Chapter 179 – Sudden Upheaval, Soul Hunting
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Yu Xiaogang set out once more, heading toward Spirit City, the headquarters of Spirit Hall.
What he didn't know was that, at that very moment, Thunderclap Valley was under siege.
Over 8,000 spirit masters, clad in black and masked, launched a surprise attack on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, catching them completely off guard.
Their strikes were ruthless, aimed solely at slaughter. From the very beginning, both the direct disciples and the affiliated members of the clan suffered heavy casualties.
The clan's only Titled Douluo, Thunderclap Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, found himself besieged by four Titled Douluo at once. Though immensely powerful, he was clearly at a disadvantage.
High above Thunderclap Valley, Yu Yuanzhen relied on his dragonized body to exchange injuries with his foes, fighting as if his life depended on it. His furious roar echoed through the valley:
"Spirit Hall! You slaughter my kin, destroy my clan—this is a blood feud that will never be resolved!"
The four Titled Douluo surrounding him remained silent. Yu Yuanzhen recognized them instantly—no surprise there. After all, who else but Spirit Hall could command four Titled Douluo and over 8,000 spirit masters?
For that very reason, they could not let Yu Yuanzhen live. Each of them unleashed their ultimate moves, intent on his annihilation.
Yu Yuanzhen's rage reached its peak. His killing intent fused with his battle will, driving his strength even higher. In that moment, he gained a profound realization—
If I survive this battle, I will break through to Rank 96.
But… could he truly survive today's slaughter?
---
Three hours later, the forces of Spirit Hall withdrew from Thunderclap Valley.
The valley was now a graveyard, reduced to ashes in an ocean of fire.
Yu Yuanzhen had fought to the death.
Aside from a handful of disciples who had been away on training, every last member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan perished. Not a single survivor remained.
---
### The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—Another Massacre
The disaster that befell the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan did not spare the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan either.
At their mountain stronghold, another onslaught began.
Among the Three Upper Sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan ranked third, while the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan ranked second.
Spirit Hall showed no mercy, dispatching over 10,000 spirit masters. Worse yet, they had already planted numerous spies among the clan's outer disciples, who betrayed them the moment the attack began. With both internal sabotage and external assault, the gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were breached almost instantly.
A full-scale war erupted.
One side had meticulously planned their attack.
The other was caught completely off guard.
Even though the disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, empowered by their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, fought valiantly and proved exceptionally formidable, they still fell into a desperate situation.
However, the true outcome of the battle would be decided by the clashes between Titled Douluo.
---
High above the clan's mountain stronghold, two mighty figures—Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong—stood against four enemy Titled Douluo.
With Ning Fengzhi's support, their combat strength doubled. Rather than being at a disadvantage, the two of them actually dominated the fight, suppressing all four opponents.
Even though Bone Douluo had to divide his attention to protect Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo carried the brunt of the battle. With his Seven Kill Sword's overwhelming offensive power and his formidable Rank 96 spirit strength, he shouldered 70% of the combat alone.
---
On the ground below, Ning Fengzhi's face was twisted with fury.
His clan was engulfed in flames.
The agonized screams of his disciples rang in his ears.
For years, he had navigated the world with diplomacy and alliances, carefully ensuring his sect's growth and survival.
But now, his entire foundation was being burned to the ground.
"Spirit Hall! I will never forgive you!"
---
Nearby, Ning Rongrong and Oscar were also within the clan grounds.
Ning Rongrong assisted others in battle, while Oscar focused on producing his sausages.
As support-type spirit masters, their cultivation speed had always been slower than combatants.
However, thanks to exceptional talent and relentless effort, both had reached Rank 50—Spirit King by the age of twenty, standing toe-to-toe with Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda at Spirit King rank provided powerful support, often turning the tide of battle.
Meanwhile, Oscar's sausages were more potent than ever. His fifth spirit ability, Super Explosive Sausage, came from a ten-thousand-year Flame Crane.
The Flame Crane possessed an explosive attribute, and Oscar had originally hoped to integrate this detonation effect into his sausages for combat purposes.
But the outcome wasn't quite what he expected—
Instead of a weapon, his sausages became grilled sausages.
Eating one induced a berserk state, pushing the consumer's combat strength beyond its limits—but once the effect ended, severe burn injuries followed.
The ability was undeniably powerful, yet Oscar was frustrated.
This wasn't the ability he had wanted.
Would support-type spirit masters always be just support?
Now, Ning Rongrong was grown up.
She couldn't possibly wait another seven or eight years for him to reach Rank 60 and obtain his sixth ring.
This realization weighed heavily on Oscar's mind.
---
Yet, as danger closed in, Oscar's expression became resolute.
"Rongrong, I will protect you—no matter what!"
