Tang Chen vs. Dugu Bo! Life Ancient Tree!

The hall fell silent once more.

Several students who had come with Xue Beng stood in the corner, not one daring to move.

They had not seen clearly how Tang Chen had neutralized the soul skill.

All they saw was Xue Beng rush forward, only to be sent flying out of the hall.

Tang Chen straightened his white sleeve.

"Is this the strength of the imperial students?"

Xue Beng braced himself against the ground and stood up.

His chest heaved continuously, and his luxurious robes were covered in dust.

"Just you wait!"

"Today's matter will not end like this!"

Tang Chen glanced at him.

"I'll wait."

Xue Beng turned and left.

The students who had come with him hurried after him.

Sun Lin watched their retreating figures, his expression extremely conflicted.

"Tang Chen, you've caused trouble this time."

"Although His Highness Xue Beng is only the fourth prince, Prince Xue Xing stands behind him."

"Prince Xue Xing is His Majesty's younger brother."

"He is also closely connected to Poison Douluo Dugu Bo."

Tang Chen picked up the registration booklet that had fallen to the floor.

He placed it back on the table.

"Xue Beng insulted me first, then used a soul skill first."

"I merely fought back."

Sun Lin sighed.

"This is the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"The imperial family has never cared only about who struck first."

Zhu Zhuqing walked up to Tang Chen.

She raised her slender hand and straightened the collar that had been blown askew by the Soul Power.

"Xue Beng will definitely come back."

She lifted her eyes to Tang Chen.

"He is a prince. He is not someone easy to provoke."

Tang Chen took hold of her wrist.

"There is no need to worry."

"Even if Prince Xue Xing comes in person, he cannot twist right and wrong."

Zhu Zhuqing did not withdraw her hand.

"The imperial family may not reason with you."

"If they refuse to reason, then I have no need to reason with them either."

Tang Chen released her hand.

"Besides, Grandpa is in the outskirts of Heaven Dou City."

Thinking of Tang Yuan's current cultivation, much of Zhu Zhuqing's concern faded.

A level ninety-five Super Douluo.

Even if Prince Xue Xing mobilized the experts within the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he might not be able to keep Tang Chen behind.

Sun Lin picked up the papers that had been kicked aside.

"I'll report this matter to the three education committee members first."

"Before they arrive, do not leave the hall."

Tang Chen nodded.

"Fine."

Sun Lin hurried away.

The two teachers responsible for recording glanced at each other and sat back down behind the table.

They both knew that today's entrance examination could no longer continue.

Zhu Zhuqing walked to a seat nearby and sat down.

She reached out and tugged Tang Chen's sleeve.

"Sit for a while."

Tang Chen came to her side.

The moment they sat down, Zhu Zhuqing leaned a little closer.

Her long black hair fell over Tang Chen's shoulder.

She lowered her gaze and gently tugged at his sleeve with her fingers.

"When you hit Xue Beng just now, I really was startled."

Tang Chen looked at her.

"Do you regret coming with me?"

Zhu Zhuqing immediately shook her head.

"I was only worried about you."

"I won't regret it."

Her fingers moved from his sleeve to Tang Chen's palm.

Their hands gently clasped together.

"Even if the imperial family truly takes action, I'll stay with you."

Tang Chen curled his fingers around hers.

"Nothing will happen."

Zhu Zhuqing gave a soft response.

They did not wait long.

Half an hour later.

A powerful wave of Soul Power suddenly blanketed the testing hall.

The leaves outside the hall stopped swaying.

The surrounding students all retreated to both sides of the path.

Dozens of Royal Knights came up along the stone steps.

Their orderly armor glinted coldly beneath the sunlight.

Xue Beng walked at the very front.

He had changed into a brand-new luxurious robe.

The red mark on his right cheek was still clearly visible.

At his side walked a middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes.

A silver swan was embroidered on his robe.

An imperial prince's token hung at his waist.

Prince Xue Xing.

Behind the two of them followed an elderly man with green hair.

His green robes were loose, and his hands were clasped behind his back.

The old man was tall and slender, his features appearing exceptionally stiff.

His green hair cascaded behind his shoulders.

His jade-green eyes swept over the hall, and the surrounding temperature immediately dropped several degrees.

Dugu Bo.

A Titled Douluo.

The two teachers in charge of registration swiftly rose to their feet.

"Greetings, Prince Xue Xing."

"Greetings, Poison Douluo."

Xue Xing did not respond.

His gaze landed directly on Tang Chen.

"Was it you who struck Xue Beng?"

Tang Chen rose to his feet.

Zhu Zhuqing also came to stand beside him.

"It was me."

Xue Xing sized up Tang Chen.

"Why do you not salute upon seeing this prince?"

Tang Chen said, "I am not your subordinate."

"Naturally, I have no need to salute you."

Xue Xing's expression immediately darkened.

Xue Beng stepped forward and pointed at Tang Chen.

"Uncle, this commoner not only hit me, he also has no respect for the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

"He must not be spared so easily!"

More and more students gathered around them.

After seeing Dugu Bo, they all retreated to the edge of the hall.

A Titled Douluo had come to the academy in person.

