192 The God Paradox (1)

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"Just as well! The Hint of Evil has caused enough troubles," Dai Laohu suddenly grinned. His body morphed to form a giant white tiger almost ten meters high but instead of dealing with Redstar, the Emperor shot towards the troops of evil spirit masters who disguised themselves as the members of the Spirit Hall. Still, with how Qian Xunji presented himself and how Redstar was forced to take the credits of making the members of the Hint of Evil infiltrate the arena, nobody including Redstar's subordinates suspected Qian Xunji.

Not many had the time for deep thoughts anyway. Seeing Dai Laohu so shamelessly attack them, most of the evil masters raging around were scared straight away. Things like honor or duty barely fazed such spirit masters and all they required were things necessary for their advancement.

Seeing a giant White Tiger with the size comparable to a small hill appear in front of them with his jaws wide open, they realized that one of the most recent tactics in dealing with beast spirit masters in their avatars— peeing or spitting in their mouths— won't work with Dai Laohu since he intended to devour them straight!

"Shit! Rally our forces! We can't beat this one alone!" One of the womeen with a pitch-black totem on her face screamed shrilly. Her totem seemed alive as it moved while eight spirit rings revolved around her.

"White Tiger's Bellow!"

The surroundings felt compressed for a moment before everything around was torn apart. The woman's body was shredded yet she survived only for the giant maw of a beast with an unnerving stench finally collapsing down on her— the last thing she saw.

"Damn it! Make a run for it! We already did what the boss wanted--"

Screams and roars echoed around the arena. Those watching from the recording devices were already pale at the magnitude of destruction being caused and how unscrupulous the attacks of some evil spirit masters were.

"Tch, unworthy to be even called Spirit Masters," Tang Peng gazed at the fleeing evil spirit masters and he gave Chen Xin a look before stating in a cold and commanding tone, "Boy, go and assist Tiger. He cannot chase after them all... any of these misfits is a giant tribulation for the continent."

Chen Xin glared at Tang Peng but feeling the Supreme Pontiff's and Tang Peng's aura rise, he snorted in agreement and began attacking the many fleeing evil spirit masters. This wasn't Chen Xin's first rodeo of removing those considered 'evil' because of the many taboos these spirit masters have to commit based on their martial souls and he had long stopped pitying them. It would be an insult to those who have decided to make use of their martial souls even if it is to commit unlawful acts.

"You see that? In face of true power, all alliances are lost," Redstar smiled and pointed at his fleeing subordinates, not minding this act at all.

"This is what will happen to your alliance, too," Redstar then looked at Tang Peng and Qian Xunji who stood him off, "In face of absolute power... you're nothing but a bunch of ants wielding golden hammer and swords."

"Too much nonsense!" Tang Peng bellowed and he smashed his hammer in the empty space in front of him. His sixth spirit ring glimmered and the Phantom of another hammer materialized behind Redstar. One long-range and one short-range attack struck Redstar. His head exploded once again and his chest caved in but Tang Peng did not look well at all.

"You marked me during your previous attack. Hmm, easy to solve..."

Redstar's voice boomed from within the domain itself before his body dissolved in a pool of blood. This action triggered the remaining Blood Devils and all of them gained intelligence. Sly smirks and cackles echoed around Tang Peng and Qian Xunji.

With a stern expression, Qian Xunji snorted and the phantom of a beautiful six-winged woman with golden hair appeared around him and then merged with his body. Qian Xunji's body grew resplendent, his wings seemed to be made out of the feathers of the actual Seraphim and his eyes were entirely golden.

"Assimilate!" He spat one word. The golden wispy domain that seemed to have been suppressed by Redstar's blood domain instantly congealed to form a golden disc of energy that spread out in every direction, slowly forming into a giant sphere.

Every spot the golden energy touched, the blood devils, the bloody mist, and the air itself seemed to have lost its energy.

"You!" Tang Peng was furious as he hurriedly retreated. So did Dai Laohu, Chen Xin, and other Evil Spirit Masters.

"It is as this being of evil said," Qian Xunji's righteous tone filled the continent with hope, "In face of strength, alliances are meaningless! I shall deal with him but all of you are unnecessary burdens!"

With his proclamation, except the recording devices, everything else was covered in gold. This wasn't simply light or else men like Tang Peng wouldn't have retreated.

Golden Flames.

True Sun Flames!

It felt like the sun itself had descended.

