Just as Cuihua raised her head, ready to agree to Dugu Bo, the smile on Dugu Bo's face suddenly froze.
Panic!
A natural instinct that came from being a snake!
His jade-green pupils abruptly contracted to their limit. Every hair on his body stood straight up like steel needles, and a fatal sense of crisis—like being watched by an ancient ferocious beast—instantly plunged him into an icy abyss.
"Not good!"
Dugu Bo seemed to have sensed something utterly terrifying.
He did not even have time to say another word before his expression changed drastically.
"Martial Soul Avatar! Wandering Snake!"
Two Soul Rings lit up in succession. In an instant, Dugu Bo transformed into a jade-green Jade Phosphor Snake, then burst forth at terrifying speed, nearly turning into a streak of light as he vanished from the spot!
This was almost the fastest he had ever been in his life!
With a whoosh, his entire body became a green afterimage as he fled desperately toward the outskirts of the city.
The next moment—
"Roar—!"
An aged, deep, terrifying beastly roar rang out from a residence in Suotuo City.
The roar swept across the ground like a tangible sound wave.
Amid the flying rubble and dust.
An elderly man with a burly build, a head of golden hair, and a set of heavy dark-golden armor appeared forcefully, like an immovable mountain.
Nine Soul Rings slowly revolved beneath his feet, the final red ring radiating a suffocating pressure that drove people to despair.
Golden Crocodile Douluo!
A Rank 98 peak Douluo!
The Second Worship of Spirit Hall's Worship Hall!
Golden Crocodile Douluo appeared without even doing anything. He merely swept his cold gaze across the battlefield, and every fierce clash in the square came to an abrupt halt.
The elders of the Clear Sky Sect put away their hammers. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo retreated to one side. Even Sword Douluo Chen Xin gripped the Seven Kill Sword tightly, his expression more solemn than ever.
Spirit Hall's lineup was already luxurious beyond measure.
With Golden Crocodile Douluo leading the team, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, and the now-detoxified Pufferfish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo, there were a full five Title Douluo-level powerhouses!
This was enough to prove that Bibi Dong was determined to obtain Cuihua and the inheritance of the Spirit Master.
Looking at the other sides instead.
Ning Fengzhi, pale-faced, supported the injured Bone Douluo while Sword Douluo stood protectively in front of them.
The two elders of the Clear Sky Sect exchanged a glance, their faces equally bitter.
As for Dugu Bo, who had come on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire, he had already fled using his terrifying natural instincts before Golden Crocodile Douluo had even appeared. By now, he had probably run so far that not even his shadow could be seen.
Even if they joined forces, they had no chance of winning!
Without any hesitation.
"Go!"
Ning Fengzhi made the decision immediately and shouted in a low voice.
Sword Douluo unleashed a massive sword aura that shattered the nearby houses and created chaos. Bone Douluo endured the agonizing pain and activated his Martial Soul Avatar, tearing open a spatial rift and vanishing with Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.
The two elders of the Clear Sky Sect were equally decisive. They withdrew their Martial Souls, turned around, and shot into the sky as two streaks of light, fleeing without a trace.
With a Rank 98 Limit Douluo leading the enemy, what the hell were they supposed to fight for by staying behind?!
As fellow Title Douluo, they understood better than anyone that at this level, the gap in Soul Power between every rank was an insurmountable chasm.
Even against a Rank 96 opponent, they could still grit their teeth and risk their lives in a fight.
But Golden Crocodile Douluo at Rank 98?
He was a terrifying existence capable of crushing ordinary Title Douluo to death with one hand. No one could withstand a single strike from him.
"Trying to leave?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo sneered. His Martial Soul Avatar activated instantly, and an enormous golden crocodile rose from the ground, emanating horrifying pressure and power!
"You four, keep an eye on the girl. I'm going to kill two people and will be back shortly!"
After only a moment's thought, Golden Crocodile Douluo made his decision.
He ignored everyone else and directly pursued the two elders of the Clear Sky Sect!
Bone Douluo's Bone Dragon Martial Soul was simply too elusive, with spatial abilities that made him extremely difficult to handle. Though Golden Crocodile Douluo was powerful in battle, he lacked many other methods. Rather than getting entangled with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it was better to kill the Clear Sky Sect elders, who were also Battle Soul Masters. That gave him a greater chance of success.
Moreover, compared to the auxiliary Soul Masters of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, attack-type Battle Soul Masters like those of the Clear Sky Sect concerned Golden Crocodile Douluo far more.
Ning Fengzhi, heh...
He was merely an auxiliary Soul Master doomed to never surpass Rank 70 Soul Saint. Could he really turn the heavens upside down?
The entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect relied on Sword and Bone, the two Title Douluo, to support its combat strength. Without those two, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could be destroyed with a backhand!
Besides, ever since the battle between the Clear Sky Douluo and Spirit Hall years ago, the friendly relationship between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect had long existed in name only.
Afterward, the Clear Sky Sect became extremely cautious and sealed its mountain, refusing to emerge. Spirit Hall had never had a chance to make a move, nor could it find a reason to start a war.
This had been a source of frustration for the current Pope.
Now, they had finally caught an opportunity to see members of the Clear Sky Sect outside the sect!
If he did not kill them now, when would he?!
As long as he could eliminate two Title Douluo from the Clear Sky Sect, there would be less resistance when the current Pope acted in the future.
At worst, he could weaken the Clear Sky Sect, making them ache and rage. The best outcome would be provoking the Clear Sky Sect into doing something irrational in its fury. Then they would have a reason to destroy the Clear Sky Sect.
With those thoughts in mind, Golden Crocodile Douluo's killing intent intensified. He transformed into a golden streak of light and shot forward!
The four Title Douluo remained where they were, extremely vigilant.
Ahead, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo stood together, ready to unleash their Martial Soul Fusion Skill at any moment!
Earlier, they had been ambushed, disrupting their rhythm and leaving them without an opportunity to use their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Instead, they had fallen into a disadvantage in the direct battle.
"Golden Crocodile Douluo will probably blame us for failing to handle this properly."
Meanwhile, Pufferfish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo stayed around Cuihua without trying to persuade her. They merely maintained a safe distance.
The situation was already perfectly clear.
In this struggle, Spirit Hall had won a complete victory.
Cuihua's choice no longer mattered. Whether she was willing or not, she had to return to Spirit Hall with them.
Presumably, the girl understood the situation and would not act rashly.
They only needed to guard against other powerhouses coming to seize Cuihua. Once Golden Crocodile Douluo returned, their group could safely return to Spirit Hall and report back.
A moment later.
"Hahahaha..."
The man had not yet arrived, but his voice came first.
Golden Crocodile Douluo strode in through Suotuo City's gates with a loud laugh. His body was covered in Clear Sky Hammer marks, and his armor was tattered, yet his eyes shone brightly.
In each hand, he carried a headless corpse.
Thud!
Thud!
Golden Crocodile Douluo casually tossed the two headless corpses onto the ground. He straightened his somewhat broken armor, then walked calmly up to Cuihua and stood before her with his hands behind his back.
He looked down at Cuihua for a moment, his voice ringing like a great bell.
"Little girl, now you can come back to Spirit City with me."
It was neither a question nor an invitation, merely a statement that allowed no refusal!
How utterly domineering!
Before you continue