They had never witnessed such a scene before.

Sun Lin followed behind the three of them as well.

He hurried into the hall.

"Your Highness, there is a misunderstanding here."

"Tang Chen has already passed the academy's examination."

"His Soul Power Level has reached forty, and he possesses three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings."

"Such talent is extremely important to the academy."

Upon hearing about the three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, Xue Xing's gaze changed.

He studied Tang Chen again.

"Release your Martial Soul."

Tang Chen raised his right hand.

The Destruction Scepter appeared in his grasp.

Three black Soul Rings slowly rose beneath his feet.

The pressure released by the Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings spread beyond the hall.

The onlooking students retreated one after another.

Xue Xing stared at the three black Soul Rings, his brows tightly furrowed.

Even Dugu Bo, who had remained silent all along, shifted his gaze over.

His jade-green eyes settled on the Destruction Scepter.

Dugu Bo could sense that the scepter contained an exceptionally pure power of destruction.

That power could even threaten his Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison.

Tang Chen withdrew his Martial Soul.

"My Soul Power, age, and Martial Soul all meet the admission requirements."

"Yet Xue Beng refuses to allow me to join the academy."

"That is not an academy rule. He is abusing his authority as a prince."

The nearby teachers did not refute him.

Sun Lin had already told Xue Xing the whole story.

Xue Beng had begun by insulting him.

Then he had taken the initiative to release his Martial Soul and attack.

No matter how one looked at it, Xue Beng was in the wrong.

Xue Beng naturally understood this.

He glanced at the surrounding students, then looked at Tang Chen.

"This prince can overlook your previous offense."

"However, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy cultivates the empire's elite."

"Your Soul Power Level alone cannot prove your combat ability."

Sun Lin said, "Your Highness, three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings are already enough to prove Tang Chen's strength."

Xue Beng raised a hand and cut him off.

"This prince is not making things difficult for him."

"Doesn't he want to join the academy?"

"Then this prince will give him another chance to be tested."

Xue Xing did not stop him.

Dugu Bo did not speak either.

Xue Beng walked over to the green-haired old man.

He looked at Tang Chen, and contempt returned to his face.

"This is Poison Douluo Dugu Bo."

"As long as you can withstand five minutes of Lord Dugu's attacks, this prince will acknowledge that you have passed the test."

As soon as the words fell.

The hall fell silent, inside and out.

Sun Lin's expression changed abruptly.

"Your Highness, this is not a test!"

"Tang Chen is only level forty."

"Lord Dugu is a Titled Douluo."

"There is a difference of more than fifty levels between them. How could Tang Chen possibly withstand five minutes of attacks?"

The teacher in charge of recording hurriedly spoke as well.

"Even if Lord Dugu controls his Soul Power, his poison is not something a Soul Ancestor can withstand."

"This test cannot be passed at all."

The watching students looked toward Xue Beng.

They had all understood the true intent behind this test.

Five minutes.

Let alone a level-forty Soul Master.

Even the Soul Saint teachers of the academy would not dare agree to such terms.

Zhu Zhuqing gripped Tang Chen's arm.

She glanced at Dugu Bo, worry appearing between her brows.

"Don't agree."

"He is a Titled Douluo."

"His Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison is extremely dangerous."

Tang Chen gently patted the back of her hand.

"Have you forgotten about my Life Ancient Tree?"

Zhu Zhuqing still did not let go.

"Your Martial Soul may be able to neutralize poison, but that does not mean you can withstand a Titled Douluo's attacks."

Watching the two speak quietly, Xue Beng immediately urged them on.

"Tang Chen, weren't you acting pretty arrogant just now?"

"Are you too scared to agree now?"

"You can refuse."

"As long as you kneel and apologize to this prince, then get out of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, today's matter will end here."

"..."

Tang Chen raised his eyes toward Dugu Bo.

The green-haired old man still stood with his hands behind his back.

His nine Soul Rings had not appeared.

Yet the Soul Power of a Titled Douluo had already locked onto Tang Chen.

Dugu Bo was observing him as well.

Fourteen years old, yet already level forty.

All three of his Soul Rings were Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings.

Tang Chen also possessed a life aura that could restrain poison.

Dugu Bo wanted to personally see just how much strength this unheard-of genius truly possessed.

Tang Chen stepped forward.

Zhu Zhuqing's fingers slipped from his sleeve.

She watched his back and did not try to stop him again.

Purple-black light emerged from Tang Chen's palm.

The Destruction Scepter slowly condensed.

Three black Soul Rings rose once more, and dense Soul Power swept through the entire hall.

Tang Chen stood before Dugu Bo.

"Endure five minutes of your attacks."

"I accept this test."

Tang Chen stood before Dugu Bo.

Three black Soul Rings circled his body, while the aura left behind by Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts continued to spread.

Inside and outside the hall, everyone's eyes fell upon him.

No one had expected Tang Chen to actually accept this test.

Fourteen years old.

Level-forty Soul Power.

Yet his opponent was a Titled Douluo.

There was a difference of more than fifty levels between them.

Xue Beng froze for a moment, then immediately revealed a delighted expression.

He moved two steps closer to Dugu Bo.

