Salas' words clearly indicated that he wanted to gain some benefit from this.
However, since he had already clarified the essence of the matter, if Yu Xiaogang insisted on proceeding, he might be detained on the spot for harming the interests of the Spirit Hall!
The problem was that Yu Xiaogang lacked the strength of other elders in the Spirit Hall. If he were stronger, even if his actions harmed the Spirit Hall's interests, Salas wouldn't dare do anything to him.
After a moment, Yu Xiaogang made a promise. "This will be the only time. I won't trouble you again in the future."
Salas smiled after hearing this. "Elder, I naturally believe your promise. Leave this matter to me. Even if Ning Fengzhi and Xue Ye don't agree, I'll ensure that Yu Tianxin joins the Shrek Team and becomes a starting member without harming the Spirit Hall's interests."
For him, the greatest benefit was that Yu Xiaogang wasn't using the Pope's Token to make trouble for him.
As for Yu Xiaogang, he didn't want any entanglement with the Spirit Hall. Being able to resolve the matter with a harmless promise was ideal.
Yu Xiaogang tapped his fingers on the table. "Remember, before sunset tomorrow, I don't care what method you use—I just need results."
"No need to see me off; I know the way!"
With that, he stood up and walked toward the door.
Salas respectfully said, "Farewell, Elder."
After Yu Xiaogang left, Salas immediately called for a servant. "My chair is dirty—get me a new one."
Among the three chairmen of the organizing committee, there was an unwritten rule: as long as it didn't affect the interests of the other two parties, one could unconditionally accomplish a task.
Yu Tianxin joining the Shrek Team wouldn't impact the Seven Treasures Team. After all, Yu Tianxin was only a Soul Ancestor and had been defeated by Ning Tianchen multiple times—he posed no threat.
As for Xue Ye, the second team representing the imperial family had already been eliminated. What else did he have to worry about?
---
Today was the last day of rest for the members of the Seven Treasures Team.
Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong strolled through the streets, enjoying their rare free time.
As they approached the vicinity of the Spirit Hall, Ning Rongrong pointed at the main gate of the hall and exclaimed in surprise, "Big Brother Tianchen, look quickly! Why are those Spirit Hall officials being so obsequious to Yu Xiaogang?"
Ning Tianchen glanced over and quickly understood the reason.
Yu Xiaogang held the Pope's Token given to him by Tang Hao, and he must have come to the Spirit Hall to handle some matters.
Anyone who possessed the Pope's Token was considered an elder of the Spirit Hall—it made perfect sense for these officials to fawn over him.
"Don't pay attention to it. He's just a clown," Ning Tianchen waved dismissively, then pulled Ning Rongrong's hand and headed toward another street.
After the preliminaries ended, the promotion matches would be held in the Tiandou Empire's military camp, where outsiders weren't allowed to spectate.
The audience that had gathered in the city had already left Tiandou City yesterday, restoring the city to its usual tranquility.
Not long after, Dugu Bo hurriedly sought out Ning Tianchen.
"Kid, something's happened. Come with me outside the city quickly."
"What's going on?" Ning Tianchen asked urgently.
Since the matter between him and Zhang Erhe hadn't been made public, Dugu Bo used sound transmission to inform him, "Kid, the Gold Palace Soul Douluo has left the city, and Zhang Erhe chased after him. They've likely already started fighting outside the city."
After pondering for a moment, Ning Tianchen said, "Old man, you go check it out. I won't go. If there's any situation, handle it according to your judgment."
He only had the strength of a Soul King. Even if he went outside the city, he'd only be able to watch from afar and wouldn't be of any help.
Dugu Bo thought for a moment, then turned and left alone.
Ning Rongrong clung to his arm. "Big Brother Tianchen, if there's an emergency, you can go directly. I'll return to the academy on my own."
Ning Tianchen gently stroked her forehead and smiled. "For me, it's not a big deal. Elder Dugu can handle it well—I don't need to worry."
Ning Rongrong didn't ask further about what the matter was. She trusted that everything Ning Tianchen did was for the sect.
---
Two hundred miles south of Tiandou City, Zhang Erhe and the Gold Palace Soul Douluo clashed.
Zhang Erhe's martial soul was the Evil-Crushing Battle Halberd, a powerful weapon-type martial soul.
The Gold Palace Soul Douluo's martial soul was the Golden Eagle, one of the top-tier bird-type martial souls.
"Zhang Erhe, I never expected you to break through to become to Soul Douluo! But so what? My strength has reached level 84!"
The Gold Palace Soul Douluo's moves were fierce, each one aimed at Zhang Erhe's vital points.
There was already a significant gap between level 81 and level 84 soul power.
During this visit to Tiandou City, the Gold Palace Soul Douluohad received guidance from Qingluan Douluo, benefiting greatly. His strength had grown even more formidable than before.
Zhang Erhe gradually fell into a disadvantage. The Evil-Crushing Battle Halberd, known for its attack power, now couldn't produce any effect.
"Didn't you review the archives of that incident back in the Spirit Hall?!"
"Harming your village wasn't my intention—"
Not giving Zhang Erhe a chance to speak, the Gold Palace Soul Douluo's Wing Blade Slash forced him to struggle defensively.
"That incident years ago was your doing. No matter how you try to justify yourself, the fact remains unchanged!"
The Gold Palace Soul Douluo's attacks became increasingly frenzied. The golden eagle's wings transformed into blades, their momentum relentless and without pause.
Zhang Erhe hastily retreated and counterattacked.
"Fourth soul skill, Battle Halberd Sky Piercer!"
He threw the Evil-Crushing Battle Halberd, which streaked across the sky like a meteor.
The Gold Palace Soul Douluo shielded himself with his wings, easily blocking the attack.
The commotion caused by the clash of two Soul Douluos was not small. In the distance, Dugu Bo sensed the energy fluctuations and rushed toward the battlefield.
---
In Balak City, several carriages were prepared.
In the Balak Kingdom's tournament zone, two teams had advanced from the preliminaries: the Beast Academy Team and the Balak Academy Team.
Meng Yiran, the vice-captain of the Beast Academy Team, wasn't riding in the same carriage as her teammates but was sitting together with Dragon Grandfather Meng Shu and Snake Grandmother.
"Yiran, do you remember Ning Tianchen, the one you had a conflict with before?"
Meng Yiran blinked and asked, "Grandma, why bring him up? That guy should pray he didn't advance from the preliminaries, or I'll teach him a lesson!"
Meng Shu chuckled dryly.
As one of the competitors, Meng Yiran had spent most of her recent time either in seclusion or training intensively, knowing little about external affairs.
Meng Shu looked at her fondly but with a bitter smile. "Yiran, you're no longer his match. According to the information Grandpa received, Ning Tianchen's Seven Treasures Team ranked first in the Tiandou Empire's preliminary matches."
Meng Yiran shrugged it off. "So what? That only proves his teammates are strong—it doesn't mean he's amazing!"
Chao Tianxiang sighed helplessly. "Yiran, when will you stop being so reckless?"
"Do you know that Ning Tianchen is the captain of the Seven Treasures Team and that he possesses the strength of a Soul King? You're only a level 38 Soul Elder—how can you possibly be his match?"
Meng Yiran covered her mouth in disbelief. "Grandma, that's impossible! Don't make things up!"
Ning Tianchen was younger than her yet had broken through to become a Soul King? This kind of exaggeration was beyond absurd!
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