Ye Tian revealed his true form, unleashing terrifying energy fluctuations and drawing the energy of heaven and earth from a hundred miles around to him.
Over the past two and a half years, Tang Hao had advanced to Titled Douluo, while Ye Tian's cultivation had reached forty thousand years.
His current combat strength was enough to rival a Super Douluo.
"Just you wait, brat. Sooner or later, I'll kill you."
"Ah Yin, wait here for me. I'll come back for you."
Sensing Ye Tian's aura and his own nearly depleted Ring Detonation energy, Tang Hao dared not linger. He left those threats behind and flew away.
"Hmph, you're lucky you ran fast."
"It's just as well that you ran. Be a good scapegoat for me."
Watching Tang Hao flee into the distance, Ye Tian assumed human form and appeared before Ah Yin, Ghost Douluo, and Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Little Saint Son, it's you?"
Ghost Douluo was utterly shocked to see Ye Tian.
He had never imagined that Ye Tian was so powerful that he could transform into a soul beast and scare off Tang Hao even while he was using Ring Detonation.
Was he human or a soul beast? He was simply terrifying.
"Old Ghost, the Little Saint Son is actually the legendary elder auspicious beast Qilin. He's neither human nor a soul beast."
"Her Highness the Saintess is the woman of destiny he chose."
"I pledged myself to Her Highness the Saintess long ago. Now His Holiness the Pope is critically wounded and might not survive."
"Why don't you join me in serving Her Highness the Saintess? Together, we'll help her ascend to the papacy and unite the Douluo Continent."
"I believe Her Highness the Saintess will put us to good use and let us prove our worth."
Since Ye Tian had already revealed his identity, Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately extended an invitation to Ghost Douluo.
"I..."
Hearing this, Ghost Douluo instantly understood why Chrysanthemum Douluo had treated Ye Tian and Bibi Dong with such respect these past few years. He had switched sides long ago.
"Old Ghost, stop hesitating."
Chrysanthemum Douluo knew Ye Tian's temperament and methods. He feared that if Ghost Douluo refused, Ye Tian would decide to kill him.
"All right, I'm willing!"
Seeing the unfriendly look in Ye Tian's eyes, Ghost Douluo dared not hesitate and immediately agreed.
"Good, but I still can't trust you."
"Only by placing you under my control can I leave nothing to chance."
"Since you've decided to pledge your undying loyalty, surrender your soul. Otherwise, I'll kill you right now."
Ye Tian would never readily trust someone's words.
In his eyes, only slaves whose souls he controlled would never betray him.
"Don't even think about it!"
Ghost Douluo immediately flared with anger when Ye Tian demanded his soul.
How was surrendering his soul any different from becoming a slave, controlled by someone else for the rest of his life?
"Old Ghost, just surrender your soul. The Little Saint Son and Her Highness the Saintess won't let you down."
"The Little Saint Son took control of my soul two years ago, and haven't I been living perfectly well?"
"Once Qian Xunji dies, Her Highness the Saintess can ascend to the throne. Then we'll be honored for our service, rather than being nothing but Qian Xunji's dogs like we are now."
"Old Ghost, we've been friends for decades. Don't you trust me?"
"I don't want to lose you."
Seeing Ghost Douluo refuse, Chrysanthemum Douluo pleaded desperately.
He feared that a moment of recklessness would cost Ghost Douluo his life.
"Old Chrysanthemum, I..."
Learning that Chrysanthemum Douluo had long since been placed under Ye Tian's control, Ghost Douluo's eyes filled with hesitation.
Thinking it over carefully, Ye Tian and Bibi Dong did usually treat Chrysanthemum Douluo well. At the very least, they gave them respect.
What difference was there between being a dog for Qian Xunji and Spirit Hall and being someone else's dog?
He would be a dog either way. Finding a good master was what mattered.
Perhaps Ye Tian was a good master.
He would take the gamble!
"Little Saint Son, I'm willing to surrender my soul to you. I hope you'll treat us with respect."
"Otherwise, I won't obey your orders even if it means death."
Ghost Douluo made up his mind and submitted to Ye Tian.
