Two days later.
The news that the Heaven Dou Spirit Temple had been reduced to ruins by a Title Douluo wielding the Clear Sky Hammer with a hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring—and that many high-ranking officials, including the temple master Salas, had perished—was urgently relayed back to the Supreme Pontiff Hall in Spirit City.
An hour later, within the Elder Hall, Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong, the six worship elders, and over a dozen Title Douluo elders currently present in Spirit City were gathered.
"Everyone, the destruction of the Heaven Dou Spirit Temple was caused by an individual with the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul and a hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring. It is undoubtedly the work of Tang Hao. Spirit Hall must apprehend Tang Hao. Which elder will take on this task?"
Suppressing the fury in her heart, Bibi Dong spoke in a deep voice to the high-ranking members of Spirit Hall in the hall.
To be honest, Bibi Dong had never originally considered Tang Hao as an enemy.
After all, if Tang Hao hadn't severely injured Qian Xunji back then, it would have taken her several more years to personally eliminate that despicable beast. In a way, he had done her a great favor.
Because of this, even though Tang Hao had caused numerous disturbances over the years—striking here and there in guerrilla attacks against Spirit Hall—Bibi Dong had never truly regarded him as a threat. She had never once dispatched Title Douluo elders to hunt him down, considering it her way of repaying that 'favor.'
However, this time, Tang Hao had gone too far. Destroying the Heaven Dou Spirit Temple, a symbol of Spirit Hall's authority, was an outright provocation. As the current Supreme Pontiff, Bibi Dong could no longer tolerate it.
In the past, I spared you out of sentiment. But now, you have the audacity to disgrace Spirit Hall so brazenly? Clearly, you don't know your place. Then you can just go to hell!
As soon as Bibi Dong's words fell, aside from the six worship elders, the other seated Title Douluo elders exchanged glances but did not immediately speak up.
Are you kidding? As elders of Spirit Hall, how could they not know how terrifying Tang Hao was?
Back then, as soon as Tang Hao advanced to the Title Douluo realm, he had single-handedly defeated three Title Douluo, including the former Supreme Pontiff, Qian Xunji.
It was important to note that Qian Xunji was no weakling. With a soul power level of 95, his Angel martial soul, and the powerful Angel Domain, his strength was comparable to that of a Rank 96 Title Douluo.
Even someone as formidable as the previous Supreme Pontiff had fallen at Tang Hao's hands—was sending them to capture him not just sending them to their deaths?
Not to mention that after all these years, Tang Hao's strength had surely grown far beyond what it was back then.
At this moment, the highest-ranking and most powerful among the elders, the Second Worship Elder, Golden Crocodile Douluo, finally spoke.
"Supreme Pontiff, sending elders directly to Heaven Dou to apprehend Tang Hao would not be wise.
First, Tang Hao's whereabouts are unpredictable; even if we go, there is no guarantee we will find him.
Second, there are currently many Title Douluo in Heaven Dou. If our forces are too few, and Tang Hao allies himself with them, Spirit Hall would suffer additional casualties.
If we send too many, it would alarm the various factions on the continent, causing them to unite against Spirit Hall. We must not act recklessly."
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes slightly. "According to Elder Golden Crocodile, what should be done?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke slowly.
"According to the intelligence report, the reason Tang Hao destroyed the Heaven Dou Spirit Temple was that Salas had ordered an assassination attempt on his son, Tang San.
According to the original plan for the Continental Spirit Master Academy Tournament, this year's finals are to be hosted by the Star Luo Empire.
If Tang San's academy team qualifies in the preliminaries, we should have Star Luo transfer the hosting rights of this year's finals to Spirit Hall.
As it happens, Supreme Pontiff, you intend to reward the Golden Generation with soul bones. We can use those three soul bones as the championship prize—Star Luo would surely agree to the arrangement.
