A Showdown? Qian Yu: Yu Yuanzhen, Tang Tian, Han Yu-three old, weak, sickly wrecks. All three of you, come at me!

"You insolent brat, you're asking for death!"

Tang Chen flew into a rage, unleashing the full force of his terrifying, rank-ninety-nine Soul Power.

He gripped the Clear Sky Hammer in both hands and, with an aura that seemed to destroy heaven and earth, charged past everyone and brought it crashing down toward Qian Yu.

"Tang Chen, I'm your opponent!"

Qian Daoliu barked, and a golden Angel Holy Sword instantly materialized in his hand. He swung it straight at the Clear Sky Hammer.

"Boom—!"

A golden force and a black force, both terrifying beyond measure, collided in midair with a thunderous crash.

A violent shock wave swept outward, forcing the surrounding Titled Douluo to retreat again and again.

Tang Chen's strike missed. Using the force of the clash, he steadied himself in midair, his gaze turning even colder.

"Qian Daoliu, it seems you're dead set on protecting this little beast today!"

Qian Daoliu stood with his sword in hand, his expression indifferent.

"People from my Spirit Hall aren't yours to discipline.

"Tang Chen, take your people and get out of Spirit City. Otherwise, today will mark the end of the Upper Three Sects!"

Tang Chen's gaze swept over the dozen or so imposing Titled Douluo behind Qian Daoliu.

Deep in his eyes, a trace of wariness flickered almost imperceptibly.

He had stormed into Spirit City with his people today, seemingly consumed by rage.

But his true purpose was simply to test Spirit Hall's current strength and see what it was really capable of.

Now that he'd seen it, Spirit Hall's power was far more unfathomable than he'd expected.

If they truly fell out and fought to the death here, even if he managed to drag a few down with him,

none of them would make it out of Spirit City alive today. The Upper Three Sects would suffer a crushing blow, or even be destroyed!

He'd achieved his objective. Now he had to find a way to back down without losing face.

Tang Chen snorted and slowly reined in the violent aura of his Clear Sky Hammer, his expression haughty.

"Qian Daoliu, if we really fight to the bitter end, I may not make it out alive,

but this Spirit City of yours, along with half the Titled Douluo behind you, will be buried with me!"

Qian Daoliu's expression remained unchanged as he replied coolly,

"You can try."

Tang Chen suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice,

"Throwing away both sides' strength over a grudge between juniors isn't worth it.

"Since this mess started with a spar between juniors, why don't we follow the rules of the Soul Master World and settle it with a contest?"

Qian Daoliu raised his eyelids slightly, neither agreeing nor refusing.

"A contest?

"How do you propose we do it?"

Tang Chen spoke loudly.

"Simple!

"Each side sends out fighters to compete!

"If the Upper Three Sects win, then all the terms Qian Yu demanded from the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect in compensation are void!

"All past grievances will be wiped clean, and Spirit Hall won't be allowed to use them as an excuse to make trouble again!"

Qian Yu stood to the side. Hearing this, he gave a scornful laugh and cut in without the slightest courtesy.

"Old dog Tang Chen, I could hear you making that wishful bargain all the way from Heaven Dou City.

"You came to Spirit Hall to throw your weight around, and if you win, you don't have to pay up?

"What happens if you lose?"

At the repeated insult of "old dog," veins bulged on Tang Chen's forehead.

But he forced down his rage, glaring at Qian Yu as he gritted out,

"If we lose,

"not only will we pay every bit of the compensation we already owe, but the Upper Three Sects will also give Spirit Hall an additional thirty percent of our resources and territory!

"Qian Daoliu, do you dare take that bet?"

Qian Daoliu didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned to Qian Yu beside him, his voice softening.

"Yu'er, this matter began because of you. Whether to accept the bet is for you to decide."

Qian Yu stepped forward twice and looked down at Tang Chen and the others, a playful, mocking smile curling his lips.

"Thirty percent of your resources and territory?

"It's a little meager, but better than nothing.

"Fine. Spirit Hall accepts the bet."

Tang Chen's expression eased a little. He snorted.

"At least you have some guts!

"Since that's settled, the rules of the contest—"

"I'll set the rules."

Qian Yu cut Tang Chen off without a shred of courtesy, his gaze sweeping over the three men behind him with utter contempt.

"Fighting one match at a time would be a waste of time. I don't have time to play house with you.

"Tang Chen, don't say Spirit Hall is bullying the Upper Three Sects because they have no one."

Qian Yu raised his hand and pointed at Tang Tian, whose face had turned ashen; Yu Yuanzhen, who had lost an arm; and Han Yu, whose face was full of bitterness. He spoke with haughty confidence.

"All three of them can come at me together."

The moment he said it, the air seemed to freeze.

Tang Chen's brows jerked. He laughed in fury.

"What an arrogant brat!

"You actually think you can take on three at once?

"They're all bona fide Titled Douluo!"

Yu Yuanzhen was so enraged his whole body trembled. He pointed his remaining left hand at Qian Yu, eyes bulging as he roared,

"You insolent brat!

"How dare you insult us like this!"

Tang Tian, who had been silent until now, clenched his teeth, his eyes full of venom.

"Qian Yu, you're too contemptuous of everyone!"

Faced with their impotent fury, Qian Yu crossed his arms over his chest and let out an undisguised scoff.

"So what if I insult you?

"One useless wreck I beat until he was like a dead dog, one cripple who couldn't even keep his arm, and one old man with half his body already in the grave.

"Do you really think three old, weak, sickly wrecks like you are worthy of my attention?"

Qian Yu's gaze sharpened, and an overwhelming pressure erupted from him, bearing down on the three men below.

"Enough talk!

"You three come at me together. If you can force me back even half a step, Spirit Hall loses!

"If you can't, then hand over the Upper Three Sects' resources with both hands and get out of Spirit City!"

Tang Chen laughed in fury and said, "Good!" three times in a row.

"Good! Good! Good!

"You're the one asking for death!

"Qian Daoliu, you heard him, right?

"If this brat loses, Spirit Hall had better not renege!"

Qian Daoliu's expression was calm, his voice even but full of confidence.

"What Yu'er says becomes Spirit Hall's rule.

"If you can truly force him back half a step, Spirit Hall will keep its word."

After Qian Daoliu confirmed it, Tang Chen whipped around to face the three men behind him and shouted,

"You three heard him?

"Since the brat is so overconfident, give him what he wants!

"Attack together. Don't hold back!"

Yu Yuanzhen had long been unable to contain his fury. He shook his remaining left arm,

and his ferocious Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul instantly possessed him as the power of thunder erupted.

"Arrogant whelp, today I'll grind you to dust and avenge my lost arm!"

Tang Tian's face twisted into a snarl. A black Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his hand, nine Soul Rings rising and falling around him as killing intent surged.

"Qian Yu, today you'll pay for your arrogance!"

Han Yu could only give a bitter smile to himself. With no choice but to steel himself, he stepped forward and released his Martial Soul, its nine-colored radiance blazing.

"Your Highness Qian Yu, forgive the offense."

Facing the three Titled Douluo charging with menacing force, Qian Yu didn't even release his Martial Soul. He simply stood with his hands behind his back and beckoned with a contemptuous curl of his finger.

"Enough talk.

"Put your backs into it and show me whether the three of you useless wrecks can manage to stir even the slightest interest in me."