Underground Level Six, Guarded by Two Titled Douluo

Underground Level Six, Guarded by Two Titled Douluo

The light at the end of the passage had completely sunk into boundless darkness. Only Tang Wulin and Gu Yue's intermingling breaths softly echoed through the long, deathly silent corridor.

Tang Wulin tightly held the hand of the person beside him, their palms pressed together and fingers interlocked. The warmth from her fingertips spread into his heart, becoming the most steadfast support within this dark abyss. The pain and tears he had just unleashed had not weakened him. Instead, they were like a torrential rain washing over his soul, cleansing away his restlessness and savagery, leaving behind only rock-solid resolve. The gold in his eyes was no longer violent or frenzied. It had become calm and restrained, yet it contained a blazing heat capable of burning away every obstacle—that was the will of the Dragon Emperor Douluo, the obsession of a son, and the responsibility of a lover.

Gu Yue quietly let him lead her. Her black hair fell over her shoulders, its silken sheen faintly illuminated by the weak light. Her face was still slightly pale, and she had yet to fully recover from the bloody battle earlier, but her amethyst-like eyes held not the slightest trace of retreat—only the same determination as Tang Wulin.

She had never needed to say much.

If he moved forward, she followed. If he wanted to break through, she would break through with him. If he wanted to save his closest family, she would cut down every enemy blocking his path.

Their destiny had been intertwined for millions of years. No extra words were needed.

At the end of the corridor stood a heavy black metal door so oppressive it seemed to suffocate them. Ancient, solemn runes were engraved across its surface, and the flowing light between them carried the sealing soul power inherited through generations of the Spirit Pagoda, firmly guarding this core forbidden zone. On either side of the door, the muzzles of soul cannons gleamed with cold light. In an instant, they could unleash terrifying power capable of severely injuring a Titled Douluo.

Before the door stood two figures, one on the left and one on the right, as motionless as ancient statues.

No vast soul power leaked from them, nor did they radiate any arrogant pressure. Yet simply standing there made the air throughout the entire corridor seem frozen and heavy, making it difficult to take even a single step.

That was the pressure of those standing at the pinnacle of soul masters—

Titled Douluo.

And there were two of them.

Tang Wulin slowly stopped several meters from the door, the gold in his eyes gradually turning solemn.

He recognized these two. In his previous life, they had been the ones who fiercely guarded underground level six, becoming the culprits behind his failure to save his parents.

The person on the left was thin and withered, his complexion waxy yellow and his half-lidded eyes like decaying wood. The soul power around him was cold and sinister, like poison and blades. He was the Ghost Poison Douluo, skilled in spiritual erosion and deadly poison paralysis, able to kill without a trace.

The person on the right was powerfully built, his muscles knotted beneath heavy armor. He held an enormous warhammer, his eyes as vicious as those of a tiger or wolf. Even with every breath he took, the ground faintly trembled. He was the Giant Hammer Douluo, an ultimate assault-type Titled Douluo whose frontal destructive power was terrifying.

One was sinister, one fierce; one yin, one yang. They had guarded this place together for years, their cooperation already flawless. Their combined strength far surpassed that of two ordinary Titled Douluo.

Moreover, Tang Wulin and Gu Yue had just fought twelve Soul Douluo in a bloody battle. Their soul power had been greatly depleted, they were wounded, and their strength had not recovered—this was a true dead end.

"Dragon Emperor Douluo Tang Wulin, Silver Dragon King Gu Yue." Ghost Poison Douluo slowly opened his eyes. A glint of cold light flashed through his cloudy pupils, and his voice was hoarse and dry like rotting wood scraping together. "The fact that you managed to fight your way here has already exceeded expectations."

"Unfortunately, this is as far as you go." Giant Hammer Douluo stepped forward, and the ground shook with a thunderous boom. The enormous warhammer spun in his hand as a vicious aura surged toward them. "The seventh underground level holds the Pagoda Master's most important bargaining chip. If you want to take it away, step over our corpses first."

Tang Wulin took half a step forward, subtly shielding Gu Yue behind him. His golden pupils calmly regarded the two men before him. There was no anger, no frenzy—only bottomless composure.

"I don't care whose orders you follow or what secrets you are guarding." His voice was low and steady, every word clear as it spread through the empty passage. "The people imprisoned inside are my parents. In my previous life, I failed to save them. In this life, whoever stops me dies."

The final three words were neither raised nor shouted, yet they carried a chill forged from the blood and tears of two lifetimes, making hearts tighten.

Ghost Poison Douluo sneered. "What arrogant nonsense. You can barely protect yourselves, and you still dare make threats?"

Gu Yue gently stepped out from behind Tang Wulin and stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Her black hair lightly stirred in the darkness, and her violet eyes were cold as a frozen pool. Her voice did not ripple in the slightest. "He needs to get through, and you cannot stop him. I'll hold one of them off while you save them." She turned her head toward Tang Wulin, her tone as calm as if discussing something ordinary. "Giant Hammer Douluo is yours. Ghost Poison Douluo is mine."

