The fifth level of the Sky Fortune Fortress.
Under Hasar's guidance, Ye Cangtian and Lan Yue once again arrived at the fifth level of the Sky Fortune Fortress.
The fifth level was still luxuriously decorated, but it now featured a dragon throne symbolizing authority, and sitting upon it was none other than the Pope, who wore a prosthetic limb.
Upon seeing the Pope again, as their eyes met, Ye Cangtian could clearly feel the intense killing intent emanating from him.
"Ye Cangtian, it's truly not easy to get you here!"
The Pope broke the silence first, speaking coldly.
As the leader of the Outer Hall of Light, he would naturally not order Ye Cangtian's execution immediately; that would be too ungracious.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and replied, "Inviting me here is extremely simple; a single telegram would suffice. There was no need for such trifling schemes!"
Hmph!
The Pope let out a disdainful snort upon hearing this.
Firstly, upon their reunion, the other party no longer used honorifics, directly addressing him as the Pope.
In his opinion, this was undoubtedly because he had been defeated last time, and the other party no longer took him seriously.
This was something he could not accept, as, fundamentally, the other party was only at the Quasi-Heavenly level of cultivation and should possess at least a minimum of reverence for Heavenly-level experts.
Of course, the Pope was not yet aware that Ye Cangtian had successfully broken through.
After all, Ye Cangtian had not broken through during their last battle.
Moreover, Elino and the others who returned from Huaxia had not engaged in combat with Ye Cangtian, making him even more unaware of Ye Cangtian's current situation.
Secondly, the other party spoke eloquently, claiming he would come with just a telegram.
But what was their relationship? How could the other party risk coming to the City of Light just for a telegram?
Was he truly tired of living?
Under such circumstances, for the other party to still mock his methods was truly infuriating!
Thinking thus, the Pope spoke grimly, "Ye Cangtian, while my methods might not be entirely honorable, yours are even more despicable, wouldn't you say?
You are, after all, a Great Perfection expert. Is it not beneath your dignity to trouble ordinary cardinals?"
Alas!
Hearing the Pope's words, Ye Cangtian let out a long sigh and said helplessly, "Your Holiness, you are unaware! I had thought they were here to escort me. Yet, they attacked me as soon as I disembarked. I represent Huaxia; how could I allow myself to be arbitrarily insulted by others?"
"Hmph!"
With these words, the Pope's expression immediately turned a few degrees colder, and he said sternly, "While you represent Huaxia, that cardinal also represented the Hall of Light!
He went to welcome you with good intentions, yet you killed him on the spot. Do you think my Hall of Light is devoid of capable individuals?"
Ye Cangtian sneered dismissively and replied, "I am not sure if the Hall of Light has capable individuals, but the ones who went to the airport clearly were not!"
"Ye Cangtian, it seems you are not here to negotiate with my Hall of Light, but to provoke a confrontation!"
"In that case, let's dispense with the pleasantries and commence hostilities directly. This way, we can both save some time!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, the Pope could no longer restrain himself, and the killing intent emanating from his body instantly spread.
Although the other party had come for Nancy, where was any semblance of negotiation in his demeanor? Since that was the case, why not shed all pretenses and settle the matter with their fists?
"Heh, Your Holiness, why the haste?"
Seeing the Pope about to lose his temper, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and continued, "I am here, and you can attack me anytime you wish. However, might we first discuss matters concerning Nancy!"
"Ye Cangtian, have you lost your mind?"
"You publicly killed one of my cardinals and then disseminated the video to the Battle Network, causing the Hall of Light to lose all face. And now you expect me to negotiate with you?"
The Pope was so amused by Ye Cangtian that he let out a laugh.
If Ye Cangtian had approached him to discuss Nancy from the very beginning, he would not have refused.
Even if it were merely an act, he would have played along and conversed with the other party.
But now, Ye Cangtian repeatedly acted arrogantly before him with an extremely hostile attitude, and with both sides on the verge of a fight, the other party now wanted to discuss Nancy.
How was this even possible?
Did he truly believe he was a pushover, to be manipulated at will?
"Your Holiness, regardless of anything else, I have come for Nancy, so the necessary procedures must still be followed!"
"Besides, are you truly confident that you can subdue me here?"
Seeing the Pope's ashen expression, Ye Cangtian remained unperturbed and said indifferently.
