Dolou Dalu 7

Lin Fan noticed a golden light flashing in the air, making him feel immense pressure.

"This is bad..." he muttered, his heart racing.

Qian Xunji had anticipated his counterattack and activated his defense in advance. Lin Fan knew he couldn't withstand an attack from a Titled Douluo. Even though he had a legendary sword, it only granted him five seconds of invincibility—far too short to make a difference. Worse yet, he lacked the strength to injure a Titled Douluo.

"Two elders, retrieve my apprentice. Today, I will judge the one who dared to harm her," Qian Xunji commanded coldly.

The two elders beside him moved immediately, grabbing Bibi Dong by her arms.

"Saint, forgive us," one elder said.

"Let me go!" Bibi Dong struggled, but her efforts were futile. As a peak Soul King at eighteen years old, she was no match for two Soul Douluos. They carried her to safety effortlessly.

Seeing this, Lin Fan's frustration boiled over. He pointed at the sky and shouted, "You shameless bastard! How dare you call yourself her teacher? If you have any guts, come down and fight me! She's already my woman, and no matter what you do, you can't change that!"

Qian Xunji narrowed his eyes. "Enough, ant. My Angelic Defense protects me from all harm. Your attacks are meaningless. Now, I'll let you die slowly, in agony."

A sinister grin spread across Qian Xunji's face as he raised his hand. Hundreds of holy light spikes formed in the air and rained down upon Lin Fan. He had no way to escape. Raising his Shadow Battle Axe, he blocked a few, but most of them pierced his body.

Pain erupted through him. Though his anti-armor weakened the damage, the sheer number of spikes overwhelmed him, like hundreds of needles piercing his skin.

Damn it… It hurts so much...

But none of the wounds were fatal, and his legendary sword's invincibility effect didn't trigger.

Through clenched teeth, Lin Fan shouted internally, "System! Draw a lottery! Where's Ling'er?!"

A cold voice echoed in his mind.

"Master, you have used up your previous draws. You can only draw again when you level up or complete special tasks."

"What the hell? I'm dying, and you're giving me this nonsense?! This system is trash!"

Lin Fan checked his health.

HP: 800 → 580 → 490

He clenched his fists. I can't waste my healing card now. I need to use it when I'm on the verge of death.

He looked up and saw Bibi Dong watching him from a distance, her expression conflicted.

"Stop!"

A thunderous voice echoed from above. A figure descended like a meteor, landing between Lin Fan and Qian Xunji's attack. An invisible force erupted from the newcomer, blocking the holy light spikes effortlessly.

Lin Fan looked up in awe. A tall, imposing man in a black robe stood before him, exuding an overwhelming presence. He held a massive, dark hammer in one hand.

Could it be...?

Qian Xunji's expression darkened. "Tang Hao of the Haotian Sect, what business do you have here? This is a matter of the Spirit Hall."

It really is Tang Hao!

Lin Fan's mind raced. Without hesitation, he activated his healing card. Instantly, all his wounds vanished, and his health was restored to full.

Tang Hao, though young, radiated an air of dominance and seriousness. Lin Fan estimated he was just over level 80.

Based on the timeline, Bibi Dong is 18 now. Tang San wasn't born yet—his birth happens five years after Tang Hao fights the Spirit Hall's three Douluos. That means right now, Tang Hao should be a peak Soul Douluo… but my arrival might change the course of history.

Tang Hao glanced at Lin Fan's weapon before speaking in a calm yet authoritative tone.

"I have no intention of opposing the Spirit Hall, but this child's martial spirit is too special. It resembles the Clear Sky Hammer. I need to take him to my sect and confirm whether it's a variant of our Haotian lineage."

Qian Xunji sneered. "Don't be ridiculous, Tang Hao. His spirit is just a black axe—it has nothing to do with your Haotian Hammer. You have no right to take my Spirit Hall disciple. He harmed the Saint, and according to our laws, he will be executed."

Lin Fan, still recovering, yelled back, "Don't twist the truth, you hypocrite! You were the one who tried to violate your own disciple! I saved her, and now you're trying to kill me to cover it up! If you don't believe me, ask her yourself!"

A heavy silence followed.

Bibi Dong hesitated before speaking. "He… He was the one who saved me. He didn't harm me."

Her voice was calm, but her gaze held suppressed emotions. She looked at Lin Fan, remembering how he had shielded her with his body while escaping the Pope's Palace.

Qian Xunji's face twisted in anger. "Silence! Even now, you defend this insect?!"

Tang Hao chuckled. "How ironic. The world-renowned Pope of the Spirit Hall, abusing his own disciple. I wonder what the soul master world will think when they hear of this?"

Qian Xunji clenched his fists, his golden aura intensifying. His Angelic Martial Spirit blazed with power, but his expression remained calculating.

He knew Tang Hao and his elder brother, Tang Xiao, were famed as the Haotian Twin Stars. Though only Soul Douluos, their father—the leader of the Haotian Sect—was still alive. He was the son of the legendary Douluo, Tang Chen, and was a peak-level Douluo himself.

Spirit Hall had few individuals above level 95, apart from Qian Daoliu. If war broke out, even Qian Xunji wouldn't dare face Haotian Sect alone.

After a long silence, he spoke through gritted teeth.

"Fine, Tang Hao. Since you insist, I'll spare this worm's life today. But remember this—standing against the Spirit Hall means making an enemy of me. You will regret it."

Tang Hao ignored the threat. He glanced at Lin Fan and said, "Let's go, kid."

Lin Fan bowed slightly. "Thank you, Senior."

Tang Hao's presence was overwhelming. Even though he was only a Soul Douluo, his killing intent alone felt stronger than Qian Xunji's.

Lin Fan turned to Bibi Dong. "Sister Dong, come with me. I don't trust that man to leave you unharmed."

Bibi Dong's expression turned cold. "Shut up. You should be grateful someone saved you—just leave."

Her words were harsh, but Lin Fan could see the lingering concern in her eyes.

Qian Xunji placed a hand on Bibi Dong's shoulder. "My dear disciple, don't worry. What happened today will never happen again. That boy is your enemy. The next time you see him, you must kill him."

Bibi Dong's gaze darkened. "Because of you, I can never face Xiaogang again. I'll stay in the Spirit Hall, but if you ever touch me again… I'll die before letting you defile me again."

A tense silence filled the air.

Qian Xunji's expression was stormy, but he didn't dare push further. Bibi Dong was a twin martial soul prodigy, a candidate for the Pope's succession, and possibly the future Rakshasa God's inheritor. Losing her was not an option.

"Fine. Stay, and no one will harm you again."

He signaled for the elders to take her away.

As Bibi Dong disappeared into the distance, Lin Fan clenched his fists.

She was the first woman I met in this world… I won't abandon her.

Watching Lin Fan, Tang Hao finally spoke. "Show me your martial spirit."

Lin Fan nodded, summoning his Shadow Battle Axe.

Tang Hao's eyes narrowed. He raised his own Clear Sky Hammer, and when the two weapons touched, both trembled violently.

A metallic hum echoed through the air.