A few spirit sages with the ability related to darker attributes were lit on fire as they screamed at the top of their lungs but their only fate was to get burnt to ashes.

The golden light finally began to dissipate.

The middle region of the giant arena including the amazing reverse waterfall was in ruins now. This is the truth of the matter. Any serious attack of a Titled Douluo can change the view of nature itself and this fact was even more prominent when it came to beings who wielded ultimate attributes such as Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu, and Liu Erlong.

In the center of destruction with golden flames still sticking to the rubble stood Qian Xunji and Redstar. The blood devils had vanished. The two domains had disappeared and the two beings were merely a meter away from each other.

"My, my," Redstar coughed. As his lips parted, licks of golden flame escaped his mouth before dissipating as a large volume of smoke began to pass through his mouth.

"Hmph," Qian Xunji snorted yet his veins seemed to be overloaded. They popped from his skin from various points and Qian Xunji finally grew calm. Opening his lips and tilting his head to the side, Qian Xunji calmly spat a small globule of black blood that was instantly burnt to ashes.

"Above rank 95... is really a realm in its own right," Dai Laohu whispered yet his voice simply rumbled. Tang Peng had a severe expression and a sense of panic rose in his heart as he gazed at Qian Xunji.

'Good thing that the records state that it is their martial soul itself that impedes their talents. Ultimate Attribute, so what? They only have its might, not its unending potential!' Tang Peng snorted internally but the fear he felt was very real. Only one technique could match up to Qian Xunji and even that was only accepted by Tang Hao and no one else in their clan.

'Hao'er's future is brighter!' Tang Peng's eyes grew more resolved as he swung his hammer, killing an injured spirit master without any hesitation!

Tang Peng's action triggered their battle in the outskirts of the arena. Chen Xin stopped anyone from escaping while Tang Peng and Dai Laohu took out the major front of the evil spirit masters. Just the dozens of individuals collected here did not even represent 30% of the entirety of the network of rogue and evil spirit masters but they did represent almost 70% of the members above the cultivation of Spirit Sage! Taking them out here would ease the work of Emperors and Patriarchs like Dai Laohu and Tang Peng.

"A Seraphim with True Sun Flames is an equal to an ordinary rank 97 spirit master," Redstar spoke slowly.

"And you're comparable to an ordinary rank 98 spirit master," Qian Xunji smiled but it was filled with a sense of bitterness.

'I now completely understand why 'he' would enslave you before you even had the chance to grow...'

Redstar's innate talent due to his martial soul was definitely greater than Bibi Dong's blood father and Qian Xunji combined. The fact that Redstar already had two cores was known to Qian Daoliu but the truth that Redstar did not require any external resources meant that these two cores were the innate product of his own comprehension!

Even Qian Xunji only lingered on with a single core, and Qian Daoliu couldn't surpass this feat himself. In Qian Xunji's eyes, Redstar was comparable to Qian Daoliu. Both of them impeded with their own misfortune instead of talents and that's why... one who could provide Qian Xunji with greater benefits had to die!

Redstar had grown quiet after this. His entire presence seemed to have been withdrawn and Qian Xunji's heart trembled. His wings instantly unfurled and massive pillars of flames struck out from the ends of the wings.

"Hehe," a cold cackle resounded behind Qian Xunji as a round shield of blood stopped the flames from striking one particular region. The Redstar in front of Qian Xunji had vanished while another one sprung out from behind.

"Go!"

Hundreds of blood needles formed instantly and shot towards Qian Xunji whose hair rose to its ends with a surge of spirit energy.

"True Sun Aura!"

While Redstar conformed to the acts of rogues, keeping his spirit rings hidden and even attacking from behind despite being stronger with the full intent to kill, Qian Xunji's looked like a heroic angel! His nine spirit rings gave him a stunning appearance and his bold proclamations continued to tug on the hearts of every viewer!

By now, the entirety of the continent was pulled to watch this 'match.'

Those who didn't wish to spend money to watch the ending ceremonies were unexpectedly allowed to view the current confrontation free of cost!

The various bishops of the Spirit Hall also appeared in various villages, quickly setting up receivers as if working on some already laid down orders.

Even if there were a few who knew that Qian Xunji was merely acting up to stoke his reputation, most of the higher-ups were stuck in the area of the attack itself. Nobody could stop the bishops and cardinals and they could only sigh in relief that these beings did not cross any lines and only seemed interested in showing the continent the might of their Pope.

