I’ve already become a titled Douluo, and only now the system arrives?

"Your Excellency, I've failed you!" Zhao Wuji's voice was filled with grief.

He looked extremely disheveled, his clothes torn and stained with blood.

Qin Xiao coldly demanded, "Speak, what happened?"

The cold killing intent had materialized into a white mist, forming a menacing silhouette behind Qin Xiao.

Zhao Wuji and Liu Erlong felt a chill run through their bodies.

"After the qualifiers, I led Zhuqing and the others to draw lots, and we drew a bye. With no match tomorrow, Zhuqing, Yiran, and the others wanted to explore Spirit City, so I agreed."

Zhao Wuji's face showed deep regret, "We arrived at a shop selling women's clothes, and Flender and I waited outside. But then, unexpectedly, someone attacked Zhuqing, Yiran, and the others inside the shop. They were caught off guard..."

Zhao Wuji couldn't continue and slapped himself hard in the face.

If he could do it over, he would never have left their side.

"What!" Qin Xiao's fury erupted, his killing intent lowering the temperature around him to freezing. Liu Erlong and Zhao Wuji could see their breath misting in the cold air.

"Old Zhao, don't blame yourself just yet. How are they?" Liu Erlong asked urgently.

Zhao Wuji was stunned for a moment before responding quickly, "Their lives are not in danger, but they have sustained various injuries. They are being treated at the Spirit Hall..."

Hearing that their lives were safe, Liu Erlong let out a sigh of relief.

Qin Xiao's expression softened slightly, "Who attacked them?" His voice had become hoarse.

Zhao Wuji answered hurriedly, "It was remnants of the Star Luo Empire, along with some soul masters from the Elephant Armored Sect, Wind Sword Sect, and other clans. There were about twenty attackers, including two Contras. Otherwise, Zhuqing and the others wouldn't have been hurt. But I've killed all the attackers, not a single one escaped."

Qin Xiao examined Zhao Wuji, noting that he had no wounds, confirming that the story was likely true. The blood on Zhao Wuji was from the enemies.

"Truly, weeds that grow back after being cut."

"Qin Xiao, calm down. The most important thing now is Zhuqing and the others' health and safety. Let's go to the Spirit Hall and see them first," Liu Erlong suggested.

Qin Xiao nodded slightly, "You all stay here and make sure no one else gets hurt. I'll go to the Spirit Hall alone."

With that, he disappeared.

...

Meanwhile, in the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong stood before her throne, holding her scepter, exuding a natural authority.

She was already aware of the incident, which she saw as a direct challenge to the Spirit Hall's dignity.

"A team participating in the soul master competition was attacked within Spirit City... When I heard this news, I was deeply shocked."

Bibi Dong's icy voice echoed through the hall.

The elders, including Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, wore expressions of shame.

Undoubtedly, this was also their oversight.

They had allowed unfamiliar soul masters to enter Spirit City.

"Your Majesty, Zhu Zhuqing of the Shrek team is the designated empress of the Star Luo Empire. Those assassins were targeting her," Ghost Douluo explained reluctantly.

Bibi Dong asked coldly, "Does their target matter?"

"Well..."

"Answer me."

Ghost Douluo's forehead was covered in sweat, "It doesn't matter. This was our oversight. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will handle this matter."

Ghost Douluo replied solemnly.

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, "Then let everyone disperse."

...

Meanwhile, Qin Xiao, having identified himself, smoothly entered the Spirit Hall.

He was led to see Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, Ning Rongrong, and the others.

He sighed in relief. Their condition seemed good; there were no visible wounds, likely thanks to the healing soul masters.

But their weakened state was evident.

Especially Zhu Zhuqing, who looked like a long-term patient, unable to get out of bed on her own.

Seeing Qin Xiao, she still tried to prop herself up.

The others followed suit, but they all struggled to move.

The least injured were Huang Yuan and Jing Ling.

They had been waiting outside the shop with Zhao Wuji and Flender, but their lower cultivation levels meant they were injured by the residual energy of the fight.

Thinking back, they felt embarrassed and wished they could hide when they saw Qin Xiao.

"Don't move..." Qin Xiao's voice trembled.

