Chapter 291 Tang Xiao Arrives
"No—!"
Then, in Dai Wei's horrified gaze, the enormous Pure Nether Bamboo Staff smashed down, turning the two into two unidentifiable messes.
Double Kill—!
Triple Kill—!
Not far away, Dai Tianli, tightly bound by the Soul Bone Skill: Endless Blood Vines, also reached the end of his life.
His entire body's blood was sucked dry by the Blood Vines, and Dai Tianli followed Dai Wei and Zhu Qingyu in hitting GG.
Quadra Kill—!
"Run? Where can you run to?"
Suddenly, Xiao Wu's voice rang out.
Ye Chen turned his head to look, only to see the middle-aged woman who had previously clamored to kill him was now trying to escape, but she was intercepted by the well-prepared Xiao Wu.
Of course, even if Xiao Wu hadn't stopped her, the middle-aged woman, with only the strength of a Soul Sage (7 Rings), wouldn't have been able to escape in front of Ye Chen.
"Fifth Spirit Ability, Grand Yin Divine Chains."
Seven chains emanating a biting chill materialized behind her, and in the blink of an eye, Xiao Wu intercepted the middle-aged woman.
"First Spirit Ability, Taiyin God Needle."
A divine needle full of Grand Yin aura shot out from Xiao Wu's mouth and embedded itself in the middle-aged woman's forehead.
Unlike Grand Elder Dai Feng, his wife's death was not as gruesome as his, because the cold air emitted by Xiao Wu's Taiyin God Needle instantly froze her the moment it entered the middle-aged woman's head, so no unidentifiable red and white matter splattered everywhere.
Penta Kill—!
Ace—!
At this point, the five experts from the Star Luo Royal Family who came to intercept Ye Chen were completely annihilated.
"Brother, you're amazing! Even a Titled Douluo is no match for you!"
After eliminating the middle-aged woman, Xiao Wu gave Ye Chen a thumbs-up.
She still remembered that back at Notting College, Ye Chen was still her Sister Xiao Wu's defeated opponent!
She never expected that in less than ten years, the weakling from back then could now defeat a Titled Douluo, and not even one of the weakest ones.
"Xiao Wu, you run towards the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School now; another expert is coming!"
Having annihilated the five, Ye Chen did not relax. The strong one who hadn't arrived from the east yet was the real opponent.
"What? Another expert?"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened. She never expected there to be another expert? Is the Star Luo Royal Family that formidable?
And it seemed that their strength was even above the previous five, including Dai Tianli.
After all, even when Dai Tianli and the five others had three Titled Douluo-level combatants, Ye Chen hadn't made her retreat first.
Ye Chen immediately urged, "Hurry, don't delay. The incoming person is very strong, their spirit power level should have reached 95, or even above 95. I might not be able to handle them. You go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and find Uncle Ning."
"Mm."
Xiao Wu nodded, no longer delaying, and immediately ran towards the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
She knew that if even Ye Chen was no match, her staying here would only be a burden.
Moreover, the sooner she went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to bring reinforcements, the safer Ye Chen would be.
After Xiao Wu left, Ye Chen put the bodies of Dai Tianli and the other four into his storage spirit tool.
The five were all important figures of the Star Luo Royal Family, holding high positions of power. Dai Tianli was even the former Star Luo Great Emperor. Each of them had Spirit Bones, though most of them were not of high age.
However, at this moment, Ye Chen was not in the mood to sort out the spoils of war. He just quietly waited in place for the enemy.
In fact, Ye Chen had considered running away with Xiao Wu before the enemy arrived.
Unfortunately, this wouldn't work, because the enemy's speed was even greater than theirs. Even if they ran, it wouldn't be enough for them to reach Heaven Dou City before being caught.
Moreover, now that he had activated his Martial Soul True Body, he was in his strongest state. If he wasted the duration of his Martial Soul True Body on running, then once the enemy caught up to them, without the enhancement of his Martial Soul True Body, Ye Chen would definitely not be an opponent.
So, instead of just running away, it was better to fight here.
Fortunately, now that Ye Chen's spirit power level had reached 80, a quasi-Spirit Douluo, the duration of his Martial Soul True Body was much longer than when he first entered the Soul Sage (7 Rings) stage, able to last for nearly an hour.
He figured that the commotion here, even two or three hundred li away at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Chen Xin and Gu Rong should be able to detect it.
A battle of Titled Douluo level would definitely pique their interest, and this much time would be enough for them to come and investigate.
Furthermore, with Ye Chen's current strength, he might not necessarily be afraid of that unknown expert.
Once Qian Renxue advanced to Soul Sage (7 Rings) and activated her Angel True Body and Angelic Domain, she could contend with a weak Titled Douluo who had just entered the nine-ring stage.
