Douluo: I am the True Master

This terrifying aura could be faintly sensed even from over a hundred kilometers away at the Tian Hun-Dou Ling frontline. 

Long Xiaoyao, who was preparing to launch an assault on a fortress, suddenly turned pale and looked toward the direction of Ye Xishui. 

"Whose presence is this? This soul power fluctuation… it might even surpass Mu En's! No good—Xishui is in danger!" 

Realizing that Ye Xishui might be in peril, Long Xiaoyao could no longer remain calm. Spreading a pair of massive black wings behind him, he prepared to fly toward Ye Xishui to protect his beloved. 

But the next moment, an overwhelming gravitational force descended from the sky, forcing Long Xiaoyao to stumble and come to a halt. 

"Who dares interfere?!" 

The fact that this force could affect him meant the opponent was no ordinary foe. Despite his urgency for Ye Xishui's safety, Long Xiaoyao had no choice but to grow cautious. 

When Limit Douluos clashed, their very existence often announced itself unless the opponent far surpassed them, reaching god-like levels. 

Looking at the refined middle-aged man who now stood before him, Long Xiaoyao was certain he didn't recognize him. 

"Regardless of who you are, I have urgent matters to attend to! If you insist on blocking me, then I will fight you to the death." 

Facing Long Xiaoyao's threat, the elegant middle-aged man remained as calm as still water. 

"Greetings, Dragon Emperor. I am Xiao Ding, Grand Elder of the Tian Xing Sect, invited by the Tian Hun Empire to intercept you. Please show some consideration and refrain from advancing further." 

Seeing the man's nonchalant demeanor and recalling the distant soul power fluctuations, Long Xiaoyao's expression darkened. However, he quickly realized something. 

"The Tian Xing Sect? Isn't your Tian Xing Academy supposed to be a neutral force? Why involve yourselves in this war? Aren't you afraid of being targeted by the Sun Moon Empire after the battle ends?" 

Xiao Ding shrugged indifferently. "The Tian Xing Sect is a cultivation sect, not the indiscriminately open Tian Xing Academy. According to imperial law, during wartime, all major sects must cooperate with the empire's arrangements. Thus, we are merely following the rules. Your accusations hold no merit." 

Long Xiaoyao couldn't help but laugh bitterly—it was pure sophistry. 

"Out of my way! I don't care who you are! Whoever stands in my path dies today! 

Sixth Soul Skill—Dark Dragon Roar Wave!" 

Though far inferior to Di Tian's Ultimate Darkness, this attack was enough to instantly reduce any ordinary soul master to ashes upon impact. 

However, it was clear that Xiao Ding was no ordinary person. 

An ancient cauldron appeared before Xiao Ding, serving as a massive shield that directly withstood the attack. Along with the cauldron came Xiao Ding's soul rings: 

Two yellow, two purple, four black, one red— 

Xiao Ding was naturally Xiao Xiao's father, both the vice principal of Tian Xing Academy and the Grand Elder of the fictitious Tian Xing Sect established by Ye Wen. 

Long Xiaoyao's attack was merely a feint; his true intention was to leave this place and check on Ye Xishui's condition.

"You strike and flee? You seem to underestimate me," Xiao Ding said coldly. 

As the ten-thousand-year soul ring representing Xiao Ding's sixth soul skill lit up, a powerful gravitational force forcibly pinned Long Xiaoyao to the ground. 

At this moment, Long Xiaoyao's expression grew grim, and a surge of murderous intent erupted. His terrifying array of soul rings—two yellow, two purple, three black, two red—was revealed. 

Though Xiao Ding had one less hundred-thousand-year soul ring than Long Xiaoyao, Xiao Ding was no ordinary individual. As a Limit Douluo resurrected by Ye Wen, he had been empowered by Ye Wen's guidance, ensuring his foundation was unparalleled. For now, neither side gave an inch. 

"Damn you! You've forced my hand! Today, I'll show you why I, who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Dragon God Douluo Mu En, cannot be compared to someone like you who rose through sheer luck!

Seventh Soul Skill—Holy Dragon True Form!!!" 

In an instant, a pitch-black colossal dragon appeared where Long Xiaoyao stood. 

Though less ostentatious than Di Tian's Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, the dragon's sharp claws and chilling Ultimate Darkness aura sent shivers down the spines of those watching from afar. 

This was the terror of one of the Two Holy Dragons—the Dark Holy Dragon! 

But Xiao Ding, his opponent, remained unfazed. 

Indeed, beast martial soul users could suppress weapon martial soul users early on since weapon martial souls provided little enhancement. 

However, once they reached the Soul Sage level, this dynamic reversed. 

Weapon martial soul users gained the unique amplification of their True Weapon Form. 

And the fact that Xiao Ding had reached the level of a Limit Douluo proved that the quality of his martial soul was no less than that of the Dark Holy Dragon. 

"Seventh Soul Skill—Heavenly Cauldron True Form!" 

A three-legged, two-eared cauldron now hovered in midair. Its overwhelming presence alone, even without activating any soul skills, was enough to make others tremble. 

Many veteran soul masters from the Tian Hun Empire recognized this cauldron. 

After all, back when Xiao Ding was at Level 98, he was second only to the Tian Hun Emperor himself. If not for the Beast Tide War, this legendary figure might have rivaled Mu En in status. 

But these people harbored some doubts. Didn't this man die years ago? 

Such questions were quickly dismissed. After all, rumors about great figures were often exaggerated—who could tell what was true or false? Perhaps this elder had spent these years recuperating and was now stepping forward to aid the Tian Hun Empire. That was all that mattered. 

Ye Wen had his reasons for sending Xiao Ding into this battle. 

During the Beast Tide War, Xiao Ding faced Di Tian, was defeated, devoured, and left without a trace—a common fate. Additionally, according to Xiao Xiao's information, her father's body was never recovered, leaving room for speculation. Allowing Xiao Ding to re-emerge maintained the balance of power among the three empires while gradually eroding the old aristocratic classes. 

As for Xiao Xiao's mother, she had been ambushed by ferocious beasts and perished in plain sight, so she had to remain hidden until the future. 

Now, the battle between Xiao Ding and Long Xiaoyao officially began. 

Xiao Ding's Three Lives Soul-Sealing Cauldron differed from Xiao Xiao's—it wasn't purely focused on control but combined control with devastating offense. 

Though the Dark Holy Dragon could fly, under Xiao Ding's gravity-based soul skills, it was forced to engage in close combat on the ground. 

Sharp dragon claws slashed against the Three Lives Soul-Sealing Cauldron, sparking violently, yet not even a scratch was left behind. 

Faced with Long Xiaoyao's attacks, Xiao Ding wasn't merely defending. With Ye Wen's guidance, his physical combat prowess was now equally formidable. 

At this moment, Xiao Ding infused soul energy around the Three Lives Soul-Sealing Cauldron and began to rapidly maneuver it. 

"Eighth Soul Skill—Heavenly Star Mountain-Shaking + Primordial Versatile Force!" 

The high-speed rotation generated by special forces merged with the cauldron's inherent devastating offensive soul skill. The combination unleashed its full potential. 

The once mountain-sized Three Lives Soul-Sealing Cauldron now moved so fast that it created afterimages, leaving Long Xiaoyao no time to react before being knocked flying.

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