What Support System? I refuse to accept it! I'm Power Attack System!

"What else would I be?"

Bai Ye looked at Tai Tan and spoke coolly.

Tai Tan visibly trembled. He could tell from Bai Ye's eyes that he was not lying.

He was certain that the white-clad youth before him was the Holy Son of Spirit Hall who had thrown the entire continent into turmoil.

The Upper Three Sects' miserable plight was all his doing.

Although Spirit Hall had explicitly stated that the Upper Three Sects had struck first, he did not believe it.

He simply could not understand why this Holy Son of Spirit Hall had injured his son and grandson and drawn him out.

Could it be...

Suddenly, an ominous feeling rose within Tai Tan, and his expression turned exceptionally ugly.

He neither attacked Bai Ye immediately nor told his son and grandson to retreat. The Holy Son would always have a Titled Douluo protecting him when he traveled. Now that they had found Tai Tan, how could they let him leave so easily?

Of course, he also knew that Spirit Hall had no intention of killing him for now. Otherwise, why had they not acted yet?

However, while Tai Tan understood the situation, the onlookers did not.

They simply thought Bai Ye was an impostor and continued discussing him.

Of course, some perceptive people noticed that something was wrong with Tai Tan.

They did not know him, but he had arrived with such menacing force. Even if he did not attack immediately, he should not have been this quiet.

Gradually, everyone realized something was amiss.

Just then, Bai Ye revealed his Martial Soul and Soul Rings.

The Apocalypse Hammer floated behind him, with five Soul Rings-purple, purple, black, black, and red-pulsing up and down.

In an instant, the entire crowd fell silent.

Although they had never seen Bai Ye before, this configuration alone was enough to stir murderous intent in the Upper Three Sects. In other words, Spirit Hall's announcement had not been a lie.

Despite the truth being right before their eyes, they simply could not accept it.

Five Soul Rings-purple, purple, black, black, and red!

A thousand-year first Soul Ring alone would have stunned them. The sight before them dealt their fragile hearts a shock beyond all measure.

"How is this possible?!" someone cried out involuntarily.

That single cry set the entire crowd off.

"How can a Soul Ring configuration like that exist?"

"Is he even human?"

"Are Spirit Hall's people that powerful?"

"This is nothing short of a miracle!"

No one could understand it, and Tai Tan, his son, and his grandson were no exception.

Even Dugu Yan, standing beside Bai Ye, felt utterly stunned once again despite having seen it before.

How could anyone in this world possess such a Soul Ring configuration?

She felt increasingly certain that her grandfather was right. She was not losing out, and her grandfather was not Spirit Hall's lapdog, but the Holy Son's guardian.

Of course, she also knew full well that she would never become the Supreme Pontiff's wife. How could someone like him be bound by her?

Hidden nearby, the Chrysanthemum, Ghost, and Poison Titled Douluos all smiled.

"Quiet."

The moment Bai Ye spoke, the crowd fell silent, as though his words held some sort of magic.

Then Tai Tan looked at Bai Ye and asked, "What... what business do you have with me, sir?"

"Naturally, I want your Strength Clan to submit to me. I wonder whether you, its chief, agree." Bai Ye smiled faintly, accepted a cup of tea that Dugu Yan had taken from her Soul Tool, and took a sip.

Tai Tan froze.

Tai Nuo and Tai Long, however, turned deathly pale. They felt that Spirit Hall had come to finish the reckoning it had left unfinished all those years ago.

They knew their father's and grandfather's temperament all too well. Otherwise, he would have defected to Spirit Hall back then.

Bai Ye had fought his way to their doorstep today and openly declared his intentions before so many people. If they refused, death would be their only fate.

As for taking their enemy down with them, they could not even entertain the thought.

Even the Upper Three Sects had failed to do that. How could their Strength Clan, a subordinate clan of the Clear Sky Sect, possibly manage it?

Dad! Grandpa! You can't be stubborn anymore. You have to agree!

Tai Nuo and Tai Long shouted inwardly.

How could Tai Tan himself not understand? Yet he truly did not want to join Spirit Hall, while also being unable to disregard his clansmen's lives.

Otherwise, would he still deserve to be their chief?

Tai Tan was torn, but Bai Ye gave him no time.

"I know you're conflicted. After all, your master is Tang Hao. Don't wonder how I know. The intelligence Spirit Hall possesses is not something a mere Soul Douluo like you can comprehend."

To the onlookers, the scene was rather comical.

A Soul King was calling a Soul Douluo "mere."

Although Tai Tan was displeased, he dared not express it. Bai Ye was Spirit Hall's Holy Son, after all.

"Don't look at me like that." Bai Ye swept his gaze around the crowd before finally resting it on Tai Tan.

"I'm not speaking nonsense. Even as a Soul King, I'm qualified to describe a Soul Douluo that way, because a Soul Douluo is indeed insignificant before me."

As his words fell, Bai Ye released his Apocalypse Domain, enveloping the entire Blue Tyrant Academy.

Everyone except those on his side had all their attributes weakened and felt an overwhelming pressure.

