Atop the high platform of Spirit Hall.
Watching as Elder Bai—a mighty eight-ring Soul Douluo—was swiftly defeated by Shi Hao, Bibi Dong's grip on her scepter tightened until her knuckles turned white. Her eyes widened, brows twisted into a deep frown, a storm of fury and disbelief roiling beneath her icy gaze.
"How… how is this possible? He's an eight-ring Soul Douluo too… how can the gap be so enormous?"
She muttered under her breath.
Not to mention, how could a single punch shatter Elder Bai's eighth soul skill—one empowered by his Silver Spear Spirit? That strike had carried the full might of his seventh and eighth soul skills combined, a force comparable to a Title Douluo's attack.
Even she, Bibi Dong, wouldn't dare say she could take that head-on so casually…
Just how powerful is this child?!
"And that Spirit… What is it? I've never seen one that boosts strength to such an absurd level…"
Her expression grew even darker.
…
Meanwhile, news of the small boy who stormed Spirit Hall to save his mother spread like wildfire through Spirit City.
A child with eight soul rings was already enough of a shock. But that he had defeated a Soul Douluo from Spirit Hall—almost in an instant—was beyond belief.
People from all directions flocked to see how far this boy would go. Shi Hao, unshaken, continued striding toward Spirit Hall.
—
In the Worship Hall…
Qian Daoliu, who had been overseeing Qian Renxue's cultivation, furrowed his brows as he saw Qian Jun rush in, visibly shaken.
To make the normally composed Qian Jun this flustered—something serious must've happened.
"What's gotten into you, Sixth?" Qian Daoliu asked coldly.
Qian Jun was breathless. "Big Brother—it's bad! A kid just defeated one of the temple guardians and is heading this way. And not just that—he's an eight-ring Soul Douluo… with four black and four red rings!"
Qian Daoliu's heart skipped a beat, though his expression remained calm. "A child? You must be joking."
"I'm not!" Qian Jun insisted. "He took down the guardian in three punches! And get this—he snapped the guardian's Spirit in half with his bare hands!"
Qian Daoliu's expression turned solemn. "Three punches? Start from the beginning. Tell me everything."
A few moments later, after hearing the full story, Qian Daoliu's gaze turned serious.
A genius among geniuses. It's been ages since I've heard of a prodigy like this on the continent.
"But… this isn't good for Spirit Hall. I need to see this for myself."
With that, Qian Daoliu soared into the sky alongside Qian Jun. From high above, the two used their spiritual perception to scan toward Shi Hao's location.
Qian Renxue, still nearby, had heard the entire conversation. Unlike the others, her face held a trace of subtle joy.
Her maternal instincts flared as she thought, If only this child were mine… I'd be so proud.
But then reality caught up with her—she and Shi Batian had only been together once, and they'd been separated ever since. It was impossible. The timing didn't even line up.
Her joy quickly faded, replaced by a shadow of disappointment.
—
Qian Daoliu continued to search the area with his spiritual power. On the streets below, he spotted the boy walking steadily toward Spirit Hall. The pressure emanating from him was so overwhelming that even Qian Daoliu's spiritual power dimmed for a moment.
Shi Hao suddenly looked up, sensing the distant gaze. His eyes locked with Qian Daoliu's—deep, domineering, unwavering.
There was no killing intent. Just that one glance, and then Shi Hao looked away, disinterested.
But that moment alone sent a chill through Qian Daoliu's spine.
He turned to Qian Jun. "He really is a rare genius… He detected my spiritual probing and even locked onto me with his gaze. His strength is far beyond a normal Soul Douluo—he's at least a stage higher."
"A stage higher?" Qian Jun gasped. "You mean…"
Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes and didn't respond. But deep inside, he knew—this boy's power is just the tip of the iceberg.
And the more he thought about it, the more he believed Shi Hao was telling the truth. Spirit Hall probably did abduct the boy's mother. Otherwise, why would he make such a scene?
Qian Daoliu sighed deeply. "Spirit Hall… How are we supposed to clean up this mess now?"
He muttered under his breath, his tone tinged with frustration. He was particularly dissatisfied with Bibi Dong.
Abducting someone's mother? That's something only beasts would do…
—
Back on the street.
Shi Hao abruptly stopped in his tracks.
From the left emerged a man shrouded in eerie grace—his movements seductive, his voice tinged with femininity. Thick makeup adorned his face, giving him an almost bewitching aura. He wore gold and black robes embroidered with elegant motifs—luxurious, authoritative, and proud.
From the right, another man appeared in stark contrast. His right eye glowed red, his hair swept back in a sharp style. Chains wrapped around his frame, and his black garments exuded cold, ruthless energy.
No mistake—these were Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
Bibi Dong had finally acknowledged Shi Hao's terrifying strength. No longer dismissive, she took him as a true threat—dispatching two of Spirit Hall's core powerhouses. This was no longer about face; it was survival.
These two Title Douluo stood between level 94 and 95. In terms of sheer power, Bibi Dong had pulled out all the stops.
Given how easily the temple guardian was defeated earlier, neither of them dared to take Shi Hao lightly. Their expressions were solemn, and their pride was tucked away.
They stepped forward and said with careful diplomacy:
"Sir, you've made your point. Spirit Hall will give you a proper explanation. We'll investigate your mother's whereabouts immediately and deliver you justice. Would that be acceptable?"
Shi Hao's gaze remained cold. "No. I want to see my mother—right now."
After what happened with the temple guardian, Shi Hao had completely lost faith in Spirit Hall's integrity. These people never planned to release his mother. So he'd decided:
I'll fight my way in. Beat them until they surrender. That's the only way to bring her back.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's face darkened. "If you continue to be this obstinate… we really will strike!"
Shi Hao snorted. "Hmph. As if I'd trust a word from you people. That old man earlier pissed me off. If you wanna fight—just come at me!"
The tension snapped taut.
The clash between giants was imminent.
_
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