Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

In the stands, Bibi Dong took a deep breath and stood up. It was time to announce the championship winner.

From earlier performances, she had already anticipated a likely defeat, but she never expected that the individuals she had personally trained wouldn't even withstand a single move.

"Useless," she thought. Even Hu Liena, whom she had always cherished, was among them, and she held her to the same evaluation.

She stepped forward, maintaining her composure, but just as she was about to reach the microphone, she halted, quickly turning her head toward the resting area for the Emperor's Team Two.

It wasn't just Bibi Dong; in fact, nearly everyone in the arena who had reached the level of Soul Douluo made the same movement.

Bibi Dong's astonished expression was projected onto the screen, and the obvious reactions from some in the arena made everyone watching shift their focus in that direction. A sense of unease started to rise in the crowd.

The shouts in the arena quickly died down. Even the dullest observer could sense that something was wrong based on the reactions around them.

"Heh, how interesting. A soul beast capable of transformation has infiltrated the Soul Master competition and made its way into Wuhun City. Such audacity," Guang Ling's voice echoed through the arena, igniting curiosity in many onlookers.

Creak—the door to the resting area of Emperor's Team Two opened, and Ye Lingling appeared in everyone's view.

"Lingling, come over here."

Dugu Yan's voice rang out, and Ye Lingling nodded, walking toward her.

No one stopped her. It wasn't her. A sudden realization dawned on everyone present.

"Rongrong."

Sword Douluo flew to a stop about ten meters from the door, calling out. He didn't dare get any closer, sensing he was already being locked onto.

"Okay."

Ning Rongrong's voice came from inside. She stepped out, glanced around, and then rushed into Sword Douluo's arms as they retreated together.

"Why make things so complicated? Just tear it down."

A calm voice rang out. The makeshift barrier was swept away by a gust of green wind as Azure Luan waved his right hand, revealing several confused figures—and one trembling with fear.

"How is this possible?"

A shocked voice rang out from the edge of the stands. A Soul Douluo dressed in the uniform of the Star Luo Empire couldn't help but take a step back.

"What's going on?"

Dai Weisi, now dressed in the attire of the Star Luo prince, frowned at the Soul Douluo beside him, displeased with his comrade's dramatic reaction.

"Your Highness..."

The Soul Douluo trembled slightly, leaning close to Dai Weisi to whisper in his ear.

Dai Weisi glanced at Dai Mubai with a shocked expression. His eyes lit up, but he remained silent.

Meanwhile, Sword Douluo had already returned, a look of disbelief on his face as he transmitted a message to Ning Fengzhi.

In the crowd, Tang Xiao grabbed Tang Hao by the collar, his expression twisted with rage.

"Tell me, what's going on?"

"I—I don't know."

Tang Hao looked equally bewildered. Who could explain why his son's aura now resembled that of a transformed soul beast?

"Ladies and gentlemen, since this is happening in Wuhun City, I'll take charge of the situation. No objections, right?"

Han Li, who had somehow appeared silently above the resting area of Emperor's Team Two, spoke out.

"Agreed." ×2

Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi spoke almost simultaneously.

Han Li glanced at Ning Fengzhi in surprise but showed no other reaction. Then, Yu Yuanzhen and Dai Weisi both nodded. Bibi Dong's eyes flickered, but she made no move.

"Very well."

Han Li nodded but didn't descend. Instead, he waved his right hand, lifting Oscar with a force of soul power and tossing him to the side of the arena.

"Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon?"

Below, Tang San had heard Guang Ling's earlier words. Though he had a bad feeling, his attention was drawn to Han Li's actions.

"Oh, you recognize it? But for now, you'd better keep quiet."

Han Li glanced at him with an inexplicable smile.

He waved his hand again, and Ma Hongjun was similarly thrown next to Oscar, both exchanging confused looks, unsure of what had just happened.

Below, Dai Mubai and Tai Long watched Han Li, equally clueless but sensing that being thrown out of the arena meant they'd be safe.

They watched as Han Li's hand extended again, a hint of expectation in their eyes.

Then, a loud shout echoed in their ears.

"Don't think you can touch my son!"

A figure draped in a black robe flew in, wielding a massive black hammer that whistled through the air as it smashed toward Han Li.

