Several streaks of light shot into the sky at once.
Everyone had heard Du Busi's words.
As seasoned elders of the continent, they knew full well: this man—who had once provoked the Great Star Dou Forest into a Beast Tide—was more than capable of carrying out what he threatened.
If he did… it would be over.
So the Star Luo Empire's Offering Hall could no longer hold back. They used all their connections, rallying every Title Douluo within the city.
Among them, of course, was Elder Song.
And Ning Bowen—due to his unique status—used a flight soul guidance device, under Zhi Yong's protection, to ascend into the sky.
"Du Busi," one elder cried, voice sharp, "do you want the Body Sect disciples to be treated like Evil Soul Masters—hunted by all, reviled by the world?"
Du Busi ignored him.
Below Super Douluo Level? He didn't even register them.
Besides—
Evil Soul Masters?
What did the Body Sect care for public opinion?
Their reputation was already stained.
"Du Busi," Elder Song spoke calmly, her tone knowing, "consider your sect's future. If you die here, every academy, every power on the continent will turn on your disciples. Your lineage will vanish."
Du Busi's gaze locked onto Song Yunzhi.
His expression flickered—hesitation, for the first time.
He looked around at the circle of Title Douluo, then at Ye Xuanji.
"Lord Ning, Ye Xuanji—I won't take him today. But next time… I won't give up. I'll claim him by force."
Ning Bowen smiled faintly.
"Always welcome."
"Hmph—"
"Mountains remain, rivers flow. Until we meet again."
With a cold snort, Du Busi's emerald aura retracted. He turned on his heel—and walked away without a backward glance.
The battle ended as abruptly as it had begun.
But the impact? Unforgettable.
Is this what true power looks like?
—
On the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's side—
"That is the strength of the Three Great Empires," Ma Rulong murmured, staring at the now-calm night sky, fists clenched. His heart still trembled.
"So what if they're strong?" Xiao Hongchen glanced at him. "How many Level Eight fixed soul guidance device rounds can they stop? How many Level Nine?"
"You—!"
Ma Rulong's anger flared.
How could you dismiss our enemy so lightly?!
"Enough, Rulong."
Teacher Ma's voice cut through the tension. He turned to the other students, their faces pale with awe. "Return to your rooms. Reflect on what you saw tonight. Write down your insights."
"Yes, Teacher Ma."
As the others departed, only Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Ma Rulong, and Teacher Ma remained.
Teacher Ma fixed Ma Rulong with a steady gaze.
"Your words—fine to say in private, and worth heeding. But to say them aloud? That undermines morale. Xiao Hongchen handled it correctly."
Ma Rulong looked at Xiao Hongchen—the boy who had moments ago been dismissive, now gripping his fists, eyes sharp and solemn—and finally understood.
Xiao Hongchen spoke quietly, voice heavy with new found clarification:
"Our empire lags behind in top-tier power. Even fragments of these factions—just parts of them—match nearly a third of the Mingde Hall. And among their strongest… aside from Grandpa, no one in Mingde Hall could hold them."
"Doesn't matter."
Teacher Ma's tone was unshakable.
"The true deciding factor is war between empires. No individual, no faction, can stand against the might of Sun Moon. Our unification of the continent is inevitable."
—
In a hotel room in Star Luo City—
"Master, are we really leaving like this?"
Lang Ya and Yu Tao, Du Busi's two loyal disciples, stood beside him, voices thick with frustration.
Such a talent—once in a hundred years!
To let him slip away… they'd regret it for life.
"Shut up!"
Du Busi swung his hand—two sharp taps to the back of their heads.
Not hard enough to hurt. Just enough to stun.
"You want me to die with them?!"
He scowled. The threat of mutual destruction? Three parts truth, seven parts bluff.
Had he seized Huo Yuhao? He would've burned it all down to get him out.
The sect still had Old Jin. Even if they fell into decline for a while, they'd survive—and rise again.
Besides, they had allies.
Not perfect. Not reliable.
But they wouldn't stab him in the back.
Too bad it didn't work.
So his life had to be preserved.
The sect's legacy mattered more than his own.
"Then… we just give up?"
Yu Tao still couldn't accept it.
Before he could say more—
Smack!
Another slap—this time, louder.
Under Lang Ya's pitying gaze, Du Busi roared:
"Didn't I say—next time?! Next time!"
"When the tournament ends, we return to the sect. We gather our forces. We go to Shrek Academy. I'll draw their attention. Old Jin sneaks in and takes him. For the sect's legacy? This isn't shameful—it's necessary."
He glared at Yu Tao, who opened his mouth to speak.
"Don't ask why we're going to Shrek," he growled. "Because I know he's still a student there. He'll go back. If we go to Nine Treasures Glazed Tile? We'd waste our time."
"Ooh…"
—
Then, silence.
Du Busi stopped.
His gaze fixed on the door.
Half a minute passed.
Then—
"Elder Xu—since you're here, come in."
The door opened.
The old man who had stood at the front of the Star Luo Empire's Offering Hall during the battle now stood in the threshold.
He was the head of the Offering Hall.
His cultivation was nearly equal to Du Busi's.
Yet he was ancient—older even than Mu En.
"Oh? Still alive, old man?"
"Cough—"
The old man didn't flinch. He merely cleared his throat.
"I have few years left. I only wish to serve the empire in my final days."
He turned to business.
"Our Emperor wishes to see you."
"Hmm?"
Du Busi raised an eyebrow, waving a hand dismissively.
"I'm not interested. Don't bother me."
He turned to leave.
But as his hand brushed past the old man—
A voice spoke.
"What if I said… this is a matter between empire and empire?"
BOOM!
Du Busi's soul power erupted—his grip tightening on the old man's wrist.
His eyes narrowed.
"How do you know?"
"For years," the old man replied, gently prying Du Busi's fingers loose, "there have always been whispers. Your grip is crushing my bones, old friend." He smiled faintly. "Now… interested? The Emperor wishes to make a secret pact with your Body Sect."
"Whispers? Hah—"
Du Busi sneered.
He wasn't interested.
But he wasn't a fool.
The name of the Emperor had stirred something.
"If he wants to meet me," he said slowly, "then I'll go. Let's see what kind of deal he's offering."
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