But that faint glow from Shi Hao's back didn't escape the eyes of those who had been watching in secret.
Bibi Dong, who had been observing the battle closely with her spiritual power, as well as Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, who were nearby, all caught that fleeting moment.
It was only a brief moment, but the aura that burst forth was unmistakable—domineering, overwhelming. Even as Title Douluos, they could feel it. It was as though their own martial souls had been dimmed by that blinding light.
"This power… terrifying. It feels like pure physical might," Bibi Dong muttered, stunned.
She couldn't believe that this little boy had taken down Hu Liena and the other two with just two punches. Even the powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill of Hu Liena and Xie Yue had been shattered in an instant!
Her gaze darkened.
"This boy… is at least at the Soul Emperor level. No—perhaps even a Soul Sage."
But how? He looked barely six years old. Even if he had started cultivating in the womb, that kind of progress was absurd.
And yet—she couldn't deny what she had seen with her own eyes.
Just then, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo arrived and crossed paths with her. Bibi Dong's tone was grim.
"You saw it too, didn't you? The glow from the bone on his back. What do you make of it?"
Ghost Douluo nodded slightly. "There seemed to be strange runes etched into it… If we're talking about bone-based martial souls, only Bone Douluo might understand it better than us."
"But a child with such raw power? It's beyond astonishing."
A spark flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. "Could it be… a hundred-thousand-year soul beast reborn into human form?"
Ghost Douluo frowned. "But he doesn't carry any beastly aura. Even if that were true, isn't it supposed to be even harder for soul beasts to cultivate once they become human?"
"Maybe he's a special case," Chrysanthemum Douluo offered. "Some kind of mutated beast that can hide its presence."
"That makes sense," Bibi Dong said softly, almost to herself. Her voice dropped to a cold murmur. "Send Elder Bai."
"What?" Chrysanthemum Douluo was taken aback. "Elder Bai? But he's one of our Guardian Elders. An Eight-Ring Soul Douluo! Even if his potential has reached its limit, he's still among the strongest of that rank."
He hesitated. Bai Lao's seniority in the Hall was second only to the old guard who had watched even the former Pope Qian Xunji grow up. Despite being stuck at Rank 85 for decades, he considered himself just one step away from Title Douluo—and acted like it.
But Bibi Dong's voice left no room for argument.
"Too many people are watching Spirit City. I won't let this spectacle continue any longer. Yes, sending a Soul Douluo against a child may look like bullying…"
She paused, then said coldly, "But if it ends things cleanly, it's worth it."
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo exchanged a glance, then nodded.
"As you wish."
They turned and left to relay the order to Bai Lao.
Bibi Dong remained behind, her eyes locked in the direction Shi Hao had gone, unreadable.
…
"What? The Pope wants me to deal with a six-year-old brat? What kind of joke is this?"
A white-haired elder erupted at the messenger, his tone full of indignation. Still, he turned and headed toward the outskirts of Spirit Hall.
That woman's lost her mind. Asking an old man like me to deal with a little runt. What an insult.
He scowled, fists clenched.
I'll make it quick. Knock the boy out and walk away before anyone sees.
Though Bai Lao had been stuck at Rank 85, his decades of status gave him weight within Spirit Hall. Even the previous Pope had grown up under his watchful gaze. His arrogance was legendary, his pride unshakable.
To be sent out for this?
Disgraceful.
But as he got closer, he began to notice things. Collapsed buildings. Craters. Scorch marks. People groaning on the ground—some of whom were Spirit Hall's very own Golden Generation.
"What the…"
He squinted at the wreckage.
"Xie Yue? Hu Liena? What the hell happened here?"
Bai Lao didn't bother asking. He had no patience for the details. A child was causing trouble. That was all he needed to know.
He stepped forward, his presence sharpening.
And vanished.
…
Shi Hao, having defeated Hu Liena and the others, continued his steady march toward the towering Spirit Hall.
The bystanders made way as he passed, their eyes full of awe and disbelief. He ignored them all.
Almost there…
"Mother… wait for me. I'm coming."
Shi Hao whispered to himself as the spire of the Hall came into view. Just a few minutes more.
Just as he was about to pick up speed—
A shadow materialized before him.
It was an old man, thin and stooped, white hair cascading down his back. His hands clasped behind him, he radiated a cold arrogance.
An Eight-Ring Soul Douluo. Elder Bai.
"Young one… turn back."
His voice was like brittle wood snapping in winter—dry and dismissive.
Shi Hao frowned.
This was the first person who'd opened with open hostility.
His tone matched the chill in his gaze.
"Old man. Are you with Spirit Hall too?"
Bai Lao narrowed his eyes.
"So you're the brat causing all this trouble."
His voice turned sharp.
"Leave. Now. Before I lose my patience. If not for all the eyes watching, I would've already taught you a lesson."
Shi Hao stood his ground, expression flat.
"Try it then."
The tension cracked like thunder between them.
_
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