After that, no one else emerged from the vast Pope Hall.
This was normal, as only three types of people could walk out of the main entrance of the Pope Hall.
The first type was naturally the Pope.
The second type was the Titled Douluo who had proven their strength.
The third type was the Elders of the Martial Soul Hall. Apart from these three, even the Platinum Bishops and the emperors of the two great empires were not qualified to enter through this gate.
At this moment, Bi Bidong had arrived at the very center of the square and announced loudly,
"I see hope in all of you. In front of the Pope Hall, I hope to see all of your talents and strength. The ultimate victor will receive the greatest reward from the Martial Soul Hall." As she spoke, she waved her scepter lightly. A light dot floated in mid-air.
It was a small, dark green bone.
Even those at the outer edges of the plaza could see it clearly.
Suddenly, everyone's eyes lit up with intense desire.
A soul bone!
For countless Soul Masters, it was a treasure beyond reach, and the fact that the Martial Soul Hall was willing to offer one up this time was already seen as a grand gesture.
However,
Qin Xiao sneered disdainfully, feeling no emotion inside and even a bit amused.
He muttered to himself, "In the original story, the Soul Master competition offered three soul bones, but now it has drastically been reduced to just one. Is it because they know the Martial Soul Hall team cannot win, and they are reluctant to part with more? How stingy!"
"Next, would both teams' players please enter the arena."
At this time, the Red-clothed Bishop acting as referee spoke out loudly.
Yet his words were somewhat pointless.
Because Qin Xiao and the seven members of the Spirit Academy Team were already up on the stage.
The Red-clothed Bishop just needed to move further away.
In fact, the Red-clothed Bishop also recognized this issue, but he did not know much about Qin Xiao and had no idea that the young man in front of him was a Titled Douluo-level expert.
Like most people, he too believed that Qin Xiao's solo appearance signified Shrek squad's surrender.
Therefore, he had not left the stage, thinking it too troublesome to move back and forth, waiting for Qin Xiao to concede so he could announce the outcome.
Evil Moon, seeing this, could not help but say, "Archbishop, please stand to the side."
He remembered what Gui Douluo had said, so he was certain that the young man before him would not concede easily.
The Red-clothed Bishop also realized there was an issue and moved to one side, loudly saying, "Both sides, please get ready."
His voice boomed, quickly spreading throughout the center and even to the crowds watching around the plaza.
Yet his words caused quite a stir.
"What's going on? That kid's not conceding?"
"You're joking, right? He's going to fight against 7 people from the Martial Soul Hall by himself? They have the power of numbers; the spit from their mouths could drown him."
"Haha, that's interesting. Fortunately, I transferred all my bets from the Shrek squad to the Martial Soul squad in advance, or I'd be in big trouble today."
"Knowing he will be beaten but still standing up for his team's dignity, I respect him as a true man."
"..."
No doubt,
The actions of Qin Xiao had stirred up the crowd.
Looking back at the center,
Evil Moon stood at the forefront of his team and said in a deep voice, "Brothers, activate your Martial Souls!"
"Even if we only have one enemy, we cannot afford to be lax."
With his voice's fall, surges of soul power fluctuations erupted, and soul rings started to appear around the members of the Spirit Academy Team.
Different from the watching crowd, their faces were filled with seriousness.
They had not forgotten the warning from Gui Douluo.
In contrast, Qin Xiao also restrained his smile, and his face became dignified and solemn.
As an opponent, he felt he should show some respect.
With a thought, a rumble of thunder was released from his body.
Boom... Boom...
The sound of thunder shocked everyone, revealing surprise on their faces.
Some people looked up but became even more baffled.
What was happening?
The sky was clear and sunny, where did the thunder come from?
Sword Douluo frowned slightly, secretly transmitting a message to Ning Fengzhi, "Qin Xiao's cultivation level has become much stronger than before. I really don't know how this kid practices. Is the Thunder Body Segment really that beneficial?"
It had to be said, even Sword Douluo was tempted.
