After hearing Ghost Douluo, Hu Liena couldn't help panicking. "Grandpa Ghost, he wouldn't do that. He's my friend.
How about I persuade him to leave the Star Dou Great Forest for now?"
"Not being able to leave doesn't mean we intend to harm you, young man. We just hope you'll cooperate for the time being and travel with us. Once we've accomplished what we came here to do, we'll naturally set you free."
Tang San was astonished by Ghost Douluo's words, and even Hu Liena and Xie Yue were surprised. Ghost Douluo was known for his cold, sinister nature. Since when had he become so reasonable?
"Fine. I agree." Tang San's answer surprised the siblings as well.
Hu Liena asked in surprise, "You agree?"
Tang San replied calmly, "I can't fight back, and I stand to gain something. Why wouldn't I agree? But while I'm with you, I won't help you fight."
"Understood," Xie Yue said respectfully. He gestured for Tang San to follow, then set off ahead of them.
Hu Liena immediately turned to Ghost Douluo. "Grandpa Ghost, I thought you were going to make him leave. Why did you suddenly decide to keep him with us?"
Gui Mei smiled. "Silly girl, you really do lose your head when you care about someone! It's obvious you've fallen for that boy.
"I have to admit, he's truly impressive. He's every bit as good as Xie Yue and Yan.
"He's worthy of you, too. And like you, he has Divine Slaughter's Domain. He's undoubtedly a fine talent."
"But if you want to be with him, his identity is a major problem. If he could join Spirit Hall and earn some merit, perhaps even a promotion,
"His Holiness the Pope might find it easier to accept him."
"That's impossible." Though her cheeks were already flushed, Hu Liena immediately rejected Ghost Douluo's suggestion. "Grandpa Ghost, how could I possibly convince him to turn against his own sect?
"Besides, the Clear Sky Sect has already gone into seclusion. Do we really have to wipe them all out?"
Ghost Douluo said gravely, "Nana, if you want what's best for him, persuade him to join Spirit Hall. He's a good young man, and we can keep him."
Hu Liena's pretty face flushed bright red. After a moment, she nodded.
But Qian Xun'an had seen everything.
He more or less understood what Spirit Hall's people had come here to do.
Back then, Bibi Dong had probably sent people here for her own Soul Ring.
But Qian Xun'an had learned a few other things, too. He had come from Slaughter City himself, so he knew that this man called Tang Yin was none other than Tang San.
And Hu Liena knew the boy was from the Clear Sky Sect, yet she had fallen for him and wanted to keep him with Spirit Hall's group.
Hu Liena and Ghost Douluo's actions amounted to betraying Spirit Hall!
Those who betrayed the Hall deserved to die!
"Bibi Dong, you care a lot about this disciple of yours, don't you? Now that I've caught you in the act, let me give you a grand gift!"
As Qian Xun'an spoke, he flashed forward and caught up with them in an instant.
Spirit Hall.
In a secret chamber, Bibi Dong was submerged in a pool of purple liquid. The terrifying fluid kept seeping into her body, and the wounds covering her had all healed.
The chamber also held a purple object shaped like a heart, which contained an endless well of evil power.
It was the Heart of Rakshasa, the inheritance left behind by the Rakshasa God. As long as she broke the Heart of Rakshasa, she could receive the Rakshasa God's inheritance.
After absorbing the purple liquid in the chamber, Bibi Dong let out a long breath. At last, she slowly opened her eyes.
Bibi Dong said coldly, "Qian Xun'an, you never saw this coming, did you? You may have left me gravely injured, but you helped me complete the Sixth Trial of the Rakshasa inheritance.
"Now I only need to obtain one more Soul Ring before I can take on the Eighth Trial!"
"Qian Xun'an, just you wait. Once I become a god, I'll make you repay a hundredfold for the humiliation you've brought me!" Bibi Dong said viciously.
Qian Ye continued following the people from Spirit Hall. He wanted to find out what they were really after.
At last, they reached the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, where everyone came to a stop.
There were fewer Spirit Beasts here. The powerful Spirit Beasts that had been lurking nearby had all disappeared as they ventured deeper into the forest.
Only the chirping of insects and birds remained. The oppressive quiet made the two Titled Douluo increasingly wary. They had weathered plenty of storms and weren't about to let the silence lull them into a false sense of security.
"Welcome to the Star Dou Great Forest." A gentle voice suddenly came from ahead, making Ghost Douluo, who was leading the way, stop short.
Qian Xun'an looked closely. The speaker was none other than the Spirit Beast called Xiao Wu, whom Bibi Dong had let go back then.
Chrysanthemum Douluo flashed over to Ghost Douluo's side. The two exchanged a glance, and Chrysanthemum Douluo signaled to the Spirit Hall experts behind them. The formation of twenty Soul Saints changed at once, tightening into a circle around the three members of the Golden Generation and Tang San. At the same time, they released their Martial Souls.
The sight of twenty Soul Saints releasing their Martial Souls at once was truly astonishing. In an instant, the air within a hundred meters of them warped violently, and one dazzling Soul Ring after another appeared around them.
The three members of the Golden Generation released their Martial Souls as well. Xie Yue supported Tang San with one hand, while a Moon Blade appeared in his other. Everyone watched the area ahead warily.
