Encirclement!

Closing the notebook in his hands, Yu Xiaogang wore a despondent expression.

"Concede. If not for Dugu Bo and the two Title Douluo this time, the Imperial Dou Team would likely already be dead beneath their blades."

Turning around, he led Shrek and the others out of the Great Soul Arena. The glaring sunlight left them dazed.

The shock from moments ago felt like a dream, so surreal that it hardly seemed real.

Outside the resting area's entrance, several middle-aged men and women of various appearances emerged, shaking their heads and sighing.

What was certain was that every one of them wore an expression of regret.

"I wonder what the young master thinks of the conditions... offered by the Heaven Dou Empire?"

He picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip, looking expectantly at the white-robed youth standing before the window with his hands behind his back.

Behind the evil ghost mask, Zijun's lips curved into an attractive smile. Without turning around, he refused.

"I appreciate the offer. As for... joining the Heaven Dou Empire, Your Excellency should return."

Staring unreadably at the youth's back, Dugu Bo set down his teacup, sighed, and rose to his feet.

"If the young master changes his mind, you may come to the Heaven Dou Empire and find this old man. The position of Imperial Tutor will remain reserved for you. Farewell."

Leaving those words behind, Dugu Bo turned and walked out of the resting area.

He was already the eighth faction Zijun had rejected.

At the end of the corridor, Chrysanthemum Guan leaned against the stairway exit, toying with his fingers as he teased.

"Looks like in recent years... the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has become so lacking in talent that they've set their sights on a genius from the Spirit Fighting Arena..."

Dugu Bo, passing by, shot him a sidelong glance and snorted coldly. As he descended the stairs, he retorted.

"Spirit Hall has great wealth and power. Ordinary Spirit Masters like us naturally cannot compare. Yet judging by things now... you are nothing special either."

The corners of his lips curled into an amused smile, but Chrysanthemum Douluo did not refute him.

After all, Zijun's identity was an absolute secret within Spirit Hall.

If he revealed it carelessly, Pope Bibi Dong would absolutely chop him alive.

Withdrawing his gaze from the stairway, Chrysanthemum Douluo turned and headed toward the resting area.

The way his hips swayed from side to side as he walked was even more seductive than a woman's.

Pushing open the resting area's door, his gaze swiftly locked onto the white-robed youth by the window.

Thud!

"Chrysanthemum Guan pays respects to the Young Master~!"

Entering the resting area, Chrysanthemum Guan willingly knelt on the ground.

Such a grand gesture had appeared only once in the entire continent's history!

After all... this was the formal rite of a Title Douluo before his lord!

Hearing the voice, Zijun raised a hand and removed his evil ghost mask. He turned, walked over to Chrysanthemum Douluo, and helped him up.

"We're all on the same side. There's no need for such formality. I didn't expect you old fellow to be so perceptive. Why are you here?"

After standing up, Chrysanthemum Guan looked at Zijun standing so close before him. His pupils suddenly contracted! Instinctively taking a step back, he covered his mouth in shock.

"You... you! Young Master? Are you truly Young Master Zijun?"

Raising a hand to stroke his own cheek, Zijun realized what had happened and explained with a smile.

"Don't be surprised. It's due to the Divine Position I inherited. It gives me a certain ability to transform. If you don't believe me, look."

As he spoke, Zijun withdrew the Asura power within him. In the space of a breath, his clothes changed back into Martial Soul Academy's uniform.

His pale red eyes also returned to purple, and his hair likewise returned to white and violet.

Witnessing the miraculous sight before him, Chrysanthemum Douluo could not help but exclaim in amazement.

"As expected of the God Child. Such methods... are truly admirable!"

Letting go of Chrysanthemum Douluo's arm, Zijun turned and sat on the sofa, transforming once more into the Asura God Attire.

"Sit. Did you come here with a mission?"

He conjured two cups of fresh orange juice out of thin air and placed them on the table, then picked one up and drank from it.

Smiling, Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded. With a face as flushed and lovely as a flower, he sat on the sofa.

Crossing his legs, he placed his hands together on his thigh and cast a flirtatious glance at Zijun.

