Instead of handing the brocade plate directly to Xuan Ming, Bibi Dong stepped forward and, under the gaze of countless astonished eyes, gently opened her arms and embraced Xuan Ming!
Not only that, she leaned down slightly and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, placed a gentle yet clear kiss on Xuan Ming's forehead!
Like Startling Thunder from a clear sky!
The entire square erupted in chaos!
"What?!"
" Her His Holiness the Pope... what did she do?!"
"She actually kissed Xuan Ming?!"
"This... how is this possible?!"
Exclamations, gasps, and incredulous screams instantly filled the entire square!
Everyone was stunned by this scene that was completely beyond their imagination!
Pope Bibi Dong, the supreme ruler of the Spirit Hall, a synonym for nobility and aloofness, actually kissed a boy in front of everyone?!
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo stood up abruptly, their faces filled with shock and astonishment. They knew that Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong had a close relationship, but they never expected it to be so... intimate!
Yu Yuanzhen's pupils contracted, and lightning flashed uncontrollably around him for a moment.
On the Shrek Academy's side, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others were completely dumbfounded, their minds going blank.
Yu Xiaogang felt as if he had been struck by lightning; his whole body trembled violently, his eyes filled with insane jealousy, humiliation, and disbelief! That woman... that woman actually...
Xuan Ming's body seemed to stiffen slightly for a moment, but he quickly recovered and let Bibi Dong complete the ritualistic kiss, then took the brocade tray from her hands.
Bibi Dong acted as if she had done something insignificant, her expression remaining indifferent, as if the shocking act she had just performed was not her doing.
Just as the entire audience erupted in uproar, and the atmosphere became extremely bizarre—
"Wait... wait a minute!"
A hoarse, trembling voice, yet carrying a resolute air of desperation, suddenly rang out, forcefully drowning out the noise of the scene.
In the Shrek Academy viewing area, Yu Xiaogang suddenly pushed aside Flender and Liu Erlong, who were supporting him, and staggered out.
His face was deathly pale, his lips trembled, and his eyes were bloodshot from extreme emotion as he stared intently at Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong on the high platform.
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to it.
On the high platform, Golden Crocodile Douluo's lips curled into an extremely subtle, triumphant smile.
" Yu Xiaogang?" Bibi Dong frowned slightly, her voice icy. "What business do you have here? How dare you make a scene like this!"
Yu Xiaogang trembled instinctively as Bibi Dong's icy gaze swept over him, but remembering the promise and support of Golden Crocodile Douluo, and the endless humiliation inflicted upon him by this "dog couple," he gritted his teeth and, as if going all out, roared with all his might:
" Your His Holiness the Pope! Esteemed seniors and colleagues present! I, Yu Xiaogang, am here today to expose a shocking conspiracy! To expose a demon hidden in the highest echelons of the Spirit Hall, who cultivates using Evil methods and has harmed countless Soul Master!"
He pointed sharply at Xuan Ming on the high platform, his voice shrill. "It's him! Xuan Ming! His Martial Soul Blood Spear, is an Evil Martial Soul that feeds on the life force and Soul Power of others!"
"The reason he has been able to progress so rapidly and possess such bizarre power is because he has been cultivating by relentlessly slaughtering his opponents and absorbing their life force Soul Power in the life-or-death battles of the Heaven Dou City Great Soul Arena!"
"How is this any different from the behavior of Fallen Soul Master?!"
Upon hearing this, the entire room fell into a deathly silence!
Everyone was stunned by Yu Xiaogang's earth-shattering accusation!
Devouring life force for cultivation? Fallen Soul Master? This accusation is utterly appalling!
Xuan Ming stared coldly at Yu Xiaogang, who was acting like a madman below the stage, without saying a word.
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with a cold light, her killing intent almost tangible. " Yu Xiaogang! Do you know what a crime it is to slander the champion and the Spirit Hall?!"
"Slander?!" Yu Xiaogang laughed maniacally. "I have witnesses! Elder Golden Crocodile! Please allow me to present my witnesses!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo stood up at the opportune moment and said in a deep voice, "This matter is of great importance. If such evil spirits truly exist, the Spirit Hall will not tolerate it! Bring witnesses!"
Soon, several paladin knights escorted a middle-aged man who looked terrified, was richly dressed, but was trembling like a leaf.
He is the head of the Heaven Dou City Great Soul Arena!
The person in charge knelt down with a thud, trembling under the icy gaze of Golden Crocodile Douluo, and said, "It's... it's true... Xuan Ming has indeed been participating in life-or-death battles in our Great Soul Arena for a long time... His... his Martial Soul is very strange. Every time he kills an opponent, the opponent becomes like a dried corpse... We... we dare not make a fuss, and because it involves His Highness the Crown Prince and the Education Commissioner, we can only help cover it up..."
Whoa--!!!
The scene completely erupted!
The witness testimony is irrefutable! And it's the person in charge of the Great Soul Arena!
