Chapter 287: 288. All Preparations Complete, No Need for the Eastern Wind

288. Chapter 288: All Preparations Complete, No Need for the Eastern Wind

"Hehe, your questions are good, but there's no need to know now." Bai Zhou grinned, then shot forward like an arrow toward Xu Guozhong, whose cultivation was higher.

"Seeking death!"

Although Xu Guozhong was wary, seeing Bai Zhou attack him so recklessly ignited a nameless rage within him—he felt deeply insulted! After all, he was a seasoned Titled Douluo, a Level 9 Soul Tool Master; how could he endure such provocation from a young upstart?

"Hum—"

Without hesitation, Xu Guozhong unleashed his Martial Soul: a golden bell that encased his body.

Immediately afterward, he summoned numerous Spirit Tool Cannons, all barrels aimed squarely at Bai Zhou, and fired.

"Boom boom boom boom—"

Lasers and artillery shells rained down on Bai Zhou.

Too bad…

The distance between them was far too close—less than fifty meters.

The difference between Battle Soul Masters and Soul Tool Masters was evident here: under the same cultivation level, a Soul Tool Master was finished once a Battle Soul Master closed in.

Xu Guozhong's artillery couldn't even catch Bai Zhou's afterimages.

In the blink of an eye, Bai Zhou stood before Xu Guozhong and threw a simple, ordinary punch.

"Dong—"

The fist struck Xu Guozhong's Martial Soul, unleashing a terrifying roar; the supersonic shockwave swept outward, shattering every table, chair, and wall around them.

"Crack—"

A fissure appeared on Xu Guozhong's Martial Soul under the force of that blow.

"What?!"

Xu Guozhong's face turned pale with terror, and he immediately felt the urge to flee.

Too late.

Bai Zhou's fist came down again.

"Bang—"

Xu Guozhong's Martial Soul shattered like an eggshell; Bai Zhou's punch retained its momentum and obliterated Xu Guozhong's Level 9 Soul Tool shield as well.

A fist the size of a sandbag struck Xu Guozhong's chest directly.

"Crack—"

A crisp sound of bone breaking echoed; Xu Guozhong was slammed backward, spewing a gout of blood, flying over ten meters, and crashing hard into the wall behind him.

A single punch shattered half his heart and scattered all his soul power.

Bai Zhou accomplished all this in just two breaths.

"Run!!!"

At that moment, Linghu Yun's mind held only one thought—he nearly pissed himself.

He had originally planned to watch the show, even to lend a hand.

But before he could even grasp the situation, Xu Guozhong was crushed by two thunderous punches.

Who could withstand this…

"Swoosh—"

The instant that thought formed, he activated Martial Soul Possession, transforming into a black dragon-serpent and speeding toward the exit.

"Bang—"

The next moment, a muffled thud rang out.

As Linghu Yun reached the doorway, he collided with something invisible and expansive, rebounding violently.

The impact was so fierce his head nearly exploded.

He lifted his head, scanning the surroundings, and immediately sensed something was wrong.

The hall, moments ago, had been utterly destroyed by the blast—every piece of furniture, every precious porcelain vase and silk tapestry, even several thick load-bearing pillars, had turned to dust.

Yet the walls surrounding the hall remained untouched, not a single crack. Upon closer inspection, he realized the entire hall was enclosed by a semi-transparent barrier, all the force absorbed and blocked by this shield.

Even he was trapped inside, unable to escape.

"Run? Why stop running?"

Bai Zhou clenched his fist, slowly walking toward Linghu Yun, lips curled into a wicked grin.

Though defeating Xu Guozhong didn't require powerful tools, Bai Zhou had still prepared a weaker Trapping Enemy Formation, covering the hall in advance to block all aura and sound.

Now, the two Titled Douluo inside were like fish in a barrel, at his mercy.

"Who are you…? Whatever you want, I'll give it to you…"

Linghu Yun's face was pale with terror, his legs trembling.

Though he had fought countless battles in his life and seen many things, he had never encountered a being as terrifying as Bai Zhou…

Two punches shattered the Martial Soul of a defense-oriented Titled Douluo and left him critically wounded on the spot.

Such terrifying combat power—could even a legendary Super Douluo above 95 Soul Master Levels match this? But according to what he knew, the strongest in the Sun Moon Empire was only 94; where did this Super Douluo come from? And why had this man suddenly attacked him and Xu Guozhong?

He only wanted to live.

"Ji ji ji~ What I want, I'll take myself."

Bai Zhou grinned, then lunged forward.

"Boom boom boom boom—"

…

…

…

One hour later.

"Thump—"

"Greetings, Master—"

Xu Guozhong and Linghu Yun, their faces pale, knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully to Bai Zhou.

These two fellows were simply too weak; even after an hour of Bai Zhou's "Holy Light" Healing, their strength had plummeted, their internal injuries remained severe, and there was no hope of recovery in the short term.

Fortunately, Bai Zhou had no need for their combat power, so he did not care much.

"Tend to your injuries these few days; in a few days, once the Old Emperor passes away, you will announce your support for the Eighth Prince, Xu Tianhe. I will also speak with Mingde Hall; from now on, we are all one family, working for me."

Bai Zhou nodded and spoke slowly.

"Master, how do you know the Emperor is going to..." Upon hearing this, both looked at Bai Zhou with faces full of shock; they seemed to have guessed something, yet dared not believe it.

Bai Zhou glanced meaningfully at the two and, deciding there was no point in hiding it any longer, said indifferently, "With my strength, killing the Old Emperor is naturally effortless; you need only wait for news."

"We obey!"

After being enslaved by Bai Zhou, Xu Guozhong and Linghu Yun already revered him immensely, and upon hearing Bai Zhou's plan now, their awe for him had reached its peak.

At the same time, a certain fervor stirred in their hearts! Although enslaved by Bai Zhou, they could now do things they had previously never dared to attempt! This filled them with an inexplicable excitement, making them eager to try!

Having settled matters here, Bai Zhou headed straight back home.

Today could be said to have been a harvest full of gains.

After making his moves against the various princes, he had originally intended to come and enslave Xu Guozhong.

But he never expected that Linghu Yun, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard, would also be here...

Getting one and getting another free, Bai Zhou naturally would not miss this unexpected joy.

Originally, he had been somewhat worried about a riot within the Imperial Guard, but now, there was absolutely no further cause for concern.

Everything was ready; all that remained was the east wind.

(End of Chapter)