Chapter 202: Return to Spirit City

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A corpse suddenly appeared at Spirit City's gates, bewildering the citizens. Soon after, Spirit Hall knights plastered announcements across the city: 

"Tang Hao of the Hao Tian Sect, the Hao Tian Douluo, consorted with soul beasts and maliciously murdered the previous Pope Xunji. He has been slain by a Spirit Hall elder. His body will hang here for ten years as a warning—Spirit Hall's dignity is not to be trampled! 

The crowd erupted in chatter. 

"Hao Tian Douluo is dead? Which elder could've pulled that off?"

"Consorting with soul beasts? Disgraceful! No wonder the Hao Tian Sect's arrogance knows no bounds!" 

"I heard they massacre soul beasts for soul bones. Selfish bastards! They'll doom future soul masters to soul ring shortages!" 

"Hiding dark secrets, are they? Serves them right!" 

"Rumor says it was a shape-shifting soul beast. Tang Hao couldn't control himself, eh? And he dared kill the Pope? Filthy traitor!" 

Bibi Dong smirked from afar. This was exactly the reaction she wanted—the first step in dismantling the Hao Tian Sect's reputation. By the tournament's end, they'd be stripped of their status as one of the Seven Great Sects. 

'Who to replace them with?' she mused. A figure in green flashed in her mind—a quirky, 95th-rank Title Douluo who'd abandoned his inheritance to "start a business." Though exasperating, he was loyal. 'Perfect puppet for "supreme sect leader".'

Meanwhile, Bibi Dong pondered Shrek Academy's fate. With two Title Douluos (including the Poison Douluo, the 8th Offering) and her son-in-law Li Luochen as its de facto leader, integrating them into her plans would require finesse. 

"Ugh, I'll deal with that brat later. He's full of schemes—maybe he'll have ideas," she sighed, massaging her temples. Vanity won out; she retreated for a rejuvenating bath. *Can't let stress ruin this face—still the fairest in the realm!* 

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Wuhun Hall Academy Team

Yan, traumatized by Li Luochen's thrashing, sat out this round. Only Xie Yue and Hu Liena remained as powerhouses, supported by Soul Ancestors. 

Xie Yue, now 55th-rank, had cautiously absorbed an 18,000-year soul ring. Progress was steady—Spirit Hall would soon gain another Tool-type Title Douluo. 

Hu Liena, however, was extraordinary. At 62nd-rank, she'd leaped to a 50,000-year soul ring from a Six-Tailed Fire Demon Fox, gaining devastating long-range attacks. No longer reliant on her brother or fusion techniques, she now dominated battles. 

Evil Moon had become little more than an accessory. Their fusion skill Yao Mei now revolved around her superior strength. 

"Nana! Nana! NANA!" 

Hu Liena startled, nearly falling from her window. "What, Brother?!" 

"You've been zoning out for ten minutes. Still mooning over Li Luochen?" 

"Shut up!" she flushed. "Do you think he'll come?" 

"He's Shrek's leader—he has to. But no going easy during the match! It's about Spirit Hall's honor. Even if he's our elder, outsiders don't know that. Win or we'll end up in Death Gorge!" 

Hu Liena shuddered. "Relax! I won't hold back against anyone else." 

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Spirit City Gates

Tian Dou Empire's fifteen teams arrived, led by Shrek Academy (undefeated, first), Tianshui and Godwind Academies (tied second), Blazing Fire (third), and the Tian Dou Imperial Team (fourth). 

Tang San, deprived of his immortal herb boon, had struggled against Blazing Fire and Tianshui. The Imperial Team's leader barely kept him focused, spinning a lie about Yu Xiaogang "training elsewhere." Tang San bought it—unaware of Yu Xiaogang's ruined reputation or the forged documents. 

The Imperial Academy Team, though seemingly strong, collapsed after ten minutes of combat, riddled with hidden injuries from Yu Xiaogang's brutal training. Emperor Xue Ye, furious, put a bounty on Yu Xiaogang's head. 

The BreakingClan of Shrek City, flush with gold, rehabilitated the team to 70% capacity—a costly endeavor. 

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