Xu Yang's eyes flashed coldly as he saw Bibi Dong's move. He summoned his Sun Martial Soul, instantly unfolding the Sun Domain, and simultaneously activated his sixth and second soul skills. A red ripple of energy burst outward from around him, and ten small suns appeared above his head in a circular formation, spinning rapidly like a celestial ouroboros.
The temperature in the Supreme Pontiff's Palace surged at an alarming rate. Despite being constructed from the continent's most durable materials, the floor and pillars of the hall began to melt under the heat, turning into streams of glowing magma that dripped downwards.
Meanwhile, miniature suns shot out one by one from the rotating halo above Xu Yang's head, each one slamming into the spiderwebs launched by Bibi Dong, incinerating them instantly before they could land.
But Bibi Dong's spiderwebs were not just a control-type soul skill—they were a feint.
"Sixth Soul Skill—Bloodsucking Spider Thorns!"
Behind her, a flurry of soul force condensed into jagged spider thorns, all dark green and glinting ominously with venomous sheen. With a wave of her right arm, the poisonous spikes surged forward like a rainstorm, launching at Xu Yang with deadly speed. In the confined space of the Supreme Pontiff's Palace, dodging was virtually impossible.
Yet Xu Yang showed no fear. He activated his second and third soul skills again. The ten suns above his head spun even faster, visually forming a blazing gold ring. Countless Sun Sacred Sword shot out, intercepting the Bloodsucking Spider Thorns in mid-air.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A chorus of dull crashes echoed as Sun Sacred Sword and Spider Thorns collided, each canceling the other out. The entire grand hall was now engulfed in two clashing hues: the deep green of the thorns and the blazing gold of the suns. Neither side could gain the upper hand.
Xu Yang furrowed his brow. A trace of concern crossed his mind. After all, he was only a Soul Emperor. No matter how refined the Great Sun Manual was, or how boundless his regenerating soul power might be, a prolonged battle of attrition was not in his favor—not when the power gap between him and Bibi Dong exceeded thirty levels.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the palace, the battle between Chen Xin (Sword Douluo) and Qian Daoliu had reached a fever pitch.
The Nine-Kill Sword in Chen Xin's hands cleaved through the sky with each strike, each sword wave tearing through space itself. Yet Qian Daoliu stood unshaken.
Here, on the soil of Spirit City, within the bounds of the Angel God Hall, Qian Daoliu could channel divine support from the heavens—just as Bo Saixi had drawn power from the sea on Sea God Island.
Every swing of his Angel Sacred Sword matched Chen Xin's devastating strikes and even surpassed them in raw might.
"You've impressed me, Chen Xin," Qian Daoliu said coldly. "But if you think this is enough to defeat me… you are gravely mistaken."
Bathed in golden light, Qian Daoliu radiated the might of a demi-god. With the sky itself empowering him, even Chen Xin—who stood on the threshold of becoming an Ultimate Douluo—felt pressure weighing heavily upon him.
Floating above the battlefield, Qian Daoliu gazed down at Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi.
"I understand why you're doing this. It's all for Xu Yang. Stand down now, and I will personally guarantee his safe return."
Though no saint, Qian Daoliu was a man who understood the cost of decisions. He knew how foolish Bibi Dong's current actions were. Regardless of whether Xu Yang lived or died, Spirit Hall's reputation would suffer. And reputation was the very thing that enabled Spirit Hall's dominance over the continent. Between two evils, he knew which was lesser.
From below, Ning Fengzhi raised his head, his body wrapped in radiant red light beneath his Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. His expression was grim.
"Not until I see Xu Yang with my own eyes," Ning Fengzhi responded firmly.
Chen Xin gave a cold snort. His Nine-Kill Sword trembled in his hand as all nine soul rings lit up at once, casting dazzling beams of light across the sky.
"Qian Daoliu! You defeated my father with superior soul power. But now, with Fengzhi's amplification, I stand equal to your strength. Let's see who prevails!"
Without another word, Chen Xin swept his sword through the air—nine arcs of sword energy flew out simultaneously, each one infused with space-tearing might, bearing down on Qian Daoliu.
Startled, Qian Daoliu quickly summoned soul power, the wings of his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul folding in to create a radiant barrier of golden light.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The nine sword lights slammed into the barrier, unleashing thunderous detonations. Qian Daoliu stumbled backward, coughing up a sliver of blood, eyes wide in shock. He hadn't expected Chen Xin's sword to be this powerful—powerful enough to wound even him.
Back in the Supreme Pontiff's Palace, Ning Fengzhi maintained his second ninth-ring soul skill—Nine Treasure Invincible Divine Light—blocking attacks from the Golden Crocodile and the other five Elders.
But his thoughts remained with Xu Yang.
"Xu Yang... hold on!" he prayed silently.
Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from within the palace. Crimson-gold and deep green energy clashed violently, blasting apart a huge section of the ceiling. Both Xu Yang and Bibi Dong staggered back, each showing signs of strain as they glared at one another.
"Your Holiness," Xu Yang said coldly, "what makes Title Douluo so formidable isn't just the fusion of Martial Soul and self—it's the fact that their soul power becomes solid-state, something no ordinary Soul Master can match."
"But my Martial Soul is no weaker than any Title Douluo. And my soul power is nearing that very threshold. You want to kill me? It won't come cheap."
His golden eyes blazed with battle spirit. In his hand, the Sun Sacred Sword gathered a terrifying edge—radiant and divine, yet as lethal as the coldest sliver of death. Crimson-gold sword energy coiled around it, splitting space with each pulse.
"Don't be so sure."
Bibi Dong's expression shifted. Her armor receded, and in its place emerged deep green spider patterns. Six spider legs unfurled from her back. Her arms transformed into jagged, spear-like appendages.
She no longer resembled a spider beast—but a spider goddess clad in venomous divine armor.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin