Even while the qualifying rounds were still ongoing, Spirit City had already specially designated an area as the exclusive venue for the grand finals. Concurrently, Spirit Hall issued a decree stating that non-Soul Masters were strictly prohibited from entering to watch the matches during the competition, with no exceptions, even for nobles.
This measure added a touch of mystery to the grand finals.
Simultaneously, an escort team, personally led by Salas and composed of several Martial Soul Saint-level powerhouses and a small squad of elite Temple Knights, quietly departed from the back gate of Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City.
They did not converge with the vast convoy of participating teams led by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe ahead, but deliberately maintained a certain distance, following the main group not too close, not too far.
This requirement was put forth by Emperor Xue Ye, both to avoid unnecessary commotion and attention, and for safety considerations, separating the large contingent escorting Tang San from the students. Should an accident occur, it would not affect the Empire's elite Soul Masters... Meanwhile, in Spirit City, at the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Inside the magnificent hall, the atmosphere was now somber. Beneath the high dome, the light from the Martial Soul-guided lamps flickered, as if even the light itself trembled slightly under the oppressive aura.
Just then, Bibi Dong, seated on the Supreme Pontiff's throne, slowly rose. Her deep purple eyes, like a thousand-year-old cold pond, slowly swept over the four figures who had been standing solemnly below for a long time. A cold glint then flashed in her eyes, and she asked with undeniable authority:
"Are... are you all ready?"
The four Elders, hearing the Supreme Pontiff's question, simultaneously bowed slightly, their voices unified:
"Reporting to Your Eminence, all is ready!"
These four were none other than the renowned Titled Douluo of Spirit Hall's Elder Palace!
Standing at the first position on the left, with a face as enchanting as a woman's, was Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan!
Beside him, shrouded in shadows and emanating a sinister aura, was Ghost Douluo Gui Mei!
On the right, with a physique as robust as a bear and bulging muscles, was Devil Bear Douluo!
The last one, with a lean build and eyes as sharp as a leopard's, was Ghost Leopard Douluo!
"Since that is the case... then depart now!" Bibi Dong nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this, and with a gentle wave of her jade hand, she stirred a fragrant breeze as she spoke.
"Yes!"
The four Titled Douluo responded in unison, without any hesitation.
The next moment, their figures simultaneously blurred like phantoms, the space slightly distorted, and they instantly vanished from their original positions.
In the empty hall, only Bibi Dong remained standing alone on the high platform.
She gazed in the direction where the four had disappeared, a cold arc slowly curving on her lips. She murmured in a low voice, "Tang Clan father and son, this time, this Pontiff will capture you both in one fell swoop!"
...On the other side, inside the Hall of Worship.
The hall was solemn and majestic, with light filtering through the stained-glass windows, falling beneath the colossal, sacredly glowing golden Seraphim statue in the center.
In front of the statue, three figures stood silently.
The elderly man in the center, dressed in a simple golden robe, with an ancient face and eyes as deep as the vast starry sky, was none other than the High Priest of Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu, renowned as the invincible in the sky.
Below him, two people stood.
These two bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance, both tall and resolute in appearance, their eyes shining brightly when opened and closed. In their hands, each held a long rod, about twelve feet in length, entirely dark gold, with a lifelike Golden Dragon coiled around it—the Coiling Dragon Rod!
These two were the sixth and seventh Priests of the Hall of Worship, Qianjun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo!
"Qianjun, Jiangmo, I am dispatching the two of you to assist Bibi Dong's plan." Qian Daoliu looked calmly at the two individuals before him, his voice flat and unwavering.
"High Priest, do you need us to take direct action?" Jiangmo Douluo asked, his rugged brow slightly raised, a hint of doubt on his face.
In his opinion, if he and his brother directly intervened, Tang Hao would have no chance of survival.
Qian Daoliu slowly shook his head, his gaze turning to the window, looking into the distance, and said:
"No need, you two will temporarily hide in the shadows. If the four individuals Bibi Dong dispatched cannot resolve the Tang Clan father and son... then you may act."
"Yes!" Hearing this, Qianjun and Jiangmo, the brothers, simultaneously bowed in acceptance of the order. They never questioned the High Priest's decisions.
Just then, Qianjun Douluo seemed to recall something. He looked up at Qian Daoliu, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry, and said, "By the way, High Priest, there's one more thing. I remember Young Miss once sent someone back to mention that Tang Chuan..."
However, before he could finish his sentence, Qian Daoliu slightly raised his hand, interrupting him.
Immediately, a brief silence fell over the Hall of Worship.
His eyes flickered slightly, Qian Daoliu seemed to be weighing something. After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice still flat, but with a hint of indescribable depth, saying:
"If possible, bring this Tang Chuan back alive."
Hearing this, Qianjun Douluo's heart slightly chilled. He immediately understood the High Priest's intention, exchanged a glance with Jiangmo Douluo, and simultaneously bowed, saying:
"As the High Priest commands!"
...Days passed quietly amidst the sound of wheels and hoofbeats.
The Heaven Dou Empire's contingent, en route to Spirit City for the grand finals, had already covered nearly half the journey. On this day, the convoy proceeded through a rather treacherous terrain.
Ahead was a natural gourd-shaped pass.
The entrance was extremely narrow, allowing only a few carriages to pass abreast.
On both sides were towering, steep cliffs, jagged with rocks and devoid of vegetation.
Mountain winds howled from the depths of the canyon, passing through this narrow entrance with mournful sounds, carrying a chilling cold.
The sunlight was blocked by the towering cliffs, making the valley dim and the atmosphere slightly oppressive.
Under the strict escort and pioneering of five hundred Royal Knights soldiers...
The fifteen luxurious giant carriages from various academies, forming a long line, were carefully and slowly moving into the gourd-shaped pass.
Just as the Heaven Dou Empire's convoy, like a long snake, slowly drove into the dim, treacherous gourd-shaped canyon...
On the clifftop on one side of the valley entrance, dozens of figures appeared without warning!
These people were completely shrouded in black night clothes, their faces masked, revealing only pairs of gleaming eyes. Most remarkably, faint blue-purple electric light subtly coiled around each of them.
One of the black-clad figures fixed his gaze on the convoy passing through the valley entrance below, especially the carriages marked Tianxing Academy. He then slightly turned his head to the elderly man beside him, whose aura was particularly profound and who wore the same attire, and asked in a hushed voice:
"Deputy Clan Chief, when... when do we make our move?"
Hearing this, the Elder, referred to as Deputy Clan Chief, slightly raised a hand, signaling patience, and said in a hoarse yet steady voice:
"Don't rush. Wait until Tang Hao makes his move and everything below falls into chaos..."
"Then... we will strike!"
However, the instant his words fell...
Opposite!
On the clifftop on the other side of the canyon!
A large swath of black figures also suddenly emerged like ghosts!
These were also a group of masked men in black. Their numbers seemed even greater, their auras mixed, but without exception, they all exuded intense Killing Intent!
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