Word Count: 2,939 Words
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"Snowdemon Sect... how is this not a good draw?!"
In Angelic Sanctuary's airborne villa, Ling Bai finally couldn't contain himself after Ling Qiuxi announced their quarterfinal opponent. He offered a sincere suggestion:
"Big Sis, maybe you should go get your fortune told somewhere?"
"What's that supposed to mean!"
Ling Qiuxi flared up. "The Snowdemon Sect is the weakest of the three group runner-up teams! They're the universally recognized soft persimmon of the Top 8. My pick today was a masterstroke!"
"The Snowdemon Sect is the Body Sect."
"...Oh."
Ling Qiuxi turned her head away, her face clouded with gloom. Like attracts like. The Son of Destiny and the Destiny Beast were both unlucky bastards through and through.
Drawing a few strong teams would've been nothing. In another timeline, the Emperor Destiny Beast had been wretched enough to sacrifice itself for humanity. The spirit beast race lost destiny's protection and never recovered.
"How should we handle the quarterfinal?"
Ling Qiuxi asked, killing intent sharp in her voice. "Years ago, the Body Sect launched a surprise attack on Star Dou Forest and killed seven of our 100,000-year spirit beasts. I'm collecting that debt!"
That incident had effectively cost Star Dou Forest seven Titled Douluo-level powerhouses. Di Tian unleashed a beast tide in his fury that nearly wiped Shrek City off the map.
Only when Shrek Academy held the line long enough for reinforcements from the Body Sect, the three great empires, and other continental powers to arrive did the spirit beast army finally retreat into Star Dou Forest to lick its wounds.
Ling Qiuxi harbored not a shred of goodwill toward the Body Sect, the root cause of that entire catastrophe. Her meaning was crystal clear: the Body Sect would repay blood with blood!
"Star Dou Forest isn't the only one with a grudge against the Body Sect. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is the same."
Ling Bai said coolly. "Qiuxi, you truly drew an excellent lot. None of you need to step on stage; I'll handle this alone."
"You'll do it personally? That works too..."
Ling Qiuxi's golden eyes flickered before she spoke. "But how did the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan end up feuding with the Body Sect? Ning Tian told me it was because Senior Jianmu and the Body Sect Master once had a battle."
"What Xiao Tian knows isn't the full story. That battle was merely the fuse."
Ling Bai let out a soft sigh, his voice taking on a distant quality. "The Body Sect has always been tyrannical. Every so often, their disciples emerge to plunge the continent into chaos. The last time, it was the Twin Heroes of the Body Sect — the current Sect Master Du Busi and his elder brother Du Bisi.
Body Martial Spirits are uniquely favored by heaven, far stronger than ordinary Martial Spirits. The highest Gold-ranked Body Martial Spirits rival even Ultimate-attribute Martial Spirits, and both Twin Heroes possessed Gold-ranked Body Martial Spirits: Spirit Body.
The two brothers were nigh invincible, and no one could stand against them. The imperial families of the three great empires finally begged the Sea God Pavilion Master, Dragon God Douluo Mu En, to come out of seclusion.
Elder Mu was powerful, but he was no match for the Twin Heroes on his own. Teacher couldn't stand by and watch the Body Sect run rampant any longer, so he stepped forward voluntarily and fought alongside Elder Mu against the Twin Heroes.
Elder Mu confronted Du Bisi. Teacher engaged Du Busi.
After a heaven-shaking battle, all four emerged gravely wounded. Du Bisi returned to the sect and died shortly after, his hatred unquenched. Elder Mu paid with his spine; never again would he stand upright for the rest of his life.
Teacher was struck by Du Busi's secret Body Sect method. His life force began a slow, irreversible decline. But at the same time, he planted a Jianmu Seed deep within Du Busi's bloodline, leaving the Body Sect Master so unsettled that he never dared approach Nine Treasure City again..."
Ling Qiuxi listened quietly to these old tales from the human world's previous era. Ling Bai paused briefly before continuing:
"The matter should have ended there. But Du Busi, unable to move against Shrek Academy given its deep foundations, instead pinned his brother's death on Teacher, resenting the man who had stood in his way.