Hearing his words, Ning Rongrong shot him a quick glance before turning away, scanning their surroundings as she replied lightly:
"Oscar, just focus on protecting yourself first."
---
Several hours later, Spirit Hall's forces finally retreated.
Though victorious, Sword Douluo paid a terrible price—his arm was severed, and he suffered grievous injuries.
But in return, the enemy was also heavily wounded, forcing them to withdraw.
When the battle ended, only ruins remained.
The casualties were immeasurable.
Of the direct disciples born with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, fewer than a hundred survived.
Including their families and the inner disciples, only three hundred remained.
The outer disciples, once numbering over 5,000, had been reduced to fewer than five hundred.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—once the second-strongest sect in the world—was now reduced to less than 800 survivors.
---
Yet, compared to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, they were still lucky.
At least their sect's wealth remained intact.
If Bibi Dong had been able to mobilize the Elder Hall, the outcome would have been far worse.
If that had happened…
Swords would have shattered. Bones would have crumbled. The sect would have ceased to exist.
Meanwhile, on the Road…
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang was still on his way.
By the time he finally arrived at Spirit City, the reports detailing the extermination of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were already laid out on Bibi Dong's desk.
---
The Papal Palace – Within the Study
Bibi Dong's delicate face was cold as ice.
As she stared at the devastating casualty numbers, deep dissatisfaction filled her heart.
"To annihilate the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I mobilized 8,000 spirit masters. To destroy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I deployed another 10,000. And yet, our combined casualties nearly reached 8,000… The two clans together barely had 8,000 spirit masters, and despite launching a surprise attack, our loss ratio was still close to one-to-one."
Her voice grew colder.
"Hmph… Qian Daoliu, the Elder Hall, the true core of Spirit Hall… I still can't mobilize them. The spirit masters from the Lower Four Clans are still inferior to those from the Upper Three Clans."
In truth, the results were already quite impressive.
But Bibi Dong's standards were simply too high.
Achieving a one-to-one casualty ratio as the attacking force against a defending force was an outstanding battle record.
Although Spirit Hall held the element of surprise, the enemy had the home advantage.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was nestled deep within mountainous terrain, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was entrenched in Thunderclap Valley—both locations were highly advantageous for defense.
More importantly, they had no escape route.
For their families, for their homeland, they fought to the death.
---
Outside the Study
Just then, a voice rang from outside the study—
Hu Liena.
"Teacher, Elder Yu has arrived. He wishes to see you. He's currently waiting in the main hall."
The mention of Yu Xiaogang made Bibi Dong freeze for a moment.
Then, she slowly gathered the reports on her desk, her expression complex.
Was she… happy?
Or was she heartbroken?
Regardless, since Yu Xiaogang had come, she was still willing to meet him.
Lifting her hand, she summoned her scepter, its golden luster reflecting her imposing grace.
With an elegant stride, she walked out of the study.
Her voice remained calm and indifferent—
"I see. I'll meet him now."
As she made her way toward the main hall, a thought lingered in her mind.
Did he come because of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?
I've destroyed the place that brought him endless humiliation…
He should be pleased, shouldn't he?
---
The Papal Palace – The Grand Hall
Bibi Dong stepped inside, moving gracefully toward the throne.
Seating herself, she looked down upon Yu Xiaogang from above, her expression calm yet distant.
Her voice carried a hint of mockery—
"Elder Yu, you've returned again. This time, I won't fall for your tricks. Whatever it is you want, just say it directly."
Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
He knew that his previous attempt to extract information from Bibi Dong had already made her wary.
Finding out Xiao Wu's location would now be even harder.
With no other choice, he steeled himself and said—
"Your Holiness, I've heard that Spirit Hall has captured a hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast. I wish to see it. Would you grant me this request?"
---
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed sharply.
She had assumed he was here because of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
She hadn't expected that his true purpose was the hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
After a brief pause, she spoke calmly—
"Even this, you managed to find out… As expected of Elder Yu. But there's no point in asking me."
"That soul beast is imprisoned in the Elder Hall. Even I have never seen it."
---
The Elder Hall…
A flicker of joy flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
As expected, Bibi Dong was still the same as before.
Seizing the moment, he pressed further—
"You once told me that the Elder Hall is the core of the Spirit Hall's power."
"Yet even as the Pope, there are things beyond your reach?"
---
Bibi Dong's gaze darkened.
At the mention of Qian Daoliu, her voice turned cold and distant—
"You were once part of Spirit Hall, have you forgotten?"
"Spirit Hall once bore the surname 'Qian.'"
"Even as Pope, there are things I am still forbidden from touching."
---
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened.
He was instantly reminded of Qian Xunji's cruelty, of the humiliation he had suffered.
Every word stabbed at his heart.
He knew that pressing further would only be inviting more humiliation.