"Lord Dugu."

"Since he has agreed, please make your move."

Sun Lin's expression changed.

"Your Highness, this is only an academy test."

"If Tang Chen is injured here, we will not be able to answer to the Education Committee."

"..."

Xue Beng turned his head.

"Teacher Sun, did you not hear clearly?"

"Tang Chen accepted this test himself."

"As a Titled Douluo, Lord Dugu can naturally control his strength."

Sun Lin still wanted to dissuade him.

Tang Chen had already raised the Destruction Scepter.

"Begin."

Dugu Bo took a step forward.

His green robes swayed lightly with his Soul Power, and a powerful pressure spread from his body.

Boom!

The tables and chairs in the hall slid backward at the same time.

Soul Power light flashed across the surface of the testing crystal.

The window frames around them let out a series of faint creaks.

The watching students retreated one after another.

Several students with lower Soul Power turned pale and could only circulate their Soul Power to resist the pressure bearing down on them.

Dugu Bo had not released his Martial Soul.

He had merely mobilized his Soul Power, yet several cracks had already appeared in the stone tiles beneath Tang Chen's feet.

Prince Xue Xing stood to the side with his hands behind his back.

"The gap between a Titled Douluo and a Soul Ancestor is not something three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings can make up for."

"It is not too late for Tang Chen to admit defeat."

Tang Chen did not respond.

Purple-black Soul Power flowed along the Destruction Scepter.

The three black Soul Rings bobbed up and down, gradually dispersing the pressure falling upon him.

Watching this, Dugu Bo grew more serious.

An ordinary Soul Ancestor would struggle even to stand steady under his Soul Power lock.

Yet Tang Chen had remained rooted where he stood.

His breathing had not changed.

Nor had the Destruction Scepter shown any sign of instability.

Dugu Bo spoke.

"Kid, for these five minutes, this old man will not use power beyond what you can bear."

"But if you cannot hold on, admit defeat immediately."

"This old man's attacks cannot always be withdrawn in time."

Tang Chen raised his eyes.

"Just attack."

Dugu Bo's right hand emerged from his green sleeve.

Jade-green Soul Power swiftly covered his palm.

He did not use a soul skill, merely sending a palm strike forward.

The seemingly ordinary palm strike instantly compressed all the air in the hall.

A jade-green palm imprint several meters tall condensed into form.

Before the palm imprint even approached, the wall behind Tang Chen was already covered in cracks.

The watching students retreated farther outside.

Sun Lin immediately raised both hands.

Six Soul Rings rose beneath his feet.

A layer of Soul Power barrier blocked the students.

"Everyone, retreat outside the hall!"

"Do not approach the combat area!"

The crowd swiftly withdrew from the hall.

They stood on either side of the stone steps, their eyes still fixed on Tang Chen.

The jade-green palm imprint had already reached him.

Zhu Zhuqing stood at the edge of the hall.

She wore fitted black battle attire, her long black hair hanging behind her shoulders.

A current of Soul Power swept toward her.

Her hem and hair rose in the wind as she stepped forward.

"Tang Chen."

"Don't push yourself."

Tang Chen glanced sideways at her.

Zhu Zhuqing's hand rested at her waist, and her Nether Civet Martial Soul was already showing signs of forming.

Those clear eyes were filled with worry.

Tang Chen said,

"Stay there."

"I'll be fine."

Zhu Zhuqing did not move any closer.

She pressed her lips together and turned her gaze back to the jade-green palm imprint.

Tang Chen stepped forward.

The first black Soul Ring beneath his feet released a vast burst of light.

The Destruction Scepter lay horizontally before him.

Purple-black Soul Power rapidly condensed across the scepter's surface.

Deep within his right arm, a flash of black-and-white light flickered past.

The power of the Two-Pole Black Tortoise Right Arm Bone merged into his meridians.

A heavy barrier rose before Tang Chen.

The next moment.

The jade-green palm imprint crashed down.

Boom!

The shockwave from the collision of Soul Power burst out of the hall.

The trees on both sides of the stone steps shook violently.

Great swathes of branches and leaves were blown into the air by the Soul Power.

Dust rose from the academy square, obscuring the scene within the hall.

Xue Beng raised an arm before his face.

His robes fluttered wildly in the shockwave.

"A mere Soul Ancestor dared to face a Titled Douluo's attack head-on."

"Let's see how you get back up this time."

Prince Xue Xing said nothing.

He watched the testing hall shrouded in dust, his brows gradually furrowing.

Dugu Bo remained where he was.

The old man's emerald-green eyes pierced through the dust, fixed tightly on the scene ahead.

A moment later.

The surging air gradually subsided.

The billowing dust settled to the ground.

A white figure reappeared in everyone's sight.

Tang Chen was still standing there.

His long white robes were stained with a little dust.

The stone tiles beneath his feet had been completely shattered, and the ground around him had caved in.

Yet he had not taken a single step back.

Three black Soul Rings slowly revolved around his body.

The glow released by the first Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring was even stronger than before.

The entire plaza fell completely silent.

The delight on Xue Beng's face vanished instantly.

"He blocked it?"

"This was Lord Dugu's attack."