---

"Return to the clan or die here," Yu Yuanzhen glanced at Liu Erlong with a calm expression.

His appearance was not something Bibi Dong had expected but she could understand. If she had been the matriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and one of her most talented members of the younger generation had entered an opposing organization, even if this was caused by her own inability to lead and develop the clan, she would still be anxious to put an end to the talent before it could fully grow and become a threat.

'The best way is to buy for some time. Liu Erlong can even return and act as an internal spy...' Many thoughts began racing in Bibi Dong's mind as her first reaction was to try and make the best and efficient use of the 'opportunity.'

But she wasn't Liu Erlong.

"I refuse, you dumb fuck!" Liu Erlong raised her middle finger with a nonchalant expression as Yu Yuanzhen's expression turned colder.

"Protect Hu Lana," Ja Sun instantly compressed his voice. He hadn't set up a mission even now because deep down he was hoping to find even greater trouble and then set a greater mission.

'But... if I set a mission to kill this guy and quickly complete the task, then wouldn't I be able to set more missions... and he's a Titled Douluo... I don't have to hold back too much, right?'

Should Yu Yuanzhen be privy to Ja Sun's thoughts, he would cough up blood.

Holding back?

In front of a Titled Douluo with one of the greatest beast martial souls?

"You chose your fate," Yu Yuanzhen stated coldly.

"Wait!" Bibi Dong hastily shouted and then glared in Liu Erlong's direction.

"If Liu Erlong agrees to return, can you guarantee her safety?" Bibi Dong's words caused Liu Erlong's expression to twist but before she could refute, Ja Sun's compressed words caused her face to ease.

Ja Sun had a great understanding of Bibi Dong. She had constantly taken note of everyone's behaviors and even used to set training routines based on these patterns so Bibi Dong must know that Liu Erlong wouldn't go along with her 'wishes' and act as a spy even if it meant a great advantage. This left with the probable intention of speaking up to be gaining more time.

For what?

"Set Mission."

[Set Perimeters.]

...

[Objective: Kill Yu Yuanzhen and then find an enclosed space to pump your fist.

Optional Objectives:

1) Do not use the Evil Title's Domain.

Mission Rank: A-S

Mission Rewards: Lightning Dragon's Ascension Manual— 96000-year-old Dragon Child's Spine.

Time Limit: 60/60 minutes.]

'See? I do not have to hold back too much... and need to keep an eye on the spirit bone skills, too...'

Ja Sun did try to add the 'not getting hurt' clause but his trait didn't seem to accept it which meant that the probability of getting hurt was almost similar to a certain possibility.

'But these rewards hardly feel valuable to me,' Ja Sun clicked his tongue. That's why he was in love with the White Tiger Clan! They were a treasure trove for him and they didn't even know that.

"I will of course assure her safety. She is a part of my clan," Yu Yuanzhen stated calmly.

Bibi Dong nodded. She turned to look at Ja Sun, and then gazed at Liu Erlong.

Knowing full well that Liu Erlong would not get along with her choices, it meant that Yu Yuanzhen will be forced to act. There were two options for the team— attack and defend Liu Erlong or escape and abandon her. Again, Bibi Dong herself hadn't gone through any severe trauma to even consider the latter.

If the endpoint is to fight then isn't it better to strike first and gain an advantage.

"Alright, Liu Erlong. I'm sorry it came to this," Bibi Dong smiled gently. However, her eyes were already dark green, unlike the purple of the Death Spider Emperor.

'Soul Suppression!'

Bibi Dong's aura suddenly turned malevolent and despite being far stronger than the group, Yu Yuanzhen let out a pained grunt.

He suddenly felt a part of him forcefully pushed back.

"What did you do?" He growled, blue lightning as thick as an infant's arm crackled around him as Bibi Dong retreated.

"Everyone to support. Hu Lana, stay back. Xie Xan, protect her. You, too, Erlong. Only Ah Yin can stay in the center!" Bibi Dong didn't reply to Yuanzhen but hurriedly passed down orders while a violet domain escaped Ja Sun's forehead.

"I may not be able to kill you all until Qian Xunji is dead but Liu Erlong cannot escape her fate today," Yu Yuanzhen spat coldly. He might want to kill Liu Erlong but even he couldn't handle the aftermath of murdering Bibi Dong. His clan wasn't strong enough and even now, attacking this team came at a price of finally accepting the Imperial Clan's support within the Heaven Dou Empire to suppress the Spirit Hall.