Since Teacher served as a Worship of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Du Busi's target for revenge naturally fell on the clan itself.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had operated for ten thousand years, building a vast commercial empire with businesses in every corner of the continent. Du Busi dispatched disciples to destroy the clan's subsidiary forces. The Body Sect struck and vanished, hitting somewhere new before the clan could retaliate. Unable to fight back effectively, the clan was forced to shift from open operations into the shadows.
The clan still suffered occasional losses afterward, but always within tolerable limits. For several decades, the two factions maintained a fragile peace.
The Body Sect was never going to let the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan go. Beyond the hatred between two peak powerhouses lay an irresistible prize.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is a renowned top-tier Auxiliary System Martial Spirit. If the Body Sect could control Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit Masters to support their own disciples, they'd be like tigers given wings. Their combat strength would double, enough to crush both the Sun Moon Illustrious Virtue Hall and Shrek's Sea God Pavilion.
Du Busi waited for Teacher's life force to burn out while using a dull blade to carve away at the clan's strength bit by bit. For example... assassinating Spirit Masters who ventured beyond its walls!
Twelve years ago, Xiao Tian and I were five. Xiao Tian's father, Uncle Changqing, broke through to Rank 90 in spirit power.
The entire clan was ecstatic. The Body Sect's looming threat had kept any Titled Douluo from joining us for a long time.
The clan still had two Titled Douluo back then: Teacher and Xiao Tian's maternal grandmother, whose Martial Spirit was the Sky Azure Vine Emperor, the same as Aunt Yu's.
Teacher's injuries were too severe for him to leave, so Xiao Tian's grandparents accompanied Uncle Changqing to hunt his ninth spirit ring. One Titled Douluo, one Quasi-Titled Douluo, and a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit Saint for support. Short of encountering one of the Ten Great Beasts, nothing should have gone wrong with that configuration.
But they never came back..."
Ling Qiuxi's expression grew somber. "Parents and husband taken at once... Aunt Ya must have been devastated."
"She didn't shed a single tear. She claimed the Clan Head's seat, shouldered the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and ordered Uncle Xie to investigate the deaths of all three.
Uncle Changqing's Martial Spirit was the Sacred Fire Azure Wolf, a mutated, strengthened form of the Blazing Azure Wolf spirit beast. The Blazing Azure Wolf clan possesses a unique ability: transmitting messages through their azure wolf flames.
Uncle Xie found Uncle Changqing's azure wolf flame seed along the only route between the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Star Dou Forest. The message contained just two words: 'Body Sect.'
Uncle Changqing's hunt was strictly confidential. It must have been leaked to the Body Sect by a traitor. Aunt Ya purged the clan from top to bottom, rooting out every last one.
From that day forward, the two factions became mortal enemies. The Body Sect constantly schemes to devour the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, while the clan lies in wait, harboring the will to annihilate the Body Sect entirely."
"Ning Tian knows none of this?" Ling Qiuxi asked in surprise.
"No. Aunt Ya didn't want to burden her with too much pressure, so she only ever said Uncle Changqing and the others died in an accident. The full truth is known only to Aunt Ya, Aunt Yu, Teacher, Uncle Xie, and me."
"You were so little. Why would you know?"
"Because a year later, when I turned six, my Martial Spirit awakened: Innate Rank 20, the God-level Seraphim.
In my heart, Aunt Ya had always been a calm and wise Clan Head. I had never once seen her lose her composure like that.
That day, she brought me to the ancestral hall and held me in an embrace so fierce it felt like she might crush every bone in my body. Before her three relatives' spirit tablets, she laid bare every hidden truth and told me the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would spare no cost to raise me.
There was one thing she left unsaid, of course: that one day, I should avenge the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
But she didn't need to say it. I can do that myself."
Ling Bai's tone turned glacial. The Body Sect's gambit at the Illustrious Virtue Hall had blown up in their faces. Of their eleven Titled Douluo, two were already dead. Their losses among Spirit Saints and Spirit Douluo were catastrophic.
