The door to the reception hall slowly opened.
Bibi Dong and Ye Hao walked in side by side.
At this moment, the air around them seemed to freeze. Except for Xiao Hong, who remained calm, Zhu Zhu, Xie Hu, A Yin, and even Zhu Er were all stunned, their expressions filled with shock.
"This... this..."
Zhu Zhu swallowed hard, unable to believe her eyes. "They look so alike!"
"Not just alike, they look like they were carved from the same mold," Xie Hu nodded. When he first arrived at the Spirit Hall and saw Bibi Dong, he had been equally stunned.
Zhu Er remained silent, her calm eyes flickering with a ripple of emotion. She then walked over to a bookshelf, picked up a book, and began reading quietly.
"Hello, I am Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall. You must be my son's family," Bibi Dong smiled warmly as she looked at Zhu Zhu and the others standing before her.
"Yes, Mother of our master. My name is Zhu Zhu, and my true form is a 100,000-year Death Spider Emperor," Zhu Zhu quickly introduced himself.
"I don't need to introduce myself, do I?" Xie Hu chuckled.
"Hello, I am Zhu Er, a 100,000-year Soul Devouring Spider Emperor," Zhu Er said calmly.
"I don't need to introduce myself either," Xiao Hong grinned.
"I..."
A Yin hesitated, unsure how to introduce herself. Ever since entering the Spirit Hall, she had felt extremely uncomfortable.
Ye Hao stepped forward and smiled. "This is Ah Yin, Tang Hao's wife. After sacrificing herself, she became a Blue Silver Emperor. I recently revived her, and now she serves as my maid."
"Ah Yin," Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened as she examined her with a meaningful look. "So... you are Ah Yin."
Back then, it was for her sake that Qian Xunji had clashed with Tang Hao, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome.
Bibi Dong understood her son's reasoning. Reviving Ah Yin was simply to gain another 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone. Ah Yin was now just a tool, and once Ye Hao became a Title Douluo, she would have to sacrifice herself.
If it were Bibi Dong, she would have done the same.
A Yin felt extremely uncomfortable under Bibi Dong's gaze. Being in the Spirit Hall made her feel uneasy, as if she could be killed at any moment.
"You're really lucky, kid," Bibi Dong sighed with a wry smile. Before her stood four 100,000-year soul beasts, not to mention Xiao Hong, a divine beast.
Weren't people on the continent always saying that 100,000-year soul beasts were rare? Where are those people now? Come out and face me!
"Welcome to the Spirit Hall. If you need anything in the future, feel free to let me know," Bibi Dong said with a smile.
"We wouldn't dare!" Zhu Zhu quickly replied. "We owe everything to our master. All we want is to stay by his side. We have no other desires."
"Zhu Zhu, relax. You've always been my family, my brothers. Now that we're home, treat the Spirit Hall as your own. There's no need to be so restrained," Ye Hao smiled warmly. At this moment, Ye Hao felt the warmth of family for the first time in many years. The last time he had felt this way was back on Earth.
Unfortunately, there was no going back.
But honestly, the present wasn't so bad. It was best to maintain the status quo.
Hearing this, Zhu Zhu was moved to tears. Zhu Er's eyes softened, and Xie Hu blinked, secretly pleased that he had chosen the right person to follow.
At this moment, Xiao Hong stretched lazily and walked over from the rug.
"Save the catching up for later. Right now, there's something important that requires Zhu Zhu and Zhu Er's cooperation," Xiao Hong said, looking at the two of them.
"What do you need us to do?" Zhu Er put down her book and asked.
"Xiao Hong, just give the order. I'll go through fire and water for you," Zhu Zhu declared eagerly.
"Zhu Zhu, there's no need to be so serious. I just need you to perform the martial soul fusion skill again. Don't make it sound like a life-or-death situation," Xiao Hong shook his head helplessly. Enthusiasm was good, but it shouldn't go overboard.
"This is no trouble at all. Master, let's begin!" Zhu Zhu looked at Ye Hao, her expression relaxed.
Ye Hao, however, shrugged. "Zhu Zhu, this time, it's not me performing the martial soul fusion skill. It's..."
