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Li Luochen suddenly transmitted a message to Bibi Dong. Her brows furrowed briefly before relaxing again.
Afterward, Bibi Dong didn't linger on Tang San, who was lying prostrate like a dead dog. She lightly waved her scepter and said,
"Rise."
All those who had knelt now stood up.
A faint smile appeared on Bibi Dong's face as her gaze swept from left to right, taking in all the dozens of young soul masters participating in the final three-team match.
"In you, I see hope. Before the Pope's Palace, I want to witness the full extent of your talent and strength. The ultimate victor will receive the Spirit Hall's greatest reward." As she spoke, she lightly waved her scepter.
No one could see how she did it. Three points of light instantly expanded before Bibi Dong, hovering in mid-air.
They were three distinct objects, each resembling bones: a right arm bone, a skull, and a left leg bone. They glowed with fiery red, pale blue, and dark green light, respectively.
Soul bones—these were three soul bones.
Even from the foot of the Pope's Mountain, the glow of the three soul bones was clearly visible. In an instant, the entire Wuhun City erupted in excitement.
Aside from those who had been informed beforehand about the final reward, who would have expected three soul bones? From their radiance alone, it was clear that these soul bones were of extraordinary quality.
Even members of the Spirit Hall couldn't help but reveal greedy gazes.
If this weren't the Pope's Palace, and if there weren't several Title Douluos present to deter such actions, someone might have already succumbed to their greed and rushed forward to seize them.
These were soul bones—the most precious things for soul masters. Rare and unattainable.
Among soul bones, there were distinctions of rank and value. The quality of the soul bone itself was crucial. The higher the level of the spirit beast that produced it, the greater its effects. Of course, external soul bones were an exception.
Although the three soul bones presented by Pope Bibi Dong this time didn't include the most valuable torso bone, they did include a skull. The right arm bone was also highly prized, second only to the skull and torso bones. Even the least valuable left leg bone wasn't the lowest-ranked among the six types of soul bones.
And these three soul bones clearly came from spirit beasts of over ten thousand years.
For soul masters, they were top-tier treasures.
Behind the Pope, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei spoke in his deep voice:
"The three soul bones are the Wisdom Skull of Mental Focus, the Flame Right Arm of Explosive Combustion, and the Wind-Chasing Left Leg of Swift Movement.
These three soul bones all come from ten-thousand-year spirit beasts. Among them, the Wisdom Skull of Mental Focus comes from a spirit beast over fifty thousand years old. It was personally slain by the previous Pope.
It is an exquisite soul bone, second only to external soul bones and the highest-grade soul bones produced by hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts."
Bibi Dong calmly added, "There can only be one victor, one champion. Therefore, these three soul bones will all belong to the final champion team. I hope the three academies that have advanced to the finals will give their all. May the worthy claim this honor."
Regardless of their level, no soul master could resist the allure of soul bones, let alone three of them. An intense fighting spirit surged forth from the dozens of participating soul masters almost instantly.
However, Shrek Academy's Ma Hongjun and Oscar didn't display such strong fighting intent. Each of them already possessed three soul bones, all perfectly suited to their abilities, so they weren't tempted.
Hu Liena also wasn't particularly enticed, though she lacked a head bone. The Wisdom Skull of Mental Focus, with its sixty-thousand-year origin, was highly compatible with her—it was the reward promised by her teacher if she won the competition!
Bibi Dong continued, "This morning, each of your three teams will field seven participants for individual elimination matches. The last remaining team will gain an advantage and directly advance to tomorrow's championship match. The two losing teams will compete in the afternoon for the other spot in the finals.
Moreover, Elder Li Luochen suggested that single combat may not fully showcase the capabilities of the teams. Therefore, in the afternoon, we will hold a three-way free-for-all team battle and cancel the individual matches!"
The crowd below was stunned. No one expected Elder Li Luochen to propose changing the rules of the competition, let alone introducing such an outrageous three-way battle format. Truly impressive.