Tang Wulin's heart tightened. "Gu Yue, your injuries haven't recovered yet—"

"I can hold on." Gu Yue interrupted him. Her violet eyes were incomparably resolute, allowing no argument. "You have to break through quickly. The longer this drags on, the worse it will be for Mom and Dad."

The words "Mom and Dad" were soft and light, yet they instantly struck the softest place in Tang Wulin's heart.

This woman, who was usually cold and sparing with words, had long since taken his bloodline, his pain, and his family upon her own shoulders.

Tang Wulin looked deeply at her. A thousand words ultimately condensed into one. "Okay."

He trusted her just as he trusted his Golden Dragon King bloodline.

"You certainly have a fine plan." Ghost Poison Douluo sneered. "Do you really think we are decorations? Since you insist on courting death, we'll grant your wish! Attack!"

Giant Hammer Douluo erupted first. Brilliant red Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, nine Soul Rings pulsing in succession as the power of an ultimate assault-type Titled Douluo poured forth without restraint!

"Eighth Soul Skill—Giant Hammer Rends Mountains!"

The enormous warhammer expanded several times over in midair, crashing down upon Tang Wulin's head with terrifying force capable of shattering mountains! The air was violently torn apart with a piercing shriek. The entire space was locked down by that hammer strike, leaving no way to evade it.

"Wulin, go!"

Gu Yue let out a low shout. Six elements erupted around her simultaneously—wind, fire, lightning, earth, water, and spatial power churned endlessly as the Elemental Domain instantly spread out.

"Elemental Barrier!"

Layer upon layer of invisible defenses appeared in the air, firmly blocking Ghost Poison Douluo. His eyes turned cold as his hands moved rapidly. Pitch-black poisonous soul power shot forth like venomous snakes, corroding the Elemental Barrier with hissing sounds.

"Silver Dragon King, I'm your opponent! Eighth Soul Skill—Myriad Poisons Devour the Soul!"

Black poisonous mist instantly spread through the passage, corroding spiritual souls and eroding soul power. Even space itself was stained and faintly twisted. Gu Yue gritted her teeth and pushed her elemental power to its limits without retreating even half a step—if she gave ground by even an inch, Tang Wulin would be trapped in a desperate situation, attacked from both front and rear.

At that moment, with her severely injured body, she created a space where he could fight without restraint.

Golden light surged in Tang Wulin's eyes. He could see everything clearly: the black-haired woman was giving everything she had to block the powerful enemy for him, her violet eyes full of stubbornness and persistence. Heartache, fury, and urgency instantly merged into a wild, reckless force.

"Giant Hammer Douluo, your opponent is me!"

The Golden Dragon King's blood essence soared skyward. Golden dragon patterns spread from his neck across his cheeks and arms as golden flames blazed around him. Like an awakened Dragon God, he charged head-on at the mountain-rending hammer strike!

"Golden Dragon Overlord Body!"

Golden radiance condensed into tangible armor that covered his entire body.

Clang—!!!

The giant hammer crashed fiercely against the dragon armor. The deafening impact shook the heavens as shockwaves swept outward. Large sections of the corridor walls collapsed, and shattered stones rained down. Giant Hammer Douluo's pupils abruptly contracted. He had never imagined that anyone would dare receive his full-force strike with their bare body.

"You've got some strength, but it's still not enough." Tang Wulin's voice was calm. His arm tightened slightly, veins standing out as he suddenly grabbed the face of the giant hammer with one hand. The Golden Dragon King's power erupted, forcefully pinning the hammer in midair!

"What?!" Giant Hammer Douluo's expression changed drastically.

When it came to strength, he had never feared anyone. Yet the power of the young man before him was terrifying to such a degree.

"My turn."

Tang Wulin stomped down, and the ground collapsed with a thunderous crash. He shot forward, his right hand clenched into a fist as a golden dragon roar echoed through the passage.

"Golden Dragon Fist!"

His punch shot straight for Giant Hammer Douluo's chest. Giant Hammer Douluo was horrified and hurriedly pulled back his hammer to defend himself, but he was already too late.

Bang—!

The heavy punch struck his armor, erupting with a massive blast. Giant Hammer Douluo was sent flying several meters away and slammed hard into the wall, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

With one move, Tang Wulin had gained the upper hand.

Yet Tang Wulin felt no joy at all. His gaze instinctively turned toward Gu Yue. Ghost Poison Douluo's poison mist had already half-wrapped her black-haired figure. Her violet eyes narrowed slightly, her face grew increasingly pale, and blood continuously spilled from the corner of her mouth. The Elemental Barrier was on the verge of collapse, but she still stood firmly before him, never taking a single step back.

She was holding on—with her life.

Tang Wulin's heart felt viciously clenched, the pain making him tremble. A low cry escaped his lips. "Gu Yue!"