Ye Chen also possessed a divine Spirit and a Domain, and his spirit ring and Spirit Bone configurations all far surpassed Qian Renxue's. As long as the incoming person's level wasn't too high, even if he couldn't win, with the damage reduction effect of the Soul Bone Skill: "Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted", he wouldn't be defeated too quickly.
If the incoming person was a physical melee attack system Titled Douluo, with the damage reduction and reflection effects of the Soul Bone Skill: Thorn Guardian, Ye Chen might even be able to counter-kill them?
'Too bad, if only it were a few months later!'
Ye Chen secretly regretted. If the Star Luo Royal Family had made their move after he had attached his eighth spirit ring, then he wouldn't have feared them at all.
After attaching his eighth spirit ring and advancing to Eight-Ring Spirit Douluo, he would have an additional 100,000-year eighth spirit ring and Spirit Bone, and his strength would definitely increase significantly.
Perhaps at that time, he still might not be able to defeat those high-level Titled Douluo, as the strength gap between Titled Douluo at each level difference is very obvious. But he figured that as long as a 99th level Titled Douluo didn't appear, no one on the continent should be able to keep him.
Ye Chen didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, a figure completely shrouded in a black robe flew from the eastern sky.
As the Clear Sky Sect was still in seclusion, Tang Xiao naturally didn't want to expose his identity. His title, Roaring Sky Douluo, was well-known, and many experts recognized him. So, before coming, Tang Xiao put on a black robe to avoid exposure.
However, what Tang Xiao didn't expect was that before he even arrived, the battle in the distance had already been decided and subsided.
Nevertheless, relying on his peak 96th-level Titled Douluo strength, Tang Xiao didn't intend to turn back. He prepared to investigate thoroughly.
Before even reaching the scene, Tang Xiao spotted Ye Chen's figure from afar.
There was no other way; Ye Chen's Clear Pure Nether Bamboo Staff True Body was quite large. In the dark night, his Martial Soul True Body, emitting a white jade luster, was very conspicuous.
"May I ask, what is your purpose, Your Excellency?"
Looking at the black-robed figure standing in the air in the distance, Ye Chen's expression was extremely grave. The strength of the newcomer exceeded his expectations.
During the Soul Master Competition, Ye Chen had seen Qian Jun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo, who were Titled Douluo at level 96. But the black-robed person in front of him gave Ye Chen a feeling that he was not inferior to Qian Jun and Jiangmo, and perhaps even stronger.
Chapter 292 The Cunning Tang Xiao
"A hundred-thousand-year spirit ring?"
Tang Xiao didn't answer Ye Chen's question, but stared at the four hundred-thousand-year spirit rings blooming on Ye Chen's body, stunned.
When did such a monstrous genius appear on the continent? Could it be that after these ten-plus years of secluding the sect, he had fallen behind?
But that wasn't right! Although he didn't have a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, even thinking with his toes, the difficulty of successfully absorbing a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring was absolutely far greater than a ninety-thousand-year spirit ring. How did this young man absorb it when he was at level 40, a quasi-Spirit Ancestor?
Could it be that hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts were lining up to offer themselves in sacrifice? Tang Xiao was very puzzled by this.
"Your Excellency, if you are not from the Star Luo Royal Family, please withdraw."
Looking at the silent Tang Xiao, Ye Chen tightened his grip on the Qingjing Bamboo Staff.
If he could avoid fighting, Ye Chen naturally didn't want to. Moreover, this black-robed person might not be a master from the Star Luo Royal Family?
After all, if he were a master from the Star Luo Royal Family, he would definitely start fighting without a word.
'Hmm, Star Luo Royal Family?'
Looking at the messy battlefield, where there were several obvious bloodstains, Tang Xiao understood that the one who had fought with this young man earlier should have been a master from the Star Luo Royal Family.
Speaking of which, before they were forced to seclude the sect by Spirit Hall, the Star Luo Empire was still an ally of the Clear Sky Sect!
However, this ally was not inseparable. In any case, when Spirit Hall came knocking, the Star Luo Empire, this ally, didn't play much of a role.
After a moment of thought, Tang Xiao said to Ye Chen, "This Seat is a Hall of Offerings Elder of Spirit Hall. Who are you?"
Tang Xiao intended to trick Ye Chen. If the young man in front of him was not from Spirit Hall, then he would pretend he hadn't come today and leave directly.
But if he was from Spirit Hall, then he was sorry. Spirit Hall was an enemy of the Clear Sky Sect. Such a monstrous genius should be eliminated as soon as possible!
Lest Spirit Hall produce another Qian Daoliu, no, even stronger than Qian Daoliu. After all, Qian Daoliu's spirit ring configuration was not as powerful as this young man's.