"Me," Bibi Dong stepped forward.
...
...
"Wahhh..."
In the dark, cold prison cell, Yu Xiaogang sat in tattered clothes, his eyes vacant as tears streamed down his face like an open faucet.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang regretted everything...
"Why did I come to the Spirit Hall? Wouldn't it have been better to stay at Shrek Academy?"
As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang pulled up his torn pants. In this pitch-black dungeon, he felt a deep sense of despair.
"Ahhh!!!"
A searing pain shot through his lower body, causing Yu Xiaogang to convulse violently.
"Hahaha!!!"
"Is that all you've got? I'm being sent to Slaughter City in a few days. Let's continue tonight!"
In the dark prison cell, several disheveled figures with sinister auras crawled out from the shadows.
"No! Stay away from me! Get away!!!"
Yu Xiaogang was like a startled bird. From these people, he had experienced the most unbearable pain of his life.
Utter humiliation!
"Sigh—"
Yu Xiaogang let out a long sigh, a flame of vengeance burning in his heart. He had grown to hate the Spirit Hall, Ye Hao, and even Bibi Dong to the extreme.
"If I ever get the chance to leave, I will dedicate my entire life to destroying the Spirit Hall," Yu Xiaogang swore, trembling with anger, his fists clenched tightly.
"Trash, what are you muttering about!"
The two Holy Temple Knights who had brought Yu Xiaogang here entered the cell. Seeing him curled up on the ground in tattered clothes, they burst into laughter.
Everyone imprisoned here was a heinous criminal. Yu Xiaogang's current state was nothing but the consequence of his own actions.
"N-nothing..." Yu Xiaogang shook his head repeatedly. "Are you here to release me?"
Yu Xiaogang still hadn't given up hope of survival. It was these two who had brought him here, and in this place, he had suffered inhuman treatment. Even now...
His legs continued to tremble uncontrollably.
"Lucky guy, just arrived and already getting released."
"Yeah, we're about to be sent to Slaughter City. We finally got someone older to have some fun with, and now this. Should've gone harder earlier," the scar-faced man sneered coldly at Yu Xiaogang.
That smile was icy, making Yu Xiaogang feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, sending chills down his spine.
"Release you?" The knight laughed heartily. "You were personally captured by Her Holiness the Pope, and you still dream of being released?
Stop daydreaming. Prepare yourself to spend the rest of your life here."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He fell to his knees, completely drained of strength. It was over. His life was utterly ruined.
Stuck in this pitch-black place, how could he ever use his talents to destroy the Spirit Hall?
"W-what are you doing!"
Yu Xiaogang was horrified to find his limbs being held down. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't move, forced to watch helplessly.
At that moment, an old man carrying a medical box walked in slowly, enduring the foul stench of the prison.
Without a word, the old man placed the box on the ground and took out a curved knife.
The old man's aura was calm, and he glanced indifferently at Yu Xiaogang, who was struggling desperately.
"If we don't cut it off, it'll rot. This is for your own good," the old man said lightly.
Then, under Yu Xiaogang's despairing gaze.
The knife came down!
"..."
"Ahhh!!!"
For a moment, the entire dungeon was filled with Yu Xiaogang's screams.
...
...
"Master, are you serious? Your mother can also perform a martial soul fusion skill with us?" Zhu Zhu looked at Ye Hao in confusion.
Ye Hao smiled faintly. "Why not? The martial soul fusion skill between you, me, and Zhu Zhu—Twin Spider Emperors—is performed under the influence of the Death God's Heart. After fusion, our combat power rivals that of a level 99 Limit Douluo.
My mother's martial soul is identical to mine. Although she doesn't have the Death God's Heart, she has something else that can serve as a substitute."
As he spoke, Ye Hao took out the Death God's Heart.
"Death God's Heart's attached skill: Dark Shroud."
The entire room was completely isolated by the Death God's Heart.
At that moment, Bibi Dong's eyes turned a deep green, looking extremely eerie. Immediately after, a purple-black scythe appeared in her hand.
