Chapter 234: Luring the Titan Giant Ape
Clang!
A piercing phoenix cry echoed, followed by a deafening crash somewhere in the Pope's Hall. The Golden Crocodile slammed into the ground, creating a large crater. The Ice Phoenix hovered in midair, having never touched the ground. Even if it had, it was the Ice Phoenix who had slammed the Golden Crocodile into the floor—either way, the Ice Phoenix had won.
Ah Yin activated her martial spirit once again. Two beams of golden light descended, landing on Shui Bing'er and Tianchen, rapidly healing their injuries.
As soon as Shui Bing'er returned to the rest area, the five girls of Tianshui Academy swarmed around her.
"Big Sis, you were amazing!"
"Big Sis, you're so clever!"
Shui Bing'er smiled. "It was a team effort. And thanks to Xiao Chuan."
Qian Renxue was all smiles too. As he met Shui Bing'er's gaze, the two shared a quiet moment of joy. Winning the individual competition meant they would skip the afternoon match and proceed directly to the championship round. At minimum, they were now guaranteed second place. More importantly, they could use the break to observe the battle between Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Second Team, analyzing their teamwork and strategies for weaknesses.
While Tianshui celebrated, the Spirit Hall team was deathly silent. They had been the clear favorites—if not for the last match and Tianchen's complacency, they would have won. Instead, they walked straight into the only scenario where they could lose.
Dong!
The Pope's scepter struck the ground, silencing the plaza. Qian Xunji wore a faint smile. "With that, the individual elimination round concludes. Tianshui Academy advances to tomorrow's championship match. Spirit Hall will enter this afternoon's losers' bracket and compete with the Heaven Dou Second Team for the final championship slot."
The fourteen matches had been highly entertaining for the Spirit Hall soul masters. While five had been a bit lackluster, the remaining nine were thrilling—especially the moment when Qian Renxue pummeled Tang San, stomping all over the Clear Sky Sect's pride. "Number one sect"? More like a joke.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, Tang Xiao, Yu Xiaogang, Gu Chen, and Ning Rongrong returned to the hotel at the base of the Pope's Hill to plan their strategy against Spirit Hall.
As soon as they returned, Ma Hongjun, eyes bloodshot, charged at Yu Xiaogang and roared, "Yu Xiaogang! I'm going to kill you!"
Yu Xiaogang was shocked. He had no idea what to do against the furious Ma Hongjun and didn't understand why he was being attacked.
Dai Mubai rushed to stop him. "Fatty, calm down! What happened!?"
"He killed our teacher! This bastard got Flender killed! I want revenge!"
"What happened to Dean Flender?"
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath. "Fatty, if you want to kill me, at least tell me why. What happened to Flender? How could I have harmed him?"
"I'll let you die knowing the truth!"
With bloodshot eyes, Ma Hongjun recounted the events after they left the Pope's Hill—how Flender had been beaten to death by a mob of Spirit Hall soul masters, his body crushed beyond recognition.
Yu Xiaogang froze, stunned. He murmured, "Flender… Flender… I got you killed…"
Ning Fengzhi and Tang Xiao showed no emotion. To them, the death of a Soul Sage meant nothing. Offending the Pope? Yu Xiaogang was insane. They wouldn't dare do it. And if a Soul Grandmaster dared defy them? Their disciples would show him why life is precious.
Ma Hongjun shouted again, "Yu Xiaogang! What do you have to say for yourself now?!"
Yu Xiaogang finally recovered. He spoke gravely, "Fatty, I didn't kill Flender, but I do bear some responsibility. But the true culprit is Spirit Hall. I did what I did to protect our team."
Dai Mubai added, "Exactly, Fatty. The ones truly at fault are those Spirit Hall bastards. Look what they did to Tang San. If the teacher hadn't forfeited, we might not even be able to compete this afternoon."
"Dai's right. Calm down," Gu Chen said, stepping in to defend Yu Xiaogang. Though Gu Chen was proud and would never choose to surrender, he couldn't deny that being forced to kowtow to Qian Xunji would've been worse than death. In his eyes, Yu Xiaogang had done them a favor.
Ning Rongrong added, "Yeah, Fourth Brother. You know how close the teacher and Flender were. He would never do anything to harm him. Spirit Hall is the one to blame."
Gradually, Ma Hongjun began to calm down, though he still looked at Yu Xiaogang with deep resentment.
Back at the Pope's Hall...
Inside the resplendent chamber, only four people were present: Qian Xunji, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Ghost Panther Douluo.
"Ghost Panther Douluo, deliver this letter to Thunder Douluo of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—without revealing that it came from Spirit Hall."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Go."
Ghost Panther Douluo vanished in a flash of black light, heading toward the Heaven Dou Empire. Even with his Titled Douluo speed, it would take half a day to reach the Blue Lightning Clan.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, Elder Ghost—you're to head to Star Dou Forest, to the Lake of Life. Lure the Titan Giant Ape to Spirit City. Make sure it arrives tomorrow morning—during the awards ceremony of the tournament."
"What?!"
Both elders were stunned. The Titan Giant Ape was a 100,000-year soul beast with full intelligence. Even an idiot among soul beasts would know Spirit City was a death trap.
"Tell him that Xiao Wu, the 100,000-year Soft Bone Rabbit, is competing in the tournament finals. That countless people want her soul ring and soul bone. That beast will come."
Of the four great 100,000-year soul beasts, only the Titan Giant Ape remained. Without the smarter Azure Bull Python, he was bound to come—even if it cost him his life. He would try to save the one he loved most.
The two elders exchanged glances. Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, "But Your Holiness, isn't tomorrow the match between Spirit Hall and Tianshui? Heaven Dou Second Team won't beat us."
Qian Xunji replied, "In terms of raw power, no. But this is a tournament. Rules exist. You saw how Shui Bing'er defeated Tianchen."
The elders looked at each other again, doubt in their eyes. Tianchen won't fall for the same trick twice.
Seeing their skepticism, Qian Xunji twitched slightly but didn't bother explaining. "Just do as I say. Make sure the Titan Giant Ape reaches Spirit City by the award ceremony."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Without another word, the two elders sped off toward Star Dou Forest.
No one questioned the Pope's wisdom anymore. His plans always succeeded.
After they left, Qian Xunji smiled again.
"If there's no fun to be had, then I'll make some myself. Let's see how this plays out."
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