If Tang San comes to Spirit City for the competition, Tang Hao will undoubtedly follow him in secret. At that time, we can arrange for our experts to intercept them on the way and eliminate them both.
Of course, if Tang Hao and Tang San do not fall for the trap, we can later send our experts to Heaven Dou City. Either way, these two must die!"
As he spoke, a glint of cruelty flashed in Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes.
The 'intelligence report' he referred to naturally came from Qian Renxue.
However, the 'usurpation plan' carried out by Qian Renxue was one of Spirit Hall's top secrets. Among those present, only the six worship elders and Bibi Dong were aware of it, so it was not appropriate to disclose it to the other elders. That was why Golden Crocodile referred to her using a codename.
Tang Hao had forcibly demolished the Heaven Dou Soul Temple and wiped out everyone affiliated with it. Such an open provocation could not be tolerated. Spirit Hall could not allow Tang Hao to continue running free—he had to be made an example of. Otherwise, every random cat or dog would dare to challenge them in the future.
Moreover, Qian Renxue had reported that Tang San most likely possessed twin martial souls. Golden Crocodile Douluo, fully aware of the potential of twin-soul masters, had no intention of allowing Tang San—who could become Spirit Hall's greatest enemy in the future—to live. He had no desire to see the Clear Sky Clan produce another 'Invincible on Land' powerhouse, or worse, an even stronger version of one.
"Hmph! Golden Crocodile Elder, do you even realize that Heaven Dou has produced several peerless geniuses?"
Bibi Dong let out a cold snort, clearly displeased with Golden Crocodile's idea of offering soul bones as the championship reward for the tournament.
On the very first day of the tournament, Salas had already reported the general details about Mu Yang and the others.
The Golden Generation trio was indeed strong, and they even possessed a martial soul fusion ability. However, their opponents also included five-ring Soul Kings, who might have hidden trump cards of their own. If the Spirit Hall team failed to win the championship, Spirit Hall would not only suffer an internal loss but also lose face publicly.
"Supreme Pontiff, didn't you claim that the Golden Generation is exceptional?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo sneered.
Rewarding soul bones was fine, but only if they proved their worth.
If they couldn't even surpass their peers from other factions, what right did they have to receive soul bones?
"You—"
Bibi Dong was furious.
She never said the Golden Generation would definitely lose. It was just that soul bones were precious—especially the sixty-thousand-year head soul bone she had prepared for her own disciple, Hu Liena. Since their opponents were strong, she didn't want to take unnecessary risks.
Yet unexpectedly, Golden Crocodile had turned her hesitation into a weapon to mock her.
"Supreme Pontiff, the matter is settled! Besides, Tang Hao was once the Young Master of the Clear Sky Clan and must have top-quality soul bones on him.
Even if the Golden Generation is not as skilled, as long as we lure Tang Hao out, we will not lose out on soul bones."
Golden Crocodile Douluo waved his hand dismissively, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
To a powerhouse of Golden Crocodile Douluo's caliber, any soul bone below the hundred-thousand-year level was nothing more than an ordinary resource.
Even if the Golden Generation failed to win the championship and their soul bones were taken by outsiders, it wouldn't matter. As long as they accomplished their goal of eliminating Tang Hao and the highly talented Tang San, it would all be worth it.
After all, it was just three soul bones—Spirit Hall had a deep foundation and could afford such a loss.
As for the so-called geniuses from the Elemental Academies of the Heaven Dou Empire? Golden Crocodile didn't take them seriously at all. When it came to talent, among all the soul masters on the continent, who could compare to the young miss?
Did they even understand the value of innate rank 20 soul power? Did they understand the significance of inheriting a god's position?
Unless they were like Bibi Dong, possessing twin martial souls, no matter how talented they were, by the time they grew strong enough to threaten Spirit Hall, his young miss would have already ascended to the position of Angel God.
At that point, under the divine power of a god, what difference would a few peerless Douluo make? They would all still be mere ants!
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123