"The Rakshasa Scythe!" Xiao Hong recognized it at first glance. Bibi Dong was the heir of the Rakshasa God, and now, with the recognition of the Rakshasa Scythe, she only needed the two most crucial soul rings to complete the inheritance of the Rakshasa God's divine position.
The appearance of the Rakshasa Scythe made Ye Hao frown. He could feel the overwhelmingly evil aura emanating from it. Fortunately, the Death God's Heart had perfectly isolated the area.
Otherwise, the entire Spirit Hall would have been enveloped by this sinister aura.
Faced with such a divine weapon as the Rakshasa Scythe, the soul beasts present felt a sense of danger. The sharp killing intent and the surging evil aura made their legs feel as if they were rooted to the ground, unable to move.
"Like Hao'er, I am also a heir of a god. I am the heir of the Rakshasa God, and this is the Rakshasa God's divine weapon: the Rakshasa Scythe," Bibi Dong said, holding the scythe in her right hand.
"What do we do next?" Bibi Dong looked at Xiao Hong.
Xiao Hong grinned, speaking seriously, "The reason Haozi can perform the martial soul fusion skill is, of course, because of the Death God's Heart.
But for you, Haozi's mother, it's different.
Zhu Zhu and Zhu Er possess the power of the Death God's Heart, which allows them to resonate with it. But you don't.
Similarly, using the Rakshasa Scythe as a medium, as long as it carries the aura of all three of you, the martial soul fusion skill can be completed."
After a pause, Xiao Hong continued, "The martial soul fusion skill not only tests the compatibility of the fusion participants but also the compatibility of their martial souls.
For example, Zhu Zhu and Zhu Er are 100,000-year soul beasts—the Death Spider Emperor and the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor. With Haozi's Death God's Heart aiding them, they have now transformed into humans, establishing a connection with Haozi.
Therefore, it's no problem for them to perform the martial soul fusion skill."
"If you want to complete the martial soul fusion skill as well, the first problem to solve is this."
With that, Xiao Hong gestured for Bibi Dong to place the Rakshasa Scythe on the ground.
"Haozi's mother shares the same martial soul as Haozi, which is an innate advantage. Each of you three needs to drop a drop of blood onto the Rakshasa Scythe. Haozi, you too," Xiao Hong instructed.
Ye Hao was puzzled but followed the instructions nonetheless.
When the blood of the four individuals landed on the Rakshasa Scythe at the same moment, something miraculous happened. Their blood silently fused together.
Not only that, but Bibi Dong also had a sudden flash of insight, establishing a faint connection with Zhu Zhu and Zhu Er.
Zhu Zhu and Zhu Er felt the same, but Ye Hao sensed nothing.
"Previously, Haozi relied on the Death God's Heart as the core. Now, the Rakshasa Scythe will serve as the core. The blood you just dropped is the key to this process.
As for why Haozi also needed to drop blood, it's simply to act as a neutralizer.
Haozi is the heir of the Death God, and the Rakshasa Scythe is the divine weapon of the Rakshasa God. Due to the previous martial soul fusion skill being guided by the Death God's Heart, there was some conflict with the Rakshasa Scythe. Haozi's blood just happens to neutralize that conflict."
"Alright, now perform your martial soul fusion skill."
"Perhaps... the Death God's previous speculation was correct," Xiao Hong muttered to himself.
Action was taken immediately!
First, Zhu Zhu's nine soul rings lit up beneath her feet, and her Death Spider Emperor true form quietly appeared.
Next, Zhu Er did the same, her nine soul rings manifesting beneath her feet, and her Soul Devouring Spider Emperor true form taking shape.
Following Xiao Hong's instructions, Bibi Dong immediately released her Death Spider Emperor martial soul. The skin on her upper body was covered in a layer of purple-black armor, and even her face was shielded by a carapace, with four small eyes growing out. Bibi Dong's legs disappeared, replaced by a massive spherical body from which eight thick, thorn-covered spider legs extended, giving her an indescribable appearance.
Ye Hao felt it deeply. He was also a possessor of the Death Spider Emperor martial soul, but compared to what his mother was displaying now, the difference between them was vast.
