Doulou Dalu 83

Lin Fan smirked as he saw the frustration on Qian Xunji's face. He channeled his soul power and shouted, his voice booming across Fighting Spirit Mountain, "What's the matter, Qian Xunji? Is this how the dignified Pope of Spirit Hall fights—hiding inside a shell like a frightened turtle? Where is your dignity?"

His taunting words echoed through the air, reaching the ears of every powerful soul master present. Lin Fan wasn't just provoking Qian Xunji—he was forcing him into a corner. The Pope of Spirit Hall cared deeply about his reputation, and with countless disciples from major sects watching, he wouldn't dare accept help now. He had to regain his honor on his own.

In the distance, Ju Douluo stood frozen, his expression filled with disbelief. He had always thought that with the true form of his martial soul activated, Qian Xunji would make short work of Lin Fan. Yet, here he was, being completely suppressed.

Without Qian Xunji's order, Ju Douluo didn't dare to intervene. Spirit Hall was revered as the holy land of soul masters, and its Pope was the faith of countless cultivators. With a level 93 Titled Douluo's strength and a legendary six-winged angel martial soul, Qian Xunji should have been invincible in a fight against juniors. But against all odds, a mere Soul Master at level 35 and a Soul Emperor at level 62 had forced him into a desperate struggle.

Ju Douluo hesitated. If he stepped in now, it would only embarrass Qian Xunji further. He decided to wait—Qian Xunji had yet to use his eighth and ninth soul skills. Surely, he would turn the battle around soon. Intervention would only come as a last resort.

Above the battlefield, a figure cloaked in black suddenly appeared—Ghost Douluo. He hovered silently, his dark eyes locked on the battle. He had just arrived, but seeing the monstrous clash between the six-winged angel and the terrifying Purple Flame Hades, he knew he had to be cautious.

Meanwhile, on the golden arena below, Tang Xiao watched in stunned silence. As the leader of the Haotian Sect, he had seen many powerful martial soul fusion techniques, but never one like this.

Beside him, Tang Hao's expression was grim, his brows furrowed in deep thought. He had assumed that once Qian Xunji activated his angel's true body, Lin Fan and Bibi Dong would be swiftly defeated. But reality had proven otherwise.

At the edge of the battlefield, a group of young women had just regained consciousness. They looked up at the sky in shock, their eyes widening as they recognized the two figures within the enormous purple giant.

Tang Huo'er's heart pounded in her chest as she grasped what was happening. "What's going on? Why is Lin Fan fighting the Pope of Spirit Hall? And why is Bibi Dong with him?" she asked urgently, her voice filled with disbelief. "What happened after I fainted? What is that purple giant?"

Liu Erlong, standing nearby, gasped when she recognized Lin Fan. Her eyes burned with urgency as she turned to Shui Yue'er. "Take me up there, now! We have to help him! He can't possibly defeat the Pope on his own—at the very least, we have to get him out of here!"

Ye Keke, usually timid, now looked frantic as she pleaded with her teacher. "Master, why aren't we helping Lin Fan? He's in danger!"

Tang Yiran remained silent for a moment, his expression complicated. Then he spoke, his voice soft but firm. "There's nothing we can do. Lin Fan has chosen his own path. He is no longer a disciple of the Haotian Sect. His true purpose in joining this elite competition was to take Bibi Dong away. He never told us because he knew we would try to stop him. Now, the situation has escalated beyond our control."

His words left the girls in stunned silence.

Tang Huo'er shook her head, unwilling to believe it. "That's impossible! Even if Lin Fan likes Bibi Dong, he would never abandon us! Where is he taking her?!"

Liu Erlong clenched her fists, her heart aching. She had seen the way Lin Fan and Bibi Dong looked at each other. She had known deep down that something had been growing between them. But now… seeing it confirmed like this… it hurt more than she expected.

"You finally chose her, Xiaofan…" Liu Erlong murmured under her breath. A bitter smile touched her lips as she swallowed back her emotions. But then, her resolve hardened. She wiped the moisture from her eyes and whispered to herself, "I just hope… you both make it out alive."

Shui Yue'er stood frozen, her usually cool expression clouded with turmoil. Ye Keke, too, seemed lost in thought, her lips trembling slightly.

"But even so… we can't just stand by and watch him die," Ye Keke whispered. "Even if he wants to leave Haotian Sect, he's still our friend!"

Tang Yiran sighed, knowing how much Lin Fan meant to them. From their first meeting in the Arena Square to their battles in the Star Dou Great Forest, to the finals of this competition—they had all fought side by side. It wasn't just friendship. It was a bond forged through life and death.

"No!" Tang Huo'er suddenly exclaimed. She summoned the Haotian Wheel of Destruction, its golden glow illuminating her determined face. "I'm going up there! I need to ask him myself! I need to hear him say it—why is he leaving us?!"

Before she could take flight, Tang Yiran grabbed her shoulder and held her firmly in place. His voice was colder this time, his grip unyielding.

"That's enough," he said sternly. "Lin Fan and Bibi Dong are fighting with their martial soul fusion skill right now. This is a battle at a Titled Douluo's level. If you go up there, you'll only get in the way. Don't be so reckless.