. It seemed having talent that was too good was not necessarily a good thing. Tang Hao was actually this arrogant and overbearing.

Yet although he thought so on the surface, deep in his heart, for one brief moment, the arrogant Tang Hao standing in the hall blurred into the image of his own son, Yu Xiaogang.

For an instant, he wished the person standing there was his own Xiaogang.

If Yu Xiaogang had even a little strength, it would have been fine for him to be somewhat arrogant.

But when he thought of Yu Xiaogang still fooling around outside, he helplessly withdrew his foolish wish.

Carefully observing the situation, he wanted to see just how strong the Clear Sky Sect's next Sect Master candidate was.

At the same time, the helpless Tang Wei had no choice but to rise and cup his hands toward Dugu Bo.

"Brother Dugu, I am truly sorry. My child merely saw that it was Brother Dugu's joyous day and that there was nothing to add to the festivities. He happened to see the younger generation powerhouses of Spirit Hall and wished to exchange pointers with them, while also adding some excitement for Brother Dugu. If Brother Dugu dislikes this, then we shall let the matter rest."

Although Tang Wei spoke to smooth things over for Tang Hao, Dugu Bo remained somewhat angered.

At that moment, a voice suddenly sounded beside his ear. "Old Brother Dugu, agree to it."

Dugu Bo's expression shifted. "Fine. Since Brother Tang Wei's son has such good intentions, this old fellow can hardly refuse such generosity. Then let Brother Tang Wei's son demonstrate the Haotian Nine Absolutes for everyone. Of course, if the few from Spirit Hall do not wish to accept the challenge, Brother Tang Wei's son can only dance alone."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo turned toward Bibi Dong and the other two seated together. Before he could say anything, Liu Erlong sprang to her feet.

"Then I'll personally experience what this so-called Haotian Nine Absolutes is."

Before her words had faded, she leaped into the air and landed opposite Tang Hao.

As surging Soul Power stirred, a dragon's roar exploded. Soaring flames transformed into a Fire Dragon, which raised its head and roared toward the heavens behind Liu Erlong.

For a moment, even Yu Yuanzhen felt an invisible pressure.

The Fire Dragon crashed fiercely into Liu Erlong's body, transforming into flames that completely enveloped her.

Moments later, the flames dispersed. Clad in dragon armor, Liu Erlong had transformed into a half-human, half-dragon figure, standing proudly in the center of the hall.

Two yellow, two purple, and two black Soul Rings beneath her feet continued to flash.