The moment Martial Soul Hall turned its killing intent toward Lu Yuan, Ning Fengzhi felt his heart skip a beat. He immediately directed all seven beams of light from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda onto Chen Xin, pouring every ounce of his support into the Sword Douluo.
"God and Demon Severance!"
The ninth spirit ring beneath Chen Xin's feet flared, flooding him with power as his aura rose to its absolute peak.
"Man and sword as one!"
The ultimate realm of Sword Douluo!
A phantom identical to Chen Xin appeared behind him, perfectly synchronized. With a thunderous shout, his sword intent erupted, and sword qi that seemed to shake heaven and earth exploded toward Bibi Dong. The glowing white arc of the sword slash was so sharp that even the air itself seemed to freeze.
"Fourth spirit ability, Thorn Spider Armor!"
In response, a purple carapace enveloped Bibi Dong's entire body.
"The eighth spirit ability—Undying Body!"
With a cold gleam in her eyes, Bibi Dong summoned a clone identical to her real form.
A thunderous boom shook the battlefield as Chen Xin's ninth skill clashed directly with the clone's defense. Though the avatar's jade-like hand intercepted the peerless sword qi, sharp cracks spiderwebbed across the purple armor protecting it.
Her eyes flickered with ruthlessness. "Sixth spirit skill—Bloodsucking Spider Thorn!"
Her true body had already moved while the clone absorbed the bulk of the strike. The obsidian spider-leg blade lashed out, aiming directly at Chen Xin's exposed throat.
"Clang!"
Before it could pierce him, a clean sword strike deflected the deadly appendage. Lu Yuan appeared at Chen Xin's flank, volleying the spider leg aside with his full strength.
"Old man, you alright?!" Lu Yuan steadied him quickly. Yet the haze over his mind was thick—ever since he'd lost control earlier, his head felt clouded, as if drunk, his perception of allies and enemies blurring.
Chen Xin's chest tightened with emotion. Even in this state, Lu Yuan still recognized him! "Brat, come with me! If we don't leave now, we may never get another chance."
The exchange of blows had lasted only a few breaths, but now, more figures were descending from the skies above Martial Soul City. The terrifying aura of multiple Titled Douluo pressed down.
"That boy is no ordinary soul master!"
"By the decree of the Worship Hall—take him down!"
The one leading was none other than the Second Worship of the Martial Soul Hall, Golden Crocodile Douluo, his ancient face carved with solemn fury. His immense hand gestured toward the escaping Chen Xin, Ning Fengzhi, and Lu Yuan.
Just then, as everyone's eyes were fixed on Lu Yuan's retreating figure, the colossal Clear Sky Hammer in Tang Hao's hand swelled and crashed downward. His strike was not aimed at Lu Yuan, but at the towering Papal Palace itself.
If he could not attack the Martial Soul Hall directly, then he would force them into disarray by threatening their sacred symbol.
Tang Hao's will was iron. Until he found traces of Ah Yin, he would never allow Lu Yuan to fall into Bibi Dong's hands.
"Bastard!" Bibi Dong's roar cracked through the air. "Protect the Papal Palace!"
Her fury shook the battlefield—this hammer-wielding lunatic was addicted to smashing her palace!
Golden Crocodile Douluo and several other worship elders rushed to intercept the hammer, clashing with its titanic might.
"Little San, run!" Tang Hao barked after unleashing the strike, his figure flickering as he retreated carrying Tang San. But even in retreat, his eyes locked on Chen Xin—he would not let Lu Yuan slip away.
"Chase them!" Golden Crocodile Douluo commanded, breaking off after salvaging the collapsing Papal Palace. Dozens of Titled Douluo surged after the fleeing figures—Tang Hao with Tang San, Chen Xin carrying Ning Fengzhi and Lu Yuan… none could simply walk away.
"Pay back my money, Tang Hao!" Dugu Bo suddenly shouted from a distance, unleashing a rolling green fog that burst outward like a miasma. His third ability, Biphosphorous Venom Array, swept across the air. Although it posed little real threat to peak Titled Douluo, it slowed and disrupted pursuit.
Then, true to his snake-like nature, Dugu Bo slithered away just as quickly. "Sorry, I missed!" he muttered, fleeing from sight. He had done what he could to help Lu Yuan, but any more meant certain death.
Meanwhile, Flander's voice cracked with panic. "Yu Xiaogang! Liu Erlong! Shrek, gather and retreat!"
Tang Hao's sudden appearance had already thrown the situation into chaos, and now he had fled again, leaving them stranded in enemy territory.
"Damn him, selling his teammates like this!" Flander cursed. Were they not Tang San's teachers and comrades? If the Martial Soul Hall turned its wrath on them, they were finished. No way—they had to run!
