His Act Backfired

Two days later, at the appointed time for Spirit Hall's meeting, the Two Great Empires, the major sects, and the other powers had all arrived.

Apart from the reclusive powers, nearly every faction with a Soul Douluo had been invited. Of course, those whose strongest members were only Soul Douluo were destined to be spectators.

Then again, that was not entirely true. The Clear Sky Sect's strongest members were now Soul Douluo too, yet the sect was one of the main subjects of the meeting.

As master of one of the Upper Three Sects, Tang Xiao could hardly be absent. However unwilling he was, if he failed to come, Spirit Hall would probably seize on it as an excuse to make things even harder for him.

Even though he knew the Clear Sky Sect would be held up as the bad example.

Bibi Dong glanced over the seated guests and asked the bishop in charge of receiving them:

"Is everyone here?"

"Your Holiness, Ye Renxin is traveling the continent, and we couldn't locate him, so his invitation was never delivered. Aside from him, Lou Gao of the Blacksmith Association, Tai Tan of the Strength Clan, and... Grandmaster? Yu Xiaogang haven't arrived."

The bishop sounded uncertain. Inwardly, he wondered:

Yu Xiaogang? Who's that? Did I invite him? And why is he called Grandmaster? Has he earned that title?

Bibi Dong's brow twitched at the bishop's report. This was probably Qian Xunji's doing again. She had not invited Yu Xiaogang. She did not even intend to look at him, so why would she ask him to come?

She had planned to wait until events developed further before finding a chance to get rid of Yu Xiaogang, not do it now.

As for Lou Gao, Tai Tan, and Ye Renxin, their absences were within her expectations. She intended to bring Lou Gao over to her side in the future. When the time came, she could use this as a reason to give him a hard time, then offer him something in return afterward.

As for Tai Tan, she would have dealt with him long ago if she had not intended to leave him for Tang San. But she could not let this slide either. She could bring him over to expand Spirit City and make him work for Spirit Hall for a few years without pay. All that strength would go to waste otherwise.

Ye Renxin... She would deal with him later. There was no rush.

Outside Spirit Hall, Yu Xiaogang had no idea he was late. Head held high, he did not spare the guards a glance as he made to enter.

"Hold it! Who are you? Unauthorized people aren't allowed inside!"

A level-sixty-one Soul Emperor guard grabbed Yu Xiaogang and pulled him back. He might have used a little too much force, though: Yu Xiaogang went flying and rolled several times.

"Huh? I barely used any strength."

Yu Xiaogang cried out in pain as he slowly got to his feet. Pointing at the guard, he demanded:

"How dare you throw me out! Do you know who I am?"

The guard picked his nose. "Who are you, then? A level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster?"

Yu Xiaogang gave a crooked smile and looked at the guard as though he were an insect.

"I am Grandmaster, renowned across the continent! Your Pope invited me here!"

"Grandmaster? Never heard of you. And you dare claim you were invited? On any other day, I'd give you a beating. But there are important people here today, so I'll let you off for now!"

"Hmph. What if I produce an invitation? Care to bet? If I win, you'll kneel right here and apologize. If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me!"

Seeing how certain Yu Xiaogang looked, the guard hesitated. For the moment, reason and professional discipline won out over impulse.

He could not believe the higher-ups would invite a mere level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster, but he did not dare take the bet. What if it was true? Besides, the man might look a little foolish, but he was certainly confident.

Yu Xiaogang, meanwhile, could barely contain his delight. He had arrived late on purpose. He wanted to be the last to enter and leave a deep impression on all the continent's powers by letting them underestimate him.

Then, during the meeting, he would astonish everyone! The whole continent would hear the name of Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang! Better yet, he would impress Dong'er and make her fall in love with him again!

What he had not expected was for this guard to be so blind. True, he had not shown his invitation, but just look at his bearing! What was there to doubt? Did he not carry himself like an expert?

Worse still, the guard had pulled so hard that he had fallen flat on his face!

Once he got inside, he would tell Dong'er all about it and have this blind guard fired! Then he would make the man apologize properly.

Still, things were not turning out too badly. The guard had practically handed him a chance to show off. He would put on a fine display right in front of him!

Just as the guard was about to ask Yu Xiaogang to show his invitation, a voice reached his ear.

He paused. All his hesitation vanished, leaving only disdain.

"Fine! It's a bet! If you can't produce an invitation, you'll kneel here and bark like a dog!"

"Haha! You blind little security guard! You really dared to bet with me? Get ready to kneel and apologize!"

With that, Yu Xiaogang began searching his pockets.

But as time passed, his expression shifted from smug confidence to grim urgency, then to panic and disbelief.

"That's not right. I remember putting it right here. Where's my invitation?"

"Hmph. A liar, just as I thought. You're still trying to fool me? You've got nerve! I'll give you thirty more seconds. If you still can't produce it... heh heh."

"Don't be so impatient! You'll regret this soon enough!"

Thirty seconds later.

"Brother, listen to me. I really was invited. I must have lost the invitation or forgotten to bring it. That's all this is. How about we meet halfway? Let me in, and I'll have His Holiness the Pope confirm it herself. Then I won't make you kneel and apologize. What do you say?"

"You've got some nerve! Still trying to lie to me? Guards! Seize him! Once the lords inside are finished today, I'll make him bark like a dog right here!"

"No! You wouldn't dare! I'm Grandmaster! I know your Pope, Bibi Dong! I'm also the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's master! Let me in! They can all vouch for me!"

The other guards had long since had enough of him. Without waiting for another word, they seized him.

"Still shouting? You think you can address His Holiness the Pope by name? Slap him!"

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

The rapid slaps rang out between Yu Xiaogang's screams.

"Damn it, cover his mouth! Stop him shouting! Don't let him disturb the lords inside!"

"Bibi Dong! Come out! It's me, Yu Xiaogang! Save me!"

When he heard they were going to cover his mouth, Yu Xiaogang shouted with all his strength. It was his last chance. If these damned guards dragged him away, there was no telling what humiliation awaited him.

He no longer cared if Bibi Dong came out and saw him in this state.

"What are you doing? How did you let him shout?" The guard captain looked anxiously toward the Papal Palace, hoping the bastard had not disturbed the lords inside.

High above them, Qian Xunji had watched the whole thing. He was laughing so hard he nearly doubled over. He casually folded the invitation in his hand and tossed it into a trash can.