"The Young Master's divine eyes are truly sharp. You saw at a glance why this... concubine came here, hehe."

Pfft!

Watching Chrysanthemum Douluo's coquettish manner, Zijun could not hold it in and turned his head to spray out his drink.

"Cough, cough! You... should just get to the point. If I can help, I'll naturally lend a hand."

Seeing Zijun make a fool of himself, Chrysanthemum Douluo pinched his fingers into an orchid gesture, pointed lightly through the air, and covered his mouth as he giggled.

"The Pope sent this concubine to recruit the Asura genius. Judging by things now, the mission... may be considered complete."

The two chatted for a while in the resting room before walking out. At their parting, Zijun instructed him.

"Report truthfully. Do not publicize my current identity. In a few more days, the three of us will be able to return to Spirit Hall."

Nodding and giving a salute, Chrysanthemum Douluo disappeared from the Spirit Fighting Arena with a face full of reluctance.

After Chrysanthemum Douluo left, Zijun headed to the Spirit Fighting Arena's café.

Qian Renxue and Gu Yuena sat at the dining table, chatting and laughing intermittently.

"Xue...!"

Several tangible killing intents immediately locked onto Zijun! If Zijun had not possessed the Asura God Position, he might not have noticed these concealed killing intents.

Following the several directions from which the killing intent came, Zijun sneered disdainfully.

Changing his expression, he walked to the two women's side, bent down, and whispered.

"You two return to Spirit Hall first. Once I deal with a few rats, I'll come back for you."

Understanding the implication in Zijun's words, the two women exchanged a glance. Their beautiful brows furrowed as they spoke in unison.

"No! We want to help you too."

Straightening up, Zijun smiled helplessly and stroked their breathtakingly beautiful cheeks with affection.

"Then we'll go together. When the battle begins, you don't need to act. I alone will be enough."

The three of them left the Spirit Fighting Arena, and the several killing intents hidden in the shadows moved along with them.

More than ten minutes later.

Zijun and the two women arrived at the outskirts of Star Dou Forest. Several black-robed figures, strangers to one another and hidden in the shadows, now moved with remarkable coordination.

"Since you're here, stop hiding. Heh, heh! What's this? Recruitment failed, so now you want to eliminate me?"

Zijun's lips carried a deeply amused curve, while his eyes overflowed with dense killing intent!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...!

Tearing off their black robes, the Four Clans of the Clear Sky Sect had gathered!

The Strength Clan, Defense Clan, Speed Clan, Breaking Clan, and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!

As well as Dugu Bo and Tang Hao, who lurked in the shadows, ready to strike!

"Sigh... would they rather kill the wrong person than let one go? Who would have thought that such a genius would suffer this calamity merely for coming into contact with Spirit Hall? What a pity."

Hidden in the distance, Bone Douluo stood atop a tree branch, watching without any intention of intervening as he sighed regretfully.

Sword Dao Chen Xin patted Bone Douluo on the shoulder and sighed as well.

The original purpose of their trip had been to recruit Zijun.

But when they discovered that other factions had joined in as well,

the two weighed the pros and cons and gave up early.

After all... offending other factions for the sake of a genius who had yet to mature

was simply too risky! With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength, they certainly could not protect such a genius.

It could be said... the taller the tree, the stronger the wind that shakes it; the greater one's fame, the more likely one is to perish for it.

Within Spirit Hall's Elder Consecrator Hall, Little Gray clocked in for work as usual.

"If you have something to say, say it. If not, let me sleep a little longer."

Little Gray sat in the chief seat, yawning repeatedly. With that carefree appearance... if outsiders saw him,

those who did not know better would think he had gotten in through the back door.

The words "completely unreliable" were written all over his face!

Buzz!

The fluorescent green token hanging from his belt suddenly began to flash!

Bang!

"Bold!"

The instant the token lit up, all sleepiness vanished from Little Gray!

His face filled with violent rage! He raised his hand and slammed it heavily onto the conference table.

With nine Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Rings, along with one purple-gold divine ring!

He vanished from the Elder Consecrator Hall!