It was fortunate that although this young man was monstrous and possessed many hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, his spirit power level was still quite a bit lower. He had not yet advanced to Eight-Ring Spirit Douluo, so he was certainly not his opponent now.
'Hall of Offerings? Could it be one of the Third, Fourth, or Fifth Offerings whose names were not left in the original work?'
Immediately, Ye Chen said, "So Senior is from the Hall of Offerings. Junior Ye Chen, and I am good friends with your Hall's High Priest's granddaughter, Qian Renxue."
'Qian Daoliu's granddaughter? Good friends?'
Tang Xiao naturally knew Qian Daoliu, the High Priest of Spirit Hall, who was the person their Clear Sky Sect feared the most. But this old man Qian Daoliu had a granddaughter? How did he not know? Wasn't it said that Qian Daoliu only had one son, Qian Xunji, and Qian Xunji didn't have a wife?
"Are you telling the truth?"
Tang Xiao, unable to figure it out, stopped thinking. Although Ye Chen was not from Spirit Hall, since he was good friends with Qian Daoliu's granddaughter, he was definitely an enemy of their Clear Sky Sect.
Thus, Tang Xiao, completely shrouded in a black robe, looked at Ye Chen with dangerous eyes.
Ye Chen nodded and said, "Of course it's true, Senior will know when you ask!"
Forgive Ye Chen. Although he had lived two lives, his social experience was not very rich, and he fell right into the trap.
Well, he was still too young after all!
"Very good, this Seat will send you on your way now!"
Immediately, Tang Xiao pulled out a large hammer, and nine spirit rings, yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, bloomed on his body.
"What the ~ Clear Sky Hammer?!"
Ye Chen's eyes widened. He never expected that this black-robed person was actually from the Clear Sky Sect?
Didn't they say that all those who wielded big hammers were honest people? How could he be so cunning? He even learned how to trick people?
'Is this Tang Xiao?'
Suddenly, Ye Chen remembered that the Clear Sky Sect's secluded base was in the deep mountains and old forests three hundred li outside Heaven Dou City, wasn't it? Could it be that this place was very close to the Clear Sky Sect's base?
He had met Tang Hao, whose aura and temperament were different from the person in front of him. And the Titled Douluo-level Elders of the Clear Sky Sect were not this high in level. So the only one who fit his impression was Tang Hao's Elder brother, the Soaring Sky Douluo Tang Xiao.
"Wait, I'm not from Spirit Hall, I'm with Spirit...."
Immediately, Ye Chen wanted to explain again. Although he was acquainted with Qian Renxue, he was not familiar with Spirit Hall. From the perspective of closeness, he was closer to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Seventh Spirit Ability, Clear Sky Avatar!"
Tang Xiao didn't listen to Ye Chen's nonsense anymore. After identifying Ye Chen as an enemy, he showed no mercy, directly activated his Clear Sky Avatar, and operated the Clear Sky Sect's inherited absolute art: Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, smashing a hammer down towards Ye Chen.
"What the ~!"
If he had known this, Ye Chen should have immediately used his Fifth Spirit Ability, Silence, on Tang Xiao the moment they met, crippling Tang Xiao's Spirit Abilities.
Although this group of hammer-wielders from the Clear Sky Sect had inherited absolute arts and wouldn't be weak even without using Spirit Abilities, without the Clear Sky Avatar, Tang Xiao's threat would certainly be greatly reduced.
However, it was fortunate that Tang Xiao was not Tang Hao; he couldn't use the Great Sumeru Hammer and couldn't perform Ring Explosion.
Moreover, a hammer was a physical melee attack. With the Soul Bone Skills: Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted and Thorn Guardian, Ye Chen could immune 75% of attacks and reflect 50% of the attack back to Tang Xiao himself. He still had an advantage.
A Titled Douluo's move was not that easy to dodge. A giant hammer as big as a house smashed down on Ye Chen's Martial Soul True Body.
"Bang—"
Instantly, the shield formed by Ye Chen's Pure Nether Bamboo Staff True Body's Purple-Gold Guardian Soul Bone Skill immediately showed several cracks.
'Damn, is the power that great?'
Looking at the Purple-Gold Guardian that almost couldn't hold up, Ye Chen cursed inwardly.
Previously, Dai Wei's Hell White Tiger could only scratch him, but when it came to Tang Xiao, he almost shattered it with one hammer.
After one hammer, unlike Ye Chen, who was unscathed with the Purple-Gold Guardian, Tang Xiao, who had no defensive Spirit Abilities on him, had blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth.
At this moment, Ye Chen's body was imbued with Thorn Guardian. Even if only 50% of the damage was reflected, Tang Xiao, who had activated Clear Sky Avatar, was still injured.
