Watching Jiang Hai walk away, Xu Jiawei sighed. A fierce glint flashed through his eyes, and he gave a slight nod.
An old man appeared, blocking Jiang Hai's path. He was one of the Star Luo Empire's four Guardian Douluos who had previously stood guard beside Xu Jiawei-Deadwood Douluo Nan Kuming.
"Wait!" Figures approached, led by Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu, surrounding the East Cang Academy group so tightly that not even water could seep through. Huang Jinxu looked expressionlessly at Jiang Hai and said, "You cannot leave yet!"
Four auras linked together, seemingly sealing off the very space occupied by the East Cang Academy group. A terrifying pressure spread, and all nine of them instantly turned pale.
Below the stage, the senior members of East Cang Academy erupted in anger. Zhen Weiding shouted, "Huang Jinxu, what are you doing?"
A suit of armor appeared on his body. Eight Soul Rings circled him as he charged toward the stage.
But someone moved faster than him. Nine Soul Rings instantly appeared around Hua Cangsheng. He stepped forward, and a scroll materialized behind him, reflecting a world of mountains and rivers. Bearing the momentum of that landscape, it soared into the sky and swept toward Jiang Hai and the others.
"Hmph! Junior, you've only just become a Titled Douluo, yet you dare show off your axe before master carpenters like us!" A cold shout rang out. A towering figure rose into the sky, likewise surrounded by nine Soul Rings-two yellow, three purple, and five black. His skin gleamed with a dark sheen. He punched, his third, purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring lighting up as his fist surged with sky-shattering force.
"Giant Strength Douluo Cheng Gang!" Hua Cangsheng's expression barely changed. As Cheng Gang's fist hurtled toward him, the scroll unfurled and grew larger