Chapter 88

Flandre heard the news, his first thought was denial, but the message's wording was too true.

This left him unable, for a moment, to discern which voices were real.

Rumors flew everywhere, but everyone's accounts ultimately led to one result: that Liu Erlong had stayed at the Breaking Heaven Sect that night.

And they all heard the words spoken by the sect master of the Breaking Heaven Sect.

Da Shi clenched both fists, veins bulging; his hands became engorged with blood, turning completely red.

At this point, both men had apparently forgotten a piece of news: that the sect master of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao, had gone up to the Breaking Heaven Sect with two elders to cause trouble, and was ultimately beheaded.

The ancestor of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Chen, was even defeated by the sect master of the Breaking Heaven Sect, Yang Yun; whether he was killed or fled is unknown.

At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's eyes were blood-red and his breathing ragged, exuding a wild aura like a beast ready to devour anyone at any moment.

Flandre, though his heart ached immensely, had long prepared himself mentally to let his good brothers reunite; even knowing that Yu Xiaogang would be disfigured, he held no wishful thoughts.

Because he well knew Liu Erlong's temperament, disfigurement was hardly any obstacle at all.

But now, Flandre refuses to believe this news.

"Xiaogang, don't get so worked up; you and I both know Erlong's temperament and personality all too well—this sort of thing is likely just a rumor spreading like wildfire."

"We can't rule out that someone with ill intent is fanning the flames; we must have faith in Erlong." Flandre advised earnestly.

Yu Xiaogang's originally clenched fist suddenly relaxed; he felt a sweetness in his throat, and a mouthful of blood surged upward from his chest.

But thinking that Flandre was still there, Yu Xiaogang forcibly swallowed it back.

His body swayed; after taking several deep breaths he recovered somewhat.

Reason gradually returned to his mind; at this moment Yu Xiaogang noticed the startling change in the rumor, and his face instantly changed.

"Clear Sky Sect, Flandre, let's go find Xiao San first to tell him this news; first we need to steady his emotions."

"Back then the Clear Sky Sect was probably about to emerge from seclusion, but they picked the wrong opponent, which led to the present situation; we should tell Xiao San some of the Clear Sky Sect's secrets from back then, so he can endure for now."

"In the future, the Clear Sky Sect will be a considerable aid to Xiao San; the sect master has now been killed, so Xiao San's father is likely to become one of those who could retake leadership of the sect—even if he was expelled, his title is still 'Heavenly Sky'."

At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's mind was filled entirely with the image of Tang San; Tang San now is his last hope.

Even the thought of Liu Erlong has now been almost destroyed and collapsed; Tang San's importance to him goes without saying, having risen to a height no one can reach.

Flandre pushed up his glasses and let out a light sigh; how could he possibly have missed Yu Xiaogang's movements—he is a Soul Saint.

But given the friendship, Flandre could not possibly do something to sabotage them, and Tang San is indeed very important.

He then followed after them.

Martial Soul City, inside the Hall of Worship.

Qian Daoliu listened as the Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke of the recent incident that had occurred at the Breaking Heaven Sect, and he couldn't help but let out a wistful, light laugh.

"Though heroes arise in every generation, I never expected that Tang Chen, once hailed as invincible on land, would someday be defeated; I wonder when my title of 'Invincible in the Heavens' as Qian Daoliu will be snatched away."

"If that happens, I'm sure it will be Xiao Xue's; only she has that talent and potential." The Golden Crocodile Douluo chuckled, feeling little of Qian Daoliu's wistfulness.

"The news that the land‑invincible Tang Chen has been defeated is, frankly, somewhat laughable to him."

"But when I consider that the information was delivered by the three great Platinum Church Masters, Salas—a Douluo‑ranked church master who saw it himself—"

"Yang Yun's soul‑ring configuration far exceeds that of my own elder brother, lending these matters a degree of credibility."

"Tang Chen's Clear Sky Hammer's several great profundities are indeed strong, but with the boost of six 100,000‑year soul rings and several 100,000‑year soul bones, that strength will be greatly diminished."

"Moreover, the opponent's martial soul is a mutated variant of the attack‑oriented Soul‑Breaking Spear, the Flaming Spear Zhu Li, whose talent and ability can be called peerless."

"The Golden Crocodile Douluo also felt a little curious about what it would be like to face such an outstanding junior."

"Tang Chen also harbors resentment toward the northwest; he'll probably lose, hahaha."

"Qian Daoliu looked up at the angelic statue overlooking him, his gaze deep and lingering."

"Xiao Xue, she seems to have been very devoted to her cultivation lately; that ought to be a good thing, right? The Heaven‑Dou Empire's nation‑changing plan has progressed this far and is nearly complete."

"After successfully securing control of the Heaven‑Dou Empire, she should return to inherit the divine position and restore the glory of the angels."

"The Golden Crocodile Douluo stood silently behind him."

"Once the angelic divine position is successfully inherited, Qian Daoliu, as a servant of the angelic god, will necessarily sacrifice himself to open the passage of inheritance."

"He let out a soft sigh; the centuries of friendship with his good friend were about to end, and the Golden Crocodile Douluo sat down with his hands behind his back, closing his eyes to rest his spirit."

Elsewhere.

After the ceremony ended, the Heaven‑Dou Empire's Xue Beng set off at a gallop, leaving Star Luo City.

Even staying another second in this damned place made Xue Beng feel a chill on his neck, as if a blade were pressed against it.

Leaving Star Luo City, they galloped all the way; upon entering the forest trail, Xue Beng suddenly felt something was wrong.

The surroundings were too quiet.

It was quiet to an unsettling degree, yet nocturnal animals in the forest were by no means few.

Why is tonight so silent?

"Your Highness, there may be an ambush; please be careful—we would not abandon you even if we had to lay down our lives." Xue Feng said solemnly at this moment.

Xue Beng felt his throat a little dry, he swallowed with difficulty, his gaze flickering as he looked at everyone around.

At this moment, Xue Beng even felt a strange sense of distrust toward those who had always followed and protected him; the feeling was quite peculiar.

But Xue Beng did have this feeling.

The last time he had this feeling was when only the eldest brother and he remained among the brothers.

Thus he began to become decadent, committing all manner of evil, bullying men and women; there was hardly any shameful act he hadn't done.

Relying on this decadent, deceitful behavior, he has managed to survive to this day.

"Your Highness, not good, Your Highness—there's an ambush." As Xue Feng's words fell, the surrounding forest echoed with the sound of leaves rustling 'swish swish swish'.

Xue Beng's originally panicked expression suddenly turned composed and calm as he lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down.

He stared straight at Xue Feng, who had his back to him beneath the carriage, and said in a low voice: "General Xue Feng, we've come this far—there's no need to keep up the act for the prince, right?"

"Was it my elder brother who sent you here to kill me?"

Xue Feng was still playing dumb, standing on guard, watching the surroundings vigilantly, and replied: "Your Highness, what nonsense are you spouting? I, Xue Feng, have been doing my utmost to protect Your Highness's safety all along; how could Your Highness suspect me?"

"I really feel wronged, Your Highness."

Having said that, Xue Feng's long sword suddenly turned and thrust backward; his face ferocious, he shouted: "Your Highness, since you wrongly accuse your subordinate like this, I have no choice but to send you to Hell to seek proof."

(End of chapter)