"Nine Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings? H-how is that possible?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo stared at Qian Xun'an in utter shock. As a Titled Douluo, he knew all too well how difficult it was to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
Even after spending his entire life reaching the rank of Titled Douluo, he still didn't have a single Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
Yet Qian Xun'an had nine of them.
At that thought, a sudden sense of foreboding rose in Chrysanthemum Douluo's heart. "Oh no."
Just then, Qian Xun'an had already reached Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong looked at Qian Xun'an, shock showing in her eyes as well.
"How did you manage to get nine Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings?"
As she spoke, Bibi Dong released her Martial Soul. Purple-black armor covered the skin on her upper body, and even her face was obscured by a shell.
Below her eyes, four more small eyes had grown. When she used her Martial Soul, her legs vanished, and her body from the abdomen down became a huge, round sphere.
Eight thick, long legs sprouted from the sphere, carrying her swiftly along. Dense green hairs covered them, and disgusting slime dripped from them, making constant plopping sounds as it hit the ground. The slime was intensely corrosive, making Bibi Dong resemble a gigantic poisonous spider.
Nine Soul Rings appeared as well. Her Soul Ring configuration was yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, and red.
But against Qian Xun'an's nine red Soul Rings, hers were nothing impressive!
Qian Xun'an appeared in front of Bibi Dong in an instant. Golden light gathered around his hand, and he threw a punch that landed heavily on her.
Boom—
A thunderous crash rang out.
Bibi Dong staggered back several steps, while Qian Xun'an didn't move an inch.
Bibi Dong was stunned, and fury filled her heart. She had never imagined she wouldn't even be able to block Qian Xun'an's attack.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo glared furiously and charged at Qian Xun'an with a roar. "Stop!"
The two Titled Douluo reached Qian Xun'an almost simultaneously.
"You insolent fool! What are you doing? Are you going to attack His Holiness the Pope?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo shouted. A golden chrysanthemum appeared over his body, then burst apart in an instant. A gleaming golden blade shot straight toward Qian Xun'an's chest.
Ghost Douluo stamped his foot on the ground. In an instant, a mass of black mist surrounded him. Then the mist transformed into countless tendrils and snaked toward Qian Xun'an.
The two Douluo attacked Qian Xun'an together, and their combined power was formidable.
But in Qian Xun'an's eyes, even their combined strength was nothing!
Qian Xun'an's cold gaze fixed on Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. He sneered. "You two lapdogs at Bibi Dong's side—I've been sick of you for ages. You think those pathetic tricks of yours can stop me?"
As he spoke, Qian Xun'an's first Soul Ring lit up.
Qian Xun'an calmly announced, "First Soul Skill: Angel Assault!"
In an instant, Qian Xun'an's body turned into a golden blur and shot toward the two Titled Douluo. The void shattered in his wake, and his terrifying speed was suffocating!
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo sensed that something was wrong and hurried to dodge, but they were already too late.
"Bang—"
A thunderous crash rang out. Qian Xun'an collided squarely with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, sending them flying.
"Pfft—" Two streams of blood sprayed through the air as the Titled Douluo were hurled backward.
Qian Xun'an paid no mind to the two elders. He turned toward Bibi Dong, his gaze icy as he said, "Here's what I'll do. I'll give you a chance. Slap yourself twice right now, then apologize to Xiao Xue when she gets back. If you do that, I'll let you go. How about it?!"
Bibi Dong glared at Qian Xun'an through gritted teeth. She understood perfectly well what it would mean if she slapped herself twice.
She was the Pope of Spirit Hall! What would become of her dignity as Pope? How could she command respect in Spirit Hall from now on?
Bibi Dong's face darkened. "Qian Xun'an, I admit that you're very strong, but don't think that makes you invincible!"
As she spoke, Bibi Dong charged at Qian Xun'an, a massive spider leg lashing toward him.
But her attack was still a beat too slow. The moment Bibi Dong moved, Qian Xun'an was already behind her, swinging a punch at her.
Bibi Dong swayed slightly and narrowly dodged his blow. But Qian Xun'an charged at her again, moving even faster this time!
He appeared in front of Bibi Dong in an instant and swung a hard slap at her.
"Smack—"
A sharp crack rang out alongside Bibi Dong's scream. Her left cheek swelled rapidly, and her once-beautiful face twisted beyond recognition.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo got back to their feet, both looking furious.
