The flower fell to the ground without a sound.
Yet the air before Papal Hall seemed to split beneath a blade.
Xiao Wu stood frozen, the last trace of color draining from her face. She bent instinctively to pick up the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, but Yue Guan's voice rang out from the steps.
"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast."
Those few words froze everyone from Shrek.
Tang San looked down at Xiao Wu.
Scattered details linked together in his mind.
Her familiarity with the Star Dou Great Forest, her strange reaction when the Titan Giant Ape appeared, the glances Bai Jin sometimes cast her way, and now the undisguised killing intent of a Titled Douluo.
Xiao Wu opened her mouth.
"Brother, I..."
Tang San did not let her finish.
He stepped forward and shielded Xiao Wu behind him.
His right arm was still wrapped in bandages, and barely any Soul Power remained in him, but he gripped the Clear Sky Hammer all the same.
"She's Xiao Wu."
Xiao Wu's eyes reddened at once.
Dai Mubai asked no questions. He and Zhu Zhuqing took their places on either side of Tang San. Ma Hongjun had only just received the flame Soul Bone and had not even put away its box. He thrust it into Oscar's hands, and a faint Phoenix Flame rose from his palm.
Ning Rongrong raised the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Two last Recovery Sausages appeared in Oscar's hands.
The seven stood in a line once more.
They had little strength left to fight, but their formation was as neat as it had been at the start of the match.
Bibi Dong descended the steps.
Each time the Pope's Scepter struck the ground, its metallic chime tightened the hearts of the surrounding Soul Masters.
"Tang San, do you know