Just like that, Titan perished in the flames of Ling Yuan's ninth spirit skill. Su Ming couldn't help but sigh, "Titan, the loyal follower, gained nothing and ended up dying at the hands of Tang San and Spirit Hall."
Su Ming wondered how Tang San's teammates would view him now. "Ah Yin, did you see that?" Su Ming said to Ah Yin in his mental space. "This is the true nature of Tang San—and likely influenced by Tang Hao's ruthless advice. Just look; Tang Hao didn't even flinch."
Ah Yin shook her head silently, unable to defend them anymore. She realized that her wish to meet Tang Hao again was merely to say goodbye to her past self.
In the air, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo saw everything, marveling at Tang San's brutal tactics. "Like father, like son," they thought. And the showdown continued as Yu Yuanzhen clashed with Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo, narrowly edging them out.
Seeing Ling Yuan's failed strike, Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo retreated, and Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo canceled their fusion technique, using Ghost Douluo's remaining strength to slip into the shadows.
With Spirit Hall's forces disappearing from the battlefield, the place fell into a sudden, eerie silence, as if the entire ambush had been a mirage. Meanwhile, Thunder Academy's students looked on, disturbed by Tang San's cold actions but too intimidated by Tang Hao's presence to question anything.
As the skirmish concluded, Tang Hao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He'd narrowly escaped disaster, mainly due to his delayed explosive technique, which had left him vulnerable.
At this moment, Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) stepped forward, realizing the mission had failed. As the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou Empire, she had to restore order. "Now that the matter is settled, let's continue to Spirit City," she said warmly.
"Not so fast! Who said it's over?" The voice belonged to none other than Yu Yuanzhen.
Qian Renxue frowned. "Lord Yu, what business do you still have?"
Yu Yuanzhen smirked. "Your Highness, of course, you may go. However, I'd like Su Ming, the Heaven Dou Academy team leader, to accompany me for a chat. Care to join me, Su Ming?"
As he spoke, Yu Yuanzhen clapped his hands, and over a dozen black-clad individuals appeared, each activating their spirit avatars, surrounding the convoy mid-air. All were strong, Spirit Sage-level members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Qian Renxue's voice rose with anger, "Yu Yuanzhen! Are you challenging the authority of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
Unbothered, Yu Yuanzhen replied, "Your Highness, don't make this a bigger deal than it is. Su Ming is a commoner who joined mid-year. He has no connection to the royal family." He continued, "There's something on him that interests me. If he hands it over, I'll let him go unharmed."
Before Qian Renxue could respond, Su Ming spoke up. "Lord Yu, you're here for me; this doesn't concern my team or the other academies. Can they leave safely? After all, they need to compete in the finals. If the tournament is delayed because of you, Spirit Hall may end up looking for you at your clan's doorstep."
Yu Yuanzhen's mouth twitched. With Spirit Hall's strength on full display, they were not to be trifled with. "Fine," he agreed, "I only want you. The rest may leave."
Yu Yuanzhen then sent a telepathic message to Tang Hao. "Take the healing spirit master and go with the Thunder Academy convoy. I'll handle Su Ming."
Tang Hao, worn down from the battle, was grateful and agreed. He'd originally intended Su Ming to serve as a stepping stone for Tang San, but it seemed things wouldn't turn out as he'd planned.
Once the Thunder Academy group returned to their carriage, thoughts diverged. Yu Tianxin was curious, wondering what could make Su Ming so valuable to the clan head. Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng felt smug, thinking they might finally obtain Su Ming's cultivation techniques.
Su Ming turned to Qian Renxue, whispering, "Sister Qian Renxue, take everyone ahead. Otherwise, our battle might harm innocents. We'll catch up soon—don't worry."
Qian Renxue nodded. "Let's go," she commanded, leading the convoy away.
The only ones who stayed behind were Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan. Su Ming also asked the Dragon Serpent couple to accompany the convoy for added protection.
As both parties waited, suddenly Yu Yuanzhen stiffened, sensing an approaching presence. Soon, Yu Luomian arrived with Liu Erlong and his supporters, standing protectively in front of Su Ming.
"It's our first time meeting in person, Su Ming. We received the message and assembled as quickly as we could," Yu Luomian said with a reassuring smile.
When Yu Luomian received the urgent message, he hesitated, but ultimately decided to trust his daughter, betting everything on Su Ming. Convincing the elders on his side took significant effort, but he managed to arrive just in time.