The Tian Dou Imperial Team felt slightly relieved. With the afternoon matches, Tang San would likely regain consciousness, and the competition could proceed as planned.
Afterward, the gathering dispersed. Bibi Dong glanced at Li Luochen before leaving.
The Title Douluos on the stage also departed. Why had Li Luochen suddenly decided to change the competition format? Because his spiritual perception had detected the presence of a peculiar individual—someone who dared to enter the Spirit Hall.
---
Tian Dou Imperial Team Hotel
An unexpected visitor suddenly arrived—Yu Xiaogang!
He hadn't followed Tang Xiao's instructions to leave but instead came to check on his disciple. Knowing that his disciple had made it to the finals and might even win the championship, he couldn't stay calm.
Yu Xiaogang believed he wouldn't be in danger within the Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong should still harbor some lingering affection for him, and he possessed the Pope's Token. As long as he didn't offend any Title Douluos, he'd be fine.
Leaning on his cane, Yu Xiaogang entered Tang San's room. Having spent some time with a broken leg and constantly moving around, he had grown accustomed to managing with one leg.
*Knock knock knock.*
Yu Xiaogang knocked, but no one answered. Eventually, he simply walked in and found Tang San lying there. He felt a twinge of "pity"—after all, this disciple was his only hope.
Ah yes, he still hadn't given Tang San a surprise. Tang San's greatest advantage was his twin spirit weapons, especially the full set of ten-thousand-year soul rings on his Hao Tian Hammer. Just thinking about it was terrifying.
Yu Xiaogang then wrote a letter, placed it beside Tang San's bed, and left.
After walking a few steps, he was spotted by the Tian Dou Imperial Team's leader (formerly the vice-leader).
"This piece of trash dares to show up? But he left quickly enough. If he ever dares to come again, I'll make sure he knows my power!"
---
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang hurried toward the Pope's Palace.
Inside the Pope's Palace,
"Why did you suddenly alter the competition rules? Although the finals are hosted by the Spirit Hall, such arbitrary changes require a reasonable explanation!"
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed slightly, feigning drowsiness, while Li Luochen was busy massaging her shoulders.
Humble Little Li was online, trying to please his mother-in-law!
"It's all for entertainment, Mother-in-Law. You should know that Tang San is Tang Hao's son, and he has twin spirit weapons!" Li Luochen said with a grin, his hands never stopping their movements.
"Of course! Is there anything a mother doesn't know? What exactly are you thinking?"
Bibi Dong was somewhat puzzled.
"Report, Your Holiness! Wind God Lord has arrived!"
The guard suddenly shouted. Both Bibi Dong and Li Luochen heard it, but Li Luochen didn't leave. You Tianshang was well aware of the relationship between Bibi Dong and Li Luochen.
"Let him in," Bibi Dong said, resting her head on one hand as she enjoyed her son-in-law's neck and shoulder massage. How comfortable! She hadn't expected this young man to be so versatile.
Soon, a tall, slender figure arrived. His handsome appearance might have taken on a different charm if he held a white paper fan.
"Yo! Dong Jie, what do you want me for?"
You Tianshang spoke casually.
Dong Jie? Oh, Brother You, you're really good at addressing people. You've just elevated yourself a generation above me. I thought of you as a brother, but now you're acting like my uncle?
Li Luochen internally raged.
"In private, you can call me that, but in public, use my title!" Bibi Dong corrected him with a wave of her hand.
"Got it, Dong Jie! No problem, Dong Jie!"
Li Luochen: 'Slick! Your past life must have been a purple toad spirit.'
"This time, I came to discuss something important with you..." Bibi Dong began, only to be interrupted again.
"Report, Your Holiness! A person claiming to be 'Master' has arrived, holding the Pope's Token and requesting an audience with you!"
The guard reported once more. Li Luochen, who was massaging Bibi Dong's neck and shoulders, could clearly feel her rising anger.
What Bibi Dong hated most was being interrupted while speaking. Yu Xiaogang was in for it.
Both Li Luochen and You Tianshang shared the same thought: This piece of trash dares to come?
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