Nine soul rings were neatly arranged: two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red!
Bibi Dong's ninth soul ring made the Death Spider Emperor feel a sense of awe. He could sense it—that was undoubtedly the aura of a Death Spider Emperor.
What the master said was true. It turns out that the master's mother was the one who had once hunted a Death Spider Emperor.
But things were different now.
After Bibi Dong completed her Death Spider Emperor transformation, Zhu Zhu's figure quickly merged into Bibi Dong's body. Bibi Dong's entire body was covered in black demonic patterns, half of her face included. A powerful force surged through her body, like a raging river flowing endlessly.
Next, Bibi Dong's second martial soul lit up. Her second martial soul, the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, had only seven soul rings: five black and two red.
Bibi Dong's forehead bore a dark green spiderweb pattern, and a layer of crystalline dark green light spread across her body. Behind her, three pairs of dark green spider legs appeared, and her arms transformed into similar dark green spears. Her lower body was completely enveloped in a layer of dark green light.
The situation was identical to Zhu Er's. Zhu Er's figure then merged into Bibi Dong's body, and the two forces continuously neutralized each other. Bibi Dong closed her eyes tightly, and her stagnant soul power showed signs of breaking through.
"Did you feel that?" Ye Hao stood to the side, looking at Xiao Hong.
Xiao Hong nodded silently. "I felt it. The first level 100 breakthrough in the history of the Douluo Continent is about to happen.
It's just a pity that it's only a soul power breakthrough to level 100. Although she has the Rakshasa Scythe, she doesn't have the Rakshasa God's position."
"Is it because Mom hasn't completed her Rakshasa God trials?" Ye Hao asked.
"Exactly. Even so, it's not a big deal. One day, your mother will complete the Rakshasa God trials.
This martial soul fusion skill is only temporarily allowing your mother to break through to level 100, with the help of the Rakshasa Scythe.
Without the assistance of the Rakshasa Scythe, even if she could complete the martial soul fusion skill, her soul power would still be stuck at level 99, peak semi-god," Xiao Hong said with utmost seriousness.
At the center of Bibi Dong's body, a milky white sphere of light was continuously transforming, resembling chaos.
At that moment, the Rakshasa Scythe suddenly emitted a dazzling purple light, and an evil aura poured down.
It quickly flew into the sphere of light. At the same time, Ye Hao's expression changed, and he showed a bitter smile.
"It seems the Death God's Heart is about to reach its limit. The power of this martial soul fusion skill is too overwhelming."
Xiao Hong nodded. "There's no other way. Your mother was originally a level 99 Limit Douluo. After Zhu Zhu and Zhu Er became human, their soul power was around level 97. Add to that the power of the Rakshasa Scythe itself, and the fusion of these four forces... you can imagine the result."
At that moment, the originally clear and sunny sky above the Spirit Hall was covered in a layer of gray.
Sensing something amiss, Qian Daoliu walked out of the Elder Hall, accompanied by several other elder deacons.
"Big brother, I have a bad feeling about this," Golden Crocodile Douluo beside him couldn't help but express his concern.
Qian Daoliu felt the same. He looked up at the sky, his brows furrowed deeply.
A milky white sphere of light suddenly shot into the sky!
Gradually, as the sphere took shape, it transformed into the figure of Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong was clad in black armor, exuding an evil aura from within. The aura formed a vortex, with purple energy flowing down from the black armor. Especially striking were the four massive scythes on her back, extending outward on both sides. Purple-black lightning continuously streaked across the gloomy sky, painting a scene akin to the apocalypse.
"Whew!"
"We finally succeeded!"
Xiao Hong and Ye Hao walked to the front of the Elder Hall, looking up at the familiar figure in the sky. Both man and dog could sense the terrifying power emanating from it.
"Hao'er, what exactly is going on?" Qian Daoliu couldn't help but ask at this moment.
"It's Grandpa!" Ye Hao was startled. "It's nothing major, just that Mom has broken through to level 100, that's all."
"Oh, breaking through to level..."
"Level 100!!!" Qian Daoliu's eyes widened.
The elders and deacons present were visibly shaken.
