Chapter 105: Tang Hao Appears

Because the promotion tournament is held in Spirit City, the Heaven Dou Empire specially arranged for Crown Prince Xue Qinghe to lead a group to Spirit City, accompanied by many senior officials of the Heaven Dou Empire, especially the Three Education Commissioners of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, who also followed Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

In addition, Guest Elder Dugu Bo of the Heaven Dou Empire also followed in the party, and his only granddaughter Dugu Yan was also set to take part in the finals.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect consisted of Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Lin Gong, and several other attendants; they all seemed quite formidable.

Under the protection of escort knights, the group rode in carriages to Spirit City; each carriage was enormous and lavish, feeling as if one were standing on level ground.

Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong did not sit with the main party; instead they were with Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo and others. The journey was bound to be turbulent, but staying with Sword Douluo would be somewhat safer, and of course Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was also on the carriage.

Yang Xiong and Xue Qinghe have interacted countless times in recent years; on the surface they are very familiar, yet both like to throw a few soft nails at each other.

Each time Yang Xiong introduces a girlfriend to Xue Qinghe, even vowing repeatedly that if Xue Qinghe takes a liking to anyone, he will spare no effort to help.

Xue Qinghe, in turn, jokes each time that Yang Xiong already has a girlfriend at such a young age, fearing he might become a fickle playboy, and insists he should focus on cultivation for now.

…

Nevertheless, on this trip to Spirit City, Xue Qinghe seemed genuinely pleased, even a hint of excitement flickering in the corners of his eyes, unlike his usual mask.

Yang Xiong, seeing Xue Qinghe's expression, couldn't help but chuckle, "Crown Prince, looking so happy, anyone might think you were heading home; it seems you really like Spirit City."

Xue Qinghe's face darkened at the remark, but he quickly composed himself: "I have lived all my life in the inner palace, rarely venturing out; this trip to Spirit City is a chance to see a holy site of the Soul Master world, and as a Soul Grandmaster I'm somewhat excited."

Yang Xiong sighed, "Spirit City truly is a holy place for Soul Grandmasters, but in recent years it has become too utilitarian and has lost the Angelic radiance it once had."

Xue Qinghe forced a smile, "Looks like you, Xiao Xiong, really liked the old Spirit Hall."

Yang Xiong let out another sigh, "It's a pity; it's said the Angel Clan no longer has any Inheritors, and besides, our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Hall ultimately follow different Dao."

Xue Qinghe replied, "Who can say? Perhaps the Angel Clan still has a hidden Inheritor."

Yang Xiong laughed, "That's uncertain; it's said that after the former Pope Qian Xunji was killed by Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao, the Angel Clan vanished from the Soul Grandmaster world."

Seeing the two grow more animated, Ning Fengzhi finally spoke, "Xue Qinghe, Xiao Xiong, the Angel Clan isn't that simple; their Qian Daoliu is widely recognized as one of the continent's strongest, and legend has it that Qian Xunji once had a daughter, though she supposedly died in infancy."

Yang Xiong quickly said, "Sect Leader, if you put it that way, this little girl is likely the Angel Clan's sole heir and shouldn't have died so easily; I wonder how old she is."

Ning Fengzhi thought carefully before replying, "Age‑wise, she should be about the same size as Xue Qinghe; the exact details are unclear, and the Spirit Hall has released no information."

Yang Xiong smiled, "If the Sect Leader says so, this girl is probably the same age as the participants in this Soul Master Competition; I wonder if she could appear. The Angel Clan's talent shouldn't be lacking."

Xue Qinghe finally spoke, "Teacher, Xiao Xiong, from the information I've gathered, the Spirit Hall's golden generation has no Angelic girls; perhaps this girl truly perished."

Yang Xiong examined Xue Qinghe for a moment, "Crown Prince, I see your temperament and figure becoming more girl‑like; could you have some unspeakable secret?"

Xue Qinghe, who had been sipping tea, retorted, "Xiao Xiong, you're joking; I've been like this since childhood, and I must thank the teacher for the guidance."

Indeed, Xue Qinghe's demeanor is refined, somewhat akin to Ning Fengzhi's lineage.

After a few occasional verbal sparrings, Yang Xiong and Xue Qinghe each resumed their cultivation.

The journey together was rather pleasant; at least outwardly it seemed harmonious, with a brother‑friend‑like respect, and even Ning Fengzhi appeared satisfied.

Yet Yang Xiong internally scoffed, noting that despite his hints, Ning Fengzhi showed no doubt, indicating he truly valued this disciple.

After more than ten days, on this day Yang Xiong was meditating with his eyes closed when a thunderous explosion echoed from afar.

When Yang Xiong's party stepped out of the carriage, countless black‑clad attackers suddenly emerged, targeting the various convoys; oddly, the main focus was Shrek's carriage.

In the distance, a massive Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor appeared, none other than Guest Elder Dugu Bo of the Heaven Dou Empire, with his granddaughter Dugu Yan at his side.

Whether it was Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe, or even Sword Douluo, all wore solemn expressions; clearly this attack was no simple matter, prompting Dugu Bo to act.

Sword Douluo said gravely, "We see only Ghost Shadow, no Soul Ring; it must be that Ghost Specter."

Yang Xiong was startled by this and immediately used all his spiritual power to observe the distant battle.

Dugu Bo's figure flickered, and the massive Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor struck with blinding speed, accompanied by green poisonous mist that sent chills down one's spine.