Tang Xiao was a bit frustrated and couldn't understand why Ye Chen was unscathed after his hammer strike, while he himself was injured?
There was no such thing as only taking a beating without fighting back in this world. After enduring one of Tang Xiao's hammers, Ye Chen began to counterattack.
However, Ye Chen also knew that his first three spirit rings were currently only ten-thousand-year ones. Coupled with the large level gap between him and Tang Xiao, it was predictable that they would have little effect. The only ones with obvious effects were the fourth, fifth, and sixth hundred-thousand-year Spirit Abilities.
"Fourth Spirit Ability, Blindness!"
"Fifth Spirit Ability, Silence!"
"Sixth Spirit Ability, Weakness!"
Three hundred-thousand-year Spirit Abilities in a row smashed onto Tang Xiao's body.
Chapter 293: You Swing a Hammer, I Swing a Staff
"Thud—"
"Thud—"
"Thud—"
Three dull, successive sounds rang out on the head of Tang Xiao's Clear Sky Avatar.
In an instant, Tang Xiao felt terrible.
First, his vision went black, and he lost his sight; then, he realized he could no longer use any Spirit Ability.
Losing his sight was no big deal; his mental force was not weak, and by relying on his powerful mental force perception, it had little impact on his combat capability.
Being unable to use Spirit Ability was also no big deal; regardless, aside from his Clear Sky Avatar, even without using Spirit Ability, his strength would not diminish much.
But after being hit by the Weakness Spirit Ability, the impact was quite significant.
Tang Xiao could feel that his strength had been significantly restricted; his originally peak level 96 combat power could now at most exert peak level 95 strength.
Don't look at it as just a one-level difference, but for Tang Xiao, his strength had been restricted by at least thirty percent.
"Bang—"
Tang Xiao smashed down with another hammer blow.
This time, the shield formed by Ye Chen's Soul Bone Skill: Purple-Gold Guardian could no longer withstand it; after taking two hammer blows in succession, it was shattered on the spot.
However, Tang Xiao was not having an easy time either; the force rebounded by the Soul Bone Skill: Thorn Guardian made his injuries worse.
'Is this brat a hedgehog?'
Cursing inwardly, Tang Xiao lifted the giant hammer again and smashed it toward Ye Chen.
It didn't matter if Ye Chen was a hedgehog or not; even if he were a real hedgehog, his Clear Sky Hammer would definitely smash him!
"Cough—"
This time, without the shield from the Soul Bone Skill: Purple-Gold Guardian, relying only on his body-protecting spirit power and the defense inherent to his Martial Soul True Body, even though Ye Chen was immune to 75% of the damage, he still coughed up some blood.
Fortunately, Ye Chen was not at a loss; he took 25% of the attack, while Tang Xiao would also suffer 50% of the attack. Although his level was lower, his physical fitness was not inferior to Tang Xiao's; at most, his body-protecting spirit power defense was quite a bit weaker.
However, Ye Chen still had the Soul Bone Skill of the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo Left Leg Bone: Limitless Regeneration, which could rapidly heal his injuries. If the two fought to the death, the one who died in the end would definitely not be him, Ye Chen.
"Soul Bone Skill: Creation Divine Light!"
With his mental force surging, two cyan beams of light shot from Ye Chen's eyes, instantly hitting Tang Xiao's Clear Sky Avatar.
Tang Xiao was only at the level of a 96th-ranked Titled Douluo and was not on a path related to the mental system; his mental force was not much stronger than his own, so Ye Chen was not worried about suffering a backlash from launching a mental force attack.
"Hmph—"
After taking a hit from Ye Chen's Creation Divine Light, the pain transmitted from his sea of consciousness, even for the powerful Tang Xiao, made him unable to help but groan, and the injuries on his body worsened by another fraction.
If Ye Chen could seamlessly connect his Creation Divine Light, then Tang Xiao would definitely be doomed today.
Unfortunately, with Ye Chen's current strength, he could not continuously burst out with Soul Bone Skills.
The offensive Soul Bone Skills he possessed consisted only of Creation Divine Light, plus one that combined control and attack: Endless Blood Vines.
Creation Divine Light was a mental attack Soul Bone Skill, and Ye Chen's mental force was very strong, which allowed it to cause damage to Tang Xiao. However, Endless Blood Vines was driven by spirit power, and his spirit power level was far inferior to Tang Xiao's; even though both were 100,000-year Soul Bone Skills, it was basically unable to pose a threat to Tang Xiao.
Ye Chen could not burst out with Creation Divine Light again in a short time, and he lacked offensive Spirit Ability. Tang Xiao's Spirit Ability had also been crippled by Ye Chen, and the age of the Spirit Bone on his body was not too high; the Soul Bone Skill he could burst out with was not even as effective as a hammer blow driven by the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes.
