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To carry out such a critical undercover mission, yet still be able to act with sincerity—there was only one person Qian Renxue could trust like this.
The guest elder of the Crown Prince's estate.
Qian Renxue's invitation…
If Yue Guan still didn't understand after all this, then he truly was an idiot.
Thinking this, the stern expression on Yue Guan's face relaxed slightly.
This was one of their own!
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Yue Guan's expression shifted.
If they left this place all smiles, how would the other major factions perceive it?
What if even the slightest deviation occurred in the young lady's plans? He would become a sinner for all eternity!
Not only could he not smile later, but he also had to put on an act as if the negotiations had failed!
Wait—he had an idea!
"Elder Zhongli, since we are both Title Douluo, why not have a friendly spar?"
This was a task assigned by the Pope, and it was also his way of shutting up the other factions.
However, this meant poor Yue Guan was in for a rough time.
He'd probably get beaten up by Zhongli.
"Ah, to suffer such things in my old age… What a miserable fate!"
"Zhongli has it so much better, staying here in Heaven Dou City, loafing around all day, strolling the streets, playing with birds, drinking tea…"
Just thinking about it made Yue Guan feel like he'd been struck by a critical hit!
Hearing this, the three youngsters had no particular reaction.
After all, Elder Ju was a 95th-ranked Title Douluo. There were very few in this world who could defeat him.
Even if this Lord Zhongli was powerful and possessed a 100,000-year soul ring, what if he wasn't Elder Ju's match?
At the end of the day, the gap in soul power wasn't something a single soul ring could make up for.
If Yue Guan knew what they were thinking, he would've dragged out their theory teacher and given them a good beating!
Just what nonsense were they teaching?!
What did they mean by "the gap in soul power can't be made up by a single soul ring"?
Back in the day, they had thought the same.
But that bastard Tang Hao's 100,000-year soul ring had taught them just how vast the difference was between having one and not having one!
Freshly ascended as a Title Douluo, he took on three opponents at once—and won!
That was the difference between having one and not having one!
Keep in mind, at that time, the Pope, Qian Xunji, was already at the 95th rank!
And what rank was Tang Hao?
Zhongli and Paimon twitched at the corners of their eyes.
Sure, Yue Guan was a Title Douluo, but Zhongli wasn't one!
A spar?
"This old man is so brave, daring to challenge the Geo Archon…"
"Even that arrogant and domineering Signora didn't dare to act disrespectfully in front of Zhongli."
"He's really bold!"
Signora had the audacity to slap Barbatos and "order" the Raiden Shogun, yet in front of Zhongli, she didn't dare show the slightest disrespect.
In Paimon's eyes, even if Zhongli was a freeloading social parasite, his strength was absolutely real!
In ancient Liyue, among all the gods, Zhongli was the final victor.
"As for the spar…"
Zhongli pondered for a moment before nodding.
Displaying a bit of his strength would save him a lot of trouble.
For him, there were only benefits, no downsides.
Besides, this was just a friendly match.
"A spar would allow us both to learn and improve. That would be beneficial."
These words were spoken modestly.
Could sparring with Yue Guan really help him improve?
That was a joke, right?
Seeing Zhongli agree so readily, Yue Guan felt both relieved and worried.
At his age, surely he wouldn't get beaten too badly… right?
But the Pope's mission had to be carried out.
They needed to test just how powerful Zhongli had become!
After the meal, the group left the Seven Treasures Hotel.
The shop owner blinked in confusion.
Today, why didn't Zhongli charge the bill to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?
Instead, he had it billed to the Crown Prince's estate?
Normally, Zhongli didn't even need to say anything—the owner would automatically send the bill to the sect. But today, Zhongli had specifically instructed him to charge it to the Crown Prince's estate. This was worth pondering.
"Zhongli, old grandpa, where are you two going to spar?"
Spar?
What had just happened?
The shop owner was utterly bewildered.
Yue Guan, Hu Liena, and the others wore unpleasant expressions. Clearly, their earlier discussion must have ended in failure.
"Outside the city."
Yue Guan, no longer as "enthusiastic" as before, replied stiffly.
Was this answer meant for Paimon?
No—it was for the spies lurking in the shadows!
Paimon, being simple-minded, thought Yue Guan's dark expression after leaving was because he hadn't eaten well.
She had no clue about these intricate schemes.
It was only around 6:30 in the evening, and the sun hadn't yet set in the west, so leaving the city was convenient.
Keep in mind, Heaven Dou City's walls were a thousand meters high and a hundred zhang thick.
Even Tang Hao at his peak could only manage to create a small dent in them!
That alone showed just how terrifying these walls were!
Hahaha…
Only in the world of Douluo would a mere wall be enough to stop a peak-level expert.
The group "grandly" exited the city—yes, grandly.
Aside from Zhongli and the others, there were plenty of spies following them.
Tailing a Title Douluo was practically dancing on the edge of death.
Did they really think a Title Douluo wouldn't notice them?
Unless they were fellow Title Douluo or stronger, detection was inevitable.
Among these spies, the strongest was only a Soul Sage. Their every move was under Yue Guan's surveillance.
Once they reached the outskirts, they chose a deserted open area before stopping.
Even a casual spar between Title Douluo would produce shockwaves that Soul Ancestors couldn't withstand.
Thus, Hu Liena and the others took Paimon and stood a thousand meters away. Only at this distance did they feel somewhat safe.
Hidden in the darkness weren't just spies—there were several Title Douluo as well.
Tang Hao, Gu Rong, and Dugu Bo!
The news of Zhongli and Yue Guan's meeting in the teahouse had spread like wildfire in the city. How could they not have heard?
While Zhongli and Yue Guan were dining, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had already received word. However, the one sent to investigate wasn't the stronger Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, but the more stealthy Bone Douluo, Gu Rong!
"Damn the Spirit Hall, always the first to catch wind of things."
"Failing to recruit Zhongli, so now they're testing his strength?"
"But this Yue Guan is probably outmatched!"
Gu Rong sneered and muttered to himself.
Based on their estimations, Zhongli was likely around the 97th rank.
As for Yue Guan, he knew him well—a 95th-rank powerhouse, just like himself.
In a one-on-one fight, Gu Rong was 70% confident he could take Yue Guan down!
Tang Hao, meanwhile, watched silently. When his gaze fell on Yue Guan, a flash of killing intent flickered in his eyes!
"Not yet."
In the end, he loosened his clenched fists.
Unless he could kill Yue Guan in one strike, his whereabouts would be exposed.
If Yue Guan fought desperately to escape, even he wouldn't be able to stop him.
Besides, the Ghost Douluo lurking in the shadows wasn't to be underestimated either…
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 135 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.