"A domain! You actually have a domain!" Tai Tan exclaimed, staring at Bai Ye as though he were a monster.

Even a Titled Douluo did not necessarily possess a domain.

Moreover, he could sense that Bai Ye's domain was immensely powerful, no weaker than Tang Hao's Divine Slaughter's Domain.

Tai Tan knew that Bai Ye was demonstrating his might to pressure him into joining Spirit Hall. Yet he still did not believe that possessing a domain qualified Bai Ye to call him insignificant. How quaint.

After all, the gap of several dozen levels in Soul Power, along with the disparity in Soul Rings and Soul Skills, was not something a single domain could bridge.

"Oh?" Bai Ye sounded surprised. "You don't seem convinced. How about this? Let's make a wager. If I win, you acknowledge me as your master. If I lose, I'll turn around and leave."

Tai Tan paused, then his eyes lit up. "Do you mean that?"

"The Holy Son's word carries the weight of nine cauldrons." Dugu Yan puffed out her chest proudly.

But Tai Tan ignored her, keeping his eyes fixed on Bai Ye.

Dugu Yan immediately felt displeased and revealed her Martial Soul. Just as she had expected, Tai Tan was visibly startled.

"You're Dugu Bo's granddaughter?"

"Hmph!" Dugu Yan snorted in acknowledgment.

Tai Tan's pupils contracted. The rumors were true.

The Poison Douluo, who had nearly been killed while being hunted by Spirit Hall, really had joined it. Otherwise, how could his granddaughter be accompanying someone from Spirit Hall, especially its Holy Son?

If even the Poison Douluo could turn around and join Spirit Hall after suffering such treatment, why could his Strength Clan not do the same?

This was clearly another display of Bai Ye's authority.

"I do not make empty promises," Bai Ye said.

Tai Tan returned to his senses, set aside his thoughts, and asked, "What are we wagering on?"

"Since you disagree with what I said earlier, we'll wager on whether I can defeat you."

"What?" Before Tai Tan could say anything more, the people around them were already astonished.

A Soul King fighting a Soul Douluo?

Did Spirit Hall's Holy Son really intend to bring the Strength Clan under his command?

Even Tai Tan, Tai Nuo, and Tai Long had the same thought.

As a Power Attack System Soul Master who pursued pure strength, Tai Tan's attacks were no weaker than those of a Titled Douluo.

Bai Ye, however, was merely a Five-Ring Soul King. Even a generous estimate would only put his strength at the level of a Soul Sage.

Even if he exceeded that estimate and rivaled a Soul Douluo, he would still be no match for Tai Tan.

Most importantly, Bai Ye was a support-type Soul Master!

"Grandpa, accept!"

"Dad, what are you hesitating for?!"

Tai Nuo and Tai Long spoke at the same time. Without turning his head, Tai Tan merely looked at Bai Ye in disbelief.

"Are you certain?"

"I am."

"But you're a support-type..."

"It doesn't matter. If you don't dare, then obediently kneel and acknowledge me as your master."

At those words, Tai Tan could no longer suppress his temper.

"Fine! In that case, I certainly won't refuse. Let's fight!"

Tai Tan shouted, immediately activated his Martial Soul Avatar, and threw a punch at Bai Ye.

Of course, he restrained his strength and did not even use a Soul Skill, afraid that Bai Ye would be unable to withstand it and that one punch would force him to use Blood Escape.

After all, he was no longer the Chief Tai Tan of twelve years ago. Time had worn away many of his rough edges. As chief, he had to shoulder his responsibilities. With his former temper, he would have chosen to perish along with his enemy long ago.

"Ah!" Dugu Yan cried out. Tai Tan's punch carried tremendous force, and he showed no intention of sparing her.

"It's all right." Bai Ye smiled confidently. His second Soul Ring lit up, activating Holy Light Protection, and a nearly transparent protective barrier appeared around both him and Dugu Yan.

Bai Ye was now at level sixty. Although he had yet to obtain his sixth Soul Ring, Holy Light Protection could already withstand any Soul Emperor-level attack and endure several attacks from a Soul Sage.

Now that he was within his Apocalypse Domain, Holy Light Protection's effectiveness increased substantially, allowing it to withstand even a Soul Douluo's attacks.

Combined with Tai Tan holding back, this seemingly earth-shattering punch failed to break the protective barrier. It did not even leave a crack.

Furthermore, when Tai Tan's fist struck the barrier, there was none of the expected deafening noise. Instead, it was as though someone had pressed a mute button.

"What?" Dugu Yan was bewildered, staring at Tai Tan before her in disbelief.

This was her first time experiencing Holy Light Protection. Despite Bai Ye's reassurance, Tai Tan's punch had still frightened her into wetting herself.

That was not a figure of speech. She really had soaked a patch of her clothes.

Even though the punch had not harmed her in the slightest.

Tai Tan, however, was even more bewildered than she was.

Are you kidding me?!

I didn't put everything into that punch, but it still wasn't something a support-type like you should have been able to block.

And you weren't affected in the slightest!

