"You three aren't even my match. Tell that brat to calm down, or I won't be able to hold back my temper. You should know very well what I'm capable of."
The Platinum Archbishop could no longer suppress the fury in his heart. This Sixth Prince was utterly idiotic. He had already gone out of his way to de-escalate with kindness, yet the fool still insisted on blowing the situation out of proportion.
As he roared, three Title Douluos immediately tensed and stepped in front of the Sixth Prince protectively. A few academy deans rushed over as well. These three Title Douluos might barely be able to handle an average Super Douluo, but the man before them was Fire Phoenix Douluo, whose spirit was the top-tier fire-type beast spirit—Fire Phoenix, a rare instance of Extreme Fire seen once in a millennium. Unless the imperial family's hidden experts appeared, no one could suppress him.
"Sixth Prince, let's just let this matter go. His Majesty does not wish to provoke conflict with Spirit Hall right now. Otherwise, the Star Luo Empire would seize the opportunity and reap all the benefits."
The Title Douluo beside the Sixth Prince tried to persuade him, and the academy deans nodded along in agreement. But the more they tried to dissuade him, the more enraged the Sixth Prince became. Seeing Lin Xuan flirting and laughing with Xingbu Ji as if nothing had happened only fanned the flames of his anger.
As the standoff dragged on, more and more people gathered. Eventually, the Sixth Prince's side had assembled three Title Douluos, five Spirit Douluos, seven Spirit Sages, and the Royal Knights. Though most of the Title Douluos were under Rank 93, Fire Phoenix Douluo was starting to feel some pressure. What he feared most were the old monsters lurking in seclusion.
"Spirit Hall disciples—protect them at all costs. They're the Pope's disciples. If they die, you'll be held accountable!"
Fire Phoenix Douluo realized that battle was inevitable and warned his subordinates. Once they heard these two were the Pope's disciples, all the elders and protectors instantly went on high alert, forming a tight defensive ring around Lin Xuan for fear of an ambush. The two factions now stood in a tense standoff outside Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"Kill them. I'll take responsibility for the consequences!"
As time dragged on, the Sixth Prince began to panic. He had hoped his father, the Emperor, would come to support him, but no one had shown up. Losing control, he ordered the attack. The three Title Douluos sighed helplessly and prepared to engage. Fire Phoenix Douluo didn't fear them—he was the Pope's disciple, after all. If he couldn't beat them, he might as well kill himself.
"Fire Phoenix Possession!"
With a low cry, Fire Phoenix Douluo released his martial spirit. Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red spirit ring floated behind him. Massive flaming wings spread from his back, keeping him aloft without expending spirit power. The simple sight stunned his opponents. That blazing red tenth ring filled them with dread. A 100,000-year spirit ring meant he had a 100,000-year spirit bone, giving him three extra abilities. None of them had such a ring—no one was willing to help them hunt one, and their talent wasn't enough for the imperial family to invest that heavily.
The three Title Douluos steeled themselves and launched an all-out attack. Their ninth spirit rings flared with light, aiming to catch Fire Phoenix Douluo off guard. But this played right into his hands—he wanted to end the fight quickly.
The crimson light of the tenth ring slowly flared behind him, swallowing the darkness of the other rings. The sky's temperature surged. Spectators, including the Sixth Prince and Lin Xuan, rapidly retreated. Fire Phoenix Douluo looked down on the three attackers with scorn.
"A bunch of trash—I normally ignore you, and you think I fear you? Ninth Spirit Skill: Phoenix Soars to the Heavens!"
This soul ring came from a 100,000-year Fiery Storm Roc hunted by the Pope himself. Fire Phoenix Douluo had endured much disrespect from lesser Title Douluos. Now, he would show them that it wasn't fear, but restraint.
"Screeeeeech!"
No one had seen this ninth spirit skill before. Most assumed it was a fire-based ability, but it turned out to be a sonic attack. Before the enemy's ninth skills could even activate, they were shattered by the devastating soundwave. One, Title Douluo was critically injured on the spot; the other two barely escaped by activating their Martial Spirit Avatars. Even then, their Avatars only lasted a moment before shattering.
The difference in spirit ring quality was too great. All three had underestimated the power gap. Fire Phoenix Douluo's single strike completely overwhelmed them.
But now he was swaying in the air. That attack had drained nearly all his spirit power. The Fiery Storm Roc was powerful in fire, mental, and soundwave techniques. When the Pope hunted it, even at Rank 97, it took great effort, so this victory wasn't cheap.
"Fire Phoenix, you're bold! Daring to cause chaos here? Even if the Pope comes, you're not leaving!"
Just as Fire Phoenix Douluo tried to retreat with Spirit Hall's members, two more Title Douluos arrived—both Super Douluos on par with him. His expression turned grim. With his spirit power nearly depleted, he had no way to face them.
It was clear now—this wasn't just a petty scuffle between Lin Xuan and the Sixth Prince. It was a signal that Heaven Dou Empire's Emperor was considering wiping out Spirit Hall's branch in the empire. No wonder no one from the ruling court had shown up—they were letting it escalate.
