The participating teams from the Heaven Dou Division advanced slowly under the escort of the Royal Knights, passing through a small canyon formed by two not-so-high hills.
"Who—?"
Suddenly, a loud shout came from a carriage in the middle of the convoy. The next moment, a silver-haired figure in white soared into the air, his gaze solemnly fixed on the distant hill ahead.
Hearing the commotion from the rear, knowing that Sword Douluo had sensed an unexpected situation, the leading commander of the Royal Knights, who was at the very front of the procession, immediately reined in his Heavenly Soul Warhorse and shouted, "Everyone, be on guard!"
In the next second, three more piercing sounds of air being split echoed, and the figures of Huo Lie, Shui Yanyu, and Dugu Bo appeared beside Chen Xin.
At the same time, under Mu Xiyue's leadership, the teams from Blazing,Sky Water, and Divine Wind Academies quickly disembarked from their carriages. Not far from them, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi also stepped out and gathered together.
Encountering an ambush midway had been within the expectations of the Douluo powerhouses and Ning Fengzhi.
Thus, before departure, they had devised a plan: Chen Xin, Huo Lie, Shui Yanyu, and Dugu Bo would confront the enemy head-on, while Ning Fengzhi, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, and the highly probable target Mu Yang, along with others, would be protected by Mu Xiyue to prevent any sneak attacks.
"Since you're already here, why continue hiding?"
At this moment, Chen Xin narrowed his eyes slightly and taunted the seemingly empty hilltop ahead.
"As expected of Sword Dao Chen Xin, you do have some skill!"
A deep voice rang out from behind the hill, and five figures appeared atop the ridge.
At the center stood a towering, golden-armored middle-aged man with a rugged face, golden hair, and a golden beard. His appearance strongly resembled a "Golden Mane Lion King."
It was this golden-haired, burly middle-aged man who had just spoken.
Flanking him were two soul masters who appeared to be young men. They, too, wore golden armor, and their facial features were strikingly similar, undoubtedly proving them to be blood-related brothers.
Of the remaining two, one was dressed in golden armor and had an extremely seductive appearance, giving off the impression of a courtesan. However, the Adam's apple at his throat confirmed that he was merely a cross-dresser rather than a true woman.
The last figure was completely shrouded in a layer of black mist, exuding a chilling aura. Their face was obscured, but their slender physique indicated that they were either male or female but notably lean.
"Qianjun, Jiangmo, Chrysanthemum, Ghost… Who are you?"
Seeing these five figures, Chen Xin's heart sank, and his expression turned grave as he questioned them.
Among them, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were relatively active within the Spirit Hall, so Chen Xin naturally recognized them.
Qianjun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo had rarely made appearances since joining the Spirit Hall's Worship Hall. However, before their retirement, they had been figures similar to the current Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo—major representatives of the Elder Hall. Moreover, they were only about thirty years older than Chen Xin, so he still remembered them.
But the golden-haired, golden-bearded middle-aged man leading the group—Chen Xin couldn't be certain of his identity.
Yet judging by his position among them and the soul power radiating from his body, this burly, golden-haired man's strength surpassed even Qianjun and Jiangmo and was far superior to the 95th-level Chrysanthemum and Ghost.
"The old man is Golden Lion, ranked fourth in the Spirit Hall's Worship Hall."
The rugged-faced Golden Lion Douluo said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Chen Xin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't know much about the elders of the Worship Hall, but he had heard from his father about the name of the Soul Hall's Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo. He knew that this Golden Crocodile Douluo not only had a high seniority but was also terrifyingly strong, standing at the peak below Rank 99 Limit Douluo.
Previously, Chen Xin had been worried that this person might be Golden Crocodile, but now he was slightly relieved.
The one who came was not Golden Crocodile Douluo but an unfamiliar Golden Lion Douluo. Judging by his soul power, he was a Rank 97 Titled Douluo, stronger than Chen Xin by a small margin. However, with Ning Fengzhi's support, Chen Xin did not feel he would lose to this Golden Lion before him.
With himself handling Golden Lion under Ning Fengzhi's assistance, and Huo Lie along with the hidden Tang Hao dealing with Qianjun, Jiangmo, Ju, and Gui, as long as the Soul Hall hadn't sent more powerful reinforcements, they could still manage the situation.
"Three Worships, two Elders—the Soul Hall has really put in great effort! May I ask what brings the five Douluos here?"
At this moment, Huo Lie, standing beside Chen Xin, asked.
"So you are Huo Lie of Blazing Academy? Your strength is not bad!"
Golden Lion Douluo's gaze swept over Huo Lie, his brows raising slightly in surprise.
According to the information the Soul Hall had gathered, Huo Lie had only advanced to the ninth-ring Titled Douluo level a few years ago. However, under Golden Lion Douluo's perception, Huo Lie's aura was actually stronger than Rank 95 Ju and Gui, nearly on par with Qianjun and Jiangmo.
"In the past, Tang Hao colluded with a transformed soul beast, the Blue Silver Emperor, and killed our Soul Hall's Supreme Pontiff. He is truly a traitor to the soul master world!
Recently, that wicked criminal Tang Hao even went as far as to destroy our Heaven Dou Soul Hall. Such crimes are simply intolerable!
Our Soul Hall is committed to maintaining the stability of the soul master world. Do not shield him. Hand over Tang Hao's son, Tang San, whose blood carries the sinful lineage of soul beasts. After this Soul Master Tournament ends, our Soul Hall will conduct a just trial for this father and son who have betrayed the soul master world."
Golden Lion Douluo's expression was solemn, and his tone was righteous.
'Brilliant~!'
Hearing Golden Lion Douluo's righteously indignant speech, Mu Yang secretly gave a thumbs-up in his heart.
The Soul Hall had successfully elevated its private feud with Tang Hao to a matter of righteousness for the entire human soul master world. By labeling Tang Hao as a traitor and a disgrace to humanity, even Ning Fengzhi—who always talked about the unity of the Upper Three Sects—would now have to hesitate before helping him.
Back then, when the Clear Sky Sect was forced into seclusion by the Soul Hall, why did no other major forces step forward to oppose it or join hands with the Clear Sky Sect against the Soul Hall?
The reason was simple: soul masters and soul beasts had an inherently opposing stance, and Tang Hao's union with a transformed soul beast was a betrayal of the human soul master world.
Moreover, the one killed by Tang Hao was Qian Xunji, the only son of "Unrivaled in the Sky." Whether it was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, or even the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, none dared to touch this hornet's nest.
One must understand that in ancient times, soul masters were far weaker than they are today, and humans on the continent were nothing more than food for soul beasts. Such a racial blood feud could not be forgotten, no matter how many years passed.
Not indiscriminately slaughtering soul beasts was acceptable since soul beasts were also the foundation of the soul master world's prosperity, but forming relationships with transformed soul beasts was an absolute taboo.
Of course, in the end, it all came down to strength. If one was truly unrivaled under the heavens, taking a few female transformed soul beasts as concubines would no longer be a problem—no one or any force would dare to speak against it.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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