Chapter 111 – 128. The Body Sect's First Battle Against Spirit Hall
White Crane, who knew full well Tai Tan's temperament, sighed helplessly. "Look at you—impatient as always."
"In this situation, Spirit Hall clearly plans to devour us whole," White Crane said calmly. "If the Body Sect wants to interfere between us and Spirit Hall, that means they think they have the strength to challenge them. Spirit Hall isn't easy prey, though. Isn't this perfect? Let the Body Sect confront them. If Spirit Hall wins, our fate is sealed. But if the Body Sect prevails, then we can decide which side to choose."
Hearing this reasoning, even Tai Tan's slow-thinking mind caught up. His expression brightened. "You're right! If the Body Sect wants to join the fun, let them fight to the death while we sit back and watch."
"At last, you're showing some sense," Yang Wudi said dryly. "If you still didn't get it by now, there'd be no saving you."
At the gates of the Body Sect—
Lu Zhou returned to report his mission's results to Sect Master Huo Qiqiang.
"Sect Master," said Frozen Body Douluo Xiao Zhi, "it's obvious those four clans want to use us as pawns. They hope we'll fight Spirit Hall while they reap the rewards."
"They have their schemes, and we have ours," said Fire Body Douluo Zhao Quan confidently. "Unless we test our strength against Spirit Hall—the most powerful force in the Douluo Continent—how can the world ever recognize the Body Sect's might?"
"Zhao Quan is right," Huo Qiqiang agreed with a smile. "The four clans may have their own motives, but they don't matter. When Spirit Hall retreats, they'll have no choice but to bow to us. Zhao Quan, Lu Yuan—you two will go ahead and assist the four clans."
"Yes, Sect Master," they replied in unison before swiftly departing.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Spirit Hall's forces surrounded the territories of the four single-attribute clans. High above, Yue Guan and Gui Mei hovered midair, their presence casting a shadow over the land.
"Three days," Yue Guan said coolly. "Have you made your decision?"
Yang Wudi stepped forward first. "Sorry, but the Breaking Clan refuses."
"My Sensitive Clan also refuses," White Crane declared.
"My Defense Clan will not join Spirit Hall," Niu Gao added.
And finally, Tai Tan said proudly, "A loyal man serves no second master. On behalf of the Strength Clan, I refuse your offer."
As soon as his words fell, the Spirit Hall army's killing intent filled the sky.
Yue Guan turned to Gui Mei. "Old ghost, it seems our negotiations have failed."
"In that case," Gui Mei said coldly, "let them die alongside the Clear Sky Sect."
Yue Guan nodded, activating his Martial Spirit Avatar. A gigantic chrysanthemum bloomed behind him as his soul rings flared—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one blood-red ring encircled his body.
A red hundred-thousand-year ring. The sheer aura of it made the four clans tremble.
"He's a Title Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring," Niu Gao muttered grimly. "This could be trouble."
"So what?" Yang Wudi shouted, brandishing his Breaking Soul Spear. "Let's fight!"
"Sixth Soul Skill—Golden Petal Flowing Radiance!"
The golden petals of Yue Guan's Chrysanthemum Douluo spirit drifted into the air before condensing into razor-sharp blades. A storm of petals fell like a meteor shower, bombarding the Four Clans with dazzling brilliance.
The pressure of a Title Douluo blanketed the battlefield—so immense that even breathing felt difficult.
Yang Wudi gritted his teeth, ready to break through and meet Yue Guan head-on. But just then, a hand pressed firmly on his shoulder.
A man in red clothing and a white cap stepped forward. "Let me handle this. You're not strong enough."
As he spoke, fire flared around him, consuming his shirt and revealing a body carved like molten steel. Soul power burst forth—vast and overwhelming.
Three purple, three black, and three red soul rings rose around him. The sheer power instantly overshadowed Yue Guan's aura.
He activated his Martial Spirit Avatar—not of beast or weapon, but of his own body. His skin blazed like molten iron, forming a towering red giant—the reflection of his true self.
The onlookers were stunned.
"Three… three hundred-thousand-year rings!" Yang Wudi stammered.
"Third Soul Skill—Flame Barrier!"
The giant's flames surged outward, forming a massive half-spherical barrier that enveloped the four clans. Every one of Yue Guan's flower petals that struck it turned instantly to ash.
"You—who are you?" Yue Guan demanded, his composure cracking. "Three hundred-thousand-year soul rings—and your flame even restrains my spirit!"
The man adjusted his cap and said coolly, "Zhao Quan. Title—Fire Body Douluo. From the Body Sect."
"The Body Sect?" Yue Guan murmured.
Gui Mei hissed, "Don't be intimidated by his rings, Chrysanthemum. His Fire Body may counter you, but his level shouldn't be far above yours. It's two against two. You keep him engaged, and I'll strike from the shadows. Together, we can bring him down."
"Understood," Yue Guan replied, regaining focus.
As Yue Guan locked in combat with Zhao Quan—his petals clashing against the sea of fire—Gui Mei melted into the shadows, his spectral form weaving back and forth until he found his opening. From the darkness, he lunged, striking like a phantom toward Zhao Quan's back.
But before he could hit, light flashed above him, taking human form. A voice drawled, "Well, well. Hiding in the shadows to strike with ghostly speed? Quite the trick."
"You—!" Gui Mei's eyes went wide as he looked up. The newcomer moved faster than he could follow, radiating light energy that suppressed his every move.
"Ever been hit by a Light Elbow?" the newcomer asked—and then drove his shining arm downward.
The impact was catastrophic. Gui Mei's body plummeted like a cannonball, crashing into the earth so hard that the ground split in spiderweb cracks.
Meanwhile, Zhao Quan's fiery punch turned into a blazing dragon, burning straight through Yue Guan's chrysanthemum avatar and sending him hurtling to the ground.
Gui Mei staggered back into the shadows, clutching his wound, barely able to maintain his ghost form. Yue Guan collapsed beside him, his broken Martial Spirit severely damaged.
Both looked across the field, faces grim. Their opponents—Zhao Quan and the bright-eyed man above—were clearly not ordinary foes. Though neither of them surpassed the Spirit Hall duo in rank, their spirit attributes perfectly suppressed Chrysanthemum and Ghost. The Fire Body had achieved the pinnacle of flame, incinerating even Yue Guan's resilient martial spirit, while the Light Body countered Gui Mei's shadow powers with ease.
The battle had turned. For the first time, Spirit Hall was at a clear disadvantage.
(END CHAPTER)
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