"Very well. Ten li outside the South City Gate. We fight in ten minutes."
With that, Liu Hao strode away from the Papal Palace plaza.
The sparring ground was set so far outside the city mainly because battles between Titled Douluos were far too destructive. Damaging buildings was a minor concern; the real worry was that the shock waves might hurt innocent people.
As for the ten-minute delay, that was naturally to give the Soul Masters time to move over and watch the show.
Although Liu Hao's actions had disrupted the Enfeoffment Ceremony, Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu tacitly refrained from saying anything, effectively giving their approval.
Who could blame him for being so strong? When someone was powerful enough, even the rules would change for him, let alone such a trifling matter.
Soon, ten minutes passed.
Ten li outside Spirit City's south gate, only a few dozen Soul Masters had gathered to watch at close range.
That was because the shock waves from a battle between Titled Douluos could kill or injure any Soul Master below the Soul Douluo rank who encountered them at close range.
Thus, those who had not reached the Soul Douluo rank could only stand in trees several li away or on the walls above Spirit City's south gate, watching from afar through telescopes.
"Of you two, Yue Guan should go first. You're weaker, so this will be over sooner."
Liu Hao looked utterly relaxed and casual.
"...All right."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's lips twitched slightly, but he dared not argue. After nodding his agreement, he stepped forward to prepare for battle.
Seeing this, Sword Douluo naturally had nothing more to say. He nodded and stepped back, leaving room for the two to fight.
At the same time, he silently hoped Yue Guan would not manage to injure Liu Hao. After all, aromatic silk beauty was simply too important to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
This sparring match was straightforward, with no referee, no particular rules, and naturally no unnecessary chatter. Chrysanthemum Douluo released his Martial Soul outright.
A large golden chrysanthemum appeared in the air, giving off an unusual fragrance as it slowly bloomed.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black.
Nine Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet in succession and circled his body.
Yue Guan knew that with his strength, a normal fight would likely end with him being defeated in an instant, without even a chance to attack.
So he tried a little trick, deciding to strike first.
First, he unleashed his Seventh Soul Skill, Tool Soul Avatar. The chrysanthemum instantly swelled in size, enveloping Yue Guan.
Immediately afterward, he released his Third Soul Skill, Flower Fragrance Charm, to bewilder his opponent and disrupt his mind.
Fifth Soul Skill, Petal Blade. Golden petals scattered across the sky, turning into flying blades that shot toward Liu Hao.
Ninth Soul Skill, Chrysanthemum Withers, Wounds Cover the Ground, Falling Flowers Break the Heart! In an instant, the Petal Blades he had already fired were summoned again. They began spinning, accelerating, and slashing around Liu Hao, forming a petal storm infused with the enchanting fragrance of his Third Soul Skill.
Yue Guan hurled his entire smooth little combination at Liu Hao in one go.
The imposing spectacle made even Chen Xin, who was watching nearby, feel somewhat concerned.
Yet Liu Hao was in no hurry at all. He stood calmly in place, quietly waiting for Yue Guan to finish unleashing his combination.
Only at the instant the petal storm took shape did Liu Hao move.
A long staff of deep, dusky blue suddenly appeared in his hand, while nine Soul Rings-two purple, three black, and four red-instantly emerged beneath his feet.
At the same time, the Soul Power throughout Liu Hao's body erupted, pushing his aura to its peak.
The Heaven-Reaching Ambrosial Arbor Wooden Stick blazed with a strange azure light, fully unleashing the oppressive might of a god-king-level Martial Soul.
Hum-
An almost tangible ripple surged outward from Liu Hao's Martial Soul.
The chrysanthemum-petal blades that had been so fierce moments before instantly wilted after the ripple swept through them. Their momentum vanished, and they reverted to harmless ordinary petals, scattering over the ground.
"What?!"
Yue Guan stared in disbelief. His strongest Soul Skill, the one he took such pride in, had actually been dispersed by nothing more than an aura.
But in the next instant, he understood why.
After crushing the petal storm, that terrifying pressure did not stop. It swept straight toward him.
The force of that pressure was nearly invisible, yet its effects were tangible.
Yue Guan felt a brutal force pass through his body. His internal organs churned, and the overwhelming discomfort drained his strength. His vision blurred, and even remaining upright became difficult.
Not only that, terror rose involuntarily from the depths of his heart, and every hair on his body stood on end.
It was as though an Ancient Tyrannosaurus had locked onto him, its terrifying jaws slowly opening to bite down on him.
"I surrender!"
In that desperate moment, Yue Guan mustered all his strength just to shout those words.
The moment he finished speaking, the terrifying pressure vanished completely. His vision cleared, and the discomfort disappeared.
It was as though everything that had just happened had been an illusion.
But Yue Guan knew it was no illusion. It had been absolutely real.
He panted heavily, then suddenly noticed something and touched his forehead. It was cold and damp. Only then did he realize that his head had become drenched in cold sweat without his noticing.
Terrifying. Utterly terrifying.
With pressure alone, Liu Hao had robbed a rank-95 Super Douluo like him of the ability to resist. Was he even human?
The sight left the watching Soul Douluos and Titled Douluos pale with shock, their thoughts churning.
Even Qian Daoliu's eyes were filled with grave apprehension.
Because even if he unleashed his pressure at full strength, he could not suppress a single Titled Douluo-not even one who had only just reached that rank.
Unless he fully released his domain along with his pressure, the two working together might barely restrict the movements of a newly advanced Titled Douluo.
Yet without releasing a domain, Liu Hao could instantly subdue a rank-95 Super Douluo through pressure alone, frightening him into surrendering on the spot!
How powerful would he be if he released his domain as well?
The gap seemed rather vast...
Qian Daoliu's feelings were complicated. He had originally intended to step in afterward and test Liu Hao's strength himself.
Now, it seemed unnecessary.
After all, he currently stood at the pinnacle of the Spirit Hall in authority, status, and strength-the lofty Great Enshrined of the Worship Hall. If he were defeated before such a large crowd, where would he put his face?
"Next. Sword Douluo, come on."
Liu Hao's voice drew everyone out of their thoughts, and they turned their attention back to the fight.
By now, Chrysanthemum Douluo had already left the field and joined the spectators.
Yet fear still lingered in his heart, and he kept recalling what had just happened.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin also wore a solemn expression, his feelings deeply conflicted. Originally, he had been quite confident that he could injure Liu Hao.
After all, he was a rank-96 Power Attack System Titled Douluo, and his top-tier Martial Soul, the Seven Kill Sword, possessed exceptionally formidable destructive power.
Besides, his opponent was only three ranks above him and was not a defense-type Titled Douluo. Surely he could at least break through his defenses?
But now, he truly had no confidence.
Still, as a swordsman, he could never retreat without a fight.
No matter how powerful his opponent was, he would have the courage to draw his sword.
Clang!
A clear metallic cry rang out. As though sensing its master's fighting spirit, Chen Xin's Martial Soul emerged, releasing an exultant ringing note.
The Seven Kill Sword was as clear as crystal, its blade gleaming with a pale-blue, icy light that was strikingly beautiful.
Razor-sharp sword energy spread outward from the blade, as though it could slice apart even the air.
Nine Soul Rings-two yellow, two purple, and five black-spiraled out, adding to his imposing presence.
Facing such a powerful opponent, Chen Xin dared not be careless in the slightest.
He, too, immediately unleashed his Seventh Soul Skill, Seven Kill Avatar.
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