Countless gazes instantly focused on Xuan Ming, filled with shock, fear, disgust, and disbelief!
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to actually dare to do this, and Golden Crocodile Douluo had even prepared witnesses! This was a deliberate attempt to destroy Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong!
"Not only that!" Yu Xiaogang seemed encouraged, his voice becoming even sharper. He pointed at Xuan Ming again, and Bibi Dong beside him, shouting with a vengeance:
"The reason he can act so recklessly is because Pope Bibi Dong is backing him up! They're all in cahoots!"
" The Pope knew about his Evil deeds all along, yet he has always protected and condoned them! It's even possible... it's possible the Pope orchestrated all of this! They are the biggest cancer in the Spirit Hall! They are the Fallen Soul Master leaders disguised in the cloak of light!!"
The last fig leaf has been completely torn away, and the spearhead is pointing directly at Pope Bibi Dong!
At that moment, the entire venue was so silent you could hear a pin drop; the air seemed to freeze.
A glint flashed in Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes, knowing the time had come. He abruptly stood up, his powerful aura instantly enveloping the entire area, his voice booming like Thunderclap:
"Guardian Knights! Seal off the entire area! No one is to move!"
Rumble!
The paladin knights, who had been positioned all around, moved instantly, drawing their swords and activating their Soul Ring, completely surrounding the plaza.
At the same time, several terrifying auras suddenly erupted from the depths of the Pope's Palace!
In a flash, four figures silently appeared behind Golden Crocodile Douluo!
It was none other than the Snake Lance Douluo, Porcupinefish Douluo, Demon Bear Douluo, and Ghost Leopard Douluo from the Elder Hall!
That wasn't all; two even more terrifying, almost suffocating pressures descended from the sky!
The two elders, Qian Jun Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo, also appeared simultaneously, standing on either side of Golden Crocodile Douluo!
The terrifying pressure from seven Titled Douluo was like seven mountains, pressing down heavily on the entire plaza!
It made all the Soul Master feel short of breath and their Soul Power stagnate; those with slightly weaker strength even collapsed to the ground!
Golden Crocodile Douluo's icy gaze swept across the entire arena, finally settling on Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, whose faces were extremely grim:
" Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, this matter concerns the internal affairs of our Spirit Hall, and is related to the reputation of the Spirit Hall and the safety of the continent. I urge you both... not to make a mistake."
"No one present is allowed to leave or make any rash moves until the matter is clarified!"
Chapter 289 Thunder God's Wrath
"The evidence is conclusive, with both witnesses and physical evidence!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's voice boomed like a bell, carrying an unquestionable majesty, and his icy gaze pressed down on Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong as if it were a tangible force.
" Xuan Ming possesses an Evil Martial Soul and cultivates by devouring human blood and qi. Such behavior is intolerable to heaven and earth, making him no different from Fallen Soul Master! According to the laws of the Spirit Hall, his cultivation should be immediately abolished, and he should be detained for trial!"
He paused, then turned to Bibi Dong, whose face was icy cold. His tone softened slightly, but it became even more imposing. " Your His Holiness the Pope, this matter occurred under your rule, and you have a close relationship with Xuan Ming. To avoid suspicion, before the truth comes to light, I request that you temporarily relinquish Pope authority to the Elder Hall."
"Once the truth is uncovered, if you are indeed innocent, the Elder Hall will restore justice to you, and the authority will be returned to you."
This statement is tantamount to openly deposing the Pope!
" Golden Crocodile! How dare you!" Bibi Dong slammed her scepter down heavily, her terrifying Divine Slaughter's Domain almost bursting out uncontrollably, but it was firmly locked in place by the mountain-like heavy aura of the two retainers, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, making it difficult for her to make any rash moves.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei's expressions changed drastically. Just as they were about to make a move, the auras of the two Douluo, Demon Bear and Ghost Leopard, coiled around them like venomous snakes.
Dugu Bo, who was in the distance, was firmly locked in place by the energy of the Snake Lance and the Pufferfish, and was unable to move.
The atmosphere in the entire square was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring, ready to snap at any moment!
Just then, Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen stepped forward, his body crackling with lightning, and his voice boomed like thunder. "Elder Golden Crocodile is absolutely right! Such evil spirits must not be tolerated!"
"Furthermore, this boy, Xuan Ming, once trespassed into the forbidden area of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, stole the most precious treasure that my sect has guarded for a thousand years, and was even more ruthless, freezing my younger brother Yu Luomian, in the Ice Seal, leaving him crippled! This is a blood feud!"
"Today, I, Yu Yuanzhen, representing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, demand that this boy's cultivation be abolished, that he hand over our sect's most precious treasure, and that he be taken to our sect to await further judgment!"
Another sect leader from Upper Three Sects has spoken out, his criticism aimed directly at Xuan Ming, instantly making the situation even more unfavorable for Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong!