Seeing this, Su Ming's impression of Yu Luomian improved. "Not bad," he thought. Meanwhile, Liu Erlong pointed at Yu Yuanzhen. "Clan Head, stop this madness! Actions like these will only make the clan a laughingstock!"
Yu Yuanzhen laughed scornfully. "Brother, conspiring with Su Ming? Just because I kept you out of this, you'd ruin your own future and betray the family?"
Yu Luomian, swallowing his fear, replied, "Big Brother, everything I'm doing is for the clan's sake."
Inside, Yu Luomian was panicking. Standing against Yu Yuanzhen meant only one of them could leave alive. He could only hope his daughter's judgment was right; otherwise, everyone with him would perish.
Su Ming also noted Yu Luomian's stance, thinking, "It looks like he has decent character. He's someone worth supporting." With both sides fielding their strongest fighters, this was a prime opportunity for Yu Luomian. If Su Ming's side could eliminate Yu Yuanzhen and his men, Yu Luomian could return as the undisputed clan leader.
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo took out a vial of green pills, announcing calmly, "This is my own anti-poison pill. Better take it, or if you die later, don't blame me!"
Yu Yuanzhen didn't bother stopping him. "He's only the weakest of the Title Douluos," he thought, confident that once he subdued Dugu Bo, he could end things quickly. He believed the clan's lightning-based abilities were naturally resistant to Dugu Bo's poison, meaning his team wouldn't be significantly affected.
Su Ming chuckled and reassured Dugu Bo, "Feel free to unleash your full strength. Yu Yuanzhen is stronger than Chrysanthemum Douluo, but I'll ensure our group stays protected."
Dugu Bo, though baffled by Su Ming's abilities, felt reassured. Despite Su Ming only being at level 59, his strength far exceeded that, and Dugu Bo wasn't sure he could beat him.
"If Su Ming knew what Dugu Bo was thinking," he'd laugh at his overestimation, knowing full well he had no true immunity to the poison. However, he had the capability to utilize his space-warping Kamui to either dodge the poison entirely or absorb it, neutralizing it later if necessary.
"Alright," Dugu Bo responded, placing his trust in Su Ming. However, Yu Luomian was visibly uneasy. Could they really hold their own against Yu Yuanzhen?
Liu Erlong gave a nod to Yu Luomian, signaling her confidence in Su Ming.
"Well, the convoy is far enough now. It's time to settle things," Yu Yuanzhen declared, addressing Su Ming directly.
"Nothing to discuss," Su Ming replied flatly. "Since you covet my techniques, today, either you die, or I do."
"Hahaha! We'll see!" Yu Yuanzhen scoffed. "With a weakling like Dugu Bo, what hope do you have?" He then turned to Yu Luomian. "Brother, don't think I'm heartless. Whatever your reasons for supporting Su Ming, you've forced me to discipline you myself."
Resolute, Yu Luomian said nothing, knowing there was no turning back. It was time to fight.
Yu Yuanzhen raised his voice, calling his men to attack. "Seventh Spirit Skill: Martial Soul Avatar, Dragon Form!"
"Dugu Bo," Yu Luomian said as he advanced, "hold off my brother for a moment. We'll take care of the others and join you shortly."
Dugu Bo shot him an exasperated look. Did he have any idea how much Dugu Bo's abilities had improved?
Under his breath, Dugu Bo muttered to Su Ming, "If it were just up to me, one toxic sweep would kill everyone but Yu Yuanzhen in a minute or less."
"Why didn't you say so?" Su Ming replied, a little exasperated.
"I tried!" Dugu Bo chuckled, glancing meaningfully at Su Ming. "Besides, it's a good test for your man. He'll likely become the clan head once we're done with Yu Yuanzhen."
With a nod, Su Ming agreed—Yu Luomian's resolve was evident. But it didn't take long before Yu Luomian's group began to falter. Yu Yuanzhen had yet to act, but his men already had the upper hand over Yu Luomian's fighters.
Yu Yuanzhen observed with satisfaction. His younger brother had always been weak.
"Dugu Bo," Yu Yuanzhen taunted, "why not surrender now and hand over those techniques?"
"Gladly!" Dugu Bo grinned menacingly. "Seventh Spirit Skill: Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Avatar!"
"First Spirit Skill: Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison!"
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