"Oh? Is that so? How interesting. I thought you'd wait until I eliminated one more. Seems you couldn't bear it, Tang Hao."

With a graceful flip, Han Li's wings carried him out of the way, and he brought his right leg down like a battle axe, slamming it onto the top of the Clear Sky Hammer and forcing Tang Hao down.

A heavy thud echoed as Tang Hao landed, standing in front of Tang San and Xiao Wu. He looked up at Han Li, surprised that he had dodged the attack.

Han Li waved toward the Spirit Hall members rushing to his aid.

"Protect the spectators. He can't do anything to me."

The crowd paused, then redirected their focus to the stands. Bibi Dong remained expressionless, while Guang Ling nodded. With that, they dispersed throughout the arena.

"You're quite confident."

Tang Hao's face darkened as he glanced at Guang Ling, Bibi Dong, and the others nearby.

"Stop looking at them. They won't interfere, nor do they need to. I had other plans today, but you and your son have stolen the spotlight. I'm quite annoyed."

"Still, as an appetizer, this isn't bad. Clear Sky Douluo, why don't you tell everyone about your soul beast son? I thought he was a transformed soul beast."

Han Li's expression held a hint of amusement as he revealed this information to the still somewhat confused crowd for the first time.

"Clear Sky Douluo, Clear Sky Douluo… he is that Tang Hao."

"So Tang San is his son… and a soul beast?"

"Not a transformed soul beast, just… a soul beast."

As Han Li's words settled, murmurs began to rise from the crowd below. No one doubted him; after all, none of the prominent figures present objected.

Tang Hao's son being a soul beast was even more shocking than the news of a transformed soul beast. After all, this was the Clear Sky Sect.

"Xiao San is not a soul beast!"

Tang Hao's voice echoed, accompanied by the heavy thud of his hammer hitting the ground, silencing the crowd's murmurs.

"You can deceive others, but not yourself. Tang Hao, you should know full well that your wife was a transformed soul beast. Back then, the former Pope issued a warrant for your arrest precisely because of this."

"Unfortunately, he died at your hands, leaving you to roam free until now. These days, Tang San's soul beast aura is unmistakable. Your denials are meaningless."

"We kept this hidden to avoid controversy. The Grand Worship had a good relationship with your grandfather, Tang Chen, and didn't want to see the Clear Sky Sect fall. Yet you still show no remorse. Truly…"

Han Li shook his head, releasing yet another bombshell that stirred even more commotion.

"That's nonsense! Qian Xunji just wanted to hunt Ah Yin and take her soul ring and bone!"

Tang Hao's face flushed with anger as he blurted out, agitated.

"Is it wrong for Spirit Hall to hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast to protect the public? It was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, blending into human society. When her cultivation was complete, who could stop her?"

Han Li tilted his head with a look of surprise.

"So you're not denying your wife was a soul beast, are you? Colluding with a soul beast and even having a child with her—Tang Hao, what are you trying to do? Betray humanity?"

Han Li smiled as he posed this soul-piercing question.

Tang Hao looked at Han Li's infuriating smile, then at his son, Tang San, who was still in shock. He took a deep breath.

"Think whatever you like. I don't owe anyone an explanation."

"However, if you want to harm my son, you'll have to step over my dead body first!"

Nine soul rings appeared above him, with the blood-red glow of the highest ring particularly striking.

"As long as you admit it, I won't feel any burden in making my move."

Han Li smiled, satisfied. All he needed was a legitimate reason. Smiling, he continued,

"Now, I'll take your life!"

As he finished speaking, a brilliant light erupted from Han Li's body, and his soul power surged violently, spreading in all directions.

The time had finally come for him to show his true power before everyone. It had been a long time since he'd done anything openly.

A red-and-white Ice Fire Dragon God Bow appeared in his hand, and two dragon souls rose from the bow, one on each shoulder, roaring at Tang Hao below.

His soul rings no longer remained hidden as they expanded, rising from his feet and slowly ascending toward his head.

Red, red, red, red, red, red, platinum.

From the very first soul ring, a blinding blood-red light lit up. When the final unprecedented platinum soul ring appeared, it hovered above Han Li's head, awe-inspiring.

The entire audience fell silent.

Han Li exhaled, shook the Ice Fire Dragon God Bow in his hand, and looked down at Tang Hao.

"Now, are you ready?"