Ning Fengzhi was extremely anxious. He knew that all of this was a conspiracy meticulously planned by Golden Crocodile Douluo, aimed at bringing down Bibi Dong and eliminating Xuan Ming. He had to step forward and try to stabilize the situation, at least to prevent it from spiraling out of control.
He stepped forward and said loudly, " Golden Crocodile, Sect Master Yu, there are still many doubts in this matter. Is it too arbitrary to convict the Pope and the Champion based solely on one person's words? Shouldn't we...?"
" Sect Master Ning!" Golden Crocodile Douluo interrupted him without any politeness, his voice icy cold and carrying a naked warning.
"This matter concerns the internal affairs of the Spirit Hall, but it also relates to the safety of the continent. The chain of evidence is clear and conclusive! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be wise to protect itself and refrain from... making a mistake!"
He emphasized the last two words heavily, and a powerful pressure surged towards Ning Fengzhi like a tide. Although Sword Douluo Chen Xin blocked it with a cold snort, the threatening intent was already obvious!
Golden Crocodile Douluo surveyed the entire scene, looking at the crowd who were silenced by the pressure of the seven Titled Douluo, at Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo with their ugly expressions, at Yu Xiaogang who seemed to be going crazy, at Yu Yuanzhen was rolling with Thunderclap, and finally his gaze fell on Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong, who were isolated in the center.
The outcome is decided!
Today, we will eliminate these two major threats in one fell swoop and completely seize power from the Spirit Hall and place it under the control of the Elder Hall!
"Guardian Knights!" Golden Crocodile Douluo roared again, "Take down Xuan Ming! Seal off the Pope's Palace! No one is to enter or leave without my order!"
Just as the Temple Knights were steeling themselves and preparing to charge towards the platform—
Xuan Ming, who had been silent all along, finally raised his head.
His gaze was terrifyingly calm as it slowly swept over the righteous and indignant Golden Crocodile, over the murderous Yu Yuanzhen and triumphant Yu Xiaogang, and finally landed on the icy-cold face of Bibi Dong beside him, where he shook his head slightly.
Then, he stepped forward, shielding Bibi Dong slightly behind him, facing the surging crowd below and the menacing enemy above.
"Are you done talking?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying a chilling calmness.
"After all this performance, your so-called evidence is just a useless dog kicked out of its home by its owner, and a cowardly witness who can change his story at any time?"
He casually glanced at Yu Xiaogang and the person in charge who was trembling like a leaf.
"You want my Martial Soul? You want my life? You want the Pope's power?"
Xuan Ming's gaze finally settled on Golden Crocodile Douluo and Yu Yuanzhen, and his voice suddenly turned cold:
Why waste so much breath?
"Just take action!"
Just as the Temple Knights hesitated, stunned by Xuan Ming's arrogant declaration, Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes flashed with murderous intent, preparing to personally strike and suppress them with Thunderclap—
Suddenly, an incomparably dazzling light shone from Xuan Ming's forehead!
A phantom image of a dragon's head crown, with an ancient and majestic design, seemingly forged from ice crystals and lava, appeared out of thin air— the Ice and Fire Dragon Origin Head Crown!
The moment the first crown appeared, two completely opposite yet perfectly blended auras of extreme cold and extreme heat erupted, turning Xuan Ming's body into a bizarre sight of half ice blue and half crimson!
" Sister Bing."
"Alright, I'll let you experience it first."
The next moment, a dragon Soul Power far more ancient, vast, and cold than Xuan Ming's own soul power surged wildly into his limbs and bones through the Ice and Fire Dragon Origin Head Crown!
Xuan Ming's body surface was quickly covered with a layer of crystal clear ice-blue dragon scale phantoms. His fingertips became sharp, faintly transforming into dragon claws. A terrifying pressure far exceeding that of Soul Emperor, and even surpassing that of an ordinary Titled Douluo, swept out like a storm!
The Ice Dragon King's dragon soul partially possessed him! His strength instantly soared to the level of Titled Douluo!
"What?!" Golden Crocodile Douluo's pupils suddenly contracted, and for the first time, an expression of disbelief appeared on his face!
This kid actually had such a trump card up his sleeve?!
Instantly rising to the Titled Douluo? What kind of bizarre ability is this?!
Alarm bells rang in his mind, and his original plan to take action personally was instantly changed.
This power is unpredictable and mysterious. Let Yu Yuanzhen test its strength first!
" Sect Master Yu! This fiend is vicious and unruly. Please take action and clear our names!" Golden Crocodile Douluo said in a deep voice, directly passing the buck to Yu Yuanzhen, who was eager for revenge.
Yu Yuanzhen, who had long been unable to contain himself, roared upon hearing this, "You brat! Prepare to die!"
His Fifth Soul Ring suddenly lit up, and violent blue-purple Thunderclap shot into the sky like an angry dragon!
He transformed into a bolt of lightning, hurtling straight towards Xuan Ming on the high platform!