All the spectators inside the Great Spirit Arena were deeply shocked by Ma Hongjun's final blood-red hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.
Was this really something a Spirit Emperor could do?
The expressions of the other teams varied greatly. The power of Ma Hongjun's last move had already surpassed the limits of an ordinary Spirit Emperor. None of them had the confidence that they could withstand it.
With such a terrifying trump card on their side, how could anyone hope to deal with the Third Prince's team?
Even the young sect master of the Star Crown Sect couldn't help but show a grave expression. Could she really block such a level of phoenix flame?
She wasn't sure.
But who could guarantee that Ma Hongjun could use such a move more than once in a short period of time?
The Ice-attribute Spirit Douluo and the Water-attribute Spirit Saint were equally astonished. That was no longer an attack a mere Spirit Emperor should be capable of.
Even if a Spirit Saint used their Martial Soul Avatar, their full-power strike might only reach such a level.
Was this truly the strength and talent of today's young generation on the continent? The saying was right,students surpass their masters; the ancients did not lie.
In the Shenhuo Sect's waiting area, Baili Chiluan and the others turned pale.
They lost! Baili Chiyan actually lost?!
Although Baili Chiyan did not admit defeat, even preferring death over surrender,because the honor of the Shenhuo Sect was at stake,anyone with eyes could see who had won.
If the two referees at the side hadn't intervened, perhaps Baili Chiyan wouldn't even have ashes left.
As fellow fire-attribute spirit masters, they knew better than anyone how terrifying Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Hellfire was. They hadn't expected that the current geniuses of the Douluo Continent had already reached such heights.
There was actually someone better at manipulating fire than the Shenhuo Sect's own masters, and that flame was no ordinary one,it was nearly the purest form of ultimate fire.
If such a top-tier fire-attribute spirit master belonged to their Shenhuo Sect, how could they not prosper?
Baili Chiyan, who had felt the Phoenix Hellfire firsthand, was now lying on the spirit battle platform, looking utterly lost.
He had used up all his spirit power to resist the flames, but the ending was still inevitable.
That sense of helplessness was something he had never felt before. In that instant of facing death up close, he truly believed he was finished.
Yet he had his pride. Even if he were to die, he would never admit defeat.
"To be someone's follower... for ten years..." That thought echoed in Baili Chiyan's mind. As the Shenhuo Sect's greatest genius in a hundred years, the sect's hope and young sect master,
To become someone else's subordinate? He would rather die.
But he realized now that he no longer had the courage to die. Only when one came face to face with death could they understand that dying wasn't so easy.
Ma Hongjun retrieved a Super Recovery Sausage from his soul tool and ate it, then slowly approached Baili Chiyan, looking down at him from above.
The two stared at each other in silence until Baili Chiyan finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "I... lost."
In the Shenhuo Sect viewing area, Baili Chihuo couldn't help but rush onto the stage to his brother's side. "Brother! Are you okay?!"
Seeing his anxious sister, Baili Chiyan gave a bitter smile. His confidence had been utterly crushed by Ma Hongjun. He felt as though his very faith had collapsed.
He had thought that with his near-unbeatable ability, he was invincible among his peers. He had hoped this battle would showcase the Shenhuo Sect's strength and maybe even recruit a genius.
But reality was far crueler. Not only did he fail, he lost completely and miserably.
One of the Shenhuo Sect's elders hurried over to Ma Hongjun with a forced smile.
"Young friend, just a childish wager, nothing more. Let's forget it happened. The Shenhuo Sect will offer compensation instead. How about that?"
Ma Hongjun turned slightly, smiling faintly. "Just now, Brother Baili swore that no matter the bet, he would double it."
"Two geniuses to serve me for ten years,can your compensation match that?"
Dai Mubai and the others watched silently from the stands. Behind them, several figures were already prepared to intervene if needed.