His anxiety and rage intertwined, instantly igniting the Golden Dragon King's most violent power. Golden blood essence nearly burst through the heavens, and his eyes held only icy determination—he could not delay any longer. He could not let her suffer even the slightest further injury.

"Giant Hammer Douluo, it's over."

Tang Wulin flashed forward, transforming into a bolt of golden lightning. He no longer held back, no longer tested his opponent. All his power, all his obsession, and all his desire to protect gathered into this single punch.

"Ninth Soul Skill—Golden Dragon Annihilates the World!"

A phantom golden dragon soared into the sky, its roar shaking underground level six of the Spirit Pagoda. As the punch fell, heaven and earth changed color.

Only extreme terror remained in Giant Hammer Douluo's eyes. He desperately mobilized all his soul power to defend himself, but everything was as fragile as paper.

Boom—!!!

His defense shattered, his armor split apart, and the giant hammer flew away. Giant Hammer Douluo crashed into the wall like a kite with its string cut, then slowly slid down, completely unconscious.

The instant he dealt with Giant Hammer Douluo, Tang Wulin did not pause for even a second before turning and rushing toward Gu Yue. Ghost Poison Douluo was fully unleashing his poison and was just about to completely suppress Gu Yue when he caught sight of Giant Hammer Douluo's crushing defeat. His expression immediately changed drastically.

"Impossible..."

"What you should worry about is yourself."

An icy voice sounded behind him. Every hair on Ghost Poison Douluo's body stood on end. He whirled around, only to find Tang Wulin already right before him. There was no emotion in those golden pupils, only frozen killing intent.

Anyone who dared hurt her would die.

Tang Wulin did not throw a punch. He merely reached out with one hand and gripped Ghost Poison Douluo's shoulder. The Golden Dragon King's suppressive power descended with a boom, instantly freezing all the soul power in Ghost Poison Douluo's body. He could no longer activate even the slightest bit of poison.

"You..."

"I told you. Whoever stops me dies."

His fingertips tightened slightly. With a crisp crack, the sound of breaking bone rang out. Ghost Poison Douluo screamed as searing pain tore through his soul. His vision went black, and he fainted on the spot.

One of the two Titled Douluo was crippled, the other unconscious. The dual-Douluo defense line guarding underground level six had been completely shattered.

The passage returned to deathly silence. Only dust, rubble, and the slightly ragged breaths of the two remained.

Tang Wulin immediately rushed to Gu Yue's side and firmly supported her swaying body. Her black hair stuck messily to her cheeks, her violet eyes half-closed, and her face was pale as paper. The blood at her lips had yet to dry, and her aura was so weak it had reached its limit. Clearly, she had held on until there was nothing left.

"Gu Yue!" Tang Wulin's voice trembled, his heart aching beyond measure. "How are you? Are you hurt? I'm sorry, I was too late..."

Gu Yue gently shook her head and smiled weakly. She reached out and grasped his arm, her voice as light as the wind. "I'm fine... See? I held him back. You can keep going down now."

Tang Wulin's eyes grew hot. He gently pulled her into his arms, his movements so tender that he did not dare use any force, as if he were holding the most fragile treasure in the world.

"Fool, I don't want you holding on like this. I want you safe and sound."

Gu Yue rested against his chest, her black hair winding over his shoulder. Her violet eyes gently closed, and her voice was weak yet content. "As long as you can save them... I'm fine."

Tang Wulin held her tightly, his heart aching in waves. In his previous life, he had been alone, with no one to rely on. In this life, someone was willing to brave fire and water for him, willing to risk her life for him. He slowly released her and raised a hand to wipe the blood from her lips. Tenderness and determination intertwined in his golden eyes.

"I'll take you with me. From now on, I won't let you face any danger alone again."

He bent down and carefully lifted her into his arms. His movements were gentle and steady. Gu Yue was slightly startled, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, but she did not struggle. She simply rested quietly against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, feeling safe—utterly safe.

Holding her, Tang Wulin turned to look at the black door, which had been slightly loosened by the aftershocks of battle.

Beyond that door was underground level seven. It held the obsession of his two lifetimes, the parents he missed day and night and would bring back even if it cost him everything.

He took a deep breath. His gaze was calm, yet utterly resolute.

One step, then another, then another, he slowly walked toward the door.

He knew there was still a final line of defense behind it—the Spirit Pagoda's elite forces, deadly traps and trump cards, perhaps even the Spirit Pagoda Master himself.

But he was no longer afraid.

The regrets of his previous life would be remedied in this one. The pain of his previous life would be healed in this one. Everything he had lost in his previous life, he would reclaim one by one in this life.

He reached out and gently placed his hand against the cold door. His voice trembled with restrained emotion, yet it was incomparably firm.

"Dad, Mom, I'm here. This time, I'm taking you home."

His palm exerted a little force, and the heavy black door slowly opened in his hand.

Beyond the door was total darkness. From deep within it came a faint yet incomparably familiar bloodline aura.

It was a reunion awaited through two lifetimes.

It was the family reunion that had finally arrived.