Soul power reaching level 100 was merely a legend.
No one expected it to happen at this moment...
As Bibi Dong restrained her aura, the moment she opened her eyes, an evil energy began to spread rapidly, gradually engulfing the entire Douluo Continent.
At the same time, the academy teams slowly making their way toward Spirit City were currently under the protection of the Heaven Dou Royal Knights.
At this pace, they would reach Spirit City by sunset tomorrow.
But now, for some reason, the warhorses at the front of the procession suddenly panicked. The horses reared up on their strong hind legs, easily throwing off the soldiers riding them.
More and more horses began to panic, causing the once-orderly procession to descend into chaos. Carriages were overturned one after another.
"What's going on?"
"Probably the horses panicking."
"That shouldn't be the case. The road here is flat, and the Heaven Dou Royal Knights are the elite of the elite. How could this..."
For a moment, everyone was abuzz with discussion.
"What exactly is happening?" Xue Qinghe frowned as he stepped out of the carriage, looking in the direction of Spirit City.
Just now, a powerful surge of soul power had reached this place, and it felt extremely familiar to him.
"Fengzhi, I have a bad feeling about this. Our journey to the Spirit Hall this time will be extremely perilous," Sword Douluo said with a solemn expression.
Ning Fengzhi fell silent...
In the Slaughter City, a blood-red figure slowly stood up, spreading two pairs of blood-red wings behind him.
On Sea God Island, Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi stood atop the Sea God Mountain, gazing in the direction of the continent for a long time without speaking.
When everything settled, Bibi Dong descended from the sky and walked toward Ye Hao in front of the Elder Hall.
No one present dared to make a sound, not even breathing too loudly, because the aura Bibi Dong was emitting now, even her breath, seemed capable of killing them.
In the face of the current Bibi Dong, the elders who had once prided themselves on being Title Douluos now realized how insignificant they truly were.
The Titan Giant Ape, chained in front of the Elder Hall, trembled in fear, its massive mountain-like body curled up on the ground, its lantern-sized eyes filled with deep despair.
Qian Daoliu's emotions were mixed. Should he be happy? Or...
Bibi Dong breaking through to level 100 was undoubtedly good news for the Spirit Hall, but for the entire Angel Clan, it wasn't such a positive development.
"Hao'er, my dear child, your mother is so proud of you," Bibi Dong gently hugged Ye Hao. Despite the evil aura surrounding her, Ye Hao could still feel the warmth in his mother's heart.
Seeing this, Qian Daoliu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"From this day forward, my son Ye Hao is the Young Master of the Spirit Hall!"
Bibi Dong's voice echoed throughout every corner of the Spirit Hall. It was an order, but also a declaration!
The era of the Spirit Hall was about to begin!
"Yes!" The disciples of the Spirit Hall responded in unison. This simple word came from the depths of their hearts, a firm acknowledgment of Ye Hao's identity.
After the brief shock, Bibi Dong took Ye Hao to the main hall of the Pope's Palace.
As soon as they entered the hall, Bibi Dong's form transformed back into a milky white sphere of light, from which Zhu Zhu and Zhu Er emerged. They didn't look well, similar to how Ye Hao had been after performing the martial soul fusion skill—their soul power was completely drained.
"Zhu Zhu, Zhu Er, are you okay?" Ye Hao quickly stepped forward to check on them.
The two shook their heads, indicating they were fine, and then sat down cross-legged to slowly recover their soul power.
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong returned to her original form. She looked pale, like a sheet of paper, and was breathing heavily.
Performing the martial soul fusion skill had taken a tremendous toll on her stamina and soul power. Just moments ago, she had experienced the power of level 100.
"Mom, are you okay?" Ye Hao hurriedly supported her.
Bibi Dong shook her head and smiled. "I'm fine, just exhausted from the soul power consumption.
The power of level 100 is truly intoxicating. At that moment, it felt as if the entire Douluo Continent was at my feet.
It's just a pity that, from start to finish, this state can only be maintained for half an hour."
Half an hour?
Ye Hao's mouth twitched. That was still much better than his measly three minutes.