Under the pressure of Titan's aura, Jing Hongchen's eyes were filled with utter shock and horror. With his Title Douluo-level cultivation, he still felt as if every step was extremely difficult.
If not for several ninth-level defensive soul tools protecting his body, he probably wouldn't even have the qualification to stand before Titan right now.
He had once been in close contact with Mu En and Xuan Zi. The oppressive feeling Titan gave him now was even greater than that from Xuan Zi. It was as if he were being stared down by a super ferocious beast.
Could it be a Limit Douluo?!
Thinking of this, Jing Hongchen's expression changed once again.
Meanwhile, Xu Zihuang, who was directly bearing the brunt of Titan's aura pressure, stood calmly in midair without retreating in the slightest, locking eyes with Titan.
The bright golden seventh soul ring continued to flash with a noble and majestic halo. Having activated the hundred-thousand-year Thunder Beast left leg soul bone skill, Thunder Light Source, his body had transformed into a pure lightning elemental form. Bathed in this bright golden glow, he appeared even more divine and exalted.
"Courting death?" Xu Zihuang sneered coldly in his heart.
"You old beast has truly been influenced and corrupted by your master."
Titan was considered a peak powerhouse in this world, but now Xu Zihuang had the confidence to not fear him in the slightest.
Because of Tang San's existence, Xu Zihuang had never intended to kill Tang Wutong here, nor was it possible for him to do so.
From the very beginning, his goal had been to force Tang Wutong into a desperate situation, compelling Titan to act. A divine official descending to the lower realm privately already violated the rules of the Divine Realm. If he further interfered in mortal affairs without authorization, not even his master could protect him.
Of course, all of this was predicated on Xu Zihuang having someone backing him.
After Xu Zihuang went into seclusion and completed his fusion with Tianmeng Iceworm to break through to rank 70, he had, with his own talent and strength, received the favor of a deity. It was precisely because of this that he had been delayed for some time during the battle against the Holy Spirit Team.
This was the true source of his confidence.
Although he still needed to undergo various trials and tribulations to touch that domain, it also meant that in the future, no one would be able to scheme against him.
The confrontation between Shrek Academy and the Clear Sky Sect was undoubtedly something the Sun Moon Empire side wanted to see. Jing Hongchen subtly exchanged a glance with Xu Tianran on the rostrum and instantly understood. As the referee of this match, he was in no hurry to intervene.
On Shrek Academy's side, the others were also affected by Titan's aura pressure. Though they weren't bearing it head-on, only Zhang Lexuan and Ye Guyi could still stand normally.
When Titan had acted earlier to save Tang Wutong, he had not concealed his aura or soul power. Both Zhang Lexuan and Ye Guyi had witnessed everything.
Zhang Lexuan forced herself to step forward against the pressure, frowning as she said gravely, "Senior, I believe Tianhuang absolutely had no intention of killing your sect's disciple. I think there must be some misunderstanding between us."
"Misunderstanding?!" At this moment, Titan was in a state of rage, and his released aura carried an extra trace of ferocity. However, the thick killing intent from before had lessened, and he appeared much calmer.
"Did you see any sign of that kid holding back just now? If I hadn't acted quickly, if anything had happened to Wutong, none of you would have left this place alive!"
"Then what do you want?!" Ye Guyi asked coldly, her face like frost. She didn't have Zhang Lexuan's good temper, especially when it came to matters involving Xu Zihuang.
"Tianhuang is now the Sea God's Pavilion's generational successor to the Pavilion Master. Are you planning to declare war on our Shrek Academy?!"
Though Zhang Lexuan felt Ye Guyi's words were a bit too impulsive, it was indeed the truth. The importance of Yu Tianhuang to Shrek Academy was self-evident. If Titan truly intended to do anything to Yu Tianhuang, Shrek Academy would absolutely not back down.
Moreover, Titan's last sentence also made her expression turn unpleasant.
Sea God's Pavilion, generational successor to the Pavilion Master?!
The spectators in the stands might not be very familiar with the term "generational successor to the Sea God's Pavilion Master," but among the members and leaders of the four remaining teams in the rest area, except for Vina and Muxue, who already knew, everyone showed looks of astonishment.
Even Jing Hongchen on the competition stage reacted the same way. Then he saw Xu Zihuang descending from the sky, passing right over him, jumping down from the stage, and walking step by step to stand in front of Zhang Lexuan and Ye Guyi.
Facing Titan's ferocious expression, Xu Zihuang merely sneered, directly took Zhang Lexuan and Ye Guyi's hands, and returned to Shrek Academy's rest area.
Wherever he passed, Titan's oppressive aura melted away like ice and snow.
That beast Titan really had no brains. He had indeed been successfully provoked earlier. But Xu Zihuang hadn't expected that the other beast, Niu Tian, had also come along.
Titan had restrained his killing intent because he received a voice transmission from Niu Tian.
Xu Zihuang had also sensed Niu Tian's presence because of this. What surprised him was that Niu Tian's spiritual power realm seemed to be faintly above his own, having reached the peak of the tangible and material level.