Far outside Martial Soul City, Chen Xin had managed to escape with Ning Fengzhi and Lu Yuan in tow. Under normal circumstances, they could maintain the distance. But today wasn't normal—Lu Yuan was barely himself, his eyes flickering with an unsteady light, his control faltering.
A shadow loomed before them, forcing Chen Xin to halt.
It was Tang Hao.
"Are you determined to fight to the death with me today, old friend?" Chen Xin's voice was grim, his Seven Kill Sword humming with killing intent. Light beams from Fengzhi's tower bathed him in support, increasing his power.
"You can leave," Tang Hao growled coldly, planting the massive Clear Sky Hammer into the earth. "But that boy—he stays with me." His hammer pointed directly at Lu Yuan.
"Damn it, stop wasting words, old man," Lu Yuan muttered, his fists clenching. His surging aura caused even Chen Xin to frown.
"Xiao Yuan, calm down!" Ning Fengzhi urged desperately, now pouring enhancement beams into Lu Yuan as well. It might not help much, but he had no choice.
Ning Fengzhi took a calculated gamble. "Tang Hao! Right now, Xiao Yuan cannot go with you. Martial Soul Hall is the greatest threat we all face! If we fight amongst ourselves, none of us will escape." He pointed back toward Martial Soul City, where the furious energies of pursuing Titled Douluo surged ever closer.
Tang Hao paused. His breath was ragged, his hammer dripping with killing intent. But… Ning Fengzhi had a point. If Martial Soul Hall captured Lu Yuan, he would lose his only lead to Ah Yin.
"…Fine! For now, we cooperate." Tang Hao gritted his teeth and nodded.
But before they could move—
"Take that kid down!" Golden Crocodile Douluo's violent roar split across the skies. He descended in a blaze of golden light, five powerful worship elders behind him. Bibi Dong herself was not far, flanked by Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Chen Xin, Ning Fengzhi, and Tang Hao's expressions all turned grave. Surrounded by so many Titled Douluo, their prospects were dim. Running was even less realistic—with Tang San unconscious in Tang Hao's arms and Lu Yuan unstable, they would be caught in moments.
"Kill them all!" Bibi Dong declared harshly.
The Titled Douluos surged forward.
Then—
"—The Ninth Ability, Ten Thousand Bone Heavenly Demon Stele!"
The hoarse cry cut the air like a curse. Suddenly, the ground within hundreds of meters cracked open, and tombstones erupted one after another, each birthing ghastly wraiths that leapt into the air to bite at the rushing Douluos.
From the surge of darkness emerged a figure cloaked in black: Mie Li.
"Evil… soul master!" Golden Crocodile Douluo's face twisted in disgust. To think a creature like this dared appear openly outside Martial Soul City—it was unthinkable!
The Third Worship, Saint Dragon Douluo, pointed an accusing finger. "Second Worship, you see?! Lu Yuan is indeed an evil soul master! Or else why would such filth appear to save him?"
The condemnation spread instantly. To the outside world, Lu Yuan had just been branded.
Ning Fengzhi's heart tightened. He never expected an evil soul master to appear on Lu Yuan's behalf. He couldn't afford to defend him now—every word would be seen as collusion. "Uncle Jian, we must leave immediately!" His voice turned sharp and low.
Chen Xin nodded grimly. "Third spirit skill—Sword Wings!" Twin blades became wings, and with Fengzhi on his back, he shot skyward.
Lu Yuan clenched his fists. "Old man, I can fly faster than you by myself!"
"Shut up, brat! Don't test me with words now!" Chen Xin barked. He couldn't risk Lu Yuan losing control again.
"Don't even think of escaping!" Tang Hao's figure surged after them, carrying Tang San. His killing intent locked firmly on Lu Yuan.
"Second Worship, block Tang Hao! Ghost, Chrysanthemum, you're with me—we chase!" Bibi Dong commanded.
Golden Crocodile Douluo hesitated. "But Grand Worship—"
"I am the Pope of Martial Soul Hall!" Bibi Dong snapped, her eyes aflame.
"Yes!" Golden Crocodile Douluo bit down his frustration, focusing his fury on Mie Li.
Mie Li laughed bitterly, his black robe swelling like a storm. "None of you will leave today!" A tide of sinister spirit power surged out, pressing against all directions.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's face darkened. "Arrogant! Take down this evil soul master at once!"
The worship elders roared back, soul rings flaring—Martial Soul Hall absolutely could not allow an evil soul master to run amok at their gates, much less one tied to Lu Yuan.
And so, as the battlefield fractured, the truth—or what the world would believe—was cemented.
Lu Yuan, no matter his protests, was forever branded.
He was indeed an evil soul master.
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