As expected, Ning Fengzhi’s next words immediately soured Bibi Dong’s mood.
"If I recall correctly, the Clear Sky Sect was forced into seclusion by Spirit Hall, withdrawing from worldly affairs. Yet now, Spirit Hall’s victory in this tournament hinges entirely on the might of the Clear Sky Hammer. Your Holiness, regardless of today’s outcome, this move of yours will draw criticism from heroes across the land. For the sake of a tournament championship, isn’t this a case of picking up sesame seeds while losing a watermelon?"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong’s smile vanished instantly, her expression darkening.
Ning Fengzhi’s words were precisely why Qian Daoliu had vehemently opposed her earlier. Had she not offered numerous concessions, that stubborn old man would never have agreed. In his eyes, Spirit Hall’s dignity was paramount.
"These matters need not concern you, Sect Master Ning. I have my own considerations," Bibi Dong replied coldly, waving her hand dismissively.
If everything proceeded according to her plans, Spirit Hall would only grow stronger under her leadership. Remarks like Ning Fengzhi’s would fade with time. For now, she would endure the gossip and let history prove her decisions right.
Inside Spirit Hall’s Elder Hall, the Title Douluo elders, who had been in secluded cultivation, emerged to observe the finals.
Yet when they saw the very Clear Sky Hammer that had once killed a Pope now brazenly wielded by Spirit Hall’s team, many were so furious their beards trembled.
This decision bordered on betrayal—how could their eldest brother (Qian Daoliu) have allowed it?
If not for his presence, the six elders would have already dragged Bibi Dong away for punishment!
"Damn that Bibi Dong! Once Xue’er ascends to the throne, I’ll make sure she dies without a whole corpse!" Golden Crocodile Douluo snarled, his aged but resolute face twisted with rage as he glared at the dark-gold Clear Sky Hammer.
"Enough anger. At your age, why fuss so much?" Qian Daoliu chuckled, unperturbed. "This is temporary. Besides, if not for Bibi Dong’s self-inflicted blunders, I wouldn’t have gotten her to concede the Holy Maiden position back to Xue’er so soon."
Unlike the others, Qian Daoliu was amused. Knowing the truth, he harbored no resentment—only mockery at Bibi Dong’s idiotic moves for the sake of that trash, Yu Xiaogang.
Had we brought Yu Xiaogang earlier, perhaps Bibi Dong wouldn’t have been so sharp and guarded. Manipulating her as a puppet would’ve been easier...
But he quickly dismissed the thought. If Xue’er found out, she’d be heartbroken.
On the arena, Tang San, having expended most of his mental energy, finally regained full control of the Clear Sky Hammer. With a vicious grin, he roared at Xiao Yu:
"Xiao Yu! You insulted my teacher, humiliated me, disgraced my academy, and bullied my sister! Today, I’ll settle all accounts with you!"
With a furious shout, Tang San raised the Clear Sky Hammer high. The colossal hammer was now so massive that even passersby outside Spirit Hall City could see it towering over the central plaza, eliciting gasps of awe.
Another thunderous roar echoed as the hammer descended with devastating force.
The air shattered under its weight as the hammer plummeted, carrying an overwhelming, crushing momentum.
Yet, just before impact, Xiao Yu’s fourth soul ring flickered.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Divine Punishment Chains!"
A pulse of black light erupted.
Xiao Yu’s hand stretched out—
Golden radiance burst forth as gleaming chains materialized, coiling tightly around the Clear Sky Hammer and halting its descent.
Tang San, controlling the True Body, immediately sensed the disruption and sneered.
"Pathetic, Xiao Yu! Still trying the same trick? This is a Soul Sage-level Clear Sky True Body—your measly fourth soul skill can’t stop it! DIE!"
Under Tang San’s bloodshot glare, the dark-gold hammer strained against the chains, inching downward as the golden links began snapping apart.
Even the chains that had once shattered the Wolf Flame Tornado couldn’t restrain the might of a Tool Spirit True Body.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan asked urgently, "Xiao Yu, what now? Should we strike their main bodies? I can poison them instantly!"
Xiao Yu, however, only smiled.
"No. Breaking their formation would be boring—and with their seven-as-one fusion, it’s not that easy. But we can mirror them! If they can use a Seven-as-One Fusion Skill, so can we!"
"The key is merging seven people’s soul power into one. Though our attributes differ, we have Rongrong’s Split Control—making it even simpler for us!"
"Then Rongrong, you lead. Channel all our soul power into Xiao Yu!" Dugu Yan said without hesitation.
"Got it!" Ning Rongrong nodded, moving to the rear.
Under the crowd’s stunned gazes, Blue Tyrant Academy’s team lined up just like Spirit Hall’s, with Ning Rongrong at the back. Using Split Control, she gathered and transferred soul power forward—first to Meng Yiran.
The audience erupted in shock.
Was Blue Tyrant Academy really attempting to replicate Spirit Hall’s secret technique?!
Did they know how to perform this too?!
On the stands, Bibi Dong scoffed.
"Ridiculous. Trying to imitate Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang’s secret skill? We trained relentlessly to master this. Without preparation, attempting it in battle is suicide!"