Titan's expression flickered. Looking at Xu Zihuang's calm and composed back, he felt even more furious. But in the end, he forcibly endured it. With a flash, he arrived on the competition stage, picked up Tang Wutong, who had already fallen unconscious, and carried her.
Tang Wutong's injuries from the battle with Xu Zihuang were not severe. However, the impact from the simultaneous detonation of six ten-thousand-year soul rings was not something she could fully withstand at her current stage. Once the breath she had been forcefully holding in her heart dissipated, she could no longer hold on.
The reason the Explosive Ring, or rather, the Great Sumeru Hammer, could only be learned by each generation's Clear Sky Douluo of the Clear Sky Sect was precisely because of this.
Controlling the Great Sumeru Hammer required extremely high talent. The demands on physical quality were also extreme.
Carrying Tang Wutong, Titan turned back to look at Xu Zihuang, still unable to suppress his anger as he let out a cold snort. Then, together with the others from the Clear Sky Sect team, he left first.
Kid, just wait until that matter is completed—hmph—
Standing in Shrek Academy's rest area, Xu Zihuang smiled as he looked toward Jing Hongchen on the competition stage.
"Hall Master Hongchen, I think you should announce the result of the match now."
Jing Hongchen came back to his senses, gave Xu Zihuang a deep look, then announced with a complicated expression in a loud voice:
"In the first semifinal match, Shrek Academy versus Clear Sky Sect, Shrek Academy wins and advances smoothly to the final."
The first semifinal ended in this manner. However, both the battle between Xu Zihuang and Tang Wutong and the confrontation between Xu Zihuang and Titan could be described as spectacular and blood-boiling.
The only one who felt slightly regretful about this was Xu Tianran, sitting on the rostrum.
It was a pity that the conflict between Shrek Academy and the Clear Sky Sect had not truly escalated. But he was not obsessed with it. Compared to that, he looked forward even more to the clash between Shrek Academy and the Body Sect in the final.
Although the Heavenly Dragon Gate had decent overall strength, there was still a significant gap compared to the Body Sect. The match this afternoon could be completely foreseen.
In Xu Tianran's view, Shrek Academy had always placed immense importance on honor, and their relationship with the Body Sect was far from harmonious. In the final, both sides would surely go all out.
When leaving the venue, most of Shrek Academy's team members were still immersed in the shock brought by Xu Zihuang. Ye Guyi and Ning Tian were more concerned about Xu Zihuang himself.
Because she trusts in Yu Tianhuang, Zhang Lexuan did not say anything. It was Titan who had struck first; Yu Tianhuang had merely responded.
Yu Tianhuang now represented Shrek Academy's face, and such a response was completely justified. Moreover, when Tang Wutong used the Clear Sky Sect's Explosive Ring secret technique, six rings detonating simultaneously, had she ever shown any mercy toward Yu Tianhuang? On the contrary, Yu Tianhuang had never fully unleashed his abilities from beginning to end, giving the Clear Sky Sect sufficient face.
As for whether Yu Tianhuang truly intended to do anything to Tang Wutong, Zhang Lexuan did not believe it. After all, Yu Tianhuang had not even killed Xiao Hongchen of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Why would he offend the Clear Sky Sect for no reason?
After returning to the hotel, everyone rested separately, and Xu Zihuang also returned to his room.
That afternoon, he did not go to the competition venue to watch the match between the Snow Demon Sect and Heavenly Dragon Gate. Instead, he stayed at the training field in Villa No. 1, familiarizing himself with the new abilities he had just obtained. The assassination of Xu Tianran was scheduled for tomorrow night; he had to make full preparations.
Zhang Lexuan personally led the Shrek team members to the competition venue for routine observation.
This was also to avoid arousing suspicion from the Sun Moon Empire side.
Because of the morning's conflict, Ye Guyi and Ning Tian both chose to stay behind and accompany Xu Zihuang. However, Xu Zihuang himself was not worried at all.
That afternoon's match between the Snow Demon Sect and Heavenly Dragon Gate was also decided by the team captains in a one-on-one format. Long Aotian and Jade Tianlong were both the type who would never yield, and the battle was extremely intense. But in reality, neither suffered any fundamental injury.
In the end, Long Aotian won with a clear advantage over Jade Tianlong.
With this, the semifinals concluded. The people of Mingdu were all eagerly anticipating the grand showdown between Shrek Academy and the Snow Demon Sect, their emotions running extremely high. Yet in places ordinary people could not touch, undercurrents surged.
As night fell, in the Sun Moon Empire's imperial palace.
Xu Tianran sat quietly in the rear garden in front of his study, gazing up at the bright silver moon. As the season shifted into late spring, the evening breeze blew past, and one could clearly hear the rustling of leaves and the chirping of cicadas heralding the approach of early summer. It was serene and profound.
A black-clothed figure silently knelt before Xu Tianran.
"Reporting to Your Highness, everything has been arranged. The east, south, and north directions are all guarded by our heavy troops. Every soul guidance position has at least one ninth-level soul engineer stationed there, along with more than five fixed-installed soul guidance cannon shells. Through our deliberate leaks, they should already know about these arrangements."