He knew that Bai Ye's second Soul Skill had taken effect. At that moment, he seemed to understand why the Upper Three Sects had wanted to hunt Bai Ye down.

The onlookers were all equally stunned.

Yet Bai Ye, who had caused all this, showed little reaction. His third Soul Ring lit up, and while casting Purification on Dugu Yan to remove the filth, he unleashed his Self-Created Soul Skill.

"Apocalypse," Bai Ye said softly. The Apocalypse Hammer instantly transformed into an enormous golden orb and suddenly appeared directly above Tai Tan.

Without giving Tai Tan time to react, the Apocalypse Orb unleashed its attacks, like a shower of golden rain.

Only then did Tai Tan react. His expression changed dramatically as he sensed a threat to his life. No longer holding back, he unleashed his powerful eighth Soul Skill to oppose the Apocalypse Orb's attacks.

But his efforts were destined to be futile.

Bai Ye currently had his Apocalypse Domain active, and Honor Blessing had remained on him ever since he activated the domain. Moreover, this Soul Skill, comparable to the Hell White Tiger, had previously robbed twelve Soul Douluos from the Clear Sky Sect of their ability to resist.

Now that he had reached level sixty, all his attributes had increased further, and Honor Blessing's effectiveness had improved as well.

If he used his full strength, the current Apocalypse Orb would not merely render those twelve Soul Douluos unable to resist. It would annihilate them, body and soul.

Thus, even with Tai Tan unleashing his full strength and Bai Ye holding back, Tai Tan still could not withstand it.

"How is this possible?" Tai Tan's pupils contracted. This was simply not a Soul Skill that a Soul King could unleash.

Yet that was the reality.

The truth was just that terrifying.

When the golden rain stopped, Tai Tan lay in a pool of blood, without a single intact spot on his body. He had been riddled like a sieve, his breathing faint. Without treatment, he would soon die.

For a moment, the entire crowd fell silent again.

"Dad!" "Grandpa!" Tai Nuo and Tai Long turned pale and shouted. Somehow, they found the strength to rush toward Tai Tan, no longer feeling the injuries Bai Ye had inflicted on them earlier.

By now, Dugu Yan was fine, but her large eyes kept darting between Bai Ye and Tai Tan.

Dugu Bo had never told her that Bai Ye, a Support Soul Master, actually possessed such formidable combat strength.

She truly had been shocked again and again.

"Young Master Ye," Dugu Yan murmured, looking at Bai Ye with dreamy eyes.

"Stop crying." Bai Ye naturally noticed Dugu Yan's state, but he did not respond to her. Instead, he addressed the weeping Tai Nuo and Tai Long.

The onlookers watched without saying a word.

It was not that they did not want to express their shock, but that they dared not.

"Are we not even allowed to cry?" Tai Long asked through his tears. His grandfather was clearly not going to survive.

"So this is Spirit Hall's Holy Son!" Tai Nuo glared viciously at Bai Ye, about to spew threats like the mournful howls of a stray dog.

But Bai Ye gave him no opportunity. With a single glance, his immense spiritual power silenced Tai Nuo. Tai Long received the same treatment.

Of course, he had not killed them. They had truly fallen quiet by fainting.

Then, under everyone's gaze, he strolled over to Tai Tan. Without a word, his fourth Soul Ring lit up.

Rapid Healing activated.

In the blink of an eye, Tai Tan, who had been riddled like a sieve, was restored to his original condition. Not a single injury remained on his body. Even his manhood, half of which had been severed by the Apocalypse Orb, had grown back.

Yes, in just the blink of an eye, Tai Tan was like a perfectly healthy person again.

To be precise, he was in far better condition than before.

After all, Rapid Healing had also resolved his hidden injuries.

"This..." Tai Tan looked at Bai Ye in utter shock, his expression seeming to ask a question.

How is this possible?

At the same time, all the spectators, including Dugu Yan, stood petrified.

The scene before them was simply beyond their understanding.

What did they mean, a support-type Soul King had defeated a Power Attack System Soul Douluo in a single move?

What did it mean for a support-type Soul King to completely heal a gravely wounded, dying Soul Douluo in the blink of an eye?

"You lost," Bai Ye said mildly.

Tai Tan trembled. He had lost, and utterly at that.

Only now did he truly understand the Upper Three Sects' actions.

"I lost." After saying those words, Tai Tan seemed to age decades in an instant.

He had lost, but deep down, he refused to accept it.

He could not believe that a Soul Douluo like him, whose attack power rivaled a Titled Douluo's, was no match for Bai Ye.

He had merely been careless earlier.

Yet he also understood that this was nothing more than an excuse.

"I get the feeling you're not quite convinced?" Bai Ye gave him a teasing smile.

"No," Tai Tan said.

"Then why haven't you called me Master yet?"

At those words, Tai Tan froze in place.

"Ah, why put yourself through this? Although I've always won people over with virtue, you can't take an inch and demand a mile. Fine, since I'm in a good mood today, I'll make you accept your defeat wholeheartedly. Doesn't your Strength Clan specialize in strength? Then let's clash head-on once. If you lose, you'll lead your Strength Clan in submitting to me."