Doulou Dalu 35

Tang Jianfeng's five soul skills are all powerful offensive techniques, with only one defensive ability—his third soul skill, Gale Hammer, which utilizes attack as a form of defense.

Another auxiliary soul master, Tang Jingyu, possesses the Flower of Haotian, an ability somewhat similar to the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. Lin Fan had learned about its effects during training. The first soul skill boosts strength, the second restores a portion of soul power and physical stamina, the third and fourth enhance attack power, and the fifth provides additional defense and healing effects.

While the Flower of Haotian lacks the comprehensive support capabilities of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda and its healing effects are inferior to Ye Keke's Nine-Hearted Begonia, it significantly outperforms the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda in attack augmentation. During training, when Tang Jingyu activated all his soul skills, Lin Fan noticed that his attack power increased by more than 60%—an astonishing enhancement.

Meanwhile, Captain Tang Huoer oversaw their training, but Lin Fan still didn't know what her soul skills were.

The Journey to the Elite Soul Master Competition

Three days before the competition, the Haotian Sect's convoy escorted the seven members of the Haotian Team to the venue. The team included Captain Tang Huoer and her three companions, as well as Lin Fan and his four teammates. They traveled in a carriage, not pulled by horses but by a tamed soul beast that moved at an incredible speed.

Lin Fan soon realized that this Elite Soul Master Competition was far more dangerous than the Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament described in the original history. Unlike previous competitions, which were held in either Tiandou or Xingluo, this one was set hundreds of kilometers outside Wuhun City, at the summit of Douhun Mountain.

Unlike past tournaments, there were no preliminaries or regional qualifiers. Every participating sect and family had to reach the peak of Douhun Mountain to compete. The mountain was isolated, standing several hundred meters high, making it impossible for any faction to exert influence over the competition.

Lin Fan looked outside and observed that their escort team was relatively small—just over a hundred people. It included Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, Tang Yiran, two Titled Douluo elders, five Inner Court elders, and a squad of battle-hardened spirit masters from the Haotian Sect.

Curious about the security of the venue, Lin Fan asked, "Senior Sister, will there be any danger at the top of Douhun Mountain? Even the Haotian Twins have been mobilized."

Tang Huoer smiled and reassured him, "There are no soul beasts on the mountain, nor are there forests where enemies can hide. No external forces will be able to interfere. However, for the competitors, this tournament is a battle of life and death. Even as members of the Haotian Sect, if we die at the hands of other sects, our sect cannot seek revenge."

Lin Fan was taken aback. "So some powerful disciples might deliberately kill others in the arena?"

Tang Huoer nodded slightly. "Only sects with longstanding rivalries or evil soul masters from the Demon Sect are likely to kill. Most reputable sects and families won't fight to the death. However, while sects can't retaliate during the competition, once we leave the mountain, all bets are off. Every year, sects engage in bloody conflicts over fallen disciples. That's why Sect Master Tang Xiao and Tang Hao personally ensure our safety after the tournament."

Lin Fan sighed in understanding. "I see. But honestly, our Haotian Sect disciples won't fall so easily. If anything, we'll be the ones defeating others."

Tang Huoer smirked. "Exactly. Our Haotian Team has claimed many lives in past competitions. Last year, Tang Long and Tang Ye showed no mercy. I personally eliminated five Demon Sect disciples. Our hands are far from clean, which is why the Sect Master is so cautious. But this year, with you four new members stepping in, I can finally take it a bit easier."

Lin Fan's expression darkened when he heard that Demon Sect disciples were participating. "Evil soul masters… They deserve to die."

He recalled an incident where Tang Yiran, Liu Erlong, Shui Yue'er, and Ye Keke were nearly ambushed by the Demon Sect in Star Dou Forest. Those killers had undoubtedly murdered countless spirit masters searching for soul rings.

Tang Huoer chuckled. "Alright then, I'll leave the task of eliminating the Demon Sect disciples to you this year."

Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her bright eyes sparkled with intelligence.

Lin Fan regarded her thoughtfully. She possessed immense talent and wielded the Haotian Wheel of Destruction, a martial soul even stronger than the Haotian Hammer, yet she remained humble. He wondered: If she were still alive when Tang San was born, she would surely become the most powerful Titled Douluo of the Haotian Sect.

But if she wasn't alive… who had killed her?

As the strongest member of the Haotian Team, who would dare to eliminate her?

Then it hit him.

Bibi Dong.

If Tang Huoer perished in this tournament, it could only be by the hands of the Spirit Hall. Killing her here, under the tournament's rules, would prevent the Haotian Sect from seeking vengeance.

Had Lin Fan not traveled through time, Tang Huoer might have been destined to die in this very competition.

The thought sent shivers down his spine.

Bibi Dong, already cultivating her second martial soul, was unlike any other soul master. Her dual martial souls shared the same attributes and lacked mutual rejection, allowing her to switch seamlessly between them. If she had absorbed a spiritual immunity skull, her mental power would be unparalleled. Additionally, as a Soul Emperor, her level surpassed Tang Huoer's.

Lin Fan suddenly realized that the best way to take Bibi Dong away was during the chaos of this tournament—when all the major sects were present—rather than infiltrating the heavily guarded Wuhun Hall.

But even then, if Qian Xunji and Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo were in attendance, the plan would still be a battle of life and death.

While pretending to sleep, Lin Fan carefully formulated his strategy to rescue Bibi Dong.