Chapter 299: Confrontation and the Beginning
On the spectator stands, Bibi Dong took a deep breath and stood up. It was time for her to announce the champion.
From the performance she had just witnessed, she already knew the outcome was inevitable, but she had never expected that the team she had nurtured would be completely unable to withstand even a single move.
Pathetic.
Even Hu Liena, whom she had always favored, was no exception to this evaluation.
She maintained her composure and stepped forward toward the podium, but just as she was about to reach the microphone, her steps halted abruptly. She turned sharply toward the direction of the Royal Fighting Team 2's waiting area.
It wasn't just Bibi Dong.
In fact, almost every Soul Douluo level expert in the arena reacted the same way.
Bibi Dong's astonished expression was displayed on the large screens around the stadium.
And since some powerful individuals in the audience made no effort to conceal their reactions, the rest of the spectators instinctively followed their gazes toward that direction, a sense of unease rising in their hearts.
The loud cheers and discussions in the arena quickly faded.
Even the most oblivious audience members could tell that something was seriously wrong from the way people around them were reacting.
"How interesting. A transformed soul beast has infiltrated the Soul Master Tournament and even entered Spirit City. Quite the nerve."
Guang Ling's voice echoed throughout the entire venue, sending shivers down the spines of many listeners.
Creak
The door to the Royal Fighting Team 2's waiting area slowly opened, and Ye LingLing stepped out into the view of everyone.
"LingLing, come here."
Dugu Yan called out. Ye LingLing nodded and calmly walked over to her.
No one stopped her.
Because in that moment, everyone present had come to the same realization it wasn't her.
"RongRong."
Sword Douluo flew toward the waiting room, stopping ten meters away.
He dared not get any closer he could feel that he was already being locked onto.
"Okay."
Ning RongRong's voice sounded from within the room.
She stepped out, looked around briefly, and then sprinted into Sword Douluo's arms before being quickly escorted away.
"Why all this trouble? Just lift the cover already."
A calm voice rang out.
With a simple wave of Qing Luan's right hand, a gust of wind swept away the temporary barrier in the waiting area, tossing it onto the ruined remains of Arena One.
This revealed several stunned figures and one trembling in fear.
"This… how is this possible?"
A shocked exclamation broke the silence.
On the edge of the stands, a Soul Douluo wearing the official uniform of the Star Luo Empire staggered back in disbelief.
"What is going on?"
Dai Mu Bai had already changed out of his academy uniform and was now dressed in the royal garments of a Star Luo prince.
Frowning, he turned to the Soul Douluo beside him, dissatisfied with such an undignified reaction from someone on his side.
"Your Highness…"
The Soul Douluo trembled, leaned close to Dai Mu Bai, and whispered something into his ear.
Dai Mu Bai's eyes widened in shock as he turned to look at the distant Dai Mu Bai, his gaze flashing with a mix of excitement and calculation but he wisely chose to remain silent.
Meanwhile, Sword Douluo had returned, his face filled with disbelief as he relayed his findings to Ning Feng Zhi.
Among the crowd, Tang Xiao suddenly grabbed Tang Hao by the collar, his expression twisted with rage.
"Tell me what the hell is going on?"
"I… I don't know."
Tang Hao was equally dumbfounded.
Could someone explain to him why, when he used his own spiritual senses to investigate, his son's aura felt exactly like that of a transformed soul beast?
"Everyone, since this incident has taken place in Spirit City, is there any objection to me handling it personally?"
At some point, Han Li had silently appeared in the air above the Royal Fighting Team 2's waiting area.
"No objections." ×2
Qian Renxue and Ning Feng Zhi spoke almost simultaneously.
Han Li glanced at Ning Feng Zhi in mild surprise but didn't reveal any reaction.
Soon after, Yu Yuan Zhen and Dai Mu Bai also nodded their agreement.
Bibi Dong's eyes flickered with indecipherable thoughts, but she, too, refrained from interfering.
"Good."
Han Li nodded, still hovering in the air.
With a casual wave of his right hand, Oscar was lifted by an invisible force and flung toward the edge of the arena.
"Seizing Dragon and Controlling Crane?"
Down below, Tang San had also heard Guang Ling's earlier statement.
Although he already had a terrible feeling about this situation, he was momentarily distracted by Han Li's technique.
"Oh? You recognize it?"
Han Li glanced at him, giving him a strange smile.
"But right now, you'd be better off keeping your mouth shut."
Without further comment, Han Li flicked his wrist again.
This time, Ma Hong Jun was lifted off the ground, hurled through the air, and landed next to Oscar.
The two of them exchanged bewildered looks, still utterly clueless about what was happening.
Below, Dai Mu Bai and Tai Long were also staring up at Han Li in confusion.
They didn't understand the situation either, but from the looks of it, anyone thrown out of the arena was safe.
They saw Han Li raise his hand once more, a hint of expectation in their eyes
And then
"Brat! You think you can lay a hand on my son? You're still too green!"
A furious roar exploded from the side.
A figure clad in a black robe shot into the air, wielding a massive black hammer.