But the retribution was far from over. Tomorrow, he would stand at the center of the arena.
Whoever came, died!
...
The sky hung dark as ink. Heavy clouds seemed to press down on every heart, refusing to disperse.
Angelic Sanctuary and the Snowdemon Sect entered the arena. The Snowdemon Sect's main competitors from the group stage were nowhere to be seen; seven substitutes had taken the field instead.
All eight quarterfinal teams were present to observe. Aside from the Tang Sect, none of them even knew the effects of Ling Bai's eight spirit skills. They could only hope the Snowdemon Sect put up some kind of fight.
"Princess Wei Na..."
Someone in the crowd recognized the gentle, lovely Wei Na among the Snowdemon Sect's lineup, surprised that a kingdom's princess had joined a non-top-tier sect.
"Wait, is Ling Bai entering the waiting area alone?"
For certain unspeakable reasons, Wang Dong Er paid particularly close attention to Ling Bai. In every previous match, it had always been Ling Bai slacking off while the other six Angelic Sanctuary members slaved away like beasts of burden, huffing and puffing through all the work.
This time, the roles had flipped a full hundred and eighty degrees. Ling Bai was the one trudging miserably into battle while his six teammates waved towels from the rest area!
Unbreakable Douluo Zheng Zhan studied that face the heavens had meticulously carved to perfection and unconsciously knit his brows. Of all the competitors in this tournament, Ling Bai was the hardest to handle. He had no confidence whatsoever that he could save anyone from beneath the Angel Sword. All he could do was hope Ling Bai showed mercy on his own.
"They're not fighting alongside you?"
Zheng Zhan had noticed that only Ling Bai was participating for Angelic Sanctuary.
"One is enough."
Ling Bai hadn't bothered lowering his voice. The arena was packed with Spirit Masters, and the moment those words left his mouth, the crowd erupted in shocked murmurs. The Snowdemon Sect was a legitimate Top 8 team. He intended to sweep them alone?
The Snowdemon Sect disciples... no, the Body Sect disciples clenched their fists so hard their knuckles cracked. There was actually someone in this world more arrogant than them!
Zheng Zhan wasted no further words after confirming. His voice dropped low. "Quarterfinals: Angelic Sanctuary versus Snowdemon Sect. Individual elimination format. Will both sides' first members please take the stage!"
On the Snowdemon Sect's side, a tall youth rose to his feet. He crossed onto the stage in a single stride and fixed a furious glare on Ling Bai's indifferent face.
"Match, begin!"
Two yellow, two purple, two black. Six spirit rings rose beneath the youth's feet as his aura surged. The Body Sect wasn't delusional enough to believe a Spirit Emperor could defeat a Spirit Douluo. They simply wanted him to probe Ling Bai's abilities and drain some of his spirit power along the way.
His toes slammed against the ground and the youth launched skyward, arms extending flat to either side. His body continued to climb as all six spirit rings blazed to life.
Bronze radiance flashed into existence, taking the shape of two enormous palms. The light was so dense it appeared almost solid, its oppressive weight bearing down across the entire stage.
Body Martial Spirit: Double Palms, Bronze-ranked Second Awakening!
A streak of sword light burst into dazzling brilliance. Golden sword shadows cascaded across the arena like a tsunami, razor-sharp arcs originating from the Angel Sword and sweeping toward their target at invisible speed!
Seraphim's Second Spirit Skill, Evil-Banishing Slash!
Ling Bai had deliberately recalled his Spider Emperor Clone and equipped the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance for precisely this purpose: so he could act without restraint!
After fully absorbing Skydream's origin power, every single one of the Seraphim's spirit skills had become a 100,000-year spirit skill!
A fleeting instant of splendor. Sword light poured forth like golden lightning, tearing through the Body Sect youth's body!
The bronze palms shattered. A spray of crimson broke the fragile equilibrium. Amid a sky-filling rain of blood, the youth's body split apart and crashed to the earth in pieces!
"He... he killed him!"
The audience cried out in panic. This tournament had seen its share of casualties, but a six-ringed Spirit Emperor dying so effortlessly and so bloodily was a first, and his killer was none other than the Seraphim!