But as a leader, Yu Yuanzhen was distinctly aware of what kind of repercussions his clan would face if Spirit Hall lost its brightest successor and with this act, the Spirit Hall might enter a phase of decline which by itself would end the alliance between his clan and the Emperor, leaving his clan to fend off the Spirit Hall all alone.

Politics has always been murky and Yu Yuanzhen feared it despite his martial strength.

Yet, he seemed to have underestimated his opponents severely.

Even if his five senses were barely suppressed under Ja Sun's True Fantasy domain, he couldn't be pushed into a nightmare unless Ja Sun fully recovers his mental energy, half of which resided in his clone, or, uses his Fiery Golden Pupils which would only serve to expend a major chunk of his remaining mental energy.

But Ja Sun wasn't too worried. The mission only became S-ranked if he didn't activate his Domain which meant that using almost everything would mean a chance at success and the act of already killing a Titled Douluo albeit at the cost of an arm and severe injuries now served as a foundation for confidence.

"Did you do the same thing that made Ground Devil weaker?" In the area of the domain, Ja Sun could connect his thoughts with everyone and act as a hub of communication. Bibi Dong quickly replied, "It should keep the recovery of the Dragon Douluo's spirit energy suppressed for some time. Now is the best chance to escape!"

There was hope in her voice.

Hope that Ja Sun would agree to escape.

But...

"Well... it feels as good as stretching after waking up to finally use my spirit rings," Ja Sun grunted softly. His limbs were covered in a layer of silver grow and two pairs of wings made of silver light with green patterns sprouted from his back. His third eye was fully open as he activated his spirit transformation. His body buffed up and his vajra Gauntlets took the shape of talons. The purple headgear signifying his Nightmare's Fantasy Skull Bone now seemed like an ornament for his third eye.

"Foolish choice," Yu Yuanzhen clearly seemed disinclined to even activate his spirit transformation much less activate his seventh ring and turn into his beast avatar state.

Lightning gathered around his arms and legs as he moved. Instantly bypassing Ja Sun, Yu Yuanzhen went for the kill.

His target— Liu Erlong.

However, before he could even reach Liu Erlong, at a pace even quicker than his speed, strands of tough Blue Silver Emperor grew around within an instant and quite a bit of vine already caught his feet. These poor blades of grass were torn in an instant yet it slowed Yuanzhen down to finally raise his hand and block two attacks from the front as his lightning countered the ultimate fire burning around Liu Erlong. Her clothes turned into ash as her pure and supple skin instantly covered entirely with glimmering crimson scales that left not a single spot except her face and head. Yet, internally, her bones had already been pushed to an extreme level of toughness and two small on her forehead managed to look dangerous with furious flames spewing out.

*Hmph*

Yu Yuanzhen snorted.

While he easily blocked Liu Erlong's attack with the counteract of his own element, the sheer gap in their strength serving to suppress the ultimate element, the wall of lightning behind him was unexpectedly torn apart as a figure in silver dashed in. Uncountable feathers struck at once while his left fist now completely solidified with silver light as the fist's strength was pushed up by 280% instead of a mere 70%!

This was merely Ja Sun's simplest mode of attack. But when Yu Yuanzhen thought that the best way to counter a physical attack augmented by an element, one of the rare ones, in fact... his expression changed. His body turned sluggish momentarily and the fist that seemed slow descended on his back in an instant. This wasn't even the end! The feathers only served to distract him. Their numbers countering the lightning attack and as Ja Sun's punch connected with the enhanced application of his Gentle Tactics now almost raised to a divine level with the addition of the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, he was completely unscrupulous!

Not wishing to let go of this mighty chance because he knew that once transformed, Yu Yuanzhen's scales would be a bitch to deal with, almost tens of dragon beard needles from his Vajra Gauntlets pierced into Yuanzhen's skin through his back!

"Fuck off!"

Yu Yuanzhen roared in pain and anger. He felt humiliated!

A sharp surge of lightning exploded around him and the impact itself turned Erlong pale while the feathers that once attacked covered Ja Sun in a ball at a moment's notice, testifying to his perfected control of Spirit Energy and defended him from getting hurt too quickly.

All of this took place in a few seconds.

The area around Yu Yuanzhen was left in ruin. Lightning buzzing even on the ground and the grass was torn off easily. But how can it be so easy to deal with Ah Yin in a forested region?

Blue Silver Emperors grew instantly and Yuanzhen's expression turned stern.