"No! Second Brother, I was wrong!" The moment
Tang San laughed heartily. "That's between you two—I can't get involved. Besides, what happened back then wasn't that big a deal. You couldn't exactly control the Evil Fire at the time."
At Tang San's words, Oscar,
Ma Hongjun said mournfully, "My reputation! It's been completely destroyed by you guys. Hey, why hasn't Boss Dai finished yet?"
Despite the fatty's obvious attempt to change the subject, everyone's gaze drifted toward
Tang San said, "Relax, Boss Dai will be fine. He's almost done absorbing it. His physical constitution is a bit stronger than yours, and the limit he can handle when absorbing a god-granted Soul Ring is correspondingly higher, which means his absorption takes longer. Honestly, I'm really looking forward to seeing what level the Netherworld
Zhu Zhuqing chuckled. "Maybe for a short time. But nobody will know how far it can go until we actually try."
Just as they were talking, the mist surrounding Dai Mubai's body suddenly exploded with a deafening boom. Billowing vapor surged behind him, and under everyone's watchful eyes, it coalesced into a massive White Tiger phantom. Dai Mubai snapped his eyes open, and two bolts of cold lightning sliced through the air. Wherever his gaze passed, a series of thunderclaps crackled through the atmosphere.
Dai Mubai didn't make any deliberate movement, but the colossal White Tiger behind him threw back its head and let out a heaven-reaching roar. The waves of energy it unleashed whipped up a violent hurricane atop the
Dai Mubai shrugged his shoulders—like a divine dragon shaking its armor—and sprang to his feet. A layer of blood-stained grime was blasted clean off his body in one violent pulse, leaving not a single stain behind. The kingly dominance of the White Tiger erupted forth, and the powerful currents of air around his body produced a string of deep, howling sounds.
His bones cracked in a rapid series of pops as Dai Mubai stretched his body with satisfaction. Every inch of him brimmed with overwhelming power. Nine Soul Rings materialized one by one, rising from beneath his feet. The final blood-red Soul Ring was noticeably deeper in color than those of the others—it had already nearly reached the level of Tang San's hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings from before. Only Tang San could tell that a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring of this caliber was at least equivalent to the ones Da Ming and Er Ming had sacrificed to him. What surprised Tang San most wasn't the power boost in Dai Mubai's Assault-type Titled Douluo cultivation, but rather his spiritual force. When Dai Mubai's eyes had flashed moments ago, Tang San could clearly sense that his spiritual energy had risen to a remarkably formidable level. It still couldn't compare to the vast oceanic realm Tang San had once achieved, but that domineering spiritual fluctuation, paired with those demonic eyes, carved out a unique path of its own.
"Ninety-fifth level. Boss Dai, congratulations." Tang San nodded at Dai Mubai with a smile.
Dai Mubai laughed out loud. "That's right—ninety-fifth level! I never expected to reach this degree. The feeling of a power leap is incredible. Now, even facing those Royal Protectors of the Spirit Empire, there's nothing to fear. They've got six Royal Protectors, and excluding Xiao San, we've got exactly six people ourselves. Let's have a proper go at them and show the Spirit Empire what we're made of."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Dai Mubai's words were no empty boast. Although the Spirit Empire's Royal Protectors all boasted cultivation at the ninety-fifth level or above, the truly strongest among them was the
Dai Mubai turned to Tang San. "Xiao San, when are you planning to go deal with that
Tang San smiled. "I've already gone. Xiao Wu went with me.
"You already went?" Everyone was stunned, exchanging shocked glances. Oscar spoke up. "Xiao San, were you afraid we'd worry, so you took on Qian Renxue's challenge while we were absorbing our Soul Rings? You..."
Tang San chuckled. "It wasn't really about worrying anyone—it was about making good use of our time. If Xiao Wu hadn't insisted on coming along, I wouldn't have brought her. Even before I became a god, Qian Renxue couldn't do anything to me, let alone now that I've entered the god tier. However, she's made great progress in her comprehension of god-level skills. It's only because of her innate limitations—her physical constitution and divine sense are both inferior to mine—that I was able to repel her. I expect she's headed for Jialing Pass already. Once Xiao Wu finishes absorbing her Soul Ring, we'll rush to the front lines as quickly as possible, join up with the army, and decide the battle in one decisive engagement. Together with the Tian Dou and Xing Luo Empires, we'll completely destroy the Spirit Empire. Once Spirit Hall ceases to exist as an organization, we'll have nothing left to worry about, and we can go after whatever our hearts desire."
Dai Mubai said with amusement, "Xiao San, oh Xiao San. You went off to fight Qian Renxue in a god-level battle without telling any of us, and yet you make it sound so righteous. We weren't worried about you—we're just a little disappointed we didn't get to see what a clash between gods looks like. You'd probably still be a monster even among gods. Not a single one of your Soul Rings is even black."
A light flashed in Tang San's eyes. "You'll all get your chance. At Jialing Pass, Qian Renxue and I will have our final battle. I won't give her another opportunity."
