[TL: I'll be changing Flame of Nava Armor to Nava Flame Armor starting now. Nava means Lava its just that the Author wants to sound it different which is why it is called Nava.
Also, I think this is the good time to explain Lin Mu's armors, so I highly recommend reading the Author's Thoughts after reading this chapter, where the differences of Lin Mu's armors are explained.]
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Seeing Lin Mu's blunt behavior, the three Board Members felt a jolt of fear, worried that Chrysanthemum Douluo might retaliate on the spot.
However, Chrysanthemum Douluo disregarded the lack of formality. His sharp eyes scrutinized Lin Mu, and he asked with a hint of suspicion, "Did you truly defeat that old poisoner, Dugu Bo?"
"Besides me, can you find another Soul Saint capable of defeating a Title Douluo?" Lin Mu retorted calmly.
These words startled everyone present. They rarely saw Lin Mu act with such open arrogance. Normally, Lin Mu was only so decisive and direct when he was in the middle of taking action.
Hearing such bold words, a strange light flashed in Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes. His initial contempt vanished instantly, replaced by deep astonishment and a twisted sort of respect. A Soul Saint with such strength, what did it matter if he was a little arrogant?
"His Holiness the Pope has ordered you to come to the Supreme Pontiff Palace for an audience." As he spoke, Chrysanthemum Douluo toyed with his long fingernails, his tone exuding the arrogance expected of an Elder of the Spirit Hall.
The hearts of the three Board Members leaped into their throats. They looked at Lin Mu with immense worry, fearing both that he would agree and that he would further offend the Spirit Hall.
Lin Mu remained nonchalant, simply uttering two words: "No time."
Seeing that this guy didn't take the Pope's decree seriously, Chrysanthemum Douluo frowned, clearly displeased. "You dare disobey the Pope's decree?"
"I need to help my disciple hunt for a Soul Ring," Lin Mu said calmly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo pondered for a moment, then conceded slightly. "The Pope is always magnanimous; you can delay for a few days. It is not too late to go to the Spirit Hall after you have hunted for your Soul Ring."
"Fine, let me tell you plainly: I, Lin Mu, will never join the Spirit Hall," Lin Mu stated directly.
The air froze instantly. Everyone was dumbfounded. They had thought that even if Lin Mu didn't accept, he would at least try to stall for time, but he had refused with total finality.
"You... you dare to play tricks on me?!" Chrysanthemum Douluo's eerie face twisted, his eyes filled with rage.
"Yes, so what?" Lin Mu sneered, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Someone has worked diligently his whole life, yet he doesn't even possess a single ten-thousand-year Soul Bone. To expect a horse to run without feeding it is utterly ridiculous!"
These words were like sharp knives, piercing Chrysanthemum Douluo's sorest spot. He had rendered great service to the Spirit Hall, yet he had never obtained the ten-thousand-year Soul Bone he so desperately desired, this had always been his deepest regret.
"You're courting death!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo erupted in fury, letting out a piercing scream as his immense Soul Power exploded. Nine Soul Rings instantly rose, the powerful pressure almost suffocating the surrounding students. He blurred, charging toward Lin Mu with fierce killing intent.
The three Board Members were shocked and moved to help, but Lin Mu stopped them with a quick gesture. In an instant, the Nava Flame Armor was already covering his body.
Facing Chrysanthemum Douluo's direct attack, Lin Mu threw a punch with all his might. The Qilin Fire enveloped his fist as he collided with the Title Douluo.
"Bang!"
The moment they clashed, Chrysanthemum Douluo was sent flying more than ten meters away by the powerful force. He barely managed to regain his footing. At this moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo finally believed in this guy's strength; this power was on the level of a Power Attack Type Title Douluo.
After confirming his opponent's strength, Chrysanthemum Douluo stopped holding back. His seventh Soul Ring lit up.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul True Body!"
In an instant, the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum True Body bloomed in mid-air, and countless golden petals shot toward Lin Mu like sharp blades. However, this petal storm, which was strong enough to pierce through fine steel, only produced sparks when it landed on Lin Mu's crimson armor, failing to cause any damage.
"What?!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's pupils constricted. His attack couldn't even break through this guy's defense. Just then, Lin Mu made his move. He didn't use a Soul Skill to probe; instead, he directly activated his left arm Soul Bone skill.
"Titan Skybreaker!"
A dark red energy beam containing boundless power, imbued with both fire and earth attributes, erupted from Lin Mu's fist like a volcanic eruption. With overwhelming force, it shattered the petal storm and struck Chrysanthemum Douluo precisely.
"Boom!!!"
Accompanied by a deafening roar, Chrysanthemum Douluo had no time to react before being blasted away by an irresistible force, crashing into a stone building outside the Education Committee Hall. This single blow inflicted a considerable injury. The Titan left arm Soul Bone was a 100,000-year Soul Bone, containing power no less than a 100,000-year Soul Skill; even a Super Douluo would suffer.
"Pfft!" Chrysanthemum Douluo struggled out of the ruins, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His entire appearance was a sorry sight. Forced to this point by a mere Soul Saint, the shock in his eyes was replaced by boundless shame and rage.
"Bastard, I'll kill you!"
"Eighth Soul Skill: Thousand-Foot Stream of Light!"
As his eighth Soul Ring lit up, his Martial Soul True Body shone with boundless light, condensing countless golden streams of light. Combining sharpness and speed, they covered the sky like a torrential rain, determined to tear Lin Mu to shreds.
Facing this attack with almost no blind spots, Lin Mu decisively switched to Hurricane Armor. The next moment, Lin Mu transformed into a hurricane, disappearing from everyone's sight. The dense attacks all missed, leaving the ground riddled with holes.
"How is this possible?!" Chrysanthemum Douluo was horrified, searching frantically, but he couldn't find Lin Mu's figure. How could this guy possess such terrifying speed?
Just as his eighth Soul Skill ended, a green-blue figure appeared behind him almost instantly. Lin Mu's armor switched back to Nava Flame Armor, and his fist, wrapped in Qilin Fire, slammed into Chrysanthemum Douluo's back.
"Bang!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo coughed up blood again, his body crashing to the ground like a meteor, creating a deep crater. This wasn't the end. Before Chrysanthemum Douluo could retaliate, Lin Mu threw another heavy punch.
"Pfft! Cough cough..." Chrysanthemum Douluo felt as if his bones were about to shatter. Blood spilled from his mouth as he essentially lost all ability to resist.
Lin Mu stopped punching, looking down at the disheveled Chrysanthemum Douluo and sneered. "In Bibi Dong's eyes, you are nothing but a pawn. Why serve her so faithfully? Isn't it better to fish in troubled waters and work a regular 9-to-5 job?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't understand the modern reference, taking it as simple mockery. He roared, "How could you possibly fathom the greatness of His Holiness the Pope!"
Lin Mu smiled coldly. A madwoman like Bibi Dong was not worthy of anyone's loyalty. "Your life is your own; don't wait until you die in someone else's scheme to regret it."
Hearing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo's struggling movements suddenly stopped. A hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes. Seeing that Lin Mu had no intention of finishing him off, he transformed into a golden light and vanished.