But it wasn't completely fruitless.
At the very least, he had now confirmed—
Xiao Wu was being held in the Elder Hall.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, his voice low and steady.
"Then I shall take my leave. Farewell, Your Holiness."
With that, he turned and strode away.
But just as he was about to step out, Bibi Dong's lips curled into a smirk.
Her voice, now light and casual, floated through the air—
"Elder Yu should indeed return soon. I've heard troubling news… The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was attacked by an unknown force. Heavy casualties. Aside from a few disciples who were out training, everyone perished—including your clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen. Not a single survivor."
---
Yu Xiaogang's body froze.
His mind went blank, as if something had just exploded inside his skull.
His pupils trembled, bloodshot veins creeping across his eyes.
"What did you say?!"
His voice cracked, disbelief and rage intertwining.
"My clan was… wiped out?!"
Bibi Dong's expression remained indifferent as she nodded lightly.
"Indeed. Virtually exterminated."
Yu Xiaogang stumbled backward, dizziness washing over him.
His hand shook as he pointed at Bibi Dong, his voice raw with fury—
"It was you! Only you could have done this!"
Bibi Dong's delicate brows arched slightly as she tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes.
"I already told you—it was an attack by an unknown force. Besides…"
Her voice softened into something almost teasing—
"Wasn't the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan the very place that humiliated you the most? You told me yourself, remember? How you suffered endless discrimination there… how they never acknowledged your talent… how you vowed to carve your own path in the world of theory."
"That was why I once gave you access to Spirit Hall's confidential records."
Her tone was light, almost nostalgic.
But to Yu Xiaogang, every word was a blade, twisting deeper into his heart.
---
"Shut up!"
Yu Xiaogang violently shook his head, refusing to listen.
"I don't want to hear it! Not from you!"
His glare burned with hatred, his chest heaving.
Then, in a voice dripping with venom, he spat—
"Bibi Dong, if I ever find out you had anything to do with this… I will not forgive you!"
His rage was palpable, but his words were meaningless.
Because no matter how furious he was—
There was nothing he could do.
Without another word, he turned and staggered away, his body trembling.
His father was the clan leader—Yu Luomian's elder brother.
He knew exactly how the clan had treated him.
Yes, he had complained about it to Bibi Dong.
But never—never in his worst nightmares—had he thought that a few bitter words from the past would lead to this.
As he fled, only one thought haunted his mind—
How did that once-easily-deceived girl…
…turn into this madwoman?
---
Watching his retreating figure, Bibi Dong remained unmoved.
His threats?
Laughable.
She chuckled, her voice carrying a whisper of madness—
"The Upper Three Clans… the Two Great Empires…"
"I will erase them all."
Her eyes gleamed with a terrifying conviction.
"And when everything is gone… even Spirit Hall will be reduced to nothing."
"I will purge this filthy world."
Her fingers tightened around her scepter, her voice soft yet resolute—
"And when that day comes… Yu Xiaogang, with your intellect and knowledge… you should be able to lead this world toward true prosperity."
---
Yu Xiaogang had no idea how he left Spirit City.
He only knew that he was running.
Running toward the Heaven Dou Empire.
Running toward Thunderclap Valley.
But when he arrived—
All that remained was scorched earth.
Ruins.
Corpses.
The once-mighty Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been reduced to nothing but a mass grave.
Only one living person remained—
Liu Erlong.
---
Liu Erlong was Yu Luomian's illegitimate daughter.
She had never received her father's love, nor did the clan truly accept her.
But still—
She had ties to this place.
She had roots here.
Otherwise, she would have never founded Academy under their name.
When she heard of the attack, she was the first to arrive.
She had sat there for a long, long time.
Silent. Motionless. Empty.
Then, like a soulless husk, she began burying the bodies.
One by one.
She dug graves with her bare hands, not stopping, not speaking, not crying.
And when Yu Xiaogang arrived, he reacted the same way.
At first, he was numb.
Then, just like Liu Erlong—
He began to bury the dead.
---
The near simultaneous destruction of both the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan shook the entire spirit master world.
It was a tidal wave of fear.
Panic. Paranoia. Uncertainty.
No one felt safe anymore.
And in this chaos, Spirit Hall stepped forward—
Promising to hunt down the culprits.
"We will bring justice to the fallen clans."
But the truly wise ones knew the truth.
The real enemy was obvious.
What unknown force could possibly muster such a powerful spirit master army?
Only one organization had that kind of power.
Only one could orchestrate such a massacre.
Spirit Hall itself.
Yet, even if people understood the truth—
No one dared to say it.
For who in the spirit master world could challenge the might of Spirit Hall?
No one.
And in the end, all opposition would meet the same fate—
"State your name before this court."
"I am the one accusing the judge himself."
(End of Chapter)