A Cardinal came out from Spirit City to greet the participating teams.
Under his lead, the Heaven Dou Empire delegation was arranged in a restaurant on the west side of the city. As soon as they settled in, Dugu Bo arrived at Tang Chuan's room.
"Oh? Old Poison, looking for me?" Tang Chuan chuckled playfully as he saw the newcomer.
Dugu Bo casually found a chair and sat down, remaining silent for a moment before suddenly looking up and staring at Tang Chuan, his voice somewhat low as he said,
"Kid, the finals of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament are just a few days away. There's something I must warn you about."
Looking at Dugu Bo's suddenly solemn face, Tang Chuan was slightly taken aback and said, "You mean the Spirit Hall people probably won't let this go and will try to make a move against me again?"
"Exactly." Dugu Bo nodded heavily, a hint of worry flashing in his dark green pupils, saying, "The stir you caused this time was too big. A Hundred Thousand Year spirit ring, Soul Bone, plus you're Tang Hao's son. With Bibi Dong's ruthlessness and Spirit Hall's usual domineering nature, there's no way this matter will just be dropped!"
"During the tournament, with so many eyes watching, they might still care about their reputation and not dare to act openly. But once the tournament ends, the teams disband, and the moment we leave Spirit City, that will be the most dangerous time!"
"Don't forget, we are currently in Spirit City, in someone else's lair! If Bibi Dong makes up her mind, regardless of the cost, and sends out all her Titled Douluo to attack together, even with me and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School people present, I'm afraid... two fists are no match for four hands!"
What he said was precisely the most perilous aspect of the current situation. No matter how strong an individual's power, in the core stronghold that Spirit Hall had operated for countless years, it would still seem somewhat isolated and weak.
However, facing Dugu Bo's reasonable concern, Tang Chuan showed no sign of tension on his face. Instead, he revealed an inscrutable, calm smile and said,
"Someone from the Hall of Worship should help me hold them off. Even if she can't, there should still be others who will step in and not just stand by." At this point, he paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the wall, looking towards the Star Dou Great Forest.
Dugu Bo looked deeply at Tang Chuan. Seeing his composed demeanor, although he didn't know his specific reliance, hadn't this kid created enough miracles along the way?
"Hmph, it's good that you know what you're doing, kid! Anyway, this old man's bones are tied to yours. If it really comes to a fight, I won't back down!" The huge stone in Dugu Bo's heart eased slightly, but he still couldn't help but snort.
"Then I thank Senior Dugu in advance." Tang Chuan's smile grew wider upon hearing this, then he cupped his hands towards Dugu Bo.
"Alas, kid, you are still young. With your talent, your future potential is limitless. Before you become a true powerhouse, you need to be patient. Being too sharp is not good for you," Dugu Bo said earnestly as he stood up and patted Tang Chuan's shoulder.
"Haha, alright, I just wanted to remind you to be as careful as possible during your stay in Spirit City."
Dugu Bo had just stood up to leave when he seemed to suddenly remember something, stopping abruptly and turning back to ask, "By the way, that Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast was... um, you know. Afterwards, what abilities did the spirit ring and Soul Bone you obtained bring?"
A Hundred Thousand Year spirit ring and Soul Bone were guaranteed to come with two powerful abilities. The allure was simply too great, even a Titled Douluo like him couldn't suppress his curiosity.
Hearing this, Tang Chuan's lips curled into a mysterious smile, a hint of eagerness flashing in his eyes, as he said, "Just talking about it might not be enough to truly understand. Why don't you come out with me and try it? Then you'll know, won't you?"
No sooner had he spoken than his figure flickered, and he shot out of the open window like a wisp of smoke, his movements light and swift, without making the slightest sound of wind.
"Heh, you brat, still playing coy with this old man!"
Dugu Bo cursed with a laugh, yet without hesitation, his dark green figure flashed like Gui Mei, disappearing from the room and chasing after him closely.
The two, one after another, moved at extreme speed, cleverly avoiding the patrolling guards in Spirit City. In a few leaps, they arrived at a secluded training ground within the city, specifically for Soul Masters.
It was late night, and the surroundings were empty.
Only the cold moonlight shone on the hard stone ground.
"Here will do." Tang Chuan stood with his hands behind his back, turning to face the pursuing Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo stopped about ten meters in front of him, arms crossed, and said with interest,
"Alright, don't hide it anymore. Hurry up and let this old man see what's so extraordinary about your Hundred Thousand Year spirit ring!"
A cunning glint flashed in Tang Chuan's eyes as he said to Dugu Bo,
"Just looking isn't clear enough. Old Poison, try attacking me yourself. Use thirty percent... no, fifty percent of your speed and power will suffice."
