Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Chrysanthemum Douluo, Can You Withstand This Punch That Embodies 20 Years of Cultivation?
As dawn broke, the city gates were already teeming with people.
The crowd gazed at the figure hanging from the city walls, pointing and discussing animatedly.
Yu Xiaogang and Flender, returning from the Spirit Hunting Forest after acquiring soul rings, pushed through the crowd. Looking up, the first thing they saw was a corpse with dark, sunken eye sockets.
The body dangled midair, with a notice posted beside it on the city wall:
"Flower Thief Luo Yifan, an eighty-eighth ranked Soul Douluo and younger brother of Flower Thief Luo Zhifan. He infiltrated the Zhou Mansion under cover of night with ill intentions. He has been executed and hung here for three days as a warning to others."
"Goodness! Even flower thieves are so competitive these days? An eighty-eighth ranked Soul Douluo turned into a flower thief?"
"Who's Luo Zhifan?"
"Luo Zhifan is said to be the infamous flower thief who kidnapped Tang Yuehua, the eldest lady of the Clear Sky Sect. Apparently, Luo Yifan broke into the Zhou Mansion last night to avenge his brother!"
"That, and the allure of Zhou Sir's four stunning wives!"
"No wonder Luo Zhifan was so audacious, even daring to abduct Miss Tang. Turns out he had an eighty-eighth ranked Soul Douluo as a brother!"
"An eighty-eighth ranked Soul Douluo may be powerful, but the Clear Sky Clan is the top sect on the continent, with multiple Titled Douluo!"
"Luo Yifan and his brother have truly met their downfall this time. They probably never imagined that instead of dying at the hands of a Titled Douluo, they'd meet their end at the hands of Zhou Sir!"
"Isn't Zhou Sir only at the rank of Soul Elder? How did he manage to kill an eighty-eighth ranked Soul Douluo?"
"Looking at Luo Yifan's corpse, there are no visible wounds. His face is blackened, and he's bleeding from the orifices. He was likely poisoned!"
"So it was poison!"
"But what kind of poison could be so potent that it killed a Soul Douluo?"
"To think a dignified Soul Douluo was poisoned to death. He must have died with great regret!"
"It's simply fate. Luo Yifan chose to strike after confirming that Sword Douluo Chen Xin had left. He probably underestimated Zhou Sir, never seeing him as a threat. And yet, he was poisoned to death!"
The heated discussions reached the ears of Yu Xiaogang and Flender. The latter sneered, saying disdainfully:
"Just a mere Soul Douluo. Even if he hadn't been poisoned, Zhou Sir could have beaten him to death!"
Flender knew well the terrifying strength of Zhou Yi, who had defeated Sword Douluo Chen Xin. His combat prowess was beyond anyone's imagination.
"Let's go."
Without further comment, Yu Xiaogang led Flender into the city.
The death of a Soul Douluo in Notting City naturally spread quickly through various channels to the major powers.
Although few in Notting City recognized Luo Yifan, many influential figures in the larger cities were well aware of his status as a Red-Clothed Cardinal of the Spirit Hall.
It was known that Titled Douluo stood at the pinnacle of Soul Master strength, but for most Soul Masters, Soul Douluo were the strongest individuals they would ever encounter.
Even the three deans of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy were merely Soul Douluo.
Spirit City, Hall of the Pope.
Pope Qian Xunji quickly received news of Red-Clothed Cardinal Luo Yifan's demise at the Zhou Mansion, where he had been poisoned by Zhou Yi.
"This Luo Yifan…"
Qian Xunji frowned. This incident had tarnished the Spirit Hall's reputation. His death was deserved.
"Chrysanthemum Elder, I need you to make a trip to Notting City. Deliver a gift to Zhou Yi as an apology and remove Luo Yifan's name from the Spirit Hall. Have his body dealt with as well."
Qian Xunji issued the orders. Luo Yifan's corpse could not remain hanging for long—it would further damage the Spirit Hall's prestige if news of his rank and position spread.
"Understood, Your Holiness."
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan immediately set off. This matter required swift resolution.
Nightfall.
After traveling tirelessly, Chrysanthemum Douluo finally arrived in Notting City. He glanced briefly at the hanging corpse on the city wall and then headed straight to the Zhou Mansion.
Before long, Chrysanthemum Douluo met Zhou Yi, presenting a gift as a token of apology while conveying the Spirit Hall's request to retrieve Luo Yifan's corpse.
Zhou Yi lounged lazily in a rocking chair, flanked by Li Shishi and Li Baishi, who attended to him, massaging his shoulders and back.
His half-lidded eyes shifted toward Chrysanthemum Douluo, and he spoke with a languid tone:
"You're putting me in a difficult position."
"I clearly stated that the corpse would hang for three days. If it's taken down after just one, wouldn't that make me a man without integrity? How would I save face then?"
While playing the role of the underdog had its benefits, Zhou Yi knew that staying in that role indefinitely would invite endless trouble.
This was the moment to showcase his strength. Only by establishing his authority could he live with greater ease. Otherwise, he'd be treated as an easy target, an irritant that others would trample on.