"Hahaha!"
With these words, the Pope burst into laughter, and then he clapped his hands, saying, "Ye Cangtian, confidence is a good thing, but overconfidence leads to one's demise! Watch closely!"
As he spoke, the Pope clapped his hands.
As the sound echoed, three figures suddenly appeared in the hall. Two of them were Arthur and Elino, whom Ye Cangtian had sensed.
The third was Dracula, who was within his expectations.
As the two appeared, the Pope extended his hand to introduce them, "This is the Heavenly-level expert of the Inner Hall of Light, the Sky Fortune Venerable, Dracula, whom you have met before!
The other two should be familiar to you: Elino and Arthur of the Golden Armor Knights. Not only them, but the entire Golden Armor Knights are awaiting you here!"
As he spoke, the Pope revealed a sinister smile, as if implying that such a formidable lineup could surely not stop him.
"Heh, such a powerful lineup indeed strikes fear into one's heart!"
Ye Cangtian chuckled playfully and continued, "But do you truly believe I would come unprepared?"
Hearing this, the Pope glanced at Lan Yue and then contemptuously remarked, "You have two individuals and a beast. You call that being prepared?"
Although the strength of this young woman named Xiaoyue was not weak, in the face of him and Dracula, she was nothing significant. Neither of them needed to make a move.
It could be said that Elino alone would be sufficient to handle her.
In that case, Ye Cangtian would be left alone, along with a pathetic beast. The Pope truly could not fathom what other trump cards Ye Cangtian might possess.
"Cough, cough."
Hearing the Pope's words, Ye Cangtian let out a soft cough, as if signaling someone.
He then looked at the Pope and Dracula and said, "Gentlemen, as Heavenly-level experts, your spiritual sense should be considerable. How about you try sensing again?"
Hmm?
These words immediately caused the Pope and Dracula to look confused. Consequently, they quietly closed their eyes.
In the next instant, their eyes snapped open wide, and then they exchanged glances, revealing expressions of disbelief.
They could actually feel the aura of a Heavenly-level expert!
They initially thought they had misperceived, but from each other's gaze, they had confirmed everything.
Huaxia truly would not disregard Ye Cangtian's life and had dispatched a Heavenly-level expert to protect him!
The Pope gnashed his teeth in anger.
Now, with a Heavenly-level expert on the opposing side, coupled with Ye Cangtian, whose strength was comparable to a Heavenly-level expert, it would not be an easy task to kill them!
In the Pope's view, a two-on-one scenario was a sure victory. However, if it were to become two-on-two, the outcome would be uncertain!
On the other side, Dracula's eyes also revealed obvious apprehension.
That Heavenly-level aura was powerful, and its cultivation level was even higher than his. If they were to fight one-on-one, his chances of victory would be slim.
To engage in a direct confrontation under such circumstances would be utterly unwise!
"Why have the two of you fallen silent?"
"Weren't you going to attack? Feel free to try!"
"However, allow me to kindly remind you that if things go awry, the Hall of Light might soon be short of two Heavenly-level experts!"
Seeing both of them looking as apprehensive as mute statues, Ye Cangtian revealed a satisfied smile and spoke slowly.
"Hmph!"
"I admit, your trump card is formidable. But to think that merely the two of you can run roughshod here now is underestimating us too much!"
Dracula snorted upon hearing this.
This was his territory, and he would not allow anyone to cause a disturbance here.
"Indeed."
The Pope concurred and continued, "Moreover, the current situation is highly disadvantageous to you. Even if the Heavenly-level combatants on both sides are mutually restrained, can your Xiaoyue alone stop the Golden Armor Knights?"
The Pope's intention was clear: if a fight were to break out, Xiaoyue would become the new weak point.
In that case, it would be difficult for two Heavenly-level experts to forcibly escort Xiaoyue away, given that he and Dracula were not to be trifled with!
"The big cards are out, and now it's time for the smaller ones, is it?"
"Alright, I'll play along!"
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly, then glanced at the small cat in Lan Yue's arms and nodded.
In the next instant, the black cat leaped onto the ground, and its body began to swell rapidly, as if it had been injected with a catalyst.
In the blink of an eye, the small black cat transformed into a Nether Hunting Tiger, four to five meters tall and over ten meters long, letting out a series of tiger roars from its mouth.