"Oh? That confident?"
Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued, and said, "Then be careful!"
The next second, he also didn't hesitate in the slightest. As soon as his words fell, his figure flashed like Gui Mei, leaving only a faint dark green afterimage in his original spot.
In the blink of an eye, he had already appeared in front of Tang Chuan. Then, his right hand's five fingers slightly curved, bringing with it a sharp sound of breaking air, and he directly struck towards Tang Chuan's chest.
Although this palm strike was not at full power, the might of a Titled Douluo was fully displayed. The surging palm wind caused Tang Chuan's clothes to flutter backward.
However, in this flash of lightning, the sixth spirit ring beneath Tang Chuan's feet, crimson as blood, suddenly lit up. The light was not dazzling, but it carried a strange power that twisted reality.
Dugu Bo's determined palm strike arrived as expected, but the anticipated sensation of Soul Power collision did not come. The moment his palm touched Tang Chuan's body, the latter's entire being seemed to transform into a reflection in water, becoming completely transparent and ethereal!
Dugu Bo only felt his arm lighten, passing through Tang Chuan's body without any obstruction! This extreme dislocation caused by the transition between solid and void made him stunned for a moment.
And in that same instant, a new anomaly occurred!
A phantom yet incredibly clear pink figure, like an unbound spirit, suddenly shot out from within Tang Chuan's etherealized body!
Her hair flew, her eyes carrying a hint of determination and agile Battle Intent. It was Xiao Wu's appearance, and this phantom's speed was beyond the limits of what the naked eye could capture.
"Instant Kill Eight Stage Drop!"
A cold, low cry suddenly echoed in Dugu Bo's mind.
Before he could react, Dugu Bo felt his ankle locked by an irresistible soft force, followed by the world spinning!
Xiao Wu's phantom seemed to become the center of a storm, her Waist Bow exerting force, using her body as an axis, she ruthlessly swung Dugu Bo, a dignified Titled Douluo, like a broken sack!
First drop, second drop, third drop... Bang bang bang bang—!
A series of heavy and dense thuds erupted in the silent training ground. That was the sound of Dugu Bo's body colliding at high speed with the hard ground.
The pink phantom carried the dark green figure, drawing dazzling arcs in the air. The offensive was like a torrential storm, seamlessly connected, full of the beauty of combined strength and soft techniques, and even carried a tragic, unyielding aura!
The entire process lasted only a few seconds.
When Xiao Wu's phantom completed the final heavy drop, slamming Dugu Bo fiercely onto the ground and then dissipating into pink light particles in the air, Tang Chuan's figure also solidified from its ethereal state, standing steadily where he was, as if he had never moved.
Not far in front of him, Dugu Bo knelt somewhat disheveled, supporting himself with his hands. Spiderweb-like fine cracks appeared on the ground.
He wasn't injured; with a Titled Douluo's Physique, this level of impact was completely bearable, but the shock in his heart was immeasurable.
"Was that... the Soul of that Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast? Your Hundred Thousand Year Soul Skill, not only can it negate attacks? It can also counterattack?" Looking up, Dugu Bo looked at the calm and composed Tang Chuan not far away, his face filled with astonishment, he said.
Tang Chuan's Soul Power was contained, and the terrifying red spirit ring also faded. He let out a light breath and explained, "What I just used were actually two abilities. One is the life-saving Void, and the second is the close-combat counterattack, Instant Kill Eight Stage Drop."
After obtaining Xiao Wu's spirit ring, Tang Chuan gained two abilities: Void and Instant Kill Eight Stage Drop! Void: Immune to all physical attacks, and reduces other damage by 50%. Instant Kill Eight Stage Drop: Summons Xiao Wu's Soul to materialize and unleash a powerful Eight Stage Drop attack, with immense power!
Besides these, he also gained two Soul Bone abilities!
They were Teleportation and Paragon Golden Body!
Dugu Bo slowly stood up from the ground, patting away non-existent dust from his robes. The astonishment on his face hadn't faded, but it was quickly replaced by a playful expression.
He swept his gaze over the spot where Xiao Wu's phantom had disappeared, then looked at Tang Chuan, unable to help but smack his lips, his tone carrying a hint of teasing as he quipped,
"Tsk tsk... Kid, your Soul Skill is truly... marvelous!"
"Not only did you get a spirit ring and Soul Bone, but you also carry a younger sister-in-law with you! She can even come out and beat people up for you during a fight. If Tang San were to see this, tsk tsk... he probably wouldn't even need to fight, he'd just be so angry he'd spit three liters of blood and ascend on the spot, right? Hahaha!"
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