A Great Battle Loomed

The outskirts of Sunset Forest.

The vegetation was dense, and the poisonous mist was thin.

"Xu Xiaonian, don't tell me the good stuff you mentioned is this filthy poisonous mist?"

Frowning, Xu Xiaotang activated her Nine Heart Begonia martial soul to protect the four of them as she questioned Xu Xiaonian beside her.

Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing also looked at Xu Xiaonian curiously.

"What's the rush? In the novels you read, who ever finds treasure without taking risks?"

As Xu Xiaonian answered Xu Xiaotang, he studied the clearly jumbled footprints on the ground beneath them.

Clearly, a group had passed through here not long ago, and quite a sizable one at that.

That was nothing unusual. As one of the continent's larger gathering grounds for soul beasts, Sunset Forest often attracted groups of soul masters hunting soul beasts.

However...

"This is a perfect chance to try the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's third soul skill."

At the thought, Xu Xiaonian immediately summoned the Demon Tiger. Three black soul rings rose from beneath his feet, and the third, noticeably darker ring promptly shone with an intense black light.

"Third Soul Skill, Time Reversal!"

Strange fluctuations spread through the surrounding space and time. A series of images flashed through Xu Xiaonian's eyes: Soul beasts gathering and fighting, soul masters hunting soul beasts and obtaining soul rings...

Everything that had happened in this space over the past three days unfolded before Xu Xiaonian like a film.

He carefully sifted through the information. Most of it was useless, until...

A group appeared, dressed in ordinary clothes, yet each possessed an aura as deep as an abyss. One middle-aged man's face looked very familiar.

It was the Star Luo Prince.

Somewhat surprised, Xu Xiaonian immediately slowed the reversal and focused his mind. Gradually, voices began to emerge.

"Your Highness, every Titled Douluo and stronger expert in our Clear Sky Sect has turned out in force for this mission. Why bother ambushing Heaven Dou? We could simply crush our way through."

A confident expression appeared on Tang Xiao's face.

"No." The Star Luo Prince shook his head. "Although Dugu Bo, their guest elder, is the only Titled Douluo the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has openly, their allies cannot be underestimated."

"Even setting everyone else aside, there are Jian Chenxin and Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. With Ning Fengzhi supporting them at full strength, their combat power should be terrifying."

"Add Poison Douluo Dugu Bo and whatever hidden tricks the Heaven Dou Imperial Family possesses..."

"We absolutely cannot afford carelessness."

Compared to six years ago, the Star Luo Prince was clearly far more solemn on this journey. Their lives were at stake, after all.

Who would have thought the Clear Sky Sect group would merely laugh off his caution?

"Hahaha!"

Tang Xiao was the first to burst into hearty laughter:

"I admit that Sword Douluo Jian Chenxin does pose something of a threat with Ning Fengzhi's support, but our Clear Sky Sect hasn't held the title of the continent's greatest sect all these years for nothing."

"If Jian Chenxin dares to come, I'll have a few mighty hammer blows shatter the edge of his Seven Kill Sword!"

"Besides, whether the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's lone Dugu Bo can even hold out until Jian Chenxin and the others arrive is another question!"

"You're being far too cautious, Your Highness!"

The Star Luo Prince shook his head. "These are His Majesty's orders. We must wait until three days from now and lie in ambush along the route Dugu Bo has to take back to the basin at the center of Sunset Forest. Once we kill him, we'll attack the Heaven Dou Imperial Family directly!"

The six men, Tang Xiao included, exchanged glances. In the end, they nodded and reached an agreement.

The group headed off in a certain direction toward the outskirts, leaving the area.

The images of them ended there.

This footage came from the second day, which meant this was the second day of Tang Xiao's group lying in ambush.

Tomorrow was the day they would ambush and kill Dugu Bo.

That also meant Dugu Bo was not at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well today.

The perfect time to steal vegetables... pfft, pfft! Steal medicinal herbs!

Xu Xiaonian made up his mind. He had no intention of using this information advantage to save anyone or any faction.

Dugu Bo's life? The Heaven Dou Imperial Family's safety? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's safety?

What the hell did any of that have to do with him?

As for Xue Qinghe... sorry, he barely knew the man. He could die for all Xu Xiaonian cared.

Xu Xiaonian did not consider himself a villain who slaughtered innocents, but neither was he a meddlesome do-gooder who scattered kindness everywhere.

Thus, under his guidance, the four of them could avoid the Star Luo group and make their way toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"Xiaotang, Zhu Zhuqing, both of you hold my hands. Hold tight."

Though Xu Xiaotang and Zhu Zhuqing did not understand his intentions, neither hesitated. They each took one of his hands.

"Blue Silver Right Leg Bone, Soul Skill, Flight!"

"Holy Spirit Purcell's Second Seal—Void!"

The three rose into the air, their bodies gradually turning transparent. No longer affected by the poisonous mist, they flew in a certain direction.

In the air.

"Xiaonian." Feeling the warmth of his hand in hers, Xu Xiaotang's voice unconsciously softened as she spoke quietly:

"What did you see through Time Reversal just now?"

Zhu Zhuqing also looked curious.

Xu Xiaonian merely waved a hand. "Nothing major. Just the Star Luo Imperial Family teaming up with the Clear Sky Sect to launch a surprise attack on Heaven Dou."

Xu Xiaotang: "??"

Zhu Zhuqing: "!!"

Both women were stunned. If that did not count as something major, what did?

Xu Xiaotang said, "That's still a very serious matter. Should we report it to His Holiness the Pope?"

"Sure." Xu Xiaonian thought that made sense and took out a token-shaped soul tool.

Bibi Dong had given it to him. As long as he was on the Douluo Continent, he could send her messages anytime, anywhere.

He sent a voice message:

"Your Holiness, through Time Reversal, I saw people from the Star Luo Empire and the Clear Sky Sect..."

The Papal Palace.

Holding the token soul tool, Bibi Dong addressed Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo with a solemn expression:

"Gui Mei, summon the remaining five elders immediately, excluding Elder Pufferfish and Elder Snake Lance, who are carrying out a secret mission. All seven of you are to deploy together!"

"Go to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and follow the orders of His Highness Qian... Xue Qinghe. Help the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect turn the enemy's scheme against them, and wipe out the main forces of the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Clear Sky Sect in one stroke!"

Chrysanthemum Guan and Gui Mei both frowned at her words, unable to understand why they should devote all their strength to helping the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Wouldn't it be better to let the two clams fight while Spirit Hall, the fisherman, reaped the spoils?

Besides, could their nine elders truly stand against the Clear Sky Sect's six Titled Douluo, Tang Xiao included?

That was the Clear Sky Hammer, the continent's greatest tool martial soul!

Even with support from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, they feared it would be difficult to prevent Tang Xiao and the others from escaping without losing several elders.

Chrysanthemum Guan and Gui Mei understood the situation perfectly, but they did not dare voice their doubts.

Even though His Holiness the Pope's temper had improved considerably in recent years, and she no longer had the peculiar habit of killing people at the slightest provocation.

The bloodthirsty impression Bibi Dong had left on them before still ran deep. Helpless, they could only obey.

"As you command, Your Holiness!"

Bibi Dong looked toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, a trace of worry flashing through her beautiful eyes:

"Xiao Xue... I hope you'll be all right. And that brat Xu Xiaonian... don't you die either..."