Even if they didn't act, the Spirit Douluo and Spirit Saint by the arena were ready. They allowed dramatic fights but would never let real chaos occur.
If the Shenhuo Sect's protector dared to attack a junior, not only would their team be disqualified, but the Star Luo Empire itself would move against the entire Shenhuo Sect.
This was the iron-blooded Star Luo, a nation built on strength, where martial power ruled supreme, and elite spirit masters were given freedom under strict discipline.
On the VIP seat, Emperor Dai Yutian of Star Luo watched the scene with interest. He wanted to see how the Shenhuo Sect would handle this.
The Shenhuo Sect's protector's expression shifted, but before he could speak, Baili Chiyan rasped out again,
"Elder Ge, the bet was made. I keep my word. Our Shenhuo Sect values honor,we will not go back on our promise."
Supported by his sister, Baili Chiyan stood and met Ma Hongjun's eyes. "However... please forgive my boastful words. I cannot fulfill the double wager, but Baili Chiyan is willing to follow you for ten years, to serve loyally and faithfully."
As soon as he finished, two sharp cries sounded out.
"Brother!"
"Young sect master!"
Elder Ge's face turned green. "Young sect master, you are our only heir! How can you become someone else's subordinate? How will the world see our Shenhuo Sect?"
He hadn't expected that on their first appearance in the continent's tournament, he would lose the young sect master like this!
Even if they found a way to explain it, when they returned, he would surely be punished. Knowing the sect master's temper, his days were numbered.
But everyone knew Baili Chiyan's personality,once he decided something, even the sect master couldn't change his mind.
Ma Hongjun smiled, taking out another Super Recovery Sausage and handing it to Baili Chiyan.
"Good. That's all I need to hear. Don't waste everyone's time now,discuss it with your elder later. Give me your answer after the tournament."
With that, Ma Hongjun turned and walked off the stage gracefully amid his teammates' cheers.
Baili Chiyan swallowed the sausage Ma Hongjun had given him.
Feeling its powerful restorative effect, he was surprised.
His spirit power, injuries, and mental strength recovered rapidly, and a faint vitality returned to him.
Baili Chiyan glanced at his sister, then at Elder Ge, and silently left the arena.
The Shenhuo Sect members hurried after him, leaving the rest of the audience,thousands of stunned spectators and representatives from various teams,watching.
Finally, the referee looked at the empty stage and slowly announced the result. "In the Shenhuo Sect versus Third Prince team one-on-one match, Ma Hongjun wins! Seven personal points, seven team points!"
Even without the referee's words, everyone already knew the result. It had been a spectacular fight.
Whether or not Baili Chiyan had acted a little, his courage was admirable.
Everyone was reminded of an eternal truth,there is always someone stronger. No matter how talented you are, you must stay humble.
You might be strong, but someone out there is stronger.
Dai Mubai threw an arm around Ma Hongjun's shoulder and laughed. "I knew that guy couldn't take your attack. Awesome job!"
Zhu Zhuqing recalled the first time she saw Ma Hongjun use his Phoenix Hellfire. "Back then, even when Mubai and I joined forces, we couldn't block it. That Spirit Emperor never stood a chance."
Zhu Zhuqing even made a rare hand gesture of admiration. Though she was only level fifty-six, that didn't lessen Ma Hongjun's power.
Ma Hongjun smiled helplessly. "I probably won't be much use in the next few matches. Even with Oscar's Super Recovery Sausages, I'll need at least three days to recover. You'll have to handle the rest."
Dai Mubai nodded confidently. "Leave it to us. You just rest up."
Ma Hongjun nodded. He trusted his teammates completely.
Dai Mubai grinned. "You may have revealed your trump card, but you gained a talented follower,worth it! I wonder what the boss will say when he hears you've got a little brother now."
Ma Hongjun paused. "I just hope Baili Chiyan doesn't go back on his word. It's probably not his choice alone. He represents the whole Shenhuo Sect."
