Her voice was calm, but it carried a boldness that resonated deeply.
Soon, the sky began to turn a crimson hue, as if something terrifying was descending from above.
In the next moment, a massive shadow loomed over the Spirit Fighting Arena of the Heaven Dou Empire Royal Academy!
It wasn't an overwhelming spectacle, nor did it unleash a Martial Soul. It was merely the appearance of one figure.
Yet, everyone felt an immediate jolt of energy, quickly followed by a wave of fear. Only one being could disregard Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's words so recklessly and cause such an extraordinary phenomenon—
Tang Hao himself, the Heaven Dou Empire's most formidable Title Douluo!
The crowd nervously watched the massive shadow, anticipating that Tang Hao might go into a frenzy.
"Tang Hao!"
Meng Shenji and the others immediately knelt in respect. Even Ning Fengzhi slightly nodded his head in acknowledgment.
At that moment, a sword intent shot up into the sky, cutting through Tang Hao's imposing aura and allowing the sky to regain a sliver of clarity.
"Tang Hao," Sword Douluo Chen Xin uttered, his voice calm but serious.
"Greetings, senior!" Despite Tang Hao's overwhelming presence, Chen Xin still bowed respectfully.
"What brings you here?"
The Sword Douluo's voice was faint, and after a brief pause, as though considering Ning Fengzhi's stance on Li Yu, he added, "Shrek is indeed in the wrong."
Tang Hao fell silent, his gaze eventually settling on Li Yu. "Not bad. Very good."
He paused for a moment. "But Tang San is my son. Do you still want this bone?"
His words were emotionless, almost like a simple inquiry. It almost seemed as though if Li Yu said "yes," he would allow Tang San to give it up.
However, when everyone heard "Tang San is my son," they couldn't help but feel the weight behind his words.
All eyes instinctively turned toward Li Yu. Would she still dare to take it?
A Title Douluo—arguably the most talented Title Douluo—would Li Yu truly dare to offend him?
Li Yu, though filled with confusion, didn't dwell on it. She couldn't figure out why Tang Hao had appeared at this moment, but the situation had already unfolded, and she had to face it head-on.
Suddenly, she felt Qian Renxue's hand, which she had been holding, gently press inward.
Li Yu glanced at her in surprise, and Qian Renxue slightly shook her head.
Qian Renxue wasn't afraid of Tang Hao
.
But her forces were not suited to be exposed at this time.
This was also the reason why the person following her earlier had swiftly left when sensing the Sword Douluo's aura, and why Qian Renxue had created this "coincidental encounter" alongside Ning Fengzhi.
Ahem.
Ning Fengzhi, standing beside Qian Renxue, gave a slight cough, clearly reminding Li Yu to act rationally and not to offend someone like Tang Hao over immediate gain.
Li Yu hesitated.
This was something she had fought so hard for; how could she give it up just because of Tang Hao's words?
But at the same time, she knew she lacked the strength to challenge Tang Hao at this moment.
After thinking for a moment, she took a deep breath, preparing to yield.
But just as she was about to speak...
"SSSS!"
A strange sound cut through the tension, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
Suddenly, the sky, split between frost-white and crimson, flashed with a burst of emerald green.
"Miss Li Yu, make your own choice. With me here, no one will bully you!"
The domineering voice of Dugu Bo rang out, echoing across the arena.
Though Tang Hao was a formidable opponent, Dugu Bo was well aware of his own limitations. He knew that, even if he couldn't defeat Tang Hao, Li Yu's extraordinary importance to him—especially in terms of resolving the poison within him—was reason enough to protect her.
The crowd was stunned.
In just a short moment, three Title Douluo-level figures had appeared in the Heaven Dou Empire Royal Academy's Spirit Fighting Arena!
This was incredibly rare.
Even Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi were taken aback.
Qian Renxue, surprised by Dugu Bo's willingness to protect Li Yu, felt a tinge of inferiority in her heart.
Ning Fengzhi, realizing the true weight behind Qian Renxue's earlier statement regarding her visit to Dugu Bo, understood just how influential Dugu Bo was.
Though Dugu Bo wasn't as famous as Tang Hao, his poison skills were legendary. His battle capabilities were even more terrifying than the average Title Douluo.
For sects and military forces, Dugu Bo's presence was a force to be reckoned with.
"Dugu Bo!"
Tang Hao's voice grew faintly angry as he spoke the name.
"Greetings, senior!"
Dugu Bo first gave a distant salute to Sword Douluo Chen Xin before addressing Tang Hao, "It is said that you, Tang Hao, are unmatched in talent, and I, too, have greatly admired you!"
He paused before continuing, "To be honest, if we were to fight, I wouldn't be confident of winning, but... as a Title Douluo, are you really going to bully others? Or will you teach your son to be hypocritical?
I don't think this is the proper way of teaching!"
Tang Hao fell silent again.
He knew that being hypocritical was wrong. But if Tang San's external soul bone was forcibly removed, his soul power would be severely affected.
Right now, this was a crucial time for Tang San's growth, and Tang Hao didn't want anything to jeopardize that.
After a long pause, Tang Hao turned his gaze back to Li Yu, seemingly hoping that she would decide to give up on her own.
At this moment, Li Yu was slightly stunned.
Wasn't Dugu Bo supposed to be in seclusion? How had he ended up here?
She was puzzled, but then she turned her gaze and saw Dugu Yan sticking her tongue out playfully.
Li Yu's confusion cleared.
Dugu Yan, with her keen insight, had likely sensed that this situation was more complicated than it appeared when the external soul bone was proposed as a bet.
She had secretly contacted Dugu Bo, knowing that things were about to get intense.
As for how she did it, Li Yu didn't know, but leaving a few small tricks behind was easy for a Title Douluo.
Li Yu didn't dwell on it and instead turned her focus to Tang San, who stood with a smug, hidden expression on his face.
Li Yu took a deep breath, released her grip on Qian Renxue, and stepped forward.
"Thank you, Lord Poison Douluo!" she expressed her gratitude sincerely.
Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and the others let out a collective sigh of relief. It seemed like Li Yu would give up voluntarily.
Tang Hao's overwhelming pressure seemed to subside a little.
Tang San, however, seethed with disdain in his eyes, though he didn't show it on his face.
But just as that moment passed,
Li Yu's lips curled upward, "I've fought for this with all my effort. I have no reason to give it up!"
The audience froze in shock.
Li Yu's voice rang out, "Tang Hao, take the bone!"