"What about the situation on the west side, at the Sun Moon Mountain Range?"
The black-clothed man replied respectfully, "Everything has been prepared in advance."
Xu Tianran nodded.
"You've done well. Pass down the orders. Maintain first-level alert for the next two days and be ready at any moment."
"Yes, Your Highness!" The black-clothed man respectfully agreed, then rose and quickly melted into the darkness.
A thoughtful look appeared in Xu Tianran's eyes as he murmured to himself, "I hope you will all make the right choice afterward. If you choose the west side, our side's losses will be greatly reduced."
With that, his body, along with the wheelchair, suddenly floated up strangely and drifted back into the study.
The two semifinal matches held today have made the entire city of Mingdu's atmosphere exceptionally heated. This fervor was also present in the top-floor No. 1 suite of the Mingyue Grand Hotel.
Under the hazy moonlight, two intimately entwined figures could be seen.
Xu Zihuang leaned half against the head of the bed, while Ning Tian nestled in his arms. Her slightly rapid breathing had yet to calm completely. Her jade arm, exposed outside the silken quilt, rose and gently rested on Xu Zihuang's chest.
Ning Tian's watery, misty eyes were filled with affection, along with the lingering charm and laziness of the afterglow.
Xu Zihuang gently combed through Ning Tian's slightly disheveled platinum-blonde hair and comforted her, "Don't worry. I have the ability to protect myself. Before the operation tomorrow, you should first follow Dean Xian and the others to a safe place."
Among those from Shrek Academy who had secretly infiltrated Mingdu, there were five Sea God's Pavilion elders, including Xuan Zi. Each of them was a Super Douluo-level powerhouse or above.
According to the plan, before the operation began, Xian Lin'er would lead the Shrek Academy and Tang Sect members to leave first. The remaining four elders would cooperate with the Body Sect and Star Luo Empire's Title Douluo in the assassination operation.
It was worth mentioning that Beibei and Xu Sanshi would also join that assault team. In the narrow spaces inside the palace during an encounter battle, traditional soul masters like them held an advantage.
There was no denying that Beibei and Xu Sanshi's decision to participate was partly due to Jiang Nannan. Although the evil soul masters who had severely injured Jiang Nannan had already been killed by Wang Qiu'er and Yu Tianhuang, the root cause of Jiang Nannan's severe injury was still that she had represented the Tang Sect in the competition.
At the very least, they should take action and make those evil soul masters pay an even heavier price.
"Mm." Ning Tian pursed her lips, then slightly arched her body upward. Her charming face bloomed like a flower as she drew close to Xu Zihuang's features, though a hint of a smile appeared deep in her eyes.
"Tianhuang, of course, I believe in your ability."
There was one thing Ning Tian did not say: as soon as she learned of Yu Tianhuang's decision, she had already contacted Gu Lao through the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's special communication method.
Afterward, Gu Lao would secretly protect Yu Tianhuang the entire time.
The silken quilt slipped down. Ning Tian, with her back to the silver moon, fully revealed herself before Xu Zihuang. Her fair skin seemed to shimmer with a lustrous glow. Every part of her delicate body was utterly intoxicating.
"Which aspect of ability are you referring to?" Xu Zihuang's gaze shifted downward from Ning Tian's face and paused at a certain place. He asked with a teasing smile.
Ning Tian's pretty face flushed with a mix of shyness and the charm of half-refusal, half-welcome.
At the same time, in the top-floor room of another large hotel in the center of Mingdu.
Two middle-aged men sat facing each other. One of them was none other than Titan, who had appeared today as the Clear Sky Sect team's leader. Opposite Titan sat a middle-aged man with long cyan hair, broad and majestic shoulders, and eyes the same cyan as his hair. His seemingly plain eyes possessed an indescribable special quality. The powerful aura leaking from his body carried a heart-shaking terror.
Titan called softly.
"Big Brother."
The only one who could be addressed this way by Titan was the Clear Sky Sect's great sect master, Niu Tian.
Niu Tian's eyes gleamed as he pondered for a moment before speaking, "Second Brother, you were still a bit too impulsive today. Don't forget our purpose for coming here."
Titan frowned tightly as he looked at Niu Tian, hesitation on his face.
"Big Brother, do we really have to do this? Although that kid's talent and strength are indeed outstanding, is it really worth humiliating Wutong like this? I don't know what that person is thinking."
"Second Brother, watch your words." Niu Tian's expression turned solemn.
"After so many years, don't you understand him yet? Since it's his decision, we'll do as he says."
At this point, a trace of a smile appeared in Niu Tian's eyes.
"You're not holding a grudge against him just because you suffered a bit in his hands today, are you?"
Titan's old face reddened.
"I just think that kid is too arrogant. With his personality, he probably won't submit so easily. Forcibly tying him together with Wutong like this, will it really be okay?"
Niu Tian gave Titan a meaningful look and said helplessly, "In his words, this child has a fate with our Tang family. As long as the outcome is good, that's enough. Moreover, that kid's talent is far from as simple as you think. From him, I sensed the presence of divinity…"
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