"Spirit Hall members, break out!"
Knowing they couldn't delay, Fire Phoenix Douluo acted first. He activated his third, fourth, and seventh spirit rings, transforming into a colossal flaming phoenix. His third skill, Phoenix Rebirth, boosted his defenses; the fourth, Phoenix Skystrike, rained down meteor-like fire infused with Extreme Fire, targeting the two Super Douluos. He had five minutes left in his Martial Spirit Avatar—this was a desperate gamble.
"Blade Tyrant Possession!"
"Titan Power Possession!"
The two Super Douluos didn't dare take him lightly. They activated their own spirits and defensive techniques. Extreme Fire wasn't something to take head-on. While they had no 100,000-year rings, both had 90,000-year ninth rings, tinged with faint red, still far weaker than Fire Phoenix Douluo's.
While the battle raged above, fighting broke out on the ground too. Two Spirit Sages stayed to protect Lin Xuan and Xingbu Ji. Spirit Hall had three Spirit Douluo elders and five Spirit Sages. Breaking through would come at a heavy cost.
"Stop!"
Just as everyone was preparing to fight to the death, a new Super Douluo approached at high speed. This was one of those rare, unforgettable moments for Heaven Dou City's citizens—not only had seven Title Douluos gathered, but now the Pope himself had arrived.
Seeing the Pope arrive, Fire Phoenix Douluo was overjoyed. He used his final bit of power to unleash a final Phoenix Skystrike, breaking through the siege and arriving at the Pope's side.
"Well done, little six. Leave the rest to me. Tell everyone to return to headquarters—we don't need the branch anymore. You are the future of Spirit Hall."
The Pope smiled warmly and patted Fire Phoenix Douluo's head. The latter nodded and quickly retreated with Lin Xuan and the others. Spirit Hall's branch in Heaven Dou was finished—it was time to pull back and consolidate. A pity to abandon their foundation, but they had no choice.
Lin Xuan studied the Pope curiously. He wore coarse robes, had a bald head with just a few strands of hair, and nothing worth more than a single silver coin. He looked like a beggar. Lin Xuan had always imagined the Pope would be resplendent, wearing a gem-studded crown and luxurious robes. But this man was skin and bones, and completely different from what his mother had warned him about. Still, it wasn't the time to think too much. Survival was the priority.
Once Lin Xuan's group left, the atmosphere turned awkward. No one dared move, not even the two Super Douluos. The most devastated of all was the Sixth Prince. Lin Xuan had escaped, and no matter how this ended, he was finished. No one would stand up for him. His royal brothers would seize this chance to destroy him—the imperial family is the most ruthless of all.
"Xueqing! Get out of here! You sissy! If you don't give me an explanation, I'll tear Heaven Dou City apart!"
The Pope could've left freely, but he had a fiery temper. The Emperor had tried to kill his disciple—that was unacceptable. His voice was loud but controlled, not harming a single bystander.
"Old man Qian, I'm chatting with Brother Tang right now. If you want a duel, we'll gladly oblige."
An effeminate voice rang from the palace. It was Emperor Xueqing, but he didn't show himself. He didn't want to face the Pope directly. Though both were Super Douluos at Rank 98, if it came to a fight, he would lose. But with Tang Tie, the Clear Sky Sect Master, beside him, he could at least intimidate the Pope and hopefully avoid extortion.
"Don't use the Clear Sky Sect to pressure me. I've beaten up that big brute Tang Tie before. Let me tell you—Lin Xuan is now my last disciple. If you touch him, I'll wipe your Heaven Dou Empire off the map. I expect your apology at Spirit Hall within a month."
With a cold snort, the Pope left after delivering his threat. He couldn't take on all of them in a siege, but as long as he made his demands before they could reply, he knew the compensation would arrive.
"Hmph. Throw the Sixth Prince in prison. Maintain order and continue admissions. The Title Douluos—come face judgment."
Xueqing's frosty voice echoed through Heaven Dou City. The Sixth Prince collapsed in fear when he heard his father. He knelt, staring blankly into space. Regret filled his heart, but in this world, there is no medicine for regret.
Meanwhile, deep in the palace, two men sat discussing strategy. The man in white was slender and delicate, his face like a beautiful woman's—but he was none other than Emperor Xueqing. Opposite him sat a towering, burly man over 2.5 meters tall and three times Xueqing's width—Tang Tie, the current Sect Master of Clear Sky Sect, a Rank 97 Super Douluo.
"Hmph. Spirit Hall is just struggling in its death throes. Once we win the upcoming Continental Spirit Master Elite Tournament, and with support from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, we'll crush Spirit Hall."
Emperor Xueqing's voice was ice cold. Tang Tie nodded in agreement. Though the current era appeared as a three-way standoff, none of them wanted to maintain the balance. They planned to ally with the Star Luo Empire to eliminate Spirit Hall first. Only then could they deal with their true rivals one by one.
(End of Chapter)