"However..."
Zhu Zhuqing paused, her tone growing firm.
"Qin Feng is in trouble right now. This is our chance to raise his favorability toward us."
Xiao Wu bit her lip, feeling conflicted.
On one side was Third Brother, whom she had called that for years. On the other was Qin Feng, who was a bit of a rascal, but whose diary never lied.
And the diary had just called Tang San and Tang Hao "petty villains."
"Let's go!"
Xiao Wu took a deep breath and made her decision.
"Since Uncle Tang Hao is about to do something bad, we can't just ignore it."
"If Qin Feng really gets killed, who'll write us diaries from now on?"
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong exchanged a glance, both seeing agreement in the other's eyes.
The three graceful figures instantly sped up, darting toward the source of the Soul Power fluctuations.
At that moment, in the center of the battlefield.
The air seemed to freeze, the oppressive atmosphere making it hard to breathe.
Dugu Bo stood in front of Qin Feng, his green robe fluttering despite the absence of wind.
"Tang Hao, I'll make myself clear, too."
"I'm protecting this brat today, no matter what."
"If you want to touch him, you'll have to step over my corpse first!"
Tang Hao gave a cold laugh, then shook the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand.
"Fine!"
"If you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"
Before his voice had even faded, Tang Hao vanished from where he stood.
In the next instant, the enormous black hammer came crashing down on Dugu Bo with the force to destroy heaven and earth.
Boom!
Unwilling to back down, Dugu Bo summoned the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul behind him. Its enormous tail, wreathed in thick poisonous mist, lashed fiercely toward the Clear Sky Hammer.
A deafening crash shook the surrounding buildings.
Green poisonous mist and black Soul Power collided violently in midair.
Thud, thud, thud!
After landing, Tang Hao actually staggered half a step backward.
It was only half a step, but the sight sent shockwaves through Tang Hao's heart.
How was this possible?
Dugu Bo was known as the weakest among the Titled Douluo. When he'd faced Tang Hao in the past, he couldn't even withstand a single hammer blow.
But just now, although Tang Hao hadn't used his full strength, Dugu Bo had still managed to take the blow head-on. And his poison was purer and more overbearing than before—it was actually corroding the Clear Sky Hammer!
"Old Poison, your strength..."
Tang Hao narrowed his eyes, staring at Dugu Bo, who hadn't been sent flying as he had in the past. His gaze was full of doubt.
Dugu Bo smiled proudly and stroked his beard.
"What? Surprised?"
"Tang Hao, people change in just three days. Did you think I was still the same man I was back then?"
Watching her grandfather display his might, Dugu Yan stood to the side with pride written all over her face.
She linked her arm through Qin Feng's and deliberately raised her voice.
"Grandpa is amazing!"
"It's all thanks to Qin Feng curing his poison. Not only did he heal Grandpa's long-standing ailment, he even helped Grandpa's Soul Power reach a whole new level!"
"Unlike certain people, who are old enough to know better but still go around bullying juniors. Aren't they ashamed of themselves?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone present could hear her perfectly well.
Behind Qin Feng, Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes flashed with surprise.
She stared intently at Qin Feng's back.
So that was it.
Dugu Bo's improvement in strength had been this brat's doing, too.
He could cure the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's poison and even help a Titled Douluo grow stronger. The secrets surrounding Qin Feng were even greater than she'd imagined.
Judging by that last exchange, Dugu Bo's strength now likely surpassed that of the Snake Lance Douluo and the Porcupinefish Douluo by a narrow margin.
This brat really was a treasure trove.
However...
Qian Renxue glanced at Tang Hao.
Although Dugu Bo had grown stronger, there was still a gap between him and an old Super Douluo like Tang Hao.
Tang Hao clearly hadn't been serious in that last exchange.
If they actually fought, Dugu Bo could hold out for a while at most. There was no way he could win.
Sure enough.
Tang Hao shook the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand, scattering the poisonous mist clinging to it.
"So you had a lucky encounter."
"But you think this little improvement is enough to stop me?"
"Dream on!"
The ninth Spirit Ring on Tang Hao's body—the bright red Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring—suddenly lit up for an instant.
An oppressive force ten times more terrifying than before instantly engulfed the entire area.
Pfft!
Dugu Bo's face went pale. He suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered backward.
In the end, no lucky encounter could completely bridge the gap in strength.
Tang Hao withdrew his aura and looked at Dugu Bo as if he were already dead.
"Old Poison, I don't want to kill you. Get out of my way."
Then he turned to Tang San, who was still watching from the sidelines.
"Xiao San, go take back what belongs to you."
Tang San had already gotten back to his feet. Although half his face was still swollen, he could barely hide the excitement in his eyes.
"Dad is amazing!"
"Even a Titled Douluo can't withstand a single blow from Dad!"
With his father backing him up, Tang San immediately stood taller.
He walked up to Qin Feng and struck a triumphant pose.
"Qin Feng, did you see that?"
"That's the difference in strength."
"In this world, without strength, you're nothing."
"Hand over that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone obediently. As long as you cooperate, I can ask Dad to spare your life."
"After all, we were classmates. I don't want to take things too far."
Tang San made himself sound so magnanimous, so merciful.
As if stealing someone else's Soul Bone were a favor he was doing them.
Qin Feng acted as if he hadn't heard him and didn't even glance Tang San's way.
He turned around and grinned at Dugu Yan.
"Yanyan, did I scare you just now?"
"Your grandpa didn't need to fight so hard, really. I have a way to deal with this blacksmith."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at him and chided him:
"Is this really the time to joke around?"
Qin Feng turned to Ye Lingling.
"Lingling, it's getting late. Once we've dealt with this swarm of flies, how about we go get something good to eat?"
Ye Lingling was usually cool and reserved, but even she was amused by Qin Feng's carefree attitude at a moment like this. She gave a slight nod.
Qin Feng even turned around to chat with Qian Renxue.
"Brother Xue, what do you think of this show? Isn't it thrilling?"
Qian Renxue: "..."
She'd seen plenty of arrogant people, but never anyone this brazen.
With a blade at his throat, he was still busy deciding what to eat for dinner.
Tang San stood off to the side, his smile gradually freezing before his face turned ashen.
Ignored.
Outright ignored.
He was negotiating with Qin Feng over their lives and deaths, but Qin Feng was over there flirting with beauties!
That bothered him even more than the slap earlier.
"Qin Feng!"
"I'm talking to you!"
Tang San roared, his eyes bloodshot.
"Don't push your luck!"
Only then did Qin Feng turn around lazily and glance at him as if he were an idiot.
"Oh, you're still here?"
"Your face is so swollen, I thought some domestic pig had escaped from a farm."