Therefore, the subsequent battle entered the stage of "you swing a hammer, I swing a staff," and both sides began mindless auto-attacks.
...
On the other side, having left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and preparing to be a bystander, Chen Xin was flying southeast on his sword.
"Eh? The outcome was decided so quickly?"
Just after Ye Chen killed Dai Tianli and the other four, Chen Xin sensed that the battle in the distance had already calmed down.
'Could it be that the gap in strength between the two sides was too large? Or is it that multiple Titled Douluo were ganging up on one?'
Sensing that the battle had ended, Chen Xin thought to himself.
However, although the battle had ended, Chen Xin still intended to go over and take a look. He had already left, so wouldn't it be embarrassing not to go and see?
Otherwise, if Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong asked about it when he returned, he couldn't just say, "I don't know anything," could he? How embarrassing that would be for Sword Dao Chen Xin!
After flying with his head down for a few more minutes, Chen Xin sensed that the fighting had started over there again, and it seemed the commotion was even greater than before.
"Could it be that a Spirit Bone dropped, and due to uneven distribution of loot, they started infighting?"
Rubbing his chin, Chen Xin guessed the reason for the renewed fighting.
Thinking this, the speed of Chen Xin's sword flight increased by another fraction.
A Spirit Bone capable of causing infighting among Titled Douluo must be a top-tier Spirit Bone. Who knows, if he rushed over now, he, an expert with a rank as high as 97th-ranked Titled Douluo, might even be able to get a share of the spoils!
He certainly wouldn't mind having more good things; even if he couldn't use it himself, his precious granddaughter Ning Rongrong would need it.
However, not long after, Chen Xin, flying in mid-air on his sword, saw a figure below traveling quickly.
"Is that Xiao Wu?"
Looking at the rabbit-eared girl rushing below, Chen Xin recognized her immediately.
It was only because Xiao Wu had a concealment necklace that hid her aura; otherwise, Chen Xin, whose mental force was not weak, would have discovered her long ago.
Immediately, Chen Xin descended from mid-air and intercepted Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, why are you here?"
Frowning, Chen Xin asked Xiao Wu.
"Sword Douluo?"
Seeing Chen Xin suddenly appear before her, Xiao Wu was stunned; she hadn't expected to meet Chen Xin here, but then she was overjoyed.
"Sword Douluo, please go save my brother! My brother is fighting a master behind us!"
Xiao Wu said to Chen Xin with an anxious expression.
The commotion behind was so great, and Xiao Wu's strength was not weak; as soon as Ye Chen and Tang Xiao started fighting, she had sensed it.
"What? It's Ye Chen?"
Instantly, Chen Xin widened his eyes; he hadn't expected that the object of his bystander observation this time would actually be Ye Chen?
Immediately, Chen Xin took off on his sword and rushed toward Ye Chen's location.
Watching Chen Xin leave in a hurry, Xiao Wu stomped her feet on the ground, then turned around and ran toward Ye Chen's location.
Xiao Wu knew of Chen Xin's strength; he was a great expert, a 97th-ranked Titled Douluo. With him stepping in, there would definitely be no problem, and she wouldn't need to go find more people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
From far away, Chen Xin, flying in the air, saw at the end of his line of sight two 'giants' brawling with each other—you swing a hammer, I swing a staff.
"This is the Clear Sky Avatar?"
Looking at one of the black, giant figures in the distance holding a huge hammer, Chen Xin recognized it immediately; this was the unique Clear Sky Avatar of the Clear Sky Sect.
"With this strength, could it be Tang Hao? No, that's not right, Tang Hao's Martial Soul True Body is red. Hmm, it should be Tang Xiao. But how could this brat Ye Chen get into a fight with Tang Xiao?"
Chen Xin was a bit confused; he remembered that Ye Chen didn't have any grudges with the people of the Clear Sky Sect, did he? Why would they start fighting?
Chapter 294 Chen Xin: Have I become nothing?
At this moment, in the field.
Ye Chen, who was currently brawling with Tang Xiao, sensed another master flying towards them and immediately his face changed drastically.
One Tang Xiao was already difficult to deal with; if another one came, wasn't that intentionally not giving him a way to live?
Fortunately, Ye Chen quickly realized that the newcomer's aura was very familiar to him—it was Chen Xin—and he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
'Should I keep Tang Xiao here?'
Immediately, Ye Chen narrowed his eyes, looking at Tang Xiao.
With Chen Xin's strength of level 97, if he cooperated, it might indeed be possible to keep Tang Xiao here tonight.
However, Tang Xiao also noticed a master approaching at this time, and his face changed immediately. After smashing a hammer at Ye Chen with all his might, he dispersed his Clear Sky Avatar and retreated at once.
