The quarterfinals concluded with unexpected turns. Opponents facing Zhao Hao and He Shishun from the Douluo Hall, mere Three-Ring Soul Masters, had no choice but to withdraw in the face of the overwhelming five-ring advantage. Chu Tianxiu's own opponent was still unconscious from witnessing his previous match, resulting in an automatic victory.
Fulin, the winner of the first match, had also advanced but was forced to withdraw due to severe injuries sustained in his last fight. This meant the final round for the Holy Son title would be a three-way battle between Chu Tianxiu and the two Soul Kings from the Douluo Hall. Despite their higher rank, Chu Tianxiu's legendary ten-thousand-year first spirit ring had earned him a roaring wave of support from the spectators.
Just as Salas was about to announce the match order, Chu Tianxiu's voice, clear and firm, cut through the anticipatory buzz.
"There's no need for that."
All eyes turned to him. He stood calmly, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Hao and He Shishun.
"You two," he said, his tone devoid of arrogance but filled with unshakable certainty. "Come at me together."
A stunned silence fell upon the arena, followed by an explosion of whispers.
"He's incredibly audacious!"
"To directly challenge two Soul Kings... his confidence is staggering."
"But it's too reckless! Those two are genuine Soul Kings, even if they are shameless for being here."
Zhao Hao, his face flushing with anger, stepped forward. "You're too arrogant, boy!"
Chu Tianxiu merely shrugged, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "You're going to lose anyway. What's the difference between going one by one and going at once?"
He Shishun, the other disciple, scoffed. "You're so young. Don't be so cocky."
"Is being confident in one's abilities against the law?" Chu Tianxiu countered smoothly. "What rule in the Spirit Hall forbids a person from believing in themselves?"
His response left the two Speechless, their anger simmering.
"Your Holiness, this..." Platinum Bishop Salas, the referee, looked helplessly towards the high platform, caught between the Grand Elder's influence and the Pope's disciple's blatant disregard for the rules.
Bibi Dong didn't even glance at him. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Chu Tianxiu, a silent question in them: 'Are you sure about this?'
Seeing the unwavering confidence in his posture, the absolute belief in his own strength, Bibi Dong felt that strange tremor in her heart again. She gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod. "Let it be as he says. The match will proceed."
With the Pope's decree, Salas dared not object further. "Both sides, to the stage!"
The two Soul Kings, fuming at Chu Tianxiu's dismissive attitude, took their positions. Chu Tianxiu remained relaxed, not even summoning his spirit or rings.
"Young man, don't regret this!" Zhao Hao spat.
"If you're not confident, are you even a Soul Master?" Chu Tianxiu shot back, his words a final, pointed jab.
Seeing that words were useless, the two didn't hesitate any longer. They summoned their martial souls and spirit rings simultaneously. Five rings each—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, purple—rose from their feet. Long, banner-like weapons appeared in their hands. He Shishun's "Sharp Gold Banner" was sleek and emitted a sharp, metallic energy, while Zhao Hao's "Thick Earth Banner" was broad and felt heavy and solid.
"He Shishun, Level 53 Battle Soul King, Martial Soul: Sharp Gold Banner."
"Zhao Hao, Level 53 Battle Soul King, Martial Soul: Thick Earth Banner."
Facing this formidable display, Chu Tianxiu showed no panic. He didn't move a muscle.
Enraged by his dismissiveness, the two acted in perfect sync. Their first and second spirit rings lit up.
"First Spirit Skill: Geng Metal Qi!"
"Second Spirit Skill: Binding Earth!"
Zhao Hao's banner stabbed into the ground, unleashing waves of earth energy that surged towards Chu Tianxiu's feet, attempting to trap him. Simultaneously, He Shishun's banner sprayed dozens of sharp, metallic blades that shot towards Chu Tianxiu's limbs. Their coordination was flawless, a testament to their experience fighting together.
A cold glint flashed in Chu Tianxiu's eyes as he saw the attacks aimed deliberately at his vitals. 'They don't just want to win; they want to cripple me.'
Despite the earth binding his feet, he remained motionless.
"Since you two are so eager," he said, his voice dropping low, "don't blame me for what comes next."
