"Blue Phosphor Serpent Emperor Shield!"
As the entire imperial palace was swallowed by endless yellow sand, it transformed into a vast sea of sand.
At the same time, golden feathers dancing across the sky fell like a dense rainstorm, ruthlessly harvesting fragile lives.
Dugu Bo finally decided he could no longer sit by and watch. A dazzling green light flashed, and a massive, emerald-green giant python suddenly surged forth from the void.
The Blue Phosphor Serpent Emperor opened its bloody maw, letting out a deafening roar as it whipped its thick body around, tightly wrapping it around everyone present to form an indestructible shield against the torrential storm of golden feathers.
A continuous clattering sound rang out endlessly as razor-sharp golden feathers slammed fiercely against the hard scales of the Blue Phosphor Serpent Emperor, triggering a series of violent explosions and harsh cutting noises.
Sparks flew in all directions, smoke filled the air, and the entire scene was as terrifying as the arrival of doom.
Standing high above and overlooking all this, Mo Chen watched the struggling Blue Phosphor Serpent Emperor below with a completely expressionless face.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of an imperceptible sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Second Spirit Skill, Fusang Golden Crow!"
Following Mo Chen's words, the already unbearably sweltering air suddenly grew scorching hot, as if even breathing would scorch one's throat.
An extremely powerful wave of thermal energy abruptly surged from the center of the sand sea below.
In the blink of an eye, a golden Fusang tree dozens of zhang high rose from the ground, bursting through layers of dust and sand to stand proudly amidst the sand sea.
The canopy of this Fusang tree was as lush as clouds, its branches and leaves swaying in the wind while radiating wave after wave of brilliant, dazzling golden light.
Even more startling was that countless tiny, exquisite golden birds had settled upon the branches of the Fusang tree, chirping incessantly and looking delightfully cute, seemingly devoid of any threat whatsoever.
However, the moment these birds received Mo Chen's command, they immediately bared their ferocious side.
Like well-trained drones, the birds took flight in an orderly fashion from the Fusang tree, hurtling in a overwhelming torrent toward the location of the Blue Phosphor Serpent Emperor.
Tens of thousands of golden birds converged into a surging, roaring tide of birds, their sheer scale simply jaw-dropping.
They flew densely through the air like a plague of locusts blocking out the sun, kicking up violent gales and towering waves in their wake with an unstoppable, majestic momentum.
Not only that, but these seemingly beautiful golden birds turned out to be as lethal as startlingly powerful bombs.
The moment the golden birds violently collided with the massive body of the Blue Phosphor Serpent Emperor, a series of deafening explosions instantly resounded through the imperial palace like thunderclaps.
The entire imperial palace was instantly enveloped by this sudden, tremendous roar, choking with smoke and blazing with fire.
At the same time, Dugu Bo felt as though his martial soul had suffered an unprecedentedly fierce attack.
An irresistible shockwave struck him like a tidal wave, causing a sharp pain in his chest and a sweet taste in his throat as he could not help but spit out a large mouthful of blood.
Facing Mo Chen's relentless, storm-like barrage of attacks, Dugu Bo and the others were completely reduced to passively taking blows.
Before they could even manage the slightest effective resistance, they were already suppressed and breathless by Mo Chen's formidable power.
However, the matter was far from over.
As the Fusang tree dissolved into specks of golden starlight and gradually faded away, a bow and arrow glowing with dazzling golden light quietly appeared in Mo Chen's hand.
The design of this bow and arrow was exquisitely peerless, exuding an aura that made one's heart skip a beat.
Mo Chen gripped the bow tightly and pulled back with force, causing the bowstring to emit a deep, humming sound.
Immediately afterward, a giant, majestic three-legged Golden Crow actually appeared upon the arrow in Mo Chen's hand.
This three-legged Golden Crow was engulfed in raging flames, radiating an incomparably scorching high temperature, and its terrifying might made one shudder with fear.
Just as Mo Chen was about to release the bowstring and unleash this world-destroying power, a crisp and pleasant female voice unceremoniously reached his ears.