"You're a smart man."
"Don't resist what comes next, or your soul will be scattered to the winds."
Ye Tian nodded in satisfaction, raised his hand, and sent a strand of Qilin Origin Power into Ghost Douluo's body, forming a Qilin Mark deep within his soul.
Sensing what Ye Tian was doing, Ghost Douluo dared not resist and could only endure the discomfort.
Once the Qilin Mark took shape, Ghost Douluo's soul would remain under Ye Tian's control forever.
A single thought from him would be enough to take Ghost Douluo's life.
"All done. From now on, you belong to Bibi Dong and me."
"Take Qian Xunji back to Spirit Hall now. Say that while hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that had taken human form, you encountered Tang Hao and got into a dispute with him. Tang Hao smashed Qian Xunji into this state with a single hammer blow."
"Leave the rest to Bibi Dong and me."
"Remember, don't deliberately lie. Just tell the truth without revealing my involvement."
"As long as you don't conceal anything else, Qian Daoliu won't find any holes in your story."
"You can return now. Once Bibi Dong ascends to the papacy, I'll help your Soul Power Levels break through to rank ninety-six and promote you to enshrined positions."
After giving Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo these instructions, Ye Tian left with Ah Yin and raced back to Spirit Hall.
He and Ah Yin had barely returned when Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo arrived, carrying the critically wounded Qian Xunji.
For a moment, all of Spirit Hall boiled over.
When Bibi Dong saw that Qian Xunji was gravely wounded and close to death, she was so delighted that she nearly jumped for joy in her courtyard.
For now, she could only suppress her happiness and follow Ye Tian's arrangements, going to visit Qian Xunji at once.
Qian Daoliu rushed over at great speed, his face filled with worry.
Qian Xunji's room was packed with healing-type soul masters and doctors, all trying to find a way to treat his injuries.
"Great Enshrined, we were useless. We failed to protect His Holiness the Pope. Please punish us."
Upon seeing Qian Daoliu, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo dropped to their knees and took the initiative to beg forgiveness.
Looking at Qian Xunji as he received treatment, Qian Daoliu drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressed his anger, and asked sternly, "Elder Ju, Ghost Elder, what exactly happened?"
"Great Enshrined, it was Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect. He did all of this..."
Chrysanthemum Douluo gave Qian Daoliu a detailed account of what had happened. Apart from concealing Ye Tian's appearance, he told almost no lies and recounted the facts.
Qian Daoliu was an old fox. Watching their eyes and listening to their account, he knew they were not lying.
"Elder Ju, Ghost Elder, you're both badly injured too. Go back and rest."
"To think Tang Hao actually learned Tang Chen's Ring Detonation!"
"I'll get to the bottom of this. Tang Hao won't get off lightly!"
Qian Daoliu knew how formidable Ring Detonation was. If Tang Hao truly had reached Titled Douluo, then using Ring Detonation could indeed allow him to inflict severe injuries on Qian Xunji.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were also seriously injured, so their account was likely true.
Since both had done their best, he could hardly hold them responsible.
After all, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were both Titled Douluos and elders of the Elder Hall.
Punishing them harshly would surely unsettle everyone.
"Great Enshrined, we won't leave. We'll stay by His Holiness the Pope's side."
Chrysanthemum Douluo exchanged a glance with Ghost Douluo and began putting his acting skills to work.
Ye Tian had said that only by staying here could they reduce Qian Daoliu's suspicions.
"Ah, very well. Stay here and tend to your injuries."
Seeing that the two were quite loyal, Qian Daoliu sighed and stepped forward to examine Qian Xunji's injuries himself.
He might have been fine had he not looked, but one look gave him a fright.
Qian Xunji's bones and internal organs were shattered, clearly smashed apart by an overwhelmingly forceful power.
Judging by Qian Xunji's injuries, they had indeed been caused by the Clear Sky Hammer.
Healing his injuries would be exceedingly difficult.
Even if he recovered, he might still be left crippled.
Damn that Tang Hao! How dare he beat his son into such a state?
Unforgivable!
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