Three-Way Talks? Golden Crocodile: Do They Really Think We're Afraid of Them? Qian Daoliu: The Unknown Is the Most Terrifying!

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her eyes misting over.

"News came just now from Sect Master Ning...

Father went to Linhai City to investigate what had happened to my eldest sister and Dai Weisi.

But... by the next day, he was already a prisoner."

As she spoke, an indescribable fear welled up inside Zhu Zhuqing.

Although she hated her family's brutal rules of competition and resented her older sister, Zhu Zhuyun, for hunting her down,

and although she hadn't much affection for her coldhearted father,

he was still her flesh and blood—her father!

Besides, in Zhu Zhuqing's mind, Duke Nether had always been the very embodiment of strength, authority, and invincibility.

But now, even a Soul Douluo as powerful as her father hadn't lasted a single day against this so-called "Great Sun Prince Mansion"?

"Just what is this Great Sun Prince Mansion...?"

Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled slightly. She looked at Dai Mubai, then at Tang San, her eyes full of confusion.

"If even the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Zhu Clan couldn't fight back...

can we really compete without a hitch when we go to Spirit City?"

Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

He had initially felt a little schadenfreude over Dai Weisi's capture, thinking that his arrogant older brother had finally gotten what was coming to him.

But now, with Duke Nether captured as well, he realized how serious the situation was.

This was no longer a matter of fighting over the throne. The entire Star Luo Empire—even his whole family—was facing annihilation!

"Don't be afraid, Zhuqing."

Dai Mubai took a deep breath and stepped forward, gently putting an arm around Zhu Zhuqing's trembling shoulders.

Though he felt just as uncertain, he forced himself to stay calm as he reassured her.

"If they only captured people instead of killing them, that means they want to negotiate. They want bargaining chips.

As long as they're still alive, there's hope."

"And besides..."

Dai Mubai lifted his head and gazed toward the distant south, a complicated light flickering in his mismatched eyes.

"Since the Great Sun Prince Mansion has made such a high-profile appearance at a time like this, I think...

we'll run into them sooner or later, either on the way to Spirit City or once we get there."

News of Duke Nether's capture spread like wildfire.

The last shred of dignity left to the Star Luo Imperial Family was mercilessly torn away.

Since the news could no longer be contained, Dai Tianfeng, a ruthless man in his own right, decided to go all in.

"If this Great Sun Prince Mansion wants to make a name for itself, then I'll help them!

Let's see if they can still act so arrogantly under pressure from the entire continent!"

That very night, the Star Luo Imperial Family sent the highest-level diplomatic notices to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and Spirit Hall.

They requested a three-way meeting to discuss how to deal with this sudden "public enemy of the continent."

Spirit City, Pope Palace.

The atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Bibi Dong sat on the papal throne, gripping a newly delivered confidential report tightly in her hand.

Her face was clouded with disbelief.

When they'd first learned that the Star Luo Crown Prince had been captured, the prevailing opinion within Spirit Hall had been—

This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

While the Great Sun Prince Mansion was still finding its footing, Spirit Hall could act in the name of "preserving peace on the continent."

They could send Title Douluo to crush this new faction in one fell swoop,

then take over Linhai City and extend Spirit Hall's reach into the heart of the Star Luo Empire.

However, when the second report assessing the Great Sun Prince Mansion's top fighters was placed on the table, every hardliner fell silent.

"Level 98 Title Douluo, Great Sun King, Xu Yu..."

"Level 97 Title Douluo, Poison Douluo, Wei Kurong..."

Bibi Dong's red lips parted as she read those two names, her voice betraying a faint, almost imperceptible tremor.

If they'd only had Yan Yu, a Level 93 with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, Spirit Hall could have easily kept her in check.

But Levels 97 and 98 meant something entirely different!

They stood at the peak of the Super Douluo ranks, almost at the summit of the human Soul Master World!

Even in Spirit Hall, aside from Grand Pontiff Qian Daoliu and Second Worship Golden Crocodile Douluo, no one could claim to be certain of overpowering them.

"Where on earth did this Great Sun Prince Mansion come from?"

Bibi Dong slammed the report onto the table, wariness and anger flashing in her eyes.

"With such terrifying strength, how did they go unnoticed on the continent until now?

Could they be a reclusive sect from overseas?"

But they called themselves the Great Sun Prince Mansion.

They were probably from another country across the sea.

But this was only a "prince mansion."

If there was a vast empire behind them,

Spirit Hall's dominance over Douluo Continent might be overturned as a result!

Standing below, Gui Mei and Yue Guan exchanged glances, breaking out in cold sweats.

Level 98...

If the two of them ran into someone like that, they probably wouldn't even have a chance to escape.

"Your Holiness, how should we respond to the Star Luo Empire now?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo asked cautiously.

"Should we... still send troops?"

Bibi Dong took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

An opponent of this caliber couldn't simply be overwhelmed by numbers.

If Spirit Hall went to war rashly, it might win, but it would likely suffer devastating losses—perhaps even put its very foundations at risk.

She was ambitious and wanted to unite the continent, but she wasn't a fool.

"This matter... is no longer mine alone to decide."

Bibi Dong's gaze turned toward the towering mountain behind the Pope Palace, her expression complicated.

"Go ask the Worship Hall to decide."

Elder Palace, before the Angel Statue.

An old man in a golden robe, his hair and beard white as snow, sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.

He was none other than one of the three Limit Douluo alive today: Qian Daoliu, Grand Pontiff of Spirit Hall.

Standing beside him was a burly old man with a stern, resolute face.

Second Worship, the Level 98 peak Douluo, Golden Crocodile.

"Big brother, this Great Sun Prince Mansion has gone too far!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo read the report in his hands, battle lust rising in his eyes. His voice rang like a great bell.

"Two Super Douluo appeared out of nowhere. They didn't just humiliate the Star Luo Empire—they're also challenging Spirit Hall's position as the Soul Master World's ruler!

If we don't teach them a lesson, people will think Spirit Hall is afraid of them!"

Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was calm as still water, as if he could see through every illusion in the world.

"Second brother, don't be rash."

Qian Daoliu's voice was even and aged.

"The unknown is the most terrifying.

The timing and location of this Great Sun Prince Mansion's appearance, as well as the strength they've displayed, are all far too strange.

Those Steel Warships in particular are unlike anything currently found on Douluo Continent."

"Until we've figured out what they're really capable of, Spirit Hall shouldn't commit all its forces."

(Regarding comments on the Zi Zhenzhu storyline, I won't focus on it as much from now on. Next, I'll send my own team to compete in the Elite Tournament and make a forceful entrance.

As for why Qian Daoliu doesn't act: he won't act at first. The protagonist will bluff that someone powerful has his back, then pursue opportunities, help his father break through his bottleneck, and help his mother create a Level 9 Soul Tool.

Rest assured, the plot is in good shape. I hope you won't save up chapters! Thanks for following, voting, and checking in to support the story!)