In contrast, Ning Fengzhi took note of Sword Douluo's words, intending to take the time to properly guide and advise Sword Douluo not to overthink things.
```
After all, Qin Xiao's aberrant way of cultivating wasn't something anyone could imitate; it could be lethal, and even a Titled Douluo might not be able to withstand it.
...
"Such formidable might, this kid really is not simple,"
"Once the battle starts, Nana, you and I will use the soul fusion skill together. Everyone must go all out; never hold back in your attacks."
In the arena, people like Evil Moon and Hulena felt an immense pressure.
Evil Moon also whispered his plan.
The others silently nodded, committing Evil Moon's words to heart. Their expressions were icy, filled with an aura of murder.
But, in the next moment, the stern expressions on their faces instantly turned to astonishment.
The same thought arose simultaneously in all seven of them: Am I seeing things, or does that kid actually have nine soul rings?
And the ages of these soul rings are also outrageously incongruent.
"It must be an illusion! This has to be an illusion!"
Evil Moon said in disbelief.
He had thought Qin Xiao would be strong, but he had never considered that he might be a Titled Douluo-level expert.
"Nine soul rings, a Titled Douluo!"
"Can this be real?"
Not just Evil Moon was shocked; the members by his side were also wearing an expression of incredulity.
Slap!
At that moment, Hulena slapped him across the face, producing a crisp sound.
Followed by a hot, burning sensation engulfing Evil Moon's left cheek, he was completely dumbfounded.
"Nana, why did you hit me?"
"Didn't you say it was an illusion? Now, tell me, does it hurt?"
"It hurts!"
Hearing this, Hulena solemnly nodded, "We can confirm this is not an illusion, but reality. Our opponent is indeed a... Titled Douluo!"
Unconsciously, her voice had become hoarse.
Outside the arena, a huge uproar was just as intense.
"Holy crap, what's going on, is that kid a Titled Douluo?"
"Is this true? Can anyone tell us if this is for real?"
"Impossible, a Titled Douluo-level expert shouldn't be allowed to fight here; it has to be an illusion."
"Maybe, just maybe, it's true. This would explain why he dares to face the Martial Soul Academy Team alone without surrendering."
Simultaneously, the hearts of everyone on the outskirts of the plaza were also vehemently stirred.
They had never imagined that coming to view a spectacle would result in such a jaw-dropping revelation.
"Wait, something's not right. Isn't it said that the Spirit Master competition is only for young soul masters under the age of twenty-five? How do we account for a Titled Douluo-level expert participating?"
"You're right, this isn't fair. That kid looks young, but who knows how many years old that monster is. How could he still compete?"
"Exactly, even Titled Douluo-level experts can't just change the rules of a Spirit Master competition, can they?"
"We ask His Holiness the Pope to uphold justice and punish the cheater severely!"
"..."
For a moment, the emotions of the crowd surged tumultuously.
Especially those who had bet large amounts of golden soul coins on the victory of the Martial Soul Academy Team, they were even more anxious.
How could the Martial Soul Academy Team win against a Titled Douluo-level expert entering the ring?
Isn't that a joke?
It's like trying to beat a nightmare difficulty.
At the same time, no one believed that a Titled Douluo-level expert was under the age of twenty-five.
After all, those present were all from the circle of soul masters.
They had heard about the youngest Titled Douluo on the Soul Land, Hao Tian Douluo of the Hao Tian Clan. He had become a Titled Douluo only after he was over forty... Could someone be even stronger than him?
No one believed it.
Instantly, both inside and outside the arena were in an uproar, a chaotic blend of voices all advocating for the Pope to intervene and punish the cheater.
"Silence!"
Bi Bidong spoke.
Her voice wasn't very loud, but it overpowered every other voice in the arena, causing everyone to obediently close their mouths.
No one spoke anymore; they all stared at Bi Bidong, waiting for her to severely punish the cheater.
What about a Titled Douluo?
In the presence of Pope His Holiness, even they must kneel!
```