Now was not the time for the Clear Sky Sect to emerge; it was better to leave first.
"Damn it~, you hit someone and then want to run?"
Ye Chen was anxious. This Tang Xiao had inexplicably hammered him; did he think he could just run after taking advantage of him? No way!
Without thinking, Ye Chen immediately threw his first Spirit Ability at the fleeing Tang Xiao.
"First Spirit Ability, Imprisonment!"
Instantly, a phantom Bamboo Staff flew out, catching up to Tang Xiao in a flash, and struck him on the forehead.
Unfortunately, as expected, the fleeing Tang Xiao's figure only paused slightly before disappearing into the night.
"Damn it, you can run from the monk but not the temple. In the future, I'll make your Clear Sky Sect pay!"
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Ye Chen cursed, looking in the direction where Tang Xiao had disappeared.
...
"Kid, are you alright... Holy crap, four 100,000-year spirit rings?"
After Chen Xin arrived, he was about to inquire about Ye Chen's injuries, but when he saw the seven spirit rings, three black and four red, radiating from Ye Chen, he was immediately stunned.
He remembered that Ye Chen's seventh spirit ring was 100,000 years, right? How did it become four now?
"Cough, cough, just a lucky encounter."
Ye Chen waved his hand, not intending to elaborate. Otherwise, he couldn't possibly tell Chen Xin, 'I cheated,' could he?
"Tsk~, if you don't want to say, so be it, but you, kid, are truly a prodigy!"
Seeing that Ye Chen didn't intend to elaborate, Chen Xin had no intention of digging for answers.
In Chen Xin's opinion, Ye Chen's spirit rings being able to evolve was almost certainly due to a Divinity.
His father had challenged Qian Daoliu of the Spirit Hall back then and had seen Qian Daoliu's spirit ring configuration of eight black and one red. Chen Xin naturally knew that there were ways in this world to increase the age of spirit rings.
However, Qian Daoliu's spirit ring configuration of eight black and one red was already astonishing; wasn't Ye Chen's three black and four red a bit too much?
He, Chen Xin, was a renowned Sword Douluo on the continent, yet he didn't even have a single 100,000-year spirit ring! Envy~!
"By the way, kid, why did you get into a fight with someone from the Clear Sky Sect this late at night?"
Chen Xin was somewhat puzzled. Could it be that Ye Chen had a grudge against Tang Xiao? But that didn't seem right! When the Clear Sky Sect sealed its mountain, Ye Chen was probably just born, right? Where would they have developed a grudge?
"Alas~, this matter is quite unlucky!"
Ye Chen dispersed his Martial Soul True Body. After two consecutive fights, although neither lasted long, his spirit power consumption was considerable, and he was exhausted. He plopped down on the ground and began to tell Chen Xin.
"Today, Xiao Wu and I were going to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt Spirit Beasts. While camping here, we were ambushed by masters from the Star Luo Royal Family.
After I dealt with them, this guy wielding a big hammer suddenly appeared. I didn't expect him to play tricks, claiming to be a Spirit Hall Enshrined. Seeing that he was not to be trifled with, I tried to establish some connection, saying I had old ties with the Spirit Hall.
As a result, that hammer-wielder started fighting without a word."
Saying this, Ye Chen shrugged.
To be honest, it was really unfair. He, Ye Chen, was not a member of the Spirit Hall and had no grudge against the Clear Sky Sect.
The Clear Sky Sect couldn't defeat the Spirit Hall, so they took their anger out on him?
This feud was now established; in the future, he would definitely make the Clear Sky Sect pay!
...
Chen Xin was speechless. According to Ye Chen, it was indeed quite unfair.
The hatred between the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall was deep. Although Ye Chen was not a member of the Spirit Hall, he had old ties with them and was such a prodigy. If it were Chen Xin, he would probably also make a move, right?
However, in Chen Xin's impression, wasn't this Tang Xiao an honest person? How did he learn to trick people?
"By the way, you said people from the Star Luo Royal Family ambushed you? That shouldn't be. For the sake of your little girlfriend, Zhu Zhuqing, the Star Luo Royal Family shouldn't go to such great lengths, should they?"
Chen Xin was somewhat puzzled. Ye Chen had their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School backing him. Just for a Zhu Zhuqing, it shouldn't be necessary to even send out a Titled Douluo-level master, should it?
Face, this thing, can be valuable, but if it's not valuable, then it truly isn't worth much.
One must know that Ye Chen was the son-in-law of the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. If they succeeded, wouldn't the Star Luo Royal Family be afraid of retaliation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?
"Cough, cough, some time ago, Rongrong advanced to Spirit Emperor and went to the Star Dou Great Forest, where she encountered a Spirit Douluo from the Star Luo Royal Family, whom I counter-killed."