Dai Mubai sneered. "In strength or background, who can compare with you?"
Ma Hongjun thought of his beloved boss. Indeed, he was no longer the clueless chubby kid he once was,now he was the blazing Fire Phoenix.
He wasn't alone anymore. Baili Chiyan had the Shenhuo Sect behind him, but he had his boss, and that was enough.
And he believed Baili Chiyan wouldn't go back on his word. A true genius had his pride.
Of course, it wasn't impossible.
Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Whatever. I won."
Everyone laughed. "You won!"
...
In Heaven Dou City, at the Strength Clan's residence.
Tang Hao looked at Tang San with pride. In such a short time, his son had already grasped the essence of the Clear Sky Nine Techniques. His talent surpassed even Tang Hao's own.
As Tang San withdrew his Clear Sky Hammer and calmed his breathing, Tang Hao patted his shoulder. "Little San, now that you've mastered the essence of the Nine Techniques, with continued practice your progress will skyrocket. You are, besides your great-grandfather, the most talented child our clan has ever had."
"And since you are a twin spirit user, your future achievements may even surpass those of my grandfather,your great-grandfather, Tang Chen."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes shone. Of course he knew of Tang Chen,the peerless Clear Sky Douluo, one of the three greatest experts in history, a level ninety-nine Limit Douluo unmatched on land.
Tang San nodded firmly. "Father, I will aim to surpass Great-Grandfather and personally avenge you and Mother!"
Tang Hao smiled in satisfaction. "My body has mostly recovered, and I can already sense the bottleneck of level ninety-six. The matters of our generation will be settled by us."
"Your priority now is to focus on cultivation,to improve your strength and your vision. In strength, aim for your great-grandfather. In conduct, learn from your senior."
At that, Tang San remembered the fear he once felt toward Oscar's cunning wit.
He had a secret,he was a man who had lived two lives.
But even with two lifetimes of wisdom, there were peers who could achieve what he could not.
Tang San had learned well that there are always higher mountains and stronger people. Whether in cultivation or in life, he continued to learn from Oscar.
There was no shame in that. In fact, he had gained immensely from it.
Tang Hao suddenly remembered Titan's visit and said, "By the way, Titan has already completed the process of renaming the Strength Clan as the Tang Sect. The forging of the hidden weapons you designed has begun."
Hearing this, Tang San's smile brightened even more. Finally,the Tang Sect would rise again.
He remembered persuading his father back then using the same reasoning as in his past life. Tang Hao, honest and straightforward as he was, trusted his son and didn't question too much.
After all, everyone had their secrets. Having been away from Tang San for so long, he was glad his son had found his own opportunities.
More importantly, Titan, though loyal to him, no longer acknowledged the Clear Sky Sect.
Now, besides the Strength Clan, they had gathered several other spirit masters. These followers joined them not only because Tang Hao had once coerced them with his Title Douluo power but also for a better future.
With the Strength Clan renamed as the Tang Sect, they finally had a legitimate home.
Tang Hao agreed,it was best for his son to lead them since returning to the Clear Sky Sect was no longer an option for him.
And honestly, with Oscar's suggestion, Tang Hao had been tempted. But his pride kept him from returning to the sect.
So he decided to help his son build the Tang Sect first. The rest could wait.
Tang San thought for a moment and said, "Dad, for the founding of the Tang Sect, Senior Oscar provided most of the funds. I also made a deal with him,the first batch of Tang Sect hidden weapons will be supplied to the Sword Sect. Please ask Elder Titan to speed up the production. I want to repay Senior as soon as possible."
Tang Hao nodded. "Good. Since Oscar has treated us so kindly, we must never forget his help."
He sighed in admiration. "You're lucky, my boy, to have met such a benefactor. Perhaps your encounters today will be the fortune of your future."
Tang San smiled. To him, Oscar was already like a true elder brother.
Without Oscar, there might never have been the Tang San of today.
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