"Big Brother!"
This cry was as melodious as an oriole leaving the valley, but it caused Mo Chen's previously taut nerves to twitch violently, and the arrow about to be loosed from his hand paused slightly.
Glancing casually to the side, he saw Xueke looking anxiously toward him with a face full of apprehension.
Her beautiful large eyes were filled with fear and helplessness, much like a startled fawn.
"Royal Father already knows he was wrong, please, Big Brother, let them go!" Xueke pleaded with a worried expression, her voice trembling slightly, stirring pity in anyone who heard it.
As the emperor's daughter, at such a critical juncture, Xueke had no choice but to be pushed to the forefront by the royal family as a shield to handle this crisis.
Although her heart was filled with terror, she still forced herself to suppress her fear and earnestly begged the other party.
As the Blue Phosphor Serpent Emperor gradually faded into nothingness, Dugu Bo's pale, paper-white face slowly revealed itself.
His lips were devoid of color, as if all his life force had been drained away, making him look exceptionally haggard.
Looking at his entire body, there were scorch marks and injuries everywhere, his robes tattered and utterly disheveled.
"To actually push a young child forward to appease the situation—this Heaven Dou Empire is truly rotten to the core from top to bottom!" As he spoke, Mo Chen slowly put away the bow and arrow in his hand, the cold, flashing arrowhead vanishing along with it.
Having returned to his usual appearance, Mo Chen casually swept his gaze over the crowd below.
The imperial palace, which had previously turned into a sea of sand, had now reverted to a resplendent and magnificent grand hall.
Only the areas damaged by the explosion's shockwave could by no means be restored to their original state.
However, just as Dugu Bo raised his head anew, wanting to confirm Mo Chen's position once more, he was astonished to find that Mo Chen, who had been standing steadily mid-air, had quietly vanished without a trace, as if he had never appeared at all.
Meanwhile, within Mo Chen's grand and elegant mansion, sunlight filtered through the lush branches, casting mottled shadows.
Mo Chen, who had just rushed back here covered in dust, caught sight of Qian Renxue standing gracefully in the courtyard.
He walked over in quick strides and stated bluntly, "Well, since your seventh spirit ring has been successfully obtained, let us part ways here. Xueye is bent on taking my life; though I do not fear him, if I continue to stay here, I'm afraid trouble will plague me endlessly in the days to come."
With that, Mo Chen beckoned to the steward not far away, and the elderly steward who had followed him for seven full years hurried forward.
Mo Chen instructed calmly, "You've worked hard all these years. Now that I am leaving, dismiss all the servants in the household as well. As for the wages they are owed, take whatever can be sold in this estate, convert it all into wealth, and distribute it among everyone."
Having spoken, Mo Chen turned around without a shred of nostalgia, as though he was fully prepared to leave at any moment.
However, at that very instant, Qian Renxue moved like a bolt of lightning, swiftly reaching out to grab Mo Chen's sleeve.
A flicker of doubt crossed Mo Chen's mind as he slowly turned his head to gaze at the beauty before him.
At this moment, Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes gleamed with an unprecedentedly resolute radiance, and as she looked at Mo Chen, a strange, brilliant luster seemed to flow within the depths of her bright eyes.
"Come with me!" Qian Renxue parted her ruby lips, her voice crisp and melodious yet carrying an unquestionable tone, "If Grandfather knows you're coming, he will certainly be very happy."
Mo Chen followed closely behind Qian Renxue as they walked together toward Spirit Hall.
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
"Your Majesty." The official who had previously reported that Mo Chen wielded great military power knelt down tremblingly and spoke.
Great Emperor Xueye leaned back in his chair, one hand supporting his forehead, his majestic gaze sweeping across everyone below, making the hearts of all present crawl with dread.
"You claimed General Mo was plotting a rebellion, and now not only has he become a Titled Douluo, he has genuinely rebelled. Do you have any idea how massive a loss your guesswork has brought upon my Heaven Dou Empire!" Great Emperor Xueye flung his hand in anger, hurling all the bamboo slips before him straight at the man.
