Doulou Dalu 41

Tang Huo'er stood frozen in place.

At that moment, Lin Fan's gaze was calm and resolute. The carefree demeanor he had before was gone—he showed no fear of her at all.

"You… What did you just say, Lin Fan? You dare to speak for her? I..."

Tang Huo'er raised her hand, ready to strike him, but Lin Fan simply turned his head, silently staring at the arena. His composure was unsettling.

Seeing Lin Fan ignore her and stand up for the saintess, Tang Huo'er suddenly felt a strange discomfort in her heart. She hesitated, lowering her hand as she, too, turned her gaze toward the ring.

This reaction shocked the two other members of the Haotian Sect, Tang Jingyu and Tang Jianfeng. They knew how domineering Tang Huo'er could be—that's what made her the captain of the Haotian team.

In the past, if any team members disobeyed her, they suffered the consequences. Even Tang Long and Tang Ye, both part of the golden generation of the Haotian Sect, had been struck so hard by her that they coughed up blood. Under Tang Huo'er's rule, no one dared to challenge her authority. Yet now, she was showing unusual leniency toward this new disciple.

What was even more surprising was that during the last two days of the competition, Tang Huo'er had deliberately left an empty seat beside her—reserved for Lin Fan. On his other side sat three girls: Liu Erlong, Ye Keke, and Shui Yue'er.

Tang Jingyu and Tang Jianfeng couldn't help but feel envious of Lin Fan.

But Lin Fan wasn't thinking about any of that. His thoughts were consumed by Bibi Dong. The way she had looked just now—so beautiful, yet so distant. Even as she fought in the arena, her long hair flowing and silver robes billowing, there was an emptiness in her eyes.

Just then, the next match was announced.

"The next battle will be between the Haotian Sect and the Xiangjia Sect! Players, please step into the arena!"

The announcement snapped Lin Fan out of his thoughts. A match against the Xiangjia Sect? He remembered that in the original novel, the Elephant Armor Academy was later established by them.

"Senior Sister, are we going up?" he asked, turning to Tang Huo'er. He hadn't noticed the shift in her expression earlier.

Tang Huo'er shot him a sharp glance. "You're still calling me Senior Sister? Go find your precious Spirit Hall Saintess. She's much prettier than me. Just sit tight—I'll handle this match alone."

Without waiting for his response, she leaped forward, effortlessly soaring over the heads of countless disciples before landing on the arena.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Tang Huo'er, with her tall and commanding presence, her striking red hair, and her crisp white uniform outlining her toned figure, looked every bit the warrior she was.

Lin Fan watched her and realized—she seemed angry. Well, hopefully, they could make peace by tomorrow.

He pondered for a moment.

"Tang Huo'er probably wants to dominate this tournament again, just like last year. It's her way of competing with Bibi Dong. But if she keeps winning alone, I won't get a chance to fight, and Bibi Dong won't even notice me."

His fists clenched.

"No. I have to prove myself. I have to show her that I'm here, that I haven't given up on her… that I've never forgotten her."

His eyes burned with determination.

On the arena, Tang Huo'er's presence was overwhelming. The seven members of the Xiangjia Sect looked at her warily.

Their captain, Hu Zhanxiong, stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Miss Huo'er, it's an honor to face you. We're not here to surrender, but to measure ourselves against the strongest young warriors. I hope you'll show us some mercy."

Hu Zhanxiong, the most talented disciple trained by Huyan Zhen, was massive, built like a bear. Yet in front of Tang Huo'er, his demeanor was meek, almost submissive.

Tang Huo'er sighed impatiently. "Enough talk. Let's begin."

With that, the match commenced. The seven warriors of the Xiangjia Sect released their martial spirits—Diamond Mammoths. Their bodies swelled with muscle, and tusks sprouted from their faces.

"First Soul Skill: Iron Wall!"

Their first soul skills activated in unison, conjuring massive shields in their hands. Just like in the original novel, when Tang San fought against the Elephant Armor Academy, they shouted in unison.

"Hey ha hey!"

"Hey Black Clam!"

They charged forward with synchronized movements, shields raised.

Lin Fan couldn't help but chuckle. "This is just as ridiculous as it was in the anime."

Liu Erlong and Ye Keke, sitting beside him, also laughed, covering their mouths.

But on the battlefield, the warriors of the Xiangjia Sect remained serious. Their captain, Hu Zhanxiong, called out, "Everyone, hold formation! Our Diamond Mammoth martial spirit is the strongest defense in the continent. Use defense as offense and surround her!"

Tang Huo'er shook her head, unimpressed.

"What a bunch of idiots. How did you even qualify for this competition?"

Without hesitation, she summoned her weapon. Around her, eight massive, multi-colored blades materialized, spinning and forming an ominous wheel.

Her soul rings lit up: yellow, purple, purple, black, black.

"Haotian Wheel of Destruction—Judgment!"

The spinning wheel expanded above her head, crackling with destructive energy. The force of its rotation ripped through the air, creating sonic booms.

The seven warriors instinctively raised their shields.

"Get ready!"

But it was useless. The Wheel of Destruction tore through their defenses like paper. Two of them screamed as their Diamond Mammoth tusks were severed instantly.

The so-called "strongest defensive martial spirit" crumbled before this overwhelming power.

A fierce wind erupted from the Wheel of Destruction, blasting the warriors off their feet. Five were thrown from the arena outright, while the last two barely clung to the edge before slipping off in terror.

They looked at Tang Huo'er in horror.

So strong…

She could have killed them in an instant if she wanted to.

Hu Zhanxiong, pale-faced, knelt down and whispered, "Thank you for showing mercy, Miss Huo'er."

The announcer declared, "Haotian Sect wins!"

The crowd erupted in applause, but on the VIP platform, Pope Qian Xunji narrowed his eyes, his gaze dark and calculating.

"The Wheel of Destruction... the pinnacle of four-attribute weapons… If I hadn't used my own spirit, I might not have been able to withstand that attack. But it doesn't matter. Bibi Dong has already absorbed the external spirit bone. My apprentice, this battle will depend on you."

As Tang Huo'er exited the arena, followed by Lin Fan and the others, he couldn't help but marvel at her power.

Still, his mind was elsewhere.

"I have to stop this fight between Tang Huo'er and Bibi Dong before it turns into a life-and-death battle."

That night, Lin Fan trained relentlessly. He was determined to reach level 35 before the competition ended, maximizing his chances.

The next morning, a knock on his door woke him. When he opened it, he found Tang Huo'er standing there, dressed beautifully.

"Xiao Fan, let's go watch the matches. I'm competing in the third round today," she said, smiling.

Lin Fan hesitated. He wanted to fight today. But before he could speak, Tang Huo'er pressed a finger to his lips.

"No need to say anything. I was too harsh yesterday. Let's go."

Lin Fan blushed at the unexpected gesture. Tang Huo'er took his hand and led him toward the arena.

As he sat beside her once more, his eyes found Bibi Dong again.

She was still the same—silent, distant, cold as ice.

Lin Fan clenched his fists.

"Senior Sister, let me fight today. I'll win."

Tang Huo'er blinked in surprise. "You? Alone?"

Lin Fan grinned.

"Yes. I want her to see me."