Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo

"Whoosh!"

As Feng Xiaotian and Li Jiuxuan stepped onto the arena, word of his challenge to Shui Bing'er gradually spread throughout the Skywater Sect.

Many people who were gathered in the square or had heard the news came over, curious to see what would happen.

Amid the clamorous atmosphere, two streaks of light silently sped toward them from the distant horizon.

As soon as the two reached the Skywater Sect's territory, they stopped a hundred yards from the front hall.

A pale blue barrier wreathed in freezing mist surrounded the Skywater Sect.

It kept all outsiders at bay.

But soon, the oppressive aura of Titled Douluos began to radiate from the two.

They said nothing, merely hovering in midair as their cold eyes swept over the entire Skywater Sect, shrouded in chilling mist. Their auras were somber, carrying the distinctive, austere authority of Spirit Hall.

A moment later, a cool stream of Soul Power spread from the direction of the Sect Master's Hall. The impenetrable, freezing mountain-protecting formation opened a gap just wide enough for the two to pass through.

They exchanged a glance, then flashed into the Sect Master's Hall, their arrival imperceptible.

An indescribable aura, both oppressive and gentle, abruptly swept through the hall.

Seeing Shui Yuerong, Yue Guan brushed his sleeve and smiled seductively. "For the past month, I've heard that Sect Master Shui Yuerong of the Skywater Sect broke through to Titled Douluo at such a young age. Seeing you today, I find you truly peerless."

Seated in the place of honor, Shui Yuerong had already set her fingertips against the rim of a teacup and was brewing mulberry tea. She did not look directly at the two, her cool expression neither servile nor arrogant.

Ghost Douluo stood to one side and spoke with a smile as well, though his sinister voice was like a ghost whispering. "Sect Master Shui guards the northern frontier and possesses formidable strength. Everyone in Spirit Hall admires you. Now you've advanced to Titled Douluo as well. This time, Yue Guan and I have come on behalf of Spirit Hall to offer our congratulations."

Shui Yuerong lifted her eyes and nodded, her tone calm and mild. She gestured for the two to take a seat. "You're too kind, Elders. I've only just become a Douluo, yet I've troubled you both to come in person. Since you've traveled so far, why not sit and have a few cups of tea?"

Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo exchanged a knowing smile, then settled without hesitation into the jade chairs below Shui Yuerong.

Outside the hall, a bitter wind howled as it swept up ice crystals. Inside, the air was warm, and the clean, bitter fragrance of mulberry tea slowly spread, though it could hardly mask the two men's naturally chilling presence.

Shui Yuerong raised her fingertips. The white jade teapot tipped, pouring two clear streams of tea precisely into the cups before them. Then she lowered her eyes and took a sip of her own tea. "The two elders of Spirit Hall hold high positions and are always busy with affairs. Since you've made a special trip north to the Skywater Sect, I imagine it's not simply to congratulate me on becoming a Titled Douluo?"

Ghost Douluo's sinister laughter echoed through the hall. He lifted his withered hand and drained his cup. "Sect Master Shui is indeed clever. I'll get straight to the point. Spirit Hall has come for two reasons. The first is to congratulate you. As for the second..."

After Ghost Douluo gave him a glance, Yue Guan took over. His strange violet eyes passed over Shui Yuerong's beautiful profile, his tone carrying a hint of persuasion. "Second, Spirit Hall respects all the powerful people in the world and is willing to share its unparalleled resources with them. The Skywater Sect commands the frigid northern lands, and now you, Sect Master, have become a Titled Douluo. Surely it won't be long before this continent has more than three peerless sects..."

As he spoke, a black-and-gold token engraved with the emblem of the Six-Winged Angel slid from his sleeve and slowly appeared before Shui Yuerong. Its golden light was subdued, and it bore no aura of oppression, yet it carried undeniable weight.

Shui Yuerong knew what it was without even looking.

It was an Elder Token from Spirit Hall.

