Wang Zhong, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan all stepped onto the stage simultaneously. At this moment, Ying Yanyang patted Cang Yuan’s shoulder and slowly walked up.
The plan he had set in motion before, while not yielding the exact results he had hoped for, had ultimately brought him some gains.
“Yanyang, for tomorrow’s match, I hope you give it your all!”
Just yesterday, Pope Bibi Dong had approached him and revealed that seven Titled Douluo would be observing the event today.
As strong and overbearing as ever, leaving no room for negotiation, but Ying Yanyang was actually quite pleased.
Yanyang! He hadn’t heard this name from Bibi Dong in a long time!
Since a certain point, the most frequent words he heard were Ying Yanyang, or simply, You!
Though it was just one character difference, it all proved that Bibi Dong was changing, slowly bringing their relationship back to how it once was.
The term "fourth brother" was something Ying Yanyang no longer dared to hope for. As the Pope, she possessed her own dignity and pride.
What he yearned for now was for that long-arranged gathering to finally happen, with Bibi Dong participating.
Slowly, everything would get better.
With a faint smile on his face, Ying Yanyang looked forward to the future with immense anticipation.
However, just as he was smiling, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan suddenly walked up to him, placed their hands on their chests, and bowed deeply.
“Teacher Ying, thank you for your past earnest teachings!”
“Without your painstaking planning, we would not have reached this day.”
“Teacher, keep up the good work!”
Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena said with light laughter, one after another. Then, before he could respond, to his astonished gaze, they waved and walked off the stage.
Only the smiling Wang Zhong and Ying Yanyang remained on the stage.
This sudden turn of events stunned everyone who was watching.
“Huh! What’s going on!”
“Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan, why have they left the stage! Did they concede?”
“Concede? Impossible, you can see Wang Zhong is still on the stage!”
“No way! Does this mean Wang Zhong is going to have a one-on-one duel with Ying Yanyang!”
“Hiss, what level is he at now! Or is he planning to give up that spirit bone! That’s a spirit bone from a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast!”
The change on the stage not only shocked the crowd in the square but also left Yue Guan and Gui Mei on the high platform looking at each other in disbelief.
“Your Excellency, what is the current strength of that young fellow Wang Zhong!”
“He dares to face Ying Yanyang alone! Has he also reached the Soul Sage level!”
Yue Guan's expression was filled with unease. It wasn't that he wanted to think this way, but the scene unfolding before him was simply too bizarre.
The group who had originally challenged Ying Yanyang as a team, with the exception of Wang Zhong, had all stepped down, forcing Yue Guan to consider such a possibility.
A twelve-year-old Soul Sage sounded like a dream.
But considering Wang Zhong's terrifying talent, coupled with the fact that Bibi Dong had personally tutored him for nearly four full years, who dared to say it was impossible!
Gui Mei remained silent, but his astonishment and curiosity were evident in his eyes.
Bibi Dong, too, furrowed her delicate brows, her expression somewhat surprised. Wang Zhong hadn't mentioned this to her; it must have been a spontaneous decision.
“No, young Wang Zhong’s martial soul has undergone some unexpected changes. His spirit power advancement speed has decreased by ninety percent. He should currently be very close to the Soul King realm.”
“Hmm! How is that possible?” Gui Mei exclaimed in surprise. “Young Wang Zhong was already a Soul Elder four years ago, and he hasn't broken through to Soul King yet!”
This question led Bibi Dong to sigh softly. “Indeed, he has not.”
In the last month, she had to leave due to some matters.
But when she left, Wang Zhong had mentioned that he might break through to the Soul King realm. However, upon her return, Wang Zhong hadn't sought her out to hunt spirit beasts, nor had Yue Guan and Gui Mei, when they went to pick him up, mentioned that Wang Zhong had asked them to hunt spirit beasts.
Considering all this, Wang Zhong should still be a Soul Elder at this moment!
“Your Excellency, what kind of changes has Wang Zhong’s martial soul undergone! To cause an individual’s cultivation talent to drop to such an extent!” Yue Guan probed curiously.
But Bibi Dong coldly glared at Yue Guan.
Such a look made Yue Guan's scalp tingle, and he quickly bowed and explained, “Please forgive me, Your Excellency the Pope! Yue Guan meant no offense, I was merely curious.”
“After all, I have witnessed young Wang Zhong's talent, and I am quite concerned whether there has been a physical change or hidden ailment.”
Bibi Dong let out a cold snort and warned, “Yue Guan, I have told you before, regarding my matters with Wang Zhong, you two elders should not interfere and only do what you are supposed to do!”
“This is the second time! If there is a third, you will face the consequences yourselves!”
The fact that Wang Zhong possessed twin martial souls was known only to three people: her, Ying Yanyang, and Hu Liena.
Furthermore, Wang Zhong’s changes were related to his second martial soul. A complete set of spirit bones plus six external spirit bones, such astonishing matters could not be revealed to the masses.
And those rifts and abysses that bore a striking resemblance to divine inheritance positions further highlighted their extraordinariness!
As an elder who had followed her for many years, Yue Guan dared to probe into such matters, clearly seeking death.
If not for his unwavering loyalty and diligent service, Bibi Dong would have severely punished him for just this one remark.
“Yes, Yue Guan admits his mistake! I promise not to err again!” Beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead, Yue Guan was terrified to the extreme. His excessive curiosity had almost led him to a dead end.
“The changes in Wang Zhong’s martial soul, you will come to know in time!”
Waving her jade-like hand, signaling Yue Guan to rise, Bibi Dong calmly admonished the two. Since she hadn't lowered her voice, these words were also directed at Ling Yuan and the others.
“So, it is he who is valued by Your Excellency the Pope!”
The five of them turned their gazes towards Wang Zhong, standing on the stage, their eyes filled with curiosity. It was not common to see someone so protected by the Pope.
No, it should be said, never seen before!
“Wang Zhong, I never imagined that it would end up like this.”
“To be honest, I never thought you would undertake this challenge alone!”
Ying Yanyang stood with his hands behind his back, emanating an aura of rock-solid firmness and tranquility. A smile played on his lips, and his tone was filled with surprise.
The further a spirit master progressed, the greater the difficulty of cultivation. In his estimation, Wang Zhong should, at most, be at the Soul Emperor level.
Yet, with such a strength, Wang Zhong dared to face him alone. It had to be said that this level of arrogance and presumption was truly rare.
Just as Wang Zhong could fight beyond his level, so could Ying Yanyang!
When they were at the same level, victory and defeat were split. But a difference of one spirit ring, for individuals like them who could fight beyond their levels simultaneously, was truly an insurmountable chasm.
Ying Yanyang's surprise drew a light chuckle from Wang Zhong. He slightly parted his feet, hands behind his back, his spine straight as a pine or a sword. His emerald green eyes held a serene calm as he met Ying Yanyang's gaze, and with the most placid tone, he uttered the most astonishing declaration.
“Teacher Ying, concede.”
“I find no reason for you to defeat me!”
The entire square fell into a dead silence at that instant.