"Guards, drag him out and behead him! Furthermore, no matter the cost, we must seek Mo Chen's forgiveness and issue an imperial edict to the entire realm!" Great Emperor Xueye clutched his chest with one hand, and overcome with rage, he violently spat out a mouthful of blood.
Inside a Star Luo Empire stronghold within Heaven Dou territory.
"My lord, news has come from the imperial palace." A man in black hurried forward, handing the bamboo slip in his hand to the lavishly robed man.
The man took the bamboo slip and carefully scanned its contents.
"That old fogey Xueye is truly muddle-headed. The older he gets, the more terrified he is of anyone threatening his regime." A mocking smile curved the man's lips, and he immediately tossed the bamboo slip into a brazier.
"Go, post wanted posters for Mo Chen throughout Heaven Dou territory in Heaven Dou's name, and remember to make it clear that Heaven Dou is currently hunting down a Titled Douluo."
The man's actions were intended to make Heaven Dou completely alienate and offend Mo Chen.
At this moment, as Mo Chen and Qian Renxue traveled along their path, they attracted the gazes of numerous people.
Those who watched the pair whispered among themselves, and some sharp-eyed individuals had already recognized Mo Chen as the wanted criminal pursued by the Heaven Dou Empire.
The crowd buzzed with discussion, talking about that very wanted poster.
It clearly marked Mo Chen as a rank 95 Super Douluo, a terrifying strength that struck fear into the hearts of everyone present, leaving no one daring to step forward and make a move rashly.
After all, placing a bounty on a rank 95 Super Douluo was something that, looking across the entire Douluo Continent, probably only the Heaven Dou Empire had dared to do at present.
Before long, the two stepped into the Papal Palace.
Qian Renxue, who had maintained a smile and a cheerful mood all the way here, now seemed like a completely different person, turning utterly silent.
Though Mo Chen harbored a few doubts in his heart, he did not rashly question her, merely following quietly as Qian Renxue continued onward.
And at that moment, when they finally came face to face with the Pope, Bibi Dong, the situation underwent another dramatic shift.
Bibi Dong had long since issued orders to clear the Papal Palace, ensuring they would not be disturbed by others.
At this moment, Bibi Dong was lazily reclining upon the papal throne. She wore a silver-white translucent gossamer dress, the soft fabric perfectly outlining her curvaceous figure, especially her slender and fair legs which were exposed to the air without reservation, exuding a mesmerizing charm.
One of her jade hands gently grasped the papal scepter symbolizing supreme authority, while the other hand rested casually on the armrest, her deep, autumn-water-like eyes holding a trace of playful intent as she watched Qian Renxue and Mo Chen slowly approach.
"Mo Chen, twenty-one years old, Torch Dragon martial soul, found abandoned by a farming couple in the Seven Treasures Mountains when he was three." Bibi Dong parted her ruby lips, casually reciting Mo Chen's background.
"Awakened his martial soul at age six, reached rank thirty at age seven, rank thirty-five at age eight and became betrothed to Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasures, entered the military at age twelve with rank fifty spirit power, got separated from the main force during the Wanggui Mountain campaign at age sixteen, and when he reappeared at age seventeen, you were already a rank 70 Soul Saint."
"After that, your spirit power stagnated until you broke through to rank 80 in one go at age twenty."
Bibi Dong slowly stood up, her movements elegant and poised, every subtle action radiating an invisible pressure.
She parted her ruby lips, speaking word by word: "Am I right, Grand General Mo?"
Accompanied by her words, her footsteps moved forward as well.
When the final sentence fell from Bibi Dong's lips, she had already walked to within five meters of Mo Chen.
Such close proximity allowed Mo Chen to clearly sense the formidable and icy aura emanating from Bibi Dong, as well as the faint, delicate fragrance coming from her body.
Mo Chen met Bibi Dong's playful gaze without flinching; yet the moment their eyes met, he felt a strange, slight relaxation within his heart.
