"So you're the one who defeated Tian Bingyun in Skywater City?"
Ghost Douluo's voice held no emotion.
Tuoba Xuan nodded. "That was me!"
Behind him, Tuoba Xi and Dugu Bo both stepped forward.
Their intentions were clear.
"If that's the case, His Holiness the Pope wishes to see you. Come with us."
Soul Power surged beneath Ghost Douluo, and an invisible pressure gradually spread through the air.
"Don't you dare!"
Dugu Bo snorted, directly pushing Ghost Douluo's pressure back.
"Wait!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo paused. The pressure Dugu Bo was releasing was already no weaker than Ghost Douluo's.
As far as Chrysanthemum Douluo knew, Dugu Bo was merely a Level 91 Titled Douluo.
How could he compare to a Titled Douluo like Ghost Douluo, who was close to becoming a Super Douluo?
"Old Poison, you broke through."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression turned grave.
If Dugu Bo were still the weakest Titled Douluo he used to be, then today they could have done whatever they pleased.
They might even have been able to wipe out all three of them.
But now, the pressure Dugu Bo released was already on a par with Ghost Douluo's.
Chrysanthemum Douluo would have to carefully weigh Dugu Bo's strength.
"Oh?"
Ghost Douluo suddenly spoke with a mocking lilt.
He had spotted the Golden Earth Dragon King's corpse behind Tuoba Xi.
"I never thought you old dragon had broken through, too. I suppose you meant to absorb this Golden Earth Dragon King as your ninth Soul Ring."
Everyone's gaze turned to the dead Golden Earth Dragon King.
After a Soul Beast died, its Soul Ring could last only half an hour. Once that time passed, it would gradually dissipate.
If they delayed any longer, Tuoba Xi's ninth Soul Ring would be lost.
Tuoba Xi's voice was low. "I was just lucky. I still can't compare with Your Excellencies."
"So, what exactly do you want?"
Tuoba Xi was growing anxious. He was on the verge of becoming a Titled Douluo, yet they had interrupted him.
"What do we want?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo let out a string of giggles.
"Then I'll be frank. With us here, you won't be absorbing this Golden Earth Dragon King today."
At those words, Tuoba Xuan, Tuoba Xi, and Dugu Bo all darkened.
Chrysanthemum Douluo changed tack.
"But if you swear by your Martial Soul right now and lead the Sacred Dragon Sect into the Spirit Hall..."
"Then not only can we guarantee that you'll obtain a perfect Soul Ring today, His Holiness the Pope will also reward you."
Tuoba Xi hesitated.
The continent seemed calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging beneath.
The Sacred Dragon Sect was still too weak. A newly advanced Titled Douluo like him couldn't protect the sect on his own.
Besides, a red-robed bishop from the Spirit Hall had tried to recruit him before. He'd already been considering joining the Spirit Hall.
"No, Grandpa!"
Tuoba Xuan's telepathic message interrupted Tuoba Xi's thoughts.
Tuoba Xuan knew just how rotten the Spirit Hall was on the inside right now.
Joining the Spirit Hall alone would have been one thing. But bringing the entire Sacred Dragon Sect into it—
That would be like pushing the sect into an abyss, leaving it with nowhere to be buried.
With Bibi Dong seeking to destroy the continent before them, and the dimwitted Qian Renxue and lovesick Hu Liena behind her,
the Spirit Hall was like a leaking gas tank, ready to explode at the slightest spark.
Then Tuoba Xuan sent another message.
He was determined to claim this Golden Earth Dragon King today.
At worst, they could kill the five people opposite them.
Then he could take Dugu Yan and hide with the others in Dragon Valley for more than a decade, until he became a god.
That was the worst-case scenario.
By the time they emerged, Tang San might have become a dual god.
The Sacred Dragon Sect and Dugu Manor might even have weeds half a meter high growing over their graves.
"No, who would even bury them?"
Tuoba Xuan shook his head, but still decided to stake everything on this.
"Your Excellencies, the Sacred Dragon Sect will always remain the Sacred Dragon Sect. We will never join any faction."
Tuoba Xuan's voice turned cold, a murderous glint appearing in his eyes.
"So I must decline your offer. And if the two of you intend to make trouble today, then come at us."
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo looked as though they'd just heard the biggest joke in the world.
Was he saying that a Titled Douluo and a peak Soul Douluo could take on two veteran Titled Douluo?
"You talk too much, boy. Since that's the case, you'll all die here."
"Don't worry, I'll spare your life. His Holiness the Pope still wants to see you."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice was hoarse. Beneath him, all nine Soul Rings began to stir.
"Attack!"
The shout came without warning from Tuoba Xuan's mouth.
Tuoba Xi and Dugu Bo sprang into action at once.
Dugu Bo brought out his trump card, the Blood Swan Kiss.
Poison billowed out, stopping Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo just as they were about to attack.
Tuoba Xi moved just as quickly, pouncing on Chen Ming and grappling with him.
"Oh no, Nana!"
Seeing Tuoba Xuan and the others suddenly make their move, Yan cried out in alarm.
Yan was just about to protect Hu Liena when a sharp pain shot through his chest.
Tuoba Xuan moved like lightning. Taking advantage of the spreading poisonous mist, he rushed straight toward Yan and Hu Liena.
The Dragon Tiger Hook erupted in a brilliant purple light. With a fierce sweep, it smashed into Yan's chest.
Yan tried to release his Soul Power to defend himself, but a searing pain struck him. A purple-black wound appeared on his chest.
This was the Soul Skill of the Dragon Tiger Hook, the External Soul Bone from the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger—Dark Demon Evil God Rend.
Since Yan had been standing in front of Hu Liena, she hadn't been hurt too badly, though her mind reeled for a moment.
At the same time, an An purple seed slipped unnoticed into Hu Liena's blood.
"Ah!"
Hu Liena let out a soft cry. Someone pressed hard against her lower back, while a vicious tail coiled tightly around her slender, pale throat.
It seemed that the slightest squeeze of that tail could take her life.
In the blink of an eye, Tuoba Xuan had her pinned from behind, his grip at her throat.
"Make another move, and I'll kill her!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Chen Ming were instantly drenched in cold sweat.
The three of them had noticed Tuoba Xuan's move, but Dugu Bo and Tuoba Xi had held them back.
They couldn't move to save her at all. They had originally pinned their hopes on Yan.
But that useless Yan had been struck by Tuoba Xuan's tail.
"Boy, let Nana go!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo glared furiously.
"Do you want to die, boy?"
For the first time, a look of panic appeared on Ghost Douluo's normally bloodless face.
Clutching his chest, Yan struggled to get back to his feet.
His heart, too, was burning with rage.
"Bastard! You ambushed me!"
The three of them threatened him, but not one dared to move.
They had no doubt whatsoever that Tuoba Xuan really would kill Hu Liena.
Hu Liena's throat bobbed faintly. Her neck felt icy cold.
Then came overwhelming fear and inner turmoil.
She hadn't even done as well as Yan just now.
Although Yan had been knocked flying, at least he'd reacted; he simply hadn't had time to defend himself.
She, on the other hand, hadn't realized she'd been caught until someone had a blade at her throat.
A hair-thin line of blood appeared on Hu Liena's neck.
Her face was deathly pale, and her whole body went weak. For an instant, she slumped into Tuoba Xuan's arms.
He only shoved her away with an elbow.
"If you don't want her to die, let us absorb that Golden Earth Dragon King first."
Tuoba Xuan shouted, beginning to negotiate with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.