Under the immense pressure he'd never felt before, Shi Hao didn't dare to hold back. All eight of his soul rings lit up—four black, four red—and the runes behind him blazed with dazzling light. The radiance was so intense, the crowd could barely keep their eyes open.
His body began to shift, slowly growing into a towering mountain of flesh nearly a hundred meters tall. His aura surged, as if he alone could stand against the heavens themselves.
"So you want to fight? Then let's fight!!!"
Shi Hao's voice boomed like thunder across the battlefield. He charged like a divine war god, every step reverberating with unstoppable might. Despite his massive form, his speed was terrifying—faster than lightning—as he closed the distance to Bibi Dong in the blink of an eye.
Bibi Dong frowned slightly, surprise flashing through her eyes. She shot forward with a sharp burst, her entire body wreathed in a torrent of violet energy that rippled out like a shockwave.
With no hesitation, she lashed out a fist, cloaked in raw, terrifying power.
Shi Hao didn't back down either. His golden fist lit up like a blazing star, and the two collided head-on.
BOOM!!!
The explosion echoed like a collapsing mountain. Shockwaves tore through the battlefield, scattering debris and dust in all directions.
Shi Hao staggered back seven or eight steps, but Bibi Dong merely slid back a single pace.
It was clear—she held the upper hand in raw strength. The difference in soul power between them was simply too vast!
"RAAAHHH!!!"
"Again!!!"
But Shi Hao wasn't discouraged—in fact, his fighting spirit only grew stronger. He roared, charging forward and throwing punch after punch, each one bursting with overwhelming force. The very air trembled from the fury of his assault.
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes and countered with equal precision. Her fists danced through the air, refined and lethal, every blow radiating soul power honed over decades of combat.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
Countless shockwaves surged across the battlefield. Every punch clashed like thunder, the pressure so immense that the onlookers could barely breathe.
"This kid's insane… He's actually holding his own against the Pope?!"
"Yeah, even if he's a little behind, the difference isn't that big!"
"Are you kidding? That's Bibi Dong, a Level 99 Limit Douluo! He's just an eighty-sixth rank Soul Douluo!"
[T/N: Was she actually a Limit Douluo at this point?]
"No matter how talented he is, he's doomed. The Pope hasn't even used a single soul skill yet. This is just pure strength!"
The spectators whispered in awe—but only Bibi Dong knew the truth.
She was starting to feel the strain.
Because Shi Hao… was still getting stronger.
Each punch was heavier than the last. The growth wasn't dramatic, but to her, it was obvious.
Is it his spirit… giving him that kind of talent?
Her eyes locked on the radiant runes glowing behind him, and the mysterious bone he wielded. Her expression turned grave.
What even is this spirit? It feels even more terrifying than the Seraphim of the Qian clan!
No… I can't keep matching him in brute force. If this keeps up, I might actually lose in strength alone!
Making up her mind, Bibi Dong unleashed her full power in one final punch that blasted Shi Hao across the field. Then, she immediately leapt back to widen the distance.
"More! Let's go again! I'm just getting warmed up!"
Shi Hao crashed down but jumped back to his feet instantly. His eyes burned with joy and bloodlust.
This was the kind of battle he lived for! His blood was on fire, and every nerve screamed with exhilaration. Fighting Bibi Dong… was incredible.
But just as he was about to charge again, Bibi Dong suddenly spoke.
"Child… I have to tell you. The Spirit Hall did not abduct your mother. I can swear on my title as the Pope of the Spirit Hall."
Shi Hao froze in place.
"Lies!" he shouted. "My father told me it was your Spirit Hall that took my mother! That's why we were forced apart—why we lost our family! My father wouldn't lie to me!"
Bibi Dong didn't get angry. She simply continued, her tone calm and sincere.
"Perhaps the Spirit Hall did play a role, but I don't believe we ever took your mother. And as the most powerful force on the continent, the Spirit Hall has always stood for protecting civilians. If you describe your mother—or even your father—I might be able to help. I can mobilize our resources to search for her."
Her voice' was gentle. Her words sounded… honest.
"Your Holiness…?" Chrysanthemum Douluo blinked in disbelief. What the hell is she saying?
Just moments ago, she was overpowering Shi Hao with ease. Why negotiate now?
The crowd, too, was stunned. They murmured in confusion.
Why say this now… after such a fierce battle?
Shi Hao stared at Bibi Dong, eyes full of doubt.
Could it be… Father remembered wrong? Did Spirit Hall really not take Mom?
He wavered. He couldn't help it.
After all, even he could sense that he wasn't truly a match for this woman. If they kept fighting, he might lose.
Unless… he could keep fighting for an entire day and night, until his strength hit its absolute peak. Maybe then he'd have a chance.
"I'm at eighty-sixth rank right now… If only I could break through to Title Douluo, maybe I wouldn't have to worry about any of this."
He muttered under his breath. The gourd shells were already used up, and after so many consecutive battles, he was stuck at the mid-eighties in level. His speed of cultivation was monstrous—but still not enough.
Spirit Hall had too many powerful enemies… and he couldn't beat them all.
"If you really can help me find my mom… I'll stop fighting."
Shi Hao lowered his fists, eyes filled with cautious hope.
"Oh?" Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. "Then tell me—what do your mother and father look like? I'll see if I can find them."
"My mom's name is Xiaoxue. She's super beautiful, really kind and gentle. She loves my dad a lot. And my dad… he's very handsome, and really good to us. He waters us, gives us fertilizer, and tells us stories every night. He's the best dad in the whole world!"
Shi Hao looked completely serious as he spoke.
He even took a step back, visibly reining in his battle spirit, waiting to hear Bibi Dong's response.
Bibi Dong's eyes widened slightly.
What kind of description is that…?
"Every loving couple fits that description," she muttered. "And thinking your parents are the most beautiful in the world? That's just normal. But… what do you mean by watering and fertilizing?"
She stared at Shi Hao, eyes filled with confusion—and a growing curiosity.
_
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