This move...

Clearly, the two wanted the Skywater Sect to take Spirit Hall's side.

Although the sects did not make Spirit Hall their main hall and instead stood on their own, accepting the token would make her an elder of Spirit Hall in name, allowing her to command all its Soul Masters below the rank of Titled Douluo.

The Upper Three Sects all possessed such tokens, but in reality, they were nothing more than empty symbols. Those who held them had long since begun resisting Spirit Hall.

"Whoever holds this token will find it much easier to handle affairs in the northern frontier and access sect resources," Yue Guan said with a squinting smile.

Ghost Douluo added in a soft voice, "Accepting it would be a good thing for the Skywater Sect and its disciples."

Shui Yuerong's gaze fell on the token. Her tone remained calm and courteous. "Thank you for Spirit Hall's kindness, and for His Holiness the Pope's regard. But the token is too valuable. I can't accept it..."

Yue Guan's tone remained strangely gentle as he asked, "Oh? And why is that?"

Shui Yuerong replied calmly, "Because the Skywater Sect has always kept to itself. We only wish to maintain the peace of Yuan City and protect our disciples. We don't want to get too deeply involved in worldly affairs."

Yue Guan paused, then chuckled. "With your cultivation and extraordinary talent, Sect Master Shui, your every move could change the continent's balance of power. What a pity to remain in the northern frontier... I think you're being far too modest."

Ghost Douluo sat to one side, black mist lightly swirling around him. His voice was dark. "That's right. And even if Sect Master Shui truly wishes to keep to herself, I doubt she can withstand the tides of change. After all, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect next door won't agree to it..."

Not long ago, Shui Yuerong had slain Yu Luomian, and the Skywater Sect had incurred a deep grudge with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

By anyone's reckoning, the two sides were locked in a fight to the death.

Shui Yuerong neither agreed nor disagreed. After a pause, she said, "As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, that was unavoidable. He barged into my hall and injured members and disciples of the Skywater Sect. Naturally, I had to respond... But as the two elders know, the Skywater Sect has always kept its nose clean and never provoked any faction."

Ghost Douluo gave a faint smile, a trace of coldness entering his voice. "Sect Master Shui, you're thinking too simply. There are many things in this world that won't fail to happen just because you don't want them to. And others won't stay away just because you don't provoke them. You're now a Titled Douluo, guarding the northern frontier and commanding a powerful sect. Your very existence is enough to stir every faction."

"..."

How could Shui Yuerong not understand?

If you didn't reach out, others would come seeking your favor.

If you didn't take sides, others would see you as a hidden threat.

If you didn't vie for power, others would still fear that one day you might.

Once you reached a certain age and possessed sufficient strength and resources, you might wish to keep to yourself—but this continent would never let you.

But none of that mattered...

What mattered was never whether the world would let her live in peace, but whether she was willing to go along with the turmoil of this chaotic age.

What mattered was not how others saw her, feared her, or schemed against her, but whether the Skywater Sect's disciples could shed one fewer drop of blood and suffer one fewer injury.

She knew she was now a Titled Douluo, and she knew her very existence was enough to shift the balance of power.

But all her life, she had never wanted to be someone who rewrote the fate of the continent. She only wanted to be a sect master who could protect those behind her.

Others might seek to rule the world and seize power; that was their path. Her path lay in the frozen lands of the northern frontier, within the Skywater Sect.

It lay in every disciple's peaceful figure as they devoted themselves to cultivation!

If the world refused to let her live in peace, then with her icy Soul Power, she would carve out a haven by force.

If others saw her as a hidden threat, she would treat them with courtesy and defend herself with strength, with a clear conscience.

Even if the storm came crashing down one day, Shui Yuerong would stand at the very front.

The continent's balance of power had nothing to do with her. She would only guard those she ought to guard and protect the sect she ought to protect.

As for whether the continent would let her—

She would keep to her own corner. The rest could do as it pleased.