His momentarily relieved heart was gripped with tension again.

If Zhao Wuji hadn't said those attackers were dead, Qin Xiao would have wanted them to feel the pain of a thousand cuts.

"Your Excellency, what about tomorrow's match..." Zhu Zhuqing's voice trailed off, her expression darkening.

Qin Xiao shook his head slightly and said softly, "At a time like this, you're still worried about the match. Recovering your health is the most important thing."

"But that's your hard work. I can feel that the match is especially important to you..." Meng Yiran spoke up, her voice filled with understanding.

Some things she had long suspected but never voiced.

Even though Qin Xiao appeared indifferent, she could still sense his true feelings.

This was true understanding.

Qin Xiao was about to respond to Meng Yiran when he heard footsteps approaching from outside. Several figures were quickly walking towards them.

Qin Xiao saw clearly the person leading the group, a thin man in a black robe, his face pale and bloodless, like a corpse that had climbed out of a coffin.

However, the cold aura he exuded made him impossible to ignore.

"Ghost Douluo..." A name surfaced in Qin Xiao's mind.

In the vast Spirit Hall, there was likely only one person who fit this description.

At this moment, Ghost Douluo noticed Qin Xiao in the room.

He frowned and asked the guard at the door, "Hey, why is there someone else here? Didn't I say no one else was allowed in?"

Having just been reprimanded by Bibi Dong, Ghost Douluo was naturally in a foul mood.

"Elder, he is also a member of the Shrek team, so we allowed him in," the guard replied.

"Nonsense," Ghost Douluo retorted. "The Shrek team has eight members. How can there be someone else?"

"He said his name is Qin Xiao, the ninth member of the Shrek team."

"The ninth member? It seems the Shrek team indeed has nine members..." Ghost Douluo murmured to himself.

But in the next moment, his expression turned to shock and disbelief.

"Wait, the young man in the room is Qin Xiao?"

He knew little about Qin Xiao's identity in the Heaven Dou Empire.

But what he did know was enough to astonish him—Qin Xiao was a Title Douluo-level powerhouse, stronger than himself.

Even the higher-ranking Titled Douluo, Qianjun and Jiangmo, had been defeated by Qin Xiao.

"And this guy is actually a member of the Shrek team?"

"How shameless!"

At this moment, Qin Xiao noticed Ghost Douluo's strange gaze and asked indifferently, "What? You don't want to come in? If you don't, just leave. They need rest and don't need to be disturbed."

He referred to Zhu Zhuqing and the others.

"Uh, this..." Ghost Douluo was stunned by Qin Xiao's words.

What was going on?

This is the Spirit Hall, essentially my home, and you're acting so domineering in someone else's home?

He felt as if Qin Xiao had turned the tables on him.

And he couldn't remember the last time someone dared speak to him like this.

The last person who did so probably had grass three meters high growing over their grave by now.

He instinctively wanted to lash out.

But then Qin Xiao's voice thundered in his mind, "Didn't you hear me clearly?"

This was a challenge.

"I... I..." Ghost Douluo's momentum vanished, completely suppressed by Qin Xiao.

At this moment, Ghost Douluo realized that Qin Xiao was even more powerful than the rumors suggested.

"I didn't say I wouldn't come in," he muttered, feeling somewhat aggrieved.

Fine, I'll come in. No need to be so fierce about it.

"Speak, what's the matter? Say it and leave quickly," Qin Xiao said impatiently, waving his hand.

Ghost Douluo: "..."

Does this guy always act so aggressively? It's a wonder he's still alive.

If it weren't for his exceptional talent and strength, he probably wouldn't have lasted this long.

Ghost Douluo couldn't help but complain inwardly.

However, he didn't forget the task Bibi Dong had assigned him, "I've come to inform you that if necessary, the final of the soul master competition can be postponed for a few days."

"After all, it's our oversight that caused you this harm. The Spirit Hall is willing to take responsibility to ensure you receive fair treatment."

"Oh?" Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

He hadn't expected the Spirit Hall to be so earnest in taking responsibility. This improved his impression of the Spirit Hall considerably.

After all, even if the Blazing Fire Academy and Divine Wind Academy merged and gathered their strongest members, they would still inevitably lose to the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation in tomorrow's match.

