Winds and Clouds Converge! The Willing Take the Bait!

(Hu Liena Uniform Beauty Illustration)

Daji, standing at the side, pondered briefly before reporting the intelligence from outside in a seductive voice that flowed like a gentle stream:

"Reporting to The Venerable One, Spirit Hall's people have just arrived. They are led by Hu Liena, the Pope's direct disciple, with Yue Guan, Gui Mei, Magic Bear Douluo, and Ghost Leopard Douluo accompanying her. They have already been shown into the VIP lounge."

"Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Bone Douluo have long been waiting in the lounge."

"Additionally, the Balaque Royal Family, Elephant Armor Sect, Wind Sword Sect, Fire Leopard Sect, Wasp Sect, Peerless Dragon Snake Family, along with countless smaller sects and Rogue Soul Masters from all sides, have all gathered around the arena outside the valley. It is a veritable mix of dragons and fish."

She paused, then added:

"As for the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan... they are presumably hurrying here by fast horse as well."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiang kept his gaze on the utterly still surface of the stream.

"Those willing to take the bait will take it. Those willing to take the bait."

Outside King's Hall, the place had long since become a sea of voices and figures.

The various factions occupied separate areas with clear boundaries, their exchanged glances filled with scrutiny and vigilance.

Hu Liena and the four Titled Douluo—Yue Guan, Gui Mei, Magic Bear, and Ghost Leopard—

were discreetly led into a VIP lounge by a red-robed soldier.

The lounge was elegantly furnished and offered an excellent view.

Directly ahead stood an enormous one-way crystal window, through which everything on the arena below could be seen at a glance.

Its comfort and amenities rivaled the VIP boxes of the finest Great Soul Arenas in the major cities.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect arrived early indeed."

Through the crystal window, Hu Liena caught sight of Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong in another private room nearby and spoke softly.

Yue Guan leaned closer and lowered his voice as he asked:

"Special Envoy, how should we proceed?"

For this visit, Pope Bibi Dong had specifically appointed Hu Liena as her plenipotentiary envoy, clearly intending to temper her through the experience.

Hu Liena's gaze remained calm as it swept across the bustling crowd below.

In the end, it settled upon the tightly shut gates of King's Hall, which radiated ancient majesty. Her red lips parted slightly.

"Wait and see. Spirit Hall should not, and disdains to, be the one to take the lead."

"Let the others test the waters first. We will learn the true nature of King's Hall before acting."

Gui Mei stood silently to one side like a shadow, voicing no objection.

Magic Bear Douluo, however, spat impatiently, his voice booming like a great bell:

"Hmph, what the hell is this King's Hall? It sure puts on airs! All this flashy nonsense!"

"Once the arena opens, just watch how I beat them until they're crawling around looking for their teeth!"

He clearly had yet to fully regard the young envoy Hu Liena with due respect.

Ghost Leopard Douluo frowned and quietly jabbed Magic Bear Douluo with an elbow.

His sharp gaze warned him to mind his identity and the occasion. The woman before them was the Pope's personally appointed plenipotentiary representative.

Just then, amid the crowd's murmurs, a travel-worn yet imposing procession entered the center of the grounds.

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi revealed a gentle smile and took the initiative to greet them.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, you have arrived as well."

Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, returned the greeting with utmost respect, keeping her posture exceedingly humble.

"Teacher, you arrived quite early."

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.

"We only arrived not long ago ourselves. It was thanks to Uncle Bone's spatial ability that we managed to get here ahead of the others."

Gu Rong, Bone Douluo, stood nearby with his arms folded and added in a hoarse voice:

"We obtained this location's coordinates from that challenge letter, then tore through space to come directly. It was rather convenient."

Xue Qinghe swept his gaze over the dense crowd around them and the grand, imposing arena, then asked in a low voice:

"Teacher, what is the situation at present?"

"It seems they are still waiting for more factions to arrive. The main character has yet to take the stage."

