Tang Hao pondered silently.
The more he watched, the less it seemed like a chance encounter.
The powerful figures from the Holy Demon Federation must have had a core objective, which was why they had ambushed Shrek's group.
He didn't connect it to Tang San. After all, the Clear Sky Sect had been in decline for many years and had long since lost the prestige of the Upper Three Sects.
Even if his son had extraordinary talent, he was only around level thirty or forty. Why would that mysterious force send a ninth-rank expert specifically to deal with him?
His attention was focused more on Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo, as well as Dai Mubai behind them.
The former was a famous elder of Spirit Hall, while the latter's identity had also been revealed: he was a prince of the Star Luo Empire.
If they were choosing a target, those two were the most likely. Mistakenly assuming Tang San had merely been caught in the crossfire, Tang Hao quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Clearly, he wasn't the only one who thought so. In fact, at that moment, everyone—including Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo—was thinking along much the same lines.
Could the enemy have learned of His Holiness the Pope's alliance plan ahead of time, and sent powerful fighters to stop it and kill Dai Mubai?
That was precisely why they had chosen to act without hesitation.
The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Martial Soul shattered into countless petals.
Driven by Soul Power, they whirled like a tornado toward the enemy. Each chrysanthemum petal was as sharp as a blade.
This was Yue Guan's ninth Soul Skill. As he murmured under his breath, he chanted something about Chrysanthemum Remains.
At the same time, Gui Mei launched a deadly attack of his own. His eighth Soul Skill, Demons and Monsters, summoned a great number of purple skeletons.
The two worked together seamlessly, one attacking head-on and the other from the flank. Seeing this, Long Xingyu looked surprised, his expression growing more serious.
As expected, anyone who could cultivate to the ninth rank—or, more accurately, become a Titled Douluo—had some skill. These two were no exception.
"Spinning Sword of Combat!"
Long Xingyu opened with his signature move.
Suspended in midair, he spun in place, whipping up a fierce wind.
Holy spiritual power streamed out, swirling around his body as it collided with the incoming Soul Skills.
The blade-like chrysanthemums rang out with a sharp clang, while the purple skeletons were obliterated. The frenzied energy formed a massive shock wave that blasted in every direction.
It raised a wild tempest, nearly exposing Tang Hao, who was hiding nearby. As for Shrek's group below? Their cultivation was too weak; every last one of them was blown head over heels.
"Th-this is incredible! So this is what a battle between Titled Douluo looks like!"
Tang San took a face-first dive, then rose from the ground with dust all over his face.
His gaze burned as he stared at the scene not far away, a fierce longing to grow stronger taking hold of him.
If he had this kind of strength, how could he be left at the mercy of others like an ant?
"Xiao San, don't just stand there! Hurry, let's go!"
Yu Xiaogang's voice rang out as he tugged at Tang San's sleeve.
Tang San snapped out of it. This was no time for wishful thinking. He nodded firmly to show he understood.
With the two Spirit Hall elders keeping the big shot from the Holy Demon Federation occupied, their only chance of survival was to run!
At once, everyone from Shrek took off.
They plunged into the woods and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Having just neutralized the deadly attacks, Long Xingyu immediately caught sight of them and frowned.
He didn't dwell on it. Holy light shimmered around him as he prepared to burst forward and give chase, but Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo blocked his way.
"It seems your target wasn't to kill me and Old Ghost, but that group of youngsters." Yue Guan conjured a fresh chrysanthemum, his aura growing stronger by the moment.
"Shrek is a bunch of nobodies. They're not worth anyone's attention. There can only be one explanation!" Gui Mei sneered, convinced he was right. In his mind, Dai Mubai was the target.
That was why the two loyal elders were even less willing to back down.
They took up a pincer formation, using Soul Power to lock down Long Xingyu's aura.
They clearly wouldn't let him get past them unless he killed them first. Seeing this, Long Xingyu could only purse his lips in frustration.
He had planned to casually kill Tang San, then leave to be safe. He couldn't be bothered to get tangled up with ninth-rank experts.
Now, though, he had no choice but to fight. Amid the brilliant holy light, flecks of crimson appeared out of nowhere, then surged outward with a roar.
The Divine Slaughter's Domain he had just comprehended appeared before Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo. It easily broke through their Soul Power blockade, then surged back at them.
"How could this happen?!"
Both men looked horrified.
As Spirit Hall elders and Bibi Dong's most devoted lackeys, they naturally recognized the Divine Slaughter's Domain.
They had never imagined their opponent could use it too. They suddenly recalled their encounter in the City of Slaughter a few days earlier.
Realization dawned on their faces, followed by even darker expressions. It seemed there would be no escaping this battle unharmed.
Yue Guan let out a sharp cry and struck first, fighting through the pressure.
Gui Mei didn't hesitate either, continuing to unleash powerful Soul Skills.
Explosions thundered across the forest canopy, and the battle quickly reached its fiercest point.
Not far away, Tang Hao was just as stunned, lost in bewildered disbelief.
Wasn't the Holy Demon Federation supposed to come from another continent, another plane? Then why did they know the Divine Slaughter's Domain?
He had recently been shadowing Tang San to protect him, and didn't know what had happened in the City of Slaughter. Bewildered, he grew even more wary of Long Xingyu.
If I get the chance, I have to find a way to kill this man!
Tang Hao made up his mind in secret and was about to observe the battle.
Suddenly, Yue Guan's anguished wail rang across the forest canopy.
Amid the chaotic energy, a dark figure was hurled through the air and crashed to the ground. It was Gui Mei, mortally wounded.
Seeing how formidable their enemy was, Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo had planned to use their trump card—the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Polar Static Domain—to counter the threat of the Divine Slaughter's Domain.
But Long Xingyu saw through their intentions. Somehow, he forcibly disrupted their Soul Skill before they could unleash it. The Holy Sword, radiating powerful energy, stabbed straight toward Yue Guan.
For some inexplicable reason, Gui Mei threw himself in front of his best friend and took the blow for him. The sword pierced his heart, and his aura quickly weakened. His pupils began to contract; he was on the verge of death.
"Old Ghost!"
Yue Guan's voice was hoarse with anguish.
But it didn't do a damn thing.
Since they were enemies, Long Xingyu wouldn't hold back. He raised his sword, preparing to strike again.
Just then, Gui Mei, lying in the crater, suddenly grinned. A surge of black Soul Power burst out.
Using the last vestige of his life, he unleashed his ninth Soul Skill, Hellish Specter. Transparent hands rose from the ground.
There were twenty or thirty of them. They sealed off every escape route with clear intent, and caught Long Xingyu off guard, actually managing to trap him.
"You're still shielding your teammate as you die? We may be enemies, but I respect your resolve. Rest in peace..."
Long Xingyu was moved, but he didn't stop attacking.
After all, this was only a dying counterattack. It couldn't pose much of a threat.
His sword flashed, and he swiftly cleared away the twenty or thirty transparent hands.
Gui Mei, having spent his last strength, lay dead on the ground. Yet Long Xingyu was in a foul mood.
Partly because he had just witnessed friendship in his enemy, but more importantly, because the other man had escaped!
Yue Guan knew exactly what his best friend had intended. He wouldn't let grief make him miss his only chance to escape.
Once the powerful man before him, who wielded the Divine Slaughter's Domain, broke free of his restraints, Yue Guan's only fate would be death.
So he fled at once, his heart full of hatred, chasing after Shrek's group. He caught up with them quickly.
"Idiots! Don't you know you're supposed to split up and run?"
"Dai Mubai, come with me. We'll get out of here first!"
Before you continue