Having killed Dave previously, Ye Chen was not surprised to be ambushed by the Star Luo Royal Family this time, but Tang Xiao's involvement was truly beyond his expectations.
"So that's it!"
Chen Xin suddenly understood. He had thought that it couldn't possibly be just for a Zhu Zhuqing. It turned out that Ye Chen had killed a Spirit Douluo from the Star Luo Royal Family, which led to this retaliation.
If it were their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and a high-ranking member of the Sect was killed, they would definitely retaliate. If they remained indifferent, it would be difficult to lead the team.
Moreover, if they didn't retaliate, what if those who acted secretly became even more aggressive and pushed their luck?
"Wait a minute, Rongrong advanced to six-ring Spirit Emperor?"
Suddenly, Chen Xin thought of another key point: his precious granddaughter had advanced to Spirit Emperor?
Only a year had passed since the Soul Master Competition, right? At that time, Rongrong was just entering the five-ring stage, and now she was already a Spirit Emperor? That fast? Does that mean she'll become a Titled Douluo in a few years?
"Cough, cough, didn't Uncle Ning give her two Spirit Bones before? Plus, Rongrong has good talent and trains hard. Advancing to Spirit Emperor, isn't that just a matter of course?"
...
Chen Xin thought of his precious granddaughter, who worked three days and rested two. The word 'hard work' didn't seem to apply to her, did it? Could the sun have risen from the west?
Besides, this couldn't be explained by just 'hard work,' could it?
There were plenty of talented and hardworking people in the world, but he had never seen anything this exaggerated!
...
Not long after, Xiao Wu, who was much slower than Chen Xin, returned.
"Brother, how are you?"
As soon as she saw Ye Chen, Xiao Wu immediately rushed over, asking about his condition.
"Haha, I'm perfectly fine! A mere Titled Douluo, how could he be a match for your brother? I already beat him and made him run away!"
Shameless Ye Chen said with a thick face.
Chen Xin: I am also a Titled Douluo, and I've become 'mere'? I always feel like Ye Chen is subtly criticizing him!
Chapter 295: Squeezing Surplus Value
"Let me see quickly, how serious are your injuries?"
Xiao Wu immediately moved to check Ye Chen's injuries.
Although Ye Chen claimed he was fine, Xiao Wu didn't believe it. That was a Titled Douluo, and a powerful one at that. How could Ye Chen, merely an 80th-level quasi-Spirit Douluo, be completely unharmed?
"Did you forget? I have a healing type Soul Bone Skill."
After a fight with Tang Xiao, Ye Chen naturally wasn't completely unharmed; he was even quite injured. However, with the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo Left Leg Bone's 100,000-year Soul Bone Skill: Limitless Regeneration, as long as he wasn't instantly defeated, he would definitely be fine.
Can't heal with one use? Then use two!
"Oh, that's right!"
At this moment, Xiao Wu remembered that Ye Chen was not just a control system Spirit Master; he could also moonlight as a healing system Spirit Master, and his healing abilities were absolutely among the best on the continent.
A 100,000-year healing type Soul Bone Skill was equivalent to a 100,000-year healing type Spirit Ability—a level of skill that no ordinary healing system Spirit Master could possess.
Afterward, Chen Xin returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, while Ye Chen and Xiao Wu did not continue to the Star Dou Great Forest, but instead prepared to return to Heaven Dou City.
The threat from the Star Luo Royal Family was not small, and the time needed for this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest was still unknown. Ye Chen planned to first settle Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing at home to prevent the Star Luo Royal Family from exploiting any loopholes.
Although the probability of something happening in Heaven Dou City was very small, and the Star Luo Royal Family wouldn't react that quickly, Ye Chen still had to be cautious.
As for their original carriage? Well, it had long been affected by the aftermath of the previous battle, and now only scraps of the horse and carriage remained.
Fortunately, Ye Chen wasn't short on a little money, so he simply abandoned it.
Moreover, the spoils of war he gained this time far exceeded his own losses.
Dai Tianli was the former Star Luo Emperor, Grand Elder Dai Feng was the Royal Family's First Elder, and Dai Wei was the Royal Family's Second Elder. All held high positions and power, and they possessed many Spirit Bones that ordinary Spirit Masters could only dream of.
This included the wives of Grand Elder Dai Feng and Dai Wei, who also had Spirit Bones on them.
Subsequently, Ye Chen, suppressing his disgust, stripped the Spirit Bones from the five individuals.
First was Dai Tianli. As a Titled Douluo-level expert, the quality of his Spirit Bones was the best. The Spirit Bones for all four limbs were complete, with ages ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 years.
In addition, Dai Tianli also had a precious torso Spirit Bone, though its age was a bit low, just over 40,000 years. Even so, this was the most valuable item among the spoils Ye Chen obtained this time.
