"Two Titled Douluos!" Tang San's eyes widened in shock.
He had felt this kind of pressure before at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, and he would never mistake it.
Moreover, that effeminate man had accused the Strength Clan of harboring a wanted criminal. Could they be here to capture his father? Tang San's heart stirred, and he hid himself around the corner.
He had learned from his uncle that his father had offended the Spirit Hall and was now a wanted man, but the specifics were unclear to Tang San.
Seeing the aggressive approach of these two Titled Douluos, it seemed the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined.
With his current strength, going out there would be like walking into a trap. It was better to observe and preserve himself for future plans.
"Greetings, Your Excellencies. We are just a small family. How could we possibly know anything about Tang Hao?" Bai He hunched over like an old farmer, smiling amiably.
"Hehe, if the Strength Clan and the Agility Clan can be considered small families, then there are hardly any families on the continent that can be called Soul Master families," Chrysanthemum Douluo said with a sly smile, covering his mouth with his hand. "You two~ don't pretend to know nothing. Let me tell you, the informant knows you inside out."
"Knows us inside out?" Bai He and Tai Tan exchanged glances, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.
Due to their relationship with the Spirit Hall, the four single-attribute clans had always kept a low profile, rarely making enemies. Even when conducting business, they usually didn't reveal their family affiliations.
Under such circumstances, if the Spirit Hall said the informant knew them inside out, it must be someone close to them.
"Could it be that old fool Yang Wudi?" Tai Tan thought through the people he knew but found nothing unusual. Only Yang Wudi had been acting suspiciously recently.
Moreover, despite inviting him along with Bai He for a discussion, he had yet to show up.
"Impossible. Although Old Yang is a bit stubborn, I believe he would never betray us," Bai He shook his head.
"What are you two muttering about? I advise you not to play any tricks. It's better to confess now," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, holding a chrysanthemum in his hand as he slowly descended in front of them. "This way, you'll suffer less."
"Your Excellency, we truly haven't seen Tang Hao," Bai He said with a pained expression. "Since you already know our identities, I won't hide it from you."
"Our four single-attribute clans were indeed vassals of the Clear Sky Sect, but that was over a decade ago. After the Clear Sky Sect left without a word, we suffered greatly. How could we possibly have any connection with them now?"
Bai He's emotional speech made Tai Tan grit his teeth and glare, but given the urgency of the situation, he couldn't argue.
"That's right, Your Excellency. The Clear Sky Sect has been in seclusion for over a decade, and Tang Hao has been missing for just as long. We really haven't had any contact with him," Tai Tan said with a foolish smile.
"Do you think a few words are enough to convince me?" Chrysanthemum Douluo gave a sinister smile, pointing the chrysanthemum at Tai Tan. "When I mentioned Tang Hao earlier, this old man's expression clearly changed. He likely knows something."
"Old Guan, why are you wasting so much time with them? Just take them back for questioning," Ghost Douluo frowned. "The Young Master specifically told us to bring these two back."
Originally, the two of them had been assigned by the Pope to monitor the movements of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Little did they expect to walk right into the lion's den.
Without the Pope's constraints, the Young Master's orders held the highest authority in Heaven Dou. Even though they were Title Douluo elders of the Spirit Hall, they had no choice but to comply, considering Qian Renxue's identity.
Not to mention, today's mission also involved Tang Hao, the man responsible for the death of the previous Pope.
"Although both Your Excellencies are powerful, you must also remember that this is the Heaven Dou Empire!" Tai Tan knew immediately that things wouldn't end peacefully today, so he decided to stand his ground.
"Heh, the Heaven Dou Empire? We're merely apprehending fugitives and their accomplices. We haven't done anything to harm the Heaven Dou Empire."
Chrysanthemum Douluo sneered disdainfully: "Do you really think the Heaven Dou Empire would go to war with our Spirit Hall over people like you?"
Tai Tan's breath hitched at those words.
Truth be told, they had neither established connections with the royal family nor made any contributions to the Heaven Dou Empire. To the empire, their Strength Clan was indeed an insignificant small family.
"Old Bai He, you're fast. I'll create an opportunity for you later. Don't worry about me, just run." Tai Tan lowered his voice, whispering into Bai He's ear.
Bai He was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a grim expression.
The Spirit Hall already had their information. Arguing further would be futile. As a power-type Soul Master, Tai Tan had no chance of escaping, but as a pure speed-type Soul Master, Bai He might have a chance.
It was said that Ghost Douluo was also renowned across the continent for his speed, known for leaving only shadows without even revealing his Spirit Rings. Now, it would be a race between his Swift Swallow and the Ghostly Avatar.
"Old Ghost, make your move." Chrysanthemum Douluo coldly snorted as he noticed Tai Tan and Bai He whispering to each other.
"Seventh Soul Skill, Spirit Avatar."
Tai Tan and Bai He exchanged a glance, instantly unleashing their full power.
Tai Tan's muscles bulged as he slammed his fists into the ground, sending a massive surge of energy soaring toward Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo.
Bai He took advantage of the moment, vanishing from his spot and transforming into a streak of light, flying toward the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
"Still daring to resist? Old Ghost, you go after that old man. I'll handle this big gorilla."
Feeling mocked, Chrysanthemum Douluo narrowed his phoenix-like eyes and let out a cold laugh: "Sixth Soul Skill, Golden Stamen Overflowing Hues."
Chrysanthemum Douluo raised a single hand above his head, and a massive chrysanthemum bloomed in his palm. As the flower opened, its petals transformed into a meteor shower, raining down on Tai Tan.
"Seventh Soul Skill, Ghostly Avatar." Ghost Douluo's eyes flashed as his body was instantly enveloped in a layer of black mist, transforming into a shadow as he pursued Bai He.
"Power Pierces the Long River."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's Soul Skills rained down on Tai Tan like a storm. Although Tai Tan, as a power-type Soul Master, had trained his body to be exceptionally robust, the fundamental difference in Soul Power made it impossible for him to withstand such attacks.
Feeling the wounds on his body multiply.
Tai Tan narrowed his eyes, deciding to make a desperate gamble. His eighth Spirit Ring lit up as he condensed his Soul Power into his right fist, then unleashed it with a mighty punch.
A colossal surge of energy erupted from his right fist, aimed directly at Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Petty tricks. Let me show you the gap between us." Chrysanthemum Douluo covered his mouth with a soft chuckle, his eighth Spirit Ring glowing brightly.
A massive chrysanthemum slowly bloomed in his hand, and a majestic beam of energy surged from its stamen, directly colliding with Tai Tan's attack.
The moment the two energy beams made contact, Chrysanthemum Douluo's attack gained the upper hand, instantly suppressing Tai Tan's assault.
Although Tai Tan had long known he was no match, he still couldn't believe he was being suppressed so thoroughly.
But there was no room for retreat now. If he withdrew, Chrysanthemum Douluo's attack would instantly strike him.
"Break!"
As Chrysanthemum Douluo's energy beam drew closer, Tai Tan's eyes widened in desperation, and he channeled all his Soul Power into his right hand.
But it was already too late.
"Ahhh!"
With just a slight increase in force from Chrysanthemum Douluo, the energy beam instantly enveloped Tai Tan.
At first glance, the beam appeared to be a single-target attack, but in reality, anyone caught within it would face an unrelenting barrage of strikes.
Tai Tan's screams echoed as if he were enduring a torturous execution.
The surrounding walls and houses crumbled under the force of Chrysanthemum Douluo's attack.