Coiling Dragon

Of course, Ning Fengzhi had spent the journey probing, sometimes subtly and sometimes less so, for more information about Spirit Hall. Several times he had nearly succeeded, but Qian Jun had stopped him.

He had not been stingy with his money, though. Over the course of their conversations, he had paid another two million Gold Soul Coins. Jiang Mo was delighted, and even Qian Jun smiled now and then.

Ning Fengzhi also had a way with words that left Jiang Mo hanging on his every word. If Spirit Hall and the Upper Three Sects had not been at odds, and if Jiang Mo had not known Ning Fengzhi was only after information, he might truly have made a friend of him.

In the Clear Sky Sect's former Council Hall, Jiang Mo sat in the sect master's seat, while Qian Jun, Ning Fengzhi, and the other two sat in the elders' seats.

"Sect Master Ning, are you sure you don't want to sit up here? It's comfortable. If you don't try it, you're wasting half your admission fee." Jiang Mo sprawled in the chair.

Qian Jun turned his head away. He could not bear to look at his foolish younger brother.

"No, no. Fengzhi is more than satisfied to have spoken with you both for so long today. It was worth every coin."

"Haha! As long as you're happy, Sect Master Ning! You're welcome to visit again. If I'm not here, come find me at Spirit Hall, and I'll accompany you! I'll be your guide!"

"You're too kind, Senior Jiang Mo. Traveling with you is my good fortune. How could I call you a guide?"

Ning Fengzhi quietly pursed his lips. A few more tours with you as my guide, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will go bankrupt.

The two kept talking, looking perfectly at ease together. Ning Fengzhi had nearly coaxed Jiang Mo into acting like a child.

Qian Jun felt somewhat embarrassed by his brother's behavior. Sword Douluo remained aloof, resting with his eyes closed, his thoughts unknown. Bone Douluo was a little indignant and disliked Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, but he did not interrupt.

Under Qian Jun's guidance, Jiang Mo casually let slip a display of Spirit Hall's strength: it had at least ten Titled Douluo.

Ning Fengzhi had been somewhat prepared for the news, but it still unsettled him. If those ten Titled Douluo attacked the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect together, could the sect hold out? Or would it be destroyed—or follow the Clear Sky Sect's example and become a Scenic Area?

Sword Douluo's expression did not change, but he was shocked as well. Spirit Hall's Grand Priest, Qian Daoliu, had defeated his father. Even if his father came back to life, could he stand against Spirit Hall?

Bone Douluo did not want to admit it, but he too marveled inwardly at Spirit Hall's power.

"You flatter us, Sect Master Ning! Spirit Hall's strength is nothing special. Besides, power should be used to preserve peace and stability across the continent, not to harm others through violence."

"Take this incident, for instance. We only sought to avenge Spirit Hall's pontiff. The Clear Sky Sect went too far, and we had no choice. In the end, it was all for the continent's peace and stability."

Ning Fengzhi nodded. In the past, he would never have believed a word of it. But now he knew Spirit Hall had the power to sweep aside all opposition, yet it had never truly expanded. At most, it occasionally put pressure on other factions, and most of the time, it competed fairly with them.

Spirit Hall was practically a benevolent organization! The Angel Spirit's reputation was well deserved!

Ever since Tang Chen had disappeared, the Upper Three Sects had stood together against Spirit Hall. Now the thought struck him as faintly ridiculous. The three sects combined probably could not defeat it.

"One moment, Sect Master Ning. New guests are arriving. Jiang Mo and I must go receive them. Please excuse us." With that, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo vanished.

Ning Fengzhi looked to Sword and Bone Douluo, puzzled.

Sword Douluo released his Soul Power toward the direction the two had gone. Sure enough, he detected new fluctuations.

"That aura... It's the old dragon from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He was probably invited by the Clear Sky Sect too. Should we go take a look?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "No need. Let's wait and see."

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, what do you make of Jiang Mo's claims? I'm not a Titled Douluo, so I can't tell whether they're true. Do you think we can believe them? Could Spirit Hall really have that many Titled Douluo?"

"I think it's probably true. From the details they let slip, I've heard of many of those Titled Douluo, though I can't be certain. There may even be more than they said." Sword Douluo fell silent for a moment before answering.

Bone Douluo did not want to admit it, but he nodded too.

"Sigh. If that's true, Spirit Hall could dominate the entire continent whenever it wished. We'd have no power to resist."

"Fengzhi, don't lose heart. The Two Great Empires would never stand by and let Spirit Hall rule the continent. Even if the Upper Three Sects couldn't resist alone, we'd have the empires' help."

Ning Fengzhi nodded silently and continued discussing the matter with the two Douluo.

After talking for some time, he felt much more at ease. His was a support sect, after all. If they could not win, they could always surrender. They would still be the best support sect in the world.

Besides, apart from the Clear Sky Sect incident, Spirit Hall had shown no obvious desire to expand.

Suddenly, Sword Douluo paused. "They're fighting outside," he said gravely.

Ning Fengzhi smiled as though he had expected it. "Come on, Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone. It's time to have a look."

At the entrance to the Clear Sky Sect Ruins Scenic Area, three figures clashed.

At a glance, the fight seemed evenly matched. In truth, it was two dragons playing with a pearl. No—two staves toying with a dragon.

"I've been sick of you overgrown snakes for a long time! You dare force your way into a Scenic Area belonging to Spirit Hall? Today, I'll beat a snake with a stick!"

With a swing of his staff, Jiang Mo sent Yu Yuanzhen flying toward Qian Jun, who knocked him back. The brothers played a game of ping-pong. Yu Yuanzhen wanted to defend himself or dodge, but he was only level 94. Against two level 96 Titled Douluo working together, he could find no way out and could not keep up with their speed.

On the ground, Yu Luomian watched the battle overhead in mounting panic. Nothing could happen to the sect master. Without him, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would have no Titled Douluo. Yu Luomian's strength as a Soul Douluo was nowhere near enough to uphold its place among the Upper Three Sects. The clan would likely be carved up before long.

"So much for the continent's greatest beast martial soul! A Coiling Dragon Staff is made to coil around snakes like you!"

Yu Yuanzhen heard the insult but could do nothing about it. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was a high-quality martial soul, but the Coiling Dragon Staff was no weaker. Both his opponents also surpassed him by two levels of Soul Power. All he could do was defend and take the blows.

"Enough playing. Let's put him on the ground," Qian Jun said sternly.

"Eighth Soul Skill! Thousand Jun Throw!"

"Eighth Soul Skill! Demon Subduing Coiling Dragon Circle!"

A colossal Coiling Dragon Staff and a blood-red dragon attacked Yu Yuanzhen from either side. Qian Jun and Jiang Mo had sealed off every route of escape. He could only meet them head-on.