The Great Master spoke. "The Left Leg Bone of Swift Advance is best suited for an agility-type Soul Master—without question, it should go to Zhu Zhuqing. As for the Right Arm Bone of Explosive Combustion, it's most fitting for a powerful fire-attribute Soul Master. Ma Hongjun, that one's yours. As for the Spirit-Condensing Wits Skull…"
At this point, the Great Master paused, his gaze shifting between Tang San and Ning Rongrong.
Both of them clearly had their eyes fixed on that particular Soul Bone.
Spiritual fortification would benefit either of them. Though Tang San was not primarily a mental-type Soul Master, he possessed the Purple Extreme Demon Eye and was a Control Type to boot—the advantages this Wits Skull would bring him in the future were self-evident. Moreover, among the three Soul Bones, this one was plainly the most valuable.
Tang San looked up at Ning Rongrong, sighed inwardly, and opened his mouth to speak. "I'll pass—"
"No!" Ning Rongrong suddenly burst out. "Third Brother, it should belong to you. You've sacrificed far too much for this final championship. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan won't run short of Soul Bones—just take it. With it, you'll truly earn your place as the soul of this team!"
Tang San hesitated. By rights, he desired this Soul Bone enormously. But as the team's vice-captain, how could he look after himself alone?
Within the Shrek Seven Devils, the seven members naturally fell into four groups: Tang San and Xiao Wu were inseparable, Ning Rongrong and Oscar were entangled in something ambiguous, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were engaged, and Ma Hongjun was the odd one out.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had already received one Soul Bone, which they'd given to Zhu Zhuqing. Ma Hongjun had gotten one as well. If Tang San took this third one, then Oscar—who had already sacrificed his share—and Ning Rongrong would have nothing to show for it.
"Xiao San, give the Soul Bone in your collection to Rongrong. That one suits her better," the Great Master said suddenly.
Tang San's heart stirred. He recalled the multicolored Soul Bone he had obtained from Shi Nian back then—he still remembered that it too was a skull.
He swept a hand across Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night, and a prismatic light immediately materialized in his palm. The entire arena erupted in astonishment. Who could have guessed that Tang San still had another Soul Bone on him?
What Soul Master, upon obtaining a Soul Bone, would store it away instead of fusing with it?
It was utterly inconceivable. Yet Tang San had done exactly that.
The Great Master smiled faintly and addressed Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, this Soul Bone is rooted in illusions—it is also a Wits Skull, and it suits you even better than the Spirit-Condensing one."
Ning Rongrong was overjoyed. She had been prepared to give up her claim—Tang San had given so much to the team that he deserved a Soul Bone no matter what. Still, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of reluctance. Now that a skull-type bone even better suited to her had appeared, it was the perfect resolution for everyone.
She stepped forward at once and, without the slightest pretense of politeness, plucked the seven-colored, shimmering skull from Tang San's hand. Beaming, she turned to look toward her father—but the expression on Ning Fengzhi's face made her freeze.
She realized that her father wore a grave look, showing none of the joy one might expect from winning the championship and seeing his daughter receive a Soul Bone.
"Have you finished distributing your rewards?" The Pope had not departed now that the simple award ceremony was over. The several Titled Douluo remained standing nearby as well.
All eyes were drawn involuntarily toward the Pope. The Great Master furrowed his brow, looking at Bibi Dong with puzzlement.
The Pope did not meet his gaze. Her tone was indifferent. "Since the rewards have been allocated, this tournament is officially concluded. Ghost Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo—take that girl into custody."
As she spoke, Bibi Dong raised her hand and pointed directly at Xiao Wu.
In that instant, everyone was stricken with shock. Tang San almost instinctively shifted sideways, placing himself in front of Xiao Wu. The other members of the Shrek Seven Devils surged forward as well. The Great Master's face was filled with disbelief, and he cried out in anger, "Your Holiness—what is the meaning of this?!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had no intention of halting because of the Great Master's words. The two were about to move when Ning Fengzhi swiftly stepped in front of them, blocking their path. "Your Holiness—might we first clarify the situation before taking action?"
Bibi Dong regarded Ning Fengzhi coldly. Though the man standing before her was the patriarch of one of the Three Great Clans, the Pope showed not the slightest inclination to yield. "Clan Master Ning, I would advise you to maintain your composure. If you continue to obstruct us, then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan shall be deemed an enemy of Spirit Hall."
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed. The Pope's words carried enormous weight. Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was deeply rooted and the wealthiest sect of all, open hostility toward Spirit Hall was something he would never willingly accept. He raised a hand to stop Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who was about to step forward in his stead, let out a soft sigh, and moved aside.
"Wait!" The Great Master barked, striding forward until he stood at the very front of the Shrek Seven Devils. With a flick of his wrist, the Elder's Token appeared in his palm.