Horror swept through the Body Sect's ranks. They had never imagined Ling Bai would strike to kill under so many watching eyes. Black-cloaked figures materialized beside their remaining disciples in an instant.
Some spectators looked worried; others rejoiced. The Body Sect dying the moment they set foot on stage delighted Illustrious Virtue Hall Master Jing Hongchen to no end. He practically wanted to produce two Class 9 Spirit Guidance Devices on the spot and hire Ling Bai to go all out, washing away the Illustrious Virtue Hall's humiliation in blood!
"Will the Bod... Snowdemon Sect's second member please take the stage!"
Zheng Zhan swallowed discreetly. He truly hadn't reacted in time. Judging by that Evil-Banishing Slash's power, even his Unbreakable Shield would struggle to withstand it!
"Proceed with caution."
Another youth stepped heavily onto the stage. Having chosen to expose their true identity, the Body Sect couldn't simply forfeit after losing a single Spirit Emperor. That would make them the laughingstock of the entire continent!
They had to hold on. Grit their teeth and endure, if only for a few more rounds!
Spirit rings rose into view. Another six-ringed Spirit Emperor. Body Martial Spirit: Double Legs!
Bronze-ranked Second Awakening ignited. The youth bent his knees slightly and shot into the air like an arrow. His legs alternated kicks in midair, descending like two massive bronze pillars slamming down from above.
Ling Bai's first spirit ring, outwardly a mere 100-year ring, blazed with brilliant light. Radiant stars traced a seven-pointed array across the air, and when those bronze pillars crashed into it, they raised nothing more than a faint ripple.
The next heartbeat, brilliant golden Holy Fire erupted. Flames infused with three Ultimate attributes swept across the sky, painting the world in flowing light. Dazzling radiance filled every inch of space!
Radiant Spirit Array: Annihilation!
"Referee, save me!"
A shrill scream pierced through the sacred flames. Zheng Zhan couldn't afford to act too brazenly; all he could do was hurl out a single Class 9 Spirit Barrier.
Ling Bai's first ring flared again. The boundless Holy Fire surging within the Radiant Spirit Array detonated in a single catastrophic blast. The terrifying explosion ripped the Class 9 Spirit Barrier apart as torrents of flame poured down, engulfing the Body Sect Spirit Emperor's charred, shattered remains.
Cold sweat drenched Zheng Zhan's back. I truly can't stop him!
"This isn't a fight. This is slaughter!"
The Body Sect disciples in the waiting area had gone deathly pale. They roared furiously at Ling Bai.
"Correct. I came here to kill."
A clear, resonant voice cut through the clamor. The Body Sect's shouting ceased at once, because Ling Bai now hovered high above, gazing down at them.
"You can choose to step down, forfeit, and go home safely.
Or prepare yourselves for death... and challenge me!"
Those golden eyes blazed with searing heat. The Body Sect disciples seemed to see the earth itself splitting apart within them, flames coiling wildly like scalding magma surging from the world's cracked surface.
A towering young man shot to his feet. Princess Wei Na of the Heavenly Soul Empire seized his hand at once, pleading:
"Aotian, don't...
That brutal bastard disgraces the name of the Seraphim! He clearly intends to exterminate our sect's younger generation at the roots. You're no match for him. The referee can't even restrain him!"
"Wei Na, I am the Young Master of the Body Sect."
Long Aotian gently but firmly pried her hands free, his voice calm and unhurried. "The Body Sect's dignity now falls to me to defend!"
He mounted the competition stage. One figure soared through the sky; one stood upon the earth. Their colliding auras peaked in an instant.
Six angelic wings beat lightly as Ling Bai drifted to a halt five meters before Long Aotian, his eyes crinkling with a faint smile.
"Not bad. At least you have some backbone."
Long Aotian remained unmoved. Spirit power surged around him as his spirit rings rose one after another.
Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black!
The Body Sect's foremost genius, Long Aotian: a seven-ringed Spirit Saint!
"The pride of the Body Sect will not be trampled!"