Ning Fengzhi looked toward the tightly shut city gates, a trace of emotion in his voice.

"But judging from this spectacle alone, gathering the great powers of the world in one place, it is already an unprecedented sight in my lifetime—or perhaps... the beginning of chaos."

Gu Rong added solemnly, his expression grave:

"Moreover, an extremely powerful barrier has been set around King's Hall. It is invisible and intangible, yet incomparably resilient."

"Even my spatial ability cannot penetrate it in the slightest. There is no way to enter the Inner Hall directly."

At these words, everyone raised their eyes toward the towering city walls. Sure enough, they saw a faint, flowing pale-green barrier enveloping the entire King's Hall.

After quite some time, Ning Fengzhi in the VIP room noticed a commotion at the entrance.

Led by Yu Yuanzhen, the group from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan entered another VIP lounge under the guidance of blue-robed soldiers, their expressions grave.

He nodded slightly and said to Xue Qinghe beside him, "Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has arrived. It seems that nearly all the major powers of the continent have gathered here."

This meant that the grand event led by King's Hall was about to begin!

The instant his words fell—

"Rumble!!!"

Deep within King's Hall, the previously clear sky suddenly darkened!

Dark clouds surged and converged like a boiling sea of ink. Dull thunder rolled in from afar, as though countless war drums were being beaten at once!

Immediately afterward, streaks of silver lightning as thick as giant pythons tore across the sky, casting the entire canyon into alternating brightness and darkness.

The violent might of the thunder made every Soul Master present feel their hearts tremble!

The various factions collectively held their breath, and countless gazes instantly focused on the arena, waves of shock rising within their hearts:

"Such a heavenly phenomenon! Could it be that mysterious Hall Master Lin Jiang has finally decided to reveal himself?!"

As the lightning gradually faded, the roiling storm clouds did not disperse completely. Instead, they gathered over the center of the arena as though in submission.

Where the thunderous aura had yet to fade, a towering figure as imposing as a mountain already stood proudly!

His body was exceptionally upright.

His short gray-and-white hair stood on end, each strand resembling a sturdy pine struck by lightning.

His face was resolute, his eyes sharp as lightning, and an oppressive aura that made one gasp for breath naturally radiated from his body. Without showing anger, he inspired awe!

In the VIP room, Ning Fengzhi's gaze sharpened, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty.

"This man possesses such overwhelming presence and can summon heavenly lightning... Could he be Hall Master Lin Jiang?"

Xue Qinghe also nodded slightly, a trace of scrutiny flashing through his golden eyes.

"Commanding the celestial phenomena, with pressure naturally emanating from him—if it truly is him, then he is indeed extraordinary. He lives up to the Heavenly Ranking's assessment."

At the center of the arena, the burly figure swept his gaze across the crowd. Wherever his eyes passed, no one dared meet them.

He slowly opened his mouth, his voice booming like divine thunder from the nine heavens, making everyone's eardrums buzz:

"Thank you to the various factions and sects of the continent for honoring us with your presence at King's Hall!"

That thunderous voice only further convinced everyone: this man had to be Hall Master Lin Jiang!

This presence alone far surpassed that of an ordinary Titled Douluo!

Yet his next words left everyone utterly dumbfounded, their jaws nearly dropping to the ground!

"I am the Grand Minister of Works under Hall Master Lin Jiang—Si Kong Zhen!"

"Today's grand event will be hosted by me on behalf of The Venerable One: the King's Canyon Arena Tournament!"

"What?! H-He isn't Lin Jiang?! He's merely one of Lin Jiang's generals?!"

"A single Grand Minister of Works possesses such might?"

"He can summon heavenly lightning, and his voice is like thunder... Just how terrifying must the true Hall Master Lin Jiang be?!"

"Lin Jiang certainly puts on airs! What an extravagant display! Is he not even going to show his face?!"