Douluo: Martial Soul White Tiger, I Am the White Emperor of Heaven!

Welcome to our new Patron: Josh Kingston!

------------------------------------------------------

Faced with Dai Mubai's repeated questioning, Ma Hongjun finally swallowed hard. With a hint of fear in his eyes, he slowly said:

"The person Xiao San and I encountered… you know him well!"

"I know him well?"

"Yes!" Ma Hongjun nodded vigorously. "It's your younger brother, the fourth prince of the Star Luo Empire—Dai Chengfeng."

"Dai! Cheng! Feng!"

Upon hearing this name, Dai Mubai instantly clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly, his eyes filled with humiliation and anger.

He would never forget the time in the Star Luo Empire when he had accused Dai Chengfeng.

He had been right, but both his father, the emperor, and his mother had blatantly sided with Dai Chengfeng, scolding him and even confining him as punishment…

Dai Mubai refused to accept it!

Attacking Wu Ping City at that time was bound to offend the Spirit Hall.

And indeed, the Spirit Hall had demanded an explanation from the Star Luo Empire.

Since the Star Luo Empire was weaker than the Spirit Hall, they should have exercised restraint and avoided offending them. That was the logical course of action.

But clearly, reality proved that his reasoning was correct, while Dai Chengfeng had been outrageously wrong.

Yet…

"Sigh!"

After a long pause, Dai Mubai took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger, then asked hopefully: "Fatty."

"Given your strength and Xiao San's, and looking at how badly injured Xiao San is now… surely Dai Chengfeng only barely won against you, right?"

"How bad are his injuries?"

Dai Mubai's tone carried a glimmer of hope, as if he were hoping to hear that Dai Chengfeng had also been injured, to soothe his own resentment.

Ma Hongjun swallowed again, shaking his head with a bitter smile: "Xiao San and I… were…"

"One-shot by Dai Chengfeng."

"Impossible!"

Dai Mubai shot up from his seat, his fists clenched, veins bulging on his arms, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"I know how strong you and Xiao San are—you're both incredibly powerful."

"Especially Xiao San's hidden weapons—they're so difficult to deal with that even I can't guarantee a win."

"But not only did you lose, you were instantly defeated by Dai Chengfeng?"

"Dai Chengfeng may have been born with full soul power, but so was Xiao San!"

"And he didn't follow the traditional method of obtaining spirit rings, which means his spirit rings must conflict with his White Tiger spirit. How could he possibly be this strong?"

"Tell me you're joking, right?"

Dai Mubai's voice grew louder and louder, as if he simply couldn't accept that Dai Chengfeng might actually be stronger than him.

Ma Hongjun shook his head, his eyes filled with despair: "Big Brother Dai, do I really need to joke with you?"

"That brother of yours—you'd better not compare yourself to him anymore. You'll never measure up!"

"He's too strong—it's like he's a monster. He didn't even lift a finger; just a single glance from him, and Xiao San and I were inexplicably defeated."

As Ma Hongjun recalled the terrifying scene on the arena, his body trembled slightly, as if the suffocating pressure from that moment still lingered around him.

Dai Mubai still refused to believe it. He turned to Yu Xiaogang, his eyes filled with hope: "Teacher, Ma Hongjun is joking, right?"

His gaze was filled with expectation, hoping for a denial from his teacher.

However, Yu Xiaogang's expression was solemn as he slowly nodded, completely shattering Dai Mubai's last shred of hope.

"Mubai, Hongjun isn't joking with you. It's exactly as he said."

"Impossible…"

Dai Mubai staggered back a few steps and collapsed onto a chair, his eyes hollow.

"How could this happen? How could Dai Chengfeng possibly be this strong?"

He muttered to himself, his entire being seemingly devoid of spirit.

At this moment, Tang Hao, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was low and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority:

"There's no need to feel discouraged!"

"The reason Dai Chengfeng is so strong is because he possesses an exceptionally powerful head spirit bone, which greatly enhances his spiritual power. That's why he was able to easily defeat Xiao San and Ma Hongjun."

"If he hadn't relied on that head spirit bone, he might not have been able to beat Xiao San."

"A head spirit bone?"

Upon hearing this, Dai Mubai's head shot up as he recalled the 60,000-year-old head spirit bone that the Spirit Hall had gifted to the Star Luo Empire.

It must have been that one!

Back then, I had privately asked Father for it, but you mercilessly scolded me, telling me not to rely on external forces.

But now…

You've given the very same head spirit bone I longed for to Dai Chengfeng!

"Damn it!"

Thinking about his father's favoritism, Dai Mubai clenched his fists tightly, grinding his teeth. His resentment and anger surged like an uncontrollable tide.

"Father, I will prove to you that I, Dai Mubai, am the most outstanding one!"

"Your favoritism toward Dai Chengfeng—you will regret it!"

With these thoughts, Dai Mubai raised his head and looked at the unconscious Tang San: "Dai Chengfeng only relies on these external aids. Without them, there's no way he could have beaten Xiao San!"

At this moment, Tang Hao fixed his gaze on Dai Mubai, his eyes deep and penetrating:

"You're unwilling to accept it?"

Dai Mubai nodded without hesitation, his gaze resolute: "Of course I'm unwilling!"

"And Xiao San and I are good brothers—I absolutely must avenge him personally!"

"Good!"

Tang Hao chuckled, nodding slightly in satisfaction. "Xiao San has a friend like you—that's commendable!"

"Since you're unwilling to accept this, then there's a chance for revenge!"

"What chance?"

Dai Mubai's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"I've arranged a rematch with Dai Chengfeng for three months from now. You'll face him again."

"And during these three months, I'll train you intensively and find a way to counteract Dai Chengfeng's head spirit bone."

"When the time comes, you'll settle the score yourselves!"

Instantly, Dai Mubai and Oscar's eyes lit up with excitement. "Alright, we'll settle the score ourselves!"

At this moment, they already seemed to envision the moment of defeating Dai Chengfeng.

After all, they hadn't seen Dai Chengfeng in action. And though they had ultimately lost to Xie Yue and Yan, they didn't feel completely without a chance of winning.

Naturally, they were confident.

But Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, was utterly dispirited. He had truly been terrified by Dai Chengfeng's overwhelming strength.

Though Dai Chengfeng was roughly the same age as him, the sheer, unreasonable power he displayed left Ma Hongjun with a deep sense of helplessness that still haunted him.

But at this moment, as he gazed at the enigmatic Tang Hao—someone even Dai Chengfeng addressed as "Senior"—Ma Hongjun dared not object.

He could only silently pray in his heart: "I hope we can win in three months…"

---

Meanwhile, inside the Pope's Hall.

Bibi Dong, dressed in her resplendent Pope's robes, sat high upon the throne symbolizing supreme authority, exuding an awe-inspiring aura of majesty.

Below her, only Dai Chengfeng stood respectfully, his posture upright.

Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue all believed this operation had been carried out under Yue Guan's orders, so after the battle ended, they went to report to Yue Guan.

Only Dai Chengfeng had been personally summoned to the Pope's Hall by Bibi Dong.

However, Bibi Dong hadn't called Dai Chengfeng here to hear a report on the battle's outcome.

After all, she had already learned the full details of the fight through Yue Guan.

The thought of Yu Xiaogang's livid and furious face filled her with immense excitement.

Yu Xiaogang, you always valued your disciples more than me. Both times you came to see me, it was for your students!

This is what you deserve.

For a moment, Bibi Dong's breathing quickened, her body trembling slightly, her cheeks flushed.

She looked at Dai Chengfeng. "Chengfeng, you did well this time. What do you want?"

------------------------------------------------------

40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)