Doulou Dalu 42

The second match in the Soul Master Elite Competition had finally concluded. It was another brutal battle, this time between the infamous Demon Sect and their challengers.

The Demon Sect had fielded four fighters—three Soul Sects and an 18-year-old Soul King. Each possessed dark, menacing beast martial souls, exuding an aura of bloodlust.

Their opponents, the Heavenly Wolf Clan, initially had a strong team consisting of four Soul Masters and three Soul Lords. But they had severely underestimated the Demon Sect's strength. The Soul King alone turned the tide, mercilessly slaughtering the entire team. Their bodies lay motionless on the stage, drained of both soul power and blood, reduced to mere husks.

A chilling silence followed before the audience erupted into whispers.

"In the Elite Competition, you never know your opponent until you step into the ring," Lin Fan observed from the stands. "Once you're inside, there's no backing out unless you leave the stage."

Tang Huo'er nodded gravely. "Exactly. The group we're in originally had fourteen teams. But after two of them were completely annihilated by the Demon Sect, the rest have been forfeiting their matches to avoid the same fate."

As they spoke, the tournament organizers removed the lifeless bodies from the stage. The next match was about to begin.

"The third match of the day will now commence!" The female announcer's voice echoed through the arena. "Haotian Sect versus Xingyun Temple! Contestants, please enter the arena!"

Lin Fan's eyes narrowed as he heard the name of their next opponent.

"Nebula Temple? Who are they?" he muttered.

Liu Erlong turned to him in surprise. "Xiao Fan, are you planning to fight? Weren't you supposed to sit out the preliminary rounds?"

Ye Keke and Shui Yue'er also looked at him with curiosity.

Lin Fan smirked. "I'll take this match. As long as I win, Haotian Sect's undefeated streak remains intact. Don't worry, this team is nowhere near as strong as Tang Long and Tang Ye."

Liu Erlong hesitated but ultimately relented. "Just be careful."

Tang Huo'er gave him a deep look before adding, "If you can't win, leave the ring immediately. There shouldn't be any Soul Kings on their team, but don't get reckless."

Lin Fan chuckled. "Relax. If there's no Soul King, I have nothing to fear."

With that, he stepped toward the stage, taking a deep breath before leaping into the arena.

In the Stands…

The audience had expected Tang Huo'er to enter the ring, and when they saw a male fighter instead, murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Where's our female warrior, Tang Huo'er? Shouldn't she be the one carrying Haotian Sect to victory?"

"Who's this guy? He wasn't in last year's tournament."

"Idiot, he's clearly strong if they let him fight alone."

A group of female spectators, however, had a different reaction. They gasped in admiration at Lin Fan's sharp features and well-built frame.

On the VIP Stand…

Bibi Dong, the Saintess of the Spirit Hall, had remained cold and detached throughout the tournament. But the moment her gaze landed on Lin Fan, her body trembled slightly. Her fingers gripped the armrest of her chair, her usually lifeless eyes flickering with an unfamiliar light.

"It's him… Could it really be him?"

For the first time in years, her icy expression melted into one of hope and longing. She could barely suppress the emotions surging in her heart.

"He didn't abandon me… He actually came."

She bit her lip, forcing herself to maintain composure, but her fingers continued to tremble.

At that moment, Lin Fan, as if sensing her gaze, lifted his head. Their eyes met across the vast arena. He couldn't see her expression clearly, but he smiled slightly, his eyes filled with determination. He then looked away, knowing that now was not the time for sentimentality.

Qian Xunji, the Pope of Spirit Hall, had also noticed the exchange. His expression darkened instantly.

"How can this trash be in the Elite Competition?" he sneered. "It's been less than half a year… At most, his level should be 35. Are the people of Haotian Sect out of their minds for letting him fight?"

He clenched his jaw, his golden armor reflecting the light as his anger simmered. Turning sharply, he shot a glance at Bibi Dong, but she had already hidden her emotions, staring silently at the stage.

An elder beside him leaned in and whispered, "Your Holiness, do you have any orders?"

Qian Xunji's voice was low and dangerous. "After today's match, keep a close eye on him. Find out which teams Haotian Sect will be facing in the next rounds."

"Understood."

Ju Douluo, seated nearby, smirked. "Your Holiness, do you want him eliminated?"

Qian Xunji's eyes narrowed coldly. "This man must die. No matter how talented he is, even if he were to pledge loyalty to the Spirit Hall, I cannot allow him to live. When you encountered him in the Star Dou Forest, you should have finished the job then."

Ju Douluo chuckled darkly. "Don't worry, Your Holiness. Once he leaves Douhun Mountain, he won't live past sunset."

Qian Xunji said nothing further. He couldn't make a move on Lin Fan here—not with the tournament rules in place and the powerful elders of Douhun Mountain watching. Even as the Pope, he wasn't foolish enough to break a century-old rule.

Still, he had no intention of letting Lin Fan walk away alive.

Coming Up…

The battles ahead would be fiercer than ever. Lin Fan and Bibi Dong's paths were destined to intertwine once more. Together, they would face formidable enemies, reveal buried truths, and take their revenge on Qian Xunji.

And in time, their love would blossom into something even greater—a daughter, Lin Renxue, who would one day shake the very foundations of the world.