Chapter 63: The Title Ceremony and Spirit Hall's Actions

"Lor Diarra, what is it that has you so flustered?" Yue Guan, regaining his composure, spoke with the authority befitting a Titled Douluo as he addressed a Soul Douluo. Under the gaze of two Titled Douluos and the Supreme Pontiff, Lor Diarra felt uneasy. He knew that if he was here without an important reason to disturb them, these powerful figures—who seemed to be in a foul mood—would surely vent their frustrations on him. But he had no choice. The information he had received was too critical to ignore. "Your Holiness, Supreme Pontiff, and Elders, I have just received urgent news from the spy I planted within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The clan's third elder, Yin Yang, has broken through the bottleneck of Rank 89 and ascended to the realm of Titled Douluo. Currently, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo are escorting him to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for a soul beast. They plan to hold a Title Ceremony in one month's time." "What did you just say?" Bibi Dong and the others were shocked. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, one of their great enemies, had produced another Titled Douluo. This development meant that the clan now had three Titled Douluos, significantly boosting their power and influence. Currently, Titled Douluos were far rarer than they would be in a decade or more. In the original story, Tang San wielded the Sea God Trident and could easily dispatch Titled Douluos as if they were mere children. But now, the number of publicly recognized Titled Douluos on the continent was barely in the double digits. Even a major empire like the Heaven Dou Empire didn't have a single Titled Douluo to its name. Only Dugu Bo could barely be counted as an ally, and even that was only because of a debt he owed to Prince Xue Xing for saving his life. Over the years, if not for the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Spirit Hall's interference, the Heaven Dou Empire might have already fallen to the Star Luo Empire. And now, this clan had three Titled Douluos. With the unresolved matter of Dugu Bo still looming, the sudden strengthening of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan gave Bibi Dong a headache. "Your Holiness, there's no need to be overly concerned," Yue Guan spoke up. "Although Yin Yang's breakthrough to Titled Douluo seems sudden, it's not entirely unexpected. After all, he's been at the peak of Rank 89 for nearly fifteen years. With enough preparation and a moment of enlightenment, such a breakthrough isn't impossible. Furthermore, haven't we already prepared for such scenarios?" The measures Yue Guan referred to were part of Spirit Hall's long-term plans for the future—a massive operation that had been in the works for years. In fact, there were multiple contingency plans in place, each tailored to different potential developments. Yin Yang's breakthrough had been accounted for in one of their alternative plans. While this particular plan came with a higher cost, Spirit Hall was willing to make sacrifices to ensure victory. Hearing this, Bibi Dong calmed down. "You're right. However, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Title Ceremony must not proceed without our presence. Elder Ghost, Elder Chrysanthemum, who do you think would be suitable to send?" Given the current state of the continent, the advancement of a new Titled Douluo was no small matter. Spirit Hall could not afford to ignore it. To assert their influence over all soul masters on the continent, Spirit Hall needed to attend the event—even if Ning Fengzhi didn't invite them. They would not only show up uninvited but would also insist on engraving Yin Yang's name in the Douluo Hall, demonstrating Spirit Hall's authority over even Titled Douluos. "Your Holiness, the dignity of Spirit Hall is paramount. As the Supreme Pontiff, it would be inappropriate for you to attend personally. However, the representatives we send must also carry sufficient weight. I suggest sending one Titled Douluo, accompanied by Lor Diarra," Yue Guan proposed. Bibi Dong nodded. "That makes sense. Yue Guan, you're still recovering from your injuries, so take this opportunity to rest. Elder Ghost, would you be willing to handle this task?" Elder Ghost, who had only overexerted his soul power and would recover in a few days, was a fitting choice. He was a prominent figure in Spirit Hall, recognized across the continent. "I will obey Your Holiness's orders," Elder Ghost replied. "Take Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena with you as well," Bibi Dong added. "Let them gain some experience. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is destined to be our enemy in the future, and understanding one's enemies is always advantageous. Also, I've heard that Ning Fengzhi's daughter and Sword Douluo's disciple are both exceptional talents. This time, I want them to see for themselves that in the presence of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, they are nothing but mediocrities." Her intent was clear: to showcase the strength of Spirit Hall's younger generation at the Title Ceremony and suppress the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's rising momentum. Elder Ghost and Yue Guan both agreed. The younger generation represented the future of any great power. If Spirit Hall could overshadow the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in this area, it would solidify their dominance. Even if the clan was strong now, Spirit Hall's deep foundation would remain unmatched. With the plan set, Elder Ghost departed with Lor Diarra and Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. Whether or not the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan sent them an invitation was irrelevant. All soul masters fell under Spirit Hall's jurisdiction. Even the conferment of a Titled Douluo required Spirit Hall's recognition. Such was the authority and power of Spirit Hall. ... Meanwhile, with the Title Ceremony scheduled for one month later, Tian Lin used the spare time to return to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. His purpose was to distribute rare herbs and elixirs to his companions and to personally deliver invitations to them. "Finally back. I wonder how everyone's doing," Tian Lin murmured nostalgically as he gazed at the academy gates. Thanks to his uniform and student ID, the gate guards didn't stop him, and he entered the academy with ease. The academy's atmosphere was as decadent as ever: noble students indulged in luxury, minor nobles currying favor with the major ones, and the major nobles striving to please the royal family. If not for the Emperor Battle Team's presence, Tian Lin would have had no interest in studying here. No matter how good the learning environment, it always left him feeling uneasy. Perhaps this was the so-called incompatibility between dragons and serpents. Though he had been away for half a year, Tian Lin's face was unforgettable to the academy's students and teachers. The nobles, arrogant as they were, knew better than to provoke someone they couldn't afford to offend—lest they bring disaster not only upon themselves but also their families. Recognizing Tian Lin, the students quickly stepped aside to let him pass. "That monster's back. I wonder where he's been these past six months. Why do I feel like his strength has become even more unfathomable?" "I know! My sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend is in the same class as Dugu Yan. She said he went on a training journey with Dugu Yan's grandfather, Poison Douluo." "Damn, his teacher is Sword Douluo, and now Poison Douluo is training him too? No wonder he's so strong. With two Titled Douluos mentoring him, even a pig could become powerful!" Overhearing the whispers, Tian Lin smirked disdainfully. Even a pig? Two Titled Douluos wouldn't bother wasting their time on one. They were talking about him. Aside from the Emperor Battle Team, most of the other students at this academy—especially those over fifteen and still at the Soul Scholar level—were indeed no better than pigs.