The Shrek team was the Spirit Hall Academy team's formidable rival. It could be said that the Spirit Hall had no hope of victory.

Undoubtedly, this was an excellent opportunity for the Spirit Hall Academy team, perhaps their only chance at victory.

At least, it would seem that way to outsiders.

It took great courage to give up this opportunity.

Of course, this was assuming Qin Xiao didn't participate.

On the other hand, Ghost Douluo also felt uneasy. With Qin Xiao in the mix, postponing the match wouldn't make much difference.

He racked his brain but couldn't figure out a way for the Spirit Hall Academy team to win.

"Your Excellency..." Zhu Zhuqing tried to speak but was stopped by Qin Xiao.

"Don't speak. Just rest well."

"And don't worry about the match. After being idle for so long, it's time for me to show everyone that Shrek has a member like me."

Qin Xiao's words left everyone in shock.

What?
Your Excellency is going to fight personally?

Then, is there any suspense left in this battle?

Ignoring the others, Qin Xiao turned his gaze back to Ghost Douluo, "Please convey to Her Majesty the Pope that the match will proceed as scheduled. We don't need a postponement."

"And your team members are?"

In reality, Ghost Douluo already knew the answer.

But he needed to hear it from Qin Xiao himself to report back accurately.

Qin Xiao smiled calmly, "I alone am enough."

As expected... Ghost Douluo's eyes flickered, and he replied solemnly, "Rest assured, I will convey your words to Her Majesty the Pope."

"Thank you." Qin Xiao said as Ghost Douluo left.

Only when he no longer felt Ghost Douluo's gaze did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Damn, how does that kid cultivate? So young and already so terrifyingly strong. I feel suffocated just being near him, like when I'm facing Her Majesty the Pope or the Grand Worshipper..."

Recalling Qin Xiao's calm demeanor, Ghost Douluo still felt a lingering fear.

Thinking about Qin Xiao's words, a helpless smile appeared on Ghost Douluo's face, "The Spirit Hall was hoping for the Golden Trio to shine brightly in the continental soul master competition, to enhance our prestige.

But if Qin Xiao participates, the Golden Trio will suffer and only serve as stepping stones for Qin Xiao and the Shrek team... Sigh."

The more he thought about it, the more helpless he felt, and he could only sigh deeply.

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan... you three were just born in the wrong era.

You are clearly the most outstanding generation in the Spirit Hall's history, yet you must compete against a monster like Qin Xiao, destined to be his stepping stones.

I don't know what sins you committed in your past lives.

Ghost Douluo mused, wondering if he should find time to talk to the three and suggest they do some good deeds to change their fate.

Lost in thought, Ghost Douluo returned to the Pope's Palace and reported Qin Xiao's decision to Bibi Dong. Her response was simple, "Then the finals of the continental soul master competition will proceed as scheduled. I will be there in two days."

...

Time flew by, and two days passed in the blink of an eye.

In Spirit City.

The area in front of the Pope's Palace was packed with people, their emotions running high.

Most had two reasons for coming: to watch the thrilling finals and to worship at this sacred hall.

Of course, the crowd was buzzing with various discussions, sharing the latest gossip.

"Did you hear? Apparently, the main members of the Shrek team were attacked a couple of days ago and severely injured."

"What! If that's true, won't they lose today's match?"

"Be confident. Remove the words 'won't they.' In their peak condition, Shrek might have beaten the Spirit Hall Academy team. Now, definitely not!"

"What? Then I better pull my money and bet on the Spirit Hall Academy team before the odds change!"

In the crowd, Qin Xiao suddenly asked, "Flender, who did you bet on to win?"

Flender was initially stunned, then smiled, "Of course, I bet on our Shrek team to win. I put two million gold soul coins on it. If we win, that's twenty million!"

"Such high odds?" Qin Xiao laughed, taking out a black card and handing it to Flender. "There's twenty million gold soul coins on this card. Bet it all on our win."

"How much?"

"Twenty million?"

Flender stared blankly at the card. If Qin Xiao won, it would be a staggering amount!
Instantly, he would become one of the richest people on the continent.

(End of Chapter)

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