Bibi Dong's sudden movement startled everyone.
This was an attack targeting what the enemy must protect—extremely cunning.
Standing beside Ning Fengzhi were Dugu Shuo, Dugu Feng, Dai Tianjun, and Zhu Lanyun.
Ning Fengzhi possessed no combat ability whatsoever and relied entirely on the protection of others.
Facing Bibi Dong's sudden assault, Dugu Shuo and Dai Tianjun immediately stepped forward, positioning themselves in front of the group.
In that brief moment, Dai Tianjun had recovered a portion of his Soul Power. His strength at the 95th level was still considerable.
In an instant, Dai Tianjun completed the activation of his Seventh Spirit Ability, Martial Soul Avatar.
A massive white tiger materialized, its body rapidly expanding. Black Magic Runes emerged across the fur on its skin as it ferociously intercepted Bibi Dong's attack.
As for Dugu Shuo, he transformed into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent without hesitation. Positioned ahead and behind Dai Tianjun, they aimed to block the devastating force.
Of course, relying solely on them was insufficient.
Moreover, they weren't the primary targets Bibi Dong intended to lure.
Originally intending to pursue Bibi Dong, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Tang Xiao all unleashed their most powerful skills to counter the purple Rakshasa Demon Scythe attack.
Simultaneously, they swiftly closed in, positioning themselves in front of Dai Tianjun and Dugu Shuo.
Dugu Feng remained motionless. He trusted in the strength of Sword Douluo and the others. Even if the residual shockwaves of the battle struck him, given his physical resilience, it wouldn't cause any fatal injuries.
He simply acted as if he were stunned, refraining from activating his Martial Soul Avatar.
Primarily, he didn't want to reveal his three 100,000-Year Soul Rings.
The sudden appearance of three 100,000-Year Soul Rings would be too astonishing. Bibi Dong hadn't gone far yet, and her spiritual sense could still reach this area.
If she discovered his red Soul Rings, she would inevitably link Dugu Feng to the hidden Evil Soul Master.
When caution was required, Dugu Feng never acted impulsively.
Various collisions erupted in front of Dugu Feng.
In an instant, Dugu Feng was rendered deaf. A multicolored glow flickered at the center of his brow as the Soul Power energy within his body surged rapidly. He took a step forward with his right foot, positioning himself in front of Ning Fengzhi.
Then, his entire body was sent flying by the shockwave.
Dugu Feng, Ning Fengzhi, and Zhu Lanyun were all sent flying simultaneously.
They were followed by Dai Tianjun and Dugu Shuo.
Everyone coughed up blood violently.
This demonstrated the terrifying nature of the battle's aftermath.
But at least, thanks to the interception by Sword Douluo and the others, the true force of the Rakshasa Demon Scythe's attack didn't land directly on the group.
Otherwise, Ning Fengzhi, Zhu Lanyun, and Dugu Shuo would have been unable to withstand a single strike from the Rakshasa Demon Scythe.
Dugu Feng's internal Soul Power churned violently, but he quickly steadied himself. He hurriedly handed the Dragon Lichen Leaf to Ning Fengzhi again, while his father, Dugu Shuo, had already retrieved medicinal herbs from his Storage Soul Tool and consumed them.
A moment later, all commotion ceased.
Dugu Bo, Qingyang Douluo, Haoyang Douluo, and Ranyang Douluo also gathered around.
The Titan Giant Ape and Sky Blue Bull Python, who had fought alongside them on the battlefield, were now nowhere to be seen.
The two Spirit Beasts were suspected of colluding with the hidden Evil Soul Master. Even though Bibi Dong had left, Tang Xiao had no intention of letting them go.
But the two Spirit Beasts weren't foolish either. Heeding the warning of the Emerald Dragon Snake, they seized the opportunity to disappear. For a long time to come, these two 100,000-Year Soul Beasts would not reappear.
After the group's injuries had stabilized, they stared at each other blankly, unsure of what to say.
This battle felt both fought and unfought; they had unexpectedly uncovered the actions of the hidden Evil Soul Masters, only to realize they had been manipulated by them.
Amidst the layers of confusion, their confidence wavered.
"Congratulations, Sword Grandfather, on your breakthrough—bringing you one step closer to level ninety-nine. A single level's difference is like heaven and earth, and there are fewer and fewer opponents on the entire continent who can rival Sword Grandfather now!" Dugu Feng was the first to speak.
This was a joyous occasion. Sword Douluo had not lost an arm and possessed the full strength of level ninety-seven, placing him among the top-tier powerhouses—a true pillar of stability for the Heaven Dou faction.
"Congratulations, Your Eminence!"
"Congratulations!" Dai Tian Jun and Tang Xiao both offered their felicitations, their eyes unable to conceal their envy.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was truly fortunate to have a powerhouse like Sword Douluo.
In the recent battle, Sword Douluo had fought with all his might, allowing them to witness the sheer offensive power of the Sword Martial Soul.
"You actually broke through! Now you're two levels ahead of me!" Bone Douluo remarked sourly, wishing it were he who had made the breakthrough.
Sword Douluo's expression remained calm, yet an aura of supremacy and surging Sword Intent emanated from him. Having just broken through, he had yet to fully restrain his energy.
Hearing Bone Douluo's words, Sword Douluo glanced at him. "Did you gain nothing from this tough battle? You've been stuck at level ninety-five for over a decade. If you don't break through soon, I could defeat you with one hand!"
Bone Douluo was left speechless, sighing after a long pause. "I did gain some insights, but breaking through to level ninety-six still requires a bit more."
Sword Douluo paid him no further mind and instead turned to Tang Xiao. "Sect Master Tang, you're on the verge of a breakthrough, aren't you?"
Tang Xiao, who had been pondering the matter of the Evil Soul Masters, smiled upon hearing this. "I was already nearing the bottleneck to level ninety-six. This battle merely added the finishing touch."
Another round of congratulations ensued, with Qingyang Douluo and the other two overjoyed. Tang Xiao at level ninety-five was already formidable; breaking through to level ninety-six would truly grant the Clear Sky Sect a powerhouse.
The gap between level ninety-six and ninety-five was that significant. When Sword Douluo was at level ninety-six, he could serve as the main force against Bibi Dong, while Dai Tian Jun and Tang Xiao at level ninety-five could only provide support.
Qingyang Douluo and the others believed that once Tang Xiao reached level ninety-six, he wouldn't be much weaker than Sword Douluo at the same level.
Dugu Feng thought to himself, Tang Xiao's talent was indeed remarkable. In the original storyline, by the final decisive battle, Tang Xiao had already reached level ninety-seven.
His progress was rapid.
Of course, Dugu Feng felt that this was largely due to the resources from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Both Tang Hao and Tang Xiao eventually reached level ninety, likely owing much to the herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
At the very least, with Tang Hao currently on the brink of level ninety-six, reaching level ninety-seven in three years would be nothing short of a pipe dream.
"In this battle, Uncle Sword broke through to level ninety-seven, and Sect Master Tang is about to reach level ninety-six—these are our greatest gains. Moreover, Bibi Dong fled in panic, undoubtedly severely injured. How long do you think it will take for her to recover from her wounds?" Ning Fengzhi said cheerfully.
From the moment Bibi Dong escaped, Ning Fengzhi had felt a pang of distress, but it was quickly replaced by excitement.
Nothing could compare to the significance of Sword Douluo's breakthrough for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
And Bibi Dong's severe injury was also a cause for excitement.
If they could halt the growth of Bibi Dong's strength, and then Bone Douluo were to break through after some time, the prestige of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School on the continent would become even greater.
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