Chrysanthemum Douluo roared, "Stop!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately shouted, "You—you actually dared to strike His Holiness the Pope! You..."
Ghost Douluo spoke up as well. "You may be the Head of the Enforcement Hall in Judgment Hall, but attacking His Holiness the Pope—isn't that a grave act of insubordination?"
Qian Xun'an glanced at them and replied indifferently, "Insubordination? Who dares call themselves my superior?"
Bibi Dong, standing nearby, suddenly roared, "You—you actually hit me?"
Then Bibi Dong shouted, "Sixth Soul Skill: Vampire Spider Thorn!"
In an instant, spider thorns formed all around Bibi Dong, each one gleaming with a chilling light.
"Die!" Bibi Dong shrieked. The Vampire Spider Thorns shot toward Qian Xun'an.
Qian Xun'an raised a hand slightly. In an instant, a golden shield appeared beside him, blocking every spider thorn and keeping them from getting close.
Bibi Dong was shocked. Her Soul Rings blazed with light, and a layer of golden-red light burst out. Her body shot forward like a cannonball, heading straight for Qian Xun'an.
"Buzz—" A strange humming rang out. Before Bibi Dong's attack could reach Qian Xun'an, a ring of milky-white light stopped it.
Qian Xun'an said coolly, "I already gave you a chance. Since you won't slap yourself, I'll do it myself!"
In an instant, Qian Xun'an took a step forward and appeared in front of Bibi Dong.
His powerful Soul Power burst forth, instantly breaking through Bibi Dong's defenses. He swung another slap at her.
Qian Xun'an's hand struck Bibi Dong's face hard. She couldn't defend herself at all, and her delicate body was sent flying.
"Smack—"
A sharp crack rang out as Bibi Dong hit the ground.
Pfft—
Blood sprayed from Bibi Dong's mouth. She glared at Qian Xun'an with such hatred that she looked ready to devour him alive.
"Qian Xun'an, you've humiliated me like this. I'll make you pay!"
Bibi Dong flew into a rage. Terrifying Soul Power surged from her, and a powerful pressure spread throughout Pope Hall. An endless wave of force rushed toward Qian Xun'an.
Qian Xun'an smiled faintly as he looked at Bibi Dong. "Oh? Are you... getting serious?"
"If you think you can beat me, then go ahead and try!"
As he spoke, a powerful pressure erupted from Qian Xun'an as well. His Soul Power surged outward and collided with Bibi Dong's.
"Stop!"
Just then, a voice rang out behind Qian Xun'an.
Qian Xun'an took a closer look and saw that his father, Qian Daoliu, had arrived.
"Xun'an, stop at once!"
Qian Daoliu immediately stepped between them.
Qian Daoliu turned to Qian Xun'an and said, "Xun'an, I know you're furious over what happened to Xiao Xue, but Bibi Dong is still the Pope of Spirit Hall. Humiliating her like this is like slapping Spirit Hall in the face.
"Besides, the teams from the various nations are about to arrive at Spirit Hall. If you injure her, who will preside over the tournament?"
"She's the face of Spirit Hall right now. If she gets hurt, won't the whole world laugh at Spirit Hall?"
Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Xun'an and continued.
Qian Xun'an looked at Qian Daoliu. "Father, I know what I'm doing!"
Then Qian Xun'an turned back to Bibi Dong. "Bibi Dong, understand this: even though you're the Pope, don't imagine that all of Spirit Hall belongs to you. Spirit Hall is the foundation of the Qian Family. It was, it is, and it always will be!
"Take this as a lesson. If I find out again that you've done anything to betray Spirit Hall or wrong my elder brother, I'll come settle the score with you!"
After saying that, Qian Xun'an turned and left.
Qian Daoliu looked from Qian Xun'an to Bibi Dong, his heart heavy with bitterness. The boy had been stubborn and strong-willed since childhood. Once he made up his mind, no one could change it.
All Qian Daoliu could do was hope Qian Xun'an wouldn't discover the truth about Xunji's death. Otherwise, he feared Qian Xun'an would turn the entire Spirit Hall upside down.
Bibi Dong watched Qian Xun'an's retreating figure and touched her face, her eyes filled with utter venom.
The injury to her face wasn't serious.
She could easily heal it just by circulating her Soul Power.
But the humiliation...
Before you continue