The Luo Yifan incident was his declaration to the continent, his first step in asserting his presence.
"Zhou Yi, His Holiness the Pope has already shown you great respect. Don't push your luck."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression darkened as he spoke coldly.
"You're trying to tell me the Spirit Hall is powerful and that I should accept their goodwill rather than force their hand?"
Zhou Yi raised his eyes to meet Chrysanthemum Douluo's gaze, his voice calm:
"I said the corpse would hang for three days, and three days it shall be—not a second less!"
"How about this? If you can withstand one move from me, you may take Luo Yifan's body with you. How does that sound?"
Though Zhou Yi didn't fear the Spirit Hall, he had no intention of creating irreparable conflict.
This was an opportunity to showcase his strength through Chrysanthemum Douluo, earning the Spirit Hall's respect in the process.
Hearing these words, Chrysanthemum Douluo, who had been ready to explode in anger, paused for a moment before agreeing without hesitation.
"Understood!"
The last time, he was caught unprepared and suffered a severe loss against Zhou Yi. The lingering sword intent tormented him for half a month before it finally dissipated.
But this time, things would be different.
This time, he would reclaim his dignity.
One move?
Did Zhou Yi really think that because he succeeded with one move last time, he could repeat the feat now?
How arrogant!
"Today, I'll show you the true power of a Titled Douluo!"
"Please, go ahead!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo extended a hand in invitation as his Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum martial soul activated. Rings of brilliant light ascended from beneath his feet, displaying a total of nine soul rings, dazzling and imposing.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul Avatar."
Not daring to underestimate Zhou Yi's swordsmanship, Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar. His entire being merged with the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
Purple light filled the air as an enormous chrysanthemum stood proudly in the void, stretching toward the heavens. Its radiant glow was both beautiful and terrifying, exuding an overwhelming aura of power.
Though a plant-based martial soul, the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum possessed formidable defensive capabilities. In the original story, Dai Mubai consumed this immortal herb and cultivated an indestructible body.
"If you can break my Martial Soul Avatar, I'll concede defeat!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice echoed across the Zhou residence, reverberating through the air.
"There's no need. One move means one move," Zhou Yi replied calmly.
He stood and, in an instant, his entire demeanor transformed. It felt as though he alone supported the entire world.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's heart trembled. Before Zhou Yi had even made a move, he already felt an overwhelming and inescapable sense of oppression.
Before he could dwell further on this feeling, Zhou Yi moved.
Chrysanthemum Douluo barely registered a shadow before Zhou Yi's golden-glowing fist collided with him.
Boom!
A shockwave spread outward, centered on Chrysanthemum Douluo. The towering Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum shattered explosively.
Chrysanthemum Douluo was instantly forced out of his Martial Soul Avatar state. Blood sprayed from his mouth, staining the sky as he plummeted like a ragdoll, crashing heavily into the ground.
He attempted to move, to stand, but his body refused to obey. Pain wracked him instead.
It felt as though every bone in his body had been shattered.
"How could he be this strong?"
He looked at Zhou Yi, who stood calmly, and disbelief filled his eyes.
Zhou Yi hadn't even used his martial soul.
He hadn't even used his sword.
It had taken just one punch.
The Martial Soul Avatar that he had always been so proud of had crumbled like a fragile bubble.
The sheer, indescribable force overwhelmed him.
He had been utterly defenseless.
Who was he?
Where was he?
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes were dazed, his expression one of utter despair.
"Send Chrysanthemum Douluo to the Spirit Hall's branch in Notting City," Zhou Yi commanded, uninterested in entertaining Chrysanthemum Douluo's existential crisis further.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo? What happened to you, Your Eminence?"
The branch hall master of Notting City's Spirit Hall was stunned to see the legendary elder of the Spirit Hall brought in like a defeated, lifeless pig.
He was just a mere Soul Elder!
He had only met Chrysanthemum Douluo once during Zhou Yi's wedding to Liu Erlong, when Chrysanthemum Douluo escorted Saintess Bibi Dong.
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect their next meeting to be under such circumstances.
"Send me to the Spirit Hall immediately!" Chrysanthemum Douluo ordered.
Not daring to delay, the branch hall master personally escorted Chrysanthemum Douluo to the nearest major city.
From there, the sub-hall master of the larger Spirit Hall took over the task, ensuring Chrysanthemum Douluo was treated by auxiliary healing-type Soul Masters.
Although the injuries were stabilized, complete recovery would take time. Only the Spirit City's powerful healers could fully restore him.
After much effort and several transfers, Chrysanthemum Douluo finally arrived at Spirit City.
"Reporting to His Holiness the Pope! Elder Chrysanthemum has returned!"
"Where is he? Let him in!"
Pope Qian Xunji frowned. With Chrysanthemum Douluo's status, he was free to approach the Pope directly. Why was this taking so long?
Moments later, Qian Xunji's eyebrows twitched as he saw Chrysanthemum Douluo being carried into the hall.
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