With a violent gust, he swung it down toward Han Li from above.
"It seems I overestimated your patience. I thought you'd wait until I eliminated one more person."
Han Li's wings flapped, executing an elegant aerial maneuver that effortlessly dodged the incoming strike.
At the same time, his right leg swung like a battle axe, slamming down onto the top of the Clear Sky Hammer.
The force of the blow sent Tang Hao plummeting toward the ground.
Boom!
A heavy impact echoed as Tang Hao landed, positioning himself in front of Tang San and Xiao Wu.
As he looked up at Han Li, who was now hovering above him, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
He hadn't expected Han Li to evade his attack so easily.
Han Li waved his hand toward the approaching Spirit Hall members. "Protect the audience. He still can't do anything to me."
The group that had been rushing toward him froze for a moment, then turned their gaze toward the stands. Seeing that Bibi Dong showed no reaction and that Guang Ling simply nodded at them, they hesitated no longer and quickly dispersed throughout the arena.
"You're quite confident," Tang Hao said, his expression darkening as he glanced at Guang Ling and Bibi Dong.
"Don't bother looking. They won't intervene. Handling you doesn't require their presence," Han Li said casually. "I had other things planned for today, but you and your son just had to steal the spotlight. I'm really not in a good mood."
"Still, I suppose this serves as a decent appetizer. Douluo Who Defies the Heavens, why don't you explain to everyone here how your son is actually a spirit beast? I almost mistook him for a transformed one myself."
There was an amused glint in Han Li's eyes as he casually revealed information that left the gathered crowd stunned.
"Douluo Who Defies the Heavens... Haotian Douluo... He's that Tang Hao?"
"So Tang San is his son? And... a spirit beast?"
"If not a transformed soul beast, then he's still a soul beast..."
As Han Li's words echoed through the arena, the murmurs among the audience grew louder. No one doubted his claim, as none of the high ranking figures present refuted his statement.
Tang Hao's son was truly a soul beast.
This revelation was even more shocking than the mere presence of a transformed spirit beast. After all, this was the Clear Sky Clan.
"Xiao San is not a soul beast," Tang Hao's voice rang out as his hammer struck the ground, suppressing the murmurs.
"You might be able to deceive others, but don't fool yourself, Tang Hao. You know full well that your wife was a transformed soul beast. The former Pope issued a warrant for your capture because of this exact reason."
"It's a pity he ended up dying at your hands, allowing you to roam free all these years. But now, Tang San's soul beast aura is too obvious to deny. Your excuses are meaningless."
"The reason this matter was never made public before was, first, because of the potential fallout, and second, because the Grand Worshipper had a personal friendship with your grandfather, Tang Chen. He didn't want the Clear Sky Clan to fall into ruin. But even now, you remain unrepentant. Truly..."
Han Li shook his head, dropping yet another bombshell, stirring the crowd into an even greater frenzy.
"You're talking nonsense! Qian Xunji only wanted to hunt Ah Yin for her spirit ring and spirit bone!"
Tang Hao's face was red with rage, and in his agitation, he blurted out the truth himself.
"Hunting a hundred thousand year soul beast to protect humanity is that not the duty of Spirit Hall?" Han Li tilted his head, feigning surprise. "That was a hundred thousand year soul beast living among humans. If she had fully cultivated her strength, how many people could have stopped her?"
"You "
"So you're not denying that your wife was a soul beast, correct? Colluding with a soul beast and even fathering a child with her Tang Hao, just what are you trying to do? Are you planning to betray humanity?"
Han Li's smile remained as he delivered his piercing accusation.
Tang Hao glared at that infuriating grin before turning to glance at his son, who was still dazed. He took a deep breath.
"Sharp tongued brat. Think whatever you like. I, Tang Hao, need explain myself to no one."
"But if you want to harm my son, you'll have to step over my corpse first!"
Above his head, nine spirit rings materialized in sequence. The final ring radiated an especially striking blood red glow.
"Hmm. That's fine. As long as you admit it, I won't feel guilty for what I'm about to do."
Han Li smiled at him. All he needed was a justified reason. After all, once this was over, he had to pass the torch.
"Then, I'll be taking your life now."
As he spoke, an intense light burst forth from his body, his spirit power surging uncontrollably in all directions.
Finally, it was time to display his full strength in public. It had been a long time since he had unleashed himself without restraint.
A red and white Ice Fire Dragon Bow appeared in his hands. Two dragon souls, one on each side, emerged from the bow and settled onto Han Li's shoulders, roaring toward Tang Hao below.
His spirit rings, no longer concealed, expanded rapidly. One after another, they rose from beneath his feet.
Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Platinum.
Starting from the first ring, a dazzling crimson glow illuminated the battlefield, culminating in a final, never before seen platinum colored spirit ring, which settled atop his head in a truly awe inspiring display.
The entire arena fell silent.
Han Li exhaled slowly, flexing his grip around the Ice Fire Dragon Bow as he turned his gaze toward Tang Hao.
"Are you ready?"
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/johanssen