Ninety-Sixth Rank? Kneel Before Me!

As the leader of one of the Lower Four Sects, Tuo Ba Xi was now standing behind Jin Yan. Even an idiot could tell that the White Armored Earth Dragon Sect had most likely pledged itself to Spirit Hall.

If the White Armored Earth Dragon Sect had done so, then what about the other three sects?

Could they, like the White Armored Earth Dragon Sect, have surrendered to Spirit Hall as well?

Though thoughts churned through his mind, they did not affect his choice of words.

"Your Spirit Hall people appearing in Heaven Dou City are the ones who came uninvited, aren't they?"

Jin Yan smiled and gestured toward Dugu Bo.

"Unlike Sect Master Ning, I was personally invited here as a guest by Senior Dugu."

With those words, Jin Yan was naturally telling Ning Fengzhi and the Heaven Dou Empire that Dugu Bo belonged to Spirit Hall, effectively binding Dugu Bo to Spirit Hall's warship for good.

If Dugu Bo had not initially intended to join Spirit Hall and had merely regarded Jin Yan as a friend despite their age difference—if he had been willing to brave mountains of blades and seas of fire to repay Jin Yan's immense favor—then Jin Yan's words had now completely cut off his retreat. Even if he did not want to follow Jin Yan, he had no choice.

At the same time, it was a subtle threat toward Ning Fengzhi. If Ning Fengzhi had initially believed he could keep Dugu Bo under control, he no longer dared say so now.

On the surface, Spirit Hall had three Titled Douluo present, but Zhang Yan and the other had yet to obtain their ninth Soul Rings. Although their strength already rivaled ordinary Titled Douluo, they still lacked their ninth soul skills and were somewhat lacking in combat power.

Even with Dugu Bo at his peak added to the mix, they would still find it difficult to contend with Sword Douluo under the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Yet Ning Fengzhi absolutely did not dare make a move against them now.

The reason was simple. If Dugu Bo alone had been here, Ning Fengzhi might have dared to act. So long as Dugu Yan was alive, Dugu Bo would not dare become enemies with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

But the situation was different now. Spirit Hall had the ability to protect Dugu Yan's safety.

With Spirit Hall backing him, Poison Douluo's terror had increased by several times over.

If they truly drove him into a corner, then even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possessed a sect-protecting formation and Dugu Bo could not directly release poison into the sect, he could set up a poison formation outside the formation and trap them inside until they died.

Having thought this through, Ning Fengzhi's pupils constricted.

This shocked and frightened him far more than hearing that the White Armored Earth Dragon Sect had submitted to Spirit Hall.

Dugu Bo was no fool. Though he did not understand matters as deeply as Ning Fengzhi did, he still grasped the implication on the surface.

However, he did not object. After what had just happened, he had come to a realization as well.

Without a major power to rely on, Dugu Yan would always remain his weakness.

Powers below the level of Titled Douluo might fear his poison techniques, but for powers with Titled Douluo or stronger, as long as they controlled Dugu Yan, he was nothing to fear.

That little dragon, for example, had known this and was therefore so brazen in approaching Yan Yan.

But if he had a powerful faction backing him, he would truly become the Poison Douluo everyone feared!

Seeing that Dugu Bo did not oppose Jin Yan's claim, Ning Fengzhi's heart sank once more, and he felt deeply troubled.

He wanted the treasures within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, yet he truly did not wish to offend Spirit Hall right now.

He was genuinely caught in a dilemma.

The three Heaven Dou Academy councilors did not dare speak either. They knew their own strength; in a situation like this, it was better to say less.

"Sect Master Ning, do you still intend to continue this dispute? If it continues, it will be very bad for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Jin Yan spoke with a genial smile.

After all, the situation favored the stronger side. Even if he truly wanted to keep them here, he did not have the ability to do so.

However, he had already made up his mind. Once his grandfather broke through and he obtained his fourth Soul Ring, his first target would be the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, where he would extort a fortune.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was so wealthy that they could not possibly hold onto it all.

Jin Yan decided to ease their pressure a little.

There were also the remaining two sects. Jin Yan felt it was necessary to pay them a visit as well.

Especially the Clear Sky Sect, which had ostensibly sealed its mountain gate while secretly still having disciples outside.

Since they had said they would seal their mountain gate, Jin Yan felt they should seal it completely.

Ning Fengzhi naturally understood this as well. Jin Yan could not keep them here, but it was equally impossible for them to keep Jin Yan.

No matter how much he wanted the treasures within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had to consider whether he could actually hold onto them.

With that thought, he cupped his hands toward Jin Yan.

"Young Master Jin Yan is truly bold and capable. Without a sound, you have taken in such capable subordinates as Sect Master Tuo Ba and Poison Douluo. I, Ning, am impressed.

If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave first."

As he spoke, he had already turned around. The three Heaven Dou Academy councilors naturally prepared to quietly follow him away as well.

Jin Yan watched Ning Fengzhi leave without the slightest expression on his face.

Just as Ning Fengzhi and the others were about to disappear from Jin Yan's sight—

An aged laugh suddenly came from the forest.

The sound was not loud, yet it entered everyone's ears with exceptional clarity.

A smile finally appeared on Jin Yan's face as he looked up.

Sure enough, the strange phenomenon in the sky had completely vanished, leaving only several slowly spinning white clouds drifting leisurely overhead.

As for Ning Fengzhi and his group, their expressions changed drastically.

As he walked, he suddenly found himself unable to move. It felt as though an invisible giant hand had pressed down on him with crushing force.

He glanced toward Sword Douluo beside him, only to discover that Uncle Jian wore an equally grave expression, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

His heart turned cold. Could the newcomer be even stronger than Uncle Jian?

"You threatened someone from my Spirit Hall. Did you truly think you could come and go as you pleased?"

A slightly angry voice sounded above Ning Fengzhi's head.

At the same time, Ning Fengzhi could feel the pressure on him ease considerably.

He forced himself to raise his head and saw a broad, towering figure in golden robes appearing above him.

"May I ask who you are, Senior?"

Sword Douluo also raised his head. His gaze toward Golden Crocodile was filled with disbelief.

"Limit... Douluo."

He spoke one word at a time.

Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted.

"Could you be the Angel Douluo?"

Golden Crocodile pulled a smile across his face.

He had no intention of explaining, merely saying, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is becoming increasingly bold. You actually dared threaten someone from my Spirit Hall. Shouldn't you give an explanation?"

Ning Fengzhi gritted his teeth. "Senior, aren't you being too overbearing?"

Golden Crocodile snorted coldly.

"Overbearing? So what?"

"Even if you are a Limit Douluo, the Upper Three Sects stand together. Aren't you afraid of being attacked by the masses?"

Golden Crocodile chuckled.

"It seems you still do not understand the strength of a Limit Douluo. Since you refuse to hand over anything, I'll take it myself!"

With that, Golden Crocodile Douluo released an overwhelmingly powerful surge of energy. Nine Soul Rings rose around him, and his arm transformed into a crocodile claw.

Golden Crocodile did not waste a single word, directly swiping his claw down at Ning Fengzhi.

Sword Douluo's expression changed, and the Seven Kill Sword appeared in his hand.

Seeing Sword Douluo move—

Golden Crocodile gave a chilling grin.

"A mere ninety-sixth rank—kneel before me!"