"You've been searching for me for so long, haven't you? Now that you've found me, why are you afraid to come closer?" The gentle voice sounded again. Its quiet serenity struck the Spirit Hall experts as strangely unsettling.
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded to Ghost Douluo. The two stepped forward first. They had finally found their target; even if there really was a trap ahead, they had no choice but to walk into it.
They passed through a dense stretch of trees, and the view ahead opened up. Almost everyone from Spirit Hall widened their eyes at once. Before them lay a scene of indescribable beauty.
The clear lake made the air even more humid. Its surface reflected the towering trees all around it. Sunlight bathed everything, making the reflections shimmer like crystal.
At one side of this breathtaking scene crouched an enormous figure, as imposing as a mountain. Its jet-black fur glimmered faintly in the weak sunlight. Though it stood on all fours, its shoulders were more than seven meters high. If it stood upright, it would surely reach over fifteen meters.
At first glance, it looked like a cross between an ape and a gorilla. Its entire body was black, except for its lantern-sized eyes, which glinted like yellow crystals.
The beast was so powerfully built that it seemed beyond belief. Not only was its body enormous, every part of it was covered in powerful muscles more terrifying than granite, bulging like little hills. Its whole form was a perfect union of strength and beauty.
If it represented raw masculine power, then the figure perched on its shoulder was the very picture of feminine grace.
Her white dress fell to her feet, and her delicate, fairy-like features were utterly flawless. Her loose black hair fell down her back and reached the great ape's shoulder. Seen from behind, it looked like a dark waterfall veiling her body.
Every strand looked soft and smooth. She seemed to embody all the beauty of the world, and her loveliness blended with the surrounding scenery.
At that moment, even Hu Liena, who considered herself a great beauty, felt ashamed by comparison.
Seeing the great ape, Qian Xun'an said, "There are actually three Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts here?"
Qian Xun'an understood everything in an instant.
It seemed Bibi Dong had sent people to find this Spirit Beast called Xiao Wu. Once she absorbed her Soul Ring, her strength would advance even further.
But who could have guessed that her beloved disciple, Hu Liena, would bring Spirit Hall's enemy into their own ranks?
Tang San had led Spirit Hall into the territory of these three Spirit Beasts.
Qian Xun'an assessed the situation before him. The opposing side had two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, with terrifying power, while Spirit Hall had only Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, two Titled Douluo.
The two of them would probably have to join forces just to deal with one Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
By that reckoning, Spirit Hall was at an absolute disadvantage.
In other words, Hu Liena had brought an enemy into Spirit Hall's ranks and plunged the Hall into danger.
"Well, well, Hu Liena. I was already going to put you on trial for what you did to your teacher, and now you've given her an even bigger surprise."
As Qian Xun'an spoke, he gradually moved closer to the people from Spirit Hall.
As Spirit Hall's Adjudicator Elder, he might have to put Hu Liena on trial, but when Spirit Hall was in danger, he would naturally save them.
"Roar!" The Titan Giant Ape rose to its full height, its enormous body unleashing an overwhelming pressure that sent a massive wave surging across the lake before it.
Xiao Wu remained on its shoulder, her long black hair streaming in the shifting air currents. Yet her expression stayed calm and composed.
A huge golden chrysanthemum, already nearly five meters across, swept beneath Ghost Douluo's feet. Gui Mei transformed into a shadow and shot toward the other side. Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan moved as well, leaping up and skimming across the water.
The two pursued Ghost Douluo at full speed, one above and one below, charging at the Titan Giant Ape.
The Forest King lived up to its name. In an instant, it burst forward at a speed completely out of proportion to its massive body and charged straight at Ghost Douluo in the air.
But just then, an intense sense of danger suddenly rose from below.
Pfft—
Countless splashes turned into dazzling beams of light, swallowing the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in an instant. The air grew suddenly damp as a gigantic bull's head, more than four meters across, burst out of the water.
Covered in dark green scales, its enormous body shot skyward. The monstrous creature, with a bull's head and serpent's body, opened its mouth and spat out a beam of green light. Chrysanthemum Douluo, who was still in midair, suffered the same fate as Ghost Douluo and was sent flying back to the opposite shore. His expression changed repeatedly.
"Second Brother, kill them all. Leave no one alive." The bull spoke, its icy gaze sweeping toward the people on the shore like a blade.
The third Spirit Beast had appeared as well.
Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo were now facing the two Spirit Beasts.
Tang San immediately made his move.
Tang San's index finger turned jade-white, and he jabbed it directly into Xie Yue's chest.
He had already prepared two Mother-Child Soul-Chasing Life-Taking Balls in his left hand. After knocking Xie Yue down, he released them at once. Amid the explosive blast, a cloud of smoke billowed up in front of him and Xie Yue, and countless tiny poison needles shot out, instantly covering the six Soul Saints directly ahead.
At that moment, a barrier appeared in the smoke before the six Soul Saints, saving their lives.
"That kid's cunning," Qian Xun'an murmured as he watched Tang San.
"What are you doing?" Hu Liena cried out.
Tang San swung Xie Yue's body at Hu Liena. At the same time, he flickered like a phantom, scattering hidden weapons from his hands. The back of his shirt split open, and the Eight Spider Lances, gleaming blue and gold, burst forth.
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