Yet his opponent was a ghostly presence that left no trace, not even a Soul Ring, appearing exceedingly formidable.

Even with the formidable strength of Title Douluo Dugu Bo, he seemed somewhat outmatched at this moment; that Ghost Shadow moved like lightning, leaving Dugu Bo himself struggling to parry. It appeared the opponent merely aimed to stall Dugu Bo, and neither side was delivering a killing blow.

Elsewhere, the fights looked intense, yet the besieging black‑clad assailants were not in a hurry to strike, seeming instead to restrain everyone.

By contrast, Shrek's side was exaggerated, fielding several top experts, notably a Four-eyed Cat Eagle and a Fire Dragon Spirit Soul, which must be Liu Erlong and Flanders.

At that moment, a gigantic Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon suddenly appeared, towering and bearing eight Soul Rings.

He was extremely enraged, shouting, "You audacious scoundrels, daring to provoke the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"

Yet the newcomer showed no hesitation, seemingly ignoring the deterrence of that Soul Douluo.

Yang Xiong was puzzled, "Sect Leader, why haven't I seen this Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Master before?"

Ning Fengzhi replied, "An elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, likely covertly protecting Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin; it seems Yu Yuanzhen was already prepared."

Yang Xiong said, "Sect Leader, could their target be Tang San? Should we go take a look?"

Ning Fengzhi hesitated, then answered, "Probably. Tang San's performance in this Soul Master Competition has been dazzling, and the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall have long been at odds; heading to Spirit City now isn't wise."

Even though several Soul Douluos were present, Yang Xiong even spotted a Soul Douluo named Dragon Duke, but unlike the original story, Dragon Duke wasn't guarding Tang San; he was protecting students of his own academy.

While everyone hesitated, a golden figure appeared in the sky, accompanied by countless chrysanthemum petals; it was Chrysanthemum Douluo.

Chrysanthemum Douluo made a slight move, and Flanders was enveloped by countless chrysanthemum petals, each as sharp as a broadsword.

Yang Xiong stared intently at Chrysanthemum Douluo; he had always wondered how a plant‑type Soul Grandmaster could become a strong‑attack type, and seeing the massive Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum only made his gaze burn hotter.

Among the many Immortal Herbs, Yang Xiong's favorite is indeed this Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, though he has no plans to ingest it yet; still, watching Chrysanthemum Douluo fight is rather interesting.

Around Yang Xiong's group were many black‑clad figures, but their strength was generally low, far below Sword Douluo's, so Sword Douluo remained calm, quietly standing beside Ning Fengzhi.

With Chrysanthemum Douluo's sudden appearance, even Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were startled; they hadn't expected the Spirit Hall to dispatch two Title Douluos, apparently intent on killing Tang San.

Just as Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo prepared to rescue Tang San, a blood‑red giant hammer materialized in the sky and slammed straight at Chrysanthemum Douluo.

The hammer appeared extremely quickly; even Chrysanthemum Douluo couldn't react in time, and despite unleashing countless petals at the hammer, he was still hurled dozens of meters away.

At that moment, a ragged black silhouette appeared in the sky, bearing nine Soul Rings, the last of which was blood‑red, exerting immense pressure on everyone.

Ghost Douluo was likewise shocked, instantly summoning a black hole toward Dugu Bo, then transforming into a Ghost Shadow that sped toward Shrek's team.

Just then, a deep‑blue giant sword descended from the heavens, directly blocking the Ghost Shadow's path; it was wielded by Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi.

Chrysanthemum Douluo, furious, shouted, "Tang Hao, I never expected you to appear again."

"Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, I never thought you'd dare oppose us."

Tang Hao's face showed a hint of displeasure: "A Chrysanthemum Douluo, a little Ghost Douluo—does the Spirit Hall only know how to act sneakily?"

Ning Fengzhi ignored the Chrysanthemum Douluo and instead looked toward Tang Hao in the distance: "Brother Tang, long time no see; I never expected that after all these years your bearing is still the same as before."

Tang Hao's face showed a hint of self‑mockery: "I'm just a good-for-nothing, but the Spirit Hall dare not harm my son."

Ning Fengzhi said nothing further after hearing that, and although the Chrysanthemum Gui Douluo's face was full of anger, three Title Douluos had already appeared, making the plan completely impossible to carry out; he finally uttered a harsh remark and left the place in a sullen mood.

Tang Hao and Ning Fengzhi exchanged a few glances; whether they said anything is unknown, and finally Tang Hao simply turned his head and walked away, as if nothing had happened around them.

Yang Xiong seemed to recall something, hurriedly looked toward Xue Qinghe beside him; at this moment Xue Qinghe no longer had his usual refined demeanor, a trace of resentment even flashed in his eyes, and he stared fixedly at Tang Hao's figure.

However, Xue Qinghe soon seemed to notice Yang Xiong's gaze; the previously resentful expression suddenly turned a bit ashen, but quickly became unusually calm.

Afterwards the whole convoy, after some sorting and verification, suffered no major losses; especially the members incurred virtually none, only a few sustained minor injuries that should recover quickly.

Xue Qinghe then pacified all the trainees, displaying the bearing of a Crown Prince and also showing a respectful attitude toward his subordinates.

But when the group returned to the carriage, Yang Xiong, with a pretentious tone, asked: "Brother Qinghe, why did it seem just now that when you saw that Title Douluo you looked as if you had encountered the murderer of your father—could it be that you hold a grudge against him?"

(End of chapter)