And it wasn't just one person who thought so—anyone with a functioning brain felt the same way.
On Qiangu Yunying's side, the Flame Plundering Spear danced with overwhelming power.
She was a Spirit Emperor, facing opponents who were merely Spirit Ancestors.
There was no need for caution at all—simple thrusts, flicks, and sweeping cleaves were enough.
One opponent was blasted straight off the stage, coughing up blood as they fell.
Dai Yuqing and Zhu Mengran watched Qiangu Yunying display such divine might on the platform and exchanged helpless looks.
Fortunately, they had already known the outcome of this Spirit Duel long ago. Although Yin Zhang seemed evenly matched with them at the moment, the three of them understood perfectly why that was the case.
Yin Zhang was deliberately holding back—giving Qiangu Yunying more chances to shine, and ensuring the Huang Luo Team wouldn't end up as miserably crushed as Thunder Academy.
But as the battle dragged on, the Huang Luo Team could no longer maintain their footing. All the tactics they had relied on in previous matches were completely ineffective now.
The gap in strength was simply too great.
Noticing Qiangu Yunying glancing over, Yin Zhang leaned in close to Dai Yuqing during a brief clash and whispered:
"It's time. Use your Martial Soul Fusion Skill."
Dai Yuqing gave a bitter smile. He turned to Zhu Mengran, and the moment their eyes met, she understood.
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Hell White Tiger!"
With a thunderous roar, a massive Hell White Tiger materialized on the stage.
At the same moment, Zhou Wu and Qiangu Yunying coordinated seamlessly, sending three more members of the Huang Luo Team flying off the platform in rapid succession.
"Roar!"
"Hmph. Big tiger—let me test you."
Qiangu Yunying raised her Flame Plundering Spear. Beneath her feet, the sixth spirit ring—black in color—flashed brilliantly.
"Sixth Spirit Ability!"
The terrifying pressure made Dai Yuqing's heart tighten in fear, yet he had no choice but to charge forward and face it head-on.
Fortunately, Qiangu Yunying was well aware of the roles Dai Yuqing and Zhu Mengran played in Yin Zhang's plans.
After forcefully breaking their Martial Soul Fusion state, a heavily weakened Dai Yuqing had no choice but to announce the Huang Luo Team's surrender.
It wasn't that they couldn't have surrendered from the very beginning—but for the sake of the Star Luo Imperial Family's dignity, Dai Yuqing needed to put on a Spirit Duel that wasn't a complete humiliation.
Once the match ended, Yin Zhang and the others took a short rest.
There was no need for healing at all. From start to finish, they had maintained the absolute upper hand—consuming spirit power, but taking no real injuries.
Dugu Bo walked over slowly and gently placed a hand on Yin Zhang's shoulder, unable to stop himself from sighing.
"I never expected your strength to improve this quickly. At this rate, in just a few more years, even I may no longer be your match."
Yin Zhang smiled faintly. With the equipment and resources he currently possessed, it was only a matter of time before Dugu Bo truly fell behind.
"Brother Bo, how about it? Interested in joining Spirit Hall?"
Dugu Bo froze for a moment, then answered honestly.
"I've always disliked being constrained by others. But if it's you asking… joining Spirit Hall isn't completely out of the question."
Yin Zhang laughed and waved his hand.
"I'm just joking—to lighten the mood. With our relationship, even if I need your help someday, I know you won't refuse, Brother Bo."
"Mm."
Dugu Bo nodded, but Yin Zhang caught the faint trace of unease in his eyes.
Recalling the earlier question and Dugu Bo's current situation, Yin Zhang asked quietly:
"Brother Bo, you seem troubled. Why not tell me? There's no one else here."
At this moment, everyone else had already gone off to prepare for the lavish Heaven Dou imperial banquet that evening.
Qiangu Yunying was waiting for Yin Zhang below.
Dugu Bo let out a soft sigh.
"I can't hide it from you. A few days ago, because of what happened with Yu Luomian, I stood up for Brother Tang. After I returned, Xue Xing started questioning me about everything. He's already begun distancing himself from me. He probably suspects I'm a mole for Spirit Hall now… sigh."
Yin Zhang nodded. That reaction was entirely in line with Xue Xing's personality.
He asked calmly, "Then what about you, Brother Bo? Do you still plan to remain as a Guest Elder at Prince Xue Xing's estate?"
Dugu Bo nodded.
"For now, yes. I'll continue staying there. Even though I can feel his suspicion—it's practically confirmed in his mind that I've colluded with Spirit Hall… Well, I suppose that's not entirely wrong anymore, hahaha."
Yin Zhang asked, "You didn't tell him that I was the one who helped you detoxify, did you?"
Dugu Bo shook his head.
"Even if I had, it wouldn't have erased his doubts. If anything, it would've made him even more certain."
Yin Zhang nodded.
"In that case, don't burden yourself with it, Brother Bo. Let things take their course. I'll also give you some inside information—this Heaven Dou Empire will likely collapse within a few years. When that time comes, you can honor old ties and spare Xue Xing's life."
If it were only Xue Xing, he wouldn't pose any real threat.
Dugu Bo was startled at first, then shook his head with a bitter smile.
"I should have guessed. In recent years, under Bibi Dong's leadership, Spirit Hall has shaken the entire Spirit Master world. Even several kingdoms have shown unusual movements. Looking at it now, this outcome was inevitable."
Yin Zhang chuckled softly.
"That Bibi Dong is nothing but a madwoman. She wants to destroy Spirit Hall itself while carrying out her own twisted plans—like wiping out the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
The reason Bibi Dong targeted the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was, in truth, absurd.
She believed Yu Xiaogang's lifelong misery stemmed from the humiliation he suffered there. Because of her own status, she couldn't be with him and felt herself 'tainted,' so she sought revenge on the sect that had bullied him.
She never once considered Yu Xiaogang's own wishes.
"Brother Bo, I might as well tell you the truth. The Hall of Worship has long found Bibi Dong unbearable. In a few years, I expect I'll personally remove her from the position of Supreme Pontiff."
"After that, I'll lead Spirit Hall through a complete transformation—destroy Heaven Dou and Star Luo, establish the first unified empire in the history of the Douluo Continent, and clean up the sects that plague this land. The future Douluo Continent will be far better than the one we see today."
Yin Zhang continued calmly,
"And Brother Bo, you already know the wonders of Immortal Herbs. I've prepared one for my teacher. Once he consumes it, he will certainly break through to Rank Ninety-Nine. When that happens—everything on the Douluo Continent will be swept aside."
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