It would be an unavoidable confrontation—the last battle between Tang San and Qian Renxue. When Qian Renxue left, Tang San hadn't immediately pursued her because her divine sense had been shaken by his attack. Injuries from a clash at the god tier weren't so easy to recover from. By the time Qian Renxue healed, he would naturally be able to rejoin his companions in time. Jialing Pass was very likely where everything would be decided. The Spirit Empire's lineup remained formidable—six Royal Protectors, plus six or seven Titled Douluo-level powerhouses, a large number of Soul Masters stationed in Spirit City, and the peak ninety-ninth-level Douluo,
Tang San knew that in the battle for Jialing Pass, the balance of power between both sides would equalize once the Shrek Seven Devils returned. Whether he or Qian Renxue won their god-level battle would be the key to deciding the war. After all, whichever side could add a god-level powerhouse to their ranks would instantly turn the tide of the entire conflict. Without question, Tang San was fully confident in himself. Having already fought Qian Renxue once, he had gained a solid grasp of the Angel God's major abilities. He was absolutely certain he could defeat Qian Renxue and secure final victory in the war. Once Jialing Pass fell, the Spirit Empire would have no way of mounting any further effective resistance. The Tian Dou Empire's armies would march unopposed into Spirit Empire territory, and the next step would be to link up with the Xing Luo Empire's forces deep within enemy borders. With the combined might of two great empires, razing the Spirit Empire to the ground was only a matter of time.
Dai Mubai nodded at Tang San, then looked around at his companions with a grin. "So? Have you all decided on your titles? We're all Titled Douluo now."
Oscar chuckled proudly. "Of course I have. From now on, my title is the
Dai Mubai blinked. "Xiao Ao, how'd you come up with that title? I think Sausage Douluo suits you better."
Oscar snorted and smugly recounted how he and Ning Rongrong had received the gods' favor, leaving Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai—both still finishing their Soul Ring absorption—with their jaws on the floor.
Ma Hongjun couldn't help but say, "What unbelievable luck! I can understand Rongrong being chosen by the Nine-Colored Goddess of Light, but the Food God? How could he possibly pick a sleazy old sausage uncle like you?"
"Sleazy, my foot! I was the first among us to become a Titled Douluo. This Food God inheritance is thoroughly deserved. I know—you're just jealous that I'm better-looking than you, and even more jealous that I've got a divine inheritance. Ha ha ha!"
Watching Oscar laugh triumphantly, Ma Hongjun said sourly, "Like I'd ever be jealous of you. With your Food-type Martial Soul, you'd probably have to wait until you're two hundred years old to cultivate to the ninety-ninth level. My Phoenix Martial Soul can get to that level in no time flat. Maybe by then, I'll just pick up some random god inheritance—still faster than you."
Dai Mubai laughed. "Alright, alright, Fatty. Xiao Ao and Rongrong may have had great luck, but we haven't done badly ourselves. Becoming Titled Douluo before the age of thirty—we've set a precedent in all of Soul Land. Xiao Ao's title is the Food God. What about the rest of you?"
Soon, everyone's titles were settled.
Dai Mubai—ninety-fifth-level Assault-type Battle Soul Master. Title: White Tiger.
Oscar—ninety-second-level Food-type Tool Soul Master. Title: Food God.
Ma Hongjun—ninety-third-level Assault-type Battle Soul Master. Title: Phoenix.
Ning Rongrong—ninety-fourth-level Support-type Tool Soul Master. Title: Nine Colors.
Zhu Zhuqing—ninety-third-level Agility-type Battle Soul Master. Title: Netherworld.
And of course, there was the soul of the Shrek Seven Devils—the hundred-level Control-type god, Tang San. Divine title: Sea God.
With their titles decided, everyone's attention turned to Xiao Wu, who was still deep in cultivation. Ning Rongrong said, "Now it's just Xiao Wu. Once she finishes absorbing her Soul Ring, the Shrek Seven Devils will have one god and six Douluo. Third Brother, what's Xiao Wu's title going to be?"
Tang San smiled gently, gazing at Xiao Wu with eyes full of tenderness. "Soft Bone. That was the nickname we gave her all those years ago—Soft Bone Enchanting Rabbit. From now on, Xiao Wu shall be the Soft Bone Douluo. Let me give her a hand so she can finish absorbing her Soul Ring faster, and then we can head to the front lines. She once sacrificed herself for me—our energies are attuned to each other. There shouldn't be any problems."
His companions had all completed the absorption of their ninth Soul Rings, so Tang San was free to devote his full attention to Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu was different from the others. When the rest absorbed their final Soul Ring, Tang San wouldn't intervene unless they ran into a dangerous situation like Oscar had, because interfering would affect their future development. But Xiao Wu was special—she had once been part of Tang San's body. Their minds were connected, their very bloodlines intertwined. Tang San knew her energy with absolute intimacy, and with that familiarity, he could help Xiao Wu without affecting her future growth in the slightest.
A flash of light and shadow, and Tang San appeared behind Xiao Wu. He sat down cross-legged at her back, slowly raising both hands with his index and middle fingers extended. Behind him, a blue-gold radiance silently surged forth, enveloping both their bodies.
Within that blue-gold light was Tang San's divine sense, condensing around Xiao Wu's body and gradually merging with her own consciousness. This was precisely why he could help Xiao Wu absorb Soul Rings without harming her future, but could not do the same for the others. Their two souls had once coexisted as one within Tang San's body—their soul forces would never reject each other, no matter how much Tang San's cultivation had advanced to the god tier. With even the faintest sense of Tang San's presence, Xiao Wu's soul and spiritual power would fully open themselves to him, even at this critical juncture of cultivation, allowing his divine sense to enter her spiritual world without the slightest resistance.