Grand Elder Dai Feng and Dai Wei, like each other, had full sets of limb bones, but the ages of their Spirit Bones were not high. The oldest one was only 30,000 years, and some were even less than 1,000 years old.
As for the two middle-aged women, let alone compared to Dai Tianli, even compared to Grand Elder Dai Feng and Dai Wei, they were much poorer.
Together, they only yielded three limb bones, and all of them were under 10,000 years old.
'It seems the women of the Zhu Family don't hold a high position within the Royal Family Dai Family either!'
Comparing the Spirit Bones on the five individuals, Ye Chen thought to himself.
However, obtaining sixteen Spirit Bones at once, Ye Chen had made a huge profit.
It was a bit of a shame, though, that Ye Chen wasn't clear about the Soul Bone Skills attached to these Spirit Bones. This required a professional appraiser to distinguish.
Of course, there was another method: find a few Spirit Masters to refine these Spirit Bones and personally experience the effects of the Soul Bone Skills, but this method was quite wasteful of Spirit Masters.
Glancing at the five individuals, who were now corpses, Ye Chen thought for a moment. In consideration of them contributing so many Spirit Bones to him, he decided not to leave their bodies to rot in the wilderness.
"Xiao Wu, freeze these bodies. We'll sell them to the Star Luo Empire later and make a profit!"
Ye Chen said to Xiao Wu.
As a qualified capitalist, one shouldn't just squeeze oil from a stone, but at the very least, one must extract all remaining value from any target.
Leaving others aside, Dai Tianli was the former Star Luo Emperor. As his biological son, Dai Yutian, surely he wouldn't just ignore it, right?
Coincidentally, Xiao Wu's Moon Rabbit was an ice-attribute Spirit, which was quite convenient. Otherwise, in a few days, these bodies wouldn't be recognizable to anyone.
"Brother, you're so naughty~!"
"Then do you like it?"
"Mmm, I really like it!"
...
On the other side, the retreating Tang Xiao returned to the Clear Sky Sect.
Tang Xiao's hammer-wielding power was much higher than his own defensive capabilities. Being rebounded 50% of the attack, and without any healing type Spirit Abilities or Soul Bone Skills, he was quite injured.
However, now was not the time to heal. As soon as he returned to the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao went straight to the Sect Hall.
At this time, the Five Elders of the Clear Sky Sect were still waiting for news from Tang Xiao in the Sect Hall.
"Sect Master, you're back? Uh, why are you injured?"
Seventh Elder Tang Lie, upon seeing Tang Xiao return, was about to ask about the situation there, but then discovered Tang Xiao was injured?
This made Tang Lie very puzzled. The Clear Sky Sect's inherited unique skills were not weak, and Tang Xiao was a 96th-level Titled Douluo, considered a strong expert across the entire continent. He hadn't expected that merely going to investigate would result in injury?
Doesn't that mean the person who attacked had a spirit power level above 96? Could this be an ambush by Spirit Hall?
"Elders, from now on, raise vigilance within the Sect and prepare yourselves!"
Tang Xiao looked at the Five Elders and said in a deep voice.
"Sect Master, what happened?"
Second Elder Tang Xiong immediately asked.
"Alas~, disaster has struck!"
Sighing, Tang Xiao recounted what had happened earlier to the Five Elders.
Ye Chen's strength far exceeded Tang Xiao's expectations. With his 96th-level Titled Douluo strength, he still couldn't take down a Soul Saint (7 Rings)-level Ye Chen? No one would believe it if he told them!
"A Soul Saint with four 100,000-year spirit rings? Sect Master, are you sure you're not joking?"
Tang Lie looked at Tang Xiao with an incredulous expression. Was there such a monstrous Spirit Master on the continent?
"Seventh Elder, are you saying I'm joking?"
Tang Xiao's face hardened, and he glared at Tang Lie with displeasure.
"Old Seven, the Sect Master has always been steady and would never speak carelessly! Since the Sect Master says so, it absolutely exists."
Third Elder Tang Yan immediately interjected.
Fifth Elder Tang Ling said: "Sect Master, the most urgent matter is not to focus on where Ye Chen's 100,000-year spirit rings came from, but to figure out a countermeasure!
Ye Chen is so monstrous. Regardless of whether he is from Spirit Hall or not, this grudge has been formed. In the future, once he grows up, how can our Clear Sky Sect survive?"
"Fifth Brother is right, such a monstrous talent must indeed be eliminated early!"
Tang Lie nodded, and as he spoke, he gestured across his neck.
"But the problem now is that Ye Chen's strength is not weak; even I don't have absolute confidence in taking him down!"
Tang Xiao felt a headache coming on.