A thick, dark mist erupted from his body as he roared, "
The next instant, the metallic blades arrived. With a loud crash and a cloud of dust, Chu Tianxiu's figure was obscured, then vanished from sight.
A collective gasp went through the crowd. Many thought it was over. Bibi Dong's gaze towards the two Soul Kings turned icy, promising future retribution. Salas tensed, ready to rush in and stop the fight.
Then, a familiar, childish yet utterly composed voice rang out from within the dust cloud.
"Is that all? Your attack power is weaker than I expected. Are you sure you're from the Douluo Hall? You didn't get in through connections, did you?"
As the dust settled, Chu Tianxiu reappeared, completely unharmed, though his robes were slightly ruffled. But what drew everyone's attention were the two enormous, semi-transparent figures that now flanked him, having shielded him from the attack.
Both were wreathed in a dark, mist-like energy, their forms constantly shifting and repairing. One resembled a massive wild bull, its entire body wreathed in black flames—the spirit of the ten-thousand-year Crimson Flame Demon Bull. The other, slightly smaller and fox-like, had paws that rippled with spatial distortions—the spirit of the Void Nether Fox.
The pressure of two ten-thousand-year soul beasts, even in this spectral form, washed over the arena, causing many to step back in fear.
Chu Tianxiu stomped his foot lightly, and the rock binding him shattered into pieces. He looked at the two stunned Soul Kings and laughed. "Did you think two against one was unfair? How about two against three?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the two beast spirits pounced.
He Shishun's Sharp Metal Banner unleashed a flurry of blades, but most were blocked by the Crimson Flame Demon Bull's thick hide. Those that did penetrate healed almost instantly, rapidly draining He Shishun's soul power.
On the other side, the Void Fox used its spatial attributes to flit in and out of reality, attacking Zhao Hao from unpredictable angles. Unable to land a solid hit, Zhao Hao could only defend passively, his face growing paler by the second.
Seeing the two barely holding on, two demonic chains—one ice-blue, one deep red—shot out from behind Chu Tianxiu, piercing the air near the two struggling Soul Kings. The men shuddered, coughing up blood from the spiritual backlash. Seizing the opening, the two beast spirits unleashed their full power, slamming into Zhao Hao and He Shishun and sending them crashing to the ground, defeated and helpless.
The outcome was clear. After confirming the two could no longer fight, Salas announced loudly, "Chu Tianxiu wins! The Holy Son selection is—"
He never finished. The demonic chains did not retract. Instead, they darted forward with blinding speed, precisely piercing the throats of both Zhao Hao and He Shishun. Their eyes widened in shock, and they went limp, their breath ceasing forever.
The move was so swift and decisive that Salas had no time to react. He could only watch, horrified.
The crowd, which had been cheering, fell into a dead, stunned silence.
From the stands, four enraged voices roared in unison. "YOU BRAT! HOW DARE YOU?!"
The Four Princes of the King's Banner, seeing their disciples killed before their eyes, lost all composure and charged towards the stage, their Title Douluo auras erupting. Before they could even get close, they were intercepted by Ju Yueguan and Gui Mei.
Both Ju and Gui were now Level 96 Title Douluos, far surpassing the newly promoted Four Princes. They halted them effortlessly.
Ju Yueguan's voice was cold. "Four Princes of the King's Banner. You dare to attack the Holy Son on the competition stage? Are you attempting a rebellion?"
The four were forced to halt, their anger burning, but they still shouted at Chu Tianxiu, "Holy Son! Why did you kill our disciples so cruelly?!"
Chu Tianxiu looked at them, his expression neutral. "My hand slipped."
With that, he turned and walked off the stage, accompanied by Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue, disappearing into the distance without a backward glance.
Hearing the perfunctory reply, the four could only turn their furious gazes to Bibi Dong. "Your Holiness, the Pope—!"
Bibi Dong cut them off, her voice cold and final. "Elders, all actions have consequences. Do not take others for fools."
Understanding the unspoken warning, the four could only swallow their rage, retrieve the bodies of their disciples, and slink away in shame and fury. The arena was left in a state of shocked, heavy silence.