"It seems Your Holiness the Pope's intelligence-gathering capability is truly astonishing. But... even if you know these past events, so what? My parents left me long ago, the betowthal has been broken, and now I am entirely alone." Mo Chen's expression darkened, a flash of resolute determination crossing his eyes. Before his voice even faded, the spirit power around his body surged abruptly.
In an instant, two formidable auras collided, stirring up layers of turbulent air.
Both of them possessed twin martial souls.
However, Bibi Dong's number of spirit rings exceeded Mo Chen's by a full five rings.
Despite being at a disadvantage in spirit ring count, Mo Chen showed not a hint of fear, and the imposing aura he emitted was not the least bit inferior compared to Bibi Dong's.
"Your Holiness the Pope might as well try and see whether the poison of your spider is more potent, or my flames are more scorching and blazing!" Mo Chen said, every word weighted.
The two stared at each other in silence as time seemed to freeze, and a tense, suffocating atmosphere filled the entire grand hall.
They remained at a deadlock, neither willing to yield an inch. This confrontation persisted for a long time, so long that one almost forgot the passage of time.
Just then, a deafening, supremely majestic voice suddenly resounded outside the grand hall: "Bibi Dong, he belongs to my Supplements Hall!" This roar exploded like thunder, echoing throughout the entire space and causing everyone to cast their gazes over in shock.
Hearing this voice, the increasingly fierce and terrifying aura that had been surging around Bibi Dong instantly deflated like a punctured balloon, wilting and rapidly dissipating.
Her expression turned as dark as water, her brows furrowed tightly, seemingly harboring extreme dread toward the newcomer.
Immediately afterward, she fiercely flicked her sleeve, let out a cold snort, and turned to walk back toward the throne symbolizing the supreme power of the pope.
As she walked, one could distinctly sense that her steps were somewhat heavy, and her mood was clearly atrocious.
From beginning to end, Bibi Dong never once cast a glance toward Qian Renxue who stood to the side, as if this person simply did not exist.
Meanwhile, Qian Renxue's gaze likewise never lingered on Bibi Dong for even a fraction of a second, her eyes remaining as calm as still water, without a single ripple.
Upon stepping into the Supplements Hall, the moment they pushed open those heavy doors, the sight within made one involuntarily draw in a sharp breath of cold air.
Seven figures sat upright inside, the aura emanating from each person as majestic and towering as a mountain, pressing down so heavily that it was hard to breathe.
At the head sat the rank 99 peerless powerhouse, Angel Douluo Qian Daoliu. He wore a white-gold robe that fluttered in the wind, and three pairs of huge golden wings behind him flickered with a dazzling radiance, looking as majestic as a descending deity.
Beside him, in descending order, were the rank 98 Golden Crocodile Douluo, rank 97 Qingluan Douluo, rank 97 Lion Douluo and Qiandun Douluo, along with Guangling Douluo who was also rank 96, and Xiangmo Douluo at rank 96.
Every single one of these individuals was a top-tier expert who shook the continent; a stomp from any one of them could make the entire spirit master world tremble.
Yet these seven terrifyingly powerful beings had actually gathered together here, a truly shocking sight to behold.
"Grandfather!" The moment Qian Renxue caught sight of Qian Daoliu, she immediately trotted over excitedly.
Unlike the warmth and harmony here, over on the Heaven Dou Empire side—
Ever since Xueye learned that someone had issued a bounty on Mo Chen in Heaven Dou's name, he was so infuriated that he coughed up another mouthful of blood.
The wanted poster bore Heaven Dou's royal seal, clearly executed by someone close to him, with the sole intent of making him completely alienate Mo Chen.
As an old fox who had governed Heaven Dou for so many years, Xueye instantly deduced that this was all the handiwork of spies from the Star Luo Empire.
Although he knew the truth in his heart, he could not take any action.
The wanted order had been issued in the name of the Heaven Dou royal family; if he rescinded it now, he would likely become the laughingstock of the entire world.
In the end, Xueye chose to preserve his own face...